Movie Review: Ghost Rider -- 2 & 1/2 Lightsabers (out of 5 lightsabers)

What do you get when you mix Mephistopheles and a flaming chain-wielding skeletal anti-hero who rides motorcycle? Unfortunately, you don't get a good film. At least that's true with Ghost Rider.

The story begins with a figure known as the Caretaker (played by the perfectly typecast (Sam Elliot) who shares the legend of the Ghost Rider - a minion of Mephistopheles who collects souls. Legend claims that a particular Ghost Rider once disobeyed his master when he collected a contract worth a 1000 evil souls. Knowing the debt would make his dark lord too powerful the Ghost Rider rode his horse fast and far away.

With the background we then meet a young Johnny Blaze (Matt Long) . Johnny works with his dad at a traveling circus as a stunt rider. Johnny's in love - and wants to give up his motorcycle stunt gig for Roxanne Simpson (Raquel Alessi) his sweet heart. But Johnny's plans take an unexpected turn when he learns his father has cancer.

Enter, Mephistopheles (Peter Fonda) - stage left. For the mere price of Johnny's soul the mysterious stranger will cure his father of cancer. Johnny agrees. The next morning when his father shares that his doctor says he's cured Johnny becomes afraid. Soon after his dad performs one of his stunts and dies (in unremarkable fashion).

Now realizing that he's cursed Johnny abandons his girlfriend to live the life of a loner. The rest of the film follows an older Johnny played by the intense and chiseled Nicolas Cage.

As an adult Johnny is as famous as Evel Knievel. Johnny's fame is the result of surviving many motorcycle jumps. In one interview before a particularly insane act Johnny is reunited with his childhood sweet heart girlfriend Roxanne Simpson (played by the stunning Eva Mendes). Believing he deserves a second chance on life he decides to pursue her after completing a 300' jump over several helicopters in a football stadium.

While this transpires we learn that Mephistopheles son Dark Heart decides to find the legendary contract of a 1000 souls noted in the beginning of the story. To stop his son Mephistopheles transforms Johnny into his Ghost Rider.

The film falls flat soon after. Yes, it's pretty interesting to watch Johnny's transformation into a Ghost Rider. The special effects are well done. But then there's the story. Which is convoluted at best. Like a Mexican dish with too many spices the film has too many villains. And as a result there isn't time in the film to connect with any of them.

Dark Heart and his band of fallen angeles are pretty unmemorable. As is the ongoing and final battle between them and Johnny Blaze.

I won't tell you the ending - but I'm sure you can guess. It's a film made in Hollywood after all.

Rating: 2 1/2 Lightsabers

Watch the Ghost Rider Trailer

Movie Review: Cloverfield -- 4 & 1/3 Lightsabers (out of 5 lightsabers)

Good cinema is all about the experience - and in no genre is that more true than horror. Without a believable atmosphere no horror film can produce an ounce of sweat from its audience.

Most horror films fail because the focus is first and foremost on the antagonist. The artisans behind such features put most (if not all) of their creative juices into developing the most horrifying monster possible - instead of crafting a story focused on the plight of the protagonists.

Horror films should exploit the fear of the unknown - it's not what you see - it's about what you don't; Jaws is a masterpiece because it effectively exploits our fear of the dark realm underneath the vast ocean.

Why am I pontificating about the problems with today's horror films?And why bring this up while reviewing Cloverfield? The obvious answer: Cloverfield is a horror film - at least it is to me. And it's one of the best I've seen in years. (Other good recent horror flicks include the two 28 Days films and Legend.)

Cloverfield succeeds where so many other films fail because it establishes an atmosphere of dread - albeit slowly, like a pot of boiling water. Normally, I hate when humor is used in horror films -but in Cloverfiled it is used appropriately -- with a light touch, in strategically placed scenes to temporarily diffuse the anxiety that builds throughout the film.

While the loose cinematography (à la Blair Witch Project) in Cloverfield supports an immersive experience - the technique alone isn't the main reason you'll feel connected with the story. The source of that connection is the intimate portrayal of Rob Hawkins (Michael Stahl-David) - the main protagonist of the story - and his circle of friends.

Rob's an early 30 something, well heeled, and headed for a big job in Japan. To celebrate his success and say "goodbye" his friends throw him a surprise party. What starts out as a weddingesque series of testimonials turns into a completely different type of documentary when all hell breaks loose in Manhattan.

Hudd Platt (T.J. Miller) is Rob's best friend and camera man for much of the film; his stream of conscious variety of banter adds to the"real" feeling that the film tries to portray. And his quixotic pursuit of the cold fish Marleen Diamond (Lizzy Caplan) adds another layer of richness to the story.

While the film is excellent there are a few things that could be improved. In a few instances, for example, the actors weren't as intense (emotionally speaking) as they could have been. Also, there's a slight problem with the passage of time in the film - but that's just a nitpicky criticism.

Another issue -- if you suffer from motion sickness you'll will find Cloverfiled difficult to watch - and quite likely you'll fill nauseated throughout the film. Consider yourself warned.

Cloverfiled is the type of film that should be watched on the big screen. And to enjoy the film I suggest sitting in a location where you can't see anyone between you and the screen. To do that you may have to sit closer than you'd normally - but trust me, it's worth it.

Rating: 4 and 1/3 Lightsabers

Check out the official Cloverfield trailer