The Crazies - a review by Camilo Arenivar

The Crazies is a remake of a 1973 George Romero film of the same title. Unless you’re a vintage horror film buff, I am guessing you didn’t know that. I sure didn’t. So I had the opportunity to enjoy this film with no knowledge of the original.

So how is it? Surprisingly good. I don’t know what I expected, but not a movie that was going to make me jump out of my seat as often as it did! It did such a good job of making me jump in my seat, I started to feel like they were taking advantage of me! So one might think it leans towards slightly extra contrived scares.

But that doesn’t ruin it. I really recommend seeing this movie without learning too much about it in advance. Here is what I will tell you – it involved people who suddenly become crazed and extremely violent, and what and why the government steps in to contain it. This is one of those movies where the lead characters are constantly hiding from people, trying to avoid being killed or captured and there is a constant edge of your seat thriller aspect to it.

Story has loose ends, certain things seem implausible, and dialogue typically cheesy. However, it is not enough to interfere with your enjoyment of the movie. At least not mine. It’s a horror thriller, not a 2010 Oscar Best Picture nominee. It is plenty of fun, and as far as scary movies go, probably one of the better ones to come out over the last year or two. It’s violent and edgy, so be prepared for that.

Rating: 82

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The Hurt Locker, a review by Camilo Arenivar

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I popped this one in the DVD player. Immediately, I was enthralled. The movie takes us on a tour to Iraq, and follows a United States Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team during the Iraq War. The movie follows the team as they go around defusing bombs. It’s as tension filled as it sounds. There is also great insight to the emotional impact all of this has on the men and the different ways they deal with it.

Outstanding in this film is Jeremy Renner as Sgt. JT Sanborn, the almost crazy lead bomb defuser who consistently throws caution to the wind and seems to have no worries. The movie shows us all sides of him, and in this, we come to see the human element of the Iraq war not as easily seen on the news. Back when it was on the news.

Kathryn Bigelow surpasses the other nominees for Best Picture of 2009 with her thoughtful and realistic direction of a thriller that touches you in a way no other recent war movie has.

Rating: 91.5