Movie Review: Hitman by ME

Title: Hitman
Starring: Timothy Olyphant, Dougray Scott, Olga Kurylenko, Robert
Knepper, Ulrich Thomsen
Directed By: Xavier Gens
Produced By: Charles Gordon, Adrian Askarieh (II)
Genre: Action/Adventure and Adaptation
Release Date: November 21st, 2007 (wide)
MPAA Rating: R for strong bloody violence, language, and some
sexuality/nudity.
Distributors: 20th Century Fox Distribution

There is nothing wrong with making a movie from a video game. Most ofthe time the stories are longer and more intricate to keep people interested. Sometimes, when a property crosses to a new medium, things are lost or the creators try throwing too many in-jokes for fans of the game. Hitman doesn't do that. It makes for an above average action flick that balances story with intense fighting while not catering to the fans or dumbing it down for a new audience.

Hitman doesn't waste any time creating a backstory for our hero Agent 47 (Timothy Olyphant). Genetically engineered and raised by The Orginization as an assassin for hire, Agent 47 finds that he is setup and is now on the run from The Organization, a determined INTERPOL agent (Dougray Scott), a crooked Russian Politician (Ulrich Thomsen) and his pocketed policeman Yuri (Robert Knepper). All while trying to keep Nika (Olga Kurylenko) alive as she is the only other one who knows what is going on.

There are only three real players in Hitman. Olyphant is a good actor who gives Agent 47 just enough personality for you to not think of him as a mindless killing machine. He shows his adeptness with weapons and then turns around and easily shows how little experience he has with women. Namely, Olga Kurylenko, who really doesn't have much to do except show of her body and cry a bit. Dougray Scott as Mike was the best performance only because I think Olyphant had to hold a lot of emotion back. I can't really back it up with examples because most of these characters are your basic cookie cutter characters, but are fleshed out enough for my taste.

The action sequences are more believable than the Matrix and not shot using todays favorite, the shakey cam. You can actually see what's going on on the screen, imagine that! What is lacking is a bit of backstory for Agent 47, but I understand that there isn't a lot of story given to him in the game either, so I'll let that one slide. Also missing are the blatant nods to the fans of the game... well mostly. There was one scene where 47 crashes into a hotel room where two kids are playing... yep,
you guessed it – Hitman. But, that was the only cheesy game reference I noticed.

Hitman is definitely worth a rental on DVD. None of the action is grandiose enough to really warrant seeing on the big screen and parents can't even dump the kids in the theater while Christmas shopping as the film is rated R for violence and a little more nudity than I expected, even if only from Olga Kurylenko. All in all a solid effort by writer Skip Woods and director Xavier Gens. I really wanted to make a joke about how decent of a movie it is for being written by a “Skip” and
directed by an “Xavier”, but the film is better than that low of a blow.

7 out of 10

Visit the official site at http://www.hitmanmovie.com/

Keep reading,

Mitch Emerson
mitchemerson@hotmail.com

Movie Review: The Seeker: The Dark is Rising by JR

The Seeker: The Dark is Rising
Starring: Alexander Ludwig, Christopher Eccleston, Ian McShane, Frances Conroy, James Cosmo
Directed by: David L. Cunningham
Produced by: Walden Media
Genre: Action/Adventure/Fantasy/Kid’s
MPAA Rating: PG for fantasy action and some scary images

A very normal boy, Will Stanton, newcomer Alexander Ludwig, is turning 14. He has a rather large family, five brothers and one sister, and they unfortunately appear to be more interested in getting the family together for the upcoming Christmas holiday than celebrating Will’s birthday. While his family seems to regard the day as nothing out of the ordinary (his brothers give him a sock because they forgot to get him a present), it seems as though Will is just stepping into the threshold of a new destiny for his life. Strange men are following him around with a look of hope and knowing on their faces. And then he is told that he is to be “The Seeker”: a boy who has been chosen to lead the forces of Light to overcome the impending arrival of the Dark.

Alexander Ludwig is sure to become a popular child actor, hopefully to recover from the Hollywood Child Actor Syndrome. He has mastered the art of being an awkward teen while still being a role model. Something that isn’t done too often these days. He has a crush on a girl at school and the shyness and the fear of rejection is clearly visible on his face. He’s the youngest brother and is often left out of the fun that his older brothers have, leaving him to relate more to his sister. He’s a very socially awkward boy and he just wants to fit in. When he is told that he is supposed to be “The Seeker”, he is very curious and excited to find out what exactly this entails, but he is also scared. Ultimately, he succeeds and overcomes all of the obstacles set before him to become a truly great character for kids to look up to.

Alexander Ludwig even holds his own against the supporting cast of fine, established actors in this film. It must have been nerve-racking to act alongside actors such as Christopher Eccleston (“28 Days Later”, “Doctor Who” and “Heroes”), Frances Conroy (“Six Feet Under”), Ian McShane (“Dallas”, “Hot Rod”), and James Cosmo (“Braveheart”, “Trainspotting”, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe”). These four make up the group of “Old Ones” who have been chosen to pass down the knowledge of the Light and the Dark and to make sure that the Light prevails. They are a joy to watch onscreen together.

The film is based on a five book series by Susan Cooper. I have not read the book, so I cannot compare, but hopefully a little more explaining is done in the book. The film was funny and very entertaining, but dragged a bit, especially in the second half when the film was supposed to be the most exciting. But a few things would have been nice to see. More of the history of the “Old Ones” would be nice, as well as some more back story about Will Stanton’s relatives. Also, why are all of the “signs” that Will is supposed to find in his immediate area? And why are they scattered throughout time? A very cool idea, yes, but why? Why wouldn’t they be scattered throughout the entire world instead of scattered throughout a tiny town in England?

These minor plot points could cause some frustration among adults seeking more, but from the reactions of the audience, the younger crowd to which this is geared doesn’t really care. They were more interested in the powers that Will receives as “The Seeker” than the plot. They were more interested in Will succeeding than where or how he found the signs. The children in the theater were cheering for Will. There is a new hero for children, and he is brave and normal and just like your kids. Finally there is a great role model for them.

3 out of 5 stars

Jenny Rushing

beccajane67@yahoo.com

Movie Review: Resident Evil: Extinction by ME

Title: Resident Evil: Extinction
Starring: Milla Jovovich, Oded Fehr, Mike Epps, Iain Glen, Ali Larter
Directed By: Russell Mulcahy
Produced By: Martin Moszkowicz, Victor Hadida, Kelly Van Horn
Genre: Action/Adventure, Suspense/Horror, Adaptation and Sequel
Release Date: September 21st, 2007
MPAA Rating: R for non-stop violence, language and some nudity.
Distributors: Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Releasing

Resident Evil: Extinction is based on the wildly popular video game series and picks up where the last film left off. Alice (Milla Jovovich), now in hiding in the Nevada desert, once again joins forces with Carlos Olivera (Oded Fehr) and L.J. (Mike Epps), along with new survivors Claire Redfield (Ali Larter), K-Mart (Spencer Locke) and Nurse Betty (Ashanti) to try to eliminate the deadly virus that threatens to make every human being undead...and to seek justice. -Official Site

Resident Evil: Extinction is an apt title. With this installment, the entertainment value of the Resident Evil franchise is almost extinct. Veering even farther from the games on which it is based, as well as changing the nature of characters that have been established in previous films, not to mention the ridiculousness of the setup, all lead Resident Evil: Extinction on an unbelievable ride that hopes to squeeze by you with it's failings unnoticed. Example: The world has dried up, literally. No oceans, lakes or rain. Why? Because most of the population is dead. You buy it? If so, I have a bridge or some property on the moon for sale.

Where does it go right? Effects, makeup and some of the fight choreography and the actual acting. Milla Jovovich still kicks ass with much grace and beauty. I must mention the fact that her face looks completely airbrushed on though. Kind of like what they do to every single Playboy model ever. Ali Larter channels Linda Hamilton in Terminator 2 almost perfectly, all the way down to the costume. Baseball cap, sunglasses, etc. I am really disappointed in Mike Epps in this final chapter. His jokes and wisecracks were some of the best things in RE2, but he has been relegated to almost a background character here. Same goes for Oded Fehr, the commanding soldier from RE2 has been reduced to a shock trooper. The biggest problem is that there really isn't anything distinguishably different between any of the characters. They all seem to have the same attitude. Not through the actors fault though, I lay blame on the director. And yes, if you read the synopsis, there really is a character named K-Mart. Just another ridiculous nail in the coffin of the Resident Evil franchise. Even though they left it wide open for a sequel, almost demanding one, I hope they let this dead dog lie in pieces.

I have said enough about this one. I have seen worse, but I have seen much better.

Keep reading,

Mitch Emerson
mitchemerson@hotmail.com

Movie Review: Transformers IMAX by CD

Title: Transformers IMAX
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel, Bernie Mac, John Turturro, Tyrese Gibson
Directed By: Michael Bay
Produced By: Steven Spielberg, Brian Goldner, Michael Bay
Genre: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Adaptation
Release Date: September, 21st 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, brief sexual humor and language.
Distributors: di Bonaventura Pictures, Inc., Paramount Pictures

Ok, so I know we put up a Transformers review already, but now we get to see it in glorious IMAX. Let me tell you, it was glorious. Big @$$ robots on a big @$$ screen. When I had originally seen the movie I had a few complaints about how the “motion blur” effect was overused. At times, the action was hard to see due to the fast pace of the camera work.

All of that is gone in the new IMAX release. The picture was crisper and smoother, and the action was just plain beautiful. Of course I am sure most movies would look great on a 60 by 80 foot screen. Thats at least double the height of a normal screen.

Then you tap into the soundtrack of the movie, even Lincoln Park sounded good to me. 12,000 watts of sound from over forty speakers really helps to put you inside the film. At a couple of points in the movie Ironhide shoots off his EMP cannon and the sound just resonated through my bones and teeth.

Also there was an additional 5 minutes added to the IMAX version. Now I warn you, I dunno how much of it you will notice. Only two scenes stand out profoundly in my head that were added. Plus they slowed down one a bit so it looked a lot better.

If you have the means, go see it in IMAX. It's worth it.

Oh, I almost forgot. I saw a wicked trailer for Beowulf on the IMAX screen.

It is going to be in 3D . Thats right, get your geek on. This movie looked slicker than snot up on the IMAX screen, I can't even begin to imagine it in 3D up there.

Till we meet again,

Bong bah weep granah mini mimi nini

C. Robert Dunham

Movie Review: Shoot 'Em Up by ME

Title: Shoot 'Em Up
Starring: Clive Owen, Paul Giamatti, Monica Bellucci, Greg Bryk, Jane McLean
Directed By: Michael Davis
Produced By: Michael Davis, Douglas Curtis, Don Murphy
Genre: Action/Adventure and Thriller
Release Date: September 7th 2007 (wide)
MPAA Rating: R for pervasive strong bloody violence, sexuality and some language.
Distributors: New Line Cinema

A gritty, fast-paced action thriller, Shoot 'Em Up kicks into high gear with a memorable opening scene and never relents. Clive Owen stars as Mr. Smith, a mysterious loner who teams up with an unlikely ally (Monica Bellucci) to protect a newborn baby from a determined criminal (Paul Giamatti) who hunts them throughout the bowels of the city. -Official Site

First question – Were you disappointed in Smokin' Aces? Second question – Did you like Crank? If you answered yes to both questions, then Shoot 'Em Up is the movie for you. Filled to the brim with an unbelievable amount of action and bad one liners, Shoot 'Em Up takes the best elements of both and combines them in a way that should be the template for all mindless action flicks from here on out. Michael Davis has created an almost perfect action movie. So perfect, in fact, that when screened without a lot of the bad one liners, audiences took the film too seriously. So the one liners were put back in just to lighten the movie, even if it is with groans instead of laughs.

Clive Owen does a superb job as the right guy at the wrong place and time. He has a hardness that works well in films like Sin City and Shoot 'Em Up while still showing a (slightly) softer side as in Children Of Men. He combines both along with an ingenuity as well as a dash of humor in his portrayal of “Mr. Smith”. This is the guy you want as a babysitter, but only if there is a squad of hitmen led by Paul Giamatti after you. Mr. Giamatti should come off as ridiculous in a role like this. I mean, he's Pig Vomit from Private Parts, but the man is one evil heartless son of a bitch and quashes any doubts within his first few minutes of screen time. Rounding out the cast is Monica Bellucci, who may be most recognizable as Persephone in the second and third Matrix sequels. Here she plays a lactating hooker Mr. Smith convinces to help him take care of the newborn while he goes and wreaks havoc amongst Giamatti's men. I'm not really sure what she really brings to the table here beyond being a giant milk bottle, but she doesn't detract from the overall effect.

Shoot 'Em Up is by far the most fun, if not the best action film of the year and I recommend it to action fans who just want to see some kick ass action with minimal character development, honestly. The action starts within the first two minutes! Extremely over the top, cliché, and with a chip on its shoulder the size of a log, Shoot 'Em Up delivers the action with tongue in cheek and fingers on the triggers.

Until next time,
keep reading

Mitch E.
mitchemerson@hotmail.com

Movie Review: Rush Hour 3 by ME

Title: Rush Hour 3
Starring: Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Max von Sydow, Noemie Lenoir, Hiroyuki Sanada
Directed By: Brett Ratner
Produced By: Toby Emmerich, Arthur Sarkissian, Roger Birnbaum
Genre: Action/Adventure, Comedy, Crime/Gangster and Sequel
Release Date: August 10th 2007 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sequences of action violence, sexual content, nudity and language.
Distributors: New Line Cinema

After an attempted assassination on Ambassador Han (Tzi Ma), Lee (Jackie Chan) and Carter (Chris Tucker) head to Paris to protect a French woman (Noémie Lenoir) with knowledge of the Triads' secret leaders.

Even though Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan still work well together, it doesn't hide the fact that Rush Hour 3 looks like it was a film done just for the paychecks. Brett Ratner, who I still defend for X3, (It may not have been perfect, but he didn't have much time to pick up the pieces) has finally tipped that balance in my eyes. Full of unnecessary and unfunny bits, Rush Hour 3 is a blight on everyones resume. Sure Jackie Chan can move, and there are some good ones here: the man is amazing. Sure, Chris Tucker can be funny, just not this time. Brett Ratner really needs to do something different instead of rehashing old jokes. Not even Abbot and Costello are sacred anymore.

Chris Tucker's character, Detective James Carter, has gone way beyond over the top here. The opening sequence of him directing traffic while dancing is so ludicrous, he doesn't even notice how stupid he looks. While Jackie Chan's Chief Inspector Lee is supposed to be ashamed of Carter's antics, I don't think Jackie is acting half the time. The only bright spot is George, the American hating taxi driver who decides that he wants to be an American spy, played by Yvan Attal, who reminds me of Hank Azaria in some ways. Last we have Max Von Sydow, who should add some credibility but only serves to show just how predictable a movie can be.

I think I have already said enough about this waste of time. C'mon Jackie, make Drunken Master 3 already!

Keep reading,

Mitch E
mitchemerson@hotmail.com

Movie Review: Rush Hour 3 by JW

Title: Rush Hour 3
Starring: Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker,
Director: Brett Ratner
Producer: Robert Birnbaum, Andrew Z. Davis, Jonathan Glickman, Athur M. Sarkissian, Jay Stern
Genre: Comedy, Action
Release Date: August 10, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Distributors: New Line Cinema


I almost made it. I made it all the way through the summer but now the weight has become just too much to bear. Here we are with the umpteenth sequel/threequel and I have but one thought pulsing through my head: For the love of all that is holy, haven’t we had enough already? Tired, unnecessary rehashes of stories we barely cared about the last time around. I don’t mind sequels if they can bring something new to the table but to have the audacity to do pretty much the exact same thing as the previous film is contemptuous and insulting.

In the Socratic dialogue, The Republic, Plato famously tells us that “necessity is the mother of invention.” If that is true, then the counterbalance to that argument must be an exercise in nonessential free will, and Rush Hour 3 must’ve been exactly what they had in mind.

A few years after Rush Hour 2, we rejoin the two main leads in their current jobs. James Carter (Chris Tucker) is directing traffic on the streets of Los Angeles. Chief Inspector Lee (Jackie Chan) is now the bodyguard for Ambassador Han, the former Consul from the original Rush Hour. At the World Criminal Court discussions, Ambassador Han addresses the importance of the fight with the Triad, a society of underground Chinese organized crime. During his announcement that he knows the identity of the Triad leadership, an assassination attempt is made on Han’s life when he is shot by a sniper. Later in the hospital, Lee and Carter make a promise to Soo Yung (Han’s now grown daughter) to find and capture the person behind the attack to ensure her fathers safety.

There is nothing in this movie that feels fresh to me. It is essentially one clumsy setup after another to a car chase/fight scene. Lee has a cause that he just “has to go at alone this time” and Carter disrupts any action with smart-ass, unfunny commentary for the sake of hearing his own high-pitched, whiney voice (“Lee this guys on steroids! His head is bigger than Barry Bonds”). We are also treated to the same tired, clichéd jokes. Aww look, Carter and Lee get into another lovers quarrel and go their separate ways. Lee orders fried chicken and sweet potato pie from room service and Carter orders Mu Shu Pork from around the corner, unbeknownst to each other. Listen guys, it took me a minute but I get it - you two can be friends despite your cultural differences. I think that after three movies, I have earned the right not to have my nose rubbed in it. Again. We get the same over-choreographed fight scenes that I would describe as more B-grade Three Stooges antics if that didn’t qualify as a compliment. I half-expected Carter or Lee to put a hand straight up on their nose to stop the Triad from poking out their eyes.

For the most part, Jackie Chan movies seem like nothing more than a vehicle for showcasing his martial arts ability. They can be funny and entertaining, but if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. And it seems like Tucker is just wasting his prime. He hasn’t made a single movie in the last decade except Rush Hour movies. Wow. For someone with such a promising career after Friday, I can’t for the life of me figure out why he has decided to wallow in mediocrity like this. Seriously, how long are we going to milk this cow? Seeing Tucker go on Letterman and tell everyone he can “kick Jackie’s ass”, or Chan on Leno telling everyone he can “sing and dance better than Chris” leaves me feeling exasperated thinking what else they could’ve been doing besides this. The final scene in the movie sums up the whole experience for me. The two stars go dancing into the Paris night and the song “War” pours over the speakers and in one fail swoop, the filmmakers inadvertently but perfectly summarize the whole experience through the lyrics of the song, and no truer words have ever been spoken about the movie: “… what is it good for? Absolutely nothing, say it again, y’all.”

This is a pointless, nonessential, unnecessary, forced, boring slapped together movie from start to finish. A complete waste of Tucker and Chan’s comedic abilities that I can only hope is the cold water in the face that Tucker needs to motivate him to do something different with his potentially excellent career.

And there’s the rub.

1 out of 5 stars

http://www.rushhourmovie.com/

Jeremy Welsch
jndubbs@gmail.com

Movie Review: Stardust by JR

Title: Stardust
Starring: Claire Danes, Charlie Cox, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert DeNiro
Directed By: Matthew Vaughn
Produced By: Stephen Marks, Peter Morton, David Womark
Genre: Fantasy/Action/Adventure/Comedy
Release Date: August 10, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for fantasy violence and some risqué humor
Distributors: Paramount Pictures

Synopsis: A fallen star catches the eye of several people who want it for their own purposes.

Neil Gaiman. I started reading the first part of the infamous “Sandman” books a few years ago and it never really stuck with me. I ended up quitting before I finished the first one. Perhaps I should give it a second chance. Then when “Mirrormask” came out I decided to give him another try. I didn’t know what to expect with that one, and got bored with it, stopping the DVD about halfway through. Perhaps I should give it a second chance. So when “Stardust” was first announced and Gaiman fans everywhere were rejoicing, I was mulled by a feeling of “meh”. By this time, I’m pretty much indifferent to the man whom so many proclaim as godlike in his writing abilities. Then the movie got good reviews by darn near everyone and my interest was piqued. Gaiman can’t possibly appeal to everyone can he?

Apparently he can.

“Stardust” is a whimsical, hysterical fairy tale that had perfect box office timing. In a summer overcome by blockbusters and sequels, “Stardust” is that refreshing breath of fresh air. Yes it looks like a blockbuster with its stellar cast and huge sets, but the story is so well-written, I don’t think it will be quickly forgotten like a normal blockbuster.

As the movie opens, we are given a quick tour of the land. The small village in England of Wall is named for its literal stone wall that borders England with the magical world of Stormhold. Nobody can venture past the wall and there is a very old guard always sitting at the wall to make sure none passes through. Then the story begins with a background of all of our main characters: A king on his deathbed and his sons vying for the crown, three old and ugly witches, and the father of Tristan, the main character. We get to see the history of his mother and father: how they met, how he was conceived, and a little bit about how he was raised. Then we get to see Tristan as a young man: where he works, where he lives, and the girl with whom he is desperately in love, Victoria. Suddenly, a star falls from the sky and all of these main characters want it for their own purposes.

The cast in this film is superb. Tristan is played by an relatively unknown Charlie Cox. I like that this character is played by someone I haven’t heard of. There are no preconceived notions about him at all. I look forward to seeing him in many more films in the future. His chemistry with Claire Danes, who plays the fallen star, is shining. They are so much fun to watch. Michelle Pfeiffer is on top of her game for the second time this summer. With her Velma von Tussle from “Hairspray” and her evil witch Lamia, she’s definitely the comeback of the year. She does evil so well! Even with the wonderful performances already mentioned, my absolute favorite in the movie was Robert de Niro as the pirate captain. I’m not going to give it away since nobody gave it away for me, but he is fabulous!

The supporting characters in the movie are fantastic: There’s a witch who has a servant girl chained up for eternity with a magical chain that cannot be broken. There are a slew of very funny ghosts. There’s a goat that gets turned into a man who retains his goat-like appearance and characteristics. The magical world of Stormhold is brimming with wonderfully well-written characters.

As a lover of fantasy, I was in my element with “Stardust”. While I understand that it's not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, I really believe that there is something in “Stardust” for every movie-goer.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 falling stars

www.stardustmovie.com

Jenny Rushing
beccajane67@yahoo.com

Movie Review: Underdog by JR

Title: Underdog

Starring: Jason Lee, Peter Dinklage, Jim Belushi, Patrick Warburton, Alex Neuberger

Directed by: Frederik Du Chau
Genre: Action/Adventure/Family/Comedy

Release Date: August 3, 2007

MPAA Rating: PG for crude humor, mild language and action

A beagle who just can’t seem to do anything right, is kidnapped and given superpowers by a mad scientist, Dr. Barsinister. He escapes and makes friends with a boy who helps him discover how to use his new powers for good.

After first seeing the previews earlier this year, I have been excited about Underdog. As a parent of two children ages 7 and 5, it’s hard to find movies that everyone in the family will enjoy. My kids were as equally excited to see it as I was. Usually it’s them wanting to drag me to a movie (Happily N’ever After), or it’s me wanting to drag them to a movie (Narnia).

The story line in Underdog was very simple: Mad scientist and his bumbling sidekick want to do bad things, and the superhero must save the day. The big “twist” on this is that the superhero is a dog. Not so big of a twist, right? Yeah, I know. But it’s still a really cute gimmick and it worked for me. Underdog, whose alter-ego’s name is Shoeshine, is a great character for kids. He has trouble succeeding in what he does because something always goes wrong, and he feels like he can’t do anything. He’s funny and very relatable, even if he is a talking dog. His owner, Jack, is having some problems of his own and has to overcome them to help Underdog succeed. It’s nothing we haven’t seen before, but coupled with the action and the comedy, it really works here. All of the kids in the theater were captivated.

The performances were fantastic as well. Dr. Barsinister is played by Peter Dinklage (you might know him from Nip/Tuck) and he’s a perfect kiddie villain. He’s just sinister enough, yet he does physical comedy very well. His bumbling sidekick is played masterfully by Patrick Warburton. Underdog’s owner Jack is played by newcomer Alex Neuberger. According to imdb.com, he’s only been in one other movie: Running Scared, which I hated. He’s a great little actor. I expect to see him in many other movies in the future.

Underdog is the latest in the old-cartoon-turned-into-a-movie, and I have to tell you, I never watched the old cartoon. I remember seeing pieces of it here and there in my childhood, but it wasn’t one that I would carve out a slice of that special Saturday morning time for. One of the things I do remember about the cartoon is Underdog speaking in rhyme a lot, and he does that in the new movie as well. Sounds like it would get old? Nah, it doesn’t. Not in the short run-time. It’s endearing actually, like a part of his new persona that isn’t developed yet. I hate to compare, but it’s kinda like in Spiderman, when Peter Parker is trying to figure out how to use his webbing and shouts out things like “Go web!”.

My only complaint about the movie is that it dragged a bit in the second half. My kids were thoroughly engaged in it, but I took a quick 10 minute nap. Overall though, the movie was entertaining, funny, full of action, and completely appropriate for the entire family. Which I love.

4 out of 5 stars

Jenny Rushing
Beccajane67@yahoo.com

Movie Revbiew: The Bourne Ultimatum by JW

Ed. note – We have a guest reviewer this time around, Jeremy Welsch of www.moviebuffs.com/ Hopefully he will stick around for a while. You guys can email him and beg him to stay at jndubbs@gmail.com.

Title: The Bourne Ultimatum
Starring: Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, David Strathairn, Scott Glenn, Albert Finney, Joan Allen
Director : Paul Greengrass
Producer: Patrick Crowley, Frank Marshall, Paul L. Sandberg, Doug Liman
Genre: Action
Release Date: August 3, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Distributors: Universal Pictures

Paul Greengrass directs the final chapter in the Bourne trilogy. Jason Bourne is still trying to find out the secrets of his identity while being hunted by the very people who trained him.

Every now and then I have this dream. In it, I am my current age and I wake up and find myself in the halls of my high school (of which I am 13 years removed). I continue to make my way through the hallways making my way towards my locker. Everyone around me is how I remember them in high school and they don't even notice that I am in my early thirties. The only thing running through my mind is an increasing feeling of anxiety as I get closer to my locker because I can't remember my combination. For some reason I think that if I can't figure it out or have to go to the principals office to get it, they'll figure out how old I am and that I am not supposed to be there. But every time I get to the locker, I get the combination right. It doesn't seem familiar to me as I am trying the lock, but I get it open first try - every time. Weird, but true. I have no clue what it means, if anything, but as I sat down to write this review that dream popped into my head and ended up being the best way to summarize how I felt watching the movie.

The movie picks up right where the last one left off. Literally. After the car crash in Moscow at the end of The Bourne Supremacy, we rejoin Bourne as he evades police then goes to Paris to tell Marie's brother that she is dead. During this time, he reads an article about himself in the Guardian Newspaper and heads to London to track down the writer, Rimon Ross, and find out who his source is. He meets up with Ross at Waterloo station and learns of 'Blackbriar', formerly Treadstone (the top-secret CIA program that basically 'created' Jason Bourne). During this meeting, Bourne gives a clinic on surveillance evasion by guiding Ross via cell phone through/around numerous cameras and CIA converging on the station. He finds out the source, gets away from an asset (Blackbriar assassin) sent to kill him and Ross, and he's off to Madrid to track down his source. And so on and so forth.

This movie is essentially two hours of Bourne running away from the CIA, which is trying to kill him, and towards what he hopes are answers about his identity. In the end, that is pretty much what the whole trilogy is about - Bourne trying to find out who he is and kicking everyone's ass that gets in his way. The action in this movie doesn't disappoint. There are two scenes in particular that stick out in my mind. There is a car chase scene is pretty intense. I haven't seen many that look this seamless or exciting, even if it was a bit long and overdone. I had the same complaint about the chase scenes in The Bourne Supremacy. How many shots do we need from inside the car where we see an incoming car smash into Bourne's vehicle and watch his head shake back and forth? Impressive the first few times I saw it, but overused. Like that friend of yours that still quotes Old School - it was funny the first hundred times we heard it, but, we get it, let's move on. The real tour de force of the movie was the sequence in Tangier where Bourne is tracking Desh, an asset sent to kill his source, then him and Nicky (a CIA agent and former Treadstone contact who offers to help Bourne). There is about a 10-15 minute stretch where there is virtually no dialogue; just straight action and a chase on foot. We see Bourne hopping from building to building tracking Desh before he has a chance to kill Nicky with intermittent cuts back and forth between Bourne, Nicky, and Desh. The climax of the sequence is the confrontation between Desh and Bourne that is hands down, the best fight sequence of the trilogy. The most impressive part is, like I said, there is no dialogue at all and the suspense is basically created out of thin air through the editing and camera work. It works on all levels and I wished there had been more direction like this in the movie. I would recommend the movie solely on the integrity of this sequence alone. Absolutely amazing filmmaking.

I liked Identity, and loved The Bourne Supremacy but The Bourne Ultimatum, sadly, sort of let me down. I wouldn't go so far as to say this is a bad movie, by any stretch of the imagination.

The Bourne Supremacy was so far and above Identity that I guess I was spoiled into thinking this would be an improvement to the same degree. Instead it felt more like The Bourne Supremacy, Part II. There is a scene in the movie that is directly taken from the end of The Bourne Supremacy (where Bourne is calling Landy and tells her to "Get some sleep. You look tired"). Wait, what? Didn't we already see that once? If it was an attempt to be clever by tying the two films together, it didn't work. Clever for the sake of clever is weak, tired writing. And if that last scene in The Bourne Supremacy was supposed to prelude to The Bourne Ultimatum, the jump into the middle of its sequel didn't make any sense to me. Again, clever for the sake of clever kind of feels like cheating. The ultimate answer to the question of the series, 'Who is Jason Bourne?' was, well, sufficient, if not a little awkward and a bit forced. I don't know what ending I would have accepted more, but the solution presented didn't work all that much for me, but it'll do.

I really wanted to like this movie more - I really did. By no means is it a bad movie; it just feels too much like we've been down this road before. A tidy 'end' to a very good trilogy that I didn't expect much from when it first started.

And there's the rub.

Jeremy Welsch
jndubbs@gmail.com

DVD Review Link: Barb Wire by ME

Here is something a little different. My second contribution to The Comic Book Bin's Dark Horse month is a review of the 1996 Pamela Anderson vehicle Barb Wire. Since the review is for them, I am just going to post a link to it here. Please, come back and comment.

Keep reading,
Mitch E
mitchemerson@hotmail.com

Movie Review: D.O.A. by ME

Title: D.O.A.
Starring: Natassia Malthe, Jaime Pressly, Devon Aoki, Brian J. White, Holly Valance
Directed By: Corey Yuen
Produced By: Andreas Schmid, Daniel Kletzky, Steve Chasman
Genre: Action/Adventure and Adaptation
Release Date: June 15th, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for pervasive martial arts and action violence, some sexuality and nudity.
Distributors: Dimension Films

D.O.A.'s plot goes something like this: Four beautiful women must stop the bad guy while also winning a fighting tournament. Plus, each character has their own little subplot to flesh things out. Hey, it's based on a video game, what do you want from me?

D.O.A. is pure dumb entertainment. You already know this if you have ever played any of the games that this movie is based on. Both movie and games are filled with sexy women in skimpy outfits beating the crap out of guys as well as each other. Definitely geared for young male gamers, D.O.A. is almost the perfect video game adaptation. With a ludicrous plot, not so great acting and cheesy characters you would expect a movie like this to be a train wreck. Which it is, don't get me wrong, but it's a really fun train wreck. Some of the things that hurt the film also help, if you are a fan of the game, that is. Each character is almost exactly the way they are in the game. So if you are wondering why there are some outlandish characters such as Zack, blame the game. Great fight scenes. Are they over the top? Of course, but when it's Jaime Pressly, Holly Valance, Sarah Carter, Devon Aoki and Natassia Malthe doing it, who cares? And what makes them so good is that the fight choreographer is none other than Corey Yuen, who directs this as well. He is mostly known as the director of the first Transporter film and the martial arts choreographer for the sequel.

Jaime Pressly, as Tina Armstrong, is the best thing in the movie. Imagine her character from My Name Is Earl, but with martial arts and wrestling skills. Funny, sexy and an ass kicker to boot, she rocks. The other stand out in the bevy of beauties that make up most of the cast is Sarah Carter as Helena. Game fans may be disappointed in the treatment of her character as she is nothing like her game counterpart but she is a key player in the plot and cute and spunky. Slightly more serious and just as beautiful is Holly Valance, who is also a popular pop singer overseas, as Christie, the thief who is after a cool 10 mil. Devon Aoki, who we last saw in Sin City, is the weakest of the bunch. Just a little wooden in her performance which could just be a part of her character.

After that, there really isn't much to be said about D.O.A.. It's a rather faithful adaptation of a popular fighting game that is just as ridiculous as the game. If exotic locations, beautiful women, bad one liners, and great ass kicking is your cup of tea, then D.O.A. is just the movie for you. Now I am sure that this movie will disappear from the marquee very quickly, so if you have any interest, you better go see it soon.

Oh, yea, there is even a volleyball scene taken right from Dead Or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball, so if that isn't an incentive guys, I don't know what is.

Keep reading,

Mitch E
mitchemerson@hotmail.com

Movie Review: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End by ME

Title: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Starring: Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Stellan Skarsgard, Geoffrey Rush
Directed By: Gore Verbinski, George Marshall Ruge
Produced By: Bruce Hendricks, Mike Stenson, Chad Oman
Genre: Action/Adventure, Adaptation and Sequel
Release Date: May 24th/25th, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of action/adventure violence and some frightening images.
Distributors: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End is the final installment of the trilogy based on Disney's Pirates Of The Caribbean ride. I believe the novelty of the first film has definitely worn off and we are left with a convoluted three hour epic tale that is not what I have come to know and love in the Pirates movies. Sparrow is dead and the rest of the cast are in Singapore to get a ship, crew and a map to Davy Jones' Locker to rescue Jack. Then our favorite pirates head to Shipwreck Cove where the big gathering of all of the Pirate Lords is taking place. They discuss if they should fight the East India Trade Company or if they should flee. They decide to fight so they can flee. Which leads to an intense showdown between Sparrow, Barbossa and the crew of the Black Pearl and Beckett and Jones in the maelstrom that we have seen in the trailer. That, my friends, is an overly simplistic look at what is going on in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.

Don't get me wrong, I liked it, just not as much as Curse of the Black Pearl or Dead Man's Chest. The first scene of multiple hangings, including women and a child should let you know that this will be a darker Pirates. Even after that, I still expected the fun that made the first two films a success. That, sadly, is lacking. As my wife put it, "It seems that Jack has gotten more sober with each film." I agree but think the whole franchise has gone that route. Where is the fun of Jack docking on a sinking ship? Or the slaps which he may or may not have deserved? Sparrow is seriously looking out for his own skin and the comedy is relegated to Pintel and Ragetti, the most pointless crew members of any ship if you ask me.

Drawbacks – I feel that the sequence of Jack captaining a crew of himself while in Davy Jones' Locker to be a little superfluous. Do we really need to see him interacting with made up versions of himself? And not only does it happen in Davy Jones' Locker, but after they get out as well. It just seems like they were trying too hard to make up for the lack of humor elsewhere and it didn't work for me. Convoluted character arcs, betrayals and alliances galore: don't even get me started on those! I feel I need a second viewing just to straighten out all the characters motivations!

What can be said about the cast that hasn't been said already? My favorites have always been Barbossa and Davy Jones. Barbossa adds a lunacy to the goings on that just makes me smile every time he is onscreen. This time around Jones is forced to be a heavy for Cutler Beckett and the East India Trade Co. He is none too happy about that, and it shows! We also learn who his true love is. You will be surprised, I promise. The only new addition to the cast is Chow Yun Fat with a rather short role in which he doesn't get to hit anybody. And to me, that is under utilizing him. The cameo that everyone has been waiting for is just that, a cameo. Keith Richards is in two scenes and only says one line. Again, an underutilization if I ever saw one although he did look terrific. He should have been elected King of the Pirates long ago. With the gravity and presence he brings to the show, there never should have been any question who the King of Pirates should be.

Cinematography and effects? Superb. This is what kept me in my seat. Jones' crew looks awesome, with a new addition of an eel like crew member that reminded me of the guy in X3 who could regrow his arms. Also, there is a superb Matrix-like slow motion destruction scene of Beckett's ship, ILM has superseded anything that has been created thus far in any movie out there.

Consider this review a first impression as I found I had to pay more attention to the movie than to note taking. I will say this, the film is entertaining, but may require more than one viewing in order to follow all of the story lines involved. Not as funny, but more intriguing and a tad overlong, Pirates 3 is almost a great movie.

Until Jack finds the Fountain of Youth,
keep reading.
Mitch E.
mitchemerson@hotmail.com

Movie Review: Shrek the Third by CD

Title: Shrek The Third
Starring:Mike Myers, Antonio Banderas, Rupert Everett, Amy Sedaris, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph
Directed By: Chris Miller, Raman Hui
Produced By: Andrew Adamson, John H. Williams, Aron J. Warner
Genre: Action/Adventure, Comedy, Kids/Family, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Animation and Sequel
Release Date: May 18th, 2007 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG for some crude humor, suggestive content and swashbuckling action.
Distributors: Paramount Pictures

Being king isn't for everyone--especially if you're a prickly ogre who smells like the shallow end of a swamp. When Shrek married Fiona, the last thing he wanted was to rule Far Far Away, but when his frogger-in-law, King Harold, suddenly croaks, Shrek is quickly fitted for the crown. Now, unless the reluctant would-be king can find a suitable replacement, he'll be royally screwed for the rest of his days. -Yahoo movies

Poor Shrek, all he wanted to do was spend a nice evening in his swamp. Sometimes the simplest things are the hardest to achieve. Now after finally being accepted by Fiona's father, he is set to head back home, but the king is ill and Fiona is next in line. BRING ON KING SHREK!

These are words that Shrek fears. Try as hard as he might, he is just unable to fill those shoes. So before the king croaks (get it, he is a frog). Shrek is told of a cousin named Artie who could fill the royal flippers should Shrek find it to overwhelming.

In my humble opinion the Shrek franchise has yet again made a great traveling buddy film. It might not be perceived as being as funny as the the previous 2 films, but it shows a lot of heart and growth from Shrek. Still battling the Ogre stigma, he learns that he has to have a softer touch.

You see that with his interaction with the young would be king Artie. Acting as more of a father figure trying to help him see that he can do anything if he sets his heart to it.

I personally am a father and these are concerns that we all feel. Will I be the right kind of dad or for that matter even the right kind of man for the job. It is a good thing too that Shrek is working on this. Because as he sets sail for his mission, Fiona drops a bomb shell on him. Fiona is pregnant.

Now to the villainous element. What, you didn't think this film was all sunshine and rose petals. Did you?

Prince Charming rounds up all the fairytale villains and talks them into fighting for him to become the new king. As they storm the castle, the princesses defend the kingdom of Far Far Away until Shrek gets back.

They really did try to have more of a story in this film. The jokes are there, but they are a bit more subtle than in the previous 2 films.


Memorable quotes:

[M.C. at Artie's school pep rally]
“Remember kids, JUST SAY NAY!”

Prince Charming: You! You can't lie! Where is Shrek?
Pinocchio: Well, uh, I don't know where he's not.
Prince Charming: You don't know where Shrek is?
Pinocchio: On the contrary,
Prince Charming: So you do know where he is!
Pinocchio: I'm possibly more or less not definitely rejecting the idea that I undeniably
Prince Charming: Stop It!
Pinocchio: Do or do not know where he shouldn't probably be. If that indeed wasn't where he isn't!

Donkey: [Donkey and Puss in Boots have switched bodies] I've been abra-cadabra'd into a Fancy Feasting second-rate sidekick!
Shrek: Donkey...
Donkey: I feel all exposed and nasty!

It's been Odd
C.D.
Crobertdunham@yahoo.com

Movie Review: Spider-Man 3 by ME

Title: Spider-Man 3
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace, James Franco
Directed By: Sam Raimi
Produced By: Stan Lee, Joseph M. Caracciolo Jr, Kevin Feige
Genre: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Adaptation and Sequel
Release Date: May 4th, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sequences of intense action violence.
Distributors: Sony Pictures Releasing

Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire)dons the mask once again. This time he is up against Harry Osborn (James Franco), Sandman (Thomas Hayden Church) and Venom (Topher Grace). At the same time, he gets a nifty new suit that amplifies his aggression along with his powers. AND, he is having girl trouble, not only with Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst), but with newcomer Gwen Stacy (Bryce Dallas Howard). Spidey sure has his plate full this time around.

If this review seems a little jumbled, it's because I am such a fan of the Spider-Man movies and comic book movies in general, that it is hard to write an unbiased opinion. So consider this a disclaimer. The views and opionions contained in the following review are the sole opinions of a big Spider-Man fan and an almost rabid fan of any and all comic book movies.

Have you noticed that it seems that the first and third installment of a trilogy almost always gets a bum rap? Unless it's Lord of the Rings, which doesn't count as they were all shot at the same time. Anyways, Star Wars – Who doesn't agree that Empire is the best of the lot? X-Men – X2 whooped X1's butt but The Last stand fizzled to put it nicely. Superman – Kneel before Zod! Get the picture? So with a grain of salt, here we go.

Spider-Man 3's shortcomings fall mostly in the minor issues category. It's biggest problem is that there is just way too much going on for even a two and a half hour movie. While Mr. Raimi does an admirable job, I think that it should have been split up into a third and fourth movie. Where the film succeeds is everywhere else. The story has at least one twist that I sure didn't see coming and the way Venom was handled exceeded my expectations after hearing all the hoopla and rumors on the internet. I am a Venom fan from way back and was actually scared upon hearing about the casting of Topher Grace. But my worries were unfounded, Venom was handled as well as can be expected with the short screen time. Raimi could have just used him as shock value but instead even Brock has a story that can cause you to sympathize with him, even if it is only a little. Sandman also gets what is supposed to be a heartbreaking story but it is hard to feel sorry for him when again, there isn't much screen time.

Do we really need to go into detail about returning cast members? Ok, but quickly. Maguire rocks, with everything that is happening to him you can truly see why the black suit is so enticing. If it wasn't for the teachings of Uncle Ben and Aunt May, we wouldn't have needed Eddie Brock Jr. Peter would have turned to the dark side on his own. Kirsten Dunst, while I admire her, there is something about her that doesn't seem right for Mary Jane. But, after three films I guess I am getting used to her. All the faves return, J.Jonah Jameson, Robbie, Betty, Ursula, Hoffman, like I said everybody. James Franco gets to show that he is more than just a background character, bringing Harry Osborn to a new level.. Rounding out the cast is newcomers to the saga, Thomas Hayden Church and Topher Grace. Both of which are slightly underused due to the overstuffed plot, but work well with the amount of screen time given.

Sam Raimi has done an excellent job balancing all of the elements that make up Spider-Man 3 while still providing room for each characters inner turmoil to come through.

Just remember Sam, with a great budget, comes great responsibility.

Keep reading,
Mitch E.
mitchemerson@hotmail.com

Movie Review: Shooter by ME

Title: Shooter
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Kate Mara, Michael Pena, Rhona Mitra, Danny Glover
Directed By: Antoine Fuqua
Produced By: Erik Howsam, Mark Johnson, Lorenzo di Bonaventura
Genre: Action/Adventure, Thriller and Adaptation
Release Date: March 23rd, 2007
MPAA Rating: R
Distributors: Paramount Pictures

Bob Lee Swagger (Mark Wahlberg), a former Marine Corps sniper who leaves the military after a mission goes bad. After he is reluctantly pressed back into service, Swagger is double-crossed again. With two bullets in him and the subject of a nationwide manhunt, Swagger begins his revenge, which will take down the most powerful people in the country. -Yahoo! Movies

Shooter tries really hard to break out of the standard double cross revenge flick. And while giving one hell of an effort, the end result is the same, even with the mild, yet slightly confusing twist to the story. Marky Mark (those jokes never get old do they?) proves once again that he can scowl real well and mumble half of his lines. What's different about Shooter is we get to see him shoot numerous people in the head from varying distances. Also, this movie tries to toss to much of a "message" in amongst the action. I just wanted to see a straight up action flick, like Commando! Sounds like I didn't like the movie doesn't it? Wrong, I enjoyed this movie well enough and I know that my father is going to love it. It has everything an action movie needs to be a success.

The real stand out to me was Michael Pena who plays FBI Agent Nick Memphis. He is first introduced as the inept agent who lets Swagger get away. Up for a review in which he will most likely lose his job, he decides to do whatever it takes to get to the bottom of a situation that just doesn't seem to add up. He ends up helping Swagger deal out his version of justice and provides a lot of the humor. Which you know every action film has to have a healthy dose of. Wahlberg is Wahlberg, he has a certain gruff appeal and that's that. Danny Glover and Ned Beatty try to be the bad guys but I will forever see them as Murtaugh from Lethal Weapon and Otis from Superman respectively. Kate Mara plays Sarah Fenn the ex-wife of Swaggers Army buddy that gets killed in the beginning of the movie. Who also just happens to be the only person he can turn to for help after getting shot. The one real surprise is that usually in a film like this Fenn would be a love interest for Swagger, and while this doesn't happen you can tell that it actually did and was edited out, quite badly I might add.

I said earlier that I liked this movie and I think I still do. I should probably try and back that statement with some proof huh? Well, the effects were great, exploding helicopters, numerous head shots, napalm bombs, self surgery and even a dismemberment. Cast wise, Elias Koteas, who I remember as Casey Jones in the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie is great as a sadistic henchman of Danny Glover. One of the best scenes for me is when Swagger and Memphis go see a shooting expert in the mountains of Tennessee. The old man that they see is just absolutely hilarious and almost worth the price of admission alone. And what man can resist Kate Mara in a bra wielding a shotgun?

Even though my arguments seem to cancel each other out I would still recommend this to action junkies; at least for a matinée showing. I plan on renting it on DVD if that's any indication.

Until we see Marky Mark and the Deadly Funky Commando Bunch,
keep reading

Mitch E.
mitchemerson@hotmail.com

Movie Review: 300 by ME

Title: 300
Starring: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, Michael Fassbender, Vincent Regan, Dominic West
Directed By: Zack Snyder
Produced By: Frank Miller, Deborah Snyder, Craig J. Flores
Genre: Action/Adventure, Drama, Adaptation and War
Release Date: March 9th, 2007
MPAA Rating: R for graphic battle sequences throughout, some sexuality and nudity.
Distributors: Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution

In the ancient Battle of Thermopylae, King Leonidas and 300 Spartans fought to the death against Xerxes and his massive Persian army. Facing insurmountable odds, their valor and sacrifice inspire all of Greece to unite against their Persian enemy, drawing a line in the sand for democracy. -Yahoo! Movies

Frank Miller has done it again. 300 is a visually stunning and action packed piece of work. Zack Snyder has taken what was done by Rodriguez and Tarantino with Sin City and upped the ante. Using the same method of green screen filming, Snyder has created a beautifully epic land based on what Miller did with the comic. I am ashamed to admit that I have never read 300 and must say I am that much more happy that I didn't. See, when any book or comic is made into a film you can't help but compare it to the original medium and sometimes that can deter from the experience even if the film does it right. So I was able to sit back (and then on the edge of my seat) and enjoy the film. Full of epic battles, spraying blood, decapitations, freaks of nature, God like giants, beautiful women and walls of dead bodies , 300 is just pure eye candy at its best.

Gerard Butler is perfectly cast. Ripped, muscled, and full of courage and rage, I wouldn't want to get on his bad side, lol. Only having seen him in Phantom of the Opera and Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, I didn't really know what to expect. Butler delivers a performance worthy of a King and it shows. Besides the courage and rage he has a passion that is echoed in every man under his command. David Wenham is another great casting choice as Dilios who is the narrator of the story as well as a warrior. His narrative voice is the perfect tool to tell the story. Behind every good man is a great woman and that is even more true here. Queen Gorgo, played by Lena Headey, is one of the more interesting characters in 300. If I understand correctly, her characters story in the movie has had quite a bit added to it. Some fans say it's unnecessary but I feel that her story helps to give us a break from all the intense action. And she is perfect as an extremely strong and supportive Queen who is trying to convince the ruling council to send reinforcements to Leonidas.

The effects? I can't say enough so it will have to suffice to say that they are some of the best I have ever seen. Just beautiful. If you haven't seen the trailer yet, head over to www.apple.com/quicktime/movies and check it out for an example.

All I can really say is that Sin City was a little tiny Halloween sized candy bar compared to the awe of 300. Great acting, great costumes, great action, this movie is my second favorite of the year after Children of Men (I count COM as this year because that's when I saw it) and before Pan's Labrinth. I don't care about historical accuracy in my movies, if I wanted accuracy I'd watch a documentary. I'm in it for the entertainment value boys and girls. And entertained I was. Go see it, buy it on DVD when it comes out. We need more movies that look this good.

Until King Leonidas and King Ralph become bosom buddies,
keep reading

Mitch E
mitchemerson@hotmail.com

Best Lines:

Spartan King Leonidas: Give them nothing! But take from them everything!

Spartan King Leonidas: This is where we fight. This is where they die.

Xerxes: Cruel Leonidas demanded that you stand. I require only that you kneel.

Repost: Casino Royale by ME

Since it has been a slow week in Hollywood, I decided to repost my review of Casino Royale. If you missed it in theaters your chance to see it is coming Casino Rayale will be released on DVD on March 13th. Is there any more praise that I could say for this film besides the fact that this will be the first James Bond film that I will ever purchase?

Title: Casino Royale
Starring: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Mads Mikkelsen, Eva Green, Jeffrey Wright
Directed By: Martin Campbell
Produced By: David G. Wilson, Anthony Waye, Callum McDougall
Genre: Action/Adventure, Thriller, Adaptation and Sequel
Release Date: November 17th, 2006
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violent action, a scene of torture, sexual content and nudity.
Distributors: Sony Pictures Releasing, Sony Pictures Releasing International

Daniel Craig takes over, or should I say “kicks off” the Bond series in Casino Royale. James Bond has just received his 00 status when he must stop La Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), a banker for terrorists as well as a high stakes poker player. La Chiffre takes his clients money and uses it to gamble on high risk stocks. When Bond foils his attempt to blow up a prototype airliner, La Chiffre must win a poker game in order to save his own skin. Of course Bond is there to stop him. With a kick ass car and a beautiful Treasury Agent (Eva Green) by his side, Bond does what he always does, he saves the day with style, suaveness, and more than a little violence.

Director Martin Campbell takes Bond in a new darker, grittier direction that is obvious from the beginning. Opening with a black and white noir-esque scene of him beating the crap out of some dude in a bathroom, you can tell this ain't your Daddy's Bond. From there we go right to a full on action sequence between Craig and Sebastien Foucan that would give Jackie Chan a run for his money. Is that enough examples? It may not be as cheeky or slick as previous Bond films but as a straight up spy/action flick Casino Royale delivers the goods and puts the “thriller” back in spy thriller. I know, that was kinda lame.

Hardcore fans will probably be disappointed with Danial Craig as Bond because he isn't as distinguished or gentlemanly as previous Bonds, but then again, this is a Bond before the cars, women and “shaken, not stirred” martinis. Personally, I think the only thing Craig doesn't have is the look of Bond. He looks more like a brawler from somewhere in Texas and fights like one. I feel that he could take the Bond franchise in a wonderful direction, if the fans can accept him. Mads Mikkelsen is a great villain, played as a man who is just trying to recover from his own mistakes. Don't get me wrong, he is a villain yet you may be able to sympathize with him. Well, at least until he goes for the rope. Surprisingly it's Judy Dench who keeps Bond (and the movie) grounded in reality by actually caring for him and trying to keep on the correct pat while at the same time becoming increasingly exasperated by the methods that Bond chooses to employ. Eva Green as the newest (r is ti the first?) Bond girl has the right amount of sex appeal while not being vapid. She is a smart and witty Treasury Agent who puts England's welfare first and foremost. Giancarlo Giannini has the the closest thing to a supporting role as Mathis, the local cop who is helping Bond. I have always liked him in everything I have seen him in, most notably Hannibal and Darkness.

Now all films have some problems and Casino Royale is no exception. Some of the familiar faces and trademarks we have come to know are missing. No Q, Miss Monneypenny or any of the fancy gadgets are here. Which leads me to the biggest problem of all. Is this a prequel, relaunch or a remake? I ask because it takes place in 2006 and is supposed to be Bonds first appearance. A friend who accompanied me swears that it's a prequel. I argued that how can it be a prequel if it was the first Bond book ever written?

Bottom line, a pretty good spy thriller with just the right amount of tension, action and humor. While not being a Bond fan myself I can say that this is a relaunch of a cultural staple that succeeds in doing what it set out to do. To bring Bond back in more down to earth feel while keeping the basic spirit of Bond. Minus the cheesy, supposedly “witty” banter and megalomaniacal schemes of caricature like super villains that have run rampant in Bond films the last few years. Give Mr. Craig a chance, he just may impress you.

Until ejector seats come as standard equipment,
keep reading

Emerson, Mitch Emerson.
mitchemerson@hotmail.com

Best Lines:

Bartender: Shaken or stirred?
James Bond: Does it look like I give a damn?