Movie of the Week: The Cabin in the Woods

The Cabin in the Woods is a hard movie to review.  It’s hard to praise this film without giving away it’s concept. It’s better not knowing anything about the twist.  Don’t worry, this isn’t an M. Night Shyamalan twist.  From the opening moments of the movie, you know you are in for something different.

On the surface, this is a basic “kids go into the woods” horror flick. One thing I do think it’s okay to know is that it isn’t.  If you are going into this film hoping for a horror movie and just a horror movie, you might be disappointed.  But if you are open to a humorous and slightly witty subversion of the genre, you are in for a treat.

The performances are okay (although Fran Kranz as the stoner Marty got annoying really quick) but the standouts were Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford (I can’t say anything about their roles).  Their chemistry is the best thing about this movie.  You’ll be rooting for them despite what that actually means in the context of what’s happening in this film.

Wikipedia: Francis Elliott “Fran” Kranz is an American actor.

TV Power Rankings: 11/29 – 12/05

Worst of the Week: The Office (Episode: “Scott’s Tots”) – Now this was a perfectly good episode in the vein of many of the comically tragic episodes in the series’ run but this was just a painful viewing experience. I would rather watch someone get a fingernail pulled out, then see how this played out. It made me think about this blog piece I read.

The Power Rankings: (may contain mild spoilers)

10. Gossip Girl (Episode: “Treasure Of Serena Madre”) – This is the closest Gossip Girl has been to greatness that was season one.

9. Dollhouse (Episode: “The Public Eye”) – I did NOT see the twist with Senator Perrin coming.  I should have known that his wife being a doll was too simple.

8. Jersey Shore (Episode: “The Tanned Triangle”) – The first reality series to ever make it on the Power Rankings.  Snooki? The Situation? This show is tragically amazing.

Continue reading