90s Movie Review - Fallen

Director: Gregory Hoblit
Genre: Thriller/ Crime/ Drama
Runtime: 124 minutes
Year: 1998
Starring: Denzel Washington, John Goodman, Donald Sutherland, James Gandolfini, Embeth Davidtz, Elias Koteas, Aida Turturro

Description: Homocide detective John Hobbes (Denzel Washington) witnesses the execution of serial killer Edgar Reese (Elias Koteas). Soon after the execution, the killings start again, and they are very similar to Reese’s style.

Review: Thanks to detective John Hobbes, serial killer Edgar Reese is caught and sentenced to death. The man doesn’t seem to care. Remarkably cheerful, he sings “Time is on my side” from The Rolling Stones. Soon after the execution, similar murders start to happen.

“Fallen” is a strong, macabre thriller, that is very overlooked and underrated. I remember watching it for the first time when video stores were still a thing. And it has always been e favorite Denzel Washington. I hadn’t watched it for a long time, but it still holds up and I love it just as much.

It’s a very original film, with some great twist and a fantastic ending. And Washington is, as always, outstanding.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

90s Movie Review - Deep Blue Sea

Director: Renny Harlin
Genre: Action/ Horror/ Thriller
Runtime: 105 minutes
Year: 1999
Starring: Thomas Jane, Saffron Burrows, LL Cool J, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Rapaport, Stellan Skarsgård, Jacqueline McKenzie, Aida Turturro
Description: Searching for a cure to Alzheimer's disease a group of scientists on an isolated research facility become the bait as a trio of intelligent sharks fight back.

Review: When it comes to shark movies, “Jaws” is the only masterpiece out there. “Deep Blue Sea” is one of the better shark films, but don’t pay any attention to the logics. Turn off your brain and just watch it, it’s a lot of fun.
While trying to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, a group of scientist is working on a laboratory in the middle of the ocean and testing on sharks. This makes the sharks smarter. And more unpredictable and dangerous. Soon the people in the lab are the hunted ones.
The makers did find some inspiration with “Jaws”, but also “Jurassic Park”. The film is fast paced and entertaining from beginning till end. And it’s not as predictable as you would think, because it’s quite surprising who will die and who won’t.
Not all the actors are that good, it’s mostly the men who shine. Thomas Jane is the hero of the story, as Carter Blake, a diver with a dark past. Samuel L. Jackson hardly ever disappoints and he even has an unforgettable speech in this film. Unforgettable for so many reasons. LL Cool J has a fun supporting role, as the cook. Both Saffron Burrows and Michael Rapaport only show us how annoying their characters are.
The special effects are pretty good, sometimes it’s too obvious it’s a computer animated shark. But all in all “Deep Blue Sea” is not one of those terrible shark movies. It’s fun and entertaining, with some surprise elements here and there and enough excitement for a fun movie night.

Rating: 3,5/ 5