Westside Steve Posted July 9, 2016 Report Share Posted July 9, 2016 Cell Saba films R. 98 min Okay, okay yes there were warning signs; great big red warning signs. First and foremost this latest production of a Stephen King novel of the same name went direct to pay per view doing an end run around theaters. With a couple of marketable stars John Cusack and Samuel L Jackson there must be something wrong here. Second while I love Stephen King and think he's one of America's greatest authors CELL was not one of my favorites and I have read most of them. Number three, at least from the trailers, this looks like a zombie movie and while it isn't exactly that it sure looks and feels like on. Too similar. Four, if you are making a movie on the cheap zombies, or creatures very much like them, require very little in the way of special effects makeup, especially since these goons aren't really dead yet, and the sets are relegated too easily found houses businesses and and woods requiring very little trouble. On top of all of this the opening titles look pretty cheesy. Of course these days pay-per-view isn't nearly as bad as it once was since there are giant screen high definition television sets and sound bars that will shake the house. But still... So here the problem is, as it usually is with a Stephen King novel. His books are so intricate and so filled with smalL vignettes about the people on the periphery of the main storyline and in order to condense the book into a manageable two hours many of those naturally have to be eliminated and you are left with nothing but the very basic core. So it begins with something of an indictment of American society today as it seems that every man woman and child is tied to a smartphone. Cusack has problem with his wife and during a lengthy a conversation from the airport, his phone dies. This is a lucky break for him because at the same moment all cell phones in the area subjected to a stranger coded noise that infects the minds of everyone who has a connection. It overrides their brains by linking them all to an omniscient source. We're not sure what that is but we know it's no damn good. Now there are thousands or maybe millions of ex human beings being manipulated by an evil entity and for a period of time, they rampage like Occupy Wall Street protesters. But soon the master cylinder (or whoever) becomes more sophisticated and much of the crazy behavior becomes coordinated. So it's hordes of goons (who now have a sense of purpose though we have no idea what it is) vs. a handful of people who have not been infected. Cusacks goal is simply to find his son while a very subdued Jackson appears to be just along for the ride and for the marquee credit. He does deliver a trademark Bible verse but without much fire or brimstone, which really is his forte. Unfortunately the whole production lacks that fire and brimstone and replaces it with an extra helping of pointless boredom. This one seems like it was slapped together for a quick buck though I can't imagine pay-per-view bringing in that much loot. C- WSS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Post Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 Very good. Ya won't be renting this one. Don't like the actors and you see what you get if the characters are not form Maine? Or are they? Anyway the structure of Kings writing is spot on with Tommyknockers being a perfect example and also being a movie would probably get the same review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axe Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 Sometimes unreleased movies are hidden Gems.. Samuel L Jackson was in "Unthinkable" in 2010 that never made it to the theaters either.. I highly recommend it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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