Tevan Keltner Reviews "Insidious Chapter 2"

Insidious: Chapter 2 

Review by Tevan Keltner

Directed by James Wan (Writer)

Screenplay by Leigh Whannel

106 Minutes – Horror, Thriller

** out of ***** Stars

Hot off his immense success with his horror blockbuster “The Conjuring” director James Wan is at it again. Only this time, the first film did not warrant a sequel nor did it require an explanation of its twist ending, which is over analyzed and dragged out until the material is literally beaten to a bloody pulp, and buried. If you believe James Wan wanted to make this film, you are sorely mistaken. Even writer and actor Leigh Whannel was not in any way motivated, except by money, to write a gripping script.

Now is it entirely bad? No not at all. There are still elements of the film such as atmosphere and timing that deliver great scares and the actors are doing their best with a wooden script. They even find a way to bring back Lin Shayne from the first film. It is also a shame that Patrick Wilson gives a chilling performance in a script so boggled and pointless that it only serves to demean his performance. James Wan did a good job attempting to treat the material with as much respect as possible. Unfortunately, this movie did not need to be made. The first story was enough and beating a dead horse is supposed to be “Saw” territory.

 There is a story here and it is thought out. Leigh Whannel’s can definitely tell a tale. And it does live up to the Chapter 2 title. It’s a direct sequel and this movie literally starts the day after the first film ended. The Lambert family has moved into Josh’s mother’s (played again by Barbara Hershey) house, hoping to escape the horror of their last encounter with a series of paranormal entities. Hearing Barbara Hershey say: “Whatever was haunting my family isn’t done with us yet,” makes us groan. Another painful reminder of a sequel that should not be. This would actually have been a better Television series.

Is “Insidious: Chapter 2” recommended viewing? Even to “Insidious fans?” Probably not. While this film has characters and elements from the first film, it is overall a complete mess. While the actors do their best with a pitiful script - it just doesn’t satisfy. Spend that all so important discretionary income, instead, on another viewing of “The Conjuring” which should still be in theaters. One wonders, once again, if another paycheck is ever a reason to subject the world of film to this kind of mediocrity?

IMAGE CREDIT: IMP Awards website

Tevan Keltner Reviews Star Trek: Into Darkness

Please note: Tevan submitted this review to us on 5/19/2013.  It would have been MUCH timelier then!  The Editor's personal life (and ConQuesT 44) intervened, and the review did not get posted.

HOWEVER, we still think it's an interesting review, and that you may still enjoy it!  We apologize deeply to Tevan for taking so everlasting long to get this published.

Star Trek: Into Darkness

A review by Tevan Keltner, submitted 5/19/2013

Well, ladies and gentlemen, if you enjoyed the first Star Trek then you’re in luck, because its sequel is one hell of a ride. In 2009, J.J. Abrams went boldly where not many would go by rebooting the Star Trek franchise. And while many fans were not entirely thrilled with this news, they must admit it was pretty good for what it was.

Everyone else, however, seemed to be enthralled with the franchise reboot. The cast was excellent and the special effects gave fans and newcomers a chance to experience Star Trek on a whole new level. Even including a special appearance from one of the original cast members. With the success from the first film, it was no surprise that a sequel would be underway and now we have Star Trek: Into Darkness.

Not only does this film up the action and up the dialogue but it also establishes itself as a fantastic follow up for Trekkers and newcomers alike. Like The Dark Knight, the tone is much darker and the stakes are much higher. Characters are put into situations that glue you to the screen and make you wonder how things will get resolved. I can't even describe how much goes on in just this one movie; it's incredibly overwhelming, but in a good way.

Much of the deserved credit should go to the cast. Believe me when I say that no character is pushed aside in this film. Every character gets their own screen time without it feeling rushed. We even explore relationships further between people.

Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto own their roles. They are the driving force behind this movie and in many ways shape each others’ fates as it should be.

There is also great comedy, mostly provided by Simon Pegg and Karl Urban. The newcomers are great too - the brilliantly sexy Alice Eve and RoboCop himself, Peter Weller.

But let's talk about the best newcomer of the bunch, Benedict Cumberbatch. Trust me when I say - you will remember his name. He steals almost every scene he's in with great gusto. His voice is chilling, his mannerisms unsettling and his intentions are decidedly unpleasant. This is just everything a villain should be. He has the major weight of the film and he carries it beautifully. This man will be remembered (by those who don't know his Sherlock Holmes), and I look forward to seeing him many more times throughout his career.

Star Trek: Into Darkness is brilliantly dark and action-packed. Cumberbatch gives one of his greatest performances. If you’re seriously wondering whether to see this movie or not, please take my word for it. Go see it!! 

Tevan Keltner is a second-year college student in the Animation and Game Design program at Johnson County Community College

IMAGE CREDIT: Movie poster image is from IMDB.  Many thanks to them!