Ravenous

Rating:
Summary: A very little seen masterpiece
Review: The perfect combination of humor and horror, Ravenous sports an amazing cast of actors in this cannibalistic romp in the Sierra's during the 1840's. Part Donner-party-esque comedy, part Indian legend period piece, the film has much going for it beyond the stellar acting of Guy Pierce and Robert Carlyle (who is absolutely brilliant). This was one of the few films that I've seen in the past 5 years or so that TRULY lived up to it's expectations. I was hoping it would be fantastic, and it was even better than that. It's too bad it did not get the recognition it deserves.

ABOUT THE DVD: If you've already seen the film, and are a fan, then you should definately purchase the DVD. It sports some very cool extras, such as several deleted scenes.

If you have not seen the film, you are missing out on one of the most entertaining and original films made in a long time. Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: A dark drama. Not a horror flick!
Review: I'm not sure who the marketing fool was who decided to bill this as "horror" but he certainly caused its box office bomb. THIS IS NOT HORROR. Forget everything those stupid TV ads or reviews and gather round as I lay it down.

This is a powerful drama about an emotional disturbed young man who is sent to a remote location. There he faces the devil himself and confronts his fears. OK here we're in the Mexican War but this story could have worked in any setting. Why? Pearce and Carlyele. These two play off eachother sooo well I can't believe the critics missed it. Their preformances are truly legendary. The ultimate good versus evil!

If you want a movie with a compelling story and knock out preformances, this is the one.

PS Not horror.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best movies of the 1990s
Review: This is going to sound strange, but "Ravenous" is a very intelligent movie about cannibals, vampirism (of an unusual sort) and the history of the west. At it's heart is a metaphor about power, exploitation, and ravenous greed. It is much more than simply a thriller, horror, slasher picture.

It is set during the time of westward expansion in the youthful United States, which is significant for discovering what the movie is all about. This movie wouldn't make sense in 20th century Manhattan, or in 1930s Chicago. It is set during a time when european settlers still had a long way to go towards 'conquering' most of North America.

Without giving too much away of the bizarre and twisted plot, the movie explores not only cannibalism, but cannibalism as a means of regaining life, energy, or power. You eat another, you take the life energy of that person. This notion of cannabalism (which is more along the lines of mythology than of a slasher movie) allows the movie to be completely unpredictable, disturbing and poignant all at once. At the end of the movie, one realizes that it would've been almost impossible to have guessed what was going to happen at each plot turn. If you enjoy bizarre, almost surreal surprises, this movie is packed with them.

The crucial moment in the film is towards the end when Robert Carlyle's character is rhapsodizing about "manifest destiny." Here it is revealed that what's behind the ravenous hunger depicted in the film is a statement about how the west was won, and perhaps still being won. There's a lot in this film to chew on (it's impossible to avoid stupid puns when writing about movies in which people are eaten, sorry), and "Ravenous" does not belong in the same category as B-slashers or gore or shock flicks.

In fact, it's almost impossible to determine what category to put "Ravenous" in. People who avoid gore movies will probably also want to avoid this one (it can be pretty disgusting), and people who enjoy gore and slash will probably feel disappointed because there's simply more going on than random and senseless killing. It's no surprise that this movie bombed, and it will probably gain cult status and continue to confuse most viewers, but for that reason it will probably be around for a while.

The performances are great all around, but Robert Carlyle really, really shines. The story is so original it nearly defies categorization, and the opening sequence is one of the best I've ever seen. The music is meant to be off-kilter and dissonant, which adds to the film's offbeat tempo.

Overall a great movie, but one that may confuse viewers. It's not a comedy (though it is funny), it's not a slasher/thriller (though it is gorey and thrilling), and it's not a western (though it is set in the right era). The best thing to do is see it and find out. You may hate it, or you may never be able to stop thinking about it. There are not many movies like this out there.

Rating:
Summary: Ravenous DVD ~ Guy Pearce
Review: just because I gave this 3 stars does not mean you should miss this film. Its actually very close to 4 stars, but it has its flaws. First, I found some of the soundtrack at times distracting and misplaced. Sometimes the soundtrack is great and hard hitting, but sometimes a great scene is flawed by an annoying banjo hobo tune. Also this films really lags for the first 15-20 minutes of the movie and the ending although not bad is less then thought provoking and great.
This movie doesnt do anything to stir emotion, but its fun to watch. Robert Carlyle is so amazing as the evil loving villian! Guy Pearce is also amazing although his part wasnt complicated. Jeffrey Jones(from ferris bueller) and David Arquette are not well casted in this films even though they tried. Jeffrey Jones is too much like my uncle to come off as a believable evil character. David Arquette cant seem to play anything but the idiot in films and TV and didnt go well in this movie, but thankfully he wasnt in it much. thats about it for any problems I had with the film.
Otherwise, I was pleased with this film. I love movies with evil characters who love to have fun while being evil(like Jack Nicholson in "The Shining" or Mark Walberg in "FEAR") Robert Carlyle is awesome and delivers a 5 star performance as the villian. This is the first time I have seen him in any film and I must say that Im an instant fan.
I gave it 3 stars, but its a film that you need to see if you love evil thrillers. Its a bit visually graphic and I recommend this film for mature teens and up. The DVD is loaded with great features like some fun commentary from Robert Carlyle and deleted scenes. dont let my 3 stars scare you away...its very worthy of a look and maybe even a purchase. Im keeping my DVD copy! =)

Rating:
Summary: Not worthy of the cast!
Review: I was drawn in by the stellar cast, and the cast is the only reason this gets two stars instead of one. This movie is the worst I've seen in a long time. Cannibalism as a subject, okay, it exists, I can go for that.... but it became amazingly improbable, more like a slasher/horror flick, and Jason's mask kept coming to mind. Truly an awful movie, and that became apparent about halfway through.

Rating:
Summary: Personally I think Neal McDonough outstaged Guy Pierce
Review: Ok when this movie first came out in, I ignored it cause it looked like they tried to make it a some kind of comedy. Then I gave it a chance on Dvd. This movie's Rocks. The look and feel is very chilling and tense. Great soundtrack, great actors, doesn't show enough people eating eachother but you get the point. Now as much as I like Guy pierce with this movie and memento I think the movie could've been better with Neal McDonough (you know the guy with the really bright blonde hair)if he played the lead. I mean he had a small role but you just automatically love this character, aside from that big fall Guy pierce takes the way Neal McDonough goes out is just nuts. He's the kind of guy you just like to see I guess. You may not know him but he's been in enough movies to know his face. Simply put this is a crazy movie that's just fun to watch like Deep Rising or From Dusk Till Dawn 3. Of course if you need more then a review to be convince rent it, if you like then buy it.

Rating:
Summary: Very Sneaky!!
Review: Someday this movie will find its audience.
A film this good cannot remain hidden forever. Although I personally want Ravenous to remain in it's obscurity. I know it can't.
I want to selfishly be the one recommending this movie to others.
I went to this film hoping above hope that it would be just good enough so I wouldn't have to walk out on it.
I spent the next ninety-minutes with a big stupid grin on my face. Ravenous rocked! And continues to rock every time I break it out of the DvD cabinet for another spin.
The soundtrack is the film's real star. Like no other I have heard before or since it will always be a close personal favorite.
The story itself has many, many turns. (And not in a Witless-Hollywood-Wild Things-way either.)
Things change. Characters develop. And people get eaten.
I so do love this movie.
(I should mention that I am neither a gore movie fanatic, nor an admirer of the "B" movie genre.)

Rating:
Summary: Ravishing.
Review: This is a good movie with a rather offbeat storyline.

Without giving much of the story away, this movie is about
cannibalism and the invigorating effects of eating another
person. It has elements of vampirism.

But, let me again stress the story line, which I think is
pretty darn good for a 'gore' film, especially when Pearce'
new leader arrives, you realize that the cliches are
off.

Also the acting of Guy Pierce and Carlyle must be worth
mentioning. They do a superb job of acting, and it was
a real treat to see such good acting. In fact it makes
sitting through some quesy scenes alot more palatable
(pun intended.)

So why not 5 stars? Personally, I thought the music
spoiled some scenes. The movie attempts at some dark
comedy by music *alone*. I did not perceive any of the
actors acting 'comic', nor camera directions, nor scene
selections...., so the music at times was a really
annoying.

Aside from that the music really did a good job of keeping

the tension. And I would have given this movie five stars
had the director made the decision that his movie was gonna
be all about gore and tension/suspense. Thank goodness
90% of it was.

Rating:
Summary: "He was licking me!"
Review: I remember when this movie came out in theaters and I remember how quickly it was pulled out when it bombed at the box office. But what lies in the meat and bones (no pun intended) of Ravenous makes this movie a canidate to be a cult classic. Guy Pearce plays John Boyd, a shamed Captain sent to Fort Spencer in Ravenous, California in the 1840's. Soon the crew receives a visit from a near dead man played by Robert Carlyle. Carlyle tells a story of desperate cannibalism and tricks the men into going where his party was located, and soon enough only Boyd is left to put a stop to the cannibal, and he has to go to any cost to do it. Ravenous is part dark comedy, part gothic horror, and all fun as the buckets of blood mount up to a darkly humerous climax. With an eclectic cast including Jeffrey Jones, David Arquette, and Jeremy Davies who are all great in their roles as are Pearce and Carlyle. All in all, if you want a different kind of horror movie involving cannibalism and you don't want to delve into say Cannibal Holocaust or Cannibal Ferox, than Ravenous is a great choice.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: It's movies like Ravenous that gives me hope there is still some originality in the film industry. An absolutely wonderful cannibal/vampire film, it is also quite funny. It is one of those unique movies that most people can't seem to appreciate but a few of us out there worship. I actually wrote on Ravenous for a film class (I called it a revisionist western, I don't think that's too much of a stretch). The film is full of great performances (especially, I think, from Pearce who is turning out to be a great actor) and the direction is very suitable for creating a dark but tongue in cheek mood. And let's not forget the music. Along with Dead Man, I think Ravenous has one of the best scores of the 1990s. It's both haunting and hillarious. And I often find myself humming it. In fact, I guess I would have to say that the music makes the movie. It wouldn't be quite the same without it. Ravenous remains one of the most intriguing and fun movies of the decade and it is really a worthwhile viewing.