Movie Fan - Movie Reviews & Blogs

Killer Elite:

2011-09-25T13:53:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you take three of Hollywood's toughest, tough guys and put them in a thrill a minute action movie based on a shocking true story of espionage, assassination and the law of unintended consequences? You get, Killer Elite; starring Jason Statham, Clive Owen, and Robert De Niro this film gives audiences all the plot twists, violence and danger one might expect from a spy vs spy thriller.

Danny (Statham) a mercenary operative who's lost his taste for the kill is called out of retirement to rescue his long time mentor, Hunter (De Niro). In order to save Hunter he has to kill three former SAS officers. His hunt brings him into conflict with Spike (Owen), the chief enforcer for the Feathermen, a secret society of former SAS officials who try to keep their finger on the pulse of the dark world of espionage. And predictably, the bodies start hitting the floor.

Director Gary McKendry flawlessly recreates the gritty underbelly of the 1980s for the look and tone of the film. But while the film is visually 1980s, the action sequences are the powerful, kinetic and brutal choreography we have come to expect from the top tier of modern action movies.

The supporting role of Davies is worth particular mention. Played by Dominic Purcell, Davies is a mercenary of few scruples but untarnished loyalty. Purcell will no doubt continue to garner accolades for his work in Killer Elite as well as some of his more memorable roles on TV and film. Yvonne Strahovski also does great work on screen in a truly anemic role as Danny's love interest. Certainly a case of under utilizing a tremendous talent, to the detriment of that aspect of plot.

Killer Elite promises audiences an hour and forty five minutes of murderous action and suspense, and it largely delivers. It's hard for a film to go wrong with three of the strongest names in Hollywood heading up the Marquee, and Killer Elite doesn't go wrong. Pay the $7 this weekend, Killer Elite is worth it.

Colombiana: Late Summer Hit Unleashes A New Action Star & She's All Woman

2011-08-26T18:45:00.000-07:00

Columbiana is a welcome hit and it has audiences shouting for its sexy heroine. Zoe Saldana sizzles and shines as Cataleya, a beautiful assassin at the top of her game; and her game is revenge, gory, brutal, primal revenge. Cataleya embodies the chameleon skills of the Talented Mr. Ripley along with the irresistible lethality of Kill Bill's Beatrice. With her character demanding such an extreme level of physicality as well as the scale and savagery of the relentless action sequences, Saldana would deserve credit for rising to just the physical challenge; but it is the vulnerability and humanity she brings to the role that had audiences truly invested for the duration of this late summer surprise.

Cataleya witnesses the horrific murder of her parents as a child in Bogota and devotes herself to becoming the instrument of her own revenge. As a woman Cataleya is supported by her mentor and uncle, Emilio (Cliff Curtis) and her grandmother. Years of searching for vengeance are finally beginning to pay off when a chink in our assassin's emotional armor is revealed in the handsome frame of Danny (Michael Vartan), her artist boyfriend. Soon Cataleya is being hunted not only by the Colombian cartel that killed her family but also by the US Marshals and the FBI. But as it turns out, chasing this femme-fatale might mean that she's got you right where she wants you.

With Colombiana, Director Olivier Megaton takes the unoriginal but universally entertaining theme of the vengeance quest and re-examines it, and he executes his vision well enough that audiences are treated to perhaps the best action film of the year. Luc Besson's (producer and writer on the project) kinetic flare can be seen throughout the heart pounding action sequences.

It's the rare action film that can be taken seriously, but this year Colombian joins the handful of those that audiences are taking very, very seriously indeed. I haven't heard audiences cheer like this since Xmen First Class. This weekend, do yourself and favor and watch Zoe Saldana in Colombiana.

Conan the Barbarian: Fails to Recapture the Magic

2011-08-19T13:20:00.000-07:00

Jason Momoa (of recent Game of Thrones fame) ably fills the fur lined boots of cinema's original barbarian, Arnold Schwarzenegger, in this remake of Conan. But Momoa's performance and smoldering good looks are as good as the film gets. Audiences looking for the epic feel, gritty style and amoral tone of the 1982 fantasy classic will leave theatres mildly disappointed.

Director Marcus Nispel re-imagines the origin story as tale of searing vengeance; Conan, born into blood and battle, grows into manhood crossing and recrossing the continent of Hyboria seeking the raiders who destroyed his village leaving him orphaned while wreaking havoc along the way. The film suffers from the lack of real villain against whom our favorite barbarian might test his mettle. Khalar Zym (Stephen Lang) never exudes the menace necessary to give birth to a force of nature like Conan. In fact, as evil-doers go, it is his daughter Marique, played flawlessly by Rose McGowan, who raises gooseflesh on audiences. Ron Perlman also makes an appearance in the film, taking on the role of Conan's decidedly non-barbaric father and teacher.

Perhaps the most glaring difference between the remake and the original film is the reincarnation of this barbarian as a man of honor. Much of the unpredictability of the barbarian is lost once director and writers conspire to give him a conscience. It no longer seems like the whim of fate, the finger destiny or the inspiration of the gods that propels Conan on his adventures, but rather his own sense of right and wrong.

The film strikes this reviewer as a project that was a lot more fun for cast and crew to make than it was for audiences to watch. Conan the Barbarian wouldn't be my first choice at the cinemas this weekend, but it's visuals, action sequences and special effects demand to be seen on the big screen.

Crazy Stupid Love: Revive Your Inner Romantic

2011-08-15T07:52:00.000-07:00

Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Julianne Moore predictably shine as they lead an impressive ensemble cast in Crazy Stupid Love. The film re-examines the well worn tale of a mid-life and mid-married-life crisis when Emily (Moore) takes a date night as an opportunity to ask hubby Cal (Carell) for a divorce. The request sends Cal's middle class life into a tailspin until he meets his new best friend Jacob (Gosling) and learns to reinvent himself as a ladies man.

While the crisis at the centre of this film might be old hat to movie audiences, Crazy Stupid Love looks at romance, love and heartbreak with new eyes. Analeigh Timpton and veteran child actor Jonah Bobo deserve special mention as they steal scenes from their A-list co-stars with regularity. Marisa Tomei is another top shelf talent who lends her strengths to an over-the-top supporting role. Her scenes might be the funniest in a fairly funny film. Kevin Bacon reminds us why it's such a treat to seem him on screen.

The film is perfectly paced. Like the best of its genre, Crazy Stupid Love has something to say and it says it so well with polished dialog, a rich plot and comedic elements that give a bit more than a wink and nod to the best of Shakespearean comedy.

At a loss for what to watch at the cinemas this weekend? Crazy Stupid Love won't disappoint.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes: Hail Caesar

2011-08-05T14:39:00.000-07:00

Bravo, audiences are raving and with good reason: Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a hit, a big, juicy, summer blockbuster smash.

This film gets it all right, outstanding cast, spectacular effects, brilliant story and an epic feel that is absolutely rooted in present day San Fransisco. James Franco plays Will Rodman, a man of science racing the progression of his father's Alzheimers to find a cure. One of his lab specimens gives birth to Caesar a very special chimpanzee with genius level IQ. Andy Serkis is mesmerizing as Caesar, delivering a performance that captures and holds the audience with only 4 lines of dialog.

The danger of re-imagining an iconic film like Rise of the Planet of the Apes lies in the obvious risk of failing to live up to soaring vision of the original. No worries about that here, Director Rupert Wyatt vision utterly enhances the mythology of the Planet of the Apes. His visual effects must be seen to be believed. Wyatt has delivered this decade's Jurassic Park. He gives us living, expressive apes who are true characters in this compelling story. And when the bullets start flying, it's not humanity that the audience is cheering for.

As stunning as this movie is visually, enough can't be said about the talented cast who bring the characters both human and simian to life. Supporting actors Brian Cox, Tom Felton, Frieda Pinto and the incomparable John Lithgow lead audiences through the emotional landscape of the film. There isn't a simple morality to the film, black hats and white hats are decidedly in the minority. This film takes a nuanced view of right and wrong, and if there is a central message surely it is that human intelligence demands respect for simple human dignity no matter where it resides.

This movie reminds us why we are fans of the big screen. If you plan on going to the movies this weekend, or even if you aren't, go see Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Watch this film and you will leave saying "Hail Caesar" just like the rest of us.

Friends With Benefits: Update Your Fairy-tale

2011-08-01T16:47:00.000-07:00

Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake spark across the screen with real heat and chemistry in this tale of best friends who find what they aren't looking right in front of them all along. One might wonder how a film with multiple naked scenes of Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis might fail to be entertaining, but the film is better than just eye candy. This boilerplate romantic comedy gets a refreshing make-over from director Will Gluck who deals less with the clichéd conflicts between the sexes and embraces the far more complex and challenging territory of friendship, family, sex, sexuality and imperfect love. This is a Generation X love story, and it shamelessly makes sport of the romantic notions that still inspire our understanding of happily ever-after even as it challenges audiences to realize that we've all updated our fairly-tales for the 21st century.

Timberlake (Dylan) and Kunis (Jamie) play twenty somethings on the cusp of entering their third decade with the notion that true love isn't worth the hassle. They become friends who play in bed, with absolutely no emotional attachments and, predictably, it all goes well until it doesn't. During a family visit to LA the casual gets left out of the sex and simmering emotions boil over to threaten the relationship that neither of them will acknowledge has grown beyond friendship. Timberlake turns in another strong performance that, while not pitch perfect in every instance, is authentic and rich and thoroughly engaging. Kunis deserves to be billed as the top comedienne of her generation.

The supporting cast in the film help to keep the film upbeat and original. Woody Harrelson has a great time playing an OUTrageous gay sports editor who acts as a workplace guru for Dylan and Richard Jenkins, who's character suffers from early onset Alzheimers, is a scene stealer in his role as Dylan's father. In this collection of off-beat but crucial supporting characters Patricia Clarkson is a real stand out.

Friends With Benefits is that rare romantic comedy that can appeal both to men and women, and that's why its audiences are leaving the theatres with big smiles.

Cowboys & Aliens - Misses the Mark But Still A Good Ride

2011-07-30T17:45:00.000-07:00

Put Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford in a summer blockbuster directed by Iron Man's Jon Favreau and you'd expect a sensation, a film with warmth, humour, drama and tonnes of pulse pounding action; well Cowboys and Aliens delivers on the action- and not much else.

Craig plays lone gunslinger Jake Lonergan, a dangerous, solitary man afflicted with amnesia and walking through New Mexico territory in the years following the Civil War with alien technology fastened to his wrist. In a remote western town called Absolution, Lonergan comes into conflict with the law and Colonel Dolerhyde (Harrison Ford), an embittered cattle tycoon who's seen one war too many. Once members of Absolution's population are kidnapped in a brutal raid by alien mauraders, Lonergan and Dolerhyde lead a rag tag posse on a quest to redeem their lost loved ones. The film climaxes in a pitched battle between the cowboys, their native american allies and the dreaded alien scourge; while Craig, and his love interest Olivia Wilde (Ella Swenson), creep through the depths of the aliens ship trying to rescue the captured townsfolk.

Not even A-list talent can rescue this film from mediocrity. The story flows from cliche to stereotype to cliche with only the luscious visuals and dramatic action sequences keeping the audience interested. The sci fi film lovers out there might find some of the effects interesting, but there's nothing here we haven't seen before. Cowboys and Aliens takes an inspired concept and beyond the most basic promise of lots of guns, explosions and special effects fails to deliver to the audience a movie that is more than the sum of its parts - and it could have been

Captain America: The First Avenger hits a high note

2011-07-22T13:34:00.000-07:00

This has been a roller coaster summer for Marvel Studios with X-men: First Class garnering rave reviews and Thor leaving audiences disappointed and puzzled. But with their third offering of the summer movie season, Captain America, Marvel definitely hits a high note.

Battling a host of ailments and more than his fair share of neighborhood bullies, 98 lbs weakling Steve Rodgers tries and fails to enlist five times before being selected for a top secret program to scientifically produce America's first super-soldier. The process works and Rodgers is transformed into the perfect physical specimen; but through the evil machinations of Cap's nemesis the Red Skull, the process is forever lost and Captain America becomes not the USA's first but its only super powered infantryman. With Agent Peggy Carter and technical genius Howard Stark lending support and a team of deadly Howling Commandos backing him up Captain America takes the fight to the Nazis and challenges the rising might of Hydra.

Director Joe Johnston brings to life a slightly idyllic vision of the WWII era and perfectly frames one of the most enduring and iconic hero journeys in American pop culture. Chris Evan makes a convincing Cap. He not only packs on the muscle to fill out the star spangled avenger's iconic costume, but he does a solid job of bringing out the humanity, humility, basic decency and bullheaded bravery that makes Rodgers such an unforgettable character. Hugo Weaving reminds us why he's everyone's favorite villain, playing the Red Skull with menace enough to command our attention whenever he appears on screen. Hayley Atwell (Agent Carter) merits special mention for her work in the film, playing a compelling character carries far more weight in the plot than simply Captain America's love interest.

Summer movie fans will find themselves satisfied with Captain America: The First Avenger. It offers the action, thrills, drama and uplifting message we have come to associate with good films from the folks at Marvel. This weekend is all about Cap, and that's a good thing.

Harry Potter Deathly Hallows part 2 - hits and hits big

2011-07-15T14:47:00.000-07:00

"It all ends," and in dramatic fashion. Audiences for this must see film are chilled with the dark visuals, the ominous soundtrack, the violence and the deaths that bring to life J K Rowling's literary creation one last time - and it is a triumph. Director David Yates commits once more to an apocalyptic mood that infects the audience with a brooding trepidation throughout. No magically teleporting toilets or flying Ford Anglia in this final installment of the movie franchise. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows dives into the deep end and packs not just magic, but real violence into this last journey into Harry's fantastic world.

The threesome of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint once again recapture the chemstry that captivated us when we first discovered the boy from the cupboard under the stairs on screen in 1997's Philosopher's Stone. What a journey we have shared, and now we see its end in a costly and climactic clash between Harry and his evil nemesis Voldemort. The movie once again follows the trio as they hunt and destroy the horcruxes that are the key to the Dark Lord's immortality. This leads to a spectacular clash of forces around, where else, the grounds of Hogwarts.

In Deathly Hallows part 2, the deaths that haunted audiences are explained, if not justified, the betrayals are examined, and forgiven; and the romances that were consummated now blossom in the heat of war. Harry's hero's quest and the trio's journey from adolescence into adulthood comes to fiery completion. Each film in this remarkable series has done great credit to the books that inspired them and this film is no exception. In a summer movie season that's been hit and miss, as far as block busters are concerned, Deathly Hallows part 2 hits and hits big.

2011-07-12T08:23:00.001-07:00

A new milestone in Bahamian Theatre has been achieved. Like many of our sister Caribbean countries, the Bahamas has a lively and rich culture of stage productions and Porgy and Bess has raised the bar for the future.

Dr. Cleaveland Williams (Director/Producer Nassau City Opera) assembled an array of Bahamian stars and a 40 voice chorus to realize his vision of Gershwin's acclaimed production at the Rain Forest Theater throughout Independence Week. Backed by 13 string players from Canada and retired musicians from the Royal Bahamas Police Force the Bahamian cast held audiences riveted.

The music from Porgy & Bess has worked it's way into musical consciousness of the Americas with iconic songs like Summertime, It Ain't Necessarily So and I Gat Plenty A Nuttin. Gershwin's incredible score and outstanding performances from the cast drew standing ovations from audiences throughout the week.

If you missed Porgy & Bess staged by the Nassau City Opera last week you missed a very good thing.

Transformers 3 - Must See Summer Flick

2011-07-07T08:26:00.000-07:00

Optimus, Megatron & Bumble Bee return along with Sam Witwicky (Shia Lebeouf) and quirky former agent Simmons for the third installment of Michael Bay's Transformers franchise. In Transformers: Dark of the Moon a legendary autobot leader, Sentinel Prime (voiced by Leonard Nimoy) is rescued from an ancient crash site on the moon along with apocalypic technology. The battle for this technology drives the plot in an awe inspiring series of action sequences.

Francis McDormand takes on the role of National Security Advisor spearheading the Government's management of their alien allies while Patrick Dempsey is introduced as brand new villain in the saga. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley replaces Megan Fox as Witwicky's love interest providing a forgettable sub-plot. Let's face it, Transformers movies are all about giant robot vs giant robot and all the destruction that entails. Dark of the Moon delivers. The clash of good versus evil is epic and that is as it should be.

Michael Bay's vision is not without its flaws, however. The romance between the human hero and his love interest falls flat and much of the humor that made the first Transformers movie such a delight is lost. But whatever weaknesses the film displays are vigorously offset by the vitality and power of the director's vision and the spectacular visual effects. You don't have to be a fan of transformers to be a fan of this movie. If you're in the mood for a summer block-buster that serves up wild chases in cool cars, explosions in major metropolitan centres, end of the world stakes and sexy men and women shooting lots and lots of guns then Transformers Dark of the Moon is definitely worth the price of admission.

Wanted 2008 - Review 4 out of 5 stars

2008-07-07T09:08:00.000-07:00

Wanted is a trill rich departure from the fast growing super hero/comic book genre. Based on Frank Miller's hit graphic novel this film follows Wesley Gibson, an axiety prone and mistreated accountant as assassins and machievellian plots snarl out of no where to propell him toward a destiny he could never have imagined. James McAvoy (Last King of Scotland) embraces not only the pathos of the character but takes to the elaborate action sequences like a duck to water while Angelina Jolie has never been more mesmerizing than she is playing the lethal, beautiful assassin Fox - Gibson's love interest, trainer and partner. Morgan Freeman steals scenes throughout the picture and as the movie roars toward it's climax he garners the biggest applause line of the film in his role as the enigmatic Mr. Sloan. This is a must see flick for summer movie lovers. A big budget spectacular that delievers.

Hancock 2008 - Review 4 out of 5 stars

2008-07-07T08:56:00.000-07:00

Well fellow movie lovers, Will Smith is back with another summer spectacular in Director Peter Berg's HANCOCK. Smith plays John Hancock - a super hero whom residents of Los Angeles have come to despise. The alcoholic superman is ultimately found criminally neglegent and sentenced to 8 years in prison; a sentence he relutcanly accepts at the behest of big-hearted PR agent played by Jason Bateman in an effort to rehab the heroe's public image. The ploy works and before long a new and improved Hancock is fighting crime on LA streets. The movie moves a fast clip from one action packed sequence to another, and while there a moments when the humor trends toward the low-brow, the spectacular visuals are more than adequate compensation.

Clarlize Theron tackles one of the most complicated roles in the film - Mary Embry, the Hancock's PR Agent's wife - with her typical sensitivity and grace. It is Mrs. Embry's difficult relationship with Hancock and unexpected history that provides a deeper emotional context for a film that is visual feast and action packed thrill ride. The 2008 summer movie season is in full swing Hancock is a welcome addition to a line up that has not disappointed this movie fan yet!!!