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| Movie Review: Subject Two Alternate Title: A Matter of Life and Death
Story: Mary Shelley's
classic tale has been resurrected time and again and still remains one
of my favorite celluloid themes. This latest version by writer/ director
Philip Chidel takes us to the breathtaking beautiful
landscape high above Aspen, Colorado. Young medical student Adam is frustrated by the politics of Government
regulation in the fields of medical research. Dr. Franklin Vick eerily
contacts Adam and lickety split Adam heads to Dr. Vick's place high
in the mountains. In one of films' shortest job interviews Adam is accepted
as part of Dr. Vick's research and becomes 'Subject Two'. Without giving the plot away I will say that Adam dies and is resurrected
and the kinks of being born again are many. This film falls into the horror/psychological/mystery genre and I just
wish I knew more about each of the characters so that I could care about
them a bit more. If you like to watch very handsome men in a gorgeous mountain setting
(not at all like Brokeback Mountain) check out this latest in the continuing
discussion of what price we are willing to pay for immortality. Acting: Handsome Dean Stapleton as
Dr. Vick is terrific as the quasi-mad scientist type and reminds me
a lot of a younger, more good looking, Jack Nicholson. Christian
Oliver is also excellent as Subject Two, even with those creepy
light eyes. Predilection: I know the producer/actor Dean Stapleton.
Critters: None.
Food: There's some toast, tea and cheese ( I think)
and lots of secret serum to drink.
Blatant Product Placement: The beauty of Aspen Colorado.
Dean's grandfather built the amazing Alfred Braun Hut System in this
gorgeous landscape and it is where the filming took place.
Soundtrack: Spooky
Opening Titles: Simple title in snow followed by
immediate action. The rest of the credits are at the end.
Visual Art: The spectacular beauty of the natural
landscape.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 2
Squirm Scale: Dying can be squirmy.
Drift Factor: There were some snow drifts but I did
not mentally drift at all.
Predictability Level: I was surprised at the twist
ending.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: Big screen would be great to
see this beautifully shot film. For some other Frankenstein themed films,
how about renting: House of Frankenstein, Son of Frankenstein, Frankenstein,
Young Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, Bud Abbott Lou Costello Meet
Frankenstein, Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man, Dracula Vs. Frankenstein,
I Was a Teenage Frankenstein, Blackenstein and Alvin and the Chipmunks
Meet Frankenstein
Length: 90 minutes.
LOBO HOWLS: 7
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