The cult classic ‘70s exploitation film Death Race 2000 is a provocative, ultra-violent rampage. In a dystopian future an annual cross-country race is put on to entertain the masses in which racers score points by running down and killing pedestrians, but the tables are turned when a rebellion attempts to takeout the racers. The film explores some very interesting issues, such as the culture of violence, the power of the media, and domestic terrorism. David Carradine and Sylvester Stallone lead the cast and give strong performances; especially Stallone, who brings a lot of charisma to the film. However, the production values are extremely low-budget, which is typical for a Roger Corman film. Death Race 2000 is an edgy thriller that tackles some controversial topics, but the filmmaking style holds it back.
Kurt Russell is a one man army in Soldier. When an obsolete soldier is marooned on a remote planet, he must stand up against a group of elite super soldiers sent to eradicate the population. Russell does a solid job at portraying this character, but he’s hard to relate to and his emotionlessness is alienating. However, Jason Isaacs creates a delightful villain that’s a lot of fun to watch. Also, the action is pretty good; though the special effects don’t holdup especially well. Soldier has a few story and character issues, but ultimately comes through with a lot of good action.
From master of horror John Carpenter comes Ghosts of Mars, a terrifying tale set in the depths of space. In a small mining town on Mars a group of criminals and cops must come together when a strange force starts turning people into feral, ravenous creatures bend on death and destruction. The film has an interesting cast that includes Natasha Henstridge, Ice Cube, Jason Statham, and Clea DuVall. But none of the performances are particularly good; though Henstridge manages to command some sage presence. The production values are also mediocre, as all the sets and costumes seem pretty generic and unimpressive. Yet in a campy, B-movie kind of way, Ghosts of Mars manages to be fun and entertaining.
A total shit show, Hellboy goes off the rails without the guiding hand and vision of Guillermo del Toro. In this completely unnecessary reboot Hellboy works to prevent a powerful witch from resurrecting and unleashing an apocalyptic plague upon mankind. Ron Perlman casts a long shadow and David Harbour pales in comparison as the new Hellboy. And, Milla Jovovich is extremely cartoonish and isn’t the least bit threatening as the villain. Yet the script is so bad, it’d be hard for anyone to make it work. But the real problem is tone, everything is just so over-the-top and ridiculous. A raging dumpster fire, Hellboy fails spectacularly.
A hackneyed Mad Max rip-off, Future World is a poor excuse for a dystopian thriller. In a war ravaged apocalyptic future the leader of a group of marauders finds and activates an android, but when he orders her to kill a young boy searching for medicine to cure his mother she turn on him. Featuring James Franco, Milla Jovovich, and Lucy Liu, the cast isn’t too bad; but Suki Waterhouse’s android performance is lacking. And the script doesn’t help much, offering little to explain the android’s evolution toward sentience or why the dystopian world is the way that it is. Also, the sets and costumes just look cheap, giving off a real B-movie feel. While it’s entertaining at times, Future World is a derivative and poorly made film.
Generic tripe, Extraction is a standard, by-the-numbers spy thriller. The story follows CIA agent Harry Turner, who must go rogue in order to save his father after he’s captured during an operation gone wrong. Starring Kellan Lutz, Gina Carano, D.B. Sweeney, and Bruce Willis, the cast isn’t that bad; their performances however, are terrible. And the writing is incredibly poor; full of stereotypical characters and lame tropes. Yet the fast pacing brings some energy to the film, and the score does a good job at creating tension and suspense. Still, Extraction is painfully formulaic and their no fun to any of the action.
Secret In Their Eyes is a dark and disturbing psychological thriller. The story follows a former FBI agent who, after 13 years, has tracked down the killer of his best friend’s daughter and seeks to finally bring him to justice. Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Nicole Kidman, and Julia Roberts, the performances are quite good. And the script is well-written, doing an impressive job at building the investigation and paralleling the present and past storylines. However, the killer is underdeveloped; as he’s more of a passive character, with the focus being on the investigators. And the ending is a bit challenging; delving into some uncomfortable morally gray areas. Yet overall, Secret In Their Eyes is an extremely provocative and enthralling crime drama.
Good evening, Hitchcock is a disturbing and thrilling little tale of obsession gone awry. The film follows master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock as he searches for his next film project and runs across Psycho, but the experience takes its toll on Hitchcock and forces him to face his demons. While the story has been largely fictionalized, it’s still captivating and provides a fascinating view of filmmaking. Anthony Hopkins delivers a brilliant performance as Hitchcock, and is backed by a strong supporting cast that includes Scarlett Johansson, Michael Wincott, and Helen Mirren. The writing is also quite good, and cleverly inserts some Hitchcockian element into the film. Though Hitchcock is by no means a definitive telling of the making of Psycho, it’s a fantastic look at the culture of cinema.
Perhaps the most literal remake ever made, director Gus Van Sant delivers a shot-by-shot remake of Psycho. It’s not an exact copy, but it’s fairly close. Vince Vaughn, Anne Heche, Julianne Moore, and Viggo Mortensen form a solid cast, but their performances are a little odd and unnatural. Something about the filmmaking style clashes with the modern setting, and the film seems somewhat self-aware of what it’s doing. Still, the storytelling works and creates a compelling mystery with interesting characters. While Gus Van Sant’s remake doesn’t recapture the brilliance of the original Psycho, the power and allure of the material still comes through.
An unnecessary but somewhat intriguing semi-prequel, Psycho IV: The Beginning explores the backstory of Norman Bates. While discussing mother killers, the host of a radio show gets the call of her life when Norman Bates calls in to give her an insider’s perspective, and to reveal that he will kill again. A lot of the backstories seem contrived, but the present day story is quite interesting. And though overall the acting isn’t that good, Anthony Perkins once again gives a captivating performance. Despite its weaknesses, Psycho IV: The Beginning delivers a solid thriller and a climatic conclusion to the saga.
The Psycho series outstays its welcome with a third installment of madness. When Norman takes a liking to a disillusioned nun who’s come to stay at the Bates Motel, Mother gets upset and people start disappearing. The plot is incredibly contrived and really doesn’t add anything to the series. The directing also underperforms, as Anthony Perkins takes the helm and is unable to deliver the suspense or intensity that the previous films had. What started out as a classic has turned into mindless tripe with Psycho III.
A compelling psychological thriller, Psycho II picks up where the Hitchcock classic left off. The story follows the release of Norman Bates from a mental institution as he attempts to reintegrate back into society, but forces conspire against him as he once again hears Mother’s call. The writing is rather impressive and finds a nice balance of honoring the Hitchcock classic while also exploring new territory. Anthony Perkins and Vera Miles return, and are joined by Meg Tilly and Robert Loggia. Additionally, director Richard Franklin does a pretty good job, though he’s clearly not up to Hitchcock’s level. Full of intrigue and suspense, Psycho II is a strong follow-up to a masterpiece.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho is a cinematic masterpiece that delivers horrific scares. When a young girl goes missing after stealing $40 thousand dollars, a private investigator tracks her last known whereabouts to the Bates Model. Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh lead the cast and give strong performances. But, it’s Hitchcock’s brilliant directing that makes the film so powerful. He does an amazing job at building a suspenseful mood, and at crafting intense scenes. Psycho is a smart, groundbreaking film that has become an immortal classic.
Jason Statham takes on a Megalodon in the fun and exciting B-movie The Meg. While exploring a trench in the China Sea a group of researchers accidentally release a prehistoric shark known as a megalodon, which then attacks the research station and begins to feed. Statham is in top form, doing some incredible action scenes, and delivering some good comedy bits. And the special effects are quite impressive, though there are a few cheesy CGI shots. Still, the set and creature designs are pretty cool, with a kind of retro sci-fi look. Also, the score does a great job at heightening the suspense and intensity of the shark attacks. Extraordinarily entertaining, The Meg is a thrilling adventure into the darkest reaches if the sea.
Incredibly intense, 47 Meters Down is a frightening thriller that gives Jaws a run for its money. While on vacation in Mexico two sisters go on a dive in a shark cage, but when an accident causes the cage to break free from its moorings the girls end up trapped at the bottom of the ocean with limited air and surrounded by sharks. Mandy Moore and Claire Holt both give strong performances; especially given that they’re underwater and in full diving gear for most of the film. Also, the script does a pretty good job at having the girls work through their problems and attempt to find rescue. And the shark attacks (though not very realistic) are terrifying, and are made more so by a remarkably powerful score that heightens the tension and suspense. 47 Meters Down is a fresh and exciting horror film that delivers some bone-chilling scares.
It’s a Christmas miracle! The great white shark comes after the Brodys for Christmas in Jaws: The Revenge, and this time it’s personal. When her youngest son is killed by a shark Ellen Brody decides to leave Amity and spend the holidays with her elder son’s family in the Bahamas, but her psychic link to the shark draws him there before long; and he proceeds to stalk after her and her son. The plot is ridiculous and Lorraine Gray is terrible (but part of this is the writing). However, Lance Guest delivers a strong performance, and Michael Caine brings a nice levity to the film. Also, the shark effects aren’t that bad, though there’s no real menace or sense of terror to him (as he’s really only after the Brodys and whoever gets in the way). For a B-horror movie, Jaws: The Revenge is alright and a slight step up from part 3, but it’s not good and an absolute travesty compared to the original.
Extraordinarily bad, terror comes to the third dimension in Jaws 3-D. After lying in wait a great white shark terrorizes Sea World. The plot is terrible and the acting isn’t much better; with the exception of Lea Thompson, who’s incredibly charismatic and steals every scene she’s in. Shot for 3D, the special effects are atrocious; full of gimmicky shots of thing’s flying out at the audience and superimposed images that stick out like a sore thumb. And the shark isn’t really that frightening; becoming more of a joke (especially when it gets owned by a pair of dauphins). A cheap exploitation film, Jaws 3-D is an absolute trainwreck.
Blood’s in the water and Universal strikes with the highly anticipated sequel Jaws 2. The story continues with another rogue shark plaguing the island community of Amity, but this time Police Chief Body stands alone as the town counsel refuse to acknowledge that a shark is responsible for a recent string of deaths and missing persons. Unfortunately the writing isn’t that good; the shark is portrayed as some sort of psychotic killer, and there are too many characters to follow (mostly teens who are all pretty indistinguishable). In fact the film plays a lot like a teen horror film, with a bunch of horny teenagers running around, chased by a bloodthirsty shark. Still, director Jeannot Szwarc does a pretty good job at making the action scenes intense and exciting. It pales in comparison to the original, but Jaws 2 is a decent enough thriller.
“You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” Director Steven Spielberg launches the modern blockbuster with the horror-thriller Jaws. When the mangled remains of a swimmer wash ashore small-town police chief Martin Brody comes to believe that a rogue shark is prowling the waters and attempts to close down the beaches. Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw lead the cast and deliver some pretty good performances. But the real star, of course, is the shark, and Spielberg does an excellent job at giving it a real sense of terror. And one cannot overestimate the impact of John Williams’ score, which heightens the tension and suspense, taking it to the next level. Playing on our primal fears, Jaws is a terrifying monster movie.
A rather odd entry in the series, Rambo: Last Blood is an uneven and gritty action film. When the daughter of a friend goes missing while looking for her biological father in Mexico, John Rambo goes after her and finds that she’s been abducted by a cartel. Sylvester Stallone gives a solid performance that feels true to the character. However, Yvette Monreal is rather weak and her character isn’t well-written. In fact, the entire script is pretty poor; leaving a lot of ambiguity and unanswered questions. Still, the climactic battle between Rambo and the cartel is incredibly exciting and violent; delivering some of the most visceral action scenes of the series. Rambo: Last Blood is a mess, but it does some interesting things with the character and provides a nice coda for the franchise.
“I didn’t come to rescue Rambo from you. I came here to rescue you from him.” Based on the bestselling novel by David Morrell, First Blood is an incredibly compelling and provocative action film. When a small-town sheriff arrests a drifter for vagrancy, who turns out to be a decorated war hero, he ends up starting a war that he might not be able to win. Sylvester Stallone gives traumatized Vietnam veteran John Rambo real depth and emotion; delivering one of his best character performances. And, Brian Dennehy and Richard Crenna are also extraordinarily good, and are able to heighten the drama and add moral ambiguity to their characters. Dark and gritty, First Blood challenges the audience and addresses some important social issues that are still relevant today.
From Mel Gibson comes the World War II drama Hacksaw Ridge. Based on a true story the film follows conscientious objector Desmond Doss as he fights to be allowed to serve as an Army Medic and ends up playing a pivotal role in the Battle of Okinawa. Starring Andrew Garfield, Hugo Weaving, Sam Worthington, Teresa Palmer, and Vince Vaughn, the film has an impressive cast that delivers some strong performances. And as usual, Gibson does an incredible job at showing the gritty reality of war. The writing is also especially good; exploring such themes as adhering to one’s religious convictions and the personal toll that violence takes. An extraordinarily compelling story about faith and heroism, Hacksaw Ridge is a powerful film.
George C. Scott stars in the powerful and introspective WWII biopic Patton. Co-written by Francis Ford Coppola, the story follows the exploits of Gen. George S. Patton, from his desert fighting with Rommel in North Africa to his unstoppable march across the European continent with the Third Army. Scott gives a career performance, bringing real depth and complexity to Patton. And, composer Jerry Goldsmith does an extraordinary job at creating an iconic score that embodies the triumph and passion of the warrior spirit. A sweeping historical epic, Patton presents a fascinating look at one of the most accomplished generals in American history.
A sweeping World War II epic, The Longest Day tells the story behind the Normandy invasion; one of the most daring and complex military operations ever conceived. Shot in a docudrama style, the film emphasizes several dozen Allied and Axis leaders and follows their actions during the course of the invasion. Featuring John Wayne, Sean Connery, Robert Mitchum, Red Buttons, Henry Fonda, and Roddy McDowall (just to name a few), the ensemble cast that’s been assembled is incredible. However, there’s a bit of jingoism going on, as the Nazi’s are shown mostly as incompetent and the American/British forces are selfless and brave. There’s also very little blood and carnage; which is indicative of the time in which the film was made. Still, the coverage of the various battle fronts on the land and sea is comprehensive, and gives a sense of scope to how massive the operation was. Though it overemphasizes the historical information over the storytelling at times, The Longest Day is an extraordinarily powerful film about a seminal event in world history.
From director Michael Bay comes the big-budget World War II epic Pearl Harbor. The story follows two best friends who become fighter pilots and get stationed at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack. Featuring Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, Kate Beckinsale, Jon Voight, Jennifer Garner, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Alec Baldwin, the film has an all-star cast. And, the special effects and battle sequences are extraordinarily well-done, as is the score by Hans Zimmer. But the script is awful, trying to squeeze three different movies into one, and doing a bad job of it. Also, the pacing is incredibly slow, dragging on and on interminably at times. Yet despite all of its problems, Pearl Harbor is a compelling war film with some powerful action scenes.
Tora! Tora! Tora! is a thrilling war epic that delves into one of the seminal events in American history. Beginning with the summer of 1941, the film follows the events in the U.S. and Japanese militaries as the two countries head down a path toward war, culminating in the attack on Pearl Harbor. The filmmakers take a largely dispassionate view, showing both sides as professional soldiers committed to their duty (leaving politics out of it). However, this results in a rather thin narrative that has too many characters. Still, the action scenes are well-done, creating an intense and riveting depiction of the attack. An ambitious historical drama, Tora! Tora! Tora! delivers a comprehensive look at the build-up to America’s entry into World War II.
A smart and well-crafted home invasion thriller, The Intruder is intense and frightening. When a young married couple buys their dream house out in the country they get more than they bargained for, as the previous owner continually shows up uninvited and proves to have an unhealthy obsession with the house. Dennis Quaid, Michael Early, and Meagan Good lead the cast and give strong performances. And while the plot is formulaic, it does a good job at creating tension and suspense along with an intriguing mystery about the former homeowner. Disturbing and full of chills, The Intruder is a pretty solid horror film.
The spy thriller RED is an entertaining and action-packed adventure film. Based on a comic series, a group of retired spies come together after escaping a hit squad, and attempt to uncover the reason why they’re being targeted. The film has an excellent cast that includes Bruce Willis, Mary-Louise Parker, Morgan Freeman, and John Malkovich, who all give great performances. The writing is also fairly good, and is able to balance the humor with the action quite well. Additionally, the action is really strong and gives the film a lot of energy; thought there are a few scenes that are bit ridiculous. RED has its weaknesses, but overall it’s an enjoyable and thrilling film that has plenty of laughs too.
Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass team-up once more and return to the Bourne series with Jason Bourne, a gritty, character driven espionage thriller. The plot is complete garbage; the CIA runs around with reckless abandon killing numerous civilians and their own agents in an attempt to capture former operative Jason Bourne and prevent him from learning the truth about his father’s connection to the black ops program that recruited him. Tommy Lee Jones does a decent enough job as a corrupt CIA director, however Alicia Vikander seems a bit out of her element (The Man from UNCLE notwithstanding). And Damon doesn’t exactly bring his A-game, giving a rather bland and mediocre performance. Yet Greengrass is able to inject some excitement into the film with several intense chases and fight sequences. Thought the plot’s ridiculous and formulaic, Jason Bourne is able to get by on its well-choreographed action and goodwill for the character leftover from the previous films.
Bereft of ideas and coasting on fumes, The Bourne Ultimatum delivers a stale and mindless action thriller. In this chapter of the series Jason Bourne has another flashback to his Treadstone days and seeks to uncover how it all began. In essence this is just a carbon copy of Supremacy, only not as clever and a lot less interesting. Additionally, the cast isn’t as strong this time and doesn’t have much to work with. The Bourne Ultimatum is an uninspired, trite film that pulls out the same old bag of tricks.
