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Tag Archives: Marg Helgenberger

Species

14 Friday Oct 2016

Posted by vinnieh in Movie Reviews

≈ 41 Comments

Tags

1990's, Alfred Molina, Ben Kingsley, Forest Whitaker, Horror, Marg Helgenberger, Michael Madsen, Michelle Williams, Natasha Henstridge, Roger Donaldson, Science Fiction, Species, Thriller

Film Title

Species

Director

Roger Donaldson

Starring

  • Natasha Henstridge as Sil
  • Ben Kingsley as Xavier Fitch
  • Michael Madsen as Press Lennox
  • Alfred Molina as Dr. Stephen Arden
  • Forest Whitaker as Dan Smithson
  • Marg Helgenberger as Dr. Laura Baker
  • Michelle Williams as Young Sil

Scientists tampering with what they really shouldn’t and the horrifying product of this are given a sexy edge in Species; a sci-fi/horror-thriller. If you are looking for logic, look elsewhere as this film is all about the entertainment factor and that is where it delivers the goods.

After sending a telescope into space many years prior to search for extraterrestrial life, a highly secret government science lab gains the knowledge and means of how to splice human and alien DNA. species-posterThe project, headed up by Xavier Fitch, is put into effect and sets about using these newly gained information for a genetic engineering program. The program is a success with the production of Sil; who appears to look like a young girl, but whose genetic make up christen her as a hybrid who grows from a baby into a young girl in a matter of days. When it becomes known to Fitch that she exhibits potentially dangerous parts to her, he decides to shut down the operation. He has cyanide gas pumped into her chamber in order to kill her, but Sil has developed agility and super strength and escapes from her confines. Worried that this experiment will be exposed, Fitch assembles a team that will track her down. The team features assassin Press Lennox, British anthropologist Dr. Stephen Arden, molecular biologist Dr. Laura Baker and empath Dan Smithson. By the time the rag-tag team has been briefed and begin searching for her, she has already matured into a beautiful woman who enters Los Angeles. Quickly absorbing things from the world around her, Sil sets out on a mission to mate and reproduce. species-silThe hitch is that as she is a predator when she feels threatened she attacks, leaving a host of dead bodies in her wake as she seeks out the perfect mate. The team follow her, but find it difficult keeping up with the spawn as her growing mind and alien abilities provide no shortage of confusion. If Sil does successfully conceive and give birth, it would produce a whole new kind of species that the world would not be able to handle. The mission to stop this is now on as the team discover the motives of the creature.

Roger Donaldson takes what is basically a clichéd and slightly silly plot and has a ball with it. He creates a fun ride that is scary and sexy in that order. His glossy filming style and handling of pace is also in evidence throughout Species. I enjoyed how Donaldson opened the film with not giving us a lot of information as Sil escapes. Something about it really stuck with me as enigmatic and a little atmospheric, as I do enjoy a cold open in a film that leaves you wanting to know more.I have to praise the practical effects that made Sil look so good and especially when the beast side emerges. The CGI used is however a bit underwhelming, and they should have really stuck with the ace practical effects and artistry instead. species-castThe script of Species is one that doesn’t exactly inspire confidence and is probably the weakest are of the movie. It tries to be both entertaining and intellectual, but is lacking in the latter part. When you hear the characters discussing either the genetic make up or scientific parts of Sil, it just rings more than a little hollow as it never provides much of an insight to her or the other characters. I think it is best to enjoy Species as what it is, a sort of B-movie given the Hollywood treatment and fun that doesn’t require much in the way of straining the brain. And on the horror front, Species hits bulls eye with some pretty icky and gruesome deaths arising from Sil and her insatiable desire. Though with the other positive elements to be found in the picture, the weak script can be sort of forgiven as the film hurtles along with thrills and horror. The exceptional score from Christopher Young has an unusual but necessary vibe to it; switching quickly from eccentric sounds to quickening thrills in a matter of minutes.

Despite the shortcomings of the script, a highly capable set of actors give life and personality to their parts. natasha-henstridge-speciesIn what was her debut role, former model Natasha Henstridge plays the pretty predator who is half human and half alien. While Henstridge is physically ideal for the part with a gorgeous face and shapely body(that is displayed prominently), she also demonstrates considerable acting skill as Sil uses her instincts that she acquires at an alarming rate. Her reactions to the world are interesting to watch, as she soaks up what makes humans tick and then through primal desire, takes deadly control. She doesn’t know why she is the way she is, but slowly her vicious, cunning and savage need takes hold and her seductive smile is just the start of mayhem. Ben Kingsley is pretty good as the scientist concerned about the implications of his creation and pretty selfish in his motivations too. I enjoyed the presence of Michael Madsen as the wise ass man of action, whose sarcastic attitude and skill with a gun make him pretty forceful in hunting down Sil. You can tell that Madsen is having a good time in this part. Alfred Molina was pretty solid as the snarky guy in the team, while the sensitive vibe of the reliably good Forest Whitaker strikes more emotion into his part than was probably scripted. Marg Helgenberger does very well as the only female in the group who is the most curious member to be sure. And look out for a young Michelle Williams playing Sil when she looks like a girl before her transformation. All of the actors present rise above the flaws in writing to keep you watching as the carnage unfolds.

So the CGI can be dated, the script a bit scatter shot and the whole exercise more than a little sleazy, but Species still dazzles in a tongue-in-cheek way and with a glossy and sexy surface to it, among the gory horror and thrills.

Erin Brockovich

30 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by vinnieh in Movie Reviews

≈ 24 Comments

Tags

2000's, Aaron Eckhart, Albert Finney, Based on a true story, Drama, Erin Brockovich, Julia Roberts, Marg Helgenberger, Steven Soderbergh

Film Title

Erin Brockovich

Director

Steven Soderbergh

Starring

  • Julia Roberts as Erin Brockovich
  • Albert Finney as Ed Masry
  • Aaron Eckhart as George
  • Marg Helgenberger as Donna Jensen

Based on a true story, Erin Brockovich is a warm and uplifting crowd pleaser that doesn’t feel mawkish for a second. Bolstered by the Oscar-winning performance of Julia Roberts and competently directed by Steven Soderbergh, Erin Brockovich makes for emotionally involving and compulsive viewing of the underdog taking on the hierarchy of corruption.

julia roberts as erin brokovichErin Brockovich is an unemployed single mother of three young children, who has recently been injured in a road accident. Her lawyer, the wise Ed Masry, hopes to win the case in suing the doctor who caused the crash. Erin’s brassy behaviour and use of profane language does little to endear her to the court and she loses the case. At the end of her tether struggling to provide for her family, she talks her way into a job at Ed’s law firm. An unconventional presence among straight-laced staff, Erin’s take no prisoners attitude and revealing wardrobe constantly test Ed’s patience. Whilst looking through the real-estate files of Pacific Gas and Electric who are planning to purchase the house of a woman in Hinkley, California  she finds medical records and blood samples. Curious, she checks out the intriguing oddity. Speaking to Donna, the woman whose file she found it in, she discovers the unusual correspondence between the company and the family’s in the area. Plus, many of the residents in the area have become sick with various and dangerous medical conditions. Continuing to dig up details in the complicated but little-known case, Erin unearths a cover up as the company has been poisoning the water supply within the area. Erin pursues the case, revealing the warmth behind her streetwise exterior, and begins to form a case against Pacific Gas and Electric in order to help the community. Prepare for a funny, dramatic and moving take on the David and Goliath story as the excellent direction of Steven Soderbergh,a witty yet insightful script and strong performances from Roberts and Finney add to the overall charm and emotionally drive of  Erin Brockovich.

The screenplay for this movie manages to balance humour and pathos in equal measure, and although you may guess the outcome, still keeps you wondering whether Erin’s case will win.  It also manages to flesh out the interesting investigation of the cover-up and how Erin’s good heart and brash demeanor aid her in her quest for justice. Steven Soderbergh’s direction gives the piece a naturalness that allows the actors to embody their roles effectively whilst also giving us a touching story of an unconventional woman using her smarts and big heart to help others.  The cinematography captures a hazy glow of California as Erin works her way towards answers. The actors in the cast are all convincing in their roles. Julia Roberts delivers a strong, Oscar-winning performance as the eponymous Erin. Roberts embodies the tough, brassy attitude, foul mouth, heart of gold and a deep empathy to give us a woman who will stop at nothing when it comes to the case. It really is a joy to watch this tenacious character prove her intelligence and strength in the face of corporate big wigs trying to avoid a lawsuit. She is ably supported by Albert Finney as Ed, whoJulia Roberts and Albert Finney is initially unsure about Erin but comes to see the intelligence and caring side that have long been underestimated in Erin. Finney has an excellent camaraderie with Roberts, as we watch two stark opposites learn to respect one another. Aaron Eckhart manages to create an interesting character in the role of George, a biker who takes a shine to Erin but begins to worry when the case begins to overtake her. Marg Helgenberger shines in a touching role as a woman who has suffered with illness because of the cover-up.

Emotionally rich, involving and well-performed, Erin Brockovich provides laughs, cries and above all praise.

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