Monday, May 18, 2009

Angels and Demons

Tom Hanks reprises his role as symbologist (how can i get that job?) Robert Langdon. This time the supreme church of Rome, the Vatican needs his help in solving the kidnapping of four cardinals. One of which may become the new pope.

It's a thrill ride of a movie that mixes a little bit of fact with a whole lot of fiction. Because of this the movie has had some controversy in religious circles. But we all know that kind of attention just makes people want to see it all the more.

Personally, it's just a fun film to watch and it is a well written thriller with a good plot twist. I think I mentioned in the Da Vinci Code, that Hank's character was rather bland and it's the same for this movie. He just kinda runs around Rome pointing and shouting "This way!"

But I think that is just the personality of the character he is playing, and therefore he makes an excellent professor. Check out the diabolical and angelic Angels and Demons!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Star Trek


I was a huge Star Trek fan when I was a kid (and still am). So I was totally pumped up to see this new "reboot" of the franchise by J.J. Abrams. I was not disappointed! Just like they brought Spock back to life in the third movie with the original crew, Abrams has breathed new life into a favorite Sci-Fi universe.
This movie gives a fresh look at how the original Enterprise crew comes together. It is an action packed film with very little to complain about. Zarchary Quinto totally nails Spock! I was worried about having visions of Sylar from HEROES, but he does such a great job of channeling Spock, that I never even thought of his other show. His voice is not as deep as Nimoy's but that isn't really his fault.
Chris Pine does a decent job of subtly channeling Kirk, and some of his mannerisms. Unfortunately he has a couple of scenes that turn out to be a little "hokey." I'll blame the writers for that rather than the actor. For example he has an allergic reaction to some medicine that doctor McCoy gives him and is causes him to have "Fat Hands." Now I am sure the scene was meant to be funny and humorous (what's the difference?) But it just came across as silly to me and should have made the cutting floor.
I was surprised that Nimoy had such a major role in the movie. I thought perhaps just a cameo. But in the end I guess it was a good way to "pass the torch" over to the new crew. I loved the film and hope they make five or six with the new crew. All the other actors did a great job with their characters and each was given ample screen time to make their characters shine.
So if you have never been a Trekkie, now is the time to start people! Set phasers to kill, and drive at maximum warp speed to the local theater and check out the new Star Trek!!

Monday, May 04, 2009

Wolverine


I never followed the X-Men comic series, but I understand they are good. I mean I guess so since they made three, well now four films based on them.
I have followed the movies, as I like super-hero films. (I grew up watching Shazam!).
Wolverine was another great flick, and on par with the other X-Men films if not a little toned down. Was it as good as Ironman or *gasp* The Dark Knight? Pa Shaw! (Does anyone still say that?) Of course it wasn't.
But if you are an X-Men faithful, or need a super-hero fix, then you won't be disappointed with Wolverine's Origin movie. It has a cast of colorful characters, a typical comic book story line, and ties the character in nicely with the other X-Films. Hugh Jackman is perfect for the part!
So slither, teleport, fly, or use whatever mutated mode of transportation you have and check out X-MEN ORIGINS: Wolverine!

Crank 2: High Voltage


Yeah I saw it. So sue me. I love Jason Statham. And by "love" I mean a strictly platonic appreciation of his on screen presence. I first saw him in The Italian Job (2003) and thought he had potential.

So when I saw I had somehow missed Crank, in which he stars, I immediately ordered it on Netflix. It was an unusual film to say the least. Crank 2 is just as twisted and bizarre as the first one. In Crank, his character, Chev Chelios (I want to say Cheerios) is injected with some Oriental ninja poison that's going to kill him in an hour unless he keeps his adrenalin pumping.

He manages to stay alive and the sequel picks up where the first one left off. To the very second. In this continuation of the insanity, his prized heart (cause it withstands the poison) is stolen and replaced with an artificial one. But alas the battery pack only lasts for a little while and now he must keep shocking himself (see where the High Voltage comes in?) to stay alive as he tries to get his original blood pumping organ back.

This movie plays out like a video game, the main character never dies, just like a video game and this fact makes him so appealing as the invincible protagonist. Crank 2 never takes itself serious and neither should you. I only watch, like a car wreck you can't turn away from, to see what weirdness happens next.

This type of movie is not for the faint of heart (pun fully intended). I recommend Netflix, but watch Benjamin Button and Valkyrie first. In fact Netflix will probably be your only venue as I am sure it will be out of theaters by the time you read this. Cheers!