Rating: 
Summary: Oregon or Bust
Review: I still have extremely conflicting emotions about this movie. This and STARSHIP TROOPERS are the two movies where I most had a hard time making up my mind. I certainly can't hate a new movie about the Mexican-American War (forgotten by most, oddly, since we gained about a fourth or a fifth of our total territory in the 1848 Treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo). The cinematography was gorgeous, Slovakia making a more than adequate double for 1840s California. The acting was intriguing, as far as it went. Guy Pearce was convincing as a callow officer who wasn't sure how to handle the difficult situation in which he found himself (it had to be one of the most anti-heroic performances I've ever seen). Robert Carlyle was fantastic, looking every inch the 19th century folk villain. Jeffrey Jones is probably one of our most underrated actors; I remember in 1986 he played Thomas Jefferson in the CBS "George Washington" miniseries AND Dean Rooney in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." This guy can do anything. The movie really fell apart towards the end, I thought, but it was still a worthwhile and jarring experience. If you still can't take it, than at least buy the soundtrack, which was alone worth the price of admission. Hopefully this will begin a groundswell of movies on the 1846-48 war (and other little known features of 19th century American history), as Tom Berenger's ONE MAN'S HERO (about the Mexican Army's San Patricio Regiment, composed of Irish Catholic deserters from the U.S. Army) is scheduled to come out soon (I believe).
Rating: 
Summary: Could I give this movie any less?
Review: This was down right the worst movie I have seen in a long time. The plot was okay, but the acting was horrible. You had no emotions for any of the actors. This is a pointless gore fest. DO NOT SEE THIS MOVIE! You have been warned.
Rating:
Summary: Refreshing messing with the genre(s).
Review: The films I enjoy most are made by marginal directors having their way with a genre. Ravenous is the perfect example. Robert Carlyle is perfectly cast as a folkloric devil, not a big mighty Satan, but a little obscene trickster. But that giggling little monster is just a part of him. First time we see him he is helpless, blubbering and scared little thing. I think that impersonation is very important for Ives. He is acting a loser, the pathetic sight, the victim he might become if he did not make the fateful decision. He has to convince himself it was worth it. The music accompanying the chase makes us think about the evil forest creatures of frontier yarns and tall-tales that deal with death rather matter-of-factedly. The predator is enjoying himself, smirking and squinting - the jaunty eccentric. The second face of the demon. But in the second half of the movie he looks resigned. Ives feels that he still needs a justification. He has found The Way, he is The Predator and the rest are The Victims. But something is gnawing at him. - It's a lonely life. - as Jeffry Jones's character says. Ives needs the disciples - what is a messiah without apostles! A self-deluded maniac? Boyd seems to be a perfect choice. The taste is not unfamiliar to him. He also needs a cure from his feebleness, his fear, his guilt. Ives is not in a hurry to kill him. The cannibal approaches Boyd with his logic, he tempts him with the strangely exhilarating memories, confronts with a life-or-death choice. The little devil fails. First colonel decides to quit. Then Boyd prefers to suffer and die rather than join the club. The final battle was inevitable - it's XX Century Fox after all! The film must end with something climactic to sell more tickets, tapes and DVDs. It's funny to watch mortal combat of two guys who are not sure of their current status - are they alive, dead or half-dead? Guy Pearce's role echoes his L.A.Confidential big-screen debut. The award ceremony is practically the same - Guy in uniform recieves the honors for the courage he does not feel. He is still that reluctant hero with blood-smeared face. In both films he gets an offer to cross to the dark side and kills the corruptor. I am not going to comment on how good soundtrack is, Jeffry Jones superb acting or Arquette guy's brief apperance which does not merit putting his name on posters and DVD covers. It's all evident. Also I don't think there is any sense in naming the film a Horror, Black Comedy or Historical Thriller - marketing that movie is not our task. Let's just watch.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Movie
Review: This movie is about a soldier in the Mexican-American War, Boyd, who in the beginning was promoted to a captain for getting behind enemy lines. His general knows he is not a real hero, so he ships him off to the secluded Fort Spencer. In a flashback-type scene it shows that Boyd is indeed not a hero. In battle he froze in fear while those around him died while crying for help. He drops to the ground and pretends to be dead. Eventually the enemy drags him across enemy lines and, thinking he's dead, puts him in a pile of dead American soldiers. Boyd, who is at the bottom of the pile and has another soldiers blood running down his throat, climbs out and starts punching Mexicans. Anyway, he and the others at Fort Spencer find a nearly frozen to death man named Colqhoun. Colqhoun tells the story of how he and a few others were freezing in a cave and had to resort to eating each other. He tells them there are still others in the cave, so they have to do their duty as soldiers and go save them. Here they find out that Colqhoun lied and he had eaten everybody, and kills most of everyone else. Boyd escapes and goes back to Fort Spencer, only to meet up with Colqhoun again, only this time he goes by another name. Boyd is left trying to convince everyone of Colqhouns cannibalism. The ending is pretty good and the hole story in unique and very entertaining. This movie should really get more credit. I urge anyone who reads this to see this movie, It's really great.
Rating:
Summary: The movie is spellbinding, I couldn't turn from it.
Review: It's the best movie I've seen in a while, and I haven't ever seen another movie like it. No matter what the ratings, this is a movie that will take you for a ride if you let it. The suspense is wonderful. Guy Pierce is really great.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly Bloody Black Comedy Mixed With Drama and Horror
Review: This, when it came out March 1999, Audiences seems to not about the film, it only lasted 2 weeks in theaters but On Video and DVD, the film become successful on Rentals, if People don`t rent this film, they are missing very strong film. It about a soldier named Capt.John Boyd (Guy Pearce) have hard forgetting the horrors of the wars and he has also a hard time eating food, then he recive a medal for his service but his boss, he knows, he`s no hero and Soldier knows, he will be never the hero, as he thought, then he been sent near to the mountains, to help and serve his work there. Then he meets a Mysterious Man named Colquhoun (Robert Carlyle), who came down the moutains and he said, five peoples, plus him, were trap in the moutains for four months, because of winter and they stay inside a cave, also he say, when there is no food left, they eating horses and then killing each other and an woman still be alive. Then Boyd, Hart (Jeffrey Jones), Jeremy Davies-Toffler and Others is working with are going to the moutains with Mysterious Colquhoun. To me, this film is Very Bloody than most Horror Films but not disgusting film. The Film Dialogue is Very funny and Interesting Dialogue, most of the time. Great Music Score and Strongly Directed by Antonia Bird. Strong Performances from Guy Pearce, Robert Carlyle and Jeffrey Jones, Small Role for Jeremy Davies, Even Smaller Role for David Arquette. This is not for all taste, for some, this film might go too far at times. Recommend for People with Strong Stomach. DVD's has an sharp non-anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an terrific Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD has Three Commentaries Tracks by the Cast & Filmmakers, Deleted Scenes with/without Commentary & more. Do not miss this ambitious intelligent film. Super 35. Grade:A-.
Rating:
Summary: Tasty Flesh
Review: Have you ever wanted to taste the flesh? Is it really like chicken, wash it down with some warm human blood to make the taste even more sweet, then buy this movie. This is movie is the greatest dramatic piece I have ever seen. If you are fan of dark and disturbing images such as those from the Lyrics of Kool Keith then buy this title. The setting is amazing and the hidden themes show a side of America that we have come to embrace as human beings. Eat to live or Live to eat you decide?
Rating:
Summary: RAVENOUS WAS JUST... YUMMY
Review: I saw Ravenous at the theater when it opened. I had no idea what to expect. I was surprised at how intellegent it was. It was funny, scary, unexpected, well scripted, extrememly well acted and of course gory as hell. But it wasn't done in the usual splatter and blood shed most accompanied done in such good taste. (no pun intended) Robert Carlyle and his beaty eyes, as Colonel Ives was as creepy as he was cool. As well as Boyd played by Guy Pierce wonderfully done. He started off so weak, and showed how his strength slowly improved after eating the flesh of the men he was trying to save. Jeffery Jones, David Arquette and Neil McDouough were also excellent as was the rest of the cast. It was dark and amusing. I thought for sure that the film was going to make me ill and had lots of reservations about seening it. I am so glad I did, 4 times. The final 10 minutes were excruciating for me. I didn't dare watch but couldn't close my eyes. And the final words that Boyd and Ives share are so great. It was so snide and witty I chuckled. I bought it as soon as it was available out at the store. The music is another asset to the film. The question is, what the heck is it? It is almost playful and fun. I have no idea if Antonia Byrd got her point across the way that she was trying, but as far as I'm concerend it was yummy and something you can sink your teeth into.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, haunting and funny
Review: A gem of a movie, as disturbing and gorgeous as it is sly and biting(ahem, excuse the pun). Wonderfully acted, it was a pleasure to see such a marvelous ensemble of little known but highly talented actors. I was particularly pleased to see Jeffery Jones in a different role, and Guy Pearce is good in anything. The writing is strong and intelligent and I was surprised to realize it was funny as well in a wry, dark sort of way. And the blood. Blood, blood and more blood, it's definately one of the more hardcore horror movies I've watched, and certainly the only directed by a women, Antonia Bird who does a magnificent job. Not for all tastes(pun again), but certainly worth watching.
Rating:
Summary: I'm a vegetarian...
Review: ...and I loved this movie! I missed it in the theater, but caught it on video, and thoroughly enthralled, watched it again. Not having had enough, I rented the DVD later and watched all of the commentaries. And now I'm ordering it on DVD. It's that good. I've never seen a movie that blends horror, history, mythology and humor in this fashion. The scenery (the movie was filmed in Poland and Slovakia) and the music are breathtakingly beautiful. The characters are interestingly developed (I've never seen Jeffrey Jones play a role like this) and the story moves you right along. You don't have to understand the concept of cannibalism, or be sympathetic to it, to enjoy this film. Clever, memorable, and a good story as well, that stands on its own strength, rather than relying on big names.
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