Friday 7 June 2013

Goon (2011)




I have watched Goon Twice and am ready to hand it the crown as the best hockey movie ever. Is it a better movie than the classic Slapshot, I will have to review Slapshot and find out? Goon is a funny finely crafted movie that will seem totally genuine to both hockey fans and hockey players.

Written by Jay Baruchel and Evan Goldberg (Knocked Up), the film follows Doug Glatt, played by Seann William Scott, a bar bouncer turned minor league hockey enforcer.

The film also stars Liev Schreiber, Jay Baruchel, Eugene Levy, Allison Pill, and Marc-André Grondin. Not to mention a cameo by Big George Laraque.

I liked it even better the second time. Rotten Tomatoes gave it 80%, I see conflicting numbers on box office but it was over $3 million, and in Canada it beat out many US comedies on its opening weekend.
Four Stars




Thursday 6 June 2013

John Dies in the End (2012)


I saw this movie before Upstream Color. Its reminiscent of Upstream Color. Unlike the former eventually everything that happens becomes clear. The movie got 60% from Rotten Tomatoes but did not break 200 grand at the box office. Acting, story and cinematography are all first class. Maybe it was just a little too zany for its own good. I liked it but did not run around saying "check this out"

Two point nine Stars.

Monday 3 June 2013

Safety Not Guaranteed (2102)



A delightful lark. A screwball comedy played totally straight. There are sci fi elements but its really a Rom Com for everyone. Aubrey Plaza who plays the side kick in Parks and Recreation is terrific as the female lead. Its a movie of no names that just shines  brighter than many star filled efforts. I loved it, its a special movie. Rotten Tomatoes agreed.

Four point two Stars

Rambo (2008)


Rambo is one of the great B movie franchises. The first one came out in 1982.  It was also directed by Ted Kotcheff who was 77 at the time this movie was shot. In some ways it is a tired movie. Stallone at times kills so casually it robs the movie of tension. But hey its Rambo. A very impressive body count in a movie only for Rambo fans.

Two point nine stars.

Fast Five (2011)


I liked the 2009 Fast and Furious. I cant remember if I watched anymore of the franchise. Fast Five is the  cleverly named  fifth in the series. Its a heist movie, with world class action scenes. The story was credible and complex for this genre. It was a huge box office smash. Lots of fun and lots of eye candy.

Three point two stars.

Warm Bodies (2013)

I only lasted 20 min before I was cold, totally brain frozen.

Jack the Giant Slayer (2013)



A charming interpenetration of the Jack and the Beanstalk Story. I got a real Princess Bride Vibe. Directed by Bryan Singer of X men fame. Lots of familiar faces in this well acted movie. Critics did not like the CG I giants, and thought the whole thing was a little cold. Thus it got a 52% rating from Rotten Tomatoes, and the paying audience was not even that generous. Well worth the time, one of the better adaptations of a  fairy tale in my book.

Three Stars