Monday 15 December 2014

Gone Girl (2014)


One of the most clever plots in years. It was Directed by David Fincher who has some great films like Fight Club in his resume. I can see a best Director Oscar in his near future. At two hours and 25 minutes the movie does drag a bit in the second half. It was a really well acted movie with lots of Oscar nominations I'm sure.  Gone Girl was a critical and box office smash. I was disappointed at the ending but admit it was the correct one. Overall a very worthy production, and a terrific satire.

Four Stars

The Equalizer (2014)


Antoine Fuqua is an American film director. He directed the film Training Day as well as The Replacement Killers, Tears of the Sun, King Arthur, Shooter, Brooklyn's Finest, Olympus Has Fallen and The Equalizer. The Equalizer is probably the worst movie on that list. 

I love Denzel Washington. So this movie staring Denzl Washington with his old Training Day director had me pumped. Most of the air had left my balloon after the first ten minutes of nothing interesting going on. The movie takes way to long to take off.  Denzel Washington's character would be more at home as a member of the Avengers. The Russian Mobster chief villian looked way to much like Mr Bean. It was hokey and unoriginal.  It still managed $100 million domestic.  Rotten Tomatoes was less generous with a 61%. I would not go that high. There will likely be a sequel and hope it turns out better.

Two point six stars.

Wednesday 10 December 2014

Fury (2014)


Fury is one of those slice of life during wartime postcards from hell. A collection of cliches driven by a tank named Fury. Without knowing any better I would say the movie was based upon GI Combat comic characters and the Haunted Tank. Its a pretty good movie. Not on par with Saving Private Ryan, but all things being equal due to fantastic production values up there with movies like the Dirty Dozen. The Tank battle scenes are fantastic. David Ayer was the screenwriter on Training Day and other notable movies. As a director he is certainly more than capable. I wish he would avoid the cliche like a Canadian avoids saying Eh!  Maybe he could not stop Brad Pitt from mouthing some of the most ridiculous dialouge ever. Rotten Tomatoes loved it and the studio is trying to create some Oscar Buzz. I hate to be a buzzkill but this movie will never make a top ten war movies list. War is hell but making a WW2 movie that will crack the top ten needs some kind of Miracle.  I suggest a movie about Hitler escaping the Bunker. I read a great book like that but can not find it now.

I just remembered it was the Berkut. It would make a fantastic movie.

Three point three stars.

Tuesday 9 December 2014

Timequest (2002)


A very interesting movie answering the question many have pondered. What would happen if I went back in time and warned JFK just before he departed for his date with assassination. It would have been a much better movie if the actors portraying Jack and Bobby Kennedy had been as compelling as Caprice Beneditti who did the best Jackie Kennedy ever. Larry Drake as J Edgar Hoover was a perfect, and the smackdown scene with Bobby Kennedy was a highlight. Despite the shortcomings the movie is every conspiracy theorists fantasy. 

You would almost think there was some kind of conspiracy to keep this movie on the fringe. No box office details, no reviews on Rotten Tomatoes but curiously a audience rating of 24%. This movie needs a big budget remake. 

Four Stars
The trailer is nothing but a spoiler, do not watch if you intend to watch this movie.



Monday 8 December 2014

The Siege of Firebase Gloria (1989)


A movie that captured the spirit and horror of the Vietnam war with a bit of a history lesson surrounding the Wars Seminal moment: The Tet Offensive. B movie actors, director and atmosphere.  Three quarters of people who saw it liked it. I will join the crowd. It was a good B war movie.

Two point seven five stars