Pick of the Week 7/20/09

PAYBACK
"No More Mr. Nice Guy"

Every once in a while I get an itch to watch a movie that for lack of a better expression kicks ass. This might seem like a somewhat undignified feeling from someone who appreciates good film, but they are not mutually exclusive when it comes right down to it.
Beat-downs, explosions, beautiful women and bad guys you can’t help but cheer for are something that needs to be experienced once in a while. So, when the mood strikes you, PAYBACK is the movie your gonna want to watch.
Mel Gibson enters the role of Porter, a con man/thief and all around crook who is double crossed and left for dead by his partner, played by Gregg Henry. The story doesn’t get much more complex from there. Porter embarks on a mission to get back his half of the score his partner double crossed him on, a sum of $70,000, which the higher up the organized crime hierarchy Porter gets seems more and more trivial. It's the principal of the thing. Nevertheless, dry humor and great one-liners prevail in this somewhat epic gangster revenge caper. You can’t help but root for Porter deep down in the dark portion of your heart. Plus, Lucy Liu makes a great cameo as a dominatrix, which is just about the most ironic thing I have seen in a long time.
Who knows, this may be the best all around movie experience you've had in a long time.

Starring Mel Gibson, Gregg Henry, Maria Bello, David Paymer and Kris Kristofferson.
Released in 1999.

You can watch movies online by going to iReel.com , a Video On Demand web based streaming service. There is no cost to join, and subscriptions, premium accounts and download to own options are available. Follow the link to Payback here http://www.ireel.com/search_result/index?q=Payback+Straight+Up%3A+The+Director%27s+Cut&f=s. iReel.com has a selection of major, minor and independent film titles in standard definition and high definition ready to stream to your computer right now. No plug in or downloaded software required. Check them out!

Pick of the Week 7/6/09

THE SAINT

Once in a while a movie drops in theaters and gets a perfectly respectable audience reaction, then goes on to become a bone of contention between movie aficionados. The Saint is one such movie.
I’m of the opinion that The Saint is a great movie in the way that action, conspiracy, humor, compelling story and competent writing make something that warms the heart and gets the blood pumping at the appropriate times. If you are looking for the best movie of the year, or a golden globe nomination, then best look somewhere else. Those awards don’t mean anything anyway. They only come about because enough subjective opinions come together to form a lopsided consensus. Anyway, enough of that.
The story revolves around legendary thief Simon Templar (Val Kilmer), that becomes embroiled in political maneuvering and the controversy surrounding renewable energy. His services are aquired to steal the formula for Cold Fusion, a new free energy source, from beautiful physicist Emma Russell (Elisabeth Shue). Even back in the late 90’s screenwriter’s had already discovered that renewable energy could make for an interesting plot base. This whole thing might sound somewhat contrived, but add to the mix Russian oil patriarchs, the mafia and some well placed action, and you get a solid movie that can’t fail to make you feel like your time was used well.

Starring: Val Kilmer, Elisabeth Shue and Rade Serbedzija.
Released in 1997.

You can now watch movies online by going to iReel, a Video On Demand web based streaming service. There is no cost to join, and subscriptions, premium accounts and download to own options are available. Follow the link to The Saint here: http://www.ireel.com/search_result/index?q=the+saint&f=s. iReel has a selection of major, minor and independent film titles in standard definition and high definition ready to stream to your computer right now. No plug in or downloaded software required. Check them out!

PICK OF THE WEEK: 11/28/08

APPLESEED

As I am not the most knowledgeable person on the subject of anime, I will nevertheless go so far as to say that this is one of the most intriguing and ingenious depictions of what animation technology and good writing can potentially produce.
Appleseed is set in the future where mankind has started and finished WWIII. Much like the Matrix or Equilibrium style movies, humans have realized that their predisposition for violence and aggression will eventually lead them into extinction. So with new technological developments, the humans create a species of human looking robots to govern and safekeep humanity.
Most of the plot revolves around the struggle between the human run military and the rest of the robot run government.
The action is breathtaking and unlike anything out there in cinema today. As this post will be a little dated, I will say that the sequel, Appleseed: Ex-Machina, that was just released on DVD is also superb, but the original is still on another level entirely.
Released in 2004.

EQUILIBRIUM

"Two men. One battle. No compromise."

Yeah! I mean seriously, this movie was absolutely fantastic. Truly a great movie.
The acting was believable, the action was unbelievable and the setting, context and to some degree the philosophy of the movie were all relevant.
Again, this is one of those movies that doesn't have a uniquely original plot line, but manages to supersede that fact and bring to the screen something altogether individual and absolutely worth viewing.
Christian Bale plays a High Cleric, a member of an elite police force in a future where all feelings have been suppressed in the populace by intervals of low-dose numbing drugs. His wife was taken away for sense-offence crimes (feeling), his children are anesthetized to his presence, and his partner is a part of the resistance. Through all of this he felt nothing. But there comes a time when he must face the fact that the most important part of his humanity has been willingly and consciously stripped from him, and he must rise up. He is feeling.
Forget the action in THE MATRIX. This is better and well spaced throughout the film.
Starring Christian Bale, Taye Diggs, Emily Watson, Sean Bean and Angus Macfadyen.
Released in 2002.



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PICK OF THE WEEK 10/17/07

THE FIFTH ELEMENT:
"Time is not important, only life is important."

Firstly, this is a Luc Besson film. That in itself usually merits watching. But for this movie, it went even further. Bruce Willis is perfect for this role, as it's almost going back to his DIE HARD days, but with a little spice, a little zing.
This is one of the first action movies I watched as a teenager, and surprisingly it's value has lasted and even exponentially increased over time.
Bruce Willis plays a ex-armed forces taxi driver in a futuristic city (presumably New York), when an escaped woman (Milla Jovovich) unwittingly drops into his cab; literally, through the roof. What follows is an action-packed adventure in search of a legendary weapon that is needed every 5,000 years to save the world. But wait, there's more. Chris Tucker, Gary Oldman and Ian Holm all add there special performances to make this movie outstanding.
With Willis delivering the punches, Tucker supplying us with his trademarked humor and hilarious style and Holm as the voice of reason, they battle against Mr. Zorg (Oldman) and his crew of ugly aliens to a climatic finish.
A fantastic action/sci-fi movie for anyone who has ever wanted to see the future.
Released in 1997.



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KICKBOXER

"Action has a new hero"

This is going to be short and sweet.
If you're in the mood for a good action/martial arts movie, and you like watching old ones because, one, some of them are so bad that now their good, or two, because you're just in the mood for something simple, entertaining and not wholly a waste of time. (Those reasons, and MORTAL KOMBAT was out. Just kidding), then KICKBOXER would definitely hit the spot for you. Even the tagline is vintage, how can you beat that?
There's nice scenery, a bit of story, some great characters and a little eastern history thrown into the mix. That, and great fight scenes and a believable villain. And, the best part is that the brothers character is absent most of the time, so without him the acting is stable for the meat of the movie (minus Van-Damme's accent).
A good movie to think of when putting newer ones like ONG BAK into perspective. Plus, in one hilarious scene, you get to see Van-Damme dance in a bar. It's so outstandingly ridiculous it's good, the guy actually has rhythm. Who would have thought? Not to be missed.
Released in 1989. Starring Jean-Claude-Van-Damme, Dennis Chan and Michel Qissi.




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THE BOONDOCK SAINTS

"They're on a Mission From God"

My friend turned me on to this movie one rainy saturday afternoon. She is of course Irish, and was equally appalled that I had not seen this movie and that I had never even heard of it. Since then I have seen the error of my ways. (lol).
This is up there on my list with THE MATRIX and EQUILIBRIUM for great action that goes hand in hand with a great story. Above all, this movie surprised me, and surprise is a quality in a film that I greatly value.
The story of two brothers, I should say Irish brothers (because it matters in this movie), who take it upon themselves to be God's avenging angels in a time in Boston where crime, violence and sin are perpetrated on the innocent and the guilty without distinction. Alone, they stand between all that is evil and all that is good, and not quite knowing if they themselves are one or the other. If I didn't know better, I would think this was a comic book.
And for all you who are familiar with this movie, the sequel IS coming, just be patient.
Willem Dafoe also delivers a magnificent performance as an FBI agent on the brothers case.
Released in 1999. Starring Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus and Billy Conolly. Directed by Troy Duffy.



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THE HITMAN

I haven't seen a movie this interesting in a long time. Surprising and fairly recent, THE HITMAN (1998) reels you in so that you are constantly wondering what will happen next, and are even more dumbfounded when the next scene starts to play out.
I can't even begin to understand how someone wrote a script with this much irony and dry humor built in, but they did. The whole premise of the movie is based on just that, a juxtaposition of irony and humor culminating in start to finish consistency in theme. It was unbelievable to watch.
Jet Li stars as a rookie hitman who can't seem to find any work, has a mother to support, and worst of all is possessed of a kindly character. (see, the irony already begins by positioning killing as an acceptable, commonplace profession). The humor begins when Jet Li is paired with his would be 'agent', and enters a race to find another killer (ironically enough), with $100,000 hanging in the balance, while being ruthlessly pursued by other professional hitmen and a police inspector (Simon Yam, of KILLZONE) who won't let up.
Excellent action, great humor (although subtitled) and a mesh of rich culture and charm so rare in Kung Fu movies, THE HITMAN delivers a solid front for anyone who loves real Hong Kong action style movies.



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'PLANET TERROR' IS RIGHT!

Writing about this movie might be a little after the fact, since most viewers already have their own opinions about Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez, but the second installment of GRINDHOUSE is coming to DVD this month, so I think it's pertinent.
This movie was over the top, gory, violent and highly sexual, and you know what? It was a wonderful revival piece. I personally enjoy watching movies like Evil Dead when the mood is right, and Planet Terror is of that same genre. Well, of Army of Darkness anyway.
Planet Terror chronicles the aftermath of the release of a bio-weapon which turns affected victims into zombies and the group of survivors intent on survival. Corny, to be sure, but all the better because it was written for that purpose only. Planet Terror took the B-movie genre into Hollywood, not the first to do so I'm sure, but nevertheless an entertaining movie in light of recent cinema choices.
The better half of the dual feature in my mind, Planet Terror is without a doubt a mood movie, but when you get the mood it really hits the spot.

Starring Frederick Rodriguez, Rose McGowan and Bruce Willis. Written and Directed by Robert Rodriguez.



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BEAR WITH ME...

FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER

This may possibly be the shortest and most ambiguous post I have written yet, and for good reason; everybody is going to have to make their own decisions about this movie.
For comic book fans, this movie was better than the first, with better action, better story and overall better style. However, on its own it is only mediocre.
I enjoyed it because it had been recommended to me solely because it WAS better than the first installment, and to be perfectly honest, the first one was incredibly unsatisfying. I didn't want my impression of the first movie to represent what I thought of Marvel Comics movies.
I like the fantastic four, I grew up with marvel comics, and i enjoyed this movie.
But.
This is not to say that renting this movie for anything but mindless entertainment is going to bring you the same result. So.
Garner what you will from this muddled review. I'm not quite clear on this movie myself. I only recommend it because when the end titles rolled I felt like it had done a decent job with the material it was given.



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A STRONG FINISH TO A SOLID TRILOGY

THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM:
"Remember everything. Forgive nothing."

I'm not sure if this movie is still in theatres, but man was it good! Throughout this entire set of movies I was continually impressed by the level of book to screen adaptation. I read all three of Robert Ludlum's 'Bourne' books when I was about 14 ,after finding my grandfathers collection of Ludlum novels, and they have stuck with me for years afterward as really solid writing. I was overjoyed that despite some rewriting to fit Jason Bourne and his story onto the screen, this movie carried with it some of that same intensity that made the novels so gripping.
Absolutely no spoilers for this movie. If you have seen the other two, then you know what to expect. And if you haven't, then I suggest that you rent all three of these movies that I'm sure will become a classic trilogy in the near and far future.
And read the books!



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STARDUST ALMOST HAD IT!

First off, I would like to say that despite my titling of this review, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Having said that , I must also admit that I am a huge Neil Gaiman fan, and of his books I think Stardust is one of his best.
However, I had mixed feelings going to see this movie. did i want to see another great book be turned into a mediocre movie, or did i want to risk it in the hopes that it really could be great (I still haven't seen Eragon).
I'm not going to say much about the story, as it is more interesting with Neil Gaiman's work to experience it without warning. In the end, I wasn't disappointed. I enjoyed the action, the romance, and the humor, although some of Robert DeNiro's scenes were over the top in a bad way and the musical score was straight from Lord of the Rings for every scene change (mildly annoying). Great special effects and interesting adaptations of parts of the book, and of course Michelle Pfeiffer, this film was satisfying.
Good date movie, although a bit long, or for a casual action/fantasy/comedy rental when you are in the mood to be entertained.

Starring Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, and narrated by (Sir) Ian McKellan. Showing in theatres now.



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Second PIck of The Week 10/4/07

FORMULA 51:

This week, I am going to share one of my many cinematic guilty pleasures in a special second Pick of the Week. I just couldn't hold back. I love this movie.
Everybody say Samuel L. Jackson in formal Scottish attire, wielding a golf club in downtown London. Add to it Robert Carlyle in his usual persona as a fast talking British gangster, random soccer hooligans, Rhys Ifans as a Hyped up drug dealer, and Emily Mortimer as the hired gun protecting Jackson and Carlyle. Oh, and don't forget Meat Loaf as The Lizard. What do you have? An awesome movie, that's what!
Jackson plays Elmo McElroy, a chemist on the brink of a once in a lifetime score, and doing it all dressed in plaid. Aided with an attitude by Felix DeSouza (Carlyle) they criss-cross London from the docks to a football (soccer) stadium, hoping to make the deal and live long enough to enjoy their success. They even manage to drive an original mini cooper in the process.
Filled to the brim with action, double-crosses and a mean golf swing, this movie has something for everyone who likes their action with a splash of humor but can never seem to find it.
It's like watching Shaft in a kilt!
There's nothing more to say except; Go Rent This.

For more information check out my links list.

PIck of The Week 10/2/07

THE MOD SQUAD:

I know that selecting this movie for the pick of the week might seem sacrilegious to some, those of you who revere the classic television series, but i feel that the new full feature version should be given a chance. So rarely is a remake, especially from TV to film, given this much polish and attention by it's director and production teams, especially not in the action/cops/drug ring genre, where a good car chase and the hero vanquishing the villain with the rescued maiden behind usually gets the job done for a blockbuster.
Quick, sleek dialogue, solid action, a great cast and a few well selected edges of dry humor fill out the picture, coupled with introspective character relationships and consistent personality portrayal for each character makes this movie a must see for anyone in the mood to see the Good Guys beating the Bad Guys with a stylish 90's twist.

Starring Claire Danes, Omar Epps and Giovanni Ribisi.
for more information go to www.imdb.com