Stream it now The Relic 1997

 

Can't say there are many Tom Sizemore movies out there but this is one of his better films. Anyway a crate arrives at the Chicago Museum that is supposed to carry an artifact but it carried a montser that wrecks havoc on the museum and Sizmore is there to dance with it.

One of the best monster movies ever made. I don't know why it's so under-rated here, but it is a must-see. The cast is superb, the graphics are cool and the storyline works.

** (out of four)

A crate arrives at the Museum of Natural History in Chicago. It is empty, but something in it killed everyone on board the ship that carried it to the country. The murders are investigated as the detectives fear that an ancient creature is on the loose.

The film boasts some impressive FX but, that's about it. The plotting and acting are subpar.

The Burning
Starring: Brian Matthews, Leah Ayres, Brian Backer, Larry Joshua, Jason Alexander, and Lou David as Cropsy.
Directed by Tony Maylam.
Written by Peter Lawrence and Bob Weinstein.
Rated R (for graphic horror violence and gore, sexuality/nudity and strong language).
Running time approximately 1 hour 31 minutes.


Wow.

E. Elias Merhige's Shadow of the Vampire is a gorgeous, funny, frightening film, and it stand as one of the finest vampire films of all time. Willem Dafoe's Oscar-nominated turn as Max Schreck is one of the finest performances in the wonderful actor's career, and it is certainly one of the film's most admirable qualities. All involved should be proud. ***1/2 (out of ****) A-

The first time I saw this movie, I thought it was truly frightening. There were few scary parts in the movie that made me gasped for breath. In the Relic, one particular notable washroom scene, where a security guard was smoking. You'll have to see it to experience what I've experienced. The climax of this film reminds me a little bit of Terminator 2; in which, the last scene where Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) was trying to escape from T-1000. Also a little bit of Aliens where Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) came face to face with the Alien. Similar scene can be seen here, where Dr. Morgan Green (Penelope Ann Miller) finally came face to face with the reptilian. Even with The Relic's wretchedly bad script, it was well-directed enough to watch its entirety.

Bottom Line: Despite its flawed script and lacking originality and explanation, it was still exceptionally well-directed.





Memorable Quote: Penelope Ann Miller (Margo Green): "Using superstition to bring people to the museum is like hiring topless ushers for the Bolshoi Ballet."

Here's another film rating.

The special effects at the end are rather shoddy, but it retains feel of those cheesy "classic" B-movies, with a slightly larger budget, set in modern times. Not great film, but good B-movie homage with some good scenes, tense action, decent acting (given the sort of film this is) and just plain fun stuff to be enjoyed by anyone looking for brainless "popcorn entertainment." Recommended, surprisingly.

The Relic (1997): 6/10

THE RELIC
(PETER HYAMS, 1997)
R
1 HOUR 50 MINUTES

The Relic - This just happened to be on Sci-Fi channel the other night, and I hadn't seen it in a while. Man do I dig this movie. I love that creature! First movie I'd seen in a long time that had an original and creative creature, and excuse for it's existance, and need to kill!

Waiting... - Disappointing! Ryan Reynolds is so funny...the one scene with him towards the end of Blade: Trinity was funnier than this whole movie. Bummer. Still, some pretty good moments.

Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit - W & G, brilliant and hilarious as always.

Malice - Never got around to seeing this one, so a free rental it is. Turned out to be pretty darn good...very good acting. And Nicole...geez...what a bitch. :p