Moving Pictures '12

Many people apparently have an issue with the pacing of this film. I works for me, personally. Sure the trailer is very misleading. I presents itself as an action film, when it really isn't. Just keep that in mind before you purchase your ticket.

Pure brilliance...

I know that I am not the only person annoyed with this found footage bullshit in films today. Am I?

Hands down this is the best action that I have seen since Jet Li in Hero. No matter what you may read about The Raid: Redemption, words cannot express how a much it raises the bar for action films. A must see for action junkies! The only complaint that I have about this film doesn't even refer to this film. I just squirm when I picture the inevitable American remake. Probably casting will put Vin Diesel, Matt Damon, etc. Now, I am not saying all American "interpretations" are horrid, just that something is always lost in translation.

I have been anticipating this film for quite sometime. Was it worth the wait? Yeah. That is just a "Yeah." though. Not am overly joyous "Yeah!" I like it. Dominic Cooper does a fantastic job without him playing both main roles and having the film becoming a goddammed joke.

Simply put, I did like this film. It had a certain...charm to it. Sure, the film could have went without (now standard clichés) 3D and the "stop and start" action sequences, but this wasn't the worst way to spend two hours. Joanna Hex could have been playing instead. So I consider myself very fortunate.

Huh, where so I start with Ridley Scott's highly anticipated (sorta prequel) to Aliens? It is pretty damn difficult. Personally, Prometheus delivers on it's promise to raise the bar on intelligent science fiction films, while simultaneously pleasing die hard fans of Ridley's Scott's previous work. A downright difficult (if not impossible, according to fanboys) task, that the makers behind Prometheus manage to accomplish. I don't know how else to word this, but Ridley was born to direct these type of films. That being said, (no disrespect to any of his previous works) Riley seems to excels in this genre. Prometheus isn't perfect by any means, but has plenty of items working for it, in my opinion. Dammit does it ever leave a ton of unanswered questions. This may help if you want a little more understanding.

I can do toilet humour like any juvenile, but I, honestly, was not entertained much by this film. Unfortunate, because I do like the other two entries of the franchise.

Although, not a horrible film, you have seen this before. Pass.

I loved this film. If you haven't viewed it yet hurry before somebody spoils it for you.

What to expect while watching this film: boredom. Pure boredom. It really is just your most basic romantic comedy elements with the strenuous task of having a child as a backdrop. While I am sure that both ends of the spectrum could relate to this, it is hardly enough to recommend a viewing.

Writer/Director Rian Johnston does it again! A must see for Sci-Fi and action junkies. I thoroughly enjoyed this film.

What more can I write about this film that has not already been said. I have read about how many fans think that it is a cross between Natural Born Killer and Idiocracy. While the wanting to compare is understandable, I believe that it is selling this film short. It is not for the faint of heart, but this is one of the best films for social commentary about the state of the nation. It is actually pretty damn depressing because it is true. Find this film and watch it today, dammit!

Tom Cruise runs again.
That is all you need to know.

Say what you will about Mad Mel's off screen problems, this film kick ass! It has a lot of energy and is extremely fun to watch. Highly recommended!

Based on how the film was shot you could swear that it was produced in the late 70's early 80's. Another film that has an obvious social commentary slant to it. Overall, it is fun to watch.

-Rewatch-

I love this film. How awesome is Daniel Craig? Tell me he isn't! This is the Bond film that I, personally, enjoy. Gritty and actually falls for a woman.

Whoever constructed the trailer for this film needs to be paid double. How awesome did that trailer look, right? There was no way the studio could ever have made up the travesty that was Clash of the Titans, but this could have helped. Instead we are stuck once again not caring anything about this film. Fail.

-Rewatch-

What else could I possible say about the 1983 gangster classic Scarface that rappers haven't already overhyped? If they actually paid attention to Scarface, it isn't necessarily an inspiring story. (Amazingly, everybody remembers the come up, never the downfall.) It is an interesting tale of the rise and fall of a drug lord, who didn't follow anybody's rules, much less his own. Tony killed his best friend in a jealous coke fuelled rage, contributed inadvertently to the killing of his sister and his whole crew and, on top of that, destroyed an entirely good mansion. He wanted to share his morals too late in his career. You are either in or out. Half assed dealers get "retired." Yeah, he did things his own way, but a role model? Maybe for wanna be drug lords. For me, and hopefully my peers, no sir.

Excellent gangster flick, of course though.

Love Afflack or hate him, this is excellent film making!

From chugging Budwisers in the square ring for WWE to hosting Redneck Island, Steve "Stone Cold" Austin, has always been a guy's guy. An Everyman, if you will. Very relatable. And when he kicks ass, you feel like you are kicking ass. Unlike other action icons (i.e. Jason Bourne) in which no way can you relate to them. Because they are just too badass. Steve Austin uses this familiarity to bestow upon us in Recoil. A good cop, turned anti-hero after his family is slain. He roams the nation in search of criminals who rape females. In his journey he encounters the leader of an outlaw bikers called "The Circle". Led by none other than Danny Trejo. What follows is pure awesomeness...not really.

Who the fuck told Nic Cage that he still looks cool in a leather jacket? I am not an ageist, but really? One of the worst films of the year, hands down. A possible R rating might have helped a little, but I don't know how much, if any.

How slick is this film? I love everything, the script, the dark humour, the violence, and Lucy Lui. (Why hasn't she returned my calls yet?!) One of the truly great crime capers to come along in the last decade or so. Also one the few films that boasts enormous star power, but manages to actually be watchable.

Blood, brutality and bare asses are what the doctored ordered for this film. Will something like this ever win an academy award? No. Is it fun pure popcorn mode fun? Yes, sir.

-Rewatch-

This is my second viewing of Red and my original rating of 7/10 has changed. A PG-13 balls to the wall action flick starring Bruce Wills? These things exist? We all know how PG-13 action films work out for him (i.e. Live Free or Die Hard). RED has the distinct advantage of being one of the few films with the highest amount of shots fired, but the least amount of targets hit. Oh yeah, I forgot, unless it was the only African-American in the film.

We've all been there: 3AM looking for toiletries after you have just pulled a long day of work. Your significant other told you "don't forget the cream corn for dinner tomorrow", but your forgot it anyway. So you have to double back. After successfully finding the corn you decide to live a little and visit the "legendary" Wal-Mart five dollar bin. Where the B-list legends are: Dean Cain, Judd Nelson, Master P, John Leguzimo, etc. dwell. Straight to DVD films usually are unintentionally hilarious. You may stumble across a decent film seldomly, hell every now and then you might find gold. The Ministers has a sprinkle of gold dust on it. Sure it's clichéd and has obviously takes inspiration from other films, but it has interesting moments. Overall, it depends how much five dollars is worth to you. Another case on your DVD shelf or a Wendy's Baconator.

Did the Underworld franchise really needed another instalment?

...Think about it...

I didn't think so either.

After Gamer, I began to wonder where was Gerald Butler. Then a coworker hands me Machine Gun Preacher later during the week. I have to say that I throughly enjoyed this film. Butler, the film's lead, gives an outstanding performance as the former drug dealer turned preacher turned freedom fighter/mercenary. It is a lot of emotions, and quite the character arc to display in one film, but Butler somehow manages to pull it off. Granted, it can feel a little preachy (pun intended, sorta) at times, it all fits nicely within the context of the film. Considering the fact that I normally give films such as this (Read: depressing) one viewing, I would considering giving this another viewing almost anytime.

An odd fellow searches for a number that will unlock the secrets of the universe. Yeah, that is the premise. Definitely worth checking out.

-Rewatch-

In the last six months or so, I have become obsessed with this film. I just woke up one morning quoting Black Dynamite. I actually told my wife, "It may be bigger than you, and it may be bigger than me, but it ain't bigger than you and me together, ya' dig?" Sadly, I have only been able to catch one episode of the new animated series on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. Long live Black Dynamite!

After a CIA agent is kidnapped, SEALs are called in to rescue the agent. This agent has information about a possible terrorist attack on US soil. The intel is handed off to the SEALs, and they go out and do what they do best.
First, let me say that this is the most expensive Navy advertisement that I have ever seen. Active duty US Navy SEALs in a big budget Hollywood flick? Really? I guess who could do it better than an actual SEAL, right? Obviously, the acting will leave something to be desired, but it's a fair trade off when you consider the morale boost for the service, and knowing that we have badass Mutha fuckers like these on our side!

I have been converted to an Elizabeth Banks fan after this film. Form shooting pornos to horror films, this woman can apparently do no wrong. The film on the other hand, is passable. I enjoyed the tension played throughout the film, the misleading, and the overall mood, but something about the film's conclusion kinda left me feeling cheated. Worth a viewing though.

Is it just me or does Disney still have a grudge against Mothers of the world? I am not saying that they have anything against strong women, just Mothers. Look back through your Disney catalogs and tell me if I am wrong. Usually, they are either evil or dead. Nevertheless, Brave by no means is a terrible film, it just doesn't stand up to previous films created by Pixar. It's a bit of a let down. I, for once in a long time, actually didn't like the leading character. I guess mistakes are made and lessons learned, but I couldn't get behind this character wholeheartedly.

-Rewatch-

Is it just me, or is it difficult to buy Trovolta as a wise guy? Granted, he was pretty bad ass in Face/Off, but recent efforts (i.e. From Paris with Love) I don't really buy. Nevertheless, this is a film that survives on all of it's star power alone. While it will never be a classic, it just is another example of employing some of the biggest names in Hollywood doesn't always equal gold.

Did I ever want to like this film! What a huge disappointment! I love the premise, the setting and the "invisible" invaders, but some where along the line it just didn't work. Character development was among the weakest that I have viewed in a while. That might have been the point though. Pass!

Walberg gives another performance (read: phoning it in) that is different, yet the same. (Basically almost all of his characters are interchangeable, in my opinion.) He plays a former professional smuggler who got out of the life, but returns to help out his brother-in-law. One notable item is the setting. It just comes to life somehow. (This film was shot right in my backyard, New Orleans. If you have ever been to Big Easy, you will undoubtedly notice it.) Any seasoned (also a bit cynical) viewer call tell you what is going to happen next, and they are probably going to be right. By no means is this a bad film, just predictable.

This was my first film in 3D and damn did I enjoy it! Comic book films have came a long way since SpiderMan 3 almost killed the genre. (Kidding. The damage wasn't that irrevocable.) Marvel did the right thing and patiently building up the brand. (Except Thor being the one bump in the road, in my opinion, anyway.) And did it ever pay off! Some of the most fun that I had at the theater in years.

It is worth a $1 rental at Redbox.

Read one of the best reviewers on Listal, T-Pulla's excellent review and you will know how I feel about Fast Five.

Considering the sheer amount of star power behind this film, it is amazing that it was lacklustre.

Love him or hate him, Kevin Smith does films his own way. With the exception of Cop Out, Smith only directs the films that he writes. Sure his humour maybe an acquired taste, but I mean, you have to respect his moves in the film industry. Right?
Anyways, Red State is an interesting tale of a three teenage boys looking for a little bit of trouble and wind up getting into more than they can handle. This film is quite dark, considering this is the same director/writer that gave us all of the juvenile humour found in Clerks. There are many themes that run parallel through the film: the dangers of religion extremism, Internet hook-ups, misleading the youth, etc. Anybody who doesn't get offended too easily, I believe will enjoy the film. Overall, it is highly recommended.