So I watched Killer Elite last night. I previously watched this movie in the theater when it came out, back in 2011, and enjoyed it. Robert DeNiro and Jason Statham are in the movie - how can I not enjoy it? I have not watched it since. Like all movies I enjoy in the theater, I appreciate watching them again. However, I do not remember Killer Elite coming up on any of the cable channels while channel surfing, because if it did I probably would have watched it. I thought it was available recently on Netflix or HBO, but when I searched for it - nothing.
What I did watch recently and enjoyed is a television show called Rectify. I binge-watched the four seasons available on Netflix and was disappointed when it ended. Not only did I believe there were more episodes in Season 4 than there are, but the show was ultimately cancelled. One can predict where the story line was going, however I would have liked some closure to the story. The show starred Aden Young who is amazing - a performance in which you want to watch this actor in other films or shows he may have starred in. Why am I bringing this up? Aden Young is one of the actors in Killer Elite. When I found out Young was in Killer Elite, I was motivated to finally watch it again.
Killer Elite is about an assassin (Statham) who comes out of retirement to help his former partner (DeNiro) who is being held captive in the Middle East. In order to secure the release of (Deniro), (Statham) has to find and eliminate three former SAS operatives. Not only does he have to eliminate these three former SAS operatives, he has to identify who two of them are, get each of the operatives to confess to a killing, and make each death look like an accident. SAS stands for Special Air Services - the UK's military special forces; one of the world's premiere special forces. Of course Statham can not do this alone, maybe his characters in some of his other movies can, but in Killer Elite, he enlists the help of two operatives he has worked with in the past. These operatives are played by Dominic Purcell (Prison Break) and Aden Young (Rectify).
What I liked about this movie is the cast. Not only does this movie star DeNiro and Statham. There is the aforementioned Purcell and Young. Then Clive Owen (Children of Men), Ben Mendelson (Rogue One), Matt Nable (Riddick), and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Oz, Lost).
What I didn't like is that most of the actors, including Aden Young, are underutilized. A movie with the star power and talent of these actors combined with an interesting premise should be absolutely amazing. Unfortunately, it is not what it could have been. I am not saying this is not a good movie because it is. However, I get disappointed when a film does not live up to its potential. This is an entertaining rainy day movie to watch if you come across it on one of the cable channels.
Killer Elite is based on a true story from a book entitled "The Feather Men." The book is a solid four stars on Amazon and, as with any book made into a film, better than the movie. Reportedly, the SAS calls the book a work of fiction.
Trivia: Robert DeNiro is the only American born actor in this film.
Thursday, June 22, 2017
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
The Movie Franchise That Could....
It's good to be back! It's been a while as I have been completing a graduate course while working full-time which monopolized much of my free time. I still watched movies though, just didn't have the time nor disposition to write any reviews. But, last night I watched a movie which was a mix of ho-hum and brilliant. The movie: Furious 6. Now, I was not a fan of the original The Fast and The Furious. To me, it was an O.K. entertaining movie which basically stole the plot from Point Break. Parts 2 and 3 did not pique my curiosity. I did watch Part 4 and remember falling asleep. It just didn't do it for me.
Then...Fast 5 comes out of nowhere and I was a bit surprised upon the realization these movies are becoming a "franchise." The original duo of Paul Walker and Vin Diesel return...O.K. I mean that's what got me to watch Part 4. But then I see Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in the trailer. I raise my eyebrows. I see the movie. In the theater. And...it is good. It is really good. So much better than what I was expecting. The main characters of the first four movies also return - Tyrese Gibson, Chris Bridges, Jordana Brewster, Gal Gadot, and Sung Kang. I watched Fast 5 once and thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I would certainly watch it again. It was a solid, entertaining film.
Then Furious 6 is released and I get pretty excited as well as surprised. Again, all the characters including Hobbs return and I believed if it is just as good as Fast 5 then I will be entertained. As it turns out, Furious 6 is just ho-hum with flashes of brilliance. In my opinion, Fast 5 is the superior movie of the "franchise." But Furious 6 has something going for it which will have me running to the theater when the next movie of the franchise is released...something I will not spoil. The last two minutes of the movie are a part of that cinematic pleasure I love about movies, especially when the pleasure is so unexpected.
What do you have with Furious 6? Well, Hobbs finds Torreto (in hiding after Rio) and propositions him to gather his team to help take down another crime team (which happens to use cars) in which Hobbs believes he can not ultimately take down without the help of Torreto, O'Connor, et al. The team gathers and decides to help Hobbs for full pardons.
What I enjoyed about this movie - its flashes of brilliance - begin with the actor John Ortiz who reprises his role from Part 4. This leads to a pretty decent prison fight involving Paul Walker's character. There is the new character of Riley, Hobbs' partner, played by Gina Carano (Haywire). And a good fight between her and Michelle Rodriguez's character. You also have Johannes Taslim from The Raid: Redemption whose character has a good fight scene against Han and Roman (reminiscent of the final fight scene in Lethal Weapon 4) The third act of the movie was decent, but unrealistically too long (aboard the plane). I have to say I enjoyed the fight scenes better than the vehicular action with the exception of the tank scene, which was a bit disturbing. The premise is interesting, but unrealistic. Which leads me to the problems of the movie....it is a bit too unrealistic. Were any of the movies of the franchise realistic at all? No, but some of the scenes in this movie were a little too over the top. I am all about suspending disbelief while watching a movie, but not this much. Further, I do not like Michelle Rodriguez as an actor. I just do not like her and have no idea what she added to this, much less any movie or TV show she's in which some other actor can play better. My favorite moment in the TV series Lost is when her character dies.
Now, after watching this movie, the end credits begin. I think to myself, the movie was just OK, entertaining, but not as good as Fast 5. I even remember thinking while watching the movie how much better the franchise could be if there was someway The Transporter could be incorporated into it. Then the credits stop and more action - apparently the ending of Tokyo Drift (which I did not see) in which Han dies when hit by a Mercedes (which is not really a spoiler since it apparently really happens). This is the last two minutes of the movie of which I referred to earlier. It simply ends with this quote, "Dominic Torreto you don't know me, but you will." Fade to black and I am as hyped as I have ever been after watching a movie.
Will you get your money's worth if you see this movie in the theater? If you are a die hard fan of the franchise or are craving a good action flick to see in the theater, then yes. More than anything, if you are a fan of movies as much as I am, the last two minutes of the movie will be more than worth the money you spend to see this is the theater. Cheers!
Then...Fast 5 comes out of nowhere and I was a bit surprised upon the realization these movies are becoming a "franchise." The original duo of Paul Walker and Vin Diesel return...O.K. I mean that's what got me to watch Part 4. But then I see Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in the trailer. I raise my eyebrows. I see the movie. In the theater. And...it is good. It is really good. So much better than what I was expecting. The main characters of the first four movies also return - Tyrese Gibson, Chris Bridges, Jordana Brewster, Gal Gadot, and Sung Kang. I watched Fast 5 once and thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I would certainly watch it again. It was a solid, entertaining film.
Then Furious 6 is released and I get pretty excited as well as surprised. Again, all the characters including Hobbs return and I believed if it is just as good as Fast 5 then I will be entertained. As it turns out, Furious 6 is just ho-hum with flashes of brilliance. In my opinion, Fast 5 is the superior movie of the "franchise." But Furious 6 has something going for it which will have me running to the theater when the next movie of the franchise is released...something I will not spoil. The last two minutes of the movie are a part of that cinematic pleasure I love about movies, especially when the pleasure is so unexpected.
What do you have with Furious 6? Well, Hobbs finds Torreto (in hiding after Rio) and propositions him to gather his team to help take down another crime team (which happens to use cars) in which Hobbs believes he can not ultimately take down without the help of Torreto, O'Connor, et al. The team gathers and decides to help Hobbs for full pardons.
What I enjoyed about this movie - its flashes of brilliance - begin with the actor John Ortiz who reprises his role from Part 4. This leads to a pretty decent prison fight involving Paul Walker's character. There is the new character of Riley, Hobbs' partner, played by Gina Carano (Haywire). And a good fight between her and Michelle Rodriguez's character. You also have Johannes Taslim from The Raid: Redemption whose character has a good fight scene against Han and Roman (reminiscent of the final fight scene in Lethal Weapon 4) The third act of the movie was decent, but unrealistically too long (aboard the plane). I have to say I enjoyed the fight scenes better than the vehicular action with the exception of the tank scene, which was a bit disturbing. The premise is interesting, but unrealistic. Which leads me to the problems of the movie....it is a bit too unrealistic. Were any of the movies of the franchise realistic at all? No, but some of the scenes in this movie were a little too over the top. I am all about suspending disbelief while watching a movie, but not this much. Further, I do not like Michelle Rodriguez as an actor. I just do not like her and have no idea what she added to this, much less any movie or TV show she's in which some other actor can play better. My favorite moment in the TV series Lost is when her character dies.
Now, after watching this movie, the end credits begin. I think to myself, the movie was just OK, entertaining, but not as good as Fast 5. I even remember thinking while watching the movie how much better the franchise could be if there was someway The Transporter could be incorporated into it. Then the credits stop and more action - apparently the ending of Tokyo Drift (which I did not see) in which Han dies when hit by a Mercedes (which is not really a spoiler since it apparently really happens). This is the last two minutes of the movie of which I referred to earlier. It simply ends with this quote, "Dominic Torreto you don't know me, but you will." Fade to black and I am as hyped as I have ever been after watching a movie.
Will you get your money's worth if you see this movie in the theater? If you are a die hard fan of the franchise or are craving a good action flick to see in the theater, then yes. More than anything, if you are a fan of movies as much as I am, the last two minutes of the movie will be more than worth the money you spend to see this is the theater. Cheers!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
City Island
Well...seems like I start every review with a little of the same. I started this project a few years ago and hardly take the time to write. I review a movie here, a movie there then I just disappear. I watch a lot of movies, a lot. This blog should be falling apart with movie reviews. Lately, I have been watching movies with the thought of writing reviews for each one. I guess I am just too lazy. I just finished watching City Island and I really enjoyed this movie. So much so, I finish the movie and tell myself "now is the time, there is no excuse." I come onto the blog and find a review I drafted for "Predators" which came out last year...like I said, a movie here, a movie there and then I just disappear. I keep telling myself that I will be more diligent...yes...I keep telling myself. There are currently two followers of this blog and one is my sister. I wonder how many followers this blog would have if I was more diligent when I started this back when I did....
Tonight I watched City Island. I really, really enjoyed this movie. I remember when this movie came out back in 2009. The critics were nice. I always remembered wanting to watch this movie. Tonight was the night and I was pleasantly surprised.
The set up - you have a family living in the very real City Island, New York City. The father, Vince - Andy Garcia, is a corrections officer who comes across an inmate, Tony - Steven Strait (The Covenant), who Vince believes to be his son. Vince is also enrolled in an acting class where he strikes up a friendship with Molly, played by Emily Mortimer. One day Vince decides to bring Tony home to his family. The family consists of a daughter, Vivian - Dominik Garcia-Lorida, who is "coming home" from college for spring break, but is secretly a stripper. Then there's the son, Vince Jr. - Ezra Miller, who has one the most bizarre fetishes I have never heard of. Finally, the mother, Joyce - Julianna Margulies (ER) - who harbors no secrets but does have a suspicion Vince may be cheating on her. Add them all to a pot, add oregano, stir, and serve....
What did I like about this movie? Sitting here thinking about what I liked...I am at a loss for words. There's so much - the son's bizarre fetish, the build-up of Vince's acting: from his classes (led by Alan Arkin), to his friendship with Molly, all culminating in his audition for a part in a Scorsese movie. The audition was a very, very cool scene. And behind it all, you have Tony's interaction with the family, to include some sexual tension with Joyce, as he slowly learns everyone's secrets. Very Shakesperean. Overall, this is a solid movie which is very enjoyable. Something different, a bit off the beaten path.
What I didn't like about this movie was Andy Garcia's ridiculous New York accent. It is just awful.
Would I have paid money to see this movie in the theater? Probably not, which is a shame because this is exactly the sort of movie I would have loved to see in the theater to get my mind off the stresses of life. So, I can't recommend this movie enough. I will be so bold as to say this movie is Must See simply because watching what these people go through will certainly get your mind off of whatever problems you believe plague your life. Enjoy, laugh, but most of all, smile throughout....
Tonight I watched City Island. I really, really enjoyed this movie. I remember when this movie came out back in 2009. The critics were nice. I always remembered wanting to watch this movie. Tonight was the night and I was pleasantly surprised.
The set up - you have a family living in the very real City Island, New York City. The father, Vince - Andy Garcia, is a corrections officer who comes across an inmate, Tony - Steven Strait (The Covenant), who Vince believes to be his son. Vince is also enrolled in an acting class where he strikes up a friendship with Molly, played by Emily Mortimer. One day Vince decides to bring Tony home to his family. The family consists of a daughter, Vivian - Dominik Garcia-Lorida, who is "coming home" from college for spring break, but is secretly a stripper. Then there's the son, Vince Jr. - Ezra Miller, who has one the most bizarre fetishes I have never heard of. Finally, the mother, Joyce - Julianna Margulies (ER) - who harbors no secrets but does have a suspicion Vince may be cheating on her. Add them all to a pot, add oregano, stir, and serve....
What did I like about this movie? Sitting here thinking about what I liked...I am at a loss for words. There's so much - the son's bizarre fetish, the build-up of Vince's acting: from his classes (led by Alan Arkin), to his friendship with Molly, all culminating in his audition for a part in a Scorsese movie. The audition was a very, very cool scene. And behind it all, you have Tony's interaction with the family, to include some sexual tension with Joyce, as he slowly learns everyone's secrets. Very Shakesperean. Overall, this is a solid movie which is very enjoyable. Something different, a bit off the beaten path.
What I didn't like about this movie was Andy Garcia's ridiculous New York accent. It is just awful.
Would I have paid money to see this movie in the theater? Probably not, which is a shame because this is exactly the sort of movie I would have loved to see in the theater to get my mind off the stresses of life. So, I can't recommend this movie enough. I will be so bold as to say this movie is Must See simply because watching what these people go through will certainly get your mind off of whatever problems you believe plague your life. Enjoy, laugh, but most of all, smile throughout....
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Predators
I have watched many movies since my last post. Trying to keep up with a blog - well for some, it may be easy. For me, I just need to cowboy up and make it happen. Well, this review is for the latest Predator movie named, simply, Predators. I was so excited to see this as there has not been much to see in the theaters lately. I did watch The A-Team last weekend and I actually enjoyed it. But, The Last Airbender, a movie I was anxiously awaiting to watch is getting crucified by the critics. It's not an even 50/50 split, like The A-Team, as the reviews massacred Airbender. To me, I could not justify spending the money.
Well, Predators opened this weekend. I remember seeing some ad for this movie a while back and saying to myself, "another Predator movie? Sweet!" Well, if you have watched the last, um, three Predator movies, you may ask yourself, "How good can this one actually be?" Well, much to my surprise, the critics are raving about this new one...raving!
The concept is simple - the main character, a mercenary played by Adrien Brody wakes up mid-freefall. He is able to pull the ripcord to a parachute and land safely, albeit quite hard, in a jungle. He is joined by seven other characters recognizing them for who they are, a hit man for a Mexican drug cartel, an Israeli sniper, a Yakuza hitman, a death squad killer from Sierra Leone, a serial killer, a Spetznaz soldier, and a doctor...a doctor??? The seven others arrive in the same way as Brody's character. They are in a jungle, a "game preserve" in which they are the game for a good, old-fashioned Predator hunt.
Some of the actors of the game are fairly recoginzable. Brody, an Oscar winner for The Pianist. He also plays Mickey Rourke's character's brother in one of my personal favorite movies, Bullet. Brody is joined by Topher Grace (Traffic, Spider-Man 3), Alice Braga (I Am Legend), Danny Trejo (Con-Air, Desperado), a cameo appearance by Lawrence Fishburne, and my fave actor in this movie, Walton Goggins as the serial killer.
What I enjoyed about this movie is the concept. Killers in a jungle being hunted by Predators. Multiple Predators. It's a throwback to the original in which one Predator is hunting Arnold's special forces outfit. The humans have the potential to give the Predators a run for their money...the potential. I did enjoy Goggins character, especially the scene in which he shows off a tattoo. And, a great, original scene, in which the Yakuza decides to go toe-to-toe with a Predator armed with a samarai sword. Great scene!
What didn't I enjoy about this movie? Well, let me preface this by saying I am a huge fan of the original Predator movie. A huge fan. Predator was a great movie in the sense that it took conventional movie wisdom and turned it on its head. You have a six-man special forces team played by a veritable who's who of actors t0 include two future state governors being hunted down one by one. Same set up here, only this time, you know what the Predators are all about. You have a eight man outfit in this movie made up of cold-blooded killers being led by a mercenary who is pretty damn skilled at what he does. I don't want to spoil the film, but these characters should have did a hell of a lot more damage. In the original, while Arnold does not know what he is up against, he does know he is up against a formidable hunter and uses his and his team's skills and resources to do what they do and not go down without a fight. These killers, well...they should have done some damage. Fishburne's cameo appearance did not add anything to the movie for me. Neither did Grace's character of the doctor. A doctor??? OK....
Overall, this is a Predator movie. I have to say that after actually see this movie, I am kind of surprised that it received the critical acclaim that it did. A vast majority of critics positively reviewed this flick. I have to say that I did enjoy The A-Team (with its 50/50 reviews) a lot more than I did this movie.
Well, Predators opened this weekend. I remember seeing some ad for this movie a while back and saying to myself, "another Predator movie? Sweet!" Well, if you have watched the last, um, three Predator movies, you may ask yourself, "How good can this one actually be?" Well, much to my surprise, the critics are raving about this new one...raving!
The concept is simple - the main character, a mercenary played by Adrien Brody wakes up mid-freefall. He is able to pull the ripcord to a parachute and land safely, albeit quite hard, in a jungle. He is joined by seven other characters recognizing them for who they are, a hit man for a Mexican drug cartel, an Israeli sniper, a Yakuza hitman, a death squad killer from Sierra Leone, a serial killer, a Spetznaz soldier, and a doctor...a doctor??? The seven others arrive in the same way as Brody's character. They are in a jungle, a "game preserve" in which they are the game for a good, old-fashioned Predator hunt.
Some of the actors of the game are fairly recoginzable. Brody, an Oscar winner for The Pianist. He also plays Mickey Rourke's character's brother in one of my personal favorite movies, Bullet. Brody is joined by Topher Grace (Traffic, Spider-Man 3), Alice Braga (I Am Legend), Danny Trejo (Con-Air, Desperado), a cameo appearance by Lawrence Fishburne, and my fave actor in this movie, Walton Goggins as the serial killer.
What I enjoyed about this movie is the concept. Killers in a jungle being hunted by Predators. Multiple Predators. It's a throwback to the original in which one Predator is hunting Arnold's special forces outfit. The humans have the potential to give the Predators a run for their money...the potential. I did enjoy Goggins character, especially the scene in which he shows off a tattoo. And, a great, original scene, in which the Yakuza decides to go toe-to-toe with a Predator armed with a samarai sword. Great scene!
What didn't I enjoy about this movie? Well, let me preface this by saying I am a huge fan of the original Predator movie. A huge fan. Predator was a great movie in the sense that it took conventional movie wisdom and turned it on its head. You have a six-man special forces team played by a veritable who's who of actors t0 include two future state governors being hunted down one by one. Same set up here, only this time, you know what the Predators are all about. You have a eight man outfit in this movie made up of cold-blooded killers being led by a mercenary who is pretty damn skilled at what he does. I don't want to spoil the film, but these characters should have did a hell of a lot more damage. In the original, while Arnold does not know what he is up against, he does know he is up against a formidable hunter and uses his and his team's skills and resources to do what they do and not go down without a fight. These killers, well...they should have done some damage. Fishburne's cameo appearance did not add anything to the movie for me. Neither did Grace's character of the doctor. A doctor??? OK....
Overall, this is a Predator movie. I have to say that after actually see this movie, I am kind of surprised that it received the critical acclaim that it did. A vast majority of critics positively reviewed this flick. I have to say that I did enjoy The A-Team (with its 50/50 reviews) a lot more than I did this movie.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Clash of the Titans
It has been far too long. I apologize. It's a shame really as I have watched and enjoyed so many movies within the past six months, particularly from home. I don't get out to the theater as often as I once did. I now try to hit the theater, maybe...twice a month if I can. So, thinking the other day, I decided that not only will I write about movies I watch in the theater, but movies I watch at home on DVD, Netflix streaming, or cable. I will definitely try to keep up as movies are my thing and I watch a lot....
Clash of the Titans - I watched this in the theater yesterday. It had been a few weeks since I had been to the theater and I wanted a good entertaining movie to enjoy my popcorn with. Clash of the Titans is a remake of the classic 1981 movie starring Harry Hamlin, Lawrence Olivier, and the incomparable Burgess Meredith (Rocky's Mickey). I have not watched the original in close to 20 some odd years. All I remember of the original is Pegasus, the Stygian witches, Medusa, and the Kraken.
This remake contains all the aforementioned. In this remake, mankind wishes to test its strength and starts a war with the gods. Zues releases Hades upon mankind who gives the humans ten days to sacrifice a princess or the Kraken will be released destroying all. As a big fan of the original, I was disappointed with this remake. It seems the filmmakers thought process went something like this: let's take an actor, Sam Worthington, from one of the biggest blockbuster movies of all time - Avatar. Let's get him to share some screen time with some acting heavyweights, let's see, Pete Postlethwaite (The Usual Suspects), Liam Neeson (Star Wars), Ralph Fiennes (Schindler's List - starring Liam Neeson as well), and Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale). Let's add them all together in a remake of a classic - we'll pump up the special effects and we'll make a ton of money!!! How can you go wrong? This movie has all the right ingredients....
Well, again, I was disappointed. I was disappointed because this movie felt rushed, there were way too many plotholes, and no character development. Examples:
Perseus (Sam Worthington's character) claims he never had a reason to pick up a sword before. Mikkelsen's character, a seasoned war soldier, decides to test Perseus skills - Perseus not only beats Mikkelsen's character, but expertly and deftly disarms him. Interesting for someone who never picked up a sword before....
When Pegasus is introduced, we are told that no man has ever ridden him before. Later in the movie, Pegasus just shows up and allows Perseus to ride him.
The Stygian witches are reduced to a footnote in this remake.
Who the hell were the characters who were covered in what looked like tree bark???
The more I think about it, the more I can come up with to negatively criticize the movie. Don't get me wrong, the movie does have some great special effects (the Scorpions, the Kraken), the story is very interesting, but when you have the acting muscle this movie has in a remake of a classic, I expect a little better than this. It's disappointing because this movie could have been so much more....
My suggestion, wait for this movie to come out on cable. Better yet, watch the orginal - remember, the original was made in 1981, so you must make allowances for the special effects.
Clash of the Titans - I watched this in the theater yesterday. It had been a few weeks since I had been to the theater and I wanted a good entertaining movie to enjoy my popcorn with. Clash of the Titans is a remake of the classic 1981 movie starring Harry Hamlin, Lawrence Olivier, and the incomparable Burgess Meredith (Rocky's Mickey). I have not watched the original in close to 20 some odd years. All I remember of the original is Pegasus, the Stygian witches, Medusa, and the Kraken.
This remake contains all the aforementioned. In this remake, mankind wishes to test its strength and starts a war with the gods. Zues releases Hades upon mankind who gives the humans ten days to sacrifice a princess or the Kraken will be released destroying all. As a big fan of the original, I was disappointed with this remake. It seems the filmmakers thought process went something like this: let's take an actor, Sam Worthington, from one of the biggest blockbuster movies of all time - Avatar. Let's get him to share some screen time with some acting heavyweights, let's see, Pete Postlethwaite (The Usual Suspects), Liam Neeson (Star Wars), Ralph Fiennes (Schindler's List - starring Liam Neeson as well), and Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale). Let's add them all together in a remake of a classic - we'll pump up the special effects and we'll make a ton of money!!! How can you go wrong? This movie has all the right ingredients....
Well, again, I was disappointed. I was disappointed because this movie felt rushed, there were way too many plotholes, and no character development. Examples:
Perseus (Sam Worthington's character) claims he never had a reason to pick up a sword before. Mikkelsen's character, a seasoned war soldier, decides to test Perseus skills - Perseus not only beats Mikkelsen's character, but expertly and deftly disarms him. Interesting for someone who never picked up a sword before....
When Pegasus is introduced, we are told that no man has ever ridden him before. Later in the movie, Pegasus just shows up and allows Perseus to ride him.
The Stygian witches are reduced to a footnote in this remake.
Who the hell were the characters who were covered in what looked like tree bark???
The more I think about it, the more I can come up with to negatively criticize the movie. Don't get me wrong, the movie does have some great special effects (the Scorpions, the Kraken), the story is very interesting, but when you have the acting muscle this movie has in a remake of a classic, I expect a little better than this. It's disappointing because this movie could have been so much more....
My suggestion, wait for this movie to come out on cable. Better yet, watch the orginal - remember, the original was made in 1981, so you must make allowances for the special effects.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Gran Torino
Wow! Again...
It has been some time. I started a new job in the beginning of November which has been taking a lot of my time from not only blogging, but from watching movies! I haven't watched much lately. The horror - but in the profession, I guess it was somewhat expected. My intention when I started this blog is to talk about movies, movies, movies. I want to talk about upcoming movies, movies I watch at home, and movies I watch in the theaters.
This weekend I was fortunate. This lovely north weather blessed me with a snowstorm on Friday. I loved it! I made a decision to work from home yesterday which provided me the opportunity to sleep in yesterday and today. With all the free time, I decided to jump in the shower, put my newspapers down, and venture to Times Square to catch one of four movies I am interested in seeing. I had to choose from The Day the Earth Stood Still, Seven Pounds, Slumdog Millionaire, and Gran Torino. I was really leaning towards Gran Torino, but I would've like to get acquainted with the work of a fave director of mine - Danny Boyle who directed Slumdog. But it wasn't showing at the time I thought which left me with Gran Torino...a good choice indeed.
Gran Torino stars and is directed by Clint Eastwood. What else can I possibly say other than the guy is a cinematic legend who happens to make some phenomenal movies. If you are not acquainted with any of Eastwood directed movies than I highly recommend The Unforgiven and Millionaire Dollar Baby. Anything Eastwood does is gold so you really can't go wrong...
Torino starts with a funeral. Eastwood plays a Korean War veteran who just lost his wife and lives alone - very alone. He is a grizzled, old, racist (I use that term lightly), veteran who happens to live somewhere in Michigan - I'm guessing in or near Detroit because his character worked in the automobile industry for ages. An Asian family moves in next door and his beautiful Gran Torino is the catalyst for a relationship with his neighboors which is very touching. Because it is an Eastwood movie, not only is the character development superbly done, but the climax just builds. While the movie may practically write itself with an old war veteran who lives with his dog and a very lethal, vintage M-1 in an increasingly dangerous neighborhood, the movie ends with a twist I was not expecting. This movie is very well-made. I just love the scene when there's a scuffle between an Asian gang and the family who lives next door, Eastwood comes out with that rifle, points it into the face of one of the gang members and says , in a very menacing tone, "We used to stack [racial slur] f**ks like you five-high in Korea! We used the bodies as sand bags!" You can't help but like the guy...especially when he sheds a tear.
Upcoming movies to keep an eye out for - first, of course, Watchmen!!! FYI - Watchmen is listed in Time magazine's Top 100 All-Time Novels!!!
Next, I just saw the trailer for the upcoming Wolverine movie. High Jackman is reprising his role as everyone's favorite anti-heroic X-Man. But it was the footage of the X-Man character Remy LeBeau who had me sit up and take notice. It's about time Gambit got some screen time. I also read somewhere that DeadPool is making a guest appearance as well...say it ain't so!
I also saw the trailer for the new Terminator movie. Christian Bale takes the reins as John Connor. Bale, a new Terminator movie - a recipe for a damn good movie.
Other movies I saw recently and would like to mention is Nothing Like The Holidays - a Puerto Rican family reunion, holiday movie with a who's who of actors to include a great reunion between Jay Hernandez and the always superb Luis Guzman. They starred together in the very underrated prequel to Carlito's Way, Rise to Power.
And at home I watched Anatomy of a Murder. I phenomenal legal trial movie starring James Stewart and a young, menacing Ben Gazzara. I am definitely going to write about this movie after I watch it one more time. This movie is listed in the American Bar Association's Top 12 Trial Movies of all time...
Well, I am going to try to diligently blog the movies...until next time...
It has been some time. I started a new job in the beginning of November which has been taking a lot of my time from not only blogging, but from watching movies! I haven't watched much lately. The horror - but in the profession, I guess it was somewhat expected. My intention when I started this blog is to talk about movies, movies, movies. I want to talk about upcoming movies, movies I watch at home, and movies I watch in the theaters.
This weekend I was fortunate. This lovely north weather blessed me with a snowstorm on Friday. I loved it! I made a decision to work from home yesterday which provided me the opportunity to sleep in yesterday and today. With all the free time, I decided to jump in the shower, put my newspapers down, and venture to Times Square to catch one of four movies I am interested in seeing. I had to choose from The Day the Earth Stood Still, Seven Pounds, Slumdog Millionaire, and Gran Torino. I was really leaning towards Gran Torino, but I would've like to get acquainted with the work of a fave director of mine - Danny Boyle who directed Slumdog. But it wasn't showing at the time I thought which left me with Gran Torino...a good choice indeed.
Gran Torino stars and is directed by Clint Eastwood. What else can I possibly say other than the guy is a cinematic legend who happens to make some phenomenal movies. If you are not acquainted with any of Eastwood directed movies than I highly recommend The Unforgiven and Millionaire Dollar Baby. Anything Eastwood does is gold so you really can't go wrong...
Torino starts with a funeral. Eastwood plays a Korean War veteran who just lost his wife and lives alone - very alone. He is a grizzled, old, racist (I use that term lightly), veteran who happens to live somewhere in Michigan - I'm guessing in or near Detroit because his character worked in the automobile industry for ages. An Asian family moves in next door and his beautiful Gran Torino is the catalyst for a relationship with his neighboors which is very touching. Because it is an Eastwood movie, not only is the character development superbly done, but the climax just builds. While the movie may practically write itself with an old war veteran who lives with his dog and a very lethal, vintage M-1 in an increasingly dangerous neighborhood, the movie ends with a twist I was not expecting. This movie is very well-made. I just love the scene when there's a scuffle between an Asian gang and the family who lives next door, Eastwood comes out with that rifle, points it into the face of one of the gang members and says , in a very menacing tone, "We used to stack [racial slur] f**ks like you five-high in Korea! We used the bodies as sand bags!" You can't help but like the guy...especially when he sheds a tear.
Upcoming movies to keep an eye out for - first, of course, Watchmen!!! FYI - Watchmen is listed in Time magazine's Top 100 All-Time Novels!!!
Next, I just saw the trailer for the upcoming Wolverine movie. High Jackman is reprising his role as everyone's favorite anti-heroic X-Man. But it was the footage of the X-Man character Remy LeBeau who had me sit up and take notice. It's about time Gambit got some screen time. I also read somewhere that DeadPool is making a guest appearance as well...say it ain't so!
I also saw the trailer for the new Terminator movie. Christian Bale takes the reins as John Connor. Bale, a new Terminator movie - a recipe for a damn good movie.
Other movies I saw recently and would like to mention is Nothing Like The Holidays - a Puerto Rican family reunion, holiday movie with a who's who of actors to include a great reunion between Jay Hernandez and the always superb Luis Guzman. They starred together in the very underrated prequel to Carlito's Way, Rise to Power.
And at home I watched Anatomy of a Murder. I phenomenal legal trial movie starring James Stewart and a young, menacing Ben Gazzara. I am definitely going to write about this movie after I watch it one more time. This movie is listed in the American Bar Association's Top 12 Trial Movies of all time...
Well, I am going to try to diligently blog the movies...until next time...
Friday, November 14, 2008
NEW WATCHMEN TRAILER!!!
http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/watchmen.html?showVideo=1
In a word - ridiculous! Rorschach is narrating - that's his scratchy voice and he's the one with mask and fedora. He is the ultimate anti-hero! Enjoy!!!
In a word - ridiculous! Rorschach is narrating - that's his scratchy voice and he's the one with mask and fedora. He is the ultimate anti-hero! Enjoy!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
