| Movie | Rating | Review | Date | Your Rating | Match | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day - R | Superior to the original, Director Troy Duffy takes advantage of casting Julie Benz as a 10 times more intense Clarice Starling-esque Ball-Busting FBI Agent in Christian Louboutin Spiked Heels & seamed stockings, form fitting dresses, and sub-compact satin finished 1911A1 pattern single action pistol carried in a custom front abdominal holster. Duffy caressingly films her, lovingly showcased in tight close ups, slow-motion glamor shots, and fabulous classy outfits. (It's obvious he has just as big a crush on her as I have had since her "Buffy" days, Benz just gets better looking as she matures, as does her acting skills; the dream sequence of her as a leather cowgirl shootist is worth the price of admission alone). The film serves primarily as an action vehicle update leading to a possible 3rd segment, and the action is filmed in the Peckinpah/John Woo/Matrix stylized vein, pleasing to the eye ballet choreographed violence presented as no less than performance art. Firearms enthusiasts will lean forward noting all the various weapons and carry methods presented (including the SFX longslide Desert Eagle twins prominently displayed). Replacing Willem Dafoe's repellent transvestism with Julie Benz's alluring beauty is the best single improvement over the original film. Clifton Collins overly stereotypical "Mexican" character is more questionable, serving as the "Stephen Fetchit" to the Twins equally stereotypical hard-drinking psychotic Irishmen. Time shifting story elements advance the context of the plot. Action packed with little drag, rampant smoking and drinking, atmospheric alternate reality a'la "The Warriors", and an interesting performance by Peter Fonda reminiscent of Brando in the "Godfather" series, Boondock Saints II, gets the job done for fans of the "Shoot-em-up" genre of macho action films with a noir-ish edge. Grab the popcorn and enjoy. | December 4, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Rough Riders - Unrated | Includes the Black Cavalry, Indians & Mexican participants commonly whitewashed out of Spanish-American War history; with John Milius at the helm (Dirty Harry, Dillinger, Red Dawn) you know "blood & thunder" action is going to be done right!. Tom Berenger's portrayal of Teddy Roosevelt, warts and all, is so well done you suspend disbelief after a few minutes. Cast is heavy with skilled experienced character acting stalwarts such as Illeana Douglas, Sam Elliot, R.Lee Ermey, George Hamilton, Chris Noth, Dale Dye, Gary Busey, Brian Keith, Geoffry Lewis, Marshall R. Teague, Brad Johnson, Rafael Castillo and many more are a delight to watch (If you blink you will miss an uncredited Ashton Kutcher also). Historically accurate setups with weapons, equipment, etc and the "muscular patriotism" of the era and dedicated Utopians, yet showing how the manly virtues were cynically used for the gain of egotistic frauds (Hamilton as Hearst being an obvious example), Milius gives a well rounded canvas with no lack of excellently staged combat scenarios. A "thinking man's" entry for aficionados of the "rugged all the way" genre of western flavored action films, this one delivers the goods in spades. Stirring musical score by veteran genius Elmer "Magnificent 7" Bernstein. For the record, I should note that as Teddy went to the top in politics, he downplayed his high praise for the Buffalo Soldiers given at the time of the war, reportedly to appease the southern (racist "dixe-crat") vote. A bit of dishonor from one who constantly claimed honor to be such a high virtue. One should also note a similar trend with "Black Jack" Pershing, also portrayed in the film, who made his career on the shoulders of regular army Black Troops, yet when he rose to become commanding general of the American Expeditionary force in World War 1, treated his Black units less than fairly to say the least. | November 8, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Idiocracy - R | November 3, 2009 | N/A | ||||
| Law Abiding Citizen - R | High concept starts out great but eventually degenerates into cliche' near the end, but it could have been far worse overall. Butler carries the film with his twisted obsessive character portrayal and gratuitous ripped abs shots. Foxx's lack of true acting skills slips up a few scenes. Stalwart character actors Colm Meaney and Bruce McGill come to the rescue. Leslie Bibb and Regina Hall provide the overly sanitary sexless incidental girl-candy, they are mere props here, while Viola Davis is just downright scary to look at and is in fact the real villain in this film as a fascist politician with no regard for citizens civil-rights, a vile combination of Idi Amin & Oprah in a skirt. Fans of the thriller genre will be able to wring some enjoyment out of this, but will come away with a nagging feeling they have seen it all before. The take-away message of this film? Never answer your front door without your pistol filling your hand behind your back. Special note to classic rockers: Pete Townshend (The Who) and Grand Funk Railroad tunes turn up in the soundtrack... | October 26, 2009 | N/A | |||
| District 9 - R | I did not have great expectations for this film based on the ad campaign, expecting a mere low budget morality play about racism, set in Africa and couched in Sci-Fi themes a'la Roddenberry. I have to admit I underestimated this film. All the aforementioned elements are indeed present, (which gives a somewhat predictable feel to the plot), however, I did not expect the high level of direction, acting competence, action, and CGI that "District 9" brought to the table. Despite the flaws any film will have (in this case I was not too fond of the pacing in some parts, but this is a nitpick, the film still moves along at a good pace), and a highly personal nitpick everyone has, which is the music/soundtrack (I thought some of the sound bogged down sections that could have used pushing forward). In the final analysis, "District 9" gets the job done in epic Greek heroic tragedy tradition with the "unlikely hero" sub-theme (In this case, embodied by Actor Sharlto Copley), and a surprising amount of well shot and arranged action, something I did not expect.. One notable aspect is that despite the South African location, there was no heavy-handed "preaching" on the racial issue, the country is presented "as is", which is a refreshing change of pace and as it should be (the Sci-Fi plot aspects stand in for that here; plus a sardonic re-direct, using Nigerians as villains in a style the late James Bond author Ian Fleming would have appreciated). Military types will applaud the "Mercenary" action: tactics and firearms handling is competent and realistic, as can be expected in a country with so many combat-tested "Pro's" available as consultants. The CGI is astonishingly well done, it becomes seamless after a short time. (That said, let me add a minor rant: I can see no reason for someone with a love for the materiel to not bring out a better, more correct version, to cancel out the abysmal abomination the bumbling fool and fraud Tim Burton foisted off on us as "Mars Attacks". With the CGI demonstrated in "District 9", a hardcore & scary version true to the "Mars Attacks" universe is now possible. There are at least 2 Books and graphic novel series available for adaptation. /End rant). Neill Blomkamp has made his Hollywood bones in spectacular fashion with this film and added a notable addition to the Sci-Fi Genre. I say: Grab the buttered popcorn and check it out... | September 28, 2009 | N/A | |||
| The Last Time I Saw Paris - Unrated | September 6, 2009 | N/A | ||||
| G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra - PG-13 | Changing "The Baroness" from a European terrorist to an American love interest was the first indication of disappointment with this brand name actioner. Director Sommers has solid credentials and again delivers the goods as far as action is concerned, however, the plot is so far from the original Joe Universe, it is merely in name only. What moron was paid off to cast Channing Tatum as "Duke"?. As an Army man, his portrayal offends me. The boy has absolutely horrible diction & pronunciation, talking like a wannabe' thug with a mouthful of rocks. He is far from a soldier, is an embarrassment to behold, and Marlon Wayans is not far behind with his Stepin Fetchit-esque clowning. Tatum is such a wooden talentless excuse for an actor, he makes wrestler/actor John Cena look like a combination of Lawrence Olivier and John Barrymore in comparison. As a matter of fact, Cena would have been a better choice for this role as he looks the part (given little flattop haircut), has the required muscular physique, and has pulled off semi-military roles in the past. One other issue that really fried my eggs was the scene with the actors wearing Army dress blue uniforms. Tatum's "Duke" is referred to as a "Captain" of Infantry, yet we see him wearing the rank of Major with the red color for Artillery/Engineers on his shoulders!?,( not to mention Wayans incorrect wearing of German Army parachute wings!). WTF?? This angered & distracted me to no end, and is one of the worst examples of big-screen military inaccuracy in recent memory, since Will Smith's disgracefully unkempt U.S.Marine Officers uniform in 'Independence Day' (There is no excuse for these type of mistakes, and it shows contempt for the real military out there, like we don't notice?). Sienna Miller's beauty is not wasted, although her character as the Baroness is. Rachel Nichols fares better as the Redhead. Quaid is predictably competent as the General, and Arnold "The Mummy" Vosloo has a small but amusing role in the proceedings. Lee Byung-hun, Ray Park and all the martial arts scenes were flashy, well staged and beautiful to watch. Adewale Agbaje's cockney talking Black dude act was interesting. Considering the drawbacks of what he (Sommers) had to work with, between the direction and the CGI, it is just enough to nudge this one, (if you don't care about the original characters & plot), into the realm of a watchable action popcorn flick, which may have been the underachieving idea in the first place... | August 22, 2009 | N/A | |||
| The Trench - Unrated | August 15, 2009 | N/A | ||||
| Secret Agent (aka Danger Man) The Complete Collection: Disc 2 - Unrated | August 15, 2009 | N/A | ||||
| All the Young Men - Unrated | August 15, 2009 | N/A | ||||
| China Gate - PG | August 15, 2009 | N/A | ||||
| Nightfighters: The True Story of the 332nd Fighter Group - The Tuskegee Airmen - Unrated | August 15, 2009 | N/A | ||||
| Africa Addio (Adios Africa) (Africa Blood and Guts) - Unrated | August 15, 2009 | N/A | ||||
| Joyeux Noël (Merry Christmas) - PG-13 | August 15, 2009 | N/A | ||||
| Inglourious Basterds - R | August 15, 2009 | N/A | ||||
| Inglorious Bastards (Quel maledetto treno blindato) (Deadly Mission) (Counterfeit Commandos) - R | August 15, 2009 | N/A | ||||
| Sherlock Holmes - PG-13 | July 29, 2009 | N/A | ||||
| The Green Berets - G |
I was there...Ranger-Airborne!...Unique among Vietnam war films, since the war was still in progress when this film was made. Haters like TV Guide still to this day insult this film (and Wayne's politics) in their listings, but in fact 90% of the soldiers in the film were real vietnam combat veterans, experts in what the war was all about from the ground level!. The G.I. slang used is the real deal also ("Wouldn't want to get a writer Greased"...Need a larger "Killing Area" on the perimeter, That's the patrol that got "Zapped" by "Charlie" etc). The battle sequence assault on the A-Team Camp, which is based on an actual fight ("Gooks in The Wire"), is notable for what was left out of the film because it was so gruesome, ("Hit the Fougasse!"!) but was recreated in detail to the standards of censorship of the day. George "Ghey" Takei ("Star Trek"'s original "Sulu") is outstanding as the ruthless SVN-SF Officer wanting to kill his way home to Hanoi. Former leading man Aldo Ray is predictably tough as the bull-necked Top Sergeant. Master actor David Janssen shines as the soulful, world-weary hard drinking writer who is reborn to a higher cause after seeing communist viet-cong brutality first hand. Football player Mike Henry is short on acting skills, but adequate to the task of the reliable tough guy. The charming charismatic Jim Hutton provides the tragi-comedic edge only an actor of his skill could muster ("I'm not a Marine, I believe in my comfort"). John Wayne used a stable of familiar faced Hollywood character actors, such as Jack "Barney Miller" Soo, The gorgeous Irene Tsu as the glamorous Double-Agent. The ridiculously handsome Jason Evers ("T.H.E. Cat") as the A-Camp Captain, Luke Askew as the blue-eyed intense professional soldier ("You're a Heavy Weapons Specialist? Not if I can find a light one, Sir") worried about his legacy, and former leading man Bruce Cabot (original "King Kong"). Old School corny in some places, but realistic in others, vets will understand and appreciate what Wayne was trying to do here, and realize that this film was a labor of love & respect ...Notable for showing Black troopers in an era where Black males in heroic roles were rare on screen. Raymond "Cotton Comes To Harlem" St. Jaques plays the Medic, and there are several real Black Paratroopers & Green Berets shown in the film. Wayne was so impressed by the Black SF Troopers, he made it a point to show them in the film. He was so impressed, he actually changed his attitude about what the Black man was capable of, and publicly stated that he felt that qualified Blacks were as good as any man, which was a controversial statement at a time when blatant white racism was still overt and common in much of the USA (For example, look for the scene when Janssen arrives at the A-Team camp, where a Black Beret Sergeant walks away, then turns and asks Janssen if he needs a hand with his gear. This scene was intentionally scripted by Wayne to show that the Black sergeant was NOT Servile, but equal). The film features an avant-garde musical score by Miklos Rosa, with a stirring macho rework of the "Ballad of the Green Berets" theme, and incorporation of oriental instruments (that some found annoying). There is no CGI here, all stunts & SFX are done the old school way, and with the inherent limitations, of 1960's technology. Though it is still, after all this time, fashionable in some quarters to bash this film and the military values of heroism and virile masculinity it embodies. These nattering Nabobs of negativity are too cowardly to admit that it is these "fighting soldiers" that go and do, who provide the freedom that enables such unappreciative pencilnecked punk psuedo-intellectuals, to run their mouths in the first place...(and the same is true even today as American soldiers, as said in the film "Go...to emergency areas of the world... and fight who they are told to fight")...In the 60's/70's, real men wore olive drab, not love beads....
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July 13, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Public Enemies - R |
Sorry, the 1973 Milius/Warren Oates version is superior overall and more accurate without lacking any action. As much as I respect Michael Mann as a stickler for detail (See his version of "Last Of the Mohicans"), his tossing aside facts on a whim with this true story is disturbing. A glaring example is Agent Purvis (Bale) gunning down George "Baby-Face" Nelson, something that never happened. There is a monument dedicated to the 2 FBI Agents (Hollis & Cowley) who died in the actuall 1934 gunfight, killing Nelson, near Fox Grove Illinois, even today. Changing a fact like that is an insult to the memory of these deceased Agents IMHO, something the 1973 version did not do. Mann has stated he is not wedded to the facts in this film: "Michael Mann has revealed that he is not a stickler for historical accuracy when making his movies. The filmmaker returns to the big screen this week with the release of Public Enemies which stars Johnny Depp as John Dillinger. Despite being praised by Bryan Burrough, the author of the book, Mann said in a press conference in London that he was happy (to) change events if it suited the film: "I don't feel a slavish adherence to actuality. It's only when it's magical, or when it means something do you go there...But director Mann also admitted that to make everything fit in the film he was not afraid to change around the timings of events as well as alter characters"...So I guess the memory of the Agents are not "magical" or "means something" in his view, and this is only one example I could provide. This film only covers the last part of Dillinger's crime spree, and plays out as more melodrama/love story, with unnecessarily leaden pacing, than tough Cops & Robbers film. Old episodes of the "Untouchables" TV show play out more briskly than this. After all, we know what is going to happen, it's a matter of how the story is told that is what makes the art in this genre. Crudups portrayal of J. Edgar Hoover is an unexpected treat, however. He's done his homework, showing Hoover as the headline-grabbing, vindictive, uptight, paranoid, panty-waisted little white collar punk he was. Despite the few action gunbattles, that at least show historically accurate weaponry (notably including the Browning Automatic Rifle), and including Reed Youngblood, the Black convict who assisted Dillinger breaking out of Crown Point jail, (but is only seen in that sequence, not as a member of the gang later, another historical inaccuracy). I won't say outright that this film sucks, it is what it is and has it's moments without a doubt, but Mann is capable of much better work than what is on display here. Watch the DVD of the 1973 Milius/Oates Dillinger (See http://www.flixster.com/movie/dillinger ) before going to see this version, and you will clearly see which is the superior example of filmaking art... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Update: I saw the latest trailer (6/20/09) and it shows the Black "Reed Youngblood" character for a few seconds. It remains to be seen if there is accurate follow-through at this point). If this film cannot surpass John Milius's "Dilliger"(and with Michael Mann involved, it gives me some modicum of hope, although he let us down with the horrible remake to Miami vice) including showing the Black member of the gang, only shown in that film and in Bogart's "Petrified Forest")...Same with the Thompson SMG's, not that commonly used in real life, unlike in fictional Hollywood gangster films and TV shows like "Untouchables"...If you have not seen the original Milius/Oates Dillinger, go here... http://www.flixster.com/movie/dillinger ------------------------------- ...I saw the trailer for this yesterday at "Watchmen" showing, and was not impressed as far as historical accuracy is concerned, and this is not a feature of anything Michael Mann is involved with, which does not give me confidence this film will deliver the goods (at this point at least)... |
July 6, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Patton - PG | The Black soldiers of the 761st Tank Battalion were outraged when this film was released, as their contribution was completely ignored, and their veteran's association lodged public protests. To add insult to injury, the one lone Black soldier in the film is Patton's Valet, a position some viewed as servile. Coppola and the production company had a chance to rectify this, since they ignored it during the time of the original release, with the 2006 Patton Special Edition DVD release but did not consider it important enough to make an effort (how hard would it have been to add a few minutes of film & commentary on the Special Features disc?). Even Patton himself displayed more class than Coppolla & Co.. "Patton, not originally fond of the idea of black armored units, welcomed the 761st with these remarks: 'Men, you're the first Negro tankers to ever fight in the American Army. I would never have asked for you if you weren't good. I have nothing but the best in my Army. I don't care what color you are as long as you go up there and kill those Kraut sons of bitches. Everyone has their eyes on you and is expecting great things from you. Most of all, your race is looking forward to you. Don't let them down and damn you, don't let me down!'".This is fact! This is just another example of Hollywood revisionist history and a slap at America's Black Warriors. Coppolla & Co. had the chance to do the right thing, but chose not to do so. They will have my everlasting contempt and hostility for this gratuitous insult to the honor of Black soldiers & all veterans of the U.S. Military!. (For links & info on the 761st, go to: http://www.talkingproud.us/HistoryBlackPanthers.html) | July 3, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Terminator Salvation - PG-13 | If you are not familiar with the Terminator universe, this film will make no sense to you. Rent the DVD's and catch up before seeing this, then you will fully enjoy this entry to the series. I heard many gripes from the audience I saw this with about Bale as Connor, so it goes. If you want action, this will not disappoint. CGI cameo by Arnold is most cool, would have liked to see it extended, it is just a teezer', but a good one. Grab the buttered popcorn and enjoy.. | June 21, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Red Sonja - PG-13 | Don't get me wrong, I love Gitte', but Xena would kick Red's butt...(6ft tall Dane Viking Vs. 6ft tall Kiwi?. So go watch & enjoy the Xena DVD's now./;-D) Arnold and the disappearing Sandahl Bergman can't save this one from being a niche cult exercise...Late night diet breaking buttered popcorn time here, unfortunately... | June 13, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Star Trek - PG-13 | They got it right here, near perfect blend of the traditional and contemporary post- 1st series trek universe riffs (for example, the makeover of the Romulans is similar to that done with the Klingons, the Romulans here are not nearly exact copies of the Vulcans but come off more like tattooed leather trenchcoat clad biker thugs, and it works). A few surprise elements (such as an unexpected love connection not in the original), the nods to the original are not overdone. One of my favorite actors, Karl Urban, really gets to show his chops as "Bones", but all the actors do journeyman work (including Nimoy). Director Abrams had good materiel to work with and actors skilled enough to pull it off, not a wooden performance among them. Non-Trek heads will enjoy this "Space Opera", but familiars to the Trek universe will be ecstatic...Worth the time (Review based on first run in theaters-5/10/09) | June 8, 2009 | N/A | |||
| Saints and Soldiers - PG-13 | April 18, 2009 | N/A | ||||
| Red Dawn - PG-13 | This was no "Propaganda movie of the 80's" as all too many shallow thinkers purport. Director Milius had an agenda no doubt, however it is the same agenda as for his other film "Dillinger": To make a blood & thunder action film with historical riffs. I love the beats he slips in throughout. The visual nod to Teddy "Strenuous life" Roosevelt's "Rough Riders" (who were saved in battle by Black Cavalrymen). The allegory with American Revolutionary War martyr Crispus Attucks, when the history professor (Frank McRae) is the first to buy the farm...The radio messages being the same as used by French Maquis partisans in WW2 (as portrayed, and lifted from, the film "The Longest Day"), and the knowing smites at American firearms infingements, when we see the enemy commander (A dashing beret & mustachioed Ron "Superfly" O'Neal) order his troops to grab the BATF "Form 4473"s from the sporting goods store so they know the names and addresses of everyone who owns guns in the area so they can be "dealt with" (paperwork forced on citizens with threat of prison by the Fed Gov to legally buy a firearm, a wink by Milius who knows there are many in our own government that would love to do the same with this paperwork as the communist tyrants portrayed in this film)....and of course the scene where we literally see a Soviet paratrooper wrest a 1911A1 Government Model .45 from the "cold dead fingers" of a fallen citizen militiaman. "Red Dawn" is simply a cracking good "shoot-em'-up" with melodramatic interludes and nothing more, as was "Dillinger". Milius wanted to make a combat movie, earned the right, and this is it. (It is also the reason he is blackballed in hollywood to this day). So drop your snobbish pretensions, take it for what it is, grab the salted & buttered and have fun with it... | April 6, 2009 | N/A |
191 ratings
129 reviews
