The Raven (2006)

Many times, B rated movies are some of the flicks I enjoy the most. While the effects aren't equivalent to a Hollywood blockbuster, many times you'll find decent acting, an interesting story, and a couple of hours of entertainment. Unfortunately none of those hold true for The Raven, something I call and F flick instead, for total failure.

Even a Poe lover such as myself (I wanted to name my youngest daughter "Lenore" or "Annabelle"), it is nearly impossible to stomach this movie beyond the first five minutes. The publisher proclaims Poe's influence can be felt throughout the movie and it is a terrifying tale. What they fail to mention is the terrifying part is simply having to watch this movie. Nowhere in the movie will you feel haunted, as you'd expect to feel from a Poe story turned into a full length feature.

The idea seems good and done the right way, could make the movie both haunting and eerie. In this interpretation, a teenage Lenore is torn between two spirits battling for her soul. She's tormented by nightmares and flashbacks, brought on by an unhealthy obsession with Poe's works.

Unfortunately, the acting is terrible, and instead of being frightening, it borderlines on ridiculous. As Lenore sleeps, the evil demon that haunts her looks more like a bald-headed Austin Powers than he does one of Satan's pawns. And the portrayal of Poe, who scribbles mercilessly on a tablet as he watches the young girl sleep makes you wonder if Edgar himself is rolling over in his rabies infested grave.

If you see this movie in your video store and think "Hey! This could be interesting!", take my word and realize, "No it can't!" Take the $4 and go get a bucket of ice cream with it. You'll never know how happy you'll be that you did.

Jumanji (1995)

Two boys found out the terrors that reside in Jumanji, so they buried it deep in the ground and locked it away forever. That is, until years later in 1969, when young Alan Parrish came along and heard the game calling out to him from a recently excavated construction site.

After opening the game, he invites his friend Sarah over to play a round, but unfortunately they weren't aware of the rules of Jumanji, and Alan was sucked into the game and disappears. It's not until over 25 years later that a orphaned brother and sister Judy and Peter discover the game and decide to play a round themselves.

Suddenly Alan reappears, now fully grown, but the craziness has only begun. Will Judy and Peter become its latest victims? Or will Alan, horrified of returning to the game, set his fears to the side and help them beat the game?

Jumanji is an exciting movie with an interesting plot and great special effects for the time. Young and old alike will enjoy wondering what will come out of the game next, and the excitement will keep you on the edge of your seat. This action-comedy shouldn't be missed.

Jumanji stars Robin Williams, Jonathan Hyde, and Kirsten Dunst. Rated PG.

And the Band Played On (1993)

In the early part of this century, movies about a virus epidemic that would kill off the world's population were abundant. It seemed everywhere you turned in the video store, there was another virus, another doomsday, another worldwide zombie infestation. But long before that, there was a somber yet exciting movie about a real virus, that brought the AIDS epidemic to the public's attention.

And the Band Played On is based on the book by Randy Shilts, who unfortunately passed away a short time later due to complications brought on by AIDS.

The movie follows several individuals and government agencies, each who has their own moral, medical, and social agenda. Its a great balance of excitement as the CDC vigorously tries to determine what the virus is and where it came from, and the human factors of such a horrible disease, which is very depressing.

During this time of the Swine Flu outbreak, it made me think of this movie. And the Band Played On shows a perfect example of what happens when doctors want to react, but governments neglect the truth because of their political agendas. But its not one sided. It pulls no punches when it portrays those who were irresponsible and went against the warnings.

And the Band Played On hosts a collection of great stars- Matthew Modine, Phil Collins, Alan Alda, and Richard Gere, just to name a few.