Friday 28 December 2012

Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)



I really like this franchise. Retribution has a better story than many of the latter in the series. The effects are dazling and this episode gives a lot of backstory. If you are a fan don't hesitate. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a paltry 32% but its at least double that.

Three point seven stars


Thursday 27 December 2012

Taking Lives (2004)


This 2004 FBI serial killer  profiler genre movie got 22% from Rotten Tomatoes. I strenuously object. Its directed by DJ Caruso (Eagle Eye), stars Anjlie Jolie (at her peak), and Ethan Hawke (post Training Day). Kiefer Sutherland is the principal bad guy. Shot in beautiful Montreal it features amazing twists and turns. The ending should satisfy even the harshest critics. Its not Silence of the Lambs, but its still a damm fine flick.

Three point five stars

Thursday 20 December 2012

Let Me In


A well done but completely unnecessary remake of the Swedish masterpiece Let the Right one In. Chole Grace Moretz who broke through in Kick Ass was perfect as the 12 year old vampire. Kodi Smit McPhee is totally believable as Owen a young vampire smitten teen. The biggest difference is the directors decision to reveal a key concept that the Swedish movie allowed the viewer to discover on their own.

A terrific bite on the vampire genre. A much better remake of a Swedish Film than the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Three Stars

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Tuesday 18 December 2012

Cloud Atlas


Cloud Atlas is a difficult movie. Its highly stylized, slow moving, and very preachy. The choices we make shape empires Yada Yada Yada. The first half barely kept me engaged, I still dont get all the connections between time periods.
Which is not surprising considering;

"David Mitchell, the author of “Cloud Atlas,” told the Paris Review in 2010 that “‘Cloud Atlas’ is a novel about whose echoes, eddies and cross-references even its author possesses only an imperfect knowledge.” Yet the directors of the new film — Tom Twyker, Lana Wachowski and Andy Wachowski — took a different approach to Mitchell’s brilliant book. They turned six overlapping stories into more concentric circles than the author had himself."  After you watch the movie read this.

 Its an ambitious movie that in the end works. How did it got 63% at RT? Only John Cougar of Mars saves it from being the biggest boxoffice bomb of the year.
Do not make it a pirority but when you have the opportunity, check it out.

Two point six-five stars
(sorry for the comercial its thankfully very brief)

Thursday 6 December 2012

Transporter 3 (2008)


Jason Statham's ten year (Lock Stock and two Smoking Barrels- 1998) acting anniversary  was marked by the third edition of the Transporter (2002) franchise which made him a star. This time he breaks all his rules. The stunts and fights are superb.  A movie featuring French director Oliver Megaton and the sterling Luc Besson has writing credits. I love this franchise and despite the total lack of orginality this may be the best one so far. Rotten Tomates hated it with a 36% fresh. Critics also dumped all over it.  However the box office was over $100 million, tops for the now finished franchise.

Three point six five stars.

Monday 3 December 2012

Skyfall (2012)


Without hesitation I would join the millions who would not hesitate to say Bond films are their favorite franchise. Skyfall disappointed me. The opening sequence was the best ever. Daniel Craig continues to re define Bond in a compelling fashion. Sam Mendes direction was well crafted. Although to date, he has never recaptured the magic of American Beauty. Javier Bardem was one of the best, if not the best Bond villian ever.

The first half of the movie was near perfect Bond. The second half was a mess of plot holes and situations that stretched my suspension of disbelief to the limit. Its possible background that might have kept situations free of criticism were edited for the sake of brevity. Unfortunately for me I hold Bond to a very high standard, and while picky points, it going to cost a movie which should have owned a fourth star without effort, that high a mark. Nevertheless a must see on the big screen movie.

Three point four stars