I don’t even know why I saw it. Maybe because I’d seen all the other ones.. It’s like that feeling you get when you watch one great episode of a crappy tv series and get hooked into watching the rest- no matter how crappy it is.

I had two gripes with Saw V. The first being the casting and the second being the logic of the traps. They obviously didn’t think too hard when screentesting the lead protagonist and antagonist; because Scott Patterson & Costas Mandylor look way too similar at a brief glance. I was always forcing myself to realise the fatter faced Costas was the other guy.

The traps are the driving force of the Saw franchise. I expected them to get better and more refined; but I found so many flaws in the traps and logic of the trapped characters (spoilers). The first group trap consisted of a set of blades locked into cubicles at neck height. They had cords running to the base of the blades- the other end connected to collars around the victim’s necks. The whole deal is that the cords are supposed to reel in and cut the heads off the victims. I don’t get why they could have just climbed above the blade where the rope reel base was, and avoid the path of the blade..

The last trap was pretty poorly managed by the victims. It required them to drain blood from their bodies to fill up the glass and open the door before nail bombs went off. So they shove their hands into a box and cut their hands all the way up the arm with a table saw. I don’t get why they couldn’t just cut at the wrist and let it bleed out instead of damaging their whole arm. Or better yet try using their head and fill the jars with a less painful fluid like their own pee? I mean, how hard is it to figure that out? Oh no, i’ll just slice my arm up instead! Jigsaw can’t be seeing my weenie!

I probably should have illustrated great and crude diagrams of the traps (which the killer obviously didn’t) to explain it better to those who haven’t seen it, but it’s really not worth it.

Major flop of a 5quel. I’m scared at the idea that they are releasing a number 6 and a possible 7..

Rating:

So Summer is rolling in (Winter for you up north), and that means more movies! It’s getting nearer to the Oscar buttcheek kissing period, so that’s a win for us in quality! Here’s my 5 that I am looking forward to sticking into and enjoying before the year is out:

#1 007 Quantum of Solace

Daniel Craig was amazing in Casino Royale. His revamp of the once suave English agent, to the gritty but more realistic Bond really sold it for me. Easily the best Bond, and bound to be full of exciting explosions, gunfights and fist fights!

#2 The Spirit

Frank Miller is the man. I love that directors use his panels to compose shots and make something that is more than a series of hookups. Each one of his films are a treat for the eyes. Oh, and Sammy Jackson is in it… take that as you will.

#3 Bolt

I know some people are complaining about it, but Walt Disney’s Bolt looks to be something worth watching for me at least! Doesn’t seem to be much going on animation wise in this last leg of the year, but it is a regular part of my viewing diet. They’ve supposedly tidied up the messy plot, so I guess it’ll be worth walking into with some expectations.

#4 Saw V

Saw is more of a giant puzzle than a film. I just love watching it for all of the clever traps rather than the wafer thin structure of the plot. It’s like watching those Japanese Rube Goldberg Machines.

#5 Eagle eye (just scraped through)

I’ll use this as a film to figure out if I like Shia LaBeouf or not. He cracked me up in Transformers, sucked in Indiana Jones and was great in Disturbia. Eagle Eye sounds like a revamped and mobile version of Colin Farrell’s poor performance in Phone Booth, but the action looks to sell it.

On a side note, I am really hanging on for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen 2009 (May 26). It’ll be one of those eye candy Mikey Bay bow-shit-up films but gosh, the first one was marvelous. But hey, NOT Highschool musical 3. Don’t see that ever. I’m pretty sure I stopped talking to people because they said they are looking forward to it.

With that aside though, it looks to be a good End Season for flicks! I’ll definitely be dragging my favourite person along to soak up some fine film!

What are your must-sees for your summer/winter?