If there is a formula for a brainless action picture, it’s almost a shame that newcomer Michael Davis has to show other filmmakers how it is done well, but also how to make it enjoyable. It’s also a plus to get some actors who are in on the joke, but don’t treat it like one. Yeah, there’s outrageous stuff and crazy action setups, new and inventive uses for carrots, but one actor in particular stands out in the action.
Continue reading…

I was looking forward to William Friedkin’s new film Bug, having heard so many great things about it, specifically the film being Friedkin’s best horror film since The Excorist. It’s an odd thought in itself, because Friedkin had only made one horror film between Bug and The Excorist. I suppose the thrillers count, and that said, I’m not quite sure where the horror genre comes into play here. Now, if someone said psychological horror, that might apply.
Continue reading…

What made me want to see this film more than the great cast and even the brilliant poster artwork, was the fact that there’s a big controversy surrounding this movie. Christian organizations in the US have called for a boycott of The Golden Compass because they feel it promotes atheism. I was curious whether I could spot the hidden agenda and whether it would bother me. And the fact that in order to make up my own mind I’d have to sit through a two hour big budget fantasy movie starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig didn’t hurt.

Continue reading…

I don’t mind a vampire hunter revenge piece, but in light of other vampire hunter themed films, this non-linear tale tends to drag more than it should. Rise : The Blood Hunter starts off on the wrong foot, but only when we get into the events that lead up to a reporter’s transformation into a vampire, the film becomes curiously interesting. If only the film kept up with that story, instead of going off in a direction of been there and done that. Question: how do you keep a scene together? Answer: loads of neon, lots of chit-chat and Lucy Liu’s upside down nude scenes.
Continue reading…

Aware that Steven Seagal has reduced himself poorly to the straight to DVD market, , I will confess that in spite of it all, I’ll always give the sensei a chance at redemption. This time around, there is some good news in that there is a decent attempt to show an aging Seagal still has some moves in him, and that he doesn’t need a stand in all the time. Urban Justice also has cliche overload, which can be excusable in some of Seagal’s films (I wasn’t expecting a film version of Sophocles’ Antigone, I’ll put it that way) but I am a self proclaimed martial acts action film junkie, and when I don’t get me fix…
Continue reading…

The Goonies is a classic adventure tale that follows a group of young friends as they embark on a treasure hunt to find legendary pirate – ‘One Eyed Willy’s’ hoard. These kids are not your average adventurers though. The group include an asthmatic, a crazy inventor, a cheerleader, a mouthy prankster, and a fat compulsive liar, and none of them are exactly fearless. They scream and jump at pretty much anything they come across, from old skeletons to numerous booby traps. The amount of energy the young actors have makes each scene pretty intense and exciting to watch, so there’s never a dull moment.
Continue reading…

Michael Moore is back and this time the American healthcare system gets a beating. Moore takes us on a two-hour journey to illustrate how and why the American healthcare system works as it does and what the consequences of that system are. It’s not surprising to hear that the insurance companies are rich and just want to get richer. It’s not surprising to hear horror stories about some of the 47 million uninsured Americans. It’s not surprising to hear how the pharmaceutical companies and politicians have a strong hold and influence on the healthcare system, guarding their profits. What is shocking to discover is how little chance the 250 million Americans who are insured appear to have of actually getting their medical bills paid for by the insurance companies.

Continue reading…