Katie's Media Menagerie

Movie Review: Scream 4

Title: Scream 4
Rated: R
Genres: Horror, Mystery, Suspense, Campy Humor
Director: Wes Craven
Writer: Kevin Williamson
Stars: Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Courtney Cox, Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, Rory Culkin
Rating: 4 Stars

Description:
While promoting her new book, Ghostface survivor Sidney Prescott (Neve Campell) returns to Woodsboro. Soon after, the murders start again, targeting Sidney’s cousin Jill (Emma Roberts). It’s up to Sidney, Dewey (David Arquette), and Gale (Courtney Cox) to stop Ghostface’s most recent murder spree.

My Thoughts:
If you’re a fan of the original Scream film, then you will no doubt enjoy this installment. Scream 4 is one of, if not the, best reboots I’ve seen to date. Craven and Williamson bring back all the gore, humor, and postmodern awareness that started the franchise.

Rule 6: Don’t f**k with the original

Remember that famous opening with Drew Barrymore? I don’t know a horror buff that doesn’t, or will ever forget it. How does a franchise outdo that? Scream 4 definitely makes a go at it with a slew of cameos and meta references. It probably won’t go down in the books as terrifying, but it is definitely one of the more creative ways to poke fun at your own movie legacy, while planting yourself in your fan’s minds for a good, long time.

Overall, I loved the return to Woodsboro. Campell, Arquette, and Cox give the great performances you expect in the series. I loved seeing Emma Roberts in something not kid-oriented, and realizing that she could definitely make it in the horror genre. While some of the other newcomers fell a bit flat, it didn’t take much away from the overall.

While I was talking to other people about Scream 4, an interesting gap presented itself. Mostly, Scream fans liked it a lot. The only folks that didn’t like it were teenagers. They hadn’t been around for the earlier films. Many of them “didn’t get” the campy humor and were disappointed that it wasn’t super gory like the Saw or Hostel films. Even those that had seen at least one of the earlier films weren’t enthused. Clearly, the people I speak to do not constitute everyone, but how stark that line was makes me worry about the generational gap in horror fans. Cause really, like these teens don’t make me feel old enough already.

Find Scream 4 Online:
Website | IMDB | Netflix

Vacation Part 4: The Swag

By now, I hope you know that I went on a little multi-continental jaunt, so I will just skip that backstory. But if you’re not caught up, you can click these links to read Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

As the title suggests, this post is about what I brought back with me. Admittedly, most of my money was spent on the trip necessities: plane tickets, hotel, transit, and the all important food. BUT I did get a few items for myself and others.

While in Rome, we needed to figure out how to get places. Originally, we were going to attempt the busses, but after looking at a map, we realized everything was within walking distance. This map ended up being the only souvenir I bought in Rome for myself, as most things I saw were waaaay overpriced and trinket-y.

Remember how I said we got a bit lost? This is where that happened—this little bend of the river to that larger street with ‘Corso’ on it. It would’ve helped if the actual streets were labeled.

The only other souvenir from Rome was for my mother who collects shot glasses. Before I left, she demanded a shot glass from each place I ended up—even if I was only in the airport, as the case was for Amsterdam.

I couldn’t leave Istanbul without a bajillion Evil Eyes (Nazars), which are protective pendants that are everywhere. Since they are so popular, they were quite inexpensive as well. I snagged several of these hanging and magnet versions for people back home, as well as a magnet for myself.

This one is mine. I love the goofy shape and how it’s a bit different than the normal Nazars. I only saw this style at one shop the entire time we were in Istanbul. I have yet to get rope or string or whatever to hang it up with, but for now it’s nestled in nicely on my knick-knack shelf.

And what kind of media addict would I be if I didn’t come home with some music? I kept my eyes open for a music store the whole trip, but didn’t see one—even in the major shopping area. Then in the airport, BAM! Music store. It cost a bit more than I was hoping, but still much less than importing. So I picked up a copy of Murat Boz’s Dance Mix, and album of remixes and the self-titled MaNga+, which is rock with a bit of hip-hop flair. Sadly, the store was completely out of Tarkan albums.

Thus concludes my vacation ramblings.
I’ll be back to reviews and media updates by next week!

Vacation Part 3: More Istanbul

After spending time in the mosques, we branched out. Luckily we had a guide—sort of. My friend is currently studying in Ankara and met us in Istanbul. He had been there at least once before and is friends with a Istanbulite (is that the proper term? No idea, but I’m going with it). So between the two of them, we were able to successfully use public transportation and sample the night life—which included porch swings inside one of the bars. GENIUS!

We also hit up a couple nearby museums, including the Topkapi Palace and the archaeology museum a short walk away. Lots of jewels, statues, tombs, and pretty. Unfortunately, much of the palace forbade photographs.

Then, our last day consisted of a boat ride down the Bosphorus. It was strange seeing all of the really old and classic looking buildings juxtaposed with the brightly colored homes and apartments that crowded in on them. It was like in Rome—I could see the centuries-filled gap in 15 feet. That’s just something I don’t get see at home.

Now, without further adieu, MORE PICTURES!

Yep, those are super old carved stones lining the outdoor area of a café.

There was a skeleton in the FLOOR! Super neat!

Floor mosaic at the archaeology museum.

“Ehhhhhhh!” – He just exudes Fonzarelli style.

Cherubs in a cockfight. ‘Nuff said.

A very pretty doorway at the palace.

I have no clue what this little building on the Bosphorus is, but it definitely wins coolest shaped roof ever.

See? Ancient buildings next door to a multicolored building. It’s the best kind of strange that I need to see more often.

And on a final note, we saw a couple giant hollowed-out trees like this. I want to make this my outdoor reading fort.

The final vacation post is next week and will contain all the swag!

Music Monday: At First I Hated It, Now I Kinda Love It

When I first heard Matt Nathanson’s song “Mission Bells,” I hated it. The overall cheeriness in tone just clashed so much with the phrase “I had a dream you died” to me and for some reason it just grated on me. Despite my initial dislike of the overall song, I loved that phrase. And that stupid cheery melody was catchy. So, I found myself with that teeny bit replaying in my head.

Mix that with the fact that there are only two radio stations that I can stand to listen to while at work for eight hours—one of which will play this song at least a few times during a shift—results in the song worming its way deeper into my subconscious. “Mission Bells” slowly transformed into something that wasn’t too bad.

Eventually the lyrics beyond the chorus slithered into a state of recognition. All of a sudden, the song was a million times better. The verse matched the the corresponding tone. Once I realized this, it was a floodgate. . . or the shattering of a worm farm to stick with the metaphor (hey, those totally exist).

The situation culminated into today: I found myself thinking, “I hope I hear that ‘I had a dream you died’ song.” And then immediately responding to that with, “wait, I hated that song a couple weeks ago. . . what the hell happened?” I’m still not 100% on an answer for that, but I do know

That phrase (“I had a dream you died” –have you read that phrase enough yet? Cause it’s totes going to be in your head by the end of this. I will spread this annelid infestation! And take this metaphor too far! Muahahaha!) has stuck with me the entire time
I’m now happy when it plays on the radio
I can now listen to it several times in a row. I have no real number here, because I haven’t found the repeat number that makes me mad yet

Clearly, I just need to not fight against songs that hold anything interesting to me ever again. Or I will just become confused. And force metaphors to overstay their welcome. Which, please, for everyone’s sanity, let’s try to avoid. This wormy thing almost became uncomfortable.

*Ends post while singing “I had a dream you died” repetitively*

Vacation Part 2: Istanbul

After our day in Rome, we took the strangest flight into Istanbul. Seriously, we were in the fancy, albeit my least favorite, airport in Rome, when everyone was called to the check-in/boarding desk. We were prompted to go downstairs, and further downstairs, then around some corners. Finally brought to a door that led us. . . . outside? Yes, outside, where we got onto a shuttle van that drove us to the airplane. That’s right, we got onto the plane like someone famous or royal by walking up the outside stairs, lol.

We spent the next couple of days getting our bearings and looking at the famous mosques a short walk away from our hotel—which became an even shorter walk every time we went that direction as we learned the nearby streets and found short cuts :)

Hagia Sofia (Aya Sofya)
and the Blue Mosque

Next to the mosques was a park with GIANT SQUIRREL statues, despite me not seeing one real squirrel the entire time we were there. . . .

More pics to come in vacation installment #3!

Vacation Part 1: Rome

Last month I took my first trip out of the country. The destination was Istanbul, but before that, I had a day long layover in Rome! After some frustration, we found our way onto a cheap-ish shuttle bus into the city. From the bus station, we were able to walk to some of the famous landmarks nearby.

LOOK AT ALL THE PRETTY!

The Coliseum