Movies

War

FBI Agent Jack Crawford may be finally be able to avenge the death of his partner and his family at the hands of mysterious and deadly assassin, Rogue. This is only made harder as they all become embroiled in a gang war between The Yakuza and The Triads.

Jason Statham is in great form as the hard as nails and vengeful lawman and Li once again shows what great bad guy he makes (as last seen in Lethal Weapon 4). Head Yakuza Shiro as played by Ryo Ishibashi was also a highlight as was the always brilliant Luis Guzmán.

As a film pitting the star of The Transporter and one of Hong Kong action cinema's biggest stars against each other it was a surprise that this is more Action Thriller than Martial Arts pic. In fact no much comes into play until the last 30 minutes and mostly focuses on gunfights, chases, dirty deeds and betrayal. All of which is tensely paced and well shot. The ending - if a little bit absurd - is also particularly good.

Altogether an above average, well paced Action Thriller

Hot Rod

Young wannabe stuntman, Rod Kimble is about to meet his greatest challenge. In order to save his ailing step-father he must raise enough money to get him a life saving transplant. Only then can Rod earn the old man's respect by beating the hell out of him.

Saturday Night Live star Samburg is good here in what could been a more solid comedy. The relationships between Rod, his step-brother and his battling step-father played by Ian McShane make up some of the best parts of the movie. Overall the film is patchy, while there are some big laughs to be found here they are few and far between. Despite this it is still very watchable with many likable characters.

An average but enjoyable comedy maybe more suited for home viewing.

Death Proof

Groups of young women are stalked by a mysterious man with only two things on his mind, Speed and Murder.

Kurt Russell's Stuntman Mike is probably the most fun and interesting character he has played since Escape from New York's 'Snake' Plissken. Also of note is the addition of actual Stuntwoman Zoë Bell of Kill Bill and Xena playing herself in the movie (and of course doing her own stunts). Her naturalistic acting style actually adds to the B Movie thriller theme.

Tarantino has extended this cut of the movie from the one released as part of the trash cinema showcase Grindhouse in the US. The result is a far tighter and cohesive solo movie. All the usual Tarantino trademarks are there - brilliant cinematography, witty quotable dialogue and foot fetishes. As his love letter to 60's and 70's B pictures the style may not be for everyone.

If you love Tarantino, Trash Cinema and or Car Chase movies, You'll love this. If not still it's well worth a try.

I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry

When widowed fireman Larry has trouble securing his life insurance, He plots a fake gay partnership with his womanizing, fellow fireman, best friend Chuck. Legal proceedings and a sexy lawyer for the defense in the form of sexy Jessica Biel threaten to out them as Homo-phonies.

Of late Sandler seems to have turned down his angry funny man schtick and is all the better here. Kevin James is funny and ultimately very likable here as always and manages to pull of the emotional parts of the script very well. Dan Aykroyd is a joy on screen yet not overused. Ving Rhames is surprising hilarious.The Gags here could been better here but the movie is consistently enjoyable throughout if the plot is a little reminiscent of previous Sandler / Duggan work Big Daddy.

An above average comedy with some great performances.

Shoot 'Em Up

A carrot chomping, gun toting Bum has to protect a newborn baby from a gang of blood hungry mercenaries.

Clive Owen shines here, out-quiping Bond and Arnie whilst all the while (as thankfully does the movie itself ) not taking himself too seriously. Giamatti unsurprisingly is brilliant as the main antagonist, the methodical yet whimsical family man and killer, Hertz. As can be expected with a movie with so many Spaghetti Western overtones is the perfect whore with a heart of gold.

Michael Davis has made movie not for the faint of heart, Shoot 'Em Up is an all out, thrill a minute, hilarious bulletfest that is not subtle in the slightest and all the better for it. The movie is full of exciting and innovative action scenes (who would have thought there were so many ways to kill man using a carrot!). This is a film which lives somewhere between Once Upon a Time in the West and Hard Boiled but with its tongue firmly transplanted in to it's cheek.

A brilliantly fun, guilty pleasure of a movie, A crack shot!

Superbad

Best friends Seth and Evan are spending their last days together as high school seniors before they're separated by college. Along with their nerdy friend Fogell they decide to do the beer run for one of the big final parties how they can impress and end up with their dream girls at the end of the night.

Jonah Hill is the stand out as the angry, filthy and funny Seth who also manages also to be quite touching in the end. Lots of laughs are to be had with Cera's nervous Evan and particularly with Fogell (in a first time role for Christopher Mintz-Plasse) and a couple of crazy policemen (Co-writer Seth Rogen and SNL's Bill Hader).

Produced by Judd Apatow and written by Knocked Up's Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg the movie is a fast, funny and often very filthy experience. Filthy it is but it never loses its focus on the story of Seth and Evans friendship. A very well paced film apart from a middle act that slightly drag yet is made up for with an great ending.

Another great comedy from a group of people who breathing life back into America's funny movies and a evolution in the Teen Movie genre.

Run Fat Boy, Run

Dennis has always been running away all his life, including when his much to his regret ran and left his pregnant girlfriend on their wedding day. Now 5 years later when a new man comes into her life, Dennis decides he must a different sort of running for her respect and that of his son, a London Marathon.

Pegg is great here in a more dramatic and less zany role than some of his output with producing partner Edgar Wright. This isn't to say there aren't any laughs of which there are plenty but the style is far more light and feel good. Dylan Moran is also great here, especially in the second half and Hank Azaria is perfect as Dennis' love rival.

First time feature director, Friends star David Schwimmer does a great job here with the script written Michael Ian Black. He keeps the comic timing perfectly and whilst talented behind the camera isn't afraid to show the less showy areas of London. The result is somewhat sugary at times, but this a great fell good, funny movie.

A fun ride of a movie with some great central performances which should leave you with a smile on your face.