AlbertV's Film Reviews and Thoughts

MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. LAWRENCE (1982)

2011-12-27T19:36:00.003-05:00

1982, National Film Trustee Co. Ltd

Directed by:
Nagisa Oshima
Produced by:
Jeremy Thomas
Written by:
Nagisa Oshima with Paul Mayersberg; based on the novel “The Seed and the Sower” by Laurens van der Post
Cinematography:
Toichiro Narushima
Editing:
Tomoya Oshima

Cast:
David Bowie [Sgt. Jack Celliers], Tom Conti [Gen. Lawrence], Ryuichi Sakamoto [Gen. Yonoi], Takeshi Kitano [Sgt. Hara], Jack Thompson [Hicksley]

The year is 1942. During World War II, a band of British soldiers are forced to serve time at a Japanese prison camp due to their actions against the Japanese. While most of the soldiers are relegated to punishment and hard labor, one such soldier, General Lawrence seems to have earned the respect of the commanding officer General Yonoi and his number one, Sergeant Hara. Lawrence has the ability to speak Japanese fluently and acts as a “bridge” between the English and the Japanese. While Yonoi has nothing but hatred towards the prisoners, all of that changes when respected British soldier Jack Celliers enters the prison camp. Yonoi seems to change his ways as he sees Jack as a man of respect. However, the lives of the prisoners change one fateful Christmas Day.

Director Nagisa Oshima has the respect of being both a Japanese auteur and quite a controversial figure in the world of cinema. He has tackled many taboos in his film career. With this film, based on a novel by former war veteran Laurens van der Post, what may look like respect between a pair of Japanese soldiers and a pair of British soldiers takes a bit beyond that but on a subconscious level. However, Oshima is a respectful artist and when he came up with the name of the film, perhaps to pay homage to author van der Post by spelling “Laurens” as “Lawrence”. Perhaps, Oshima wanted to present the film to van der Post as a tribute to the author's real-life exploits as a prisoner of war in World War II Japan.

The film brings out a sense of homoeroticism but done not in the manner of films like BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (2007), but in a more subliminal level, especially between David Bowie's Jack Celliers and Ryuichi Sakamoto's General Yonoi. This could be said to be seen on the level of Yonoi, who looks to be sporting eyeliner and rouge under the right lighting. Whether Oshima perhaps meant to show Yonoi as an effeminant soldier as if he has a heart or even bringing out an homage to Bowie's famous Ziggy Stardust character, is never truly known. The homoeroticism is seen when Jack is forced to stop Yonoi from executing a fellow British officer the day after Christmas.

While the level between Yonoi and Jack can be said to have a sense of homoeroticism, the respect between Tom Conti's titular character of Lawrence and Takeshi Kitano's Hara is clearly a sense of respect and perhaps, seniority between the two as Conti may be seen as British and an enemy to the Japanese. However, in the military aspect, Lawrence has a higher ranking of Hara. It seems as if at times, Hara shows respect to Lawrence not only because of his fluency in Japanese, but perhaps because of his military rank as well. This is clearly evident in the fated Christmas Day scene, where a drunken Hara decides to release Lawrence after he attempts to escape the prison camp. Hara, who usually speaks in Japanese, belts out the titular phrase in English. Kitano, a former stand up comedian, makes his dramatic debut here and admits, it was this very film that influenced him to become a director, mostly in the yakuza eiga genre.

MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. LAWRENCE is truly a film for the ages. It is clear that David Bowie breaks through as an actor here, with Ryuichi Sakamoto, Tom Conti, and Takeshi Kitano giving great support. Truly a Nagisa Oshima classic!

AlbertV's Rating: A+

ASSASSINATION GAMES (2011)

2011-10-13T19:06:00.006-04:00

2010, Motion Picture Corporation of America

Director
Ernie Barbarash
Producers
Brad Krevoy, Patrick Newall, and Justin Bursch
Writer
Aaron Rashaan Thomas
Cinematography
Phil Parmet
Editing
Peter Devaney Flanagan

Cast
Jean-Claude Van Damme [Vincent Brazil], Scott Adkins [Roland Flint], Ivan Kaye [Polo Yakur], Valentin Teodosiu [Blanchard], Alin Panc [Kovacs], Kevin Chapman [Culley], Michael Higgs [Godfrey], Kristopher Van Varenberg [Schell], Marija Karan [October], Bianca Van Varenberg [Anna Flint]

After their work together on Isaac Florentine's THE SHEPHERD: BORDER PATROL (2008), Jean-Claude Van Damme and Scott Adkins play unlikely allies in this tense action thriller from director Ernie Barbarish.

Vincent Brazil is an aging assassin in Bucharest, Romania. As he recently completed his latest mission, he is given a new mission from his contractor Culley. The target is local mob boss Polo Yakur. Polo is a ruthless gangster who gets things his way at any cost. As a matter of fact, he and his boys terrorized a couple and after gang-raping the wife, the wife is now in a coma. The husband, Roland Flint, also is a top assassin. When Brazil goes to kill Polo, Flint happens to be there as well. The ensuing shootout results in the death of Polo's brother.

When Brazil and Flint confront each other, they soon realize the only way to stop Polo is to team up together. Brazil wants the money for the job while Flint wants to seek revenge for the attack on his wife. Polo learns of the arrangement and hires two corrupt police officers to go after Brazil and Flint. Will the two assassins successfully hit their targets and at what cost?

Aging action hero Jean-Claude Van Damme and British martial arts ace Scott Adkins (who idolized JCVD) work well as a team here. Previously, they had fought each other in Isaac Florentine’s 2008 film THE SHEPHERD. The chemistry between the two seems to work well as a pair of assassins who have different agendas for the same target. This theme is reminiscent of a classic kung fu film, THE SECRET RIVALS (1976), where two experts of various styles have different agendas for the same villain. Where they used kung fu, Van Damme’s Brazil is a knife expert while Adkins resorts to using firepower with a dash of martial arts. While it is not the martial arts spectacle one usually expects from Adkins, it is more about Adkins driving away from his usual dose of MA mayhem and resort of a more dramatic action film.

The interesting choice of casting the progeny of Jean-Claude Van Damme somehow works with this film. Kristopher Van Varenberg plays Schell, one of two corrupt officers working for the target while Bianca Van Varenberg shows a more dramatic performance in the role of Anna, the comatose wife of Scott Adkins’s character. A mystery comes in the form of October, played by Marija Karan. She doesn’t offer much to her role as she is a foil who seems to have a thing for Van Damme’s aging hitman. While she sees Brazil as a lonely man, Brazil actually has a few turtles to keep him company.

As mentioned, Van Damme and Adkins are more known for their skills in martial arts. However, the martial arts aspect of the film is kept to a minimum here. In his brief fight scene against Adkins, Van Damme resorts to using more close quarter attacks while in another brief scene, Adkins throws a few kicks against some of the villain’s guards. However, when it comes to unarmed combat, Adkins follows suit and uses more close quarters attack. Many may not like that idea, but for this film, it works out pretty nicely.

ASSASSINATION GAMES is worth at least a rental to see what Van Damme and Adkins can do without using too much of their trademark martial arts. It survives thanks to the premise of the film and some pretty good action scenes.

AlbertV’s Rating: B

THOR (2011)

2011-10-13T19:01:00.004-04:00

2011, Paramount Pictures/Marvel Enterprises

Director
Kenneth Branagh
Producer
Kevin Feige
Writers
Ashley Edward Miller, Zack Stentz, and Don Payne; story by J. Michael Straczynski and Mark Protosevich
Cinematography
Haris Zambarloukos
Editing
Paul Rubell

Cast
Chris Hemsworth [Thor Odinson], Natalie Portman [Dr. Jane Foster], Tom Hiddleston [Loki], Stellan Skarsgard [Dr. Erik Selvig], Kat Dennings [Darcy], Idris Elba [Heimdall], Rene Russo [Frigga], Anthony Hopkins [Odin Allfather], Ray Stevenson [Volstagg], Jaimie Alexander [Sif], Tadanobu Asano [Hogun], Joshua Dallas [Fandral], Colm Feore [King Laufey], Clark Gregg [Agent Phil Coulson]

The Norse God of Thunder and Marvel Comics' superhero is given the live action film treatment and thanks to the direction of Kenneth Branagh, is one for the ages.

Thor is the son of Odin, the ruler of Asgard. The next to take over the throne, Thor learns of old rivals getting into Asgard and attempting to steal a relic Odin took years ago after a war ensued between the Asgardians and the Frost Giants. When Odin tells Thor to stand ground, he disobeys his fathers and along with his brother Loki and his friends, they herad to Jordheim, the land of the Frost Giants. After a warning to leave Jordheim, Thor unwittingly sets off another war between Asgard and the Frost Giants.

Odin is angered by Thor's action and his arrogance. Called an old man and a fool by his son, Odin finds himself no other alternative. He relinquishes Thor of his powers and banishes him to Earth. Once there, Thor finds himself in the company of a scientist team consisting of Dr. Jane Foster, Dr. Erik Selvig, and intern Darcy. As Thor continues to act arrogant on Earth, Odin falls into a coma. Loki takes over the throne and hatches a devious plot to ally himself with the Frost Giants. Meanwhile, Thor begins to learn more about emotions and humility. When Loki unleashes a monster called The Destroyer to wreak havoc, Thor must learn the ultimate lesson in humility to regain his powers and stop his brother once and for all.

The legend of Thor comes from Norse mythology. Thor is considered the God of Thunder. When Marvel Comics adapted the character, the original story involved a disabled doctor who has the power to transform into Thor with a strike of his walking stick. When Marvel finally went ahead with the long awaited film adaptation, they had plans to use this original story. However, when famed British actor and filmmaker Kenneth Branagh came on board to direct the film, the story was changed to a more subtle storyline that meshes the Marvel universe with something expected in perhaps a Shakespeare play. Surprisingly, this mesh works very well.

Australian Chris Hemsworth beat out a series of other actors, including his own brother Liam and TRUE BLOOD actor Alexander Skarsgard to win the coveted role of Thor. Hemsworth has truly made the role his, combining the look of Thor (long blond hair and icy blue eyes) with a great performance as a warrior with an attitude who must learn humility to regain his godly powers. Hemsworth also performs the action quite well, dabbling in some close quarter style combat when Thor finds his hammer, Mjolnir, surrounded by the organization known as S.H.I.E.L.D.

The storyline' Shakespearean style comes in the form of a sibling rivalry between princes. Along with Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston churns out a wonderful performance as Thor's brother Loki, who starts out as an ally and one loyal to his brother to one who grows into a treacherous rival who learns of his true origin and uses it to his advantage in his attempt to take over Asgard. The ever popular Anthony Hopkins brings greatness in the role of Odin, the ruler of Asgard who is forced to take away his son's powers.

Natalie Portman returns to comic book films (after the sucessful V FOR VENDETTA (2006)) to play Dr. Foster, a scientist who believes that Thor is not from Earth and delves into his world. She feels a special connection to Thor and eventually, a love story between the two is imminent. Stellan Skarsgard does well as Dr. Erik Selvig, Jane's superior who attempts to debunk Thor's story but grows to become a true ally...or does he? Kat Dennings fits the role of college intern Darcy to a tee with her college style humor. She brings a bit of comic relief to the mix when it comes to her scenes with Thor. In his extended cameo, Clark Gregg reprises his role of Agent Coulson from IRON MAN 2 (2010) and tries to understand who Thor is and where he is from.

For those who have not seen the film as of yet, there are two special cameo appearances. One this reviewer will say is that of Samuel L. Jackson, who returns to play Nick Fury as THOR is part of the set up for the 2012 ensemble film THE AVENGERS. The other is one that will not be spoiled, but this reviewer will say that this particular cast member is also part of THE AVENGERS and he appears mid-way through the film. No, it is not Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man either. Hemsworth will not only be in THE AVENGERS but in 2013, he will return to the role in THOR 2, which there will be a new director as Kenneth Branagh will not return.

THOR is truly a great adaptation of the Marvel Comics hero, thanks to the performance of its cast, a great storyline that plays out like a modern day Shakespeare play and the direction of one Kenneth Branagh.

AlbertV's Rating: A

SAINT (2010)

2011-10-05T14:15:00.008-04:00

2010, Tom De Mol Productions/Parachute Pictures/A-Film Distribution

Director
Dick Maas
Producers
Dick Maas and Tom De Mol
Writer
Dick Maas
Cinematography
Guido van Gennep
Editing
Bert Rijkelijkhuizen

Cast
Egbert-Jan Weeber [Frank], Caro Lenssen [Lisa], Bert Luppes [Goert Hoekstra], Escha Tenihatu [Sophie], Huub Stapel [Saint Nicholas]

From the director of the international horror hits THE LIFT (1983) and AMSTERDAMNED (1988) comes this holiday thriller, revolving around the legend of Saint Nicholas.

In the Netherlands, December 5 is usually a day of celebration as they celebrate Saint Nicholas. The legend is that St. Nick is a bishop who comes to town to bring presents to all the good children of Holland. However, according to an urban legend, Nicholas is actually a child murderer who strikes whenever there is a full moon on December 5. In 2010, a full moon falls on Amsterdam on December 5.

Detective Goert Hoekstra is put on indefinite leave when he proposes a boycott of the holiday due to past events. As a child, Goert had seen his family massacred by what he believes is the ghost of St. Nicholas. While no one of the force believes his story, bodies begin to pop up, including that of local college girl Sophie. When Frank, Sophie's ex-boyfriend, is framed for her murder and the murders of his friends, the police are shocked to discover St. Nicholas riding his horse on the rooftops of Amsterdam. When Frank is able to escape after the chase, he meets Goert. Together, they plan to stop St. Nicholas and his reign of terror once and for all.

There have been many controversial holiday horror films, including the 1984 cult classic SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT. Where that film featured a serial killer dressed as Santa Claus, SAINT features the zombified ghost of Saint Nicholas. Writer/director Dick Maas nearly caused an uproar in his native Netherlands with the film. However, the film overall is proven to be one of his good films.

In an interesting reversal of trademark, Maas has cast one his favorite actors, Huub Stapel, in the villain role. Stapel, who played the hero in both of Maas' international films THE LIFT and AMSTERDAMNED, appears as the evil Saint Nicholas, or Niklas in Dutch. The opening is set in 1492, where Niklas and the Black Piets ravage a small village only to have the tables turned on them when they are burned to death.

In the role of the elder detective is Bert Luppes. Luppes tends to overplay his performance in the role of Goert, who as a kid, saw his family murdered at the hands of Nicholas, who had become zombified. While no one believes his story, he proves to be the only one who is correct only to find a believer in local college boy Frank, played with at times comic relief by Egbert-Jan Weeber. The lead female roles, played by Caro Lenssen (daughter of popular Dutch actress Renee Soutendijk) and Escha Tanuhati are practically there to just sit there and in the case of the latter, get killed.

Despite the bad acting, the highlights are the death scenes and in the vein of AMSTERDAMNED, a spectacular stunt sequence. The deaths are at times very gruesome with lots of impalements and a very nicely done decapitation from Nicholas' curves staff. The nicely shot stunt scene involves Nicholas riding on his horse jumping on the rooftops of Amsterdam. Now, this looks to have been done by a combination of greenscreen technology and CGI, but it still looked pretty impressive for this type of film. Kudos goes out to stunt coordinator Willem de Beulaker for pulling this off as well as a nicely done car stunt involving Weeber taking on members of the Black Piets, Nicholas' zombie henchmen.

SAINT is definitely a pretty good Dick Maas horror film. While the controversy revolves around Holland's St. Nick, Maas has crafted a great film in the vein of SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT and mixes it with some great stunts. It is clear why Dick Maas is truly one of the most underrated directors to come from the Netherlands.

AlbertV's Rating: B

REVIEW: 9413

2011-07-27T13:36:00.006-04:00

1998, Booms Movie Production Ltd./Mandarin Films Distribution

Director
Francis Ng
Producers
Herman Yau and Karbie Ng
Writer
Sandy Shaw
Cinematography
Herman Yau
Editing
Eric Cheung

Cast
Francis Ng [Smash-Head], Christine Ng [Dr. Carmen Leung], Amanda Lee [Mandy], Fredric Kao [Officer Kar], Lee Kin-Yan [Fatty Chuen]

Plot
Hong Kong police officer Smash-Head accidentally shot a female hostage but was cleared of all charges thanks to his corrupt boss Officer Kar. However, this action has caused Smash-Head to go crazy. He busts criminals without identifying himself, he spends his time dancing and going to nightclubs. However, when he is given a chance to see psychiatrist Dr. Carmen Leung, he begins to slowly feel a sense of redemption. However, he still has to deal with Officer Kar and his shady dealings. When is ultimately forced to choose sides, Smash-Head delves into depression and madness but decides he must make the right decision.

Review
Francis Ng is definitely quite a talent in Hong Kong. Perhaps best known for his role of Ugly Kwan in the first YOUNG AND DANGEROUS film, he makes his directorial debut here with Sandy Shaw's script about a cop forced to go bad but seeks redemption.

Ng looks to be perfectly suited for the role of Smash-Head, the police officer who enters a downward spiral because of an accident. As a result, he is forced to deal with his dirty boss's dealings for money. Smash-Head even goes as far as going to the local nightclub just to see club girl Mandy, played by Amanda Lee. However, despite all the madness, there is a very funny scene worth mentioning.

At a local club, Smash-Head yells at the band for being too boring. When the band plays a more upbeat tune, he gets excited and not only dances, but goes as far as stripping down to his skivvies for the crowd. This is perhaps the only comical scene to break away from the seriousness of the film. While the character of Smash-Head may seem at first a comical character, it is more than that as the film progresses.

9413 is a pretty good directorial debut for actor Francis Ng, combined with his performance and Sandy Shaw's script about a man who is internally combusting and forced to do the right thing.

AlbertV's Rating: A

REVIEW: Taxi Driver (1976)

2011-07-27T13:06:00.005-04:00

1976, Columbia Pictures/Bill-Phillips Productions Inc./Italo-Judeo Productions

Director
Martin Scorsese
Producers
Michael Phillips and Julia Phillips
Writer
Paul Schrader
Cinematography
Michael Chapman
Editing
Tom Rolf and Melvin Shapiro

Cast
Robert DeNiro [Travis Bickle], Jodie Foster [Iris], Harvey Keitel [Sport], Peter Boyle [Wizard], Albert Brooks [Wizard], Cybill Shepherd [Betsy]

Plot
Travis Bickle is a former Marine who lives in New York City. Finding a job as a nighttime cab driver, he goes everywhere in the city. He is disgusted with all the pimps, prostitutes, and drug dealers of the city. However, it is more that he is lonely. He has no friends and spends his free time either at the adult theaters or at home. When he meets political volunteer Betsy, he falls for her. However, a terrible first date leads Travis to lose her. As Travis draws deeper into both depression and insanity, he meets Iris, a 12-year old runaway who has become a child prostitute. He decides to help her at any cost, thus showing his personality as a lonely man who is tired of the "garbage" of New York City.

Review
Over the past few decades, Martin Scorsese and Robert DeNiro have been one of the most prolific director-actor teams in Hollywood. After their first collaboration MEAN STREETS (1974), the pair returns in what is hailed as a classic film.

DeNiro gives out of his greatest performances as an ex-military man who moonlights as a taxi driver. The reason is because he is both bored and lonely. Set in New York City (and shot on location), DeNiro's Bickle is someone who hates all of the "garbage" of New York City yet he spends time at the adult movie theaters when he is not at work. While this may be seen as a hypocrisy, it is more that Bickle is so lonely that his mind isn't set right. Thus, it is Bickle's slow departure into violent tendencies that drives the film as a whole all because of his loneliness.

He does find a potential love interest in Betsy, a volunteer campaign manager, played well by Cybill Shepherd. However, he has more of a dark style of approaching her, first by stalking her at work. He finally does make his way to ask her out and while their coffee date goes well, their actual first date is a disaster. Why? Because Travis takes Betsy to a (you guessed it) porno movie. At first, he doesn't seem to let go, but finally snaps when he confronts her at work. This shows that Travis, just for the slightest while, seemed happy, until the porno movie bit sends him back to square one.

In comes Jodie Foster's Iris, who ultimately becomes the catalyst for Travis' breaking point. Learning about her past and as to why she has become a child prostitute makes him finally snap. He offers to help her and while she doesn't believe, he ultimately risks his life to save someone and perhaps, save himself from the loneliness that has taken over his life. It is as if Travis wants to act like either a father figure or "big brother" to Iris because he doesn't really have anyone to rely on. Even hanging out with his fellow cabbies on break doesn't really help him throughout the course of the film as he sits there while Wizard (Peter Boyle) tells some stories about his work.

TAXI DRIVER is truly a great film that combines a great storyline about one man's loneliness and doing what it takes to break it, all complemented with one of Robert DeNiro's most exciting performances.

AlbertV's Rating: A+

REVIEW: Coffy (1973)

2011-04-06T15:44:00.001-04:00

1973, American International Pictures

Director:
Jack Hill
Producer:
Robert A. Papazian
Writer:
Jack Hill

Cast:
Pam Grier [Coffy], Booker Bradshaw [Howard Brunswick], Robert DoQui [King George], William Elliott [Carter], Allan Arbus [Arturo Visconti], Sid Haig [Omar], Barry Cahill [McHenry]

Plot:
Coffy works in the daytime as a nurse. However, she is on a personal quest of vengeance. Her younger sister had been forced to take drugs and as a result, she is a patient at the hospital. Coffy poses as a local hooker who picks up drug dealers and then goes after them. With help from aspiring politician Howard, Coffy gets more information on two of the top drug dealers of the city, King George and Arturo Visconti. She decides to start a war by playing both sides of the equation against each other. However, Coffy soon realizes that there is more than there seems to be.

Review:
Writer/director Jack Hill teams up with one of his discoveries, Pam Grier, in this classic Blaxploitation action film. As the titular character, Grier delves as perhaps the prototype for films like LA FEMME NIKITA (1990) and NAKED KILLER (1992). While the more recent films depict the sexuality in terms of its use in the assassin world, Grier uses her sexuality here to start a war between drug dealers all in the name of revenge. However, unlike the assassins of today, Coffy is a everywoman with a regular job, in this case, a nurse.

The film has the central theme of revenge as she goes after the dealers for her little sister, who has been victimized by drugs. While the drug dealer who was responsible for her sister’s undoing is never revealed, Coffy is a one-woman army against all the drug dealers. In the first ten minutes, she blows a dealer’s head off with a shotgun with the embers still flying into the dealer’s afro. In the spirit of the 1966 spaghetti western DJANGO, Coffy learns of the two biggest drug dealers and decides to play them against each other. To show the racism of one of the drug dealers, he has his ally/nemesis killed in a way that was done in the days of history.

The film offers an interesting twist at the end and it is this film’s success that Hill originally wanted a sequel. The movie would have been called BURN, COFFY, BURN. However, the film’s production company opted not to do a sequel. However, Hill prompted to make a new action film with Pam Grier with practically the same premise. That film would be the more popular FOXY BROWN, released nine months after this film was released.

COFFY truly is a great film. While the typical plot themes of Blaxploitation are there, one can’t help but see Pam Grier blow someone’s head off (both yes and no pun intended) all in the name of revenge.

AlbertV’s Rating: B+

REVIEW: Cooley High (1975)

2011-04-06T14:28:00.002-04:00

1975, American International Pictures

Director:
Michael Schultz
Producer:
Steve Krantz
Writer:
Eric Monte

Cast:
Glynn Turman [Preach], Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs [Cochise], Garrett Morris [Mr. Mason], Cynthia Davis [Brenda], Corin Rogers [Pooter], Sherman Smith [Stone], Norman Gibson [Robert], Maurice Leon Havis [Willie], Joseph Carter Wilson [Tyrone]

Plot:
The year is 1964. At Chicago’s Cooley High, best friends Preach and Cochise spend their time going to parties, getting with women, and enjoying life in the city. While Preach aspires to go to Hollywood to become a writer, Cochise hopes to earn a scholarship for college. As these two friends are determined to live their dreams, an innocent joyride with local hoods Stone and Robert turns into a wild chase with police. When the four guys are eventually arrested, Preach and Cochise are released. The release could jeopardize the dreams of the two best friends as Stone and Robert seek revenge.

Review:
One can only wonder why this film falls in the “Blaxploitation” genre, because from its thematic elements, it is more of an anti-blaxploitation film. However, despite the genre mix-up, this is truly a great film that revolves around the friendship of lead characters Preach and Cochise. The duo are well-played respectively by Glynn Turman and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs. While the first half consists mostly of hijinks between them and their group of friends, the second half takes quite a turn more into the seriousness of the film.

What is great that aside from the hijinks, the two friends have that “opposites attract” quality. Preach dreams of being a famous writer in Hollywood yet he is struggling in school. That is, only because he skips history class to go on “field trips” all over the city. As for Cochise, he is truly the ladies’ man of the group, always looking to “score” wherever he goes. The only notable member of the group worth mentioning here is Pooter, the butt of the jokes. He somehow manages to get himself in the wrong place and the wrong time. This is noticeable when the gang goes to a showing of a Godzilla movie, which escalates into a riot between gangs.

Screenwriter Eric Monte based the film on actual experiences of his life living in Chicago at the time the film was set. The film is driven by the music of Motown, featuring the likes of Smokey Robinson and the Supremes. The central theme “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” (immortalized nearly 20 years later by R&B group Boyz II Men) depicts the second half of the film as the two friends’ dreams are jeopardized by what they originally thought was a simple joyride.

The film was the inspiration for the hit 1970’s television series WHAT’S HAPPENING? This comes in the form of Preach, who was the basis for series character Roger “Raj” Thomas. Like Preach, Raj wants to be a famous writer, always getting into trouble, and even has a mother who uses a belt for discipline. Ernest Thomas truly made for the television equivalent of Glynn Turman. One only wonders had Turman starred as Raj how the series would have ended up.

In any aspect, COOLEY HIGH is truly a great film about a friendship that conquers all barriers, even one that has the potential to become tragic. A great performance, script, and soundtrack make this one of the best entries in the blaxploitation genre…or should we refer to it as the “anti-blaxploitation” film.

AlbertV’s Rating: A+

REVIEW: Hell Up in Harlem (1973)

2011-04-05T17:55:00.004-04:00

AKA: Black Caesar 2
1973, American International Pictures

Director:
Larry Cohen
Producer:
Larry Cohen
Writer:
Larry Cohen

Cast:
Fred Williamson [Tommy Gibbs], Julius W. Harris [Papa Gibbs], Gloria Hendry [Helen], Margaret Avery [Sister Jennifer], D’Urville Martin [Reverend Rufus], Tony King [Zach], Gerald Gordon [DiAngelo]

Plot:
Surviving an assassination attempt, “Black Caesar” Tommy Gibbs has found a ledger with the names of all corrupt politicians and policeman in New York City. Awaiting trial with his father, Gibbs uses the ledger to get acquitted through the help of dirty District Attorney DiAngelo. As much as DiAngelo is not thrilled with his dirty work being found out, he has no other choice. Meanwhile, Tommy’s personal life goes bad when he leaves longtime love Helen and forces her to give him their two children. He finds love again with Sister Jennifer, who is in the church with Gibbs’ former friend turned priest Reverend Rufus. Deciding to go straight once and for all, Tommy leaves the “business” to his father. However, when Gibbs enforcer Zach betrays the family for DiAngelo, Tommy finds there is no other way out of the gangster lifestyle but to fight back hard.

Review:
With the success of the theatrical release of BLACK CAESAR in early 1973, Larry Cohen was pressured to make a direct sequel and it seems rushed at times. There is good reason why the film may have that rushed feel to the film. The film was only shot on weekends because both Cohen and lead actor Fred Williamson were working on other films during the week. However, despite the flaw of the rush, this is still a pretty fun sequel.

The film depicts Tommy still as the big man in Harlem but now he has become the ultimate target as he has possession of a ledger with all the dirty cops and government officials working for the Mob. Throughout the course of the film, Tommy goes from being his usual “Black Caesar” mob type to eventual softie to a more avenging angel of sorts. While it may seem quite odd that this would occur, Williamson makes the best of what he had to work within a short amount of time.

The supporting cast goes through some changes themselves. Originally a supporting cast member in the original, the late Julius Harris plays a major role as the heir apparent to his son’s organization. Interestingly enough, it surely reverses the traditional “father to son” approach of gangsters of the film and rather becomes “son to father”.

Meanwhile, Gloria Hendry goes from main love interest in the original to a more extended cameo as a woman whose heart is truly broken and despite their love being broken, Tommy sees Hendry’s Helen as someone he cares about deep down and tries to protect her. Eventually, Tommy finds love in aspiring nun Sister Jennifer, played by Margaret Avery. His love for her prompts him to do the right thing for once and perhaps make a major change in his life.

However, with all gangsters, once you are in the organization, it is not easy to just get out. This bodes for Tommy as well as he may have the brains of the operation but the firepower is a different story. What may be of interest here is that while there is a lot of firepower, there is actually a scene where Williamson gets to do martial arts. During the first half of the film, he crashes a mob party in Florida and fights a woman in a bikini who is a martial artist. Williamson actually throws a nice jumping roundhouse kick in the film.

Despite the rushed feel, HELL UP IN HARLEM is quite a fun sequel to BLACK CAESAR. While one will always wonder what if there was more time to do the film, for what it was, it has its bad moments. However, overall, who wouldn’t want to see Fred Williamson return as Tommy Gibbs?

AlbertV’s Rating: B

REVIEW: Black Caesar (1973)

2011-04-05T17:53:00.006-04:00

AKA: The Godfather of Harlem
1973, American International Pictures

Director:
Larry Cohen
Producer:
Larry Cohen
Writer:
Larry Cohen

Cast:
Fred Williamson [Tommy Gibbs], Gloria Hendry [Helen], Art Lund [McKinney], D’Urville Martin [Reverend Rufus], Julius W. Harris [Papa Gibbs], Minnie Gentry [Mama Gibbs], Philip Roye [Joe Washington], William Wellman Jr. [Alfred Coleman]

Plot:
Tommy Gibbs, a young man raised in the urban streets of Harlem, has always wanted to be more than average. When during his childhood, a dirty cop breaks his leg. Tommy begins a long quest for revenge. To achieve this, he takes a job as a freelance assassin to gain the attention of the Mafia. When he successfully makes the hit, he becomes accepted as a gangster. As he becomes a major figure in the criminal society, he begins to earn more power and fame by initiating a gang war in Harlem.

Review:
Filmmaker Larry Cohen took elements from some of the top films in the classic gangster genre and made one of the most famous films in the blaxploitation genre. In doing so, he made a sure fire lead in former football player Fred Williamson, who gives his career defining performance as the titular “Black Caesar”, Tommy Gibbs. From the opening of the film, it can be seen as a character study of someone who wants to make it big and does whatever it takes despite the consequences.

The film is driven by the soundtrack by James Brown. Brown uses his soul and funky riffs to help describe Tommy’s rise as a gangster in Harlem. While there is the racial tension that defines the genre, Tommy not only deals with a gang war but also deals with political corruption as a motive of revenge for his maiming as a kid. The theme of political corruption goes from minor to major theme plot for the film’s sequel, HELL UP IN HARLEM (1973).

Williamson has great support in the film. From Gloria Hendry as his love interest to the late great Julius Harris as his father, they help drive Williamson’s performance and they too return for the sequel. Speaking of the sequel, it almost didn’t happen. This all came about when Larry Cohen had shot an original ending of the film only to get bad rave in its initial screenings. Cohen clipped the original ending and released the film in 1973 with a new ending. However, when the film was released on VHS and DVD in 2001 by MGM, the original ending Cohen had shot is intact.

Nevertheless, the theatrical release became a set-up for HELL UP IN HARLEM.
Fred Williamson truly made this film for what it is. The former football great truly brings out a worthy dramatic performance that could nearly rank up there with the likes of classic gangster film figures such as James Cagney and Edward G. Robinson. If you are in the mood or want to be introduced to blaxploitation, look no further than BLACK CAESAR.

AlbertV’s Rating: A

REVIEW: Foxy Brown (1974)

2011-04-04T15:13:00.003-04:00

1974, American International Pictures

Director:
Jack Hill
Producer:
Buzz Feitshans
Writer:
Jack Hill

Cast:
Pam Grier [Foxy Brown], Antonio Fargas [Link Brown], Peter Brown [Steve Elias], Terry Carter [Michael Anderson], Kathryn Loder [Katherine Wolf], Harry Holcombe [Judge Fenton], Sid Haig [Hays]

Plot:
Foxy Brown has finally found her true love in undercover narcotics agent Michael Anderson. Michael has just had reconstructive surgery after working on one of his most important cases. However, when Michael’s cover is blown, he is viciously murdered by a drug pushing/prostitution ring run by couple Steve and Katherine. In an attempt to avenge Michael, Foxy disguises herself as a hooker. Reluctantly, Foxy’s brother Link is forced into helping her. However, to ensure that Foxy will get payback, she gets help from a reliable group of revolutionaries.

Review:
After one of her biggest action turns in 1973’s COFFY, Blaxploitation queen Pam Grier was ready to tackle the role again in what was originally a sequel entitled BURN, COFFY, BURN. However, when the production company decided to pass on a sequel, writer/director Jack Hill crafted this film which is virtually a grittier remake of COFFY. The difference between this and COFFY is that the viewer doesn’t know what Foxy does for a living. This was a direct result of Hill having to re-write the COFFY sequel as the film which is reviewed here.

Grier once again shines on the screen, combining her sensuality with her butt-kicking side. Like COFFY, Grier’s character is motivated by revenge. In this case, she is avenging the death of her boyfriend. It may seem somewhat typical these days, but in 1974, this was a trend that dominated most action films. Using her looks to pose as a hooker, Foxy does what she can to bust the crime syndicate down in typical and at times, very violent fashion.

The great Antonio Fargas gives great support as Foxy’s troublesome brother Link. Link is seen as a playboy and constant troublemaker. However, when needed, he pulls through to help big sister out. As with many blaxploitation films, the villains are primarily white and in this case, they come in the form of a couple who run a syndicate that combines prostitution and drug running. In a cameo appearance, a far cry from his badass henchman in COFFY, Sid Haig provides unwitting help as helicopter pilot Hays.

The film will truly be known for three things: Pam Grier of course, the soundtrack by Willie Hutch, and one of the most insane climatic moments in action film history. Let us put it this way. One will never think of “pickle jars” the same way ever again after seeing this film.

FOXY BROWN is truly one of the gems of the blaxploitation genre. While it was originally conceived as a sequel to COFFY, Pam Grier correctly gained even more popularity with this film.

AlbertV’s Rating: A

REVIEW: Bucktown (1975)

2011-04-04T15:10:00.006-04:00

AKA: Bucktown, USA
1975, Plitt Theatres/American International Pictures

Director:
Arthur Marks
Producer:
Bernard Schwartz
Writer:
Bob Ellison

Cast:
Fred Williamson [Duke Johnson], Pam Grier [Aretha], Thalmus Rasulala [Roy], Tony King [T.J.], Bernie Hamilton [Harley], Art Lund [Chief Patterson], Tierre Turner [Stevie], Carl Weathers [Hambone], Morgan Upton [Sam], Jim Bohan [Clete], Robert Burton [Merle], Gene Simms [Josh]

Plot:
Duke Johnson comes to the small town of Bucktown to bury his late brother Ben. When he is forced to stay 60 days to close his brother’s estate, he is given a chance to open his brother’s club, the Club Alabam. With the help of Ben’s friends Harley and Aretha, Duke begins to succeed. That is, until he learns that the Bucktown cops, led by Chief Patterson, are the ones responsible for Ben’s death. Duke, who is also pushed by the cops for protection money, calls up old friend Roy. Roy arrives with T.J., Josh, and Hambone. Together, the group gets rid of the police. It only becomes the beginning as Roy decides he sees money in Bucktown. Deciding to stay, he enlists his cronies as the new police force and soon, best friends Roy and Duke become sworn enemies.

Review:
In what could be a bold move on the part of director Arthur Marks, he teamed up two of the biggest names in the blaxploitation genre, Fred Williamson and Pam Grier. Williamson truly makes this film his show as Duke, a man who is driven by revenge for the death of his brother. However, as the film progresses, it is clear that once he upholds that mission, there is more to handle when his one-time best friend decides to take over the small town himself.

Duke is truly a changed man throughout the course of the film. He goes from being a city slicker who only planned to stay in the town for a few days to one who ends up doing what it takes to protect the town. Perhaps it is the motivation of both his brother’s death and his eventual love for Aretha, the young woman who was friends with Duke’s brother who is the key to knowing the truth behind his brother’s death.

While most blaxploitation films seem to have revenge at its central theme, screenwriter Bob Ellison did the impossible and made the revenge theme only the first half of the plot. Instead, Ellison focuses on the classic “friend turned enemy” theme with Thalmus Rasulala’s Roy coming in to help Duke in his mission of vengeance only to turn villain when he decides he wants to take over the town. He gets help in the form of T.J., played by Tony King (HELL UP IN HARLEM); Josh, played by Gene Simms; and a pre-ROCKY Carl Weathers as Hambone.

Back to the character of Aretha, who becomes Duke’s love interest in the film. While the ever-popular Pam Grier is best known for kicking butt in COFFY (1973) and FOXY BROWN (1974), she acts more like a cross between a strong woman and a damsel-in-distress type. Suffice to say, those expecting Grier to be doing any butt kicking here will be totally disappointed. The film is truly Fred Williamson’s show and while it would have been great to see a butt-kicking couple, we are sadly not given that option.

Nevertheless, BUCKTOWN is truly a great example of Blaxploitation. It may not have been as popular as previous films by either Williamson or Grier. The clichés of the genre are there yet the second half of the film proves to have quite a nice breakaway from the usual thematic plot of revenge.

AlbertV’s Rating: B+

An Introduction to "Blaxploitation"

2011-04-04T14:54:00.003-04:00

To commemorate Blaxploitation Month, this is for fans who are interested in the genre known as "Blaxploitation". I have compiled this FAQ of sorts on the genre.

What is “Blaxploitation”?
The term “blaxploitation” refers to cinema in the 1970’s where African-American actors starred in generally action films that were lower in budget than most films. The term was coined by Junius Griffin, a former film publicist who later ran the NAACP in Los Angeles. However, while action was the main genre of “blaxploitation”, it went beyond just action films that usually involved a motive of revenge. Comedies and horror films would further solidify the genre, showcasing a talent of well-known stars that would become one with the genre.

What film is considered the first “blaxploitation” film?
This is one question that has been in debate for many years and still is. Some credit Melvin Van Peebles’ SWEET SWEETBACK’S BAADASSSSS SONG (1971) as the first of the genre. Others credit Gordon Parks Jr’s detective drama SHAFT (1971) as the pioneer of “blaxploitation”. In essence, if one were to argue that they were released in the same year, then it could be said that both films could be the pioneering films of the genre.

What is expected in a “blaxploitation” film?
A majority of the films are set in the urban areas of big cities, mainly the ghettos, for one. Furthermore, the Caucasian race is seen more as inferior villains when it comes to action films. Don’t fret. They were usually depicted as corrupt policemen or politicians, drug pushers, and in some cases, prostitutes. This also stands out for African-Americans who were depicted as the aforementioned while the heroes were usually either cops or everyday people hoping to make a change. Expect words that pretty much can be described as racial slurs towards either African-Americans or in some cases Caucasians. One thing that stands out in these films is the soundtrack, usually featuring jazz, funk, or Motown-inspired music.

Are there any big names in the genre that one should know about?
Without a doubt, and we’re not just talking actors. Filmmakers themselves have been one with the genre and their films are worth getting, starring the big actors of the genre. The following is a list of actors and filmmakers noteworthy of making the genre one of the most popular in the 1970’s:
Actors
Jim Brown
Tamara Dobson
Pam Grier
Gloria Hendry
Jim Kelly
William Marshall
Rudy Ray Moore
Ron O’Neal
Richard Roundtree
Fred Williamson

Filmmakers
Larry Cohen
Jamaa Fanaka
Jack Hill
D’Urville Martin
Gordon Parks Jr.
Larry Spangler
Melvin Van Peebles

Is there any material one can find with information on “blaxploitation”?
There is some great material that have some riveting information on the genre. A book that is highly recommended is entitled Reflections on Blaxploitation by David Walker, Andrew J. Rausch, and Chris Watson. The book features interviews with some of the big names listed in the table as well as others. Here is the information to find this book:
Walker, David, et.al. Reflections on Blaxploitation. Lanham, MD: The Scarecrow Press, 2009. ISBN: 0-8106-7060.

A documentary by director Isaac Julien entitled Baadassss Cinema is definitely worth checking out as well. The 56-minute documentary features interviews with Pam Grier, Richard Roundtree, Melvin Van Peebles, as well as film fan turned director Quentin Tarentino to name a few. It is available on DVD.

One can even check out the website http://www.blaxploitation.com for information on the genre as well as http://www.blaxploitationpride.org. There is another site to check out, http://www.blackflix.com/blaxploitation/blaxploitation.html

Image from Black Caesar (Larry Cohen, 1973), courtesy of MGM/American International Pictures

APRIL IS BLAXPLOITATION MONTH!

2011-03-29T15:22:00.001-04:00

All the posts in April for this blog will be reviews and thoughts on the world of 70's black exploitation cinema, or as it is known to be called, blaxploitation.

This is truly one of my favorite genres of films and this blog will celebrate the cinema in the month of April.

REVIEW: Bio-Zombie (1998)

2011-02-22T20:51:00.004-05:00

A very witty remake or perhaps homage to George Romero's classic DAWN OF THE DEAD (1978), Wilson Yip's Hong Kong zombie tale is nothing too exciting. However, the performances of lead actors Jordan Chan and Sam Lee make this quite a fun film to enjoy.

Chan and Lee respectively play Woody Invincible and Crazy Bee, two salesman at the local mall. Their goods? Pirated videos. Meanwhile, Woody has a infatuation with local beauty salon worker Rolls (Angela Tong), who in turn strings along her friend Loi (Emotion Cheung), the local sushi maker at the Japanese restaurant. Woody and Bee work for Kui (Wayne Lai), a local hoodlum who only wants one thing: money.

Meanwhile, while everyone is working the mall, the government is working on a new biochemical. When a new biochemical agent is poured into a bottle of Lucozade as a cover for a weapons dealer, a man testing the agent slowly turns into a zombie and kills the weapons dealer. Meanwhile, a survivor of the attack takes the bottle and is picked up by Woody and Bee. When they accidentally knock him over, they give him the spiked drink and now the survivor becomes a zombie.

As the zombie begins his rampage at the mall, Loi becomes one of the victims as he slowly becomes to crave flesh. It is not long before a zombie horde invade the mall. Woody and Bee must lead the survivors first to hide, but ultimately if they plan to get out of the mall, they must fight the zombie horde themselves.

While this film may not be well known outside of its native Hong Kong (with the exception of HK cinema fans), this is truly a nicely shot homage to DAWN OF THE DEAD. What is interesting is the opening credit sequence, which is shot on what looks to be a video, perhaps indicating how piracy relates to the plot. It comes in the form of the heroes being of all people, video pirates.

Jordan Chan and Sam Lee are great in their roles of Woody and Bee. Those who love YOUNG AND DANGEROUS (1996) will get to know that Chan played Chicken in the actual films while Lee played Chicken in the prequel. They make a great pairing here as they find themselves in the first half of the film doing business and in the case of Chan, making an attempt to have a love interest in Angela Tong's Rolls. Lee gets a love interest in the other weird-named salon worker Jelly, played by Lai Suk-Yin. Wayne Lai always tends to act mainly as a comic foil and here proves no different. While he starts off all big and bad as Brother Kui, Woody and Bee's boss, he eventually downsizes to wussy galore when he is chased by the zombies.

A great highlight is the climatic battle of the film, pitting Woody, Bee, Rolls, Jelly, Brother Kui and his wife against the zombie horde. As Woody tells the others to get any weapon, the characters pose as if they are in a video game. The funny one is Kui, who poses by squatting with a scared look on his face.

The effects of the film are not like that of the European giallo films or the American over the top gorefests of late. They are however, nicely done and in the instances of the zombies, pay some respect to Romero. Adam Chan, a veteran stunt coordinator, handled the action pretty well here. While there are obviously no fancy martial arts here, for what it was, the violence is brutal and at times, cringing.

BIO ZOMBIE is a great Hong Kong zombie fest. If you're in the mood to watch a fun film on a Saturday night with your friends, pop this one in the DVD player. All this from the director of Donnie Yen's recent action film fests.

AlbertV's Rating: B+

Run time: 97 minutes
Rated II-B for graphic violence and langugage.
Distributed by Mei Ah (HK) Entertainment

Directed by Wilson Yip. Produced by Joe Ma. Written by So Man-Sing, Wilson Yip, and Matt Chow. Starring Jordan Chan, Sam Lee, Angela Tong, Wayne Lai, Lai Suk-Yin, Emotion Cheung, Matt Chow, Ken Lok, Ronny Ching.

REVIEW: The Untold Story (1993)

2011-02-22T19:51:00.008-05:00

One of the most talked about films in Hong Kong cinematic history, this very disturbing film would become the breakthrough film for veteran actor Anthony Wong. Wong's performance drives this very sick film and it would earn him (rightfully) the Best Actor Award at the 1993 Hong Kong Film Awards.

Wong plays Wong Chi-Hang, the owner of the Eight Immortals Restaurant in Macau. Business has been booming under Wong's ownership. However, one wonders what has happened to the original owner of the place, Cheng Lam (Lau Siu-Ming). When a mother and her two children find dismembered arms on the beach, the Macau police, led by Officer Lee (Danny Lee) investigates.

The arms belonged to the mother-in-law of Cheng Lam and Wong is asked about Cheng Lam. Wong claims Cheng sold him the restaurant and left. However, letters from Cheng's family in the Mainland begin to arrive. Meanwhile, when a new hire sees Wong cheat at mahjong, he confronts Wong. Wong becomes unstable and kills the new hire. Realizing that he cannot move the corpse, he comes up with an idea. He chops up the body and uses the flesh for his meat buns.

As the police continue their investigation, Wong's other hire Pearl (Julie Lee) gets suspicious of Wong, especially after constantly receiving the letters from Cheng's family. When Wong suspects she has told the police something, he rapes and ultimately kills her as well. The police however, ultimately connect Wong to the dismembered arms and have him arrested.

When Wong is sent to prison, he attempts suicide after receiving a vicious beating from Cheng's brother Poon (Shing Fui-On). At the hospital, a failed attempt at escape force the police to take drastic measures in order for Wong to confess.

Rated Category-III (Hong Kong's version of the NC-17 rating), this is truly one of the most disturbing films to come out of the Jade Screens. Director Herman Yau has crafted his tour-de-force with this visionary tale of a psychotic madman's downhill spiral and his efforts to not be judged in any way, even though the audience knows what a psychopath this man was. The film was based on a 1986 Macau case of the real Wong Chi-Hang.

Anthony Wong delivers a top-notch performance as the insane Wong. He plays him as a man who felt he has been cheated out of the world. He feels somewhat omnipotent to himself as he must kill in order to make things right in his own sadistic world. The film delves into something similar to THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (1974) only here, the violence is more graphic than its cannibalistic counterpart. The disturbing piece de resistance is a flashback where we learn what really happened to Cheng Lam. It is both sad and disturbing in all sides of the table.

To make the film more entertaining in a way is a break from the madness. To achieve this, the film makes the Macau cops a group of chauvinists who ogle the hookers that lead Detective Lee is always carousing. In practically every scene, Danny Lee's veteran cop is seen with a hooker on his arm. His group has one female, Bo, played well by Emily Kwan. Bo is ridiculed for her petite frame and is always coerced into doing more on the job by her fellow cops. However, she takes the reigns dutifully when it comes to solving the crime.

If you are disturbed by the likes of SAW (2004) and HOSTEL (2005), then you will truly be grossed-out with THE UNTOLD STORY. The film is shocking and definitely should be viewed in the daytime. If you have a weak stomach or heart, it is highly recommended that you DO NOT EVER see this movie!

AlbertV's Rating: A

Run time: 98 minutes
Rated Category III for graphic violence, language, and rape.
Distributed by Tai Seng Home Video

Directed by Herman Yau. Produced by Danny Lee. Written by Lam Gam-Fai and Lau Wing-Kin. Starring Anthony Wong, Danny Lee, Emily Kwan, Lau Siu-Ming, Shing Fui-On, Eric Kei, Lam King-Kong, Parkman Wong, Julie Lee.

DOUBLE DHOOM! BOLLYWOOD ACTION AT ITS FINEST

2011-01-08T11:28:00.003-05:00

Time to kick off 2011 with a double blast, or rather, double DHOOM. Bollywood cinema has been around for many years. In 2004, producer Yash Chopra unleashed DHOOM, which can be best described as a cross of LETHAL WEAPON (1987) and THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS (2000).

A motorcycle gang, led by the cool-headed Kabir (John Abraham), has been wreaking havoc all over Mumbai. They have been robbing banks and armored trucks. In charge of the investigation is ACP Jai Dixit (Abhishek Bachchan). Jai is a no-nonsense workaholic who gets called in at the wrong time, at times frustrating his wife (Rimii). When Mrs. Dixit accidentally knocks down motorcycle racer and mechanic Ali (Uday Chopra), Jai is surprised to find Ali at his house. However, when Jai learns about Ali’s job, he decides to take him under investigation.

When Jai learns Ali is not part of the gang, he decides to use Ali as a potential mole. However, the two are complete opposites. Ali is more carefree and hoping to find love because of his late mother. Jai, on the other hand, is by the book and expects only perfect results. During a stakeout of the next location, Ali meets Sheena (Esha Deol), a young spirited singer whose car breaks down.

When Kabir informs Jai that he will directly steal in front of him, he makes a deal that if Jai doesn’t stop him, he will drop the case. When the robbers steal from a charity event, Jai decides to drop the case after taking down one of the robbers. Kabir, impressed with Ali’s skills, invites him to join the gang for final theft: a New Year’s party at a hotel holding 180 million dollars. When Jai arrives at the party, will he have a chance at redemption when he learns Kabir and crew are disguised as hotel workers?

A welcome cross between LETHAL WEAPON and THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS with the trademark Bollywood dance numbers, the original film is truly a fun film to watch. Clocking in at 123 minutes, what drives the film is the mismatched pairing of tough cop Jai Dixit, played with no-nonsense by 2nd generation icon Abhishek Bachchan, and motorcycle racer/mechanic Ali, played by Uday Chopra (the son of the film’s producer Yash Chopra). The mismatched pairing is in terms of character and not on screen chemistry, which works perfectly well here for a buddy action film. Bachchan brings it action style while Chopra is truly the comic relief of the film.

John Abraham nearly steals the film as the cool villain Kabir. In his performance, Abraham exhumes charisma and coolness to the role. He is truly a leader type who will not let anything get in his way or have anyone ruin any chances of him getting caught. In a scene that may remind viewers of Martin Scorsese’s GOODFELLAS (1990), one of the gang members buys a new car with the money he stole. Kabir, unhappy with what the guy has done, drives the car off a cliff. Where Robert DeNiro’s Jimmy tells the goons to leave and return their goods, Kabir takes the easy route and crashes the car.

Of course with most Bollywood films, there has to be eye candy for the boys. In this case, Esha Deol and Rimii are that, playing the exuberant Sheena and Mrs. Dixit respectively. Sheena is someone who catches the eyes of Ali only to learn she has a dark secret while Mrs. Dixit isn’t too happy with her husband being more of a workaholic.

The action sequences are done quite well under the supervisor of Allan Amin. Amin is perhaps to India to Yuen Woo-Ping and Ching Siu-Tung in Hong Kong. He is a legend in the Bollywood stunt industry who likes influences from other areas. Here, he picks Hong Kong in one scene where Jai and Kabir fight atop of a moving truck. The motorcycle stunts are well done with not only the robbery but the racing scenes that introduce Ali are a delight to watch.

With the success of DHOOM, a sequel was commissioned and the result? More international flavor and a more star studded cast, DHOOM 2: BACK IN ACTION is the rarity that a sequel outdoes the original film. With Bachchan and Chopra back as Jai and Ali, the film’s star power is highlighted by the casting of Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (Abhishek’s wife and international superstar).

This time, Jai and Ali, the latter now a police officer as well, are hired to track down an international thief only known as “Mr. A” (Hrithik Roshan). The mysterious thief is a master of disguise who loves stealing rare artifacts from all over the world. With Mumbai his next stop, Jai and Ali are working with ACP Sonali Base (Bipashu Basu), who was a friend of Jai’s from their college days. Despite the objections of Mrs. Dixit (Rimii) and the jealousy of Ali, Jai and Sonali tend to act a little closer when they work on the case together.

However, when Mr. A goes into disguise and makes his presence known, he finds himself outdone by a shadow pretending to be him. That person is Sonehri (Aishwarya Rai), who wishes to learn from Mr. A the art of stealing. At first reluctant, Mr. A eventually takes her in as a shadow/partner. However, what he doesn’t realize is that Sonehri is actually a mole planted by Jai to track him down. What Jai doesn’t realize is that as they are working hard, Sonehri and Mr. A, whose real name is Aryan Singh, begin to fall in love.

When the duo head for Brazil for a big robbery, Jai and Ali are commissioned to head there to stop Mr. A. They are joined by Sonali’s twin sister Monali (Bipashu Basu). Unlike her police officer sister, Monali slowly begins to be attracted to Ali. Ali, in turn, falls for Monali and tells Jai that he will leave the force so he can be with Monali. Will the partnership end and will Jai be able to stop Mr. A? Or will things be more complicated as they seem?

Clocking in at a whopping 153 minutes, this sequel is one of the best Bollywood action comedies to hit. Once again, Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra bring their respective complimentary styles of hard action and comic relief as mismatched partners Jai and Ali. Ali is now a police officer who has botched up his parts of missions resulting in Jai always having to save him. Ali’s comic flair is kicked up a notch when it comes to him having eyes for not one, but two women who happen to be twin sisters.

However, the true highlight of the film is the scene stealer of the film, top billed Hrithik Roshan. As the mysterious “Mr. A”, Roshan opens the film with a robbery and a stunt filled scene reminiscent of perhaps James Bond. Using a snowboard as a shield against a queen’s bodyguards, he even goes as far as rides on the sands of the Namibian desert on said snowboard. Not only does Roshan perform some excellent action, but his dancing skills are truly done well too with his fast paced style in the musical numbers. Roshan truly deserved the top billing for this film as he plays the villain with flair, charisma, and charm.

Add to the mix Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as the mysterious Sonehri, who is Jai’s mole into trapping Mr. A. She is a once problematic woman who offered to help Jai in exchange for no jail time. Her chemistry may not work well with her real life husband here, but her chemistry with Roshan exhumes sexuality that only Bollywood could bring. This is mostly notable in a rain-filled basketball game between the two aspiring villains, which consists of close up romance shots and very super slow motion that works for this brand of film, as if we are watching a music video or something one would see in later films like YOU GOT SERVED (2007) and STEP UP 2 THE STREETS (2008).

Not only is the music and characters amped up, but the action as well. While Allan Amin returns to the helm as action choreographer, he collaborates with a legend in the stunt industry. The legend comes in the form of British stuntmaster Vic Armstrong. Armstrong, a veteran who has worked in films like the INDIANA JONES films, the JAMES BOND films, and SUPERMAN (1978),brings his experience to the mix and helps Amin deliver some great stunts, including the aforementioned opener plus Jai’s intro scene, where he shoots at thugs while midair on a jet ski. Armstrong’s influence is clearly seen in the film and helps drive the film as a whole.

If you are looking for recommendations of Bollywood films, it is safe to put DHOOM and DHOOM 2: BACK IN ACTION at perhaps the top of your list. A combination of solid action, comic flair, musical numbers, and a powerful cast make these two films worthy of viewing.

AlbertV’s Ratings:
DHOOM: A
DHOOM 2: Back in Action: A+

DHOOM (2004, 123 minutes, Yash Raj Films): Directed by Sanjay Gadhvi. Produced by Aditya Chopra. Written by Vijay Krishna Acharya. Cinematography by Nirav Shah. Edited by Rameshwar S. Bhagat. Action directed by Allan Amin. Dance choreography by Vaibhavi Merchant, Remo, and Ashley Lobo. Starring Abhishek Bachchan, Uday Chopra, John Abraham, Esha Deol, Rimii.

DHOOM 2: BACK IN ACTION (2006, 153 minutes, Yash Raj Films): Produced by Aditya Chopra. Written by Vijay Krishna Acharya, with story by Aditya Chopra. Cinematography by Vikas Sivaraman and Nirav Shah. Edited by Rameshwar S. Bhagat. Action directed by Allan Amin and Vic Armstrong. Dance choreography by Vaibhavi Merchant and Shamak Darar. Starring Hrithik Roshan, Abhishek Bachchan, Uday Chopra, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Bipashu Basu, Rimii.

JOHN WATERS: KING OF BALTIMORE

2010-12-31T20:54:00.006-05:00

If the city of Baltimore were to ever become a kingdom, then filmmaker John Waters truly deserves the crown of “King of Baltimore”. Based in the capital of Maryland, Waters has been a filmmaking force for nearly four decades. He is known to many as the “King of Bad Taste”. However, he has proven he is a true auteur, with all of his films shot and set in Baltimore.

While he will be best remembered for the madness that is MULTIPLE MANIACS (1971), FEMALE TROUBLE (1974), and the notorious PINK FLAMINGOS (1972), perhaps it was the mid-1980’s where Waters made the transition film cult filmmaking icon to true Hollywood legend. This special end-of-year retrospective takes a look at three of the films that would make Waters a true Hollywood legend.

HAIRSPRAY (1988, New Line Cinema) was Waters’ take on 1962 Baltimore. Dance shows were popular amongst teens and the one that brought the “nicest kids in town” was the Corny Collins Show. Plump teen Tracy Turnblad (Ricki Lake) has had a dream to go on the show. Despite negative pressure from old school mom Edna (Waters favorite Divine, in his final film), Tracy finally lives her dream and decides to take it a step further.

At a time where Baltimore was segregated by white and black, Tracy, along with the help of her new boyfriend Link (Michael St. Gerard), best friend Penny (Leslie Ann Powers), and Penny’s crush Seaweed (Clayton Prince), she decides to do whatever it takes to make sure that Baltimore has integrated dancing. Dance show host Corny Collins (Shawn Thompson) even wants his show to be integrated, but the station manager (Divine…did I mention he had two roles? Oops.) will not allow it. Furthermore, Tracy’s arch nemesis on the dance floor, Amber Von Tussle (Colleen Fitzpatrick, later to be known as pop star Vitamin C), will do anything to make Tracy’s life hell.

This was the first breakout film for Waters to a real mainstream audience, despite the film being released by New Line Cinema, an independent label (at the time) best known for releasing horror films like the NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET series. Waters pulled out all the stops for this film, which surprisingly is his most “family-friendly” film. With Waters being the “King of Bad Taste”, what would be the inspiration for this very film?

The answer is clear and simple. In the late 50’s to early 60’s, there was a dance show out of Baltimore called THE BUDDY DEANE show, which like HAIRSPRAY, featured a committee of the most popular dancers on the show. Yes, the show was also segregated with one day a month given only to African-Americans. All of what occurred during that era is basically seen in the film, of course the only way John Waters could do it.

First, Waters breaks the stereotype of dancers and their physiques with the introduction of the film’s main protagonist, overweight teen Tracy Turnblad. Ricki Lake was perfectly cast as the young teen who was not only willing to make her dreams come true, but perhaps those of Baltimoreans who wanted equal rights. Waters brought out not one but two positive messages with his breaking the worlds of segregation and weight discriminations through the world of dancing.

Joining the young fresh cast were veterans of the entertainment industry. The late Sonny Bono and BLONDIE lead singer Debbie Harry were seen as antagonists Franklin and Velma Von Tussle, the parents of teen priss Amber. Ruth Brown played the very vocal and music lovin’ “Motormouth Maybelle”, who happens to be Seaweed’s mother. In his final film, Waters favorite Divine turned out a spectacular performance or performances as both Edna Turnblad and WZZT manager Arvin. Jerry Stiller played joke store owner Wilbur Turnblad, Tracy’s dad who couldn’t be more proud of his daughter and her amibitions.

HAIRSPRAY proved to be so popular that it would be made into a Broadway musical (with Waters’ approval) and a 2007 remake based on said musical. The remake featured John Travolta as Edna Turnblad, Michelle Pfeiffer as Velma, Christopher Walken as Wilbur, and Queen Latifah as Motormouth Maybelle. The film, like Ricki Lake in the original, introduced newcomer Nikki Blonsky in a welcome debut as the new Tracy with Amanda Bynes as Penny and Zac Efron as Link.

Following the success of HAIRSPRAY, Waters worked on his next film, a musical set in the 1950’s, where it was about social class. Instead of the separation of black and white like HAIRSPRAY, CRY BABY (1989, Universal/Imagine) would pit juvenile delinquents, the “Drapes”, against the upper class snobs, the “Squares”.

The film followed a star-crossed forbidden romance between bad boy Wade “Cry Baby” Walker (Johnny Depp) and rich girl Alison Vernon-Williams (Amy Locane). “Cry Baby” is the leader of a local group of Drapes who love to drive fast cars and play rockabilly music, while Alison lives with her grandmother (Polly Holliday) and is all about charm, beauty, and brains. When Cry Baby asks Alison to hear him sing, this draws the ire of not only her grandmother but Alison’s boyfriend Baldwin (Stephen Mailer).
Cry Baby gets the support of his gang, which include pregnant sister Pepper (Ricki Lake), Milton (Darren Burrows), Hatchet Face (Kim McGuire), and Wanda (Traci Lords).

When Cry Baby goes to the local charm school to pick up Alison, he temporarily gets the approval of her grandmother. However, Baldwin is more than angry and decides to crash the party that night after Alison and Cry Baby belt out a terrific duet.
The chaos that ensues results in the arrest and incarceration of Cry Baby. Meanwhile, Alison is given a choice to help Cry Baby or stay with the Squares and Baldwin.

Meanwhile, local bad girl Lenora (Kim Webb) attempts to make sure the romance is still done when she fakes a story saying she is having Cry Baby’s baby. When everything is finally out in the open, Alison finally makes her decision and does whatever it takes to make sure she is with the one she really loves (and we all know who that is).

What some may not know about John Waters is that he is not only a filmmaker but he is a true music aficionado. With HAIRSPRAY, he belted out the perfect music from the early 60’s, a combination of dance and R&B hits from the likes of Lesley Gore to the Five Du-Tones. With CRY BABY, lightning strikes twice as Waters this time gathered classic rockabilly hits and combined it with some original material from Dave Alvin and legendary R&B crooner Doc Pomus.

Another factor that made CRY BABY a hit film is the lead actor, Johnny Depp. Depp, fresh off his hit TV series 21 JUMP STREET and right before becoming Tim Burton’s actor of choice, gives a terrific performance as titular character Cry Baby. He brings charisma to the role of the lead Drape. While he is seen to many as a typical delinquent, he does have a heart of gold and shows it when it comes to the young Alison, played by Amy Locane. He even reveals why he must do bad things and cries a single salty tear after each action.

The music is truly a delight and while Depp can really sing, he does not sing in this film. None of the cast sing and are dubbed. However, their lip-synching is truly well done and the songs drive the film. James Intveld provided Cry Baby’s singing voice while Waters veteran Rachel Sweet (who sang the theme song to HAIRSPRAY) provided Alison’s singing voice. The chemistry not only is well done in the acting, but in the music as well between the star crossed lovers.

For Waters’ next film, he paid homage to two favorite obsessions: horror films and his love of going to trials. Combining them against the backdrop of suburban life, SERIAL MOM (1994, Savoy) is truly one of Waters’ best mainstream films thanks to the performance of Kathleen Turner as the titular character.

Turner plays Beverly Sutphin, an ordinary housewife with a tight knit family. Husband Eugene (Sam Waterston) is the local dentist. Daughter Misty (Ricki Lake, in her third film with Waters) works at the local flea market while son Chip (Matthew Lillard) is the assistant manager of the local video store and a high school student. However, there is more to Beverly than everyone wants to believe.

Beverly lives under a code of morality and goodness. Should anyone interfere with Beverly’s “code of morality” will have something in store for them. She has a secret obsession with serial killers and her obsessive behavior begins with prank calling neighbor Dottie (Mink Stole) for stealing her parking spot one day at the local store. However, she goes full steam ahead when one of Chip’s teachers berates him for his obsession with horror films at a PTA meeting. Beverly, unhappy with the teacher’s words, runs him down in her station wagon.

When Misty is stood up by her “crush” Carl (Lonnie Horsey), Beverly learns that Carl has a girlfriend (Traci Lords) when she sees the duo at the flea market. When Beverly’s friend Rosemary (Mary Jo Catlett) buys a fire poker, Beverly uses the poker and stabs Carl while is in the men’s room. She goes as far as killing a local couple after the husband refuses to listen to Eugene’s orders to stay away from sweets. When Chip’s friend Scotty (Justin Whalin) gets suspicious and witnesses another murder at the hands of the crazy wife and mother, he is on his way to becoming Beverly’s next victim.

When Beverly is finally caught and tried for murder, she decides to defend herself. While her family is at first shocked, Chip and Misty are more than ecstatic at their mom’s actions, attempting to gain popularity. Meanwhile, Beverly must do whatever it takes to ensure she stays out of prison or face the death penalty.

Out of the John Waters films reviewed in this retrospective, SERIAL MOM is definitely my favorite of the bunch. As a lover of cult and low budget horror of old, I loved Waters’ tribute to the “King of Gore”, Herschell Gordon Lewis. Lewis was responsible for the insane 1963 film BLOOD FEAST (which only cost $24,500 to make) and the insane TWO THOUSAND MANIACS in 1964. While some of BLOOD FEAST’s infamous death scenes are shown in the film by Chip and his friends, one of the deaths in the film pays tribute to Lewis. Let’s put it this way. It involves a fire poker and a liver attached to it with Beverly grossed out at the sight of her macabre action.

Speaking of Beverly, Kathleen Turner is perfectly cast as the suburban housewife/serial killer. She brings a healthy combination of her charm, comic relief, and insanity to the role of Beverly. The charm comes when she is with her family. The comic relief comes in the form of the prank calls, which can nearly make one fall off the couch. It is so great to see the reaction of Waters veteran actress Mink Stole when Turner unleashes her comical tirades, unsuccessfully attempting to keep her morality in check.

Those who may wonder why veteran Sam Waterston is in this film will see that any good actor would try something new. Here, Waterston succeeds in the role of Eugene, Beverly’s husband who gets worried about her obsession only to support her the best he can. He brings that Ward Cleaver style of acting in the role and goes as far as get involved with getting people surfed in the concert sequence. Waterston proves here that even the best can appear in a John Waters film and succeed. Ricki Lake and Matthew Lillard are great in their roles as the teenage kids who support Beverly and attempt to gain popularity from their mom’s insane actions.

John Waters is truly a filmmaking genius. I hope within the next year, I will be able to see some of Waters’ more classic cult fare. However, his mainstream works are truly a delight to watch. If you’re in the mood for a good time set in Baltimore, definitely check out the original HAIRSPRAY, CRY BABY, and SERIAL MOM. It is apparent that Waters brings his “favorite things” to you and it is all in good fun yet good and sometimes, bad taste. Not that he would have a problem with that. All three are available on DVD.

In addition, I personally would like to recommend a book to read when you have a chance. To learn more about John Waters, check out CRACKPOT: THE OBSESSIONS OF JOHN WATERS. The book is a series of personal essays and interviews all from the man himself. It is available from Scribner Press and it is recommended to find the 2003 edition, which features additional “bonus features”.

AlbertV’s Ratings:
HAIRSPRAY: A
CRY BABY: A
SERIAL MOM: A+

HAIRSPRAY: Written and directed by John Waters. Produced by Rachel Talalay. Cinematography by David Insley. Edited by Janice Hampton. Choreography by Edward Love. Starring Sonny Bono, Ruth Brown, Divine, Colleen Fitzpatrick, Deborah Harry, Ricki Lake, Leslie Ann Powers, Clayton Prince, Michael St. Gerard, Jerry Stiller, Mink Stole, Shawn Thompson, Alan Wendl, Ric Ocasek, Pia Zadora.

CRY BABY: Written and directed by John Waters. Produced by Rachel Talalay. Cinematography by David Insley. Edited by Janice Hampton. Choreography by Lori Eastside. Starring Johnny Depp, Amy Locane, Susan Tyrrell, Iggy Pop, Stephen Mailer, Polly Holliday, Ricki Lake, Darren Burrows, Kim McGuire, Traci Lords, Mink Stole, Joey Heatherton, Patricia Hearst, Joe Dallensandro, Troy Donahue.

SERIAL MOM: Written and directed by John Waters. Produced by John B. Fiedler and Mark Torlov. Cinematography by Robert Stevens. Edited by Janice Hampton and Erica Huggins. Starring Kathleen Turner, Sam Waterston, Ricki Lake, Matthew Lillard, Justin Whalin, Scott Morgan, Walt McPherson, Mink Stole, Mary Jo Catlett, Lonnie Horsey, Traci Lords, Suzanne Somers, Patricia Hearst.

Another year down...I hope everyone has a wonderful 2011!!!

CHOW DOES TIME: PRISON ON FIRE I & II

2010-12-04T23:44:00.004-05:00

Ringo Lam, one of the most respected directors of Hong Kong cinema, makes his name known with these two films that revolve around the lives of convicts in prison and their trials and tribulations.

The first film, PRISON ON FIRE, revolves around Lo Ka-Yiu (Tony Leung Ka-Fai), an advertising manager serving a two-year sentence on an accidental manslaughter charge. He finds himself at odds with gangster Micky (William Ho), who gets every opportunity to make Lo’s life a living hell. Eventually, Lo befriends Chung Tin-Ching (Chow Yun-Fat), serving time for killing his unfaithful wife. Ching is friends with some of the more righteous gangsters in the prison, including Bill (Tommy Wong), Chiu Chow (Victor Hon), and Snake (Frankie Ng).

When a fight in the laundry room causes Lo to finally snap, he accidentally cuts Ching in the middle of his madness and even nearly kills himself. Soon, it is revealed that prison guard Scarface (Roy Cheung) is in cahoots with Micky although it is never proven. For a year, things become peaceful when Micky is transferred. When the gangster returns, he begins to start up again. That is, until prices for the prisoners’ goods are raised and they cannot afford it. They decide to protest by fasting, but when Micky sides with Scarface, the fire within Ching and the others begins to rage and internal prison war is imminent.

The title PRISON ON FIRE is more of a subtext rather than a literal title. The “fire” of the title emerges describes the madness that eats the likes of newcomer Lo and veteran Ching as they find themselves involved with the corrupt prison system. For Lo, played by the great Tony Leung Ka-Fai, he goes as far as snapping and going after all in his way with a huge shard of glass in the middle of the film. Although he stands out as more of an outcast, his actions eventually earn the respect of the more righteous gangsters.

As for Ching, played by the always great to watch Chow Yun-Fat, he starts out as mild-mannered but due to the actions of the insane guard Scarface, played in an excellent and fearing performance by Roy Cheung, Ching eventually gets himself in the deep end, going as far as going Mike Tyson-like in the climatic fight scene.

What may freak some people out is that a scene that can be described as “homoerotic”, but shows the rise of happiness and respect between the prisoners. On the New Year, the prisoners dance as music is played, with Ching dancing with Lo in a slow motion sequence. While this may bring a sense of homoeroticism, it truly describes that despite the predicaments each prison is in, he knows that there will be no chaos and that he can live a peaceful existence even if for one day.

Four years after the release of this film, Lam, screenwriter Nam Yin, and Chow Yun-Fat returned for PRISON ON FIRE II. This time, the film revolves around just Ching, who is still serving time and is now in a bigger predicament than ever before. When a group of Mainlander prisoners arrive at the prison, war nearly begins between the two factions of China and Hong Kong. When Ching helps out a Mainland prisoner, he earns the respect of Mainland crime boss Dragon (Chen Sung-Yung), who is serving a five-year sentence.

However, Skull (Woo Yiu-Chung), Dragon’s right hand man, begins to ally himself with new prison guard Zau (Elvis Tsui). Zau is more ruthless and will not tolerate anyone. He especially has hatred towards Ching after the veteran refuses to give any information and is denied temporary release to attend his mother’s funeral. Furthermore, because he is in jail, Ching must have his son Siu-Leung stay in an orphanage.

When Zau sends Skull to give Ching a beating, Snake (Frankie Ng) finds out and comes to his rescue. However, Skull kills Snake in the midst of all things and with Zau’s help, frames Dragon for the crime. Skull tells the fellow prisoners that Ching betrayed Dragon, making Ching a target for all the Mainlanders. Meanwhile, Dragon escapes from the prison. Learning of Zau’s actions and Skull’s betrayal, Ching makes a decision to escape in an effort to get Siu-Leung back and clear his name at the same time.

When Ching finally catches up to Dragon, the two set out to make sure they are not caught. When Ching tells Dragon what has happened, Dragon finds a way to make things right. When the duo head to the orphanage, Ching is caught and sent back to the prison. The film then becomes a literal title when Ching tells Mainland prisoners that he met Dragon and that he wants them to set the prison cells on fire to start a riot so that he can expose both Skull and Zau as their real villains.

Chow once again gives a rousing performance again as Ching, who attempts to escape on two occasions to see his son. Chow brings a healthy dose of angst and comic relief. The angst comes in the form of his being framed for betraying Mainland gangster Dragon as well as corrupt prison guard Zau, played with tenacity by Elvis Tsui. Comparing the two prison guards, Zau is truly an upgrade from Scarface as Zau is seen as more ruthless and goes as far as giving beatings when he feels like it no matter who sees it.

Like its predecessor, there is a scene that screams “homoerotic” but once again, describes the temporary peaceful existence and respect between prisoners. During their escape, Ching and Dragon go to a lake where they are goofing off and even go underwater to look up at the sun. Yes, it may make someone cringe, but others can read the scene as more than something that shows that sense of homoeroticism.

The action is well done here like its predecessor, with people getting stabbed and beatings galore. Surprisingly, Chow takes quite a few falls himself, flipping off a barbed wire fence and even flipping off beds and benches after getting him. However, one will really root for Chow again in the end, when he finally goes off the deep end once again and gets his revenge on Skull and Zau.

Fans of Chow Yun-Fat will most likely get a kick out of the PRISON ON FIRE films. While he plays it straight for the most part, fans will love when he finally gets that “raging fire” in him and goes medieval on those who make him go crazy by the films’ ends. Despite the homoerotic sequences, Ringo Lam truly shows with these two films why he is one of Hong Kong’s biggest directors.

AlbertV's Ratings:
PRISON ON FIRE - A+
PRISON ON FIRE II - A

Run time: 103 minutes (Part 1); 108 minutes (Part 2)
Rated II-B for language, excessive violence, and brief nudity
Distributed by Universe Laser and Video (HK) Ltd.

PRISON ON FIRE
Produced and Directed by Ringo Lam. Written by Nam Yin. Cinematography by Cinema City Cinematographers Unit, Lau Hung-Chuen, Joe Chan, Nico Wong, Jingle Ma, and Cho Wai-Kei. Edited by Cinema City Production Co. Ltd. Editing Unit. Action directed by Joe Chu and Lau Kar-Wing. Starring Chow Yun-Fat, Tony Leung Ka-Fai, Roy Cheung, Tommy Wong, Victor Hon, Frankie Ng, William Ho, Joe Chu, Shing Fui-On, Terrence Fok, Nam Yin.

PRISON ON FIRE II
Directed by Ringo Lam. Produced by Wellington Fung. Written by Nam Yin. Cinematography by Andy Fan and Chan Hon-Wing. Edited by Tony Chow. Action directed by Lam Moon-Wah. Starring Chow Yun-Fat, Chen Sung-Yung, Elvis Tsui, Yu Li, Woo Yiu-Chung, Tommy Wong, Victor Hon, Frankie Ng, Vincent Wan, Terrence Fok.

REVIEW: Rich and Famous (1987)

2010-12-04T23:40:00.003-05:00

One of the top underrated on-screen teams of 80’s Hong Kong cinema, Chow Yun-Fat and Andy Lau, team up for the first time in this breathtaking action thriller.

Refugees Tang Kar-Yung (Alex Man), his sister Wai-Chu (Pauline Wong), and Lam Ting-Kwok (Andy Lau) have tried to make a living in Hong Kong with the Tungs’ father (Peter Yang). Wai-Chu has worked as a hooker to help make ends meet, especially due to Yung’s addicting gambling habit. When they have a chance to steal a cargo in gold from local crime boss Chu (O Chun-Hung), they seize it. However, when they are confronted, Wai-Chu is seriously injured and Kwok becomes the scapegoat.

Wai-Chu finds help in the form of Li Ah-Chai (Chow Yun-Fat), one of the most respectable gangsters in Hong Kong. Chai helps Wai-Chu and Yung release Kwok. In exchange, the refugees work for Chai as his new right hand men. When a deal goes bad, Kwok is nearly killed but that becomes the least of Chai’s problems. Learning his old friend Uncle Fan (Fan Mei-Sheng) is ill, he learns Fan has no longer involved himself with Thailand’s top drug trafficker Hung Yai (Lee Hang). Everyone wants a piece of the action and to do so, Fan must be killed. However, Chai refuses to hand him over.

Things come ahead when Chai finds himself a love in Lau Po-Yee (Carina Lau), Fan’s nurse and the cousin of Kwok’s friend Mak Ying-Hung (Alan Tam), who was offered a job in Chai’s gang only to be dropped due to his nervousness. Yung slowly begins to talk out of line and shows disrespect to Chai. When Yung retaliates by killing Fan for $25 million HK, Yung is kicked out of Chai’s gang. Yung sides with Chu, who holds a major grudge against Chai. Yung decides that he will do anything to make sure he gets the money, even if it means turning on his own “brother”, Kwok.

The title of this film is quite meaningful, as it revolves around two refugees who are willing to sacrifice themselves to be “rich and famous” in the underworld. While Chow Yun-Fat plays one of the underworld bosses, the story’s primary focus seems to be on the relationship and eventual split between “brothers” Kwok and Yung, played well by a young Andy Lau and Alex Man. While Lau seems to play the more righteous of the two, Man gives a surprising performance as the more greedy of the two. This is evident from the opening of the film, where Yung attempts to forge a ticket after losing a horse race. From stealing the embargo of gold to rising in the ranks of Chai’s gang, Yung clearly is the epitome of the downside to being “rich and famous”.

Singer/actor Alan Tam gets the MVP award for improvement of character in the film, due in part to the script, written by Stephen Shiu and Manfred Wong. Tam’s character of Hung starts off as a nervous wreck and improves throughout the film as one with self-confidence. In the climax, it is an action from Hung that surprises and helps saves the major characters of the film. Even veteran kung fu film star Fan Mei-Sheng gives a great performance in his screen time as Fan, who Chai is loyal to. In the scene where he reveals he is ill, he gives out quite a dramatic performance. For some reason, Danny Lee is top billed yet he doesn’t get much screen time in the role of a tough Hong Kong cop out to nail Chai. He pretty much falls in the unnecessary characters and didn’t need to be in the film.

There are bullets ablazing in this film, strictly making this one of the more generic brands of heroic bloodshed. One would never imagine that the man responsible for the action is 1970’s kung fu star Bruce Leung Siu-Lung. Leung crafted some great gun battles in the film mixed in with some nice falls and flips that could make a Jackie Chan fan proud.

A “sequel”, TRAGIC HERO, was made in 1988 to capitalize on the success of this film. Andy Lau and Alex Man would go on to be respected actors in the triad genre. Lau would play a rebel type in films like AS TEARS GO BY (1988) and THE PRINCE OF TEMPLE STREET (1990) and as gang bosses in films like CENTURY OF THE DRAGON (1999) and JIANG HU (2004). Man would play Hung Hing leader Chiang Tin-Yeung in the fourth, fifth, and final installments of the YOUNG AND DANGEROUS films, written by Manfred Wong. Chow Yun-Fat and Andy Lau would team up on TRAGIC HERO and 1989’s super hit film GOD OF GAMBLERS.

RICH AND FAMOUS is truly the perfect title for this very well-made heroic bloodshed thriller. Great performances from the cast and exhilarating action make this one of the more underrated Hong Kong films of the 1980’s.

AlbertV’s Rating: B+

Run time: 97 minutes
Rated II-B for violence and language
Distributed by Mei Ah Entertainment (HK) Ltd.

Directed by Taylor Wong. Produced by Johnny Mak. Written by Stephen Shiu and Manfred Wong. Cinematography by Johnny Koo, Abdul M. Rumjahn, and Derek M.K. Wan. Edited by Ma Chung-Yiu. Action choreography by Bruce Leung and Blacky Ko. Starring Chow Yun-Fat, Alex Man, O Chun-Hung, Andy Lau, Alan Tam, Pauline Wong, Carina Lau, Peter Yang, Shing Fui-On, Lee Hang, Danny Lee.

REVIEW: Legendary (2010)

2010-10-11T19:33:00.004-04:00

Professional wrestling superstar John Cena breaks the mold of the action genre in a very dramatic performance about the chance for a family to get back together.

Cena plays Mike Chetley, a former high school wrestling champion who has been estranged from his mother (Patricia Clarkson) for ten years. However, Mike's younger brother Cal (Devon Graye) has made the decision to try out for the high school wrestling team. Despite his mother's objections, Cal decides to give it a shot and when he starts to lose, he finds inspiration in Mike.

Cal makes the 2-hour trip to see Mike, who is living in a run down trailer and is trying his best to find work. At first, Mike is reluctant to help his little brother. However, he soon realizes that Cal could be the key into Mike finally wising up and get back on good terms with their mother. Mike decides to train Cal in secret and soon while Cal begins to win his matches, Mike finally quits drinking and causing trouble. However, when a mistake from the past comes back to haunt him, will it jeopardize a chance for a family reunion?

After strutting his action muscles in THE MARINE (2006) and 12 ROUNDS (2008), professional wrestling superstar John Cena stretches his acting muscle in this very well made inspirational drama. He does well as former high school wrestling champion Mike, whose troubles get the best of him at first. He spends his time trying to find work, drinking at the local pub, and getting into bar fights, which lead to his arrests. He struggles at redemption and seems to lose it all until his little brother comes in.

Playing the younger brother who inspires Mike to once again get his old side back is Devon Graye, who goes through a change himself from a nerdy young man to someone capable of following in big brother's footsteps. Patricia Clarkson gives a great performance as the mother who is not sure what to think of all that her young son is doing until she learns that her older estranged son has been helping. Danny Glover may not seem like he is doing much but once it is revealed who he is, all things change for the better.

LEGENDARY is definitely a welcome change of pace for John Cena. He proves that not all action heroes need to be tough all the time and brings a very worthy dramatic performance here.

AlbertV's Rating: B

Rated PG-13 for suggestive material, brief partial nudity and some fighting scenes.
Run time: 106 minutes
Released by Samuel Goldwyn Films and WWE Films

Directed by Mel Damski. Produced by David Calloway. Written by John Posey. Cinematography by Kenneth Zunder. Starring John Cena, Patricia Clarkson, Devon Graye, Madeleine Martin, John Posey, Tyler Posey, Danny Glover

REVIEW: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

2010-10-06T14:54:00.007-04:00

One of the greatest motion pictures and cult classics ever made, this horrific musical still takes the cake 35 years after its initial release.

The story revolves around two ordinary people, Janet Weiss (Susan Sarandon) and his fiancee Brad Majors (Barry Bostwick) who go to a castle to find a phone after their car gets a flat tire. They are met by a very strange fellow named Riff Raff (Richard O'Brien) and his sister Magenta (Patricia Quinn). The castle is holding some sort of party where the partygoers are doing "The Time Warp".

The couple soon meet the true host of the castle, a crazy cross-dressing scientist named Dr. Frank N. Furter (Tim Curry). Frank has been working on a creation and now has come the time for him to unleash it. The creation is a blond hair, blue eyed muscle man named Rocky Horror (Peter Hinwood). Soon, chaos ensues as Frank has plans for everyone around him on a night that no one will ever forget.

If someone were to look up "cult classic" in a film dictionary, this film deserves to truly be the definition. From the mind of Richard O'Brien comes to very strange film that may seem like a horror musical, but is more of a raucous comedy musical with a sci-fi edge to it. The film is truly a combination of sci-fi, FRANKENSTEIN (1931), sexual androgeny, cross-dressing, and a rock musical all rolled up into one nifty package.

Tim Curry is perfectly cast as the cross dressing mad scientist Dr. Frank N. Furter. He brings charisma, sexuality, and comedic value all in one. His introductory musical sequence is forever a hailed classic. Playing the "square" couple to a tee before shifting to practically slaves of the mad doctor are Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick. While they have that normality to them at first, it is refreshing to see the changes they endure throughout the film.

In the role of the titular character is Peter Hinwood. As the creation known as "Rocky Horror", he doesn't speak yet he does sing a few songs. Why he doesn't speak in the film is beyond anyone, but in what would be his only big role in a film, Hinwood does it really well. As the handyman Riff Raff and hired help Magenta, creator Richard O'Brien and his good friend Patricia Quinn bring a closeness that borders on incest yet they have a more intricate goal in the entire movie.

The film would spawn a sequel from the warped mind of O'Brien, SHOCK TREATMENT in 1981. Only Brad and Janet returned as played by new actors and the plot was an interesting one that would foreshadow films like THE TRUMAN SHOW (1998) and EDTV (1999), where the world is one big television network.

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW is still one of the most beloved cult classic films after three and a half decades. The songs are timeless and Tim Curry's deadpan performance truly makes the film. If you haven't seen it, go out and see this movie right now!

AlbertV's Rating: A+

Rated R for language, sexuality, and mild violence.
Run time: 100 minutes
Released by 20th Century Fox.

Directed by Jim Sharman. Produced by Michael White. Written by Jim Sharman and Richard O'Brien. Cinematography by Peter Suschitzky. Edited by Graeme Clifford. Starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Richard O'Brien, Patricia Quinn, "Little Nell" Campbell, Peter Hinwood, Meat Loaf, Jonathan Adams, Charles Gray

REVIEW: My Son A-Chang (1950)

2010-09-27T20:25:00.003-04:00

This classic Cantonese film may have a simplistic story with a moral lesson. However, the notoriety of this film is the star of the film. Before he became the legendary Dragon, a nine-year old Bruce Lee takes center stage in this comedy/drama.

The city’s top man, Chairman Fung (Lee Hoi-Chuen), has heard complaints about some of the underprivileged kids in the area living a life of crime. He decides he wants to build a school for these kids to improve on education. However, there poses one little problem. The Chairman cannot afford to build the school. He operates a clothing factory and business isn’t exactly doing great.

Ah Chang (Bruce Lee) is a young kid who works a newspaper stall just outside of the apartment building he lives in. His parents have died and he is forced to live with his uncle, Teacher Ho (Yee Chau-Sui) and his two children. One day, Chang sees a bully beat up on some kids. Coming to the rescue is local gangster “Flying Dagger” Lee (Fung Fung). Chang, impressed with the gangster’s knife throwing methods, begins to befriend him, much to the objection of his uncle.

When Lee steals $10,000 and a gold chain from Chairman Fung, Lee hides out in Ah Chang’s apartment. Chang lets Lee escape yet the gold chain is found in the apartment. When Ho brings the gold chain back to Chairman Fung, Fung rewards Chang with the ability to go to school. However, Chang ends up being suspended on his first day for beating up his classmates. Fung decides to give Chang an apprentice position at the clothing factory. When that doesn’t hold up, Chang finds himself working for Lee. He learns to throw knives like his new mentor and begins to act like a gangster. However, when Fung and his son Charles decide to fake a robbery after the workers strike due to their mistreatment at work, Chang realizes he must make a decision about doing the right thing.

If this film were to star anyone else, it would be just a run of the mill story with a moral lesson. However, because of the fact that this starred a young Bruce Lee, it gives the film some notoriety as to what he did before he became a pioneer of the martial arts industry. A nine-year old Lee, credited as simply “Lee Lung”, plays the titular character of Ah-Chang, a young worker who tries his hand at many goals before ultimately settling on wanting to be a tough kid. Lee mugs for the camera and even gets in doing some cartwheels and streetfighting. What is more interesting is that this all came before he even began his martial arts training under Yip Man.

Playing Chairman Fung is Lee Hoi-Chuen, Bruce Lee’s father. This would be the only film where the two appeared on-screen together. The elder Lee plays Fung as somewhat of a corrupt man who announces to create a school yet cannot afford it. However, corrupt official aside, the elder Lee provides comic relief as he tends to be constantly forgetful when it comes to important matters. Yee Chau-Sui does well as Uncle Ho, the guardian to Chang who tends to be the angelic side of Chang’s conscience while veteran Fung Fung , the father of Hong Kong kung fu actor Fung Hark-On and HK’s “Shirley Temple” Petrina Fung, is the devilish side as mentor and gangster “Flying Dagger” Lee.

There is a subplot that features Fung’s son Charles, played by Yuen Biu-Wan. Charles, a well known womanizer, attempting to date a worker at the factory, Siu May, played by Tong Yuen. Siu May, however, constantly rejects his advances, forcing Charles to conspire more with factory manager Joe. Played by Chow Chi-Sing, Joe is truly a villain of the film as he goes as far as firing Siu May in order for Charles to relent the firing.

MY SON AH-CHANG is truly a classic and perhaps the most well known of pre-kung fu Bruce Lee’s films. He delivers a great performance and is supported well by a veteran cast. Those looking for a film with a moral lesson will definitely enjoy this 76-minute film.

AlbertV’s Rating: A+

Not rated.
Run time: 76 minutes
Released by Pearl City Entertainment(HK)

Directed by Fung Fung. Produced by Leung Biu. Written by Cho Kei. Starring Bruce Lee, Yee Chau-Sui, Fung Fung, Lee Hoi-Chuen, Yuen Biu-Wan, Tong Yuen, Chow Chi-Sing.

REVIEW: Thrashin' (1986)

2010-09-22T17:47:00.004-04:00

To capitalize on the trend of skateboarding , this film was made to bring the popularity of the trend as well as attempt to make bigger stars out of THE GOONIES’ Josh Brolin and WEIRD SCIENCE’s resident bad boy Robert Rusler.
Corey Webster (Josh Brolin) is a skateboarder who heads to Los Angeles for the summer to compete in the ultimate competition. He meets up with best buddy Tyler (Brooke McCarter) and his band of “locals” including Radley (Josh Richman), Bozo (Brett Marx), and Little Stevie (David Wagner). As they prepare themselves for the competition, they find themselves a rival team.

A local skate street gang known as the Daggers are led by Tommy Hook (Robert Rusler), a no-nonsense punk who loves to do things: skate and party. They constantly cross paths with the “locals” and Hook begins to start a rivalry with Corey. Things don’t get any smoother when Corey finds himself falling for Chrissy (Pamela Gidley), who turns out to be Hook’s sister. Things begin to go awry for the rivals and the biggest downhill race, The L.A. Massacre, will become the least of their problems.

This is a basic run of the mill teen drama in the vein of THE KARATE KID (1984). The story is basically boy enters competition, boy gets rivalry with gang leader, boy falls for gang leader’s sister. That can be pretty much summed up. However, it is the sport of skateboarding that overpowers said clichéd story and is done pretty well. Z-Boys legends Tony Alva (who appears in the film) and Stacy Peralta served as skateboard advisor and second unit director respectively. They do an impeccable job of making the two leads look good with the use of doubles of course.

Originally known for his role as Brandon in THE GOONIES, Josh Brolin brings that next door teen type to his role of skateboarder Corey. He gets support from his mother, who leaves messages and $30 for his trip. He has a group of buddies to skate with and even goes as far as falling in love. Sadly, the girl he falls for is in atypical fashion, the sister of the lead antagonist. In this case, it is gang leader Tommy Hook, played by Robert Rusler, a 1980’s teen movie typecast bad boy actor (see WEIRD SCIENCE and SHAG: THE MOVIE for some of his favorable bad boy performances). Rusler fits the bill to a tee as local baddie Hook, who throughout the course of the film acts tough yet has a soft spot for his sister, played by newcomer Pamela Gidley.

Some of the top skateboarders of this era appear in the movie. Tony Alva has a major role as T.A., with Christian Hosoi as one of the Daggers, and the likes of Tony Hawk and Mike McGill playing skaters at the competition. The skateboard scenes are quite a delight to watch and pretty much drive the film despite having a typical story.
THRASHIN’ is nothing to write home about, but definitely has value as a cult film due to its frenetic skateboard sequences.

AlbertV’s Rating: B-

Rated PG-13 for violence, language, and adult situations
Run Time: 88 minutes
Released by MGM Entertainment

Directed by David Winters. Produced by Alan Sacks. Written by Paul Brown and Alan Sacks. Cinematography by Chuck Colwell. Edited by Lorenzo DeStefano and Nicholas C. Smith. Starring Josh Brolin, Robert Rusler, Pamela Gidley, Brooke MacCarter, Josh Richman, Brett Marx, David Wagner, Tony Alva, Christian Hosoi, Tony Hawk, Mike McGill.

REVIEW: Gleaming the Cube (1988)

2010-09-22T14:53:00.003-04:00

In the 1980’s, skateboarding gained extraordinary popularity. To capitalize on the trend, this film featured a dramatic storyline about one teen’s justice and his use of his skateboarding skills to find the ones responsible for his brother’s death.

Brian Kelly (Christian Slater) is a teen who has a passion for skateboarding and shows angst towards his parents. He has an adopted Vietnamese brother, Vinh (Art Chudabala). Vinh works at a local Vietnamese video store for former war colonel Tran (Le Tuan). When Vinh accidentally uncovers a list of medical supplies and investigates, he is caught by Longdale (Richard Herd), owner of the medical supply facility that is also a factory for arms. During his interrogation, Vinh is accidentally killed and to cover tracks and Longdale makes it look like he committed suicide.

When Brian learns about Vinh’s death, he finds clues that may prove that Vinh did not kill himself. As he gets closer to the truth, hardboiled detective Lucero (Steven Bauer) tells Brian to stay away from the case. However, realizing that he must do it his way, Brian continues his investigation. This includes witnessing the death of a key figure in the case by Longdale. Brian goes as far as going undercover as a preppie to get close to Tran, who has ties to Longdale. However, along the way, Brian begins to slowly fall for Tran’s daughter (Min Luong), who was Vinh’s girlfriend. Will Brian be able to finally uncover everything and eventually get Lucero’s help in nabbing Longdale and avenge his brother’s death?

From the description, one wonders what does all this have to do with skateboarding. Well, the answer is simple. Brian, played by Christian Slater, is an expert skateboarder who uses his skills to get involved in chases and travel. He doesn’t really use any other mode of transportation, with exceptions being hanging off the backs of cars like Michael J. Fox’s Marty did in BACK TO THE FUTURE (1985). The man responsible for handling the skateboarding sequences is Z-Boys legend Stacy Peralta, who has some of his veteran team members play Brian’s buddies. Notably, the millennium legend of skateboarding, Tony Hawk, has a major role complete with 80’s hair as Buddy, the pizza delivery boy who assists Brian in the climatic finale.

Slater does well playing Brian as a teen with complete angst. He rebels towards his parents although the reason is never truly clear. Does it stem from jealousy with deceased brother Vinh? Actually, Vinh seems to be the only family member Brian has complete respect for prior to his death. However, key scenes show Brian’s passion for skateboarding as he and his friends open the film going to an airfield to rent an airplane. Why? To find a pool worthy of their skills. Eventually, as he goes on his quest to find the truth behind his brother, Brian begins to change as a person, which proves to be quite essential for this type of film.

The climatic finale is truly worth seeing. It involves Brian eventually teaming with Lucero as they track Longdale. This chase scene has Lucero chasing with Longdale’s car after the villain hijacks a police car and kidnaps Tran’s daughter. Meanwhile, Brian hops on the back of a Corvette who is going after said hijacked police car after he gets bumped. The Corvette is going over 100 miles per hour and Brian is hanging onto it on his skateboard as he waits for his buddies to arrive. This is truly some interesting action courtesy of stunt coordinator Buddy Joe Hooker (who also plays the Corvette driver) and skateboard advisor Peralta.

GLEAMING THE CUBE is quite an underrated film that capitalizes on the skateboarding trend mixed in with a typical revenge style plot. However, leads Christian Slater and Steven Bauer fit their roles to a tee and make it work overall.

AlbertV’s Rating: B

Rated PG-13 for violence, mild language, and adult situations.
Run time: 99 minutes
Released by 20th Century Fox Entertainment.

Directed by Graeme Clifford. Produced by David Foster, Bruce McNall, and Lawrence Turman. Written by Michael Tolkin. Cinematography by Reed Smoot. Editing by John Wright. Starring Christian Slater, Steven Bauer, Richard Herd, Le Tuan, Ed Lauter, Art Chudabala, Min Luong, Peter Kwong, Max Perlich, Tony Hawk, Tommy Guerrero.

REVIEW: Lords of Dogtown (2005)

2010-09-22T14:51:00.004-04:00

The story of the legendary Z-Boys is chronicled in this really well made biopic from director Catherine Hardwicke. The performances of the lead actors drive the film into making this an underrated gem of a film.

In 1975, best friends and surfers Jay Adams (Emile Hirsch), Stacy Peralta (John Robinson), and Tony Alva (Victor Rasuk) learn that their “mentor” Skip Engblom (Heath Ledger) has decided to form a skateboard team with the same name of his shop, Zephyr. At first, Stacy’s regular everyman attitude leaves him out of the team. However, when Tony sticks up for his friend at a skateboard competition, Skip realizes the loyalty Stacy has earned and he eventually joins the team.

Soon, fame begins to soar for the trio of friends. Their names and the name Zephyr becomes synonymous with skateboarding. However, as their fame starts to rise, egos begin to get the best of the friends. Jay, one who has never bowed to anyone, becomes more rebellious. Tony begins to become ego-driven and money-hungry, resulting in a partnership with a rival of Skip’s (Johnny Knoxville). While Tony forms his own company, Stacy defects as well, joining a rival company. As the trio go from being best friends to rivals on the field, it takes the heart of a friend of theirs to ultimately bring them back together.

In 2001, real-life Z-boy Stacy Peralta directed the documentary DOGTOWN AND Z-BOYS. The documentary focused on the more popular days of skateboarding in the mid to late 1970’s. Peralta’s very informative and historical point of view, with the help of his friends and former Z-boys, would be the main influence for this very film. Peralta himself wrote the screenplay and found a director in Catherine Hardwicke, whose style of filmmaking was noted in the teen drama THIRTEEN (2003). Hardwicke brings a documentary-like feel to the film using handheld cameras at time. This brand of filmmaking is reminiscent to some of Hong Kong director Andrew Lau’s work in the YOUNG AND DANGEROUS series of films.

The cast playing the three top Z-Boys are truly at the top of their game. Emile Hirsch, who would later play the titular character of SPEED RACER (2008), is terrific as Jay Adams. As Adams, Hirsch brings Adams’ nature of rebellion and angst on the screens to a tee. He even shaved his own head for the third act of the film. As Stacy Peralta, John Robinson brings innocence to the role. Peralta is seen as someone who tries to fit in despite having to hold a job down. However, he does have a passion for skateboarding and hopes to get his name out there. In the role of Tony Alva, Victor Rasuk brings the ego-trip persona to the role perfectly. While Alva wants to be the best, he does show disappointment when he doesn’t get first but thrives to get the attention any way possible.

The late Heath Ledger brings in an excellent performance as Zephyr co-founder Stip Engblom. Engblom is seen as your typical surfer mentor type. He can be cocky and arrogant one minute, but he is truly a friend when need be. While the character of co-founder Craig Stecyk is in the film, a noteworthy difference between fantasy and real-life is that the character of the cocky and brash Chico, played by Vincent Laresca, looks to be based off real-life co-founder Jeff Ho. It is only anyone’s guess why Jeff Ho himself wasn’t a character. Surprisingly, Michael Angarano pulls in a comic relief performance as Sid, a young skateboarder who has been friends with the Z-Boys and it is him that ultimately brings them together in a bold move.

There are cameos from the three Z-Boy legends themselves as well as other skateboard legends. Jay Adams is seen as a partygoer. Stacy Peralta is a TV director, directing his on-screen persona on an episode of CHARLIE’S ANGELS. Tony Alva plays a partygoer from Oregon. Tony Hawk, Peralta’s protégé and the most popular skateboarder today, plays an astronaut. Lance Mountain plays a police officer.

The skateboarding sequences themselves are well done and well shot. Having worked in the industry for years as a skateboard stunt coordinator, Peralta, with Hardwicke’s direction and the cinematography of Eliot Davis, brings that vintage feel of good ol’ sidewalk surfing. The pool sequences, shot with the background music of Deep Purple, seem to have a music video feel of it and could be used as quite the promo itself for the film as a whole.

In conclusion, while it is a fictional account of the Z-Boys legend, THE LORDS OF DOGTOWN has that documentary-like feel combined with energetic performances from the cast as well as some of the best skateboarding sequences caught on celluloid.

AlbertV’s Rating: A

Rated PG-13 for language and adult situations.
Run time: 107 minutes
Released by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Directed by Catherine Hardwicke. Produced by John Linson. Written by Stacy Peralta. Cinematography by Eliot Davis. Edited by Nancy Richardson. Starring Emile Hirsch, Victor Rasuk, John Robinson, Heath Ledger, Nikki Reed, Vincent Laresca, Michael Angarano, Julio Oscar Mechoso, Sofia Vergara, Rebecca De Mornay, William Mapother, America Ferrera.

REVIEW: Kawashima Yoshiko (1990)

2010-09-22T14:49:00.006-04:00

The late Anita Mui showcases her acting talent as the titular Chinese-born Japanese spy in World War II, with a stellar supporting cast including Andy Lau and Derek Yee. While many find the film slow-paced and boring, it ultimately shows the acting range of the stars in really good fashion.

1948, China. World War II had ended three years ago and the news of a spy on trial has hit the newspapers. Kawashima Yoshiko, also known as Kam Bik-Fai (Anita Mui) is on trial for treason against the Chinese. As Kawashima Yoshiko awaits her fate, her story is told.

Kawashima Yoshiko was born Aisin Gioro Xianyu, the 14th daughter of Emperor Shanqi. At the age of eight, she is adopted by the Emperor’s Japanese friend Kawashima Naniwa. At the age of seventeen, she was forced into a marriage to Mongolian prince Ganjuurab. However, she had strong feelings for Japanese officer Amakasu (Derek Yee). When her adopted father rapes her, she begins to dress like a man and let no man touch her.

In an attempt to restore Manchuria and Manchukuo, Yoshiko became an officer in the military. However, to cover her tracks, she would play both sides of the field. During her military regime, she used her charms as trickery towards the last Empress Wan Jung (Ida Chan), going as far as blackmailing her to return to the kingdom in exchange for keeping quiet about a lesbian affair between the two. She even shows admiration for Peking opera performer Cloud (Andy Lau). However, as the war rages on, her cover soon is blown from both sides. Ultimately, she will not find her way out of this and suffers the consequences of her actions.

Based on the true story of Asia’s “Mata Hari”, this is quite an interesting film to say the least. While many may find the film to be somewhat slow and dragging, it is the performances of the actors involve that help drive it and may make one really get into it. The late Anita Mui, after her career defining performance in the 1988 film ROUGE, proves that her acting is no fluke as she does well as the titular Kawashima Yoshiko. She plays Kawashima as both a woman scorned by love and one who uses her looks and charms to get her way, yet she plays for both the Japanese and Chinese during the war.

The film also has a subplot which could be translated as a love triangle between Yoshiko and two men. She has strong feelings for Japanese soldier Akamasu, played by future Hong Kong auteur Derek Yee. However, when he learns she must marry a Mongolian prince, he sort of releases his jealousy and anger by always drinking and sleeping around with other women. This, in turn, fuels jealousy out of Yoshiko, who didn’t truly love her husband, but still felt love towards the soldier and eventual right hand man of General Tanaka during the war.

The other man Yoshiko eventually shows her feelings for is that of Cloud, played by Andy Lau. Also known as “Ah Fook”, Lau’s character is an actor whose first scene is basically the only hand-to-hand combat fight of the film. When Yoshiko is robbed in Shanghai, Cloud comes to her rescue and retrieves her purse. When she learns that he is the performer at the theater, she uses her looks and charms to coerce him into joining her for the war effort. Ultimately, she hopes for Cloud to become loyal to the Japanese and he refuses to become a traitor.

In the end, you will either love or hate KAWASHIMA YOSHIKO. If you love to see three performers at the top of their acting game, then you will like this film as their performances drive the film. However, some may feel that the film is all slow paced and boring. Ultimately, the choice is up to the viewer.

AlbertV’s Rating: B

Rated Cat. II (Hong Kong equivalent of a PG-13/R) for adult situations and violence
Run Time: 92 minutes
Released by Universe Entertainment Ltd. (HK)

Directed by Fong Ling-Chun. Produced by Teddy Robin. Written by Lillian Lee. Cinematography by Jingle Ma. Edited by Henry Cheung. Action Choreographed b y Fung Hark-On and Lo Kwok-Wai. Starring Anita Mui, Andy Lau, Derek Yee, Patrick Tse, Ida Chan, Lawrence Ng, Ken Low, Bao Fang, Shut Mei-Yee.

REVIEW: Back to the Beach (1987)

2010-09-16T19:18:00.003-04:00

Get ready for a major retro trip. America's favorite beach couple of the 1960's, Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello return for this fun time of a ride as they embark on a return to their old hangout, where things have changed 80's style. However, as the saying goes, some things never die...and why should they?

The 1960's were a fun time where Frankie (Frankie Avalon) and Annette (Annette Funicello) were the most popular teenagers in America. Frankie, known as the Big Kahuna, was an expert surfer while Annette was a beauty queen known for her singing and well manner. After a surfing accident, the Big Kahuna retired and married Annette. They live in Ohio where he runs a car dealership and she is a stay at home mom to punk teenager Bobby (Demian Slade).

After an overdose of stress, the family decides to take a vacation. En route to Hawaii, they decide to go to L.A. to see daughter Sandy (Lori Loughlin). For the first time in twenty years, Frankie and Annette are going "back to the beach" (hence the title). They learn Sandy is engaged to local surfer Michael (Tommy Hinkley) and despite his initial reaction, Frankie bonds with Michael. Meanwhile, Bobby gets into a local surf gang led by the crazy Zed (Joe Holland). Annette's envy begins to grow when Frankie is seen hanging out with old friend Connie (Connie Stevens). Can everyone get together just in time and what will happen when Zed challenges the Big Kahuna to a surf contest for control of the beach?

As a fan of the classic 60's beach films like BEACH BLANKET BINGO (1964) and BEACH FEVER (1963) to name a few, this reviewer just loved seeing Frankie Avalon surf the waves and of course, the endless rivalry between Annette Funicello and some other girl for his affections. Flash forward to this 1980's revival of the classic beach movie. The same themes are there, and surprisingly, it still works well. Frankie and Annette still have that chemistry that made them one of the most popular cinematic duos of the 1960's.

This film will truly attract fans of the classic films as well as perhaps bring in a new generation of fans. There are cameos galore in the film that pleasantly drive the film. Legendary guitar player Dick Dale, who appeared in a few of the original films, makes a welcome return complete with 80's metal hair. He even gets in on joining the late Stevie Ray Vaughan on stage. Playing the bartender at the local club is none other than Bob Denver, who is credited as the Bartender, but seeing him, you know he's playing his classic character of Gilligan. Don Adams, known for playing Maxwell Smart in the original GET SMART, plays the Harbormaster and even dishes his trademark line, "Missed it by that much".

The story is pretty simplistic but it is still fun to see that some things don't really have to change. The musical numbers are a delight from Annette's Jamaica Ska with band Fishbone to Pee Wee Herman's take on' Surfin Bird. This all leads to the cast culminating in the finale musical number, which is quite a delight.

So what if the Big Kahuna has a "hair helmet"? So what if Annette is cheery practically all the time? Despite its campy flavor, BACK TO THE BEACH is an enjoyable retro trip from the 1960's to the 1980's in full beach movie fashion.

AlbertV's Rating: B+

Rated PG for mild language and adult situations.
Run time: 94 minutes
Released by Paramount Home Entertainment

Directed by Lyndall Hobbs. Produced by Frank Mancuso Jr. Written by Peter Krikes, Steve Meerson, and Christopher Thompson; story by James Komack, B.W.L. Norton, and Bruce Kirschbaum. Starring Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, Lori Loughlin, Tommy Hinkley, Demian Slade, Joe Holland, Connie Stevens, Bob Denver, Alan Hale Jr., Don Adams, Barbara Billingsley, Tony Dow, Jerry Mathers, Pee Wee Herman, Fishbone, Stevie Ray Vaughan

REVIEW: The Karate Kid (2010)

2010-06-27T10:33:00.003-04:00

When one thinks of the words "remake" or "reboot", they generally think that we're in for a ride towards a downward spiral. However, the long awaited remake of the 1984 action-drama THE KARATE KID is just living proof that not all remakes are bad.

When Sherry Parker (Taraji P. Henson) is transferred from Detroit to Beijing, China, for work, she takes her 12-year old son Dre (Jaden Smith) with her. At first, Dre is unsure about his new home. However, he meets Meiying (Wenwen Hao), a young violinist and student. Dre feels a sudden attraction towards her. However, he soon finds himself an enemy in local bully Cheng (Zhenwei Wang). Cheng is an expert in kung fu and nearly takes out Dre.

As Dre dreams to learn kung fu, he finds a local school run by Coach Li (Yu Rong-Guang). However, upon learning that Cheng is one of the students, Dre decides that he wants to go home. As Cheng and his friends constantly pick on Dre, Dre finds an unexpected ally in Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), the maintenance man at his apartment building.

When Han and Dre confront Cheng and Coach Li, Han decides that the two kids will settle their score at the local tournament in one month's time. Promising that Cheng and his friends will not touch Dre until then, Li gives Han face. Han decides that the only way Dre will succeed is to stand up for himself. Han decides to teach Dre the art of kung fu.

For those who have seen the original 1984 film with Ralph Macchio and the late Pat Morita, you know where the film leads. However, there does stand out some interesting differences. Notably, instead of "wax on-wax off", there is a defensive move involving Dre taking off his jacket. In a fascinating scene, Han and Dre go to the Wudang mountains where Han was a student. Dre sees a woman trying to somewhat fend of a cobra by using the Crane Style of kung fu, a nod to the famous "crane kick" of the original.

For his lead star debut, Jaden Smith does well for a brash cocky 12-year old who tries to get attention by bragging only to learn some life lessons himself as he studies kung fu from Mr. Han. The relationship between Dre and Mr. Han is definitely like that of Daniel and Mr. Miyagi in the original film. However, Mr. Han's backstory is quite an upgrade from Miyagi's war torn past. As Mr. Han, it is clear that this is Jackie Chan's best Hollywood performance ever. Definitely going the route from his drama SHINJUKU INCIDENT (2009), Chan is more than happy now to do not just his typical action film that everyone expects, but be able to handle the dramatic side very well as he does here.

Under the supervision of Jackie Chan Stunt Team leader Wu Gang (replacing the departed Nicky Li), Smith, who has already studied martial arts, gets to showcase what a film fighter he is. Should he continue to practice, we may see a future action hero in the long run when Smith becomes an adult. The same goes for Zhenwei Wang, who without a doubt impresses as bully Cheng. The 15-year old Wang is quick and agile. We could be looking at the next Jet Li or Wu Jing after seeing him in this film.

While some complained of the long running time of 138 minutes, it all makes sense in a way. The film blends action, the mother-son relationship, the student-teacher relationship, and the puppy love romance angles very well and strong. That is why THE KARATE KID is definitely one of the best remakes to come out. If you haven't seen it, doesn't matter if you like martial arts or not, you need to see it.

AlbertV's Rating: A+

Rated PG for martial arts violence
Run Time: 138 minutes
Released by Columbia Pictures

Directed by Harold Zwart. Produced by Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Ken Stovitz, and Jerry Weintraub. Written by Christopher Murphey, based on the story and screenplay by Robert Mark Kamen. Action Directed by Wu Gang. Starring Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan, Taraji P. Henson, Yu Rong-Guang, Wenwen Hao, Zhenwei Wang

REVIEW: Summer Job (1988)

2010-06-11T21:54:00.003-04:00

In the 80's, teen comedies were going by the dozens. While films such as PORKY'S (1981) and REVENGE OF THE NERDS (1984) made the A-list, dozens of independent labels released more straight to video fare usually achieving a more sense of rauchiness. This 1988 teen comedy is one of those that had the style of A-list standards but ended up on the B-list due to its unknown cast, yet an underrated 80's comedy.

At Parkers Racquet Club, the summer has arrived and the staff has arrived to begin their jobs. Supervising the staff this year is UCLA senior Kathy (Sherrie Rose), who knows three of the returning staff members. The returnees include Bob (Dave Clouse), who has been wanting to be with Kathy since they worked together; cowboy Jack (James Summer), who has a thing for the other returnee, Susan (Amy Baxter), a self-proclaimed diva who wants a wealthy man and is the niece of the resort's owner.

The newcomers to the club are a motley crew of freshmen and sophomores. They include Tom (Kirt Earhart), who vies with Bob for Kathy's affections; Bruce (Fred Bourdin), an overweight student who longs to be a bodyguard; Herman (George O.), the clown of the bunch who has a surprising fear of women; Kathy (Renee Shugart), who hopes to find a boyfriend; Donna (Cari Mayor), a surfer chick from Hawaii; and rich pompous Barbara (Chantal), who only is working because she was forced by her father.

Of course, anyone who has seen this genre of comedy knows what to expect. Major hijinks, the mandatory toplessness courtesy of the ladies, and a bit of romance. Usually, for a straight to video sequence, there seems to be an antagonistic character who intends to perhaps sabotage in any way possible. Here, the story proves to have a lack of that and concentrates on the potential relationships and longtime friendships that result throughout the summer.

What helps is the young cast that make up the staff. Sherrie Rose, best known to action film fans as the love interest of Loren Avedon in the underrated KING OF THE KINGBOXERS (1990) plays the supervisor who truly acts like a big sister to most of the new staffers. Yes, there are the typical characters of the guys who will do anything to have their way with Kathy, including Bob, who always finds himself in a pinch. There's the clown of the bunch, in this case Herman, whose wicked smile and at times evil laugh gets just that...laughs. Then there's Bruce, who undergoes a transformation from dough boy to nearly buff as he does anything to become a lifeguard.

What helps the film in terms of the story is the series of relationships that transpires throughout the film. One in particular to mention is that of Jack and Susan. It starts as the boy loves girl thing, but Susan's diva personality and wanting to land a rich man leads to Jack losing her but gaining more out of that loss. There are quite a few surprises that result in unlikely but working relationships by the film's finale, which features a performance from OrKestra, a spin-off group of the famous 70's rock group Electric Light Orchestra.

In conclusion, SUMMER JOB is truly one of the more underrated 80's teen comedies thanks to its straight forward story, a non-antagonist plotline, and unlikely romances as well as a young great cast.

AlbertV's Rating: B+

Rated R for nudity, very mild violence, and language
Run Time: 93 Minutes
Released by SVS Entertainment

Directed by Paul Madden. Produced by Josi W. Konski. Written by Ralph Wilson. Starring Sherrie Rose, James Summer, Amy Baxter, Dave Clouse, George O., Kirt Earhart, Cari Mayor, Fred Bourdin, Renee Shugart, Chantal, Hilly Gordon, Jim Pelish, Sherry Reichert

REVIEW: Grandma's Boy (2006)

2010-06-04T18:41:00.004-04:00

Since his breakthrough films, Adam Sandler has always had help from some of his best friends to help drive his films to box office gold. This comedy can be pretty summed as an Adam Sandler movie without Sandler himself. While the gags may be slightly Sandler fare, the formula ultimately works well thanks to the veteran cast assisting the "Sandler buddy" cast.

Alex (Allen Covert) is a video game tester and programmer who has lost his apartment when he failed to find any good work. He ends up living with his grandmother (Doris Roberts) and her two roommates, promiscuous Grace (Shirley Jones) and "human pharmacy" Bea (Shirley Knight). When he has the chance to work on a new game for Samantha (Linda Cardellini), Alex must convince his co-workers that his new "roommates" are three beautiful women who love to have their way with him.

As he tries to work on the new game, he has also taken the time to develop his own game, Demonik. During a party at his house, truths are revealed and while Alex gets together with Samantha, lowly co-worker Jimmy (Nick Swardson) hooks up with Grace. Meanwhile, game creator JP (Joel David Moore) learns about Demonik and intends to market it as his own.

Longtime Sandler support cast member Allen Covert has been Sandler's foil for many of his films, from HAPPY GILMORE (as the shaggy caddy) to THE WEDDING SINGER (as his best friend) to THE LONGEST YARD (as the referee). This time, he takes the lead in what may not seem likable on paper but likable on celluloid. Covert and co-star Nick Swardson co-wrote the screenplay, which focuses not only on the job of a video game tester, but his relationship with his grandmother, wonderfully played by Doris Roberts of EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND.

Roberts is joined by veterans Shirley Jones and Shirley Knight. Jones, best known as the matriarch of THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY, truly goes against type as she plays a very promiscuous woman. She does it so well that her once good girl image is truly tossed away. Meanwhile, Shirley Knight doesn't really offer much as Bea, only to look like she is constantly drugged up and high off all the pills she has to take.

Covert is not the only Sandler alum in the cast. Peter Dante, best known as the loud mouth quarterback in THE WATERBOY, hams it up as Dante, the weed-smoking best friend of Alex. Much like a connoisseur of wine, Dante is pretty much one of weed, experimenting with all various brands of ganja. As for Nick Swardson, he brings the goofy sidekick brand of comedy as Jimmy, who surprisingly becomes a man thanks to Grace's charm. As nemesis JP, Joel David Moore brings a more freaky performance as his character is too much of a computer geek and even goes as far as acting like a robot. Annoying at times for sure.

GRANDMA'S BOY could have been another Adam Sandler film, but with Sandler stepping back to give his friends ups is a noble thing to do. The formula works well without him and one could only hope for more fare with the Sandler boys.

AlbertV's Rating: B

Rated R for dialogue and language
Run time: 94 minutes
Released by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Directed by Nicholaus Goossen. Produced by Allen Covert. Written by Barry Wernick, Allen Covert, and Nick Swardson. Starring Allen Covert, Nick Swardson, Doris Roberts, Shirley Jones, Shirley Knight, Linda Cardellini, Joel David Moore, Kevin Nealon.

REVIEW: Shrimp on the Barbie (1990)

2010-06-04T17:30:00.004-04:00

After Tommy Chong went solo with his straight to video film FAR OUT MAN (1989), it was now former partner Cheech Marin to prove that lightning can strike twice. First came BORN IN EAST L.A. (1987) and now comes this raucous fish out of water story set in the Land Down Under.

Carlos Munoz (Marin) is a Mexican-American traveling to Australia to find work so he can send out for his girlfriend. Eventually finding work at a local Mexican restaurant called Manana, Carlos has the chance to become an owner if he comes up with $5,000. Sadly, he learns his girlfriend is marrying the very person who sent him to Australia. Confused and broke, Carlos soon learns of an opportunity to become part-owner of Manana.

Alexandra Hobart (Emma Samms) wants to marry former Aussie Rules footballer Bruce (Vernon Wells) but her businessman father Sir Ian (Terrence Cooper) disapproves due to Bruce's style of showing off. However, he promises that the next man Alex meets will give him a more open mind. After a failed birthday party at Manana causes Carlos to be somewhat hounded by owner Wayne (Bruce Spence) and deemed a loser by Bruce, Alex has found her new "man".

Anyone who has seen these brand of films knows where this is going to go. While Michael Gottlieb directed the film, he wasn't too happy with the result and therefore used the all-American pseudonym of Alan Smithee in the credits. This may seem like simple rom-com fare in essence, but Marin truly drives the film well with his antics. When disguising himself as the new jerk in Alex's life, he brings back memories of his days with former partner Tommy Chong. However, as the film progresses, he begins to really like the family and attempts to act more normal.

Emma Samms, best known for her role on the 80's primetime soap DYNASTY, plays somewhat of a spoiled princess who only wants to marry the love of her life. Hamming it up as the loud mouth former sports star and constant player Bruce, Vernon Wells brings a welcome change of pace from his days as ROAD WARRIOR nemesis Wez. The highlight scene of the film though is a hilarious scene involving Carlos and Alex's cousin Maggie, someone obsessed with horses and...Mexicans?! Jeannette Cronin plays the role to a tee and this scene may have one rolling on the floor laughing so hard as she tries to have her way with Carlos while acting like a horse!

THE SHRIMP ON THE BARBIE is not a bad film. Diehard Cheech Marin fans will get a kick out of it. For others, I would recommend at least a rental and judge for yourself.

AlbertV's Rating: B

Rated PG-13 for Brief Nudity, Language, and Mild Violence
Run Time: 94 minutes
Released by Sofa Home Entertainment

Directed by Alan Smithee (Michael Gottlieb). Produced by R. Ben Efraim. Wrfitten by Alan Shearman, Ronald E. House, and Grant Morris. Starring Cheech Marin, Emma Samms, Vernon Wells, Carole Davis, Bruce Spence, Terrence Cooper, Jeanette Cronin.

REVIEW: Unrivaled (2010)

2010-05-01T13:02:00.003-04:00

After two misfires with NEVER SURRENDER and DEATH WARRIOR, could the third time be the charm for martial artist turned filmmaker Hector Echavarria? Sadly, the answer is no as the problems that plagued the other two films do the same here.

Echavarria plays Ringo Duran, a down on his luck fighter who has gone past his prime and fights for as little as $500 while owing a big debt to loan shark Sergio (Al Sapienza). To make ends meet, Ringo works as a bartender at a local strip club. At the local gym where he trains, he always gets hassled by the younger Alonso (Keith Jardine).

However, an opportunity for Ringo to turn his downward spiral back upwards is imminent. A professional fight circuit offers $100,000 to the winner of an upcoming tournament providing that not only will he make it to the finals but defeat the current world champion, Christopher "The Pressure" Holland (Rashad Evans). Ringo begins to train for the tournament and is determined to prove everyone wrong by winning the tournament.

As the saying goes, one cannot teach a dog new tricks. With two misfires in 2008's NEVER SURRENDER and 2009's DEATH WARRIOR, one would think Hector Echavarria would have learned his lesson by now. Don't get this reviewer wrong. Echavarria is a great martial artist and does well with working with other choreographers. However, he really needs to work on editing and camera angles when it comes to his brand of fight choreography. Here, he goes solo in choreographing all the fight sequences himself rather than get help from the real MMA fighters who appear and they suffer from the problems that plagued the last two films he starred in. There are far too many quick cuts and extreme close-ups. An attempt to use long shot slow motion at times would work had it been complemented better.

As mentioned, real-life MMA fighters make up the tournament fighters. Rashad "Sugar" Evans plays the current champion, who will go to great lengths to keep his title. Keith Jardine plays the hot-headed Alonso, who constantly berates Ringo because of his age. Forrest Griffin and Nate Marquardt play tournament fighters as well. While Evans' character is the champion, the true villain comes in the form of loan shark Sergio, played by veteran soap opera star Al Sapienza. Sergio is seen as a true scumbag who will do anything for money.

Another flaw comes in the script, by Echavarria, Brad Bode, and director Warren P. Sonoda. Once again, the gratuitious nudity comes into play and at the wrong time. There are scenes at the strip club, which is totally understandable, but it seems like scenes involving slow motion erotic dancing is totally unnecessary. On the plus side, the near soft-core eroticism that plagued NEVER SURRENDER and had lessened with DEATH WARRIOR, begins to diminish with only one real love scene in the film, but one can't help but not being able to stand the slow motion stripping.

UNRIVALED could have marked the charm for Hector Echavarria. However, it falls short like the previous MMA-themed films he has worked on. While he has more MMA-themed films lined up, he should attempt to do something different and work with a more talented fight choreographer and learn from whoever he works with. It is best to rent the film and see for yourself, but you may end up disappointed in the end.

Rating: D

Rated R for violence and nudity

Run Time: 103 minutes

Released by Grindstone Entertainment and Tapout

Directed by Warren P. Sonoda. Produced by Sean Buckley. Written by Hector Echavarria, Warren P. Sonoda, and Brad Bode. Action choreographed by Hector Echavarria. Starring Hector Echavarria, Rashad James, Keith Jardine, Nate Marquardt, Forrest Griffin, Al Sapienza.

REVIEW: Redbelt (2008)

2010-04-22T19:51:00.002-04:00

As of late, Mixed Martial Arts, or MMA, have been intricate in cinema, thanks to the likes of Donnie Yen's Hong Kong films SPL and Flash Point as well as Hollywood films like Never Back Down and the straight-to-DVD flicks starring Hector Echavarria. Directed by David Mamet, this is one of the best MMA flick efforts out there, thanks to its intricate storyline and stellar cast.

Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu instructor who trains local policeman Joe Collins (Max Martini) and others. However, he constantly finds himself in debt. When Laura Black (Emily Mortimer), a lawyer with mental issues, arrives at the school after accidentally hitting Mike's car, she accidentally discharges Joe's pistol, hitting the window of the school.

That night, at a local bar, Mike comes to the aid of Chet Frank (Tim Allen), a washed-up action star who gets heat from a local patron. Chet thanks Mike by giving him a wristwatch and an invite to dinner. Mike is then invited to the set of Chet's latest action film. Mike soon finds himself an opportunity to work as a potential stunt coordinator. However, when his wife Sondra (Alice Braga) is set up by Chet's wife and loses $30,000, Mike finds himself in major trouble. It becomes the least of his worries.

When Mike explained his teaching methods to Chet's agent Jerry Weiss (Joe Mantegna) before the set-up, Mike finds himself stunned when a MMA tournament company run by Dylan Flynn (Randy Couture) and Marty Brown (Ricky Jay) decide to use Mike's very method in determining the fights. When Mike unsuccessful attempts a lawsuit, he finds himself drawn to compete in the tournament as the only way to pay off his debts.

David Mamet truly brings out one of his best, if not his best film to date. Apparently, he was influenced by the fact that actor Ed O'Neill (who makes a cameo in the film) was actually a practicioner of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu not to mention he is a jiu-jitsu practicioner himself. Creating an environment that juxtaposes the business side and spiritual side of the martial art, Mamet is able to mesh fight scenes with dramatic scenes very well.

British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor gives out a great performance as Mike Terry. He plays Terry as not much a tortured soul but one who believes more in the integrity and honorable code of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. To him, money is just money. However, his wife thinks differently and only seems to care about business and paying debts off. She even complains when she has to take money from her fabric business to pay for Mike's dojo. From the getgo, you can tell that domestic bliss between these two is definitely on the negative side.

Tim Allen, usually known for his more comedic performances, impresses in a dramatic light as washed up action hero Chet, who may seem at first Mike's confidant. However, this soon proves to be nothing more than a con artist, or so it seems. Chet is perhaps the most underdeveloped character because one can't tell whether it was his agent who made Chet that way or if it was out of Chet's own nature to set Mike up for a fall. This is the only flaw in the entire film.

It is clear that with the exception of Laura, played well by Emily Mortimer, as well as Snowflake, played by Crank villain actor Jose Pablo Cantillo, all of the supporting characters seem like the scumbag type. Perhaps Mamet did this on purpose to show that Mike is truly the one honorable character and despite always facing obstacles, he must find a way to persevere. The only other character one cannot be too sure about is that of tournament promoter Dylan Flynn, played by Ultimate Fighting Championship legend Randy Couture. He seems like the young executive type who just hears an idea and goes along with it rather than ask questions.

The fight sequences are well done here. Fight choreographers John Machado (who has a role here as Mike's fighting brother-in-law and potential arch nemesis) and Rico Chiapparelli did a good job under the supervision of Renato Magno, who created the fight sequences. There are some nice angled shots and despite some extreme close-ups, overall, the fights show the true techniques of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu to a tee. Ejiofor underwent training for three months and looks quite impressive here. A knife fight on set of Chet's movie was choreographed by Dan Inosanto, who also makes a cameo as Mike's teacher, simply named "The Professor".

If you want to see a really good MMA film, then REDBELT is definitely a must on your list. David Mamet really created an environment that highlights the difference between the financial aspects and the true honor of martial arts.

AlbertV's Rating: A

Run Time: 99 minutes
Released by Sony Pictures Classics

Written and directed by David Mamet. Fight sequences created by Renato Magno. Fight choreography by John Machado and Rico Chiapparelli. Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Emily Mortimer, Tim Allen, Ricky Jay, Joe Mantegna, Randy Couture, John Machado, Rodrigo Santoro, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Max Martini.

THOUGHTS: The Sensei (2008)

2010-04-01T15:09:00.005-04:00

As some of you may know, not only do I try my best to update this blog, but I am also a contributor for KungFuCinema.com, having been part of the online staff for two years now and counting.

Just recently, I wrote a review on an emotional martial arts drama titled THE SENSEI. The film was written and directed by Diana Lee Inosanto, the daughter of Bruce Lee student and Filipino martial arts legend Danny Inosanto. This is truly a movie that must be seen only for martial arts fans, but those who believe in gay civil rights (such as the film MILK) as it churns out a very important message.

I got word that Ms. Inosanto really enjoyed my review and posted a quote from it on the official website of the movie. I don't like bragging about my work, but I do like to brag about films that I personally feel should be viewed and THE SENSEI is definitely one of those films.

For my review of THE SENSEI, go to http://www.kungfucinema.com/review-the-sensei-2008-14144

THE SENSEI Official Website can be found at http://www.thesenseimovie.com

If you are able to rent the film, please do so. You will certainly not regret it and will not see this as a mindless martial arts action film.

REVIEW: The Hangover (2009)

2010-01-19T17:56:00.003-05:00

From the director of the comedy OLD SCHOOL comes one of the most hilarious comedies that defines the terms “buddy comedy” and “misadventure” in one nicely wrapped up package.

What starts out as a fun bachelor party weekend for a group of best friends turns into the wackiest misadventures when groom-to-be Doug (Justin Bartha) is missing after a night of heavy partying. For Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), and Alan (Zack Galifianakis), the day-long search for Doug becomes a day that they will never ever forget.

When the movie opens, we learn just a little about the central characters. Phil can be said to be the ringleader of the group. Not only is he Doug’s best man, but when it comes to partying, he is the top dog. Stu is pretty much the “whipped” guy of the group. He is constantly harassed by his girlfriend, who ironically, cheated on him months ago on a cruise ship, yet she still tells him to jump and he’s ready to break the trampoline. Alan is Doug’s future brother-in-law and someone who from the getgo, isn’t all there. However, for stand-up comic Galifianakis, he virtually steals the movie from his fellow cast members, including a memorable scene paying homage to the 1988 classic RAIN MAN.

The comic chemistry of Cooper, Helms, and Galifianakis is reminiscent of some of the great comedy teams of the old era. The many obstacles these three endure show the range of physical comedy that makes this a very funny film. A highlight of this brand of physical comedy involve the trio escaping jail time by volunteering to get the taser gun from a group of junior high kids.

The laughs are truly the delight of the film. From the first moment Alan sees a tiger in the bathroom the day after their wild night out, one can’t help but know they are in for a wild ride. Highlights include one of the other guys getting married, adventures in babysitting, and meeting Mike Tyson himself, who provides quite a funny cameo appearance. Getting in on the laughs in cameos are Heather Graham, Rachael Harris, and Mike Epps. Even the new “supporting comic actor of the year” Ken Jeong provides a memorable role as a Chinese gangster out to get the boys for money and his introduction in the movie is clearly memorable.

THE HANGOVER is definitely one of the funniest films of the year and if you haven't seen it, then go out and see it!

AlbertV's Rating: A+

Rated R for profanity, mild violence, and brief nudity.
Run time: 95 minutes.
Released by Warner Brothers Home Entertainment

Directed by Todd Phillips. Written by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. Starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zack Galifianakis, Justin Bartha, Heather Graham, Mike Epps, Ken Jeong

REVIEW: The Proposal (2009)

2009-11-04T17:49:00.004-05:00

What do you get when you take MISS CONGENIALITY and VAN WILDER in the same film as one of the GOLDEN GIRLS? One of the funniest romantic comedies of the year.

Sandra Bullock plays Margaret Tate, a Canadian-born book editor who is known for her crazy temper and keeps her staff in check. While he does get annoyed with her ways of working, her assistant Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds) stays loyal in hopes that he does make it as a book editor and even an author one day.

When Margaret learns she may end up being deported due to a failure to renew her visa to work in the United States, she comes up with a plan. She pretends to be engaged to Andrew. Andrew agrees on the condition that he gets his manuscript published and they head to Andrew's family's home in the small town...very small town of Sitka, Alaska.

This is where the fun begins. Andrew's family is somewhat famous in Sitka, having a variety of local shops with the Paxton name. Andrew's eccentric grandmother (Betty White) is about to turn 90. While Andrew goes along with the plan, he still has some sort of family issues involving his father (Craig T. Nelson), who expects more from Andrew. Meanwhile, as the weekend goes on, Margaret, who has never had a real family experience, begins to envy Andrew for the love his mother and grandmother have given not only him, but to her as well. However, will Margaret really begin to have feelings for Andrew or will somehow the plan they hatched be jeopardized?

There is just something with romantic comedies this year. There was the "bromantic" comedy I LOVE YOU MAN (2009) that was a hit film and now comes this film that shows some very funny on-screen chemistry between lead actors Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. Bullock is the very straight edge hard-at-work dominant woman of the so-called "engagement" while Reynolds steps back from bringing that sarcastic type of humor he played out in VAN WILDER and more recently, X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE, as the quiet yet loyal assistant who must act as the fiance.

Over the course of the film, Reynolds' character begins to gain a sense of confidence as he knows he is the only one who can prevent Bullock's character from getting deported back to Canada. Yet at the same time, she tends to make some pretty good comebacks to Andrew's "confident" manners. In one memorable scene, to show their relationship in front of his mother and grandmother, Andrew hugs Margaret and pats her on the bottom with Margaret threatening that if he touches her there again, she will pull a Lorena Bobbitt on him. Need I say more? Then of course, the famous scene where Andrew and Margaret accidentally bump into each other while both are fully nude...sorry, no nudity is shown, but seeing them both freak out at theis funny enough.

Betty White, famous for the series THE GOLDEN GIRLS, practically steals her scenes from anyone she is involved with. If one thought she brought our some craziness in the horror film LAKE PLACID, she ups the ante here as Andrew's grandmother. She tends to bring more sarcasm to the role as well as one memorable scene where she believes in spiritualism and does a dance which seeing her do it, is just flat out hysterical. She also tends to be the pivotal role when it comes to the somewhat damaged relationship between Andrew and his hard-nosed, stubborn father, played well by veteran Craig T. Nelson.

Of course, this being a film about a plan involving two opposites, someone who has seen their fair share of rom-coms know what to expect, yet it is the chemistry between Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, not to mention Betty White's scene stealing performance that makes THE PROPOSAL one of the above average rom-coms this year.

AlbertV's Rating: A

Rated PG-13 for language and adult situations.
Run Time: 108 minutes
Released by Touchstone Home Entertainment

Directed by Anne Fletcher. Written by Pete Chiarelli. Starring Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Mary Steenburgen, Betty White, Craig T. Nelson, Malin Akerman, Aasif Mandvi, Oscar Nunez.

REVIEW: Van Wilder - Freshman Year (2009)

2009-10-23T13:38:00.004-04:00

Only one question comes to mind. What were the producers thinking making this prequel to the 2002 hit National Lampoon film that helped launch Ryan Reynolds? Despite this film having its moments, this prequel just does not compare to the original or even its “sequel/spinoff”, THE RISE OF TAJ (2006).

Jonathan Bennett plays Van Wilder, who has just graduated from high school and is on his way to his father’s alma mater, Coolidge College. Upon arrival, he learns that college may not be all it is cracked up to be. The dean of the school, Corporal Reardon (Kurt Fuller), runs the school like it’s a military academy and has a hatred for the Wilder family. Naturally, he intends to do anything in his power to make Van leave Coolidge, including joining the ROTC program. There, he falls for his “commander”, Kaitlin (Kristin Cavallari) and makes life hell for Reardon and Kaitlin’s boyfriend Dirk (Steve Talley).

We all know the legend of Van Wilder and where it goes from there. Ryan Reynolds practically dominated the movie in 2002 when he played the “party liaison” who had to throw parties to pay his tuition after he is cut off by his father. Reynolds without a doubt IS Van Wilder. Jonathan Bennett, who takes over the role in this prequel, tries to be like Reynolds, but simply doesn’t do too good of a job. Not that he tries his hardest, because he does. Sadly, he just doesn’t really compare to Reynolds and quite frankly, they should have just left the legend alone.

There are some funny bits in the film that deems typical for this brand of “raunchy comedy”, such as a scene where Dirk and his ROTC group smear their faces with what they think it’s camouflage. It’s not and for this type of comedy, you can pretty much take a wild guess what the so-called “camouflage” actually is. Another involves Reardon thinking he is getting a massage, but gets something a little more extreme. It involves peanut butter and Van Wilder’s dog, who he meets coming out of a research lab. Once again, use your imagination.

What helped make the 2006 sequel/spinoff VAN WILDER 2: THE RISE OF TAJ is that Van has passed his brand of philosophy onto his assistant from the first film. That’s what made it an interesting film. However, as we learn how Van got his start. Well, some prequels work, this one doesn’t bode too well.

Unless you truly feel the need to see it, it is quite best to pretty much avoid VAN WILDER: FRESHMAN YEAR. It’s not as good as its predecessors and the lead tries too hard to be Ryan Reynolds, and doesn’t bode well.

AlbertV’s Rating: D-

Rated R for language, mild violence, sexual humor, and pure grossness.
Run Time: 91 minutes
Released by Paramount Home Entertainment

Directed by Harv Glazer. Written by Todd McCullough, based on characters created by Brent T. Goldberg and David Wagner. Starring Jonathan Bennett, Kristin Cavallari, Kurt Fuller, Steve Talley, Jerry Shea, Nic Nac, Nestor Absera.

REVIEW: My Life in Ruins (2009)

2009-10-23T12:43:00.004-04:00

This latest outing from Nia Vardalos, the star of the wildly popular MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING (2002), features a scene stealing performance by Richard Dreyfuss with a great story involving a woman who learns to open up after going through failure after failure.

Vardalos plays Georgia, a Greek-American woman in Greece in hopes to find work at Athens University. However, due to cutbacks, she is forced to work as a tour guide to make ends meet. Needless to say, she hates her job and always gets the motley bunch while rival Nico (Alistair McKeown) gets the good group. She also learns that the driver for her latest tour is a Grizzly Adams lookalike named Procopi (Alexis Gergoulis), who goes by his nickname “Poupi” and his last name is Kakas (Get it?).

The tour group consists of people who look like they could be in line for a remake of POLICE ACADEMY (1984). By that, I mean the types of characters, not the actors themselves. They include an Australian couple who live to drink, two sex-starved yet sick of men Spanish divorcees, an obnoxious American couple, a bickering British couple with a daughter who never smiles, a businessman who is constantly on his cell phone, a backpacking American college student, and an elderly couple.

However, the highlight of the film and the big scene stealer is Irv (Richard Dreyfuss), an elderly man who loves to make wisecracks at anything and anyone. There is more to Irv than what it seems and he soon becomes Georgia’s true confidant and helps her with making drastic changes to her life. As the group travels towards Greece and somewhat learn, not only Georgia, but everyone involved in this trip, go through many drastic changes. There is even a hint of romance between Georgia and Poupi, who himself changes at first by looking more non-Grizzly Adams.

There is a subplot that involves the rivalry between Georgia and Nico. Their supervisor, Maria (Bernice Stegers) knows that Georgia doesn’t like her job much and when Nico offers to make Georgia quit for a raise, Maria agrees. Some of the movie is spent with Nico doing to anything to make Georgia more miserable, from mocking her group to making Gator (said American collegian) wear a shirt with Greek letters saying something rather towards a love for men but in a more risqué fashion.

Making his American debut, Greek actor Alexis Gergoulis looks like Ringo Starr meeting Dan Haggerty in the beginning. However, as time progresses, he changes and soon becomes Georgia’s love interest. He helps Georgia “open up” and helps with some of the comic relief of the film. Yet, along with Irv, he provides about talking why he doesn’t plan life and it helps inspire Georgia to be freer. Plus, that character name is something that is going to be the only thing this movie may be known for aside from Nia Vardalos. Where else are you going to find a movie with a guy named “Poupi Kakas”?

Richard Dreyfuss, as Irv, is just great to watch. He provides most of the comic relief as Georgia tries to be funny, but since her character isn’t supposed to be funny at first, all of the comedy is practically left to Irv. Irv churns out some pretty funny stuff at first, but then, he becomes more subtle with a little bit of funny. It is Irv who is the true inspiration for the group changing their ways and becoming more open and enjoy themselves, especially both Georgia and the bickering British couple.

Like MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, the film was executive produced by Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson, who makes a cameo as Irv’s departed wife. While Vardalos didn’t write the screenplay this time around, she must have had a hand in the story as it shows a bit of a comical yet nice representation of Greece…for the most part. Furthermore, look for a funny cameo by Vardalos’ husband, Ian Gomez, as a crazy Greek hotel clerk.

If you liked MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, chances are you will like MY LIFE IN RUINS. It’s not as good as MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, but it’s still a fun film to check out.

AlbertV’s Rating: B

Rated PG-13 for language and sexual humor.
Run time: 94 minutes
Released by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Directed by Donald Petrie. Written by Mike Reiss. Starring Nia Vardalos, Richard Dreyfuss, Alexis Gergoulis, Harland Williams, Rachel Dratch, Caroline Goodall, Ian Ogilvy, Jareb Duplaise, Rita Wilson, Ian Gomez.

REVIEW: Las Vegas Warrior (2002)

2009-10-07T17:54:00.001-04:00

Another entry in the now sub-genre of “illegal fight movie” comes courtesy of director Nastasha Baron. The film, originally titled MU SA DO, is two stories interconnecting all revolving around an illegal underground ring operation in Sin City, Las Vegas.

Chase Somete (Laurie Hanley) is an investigative reporter for local news show Behind the Story. Her next assignment is professional martial arts fighting in Las Vegas. Showing a display of unenthusiasm, she takes her team of Jimmy (Earl Wadden) and Andre (Jason Simpson) to Vegas to see a bout between Iranian-born taekwondo champion Alexi Zarjampour (Alexi Zarjampour) and Korean-born fighter Suk Nam (Suk Woo Nam). When Suk kills Alexi, Chase and her team have found their story.

With the help of seafood deli owner and informant Gill (Nic Amoroso), Chase learns of an underground fight ring operating in Vegas with its star fighter being none other than Suk. However, Suk has a reason for his fighting. His father was killed by the organizers of the fight ring and had been raised since childhood as part of the “family”, owing a large debt to his uncle. Suk becomes torn as he wants to get out of the fight game once and for all. As Chase gets closer to her story, Suk must make a choice, one that will affect his life forever.

While the film can be pretty much summed as typical B-movie fare, it does hold up some character development in terms of one of its lead characters. While one of the two major plots that connect the film involve a no-nonsense investigative reporter trying to get her story on the Vegas illegal fight ring and its connection to a dead fighter in a professional bout, one can’t help but show a little empathy for the titular “warrior” of the film. As doomed fighter Suk Nam, Suk Woo Nam does his best to play a man who wants nothing more than to fight in order to pay his debt and live a free life once and for all. Going through flashbacks of witnessing his father’s murder as a child, Suk is determined to do anything not to end up like his father.

While the film begins to have its potential, one character in the film somewhat ruins the excitement of the overall production. Chase’s assistant Jimmy Olson (yes, named after the famous SUPERMAN character), played by Earl Wadden, is one of the most annoying characters ever seen on film. He only cares about living the high life just because he is part of a major news broadcast. While Chase and Andre don’t care about staying at a rat-infested place just to get their story on Suk, Jimmy whines about wanting to stay at a five-star. His constant whining can make someone want to go up to the screen, reach in there and smack him so many times.

Suk Woo Nam, an expert in Hapkido, not only co-stars in the film, but served as producer and fight choreographer. For a film about underground fighting, Nam did a decent job, using a more realistic combination of some taekwondo and jujitsu, perhaps one of the early predecessors to today’s mixed martial arts fighting films. In some fights, some of them are marred by the usual close ups and quick cuts, while one fight scenes mainly is shot from overhead angle, showing more technique and impact, making it for a pretty decent fight scene. For this being Nam’s only film, it is quite a shame he hasn’t made any more films to date as he could have improved some more on fight choreography should he continue to make films.

From a decent beginning to a downward spiral full of annoyance and a somewhat disappointment of an ending, LAS VEGAS WARRIOR definitely holds rank as typical B-movie, but if Suk Woo Nam makes another film, perhaps he will have something a little better to work with, but overall, definitely worth at least a rental.

AlbertV's Rating: C+

Not Rated.
Run Time: 93 minutes
Released by Trinity Home Entertainment

Directed by Nastasha Baron. Written by Tom Hanley. Starring Laurie Hanley, Suk Woo Nam, Earl Wadden, Jason Simpson, Ryf Van Rij, Nic Amoroso. Fight choreographer/stunt coordinator Suk Woo Nam.

REVIEW: Role Models (2008)

2009-10-07T17:50:00.003-04:00

Actor Paul Rudd has come off some great roles in his career as of late with his roles in ANCHORMAN (2004), THE 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN (2006), and KNOCKED UP (2007). Here, he proves not only can he pull off comedy in front of the cameras, but with the help of director David Wain and two others, he can pull off co-writing a very funny comedy.

Rudd teams up with Seann William Scott (Stifler in the first three installments of the AMERICAN PIE series) as Dave and Wheeler, two spokesmen for an energy drink called Minotaur. While they are promoting the drinks to various schools, they have their issues. Dave is a sourpuss who has somewhat of an attitude problem, something that forces his lawyer girlfriend Beth (Elizabeth Banks) to leave him. Meanwhile, Wheeler is the typical “player”, always chasing any woman in order to get her in the sack.

One day, both their lives change after a fight with a tow truck driver forces them to make a choice: jail or community service. They choose the community service and they spend time playing big brothers to two kids. Dave gets Augie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), a loser who spends his time going to LAIRE, a sort of live action Dungeons and Dragons. Wheeler gets Ronnie (Bobb’e Thompson), a foul-mouthed eleven year old kid whose mouth is his biggest problem.

While Dave and Wheeler first only care about getting their community service over and done with, they soon begin to grow closer to the two kids, really becoming “big brothers”. However, two incidents may jeopardize their chances of their getting out of jail and forcing them to decide what is best for not only the kids, but themselves as well.

It seems that Paul Rudd could steal the scenes from any movie that he has recently appeared in, but here, he is given one of his first lead roles and well, the way the movie was written, who better than to find his comic screen buddy in Seann William Scott. Scott, who will forever be known as the original “Stifler”, seems somewhat typecast as they may as well have called his character “Steve”. It is virtually the same role as in the AMERICAN PIE films that he brings here, however, it’s not more or less the usual Stifler than the changed Stifler from AMERICAN WEDDING (2002). Comparing the two main characters, it is Rudd’s Dave who goes through the most change here as he has not one, but two relationships to fix throughout the film.

The kids they are forced to watch are played by Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Bobb’e Thompson. Mintz-Plasse, perhaps known as “McLovin’” in the hilarious SUPERBAD (2007) and the superhero in the upcoming KICK ASS, brings his nerdy style to a tee as Augie, a typical geek who has a passion for the medieval and even re-enacts it in what can only be described as a cross between a live action Dungeons and Dragons and Dark Ages of Camelot. Bobb’e Thompson, best known as the troublemaker Stanley on the Disney series THAT’S SO RAVEN, plays virtually the same role except with more of a mouth that will want his mother to break out the soap.

Some of the supporting characters play off their roles very well. Elizabeth Banks does well as the more “conscious” Beth, while the very popular Jane Lynch just brings it as the owner of the organization Dave and Wheeler must go to for their community service. Since seeing him as the wacky doctor in KNOCKED UP, Ken Jeong was destined for being funny and he continues here as the LAIRE’s King, Argotron. One look at him and the way he comes off, most likely one will start to laugh. Thankfully, Jeong has made himself one of the best supporting comedian actors of this generation.

ROLE MODELS is not just for fans of “Stifler” Seann William Scott, but definitely fans of some of today’s best comedies. It is a heartwarming…oh, who are we kidding? It’s a funny, at times laugh out loud look at the lives of two men who change while being “big brothers”.

AlbertV’s Rating: B

Rated R for language, nudity, sexuality, and mild violence.
Run time: 99 minutes.
Released by Universal Pictures.

Directed by David Wain. Written by David Wain, Paul Rudd, Ken Marino, and Timothy Dowling. Story by Timothy Dowling and William Blake Herron. Starring Seann William Scott, Paul Rudd, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bobb’e Thompson, Elizabeth Banks, Jane Lynch, Ken Jeong, Ken Marino, Kerry Kenney-Silver. Stunt coordinator Jeff Imada.

REVIEW: Watchmen (2009)

2009-10-07T17:38:00.002-04:00

The Alan Moore-Dave Gibbons classic graphic novel comes to life in Zack Snyder’s visually enhanced, gripping tale of a band of superheroes in an alternate 1985 in New York City, and the obstacles they must endure to possibly save everyone, including themselves.

For the course of decades, costumed superheroes have existed and have been met with warm receptions from everyone alike due to their law-abiding duties to save people. As time goes on, the need for such heroes have hit an all-time low, eventually causing them to disappear. The last of these heroes were known as the Watchmen.

The Watchmen comprised of Silk Spectre II (Malin Akerman), Nite Owl II (Patrick Wilson), Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup), Ozymandias (Matthew Goode), Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley), and The Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). When The Comedian is murdered by an unknown assailant, the ink-blotz masked Rorschach begins to investigate even though he has become a wanted man.

Silk Spectre, aka Laurie Jupiter, has been living with Dr. Manhattan, aka Jon Osterbach, who has the power to move matter anywhere. Nite Owl has retired and lives life as plain old Dan Dreibach. Dr. Manhattan and the highly intelligent Ozymandias, aka Adrian Veidt, have been working together to prepare a retaliatory weapon in case Russia decides to threaten the U.S. with nuclear war. The relationship between Laurie and Jon begins to fizzle and Laurie soon finds herself attracted to Dan, who has had a thing for Laurie for years. Meanwhile, Rorschach will do anything to find out who killed The Comedian and why, no matter what it takes.

The treatment of a previous Moore-Gibbons collaboration, V FOR VENDETTA (2006), resulted in Moore getting frustrated and denouncing the film version, despite the film doing modestly at the box officer. Moore became more adamant when his beloved novel WATCHMEN was getting the film treatment yet Gibbons was behind it wholeheartedly. Despite Fox nearly stopping the film’s release due to copyright infringement against Warner Brothers, the companies thankfully settled and the film proved to be a hit at the box office and it is clearly seen why it succeeds.

After many directors were attached, the producers found their man in Zack Snyder, the man responsible for bringing the huge hit 300 to life. His influence of bringing a graphic novel to life with its visually enhancing and story-driven theme works well here as it did with 300. The film gets to shift now and again from 1985 to the past, where we see the characters as either children or as they were before undergoing their changes as superheroes.

The cast playing the titular Watchmen make the best of their roles. Malin Akerman (THE HEARTBREAK KID) brings sex appeal to the role of Silk Spectre. Patrick Wilson (LITTLE CHILDREN) brings a kind of shy-yet-determined foremanner as Nite Owl. Jackie Earle Haley is devilishly gritty as Rorschach, perhaps the best of the bunch. Billy Crudup has the physical attributes of Dr. Manhattan, but his voice somewhat flaws the character’s integrity. Matthew Goode has that Michael Douglas-like Wall Street panache as the intelligent Ozymandias while Jeffrey Dean Morgan hams it up as the real “jerk” of the group, the violently prone and murdered Comedian.

Some of the action is well done as compared to other action films. Fight choreographer Damon Caro makes use of making some of the characters well versed in martial arts (mostly using doubles) and in one of the film’s best fight sequences, new couple Nite Owl and Silk Spectre team up and take on a group of prisoners trying to escape while they try to break the imprisoned and unmasked Rorschach out of jail. A previous sequence shows the un-costumed duo taking out a band of street thugs using their martial arts skills, which almost ranks up there with the prison fight scene.

While some parts were obviously changed from the original 80’s graphic novel, WATCHMEN is definitely worth seeing as director Zack Snyder brings a unique vision to the film with a very watchable cast, notably former child star Jackie Earle Haley in one of his most grittiest roles to date.

AlbertV's Rating: A

Rated R for violence, language, and sexuality.
Run time: 162 minutes.
Released by Warner Brothers Home Entertainment

Directed by Zack Snyder. Written by David Hayter and Alex Tse, based on the graphic novel Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. Starring Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Patrick Wilson, Carla Gugino, Matt Frewer. Stunt coordinator/Fight choreographer Damon Caro.

REVIEW: Race to Witch Mountain (2009)

2009-10-07T17:35:00.000-04:00

After a successful collaboration with the family comedy THE GAME PLAN (2008), former wrestler turned actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and director Andy Fickman reunite for this update of the classic Disney films revolving around two special children with extraordinary powers.

Jack Bruno (Johnson) is a cab driver in Las Vegas who is trying to go legit after working for a mob boss and has spent time in prison for grand theft auto. He likes his job only for the mere fact that it is making him a straight man. One day, he finds two teens unexpectedly in his cab. The teens are Sarah (Annasophia Robb) and Seth (Alexander Ludwig), who are not exactly what they seem to be.

At first, Jack thinks they are just ordinary kids. However, when they begin to get pursued by the government, the truth is revealed. Sarah and Seth are aliens whose parents were scientists who have discovered a way to save their dying planet by collecting some of Earth’s natural resources. However, their government wants to invade the Earth and the kids are the only hope to save their planet and to stop the impending invasion. However, not only are the U.S. government after the two, but an alien military assassin has arrived to Earth as well. Jack and the kids must rely on scientist Alex (Carla Gugino) to find their ship and save both their homes before it is too late.

In the 1970’s, Disney unleashed the films ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (1975) and RETURN TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (1978), which starred Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann as Tia and Tony, two extraterrestrials who have the powers of telepathy and control matter. This updated version of the two films combined brings the use of modern technology and have a duo of villains, one in a group of U.S. government agents who want to expose them as well as an alien being who is revealed to be an assassin for the military of the teens’ home planet. For some reason, the assassin is reminiscent of PREDATOR (1987), encased in armor and not truly revealed until the finale and looking quite hideous.

Former wrestler turned bonafide actor Dwayne Johnson (formerly “The Rock”) brings in a pretty good performance as cab driver Jack Bruno. Johnson has always had a flair for both action and comedy, with some of his best performances in the “ha-ha” department in films like BE COOL (2005) and THE GAME PLAN (2007). He does most of the same here and yet, we learn more about Jack’s past and how he tries to escape it. For his new adventure, Jack sees it as an opportunity for something more positive in his life.

Playing the new alien teens are Annasophia Robb and Alexander Ludwig. The two definitely represent opposite sides of the spectrum. Robb’s Sarah is somewhat quiet and determined yet trusting of Johnson while Ludwig’s Seth can be seen as somewhat of a hot-head who feels that no human can be trusted and uses his powers to effect a little too much at times, almost on the border of recklessness.

Ciaran Hinds brings his evil snare to the role of Agent Burke, a determined government agent who becomes hellbent on getting the mission complete. He does anything to get what he wants, something he brought in LARA CROFT, TOMB RAIDER: THE CRADLE OF LIFE (2003), where he played the film’s main nemesis. With his looks and acting skills, it is no wonder why Hinds would make the perfect villain actor for this project, despite having polar opposites of henchmen, one whose determination makes Burke proud (played by Tom Everett Scott), and a rookie agent who has some sort of sympathy for the kids (played by Chris Marquette).

Fans of the original films will be in for a surprise as the original kids, Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann, make cameo appearances in the film. In a scene where Jack and the kids end up in a small town, Richards is seen as a waitress at a local club while Eisenmann plays the sheriff of the town. In fact, Eisenmann’s character is “Sheriff Anthony”, a play-off for his original character of Tony with Richards as “Tina”, playing off the character of Tia. This could possibly indicate that perhaps the original siblings are now grown up and in this small town living normal lives.

RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN is definitely one for the family to enjoy. It is a pretty good update to a classic Disney film series. One can say remake, but looking deep into it, it may not be that much of a remake but more an update. Nevertheless, a fun family film.

AlbertV’s Rating: B+

Rated PG for mild violence.
Run time: 98 minutes.
Released by Walt Disney Home Entertainment.

Directed by Andy Fickman. Screenplay by Matt Lopez and Mark Bomback. Story by Matt Lopez, based on the novel Escape from Witch Mountain by Alexander Key. Starring Dwayne Johnson, Annasophia Robb, Carla Gugino, Alexander Ludwig, Ciaran Hinds, Tom Everett Scott, Chris Marquette, Kim Richards, Ike Eisenmann. Stunt coordinator Scott Rogers.

REVIEW: Paul Blart, Mall Cop (2009)

2009-10-07T17:33:00.001-04:00

He’s big. He’s bad. Okay, he’s just big. Kevin James stars as the titular character as the mall security guard who could possibly give Inspector Clouseau a run for his money…well, maybe not exactly.

Paul Blart (James) dreams of being an officer of the New Jersey Police Department. However, there does pose one little problem. He is hypoglycemic, which means without sugar, he passes out. He does somehow like his job as a mall security job, a job that has been going on for a decade. While training newcomer Veck (Keir O’ Donnell), he falls for kiosk worker Amy (Jayma Mays) and the two seem to somehow connect, but after a night of hard partying, Paul nearly jeopardizes those chances.

It will soon become the last of Paul’s problems. While hanging out at the arcade, a band of terrorists begin to take over the mall. Shockingly, the leader of the terrorists is revealed to be none other than rookie guard Veck, who plans to steal 30 million dollars from all the stores. Paul learns about the plot and the terrorists and at first reluctant, he ultimately realizes he is the only hope to save everyone held hostage and stop the terrorists.

Co-produced by none other than Adam Sandler, this film is made to bring the physical comedy of Kevin James, best known for his nine season stint on the television series THE KING OF QUEENS. While James makes for a good television comedian, here, he kind of does a decent job, but it is better for him to do more television work. James does have his moments as Paul, including a fight with a woman at a Victoria’s Secret, but it doesn’t bode well beyond that. He does try hard but sometimes too hard. Yet, one can only give him credit for trying.

While it is unfair to compare this film with the Seth Rogen-led mall security comedy OBSERVE AND REPORT (2009), there does pose similarities between the two films. There’s the overweight protagonist as well as the hotshot cop who stands at odds with the protagonist. Here, the hotshot is a SWAT officer who turns out to be a former high school bully of our hero, played by an over-the-top Bobby Cannavale. Of course, there’s the love interest, here played by EPIC MOVIE’s Jayma Mays, who holds her own and acts more endearing than Anna Faris’s perfume counter girl.

At least there is no flashy martial arts fight scenes here, but rather have Blart use his environment around him to go after the terrorists, two of which are experts in the free running style of parkour. Of course, they do a little overdosing with the hypoglycemic angle and that isn’t always a good thing here. They need the right moments to use it and at times, it doesn’t hold up well.

PAUL BLART: MALL COP has its moments, but it’s arguably not the best comical feature about mall security, yet Kevin James does try his best at physical comedy. However, he should stick to television in the end.

AlbertV’s Rating: C+

Rated PG for mild language and violence.
Run time: 92 minutes.
Released by Columbia Pictures.

Directed by Steve Carr. Written by Kevin James and Nick Bakay. Starring Kevin James, Keir O’Donnell, Jayma Mays, Raini Rodriguez, Shirley Knight, Stephen Rannazzisi, Jamal Mixon, Peter Gerety, Bobby Cannavale, Erick Avari. Stunt coordinator Chris O’Hara.

REVIEW: Observe and Report (2009)

2009-10-07T17:29:00.002-04:00

From the director of the hilarious comedy THE FOOT FIST WAY (2006) comes this raucous comedy about the life of mall security guards with a funny cast led by the funny Seth Rogen, star of KNOCKED UP (2007) and the upcoming adaptation of THE GREEN HORNET.

Rogen plays Ronnie Burnhardt, the head of security at the local mall. He has dreams of being a real police officer as well as having a major crush on perfume store worker Brandi (Anna Faris), who doesn’t seem to want to give Ronnie the time of day. However, that becomes the least of Ronnie’s problems.

A flasher has been stalking the mall and exposes himself constantly to the female patrons in the parking lot. While Ronnie does whatever he can to find the flasher and end his “terror”, he finds more fish to fry when a robber has been invading the mall after hours. When Brandi becomes the latest victim of the flasher, Ronnie finds himself an opportunity to perhaps get close to her. Meanwhile, he finds himself at constant odds with police detective Harrison (Ray Liotta), the hotshot local cop who has a knack for making Ronnie look bad. The results of everything are sure to be hysterical in one way or another.

For his directorial debut THE FOOT FIST WAY, Jody Hill tackled the troubled life of a taekwondo instructor yet made it one of the most talked about comedies of the year thanks to comic actor Will Ferrell and star Danny McBride. For his second feature, mall security guards in action is the concept here and once again, Hill succeeds thanks to the performance of lead actor Seth Rogen leading the cast in one mishap after another.

Known for being “that shaggy guy” in THE 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN (2006) and KNOCKED UP (2007), Rogen is seen with a complete clean cut and on his way to losing the massive pounds he would eventually lose as he preps up for THE GREEN HORNET (2010). However, Rogen’s style of comedy still shows and he plays lead character Ronnie to a tee. Dedicated to solving both cases involving a flasher and a robber, he attempts to stop at nothing to solve them, yet finds himself in the worst of situations at the same time.

The supporting cast for this film is nothing short of funny. Anna Faris, fresh off her breakthrough comedic role in THE HOUSE BUNNY (2009), brings the character she played in the ensemble comedy WAITING (2007) and uses it to play Ronnie’s dream girl Brandi. Michael Pena plays it off well as Ronnie’s best friend and fellow security man Dennis, who looks like a skinny Latino version of what Rogen “used” to look like while Ray Liotta shows that he can do some brand of comedy as the hotshot cop/rival of Ronnie, Detective Harrison.

Some of the humor is completely on the level of raunchy, but in this day of age, if you have survived THE 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN, KNOCKED UP, or even the AMERICAN PIE series, then it is safe to say that this is definitely one you can live through, even though you will see the “flasher” running with his coat open in slow motion at times and it is quite a scare and a laugh at the same time.

OBSERVE AND REPORT is a pretty funny look at mall security guards with Seth Rogen in one of his finest performances, plus a funny supporting cast of this caliber with laughs from all sides of the spectrum.

AlbertV’s Rating: B

Rated R for language, mild violence, and sexuality
Run time: 86 minutes
Released by Warner Bros. Pictures

Directed by Jody Hill. Written by Jody Hill. Starring Seth Rogen, Anna Faris, Michael Pena, Ray Liotta, John Yuan, Matthew Yuan, Celia Weston, Colette Wolff, Aziz Ansari. Stunt coordinator Gary Hymes.

REVIEW: X-Men Origins-Wolverine (2009)

2009-10-05T19:48:00.001-04:00

The most famous character of the X-Men universe gets his own spin-off, which takes us to the origins of how he would become one of the most fearless and heroic superheroes of the X-Men team.

The man who would become Wolverine was born James Howlett. At a young age, he saw his father killed at the hands of the father of Victor Creed. Howlett soon finds he is a mutant with claws made of bone protruding from his knuckles. When he kills his father’s murderer, he learns that the man he murdered is his real father. James and Victor soon leave and for years, they go through a number of wars. Like James, Victor is also a mutant with fangs and long fingernails like an animal.

The now adult James (Hugh Jackman) and Victor (Liev Schreiber) are sent to be killed when Victor kills a superior officer. However, they are soon recruited by William Stryker (Danny Huston), a commander who uses mutants to form a squad to carry top secret missions. North (Daniel Henney), Fred (Kevin Durand), John (Will.I.Am), and Wade (Ryan Reynolds) make up Stryker’s mutant squad and after carrying out a mission to retrieve a rare metal, James leaves the team and heads years later in the Canadian wilderness.

James, who reverted to using his real surname of Logan, has found love with teacher Kayla Silverfox (Lynn Collins) and works as a carpenter. Meanwhile, Victor has returned as well, picking off fellow mutants. Stryker informs Logan, who soon discovers it is too late when Victor kills Kayla. Undeterred, Logan undergoes a process in which the rare metal Stryker has located, adamantium, has been infused in Logan’s skeleton. When Stryker intends to erase Logan’s memory as a coverup, Logan escapes and his mission begins.

The film was made perhaps to give the new generations of fans a visual look at how the most prolific member of the X-Men is born and while Wolverine did have his own comic in the 1980’s, in which he is in Japan, producers felt that it was better to really delve into the true origins of Wolverine.

Bearing relation to X2: X-MEN UNITED (2003), the film goes into the relationship between future enemies Wolverine and Stryker, as mercilessly played here by Danny Huston. The film also looks into the good ol’ sibling rivalry between Wolverine and the future Sabretooth, as somewhat miscast by Liev Schreiber. While Schreiber could have made a better Stryker, he tends to make the best of his role as Victor.

Despite being on the cover of the DVD, Ryan Reynolds’ appearance as the fast-talking, sword wielding Wade Wilson (later to be known as Deadpool) is more of a cameo appearance while Taylor Kitsch does some amazing work as the future X-Man Gambit. Kitsch brings that style of Louisiana flavor that Gambit brings with both his cards and his trusty use of the long staff.

While some may oppose to the finale, people must remember this is actually a prequel to the X-MEN films and we do learn how Wolverine is born. So there is a distinction of a somewhat disappointing finale, but that is expected for a prequel as it soon becomes the beginning of the road for a future hero.

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE truly doesn’t disappoint, but does have its brand of flaws. However, one cannot help but see Hugh Jackman return to the role that made him famous in a film as to how the most famous of the X-Men is born.

AlbertV's Rating: B+

Rated PG-13 for violence and language.
Run time: 107 minutes.
Released by 20th Century Fox Entertainment.

Directed by Gavin Hood. Written by David Benioff and Skip Woods, based on the comic strip X-Men created by Marvel. Starring Hugh Jackman, Liev Schriber, Danny Huston, Lynn Collins, Ryan Reynolds, Will.I.Am, Kevin Durand, Daniel Henney, Scott Adkins. Stunt coordinators Glenn Boswell and Mike Mitchell. Fight choreographers Chad Stahelski, David Leitch, and J.J. Perry.

REVIEW: I Love You, Man (2009)

2009-10-05T19:01:00.005-04:00

One of the most talked about comedies of the year is the perfect definition of “bromance”, where it involves two guys just getting to be best friends with absolutely no romantic agenda between them whatsoever, triggered by the performances of the two leads.

Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd) is a realtor who has just been engaged to his girlfriend of eight months, Zooey (Rashida Jones). However, there does pose one little problem. Peter has never really had any male friends. He is a more of a “girl friend” type of guy. His friends have mostly been female and despite talking to the likes of some guys at his fencing practice and a co-worker, Peter’s never had a best man friend.

Enter investment banker Sydney Fife (Jason Segel), who meets Peter at an open house. The two soon hit it off and it is not long before Peter comes out of his shell. For the first time in his life, Peter feels comfortable having a male best friend. He soon relives some of his past, by playing the bass guitar, as well as enjoying his time with Sydney. However, as the wedding is coming closer, Peter may begin to feel his new “relationship” may become an obstacle to his relationship with Zooey. Will Peter have to eventually choose between Sydney or Zooey?

In the wake of comedies such as the Judd Apatow films (40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN, KNOCKED UP) and FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL (2008), the laughs keep on coming with this “bromantic comedy”. Directed and co-written by John Hamburg, this is a very funny film thanks to the performances of lead actors Paul Rudd and Jason Segel. Rudd, who is making a huge name for himself thank to his recent performances in Apatow’s films, plays it off really well as the “lonely” Peter. We even learn about his family, with great performances from Jane Curtin and J.K. Simmons as his parents and the funny Andy Samberg as his gay brother, Ronnie.

Segel, fresh off his lead role stint in FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL and his role on the popular sitcom HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, brings it as the soon-to be best friend of Peter, who helps him get out of his shell. While Rudd plays Peter as a shy realtor who seems to have a somewhat dull life with the exception of his existence with his fiancée, Segel is the over the top wild party guy who loves to have fun and hang out. While the film tackles the subject of “bromance”, the classic romantic comedy theme of “opposites attracting” comes full force here.

Even driving the film is the relationship between a couple close to Zooey and not so much Peter, as played by Jaime Pressly and Jon Favreau. The two are constantly bickering, more notably Favreau, whose performance here is reminiscent of his insane performance of the football comedy THE REPLACEMENTS (2000). It seems like Favreau can be the “go-to” guy at times and it still works here with his supporting role.

What helps drives the film are two running jokes that exist throughout the course of the film. The first involves Peter. Whenever he attempts to do any sort of impersonation or voice, he is constantly referred to as imitating a leprechaun. The second involves former bodybuilding champion turned actor Lou Ferrigno, best known as the man who played the Marvel superhero THE INCREDIBLE HULK on the series that ran from 1978 to 1982. Ferrigno, who plays himself here, as Peter is attempting to sell his house, is constantly referred to as “Hulk”. In one scene, Peter explains to Zooey that Lou isn’t the Hulk in real-life but a sweet guy, much like the Hulk’s alter ego Bruce Banner.

The film also has an appearance from Rush, one of the most popular rock bands to come out of Canada. Much in the sense that Adam Sandler’s film BIG DADDY (1999) popularized the music of American rock band Styx and MURIEL’S WEDDING (1993) and MAMMA MIA (2008) driving the music of 1970’s Swedish music icons ABBA, this film drives the music of Rush. Peter and Sydney jam and rock out to two of Rush’s most popular tunes from their 1981 monster album Moving Pictures, “Tom Sawyer” and “Limelight”. It may sound bias, but as a Rush fan, their music helps drive the film.

I LOVE YOU, MAN, despite its somewhat awkward title, is definitely one for the guys. The performances of the cast, the running jokes, and the music of Rush help make this one a definite must-see “bromantic comedy”.

AlbertV’s Rating: A+

Rated R for sexuality, language, grossness, and a just a tad of violence
Run time: 105 minutes.
Released by Dreamworks Home Entertainment/Paramount

Directed by John Hamburg. Written by John Hamburg and Lloyd Levin; story by Levin. Starring Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Rashida Jones, Jane Curtin, J.K. Simmons, Andy Samberg, Thomas Lennon, Jaime Pressly, Jon Favreau, Rob Huebel, Lou Ferrigno.

REVIEW: Street Fighter - The Legend of Chun Li (2009)

2009-10-05T18:57:00.003-04:00

The kung fu fighting diva of the legendary video game series gets her own film, which makes for a prequel/redux of the Street Fighter legend. However, despite a decent script by Justin Marks, the result is badly executed.

As a young girl, Chun Li trained in martial arts by her father. However, when her father is forced to work for an evil businessman known as Bison (Neal McDonough), Chun Li attempts to live her dream of becoming a pianist. When her mother dies of cancer, Chun Li becomes determined to find Bison in Bangkok and learns her father is still alive. She begins to continue her martial arts training under the mysterious Gen (Robin Shou), a former associate of Bison’s who has seen the errors of his ways.

As Chun Li gets closer to Bison, she finds herself being wanted by both sides of the law. Bison sends his top men Balrog (Michael Clarke Duncan) and Vega (Taboo) to kill Chun Li while Interpol agent Charlie Nash (Chris Klein) and Thai officer Maya (Moon Bloodgood) also want to investigate Chun Li.

During the early 1990’s, the video game STREET FIGHTER II became one of the most popular video games to hit the market. Capcom was so impressed that in 1994, they authorized a live-action adaptation of the film marketed at the teen market. However, the film didn’t do so well mainly because of the miscasting of two big stars during that period, martial arts action star Jean-Claude Van Damme as Guile and the late Raul Julia as villain M. Bison.

Fast forward fifteen years later. One of the major subplots of the 1994 movie involved the character of Chun Li, who was after M. Bison in an attempt to avenge the death of her parents. Enter newcomer screenwriter Justin Marks, who used that subplot as the basis for this new adaptation. While the script actually was the best thing about the film, it was the resulting execution that made this film pretty bad. In fact, comparing the two adaptations, it is clear that the 1994 version seems to hold its own much better than this.

First, like the 1994 version, there is some pretty bad miscasting, notably in the lead role of Chun Li herself as well as villain Bison. While Kristin Kreuk brings that Asian look to the role, she doesn’t exactly fit in the role in terms of the emotional characterization Chun Li feels in her mission of revenge. Neal McDonough, best known for his villain role in WALKING TALL (2004) and his role on the television series DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, has the eyes of perhaps a Bison, but like Kreuk, he lacks the action skills necessary to make the role work.

The only casting that makes true sense here is that of Balrog, who unlike the previous adaptation, is seen here as one of Bison’s henchmen. Here, he is played by the hulking Michael Clarke Duncan and his stature mixed in with Balrog’s style of boxing is practically the only good thing. Even Hong Kong actress Josie Ho, who showed herself as an on-screen fighter in HOUSE OF FURY (2005) is wasted here as one of Bison’s thugs who has a brief fight with Chun Li in the women’s restroom at a nightclub.

As a fan of Hong Kong-style action choreography, one can’t help but have a sense of respect for Dion Lam, who has had a formidable career as an actor and action choreographer. However, the problem with this film is very basic. Since Donnie Yen’s recent films have re-evolved Hong Kong action by minimizing wirework and adapting more to the old school of hard knocks plus the recent emergence of mixed martial arts being used in action films, one would think Lam and his team would use a more kickboxing style, less wire effective style. Sadly, that is not the case here. The wirework is too over the top and it poses the basic theory of non-martial artists having to rely on wires to make them formidable screen fighters. It completely falters here and makes the film overall look quite bad.

In conclusion, it is safe to say that STREET FIGHTER: THE LEGEND OF CHUN LI, much like DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION is a complete misfire of an adaptation due to miscasting and an overdose of wire-enhanced martial arts action. It is much better seeing the Van Damme film STREET FIGHTER rather than this. Avoid this at all costs.

AlbertV's Rating: F

Rated PG-13 for language and violence.
Run time: 96 minutes
Released by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Directed by Andrzej Bartrowiak. Written by Justin Marks, based on the video game Street Fighter II by Capcom. Starring Kristin Kreuk, Neal McDonough, Chris Klein, Moon Bloodgood, Michael Clarke Duncan, Robin Shou, Taboo. Martial arts choreographer Dion Lam.

REVIEW: The Wrestler (2008)

2009-10-01T18:56:00.003-04:00

Darren Aranofsky’s visionary film revolving the life of an aging professional wrestler is one of the biggest films of 2008, thanks to a mesmerizing performance from Mickey Rourke, who makes a well worthy comeback to A-list films.

The titular “wrestler” is Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Rourke), who was a successful professional wrestler in the 1980’s and has continued to wrestle for more independent circuits as of late. Despite his aging, he is still respected by the wrestling community and in his hometown for the most part. However, he has been way past her prime and must hold a part-time job at a local supermarket.

His personal life is not any better as well. He has an estranged relationship with his daughter Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood) and he spends some nights at a local gentleman's club because he feels close to one of the exotic dancers, Cassidy (Marisa Tomei), who is a struggling single mother.

Things for Randy get worse when he suffers a massive heart attack after one of his matches. When the doctor suggests he retires, Randy decides to do just that. This will give him the opportunity to heal old wounds and hopefully make changes in his personal life. However, deep down, Randy wants to wrestle in one last match, against his old arch nemesis, the Ayatollah (Ernest Miller). Will Randy be able to achieve both, especially the latter despite his poor health?

Director Darren Aranofsky, along with screenwriter Robert Siegel, created a well-made film about the struggling life of a professional wrestler. In no way is this a glamorization of the world of professional wrestling, but more of a intricate look at a former superstar who has gone through hell and back. In fact, Aranofsky's message is very clear by the end of the film: even the biggest heroes are in fact, human.

Former 80's heartthrob Mickey Rourke has had his bad share of recent roles and for a long time, has been waiting for the one role that will launch to make a comeback into A-list status. Look no further than his performance in this film. Rourke brings a sense of true emotion in the role of Randy much like in the sense that he is portraying himself in the film. Both Rourke and his character of Randy are struggling stars hoping to make that impact that made them stars once again years later after making some bad personal decisions. From the outlook of the film, there couldn't be anyone better than Rourke playing the role of Randy.

Even the two core people in Randy's life have their own problems. Marisa Tomei gives out a great performance as Cassidy, the exotic dancer who spends a lot of her time at the nightclub with Randy and may in fact have feelings for him. However, she lets her personal problems get in the way of a potential relationship with him, notably the fact that she is a single mother and feels like she cannot do much else aside from dancing.

While she doesn't have as much screen time as her fellow co-stars, Evan Rachel Wood makes the best of her role as Randy's estranged daughter Stephanie. She truly hates her father for practically deserting her, yet tends to see how much he has been struggling and offers him a chance for reconciliation.

In conclusion, THE WRESTLER, much like the documentary BEYOND THE MAT (2004), takes a look at the real side of professional wrestling. The cast brings out wonderful performances, notably Mickey Rourke, who definitely is the perfect fit for the role of a former superstar on the verge of a comeback despite having to overcome personal obstacles.

AlbertV's Rating: A+

Rated R for nudity, drug use, language, and violence.
Run time: 111 minutes.
Released by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Directed by Darren Aranofsky. Written by Robert Siegel. Starring Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, Mark Margolis, Todd Barry, Wass Stevens, Ernest Miller. Stunt coordinator Douglas Crosby.

REVIEW: The Inglorious Bastards (1978)

2009-10-01T18:34:00.006-04:00

With the recent success of Quentin Tarantino’s World War II-set epic INGLORIOUS BASTERDS (2009), it was time to look into one of the big influences behind Tarantino’s hit, this Italian-made internationally cast feature directed by Enzo G. Castellari, which like Tarantino’s version, is set in Nazi-occupied France during World War II in 1944.

The “bastards” in this film are a group of G.I. renegades who are on their way to be sent to military prison for a series of various crimes. They include Lt. Robert Yeager (Bo Svenson), Pvt. Fred Canfield (Fred Williamson), playboy wannabe Tony (Peter Hooten), the shy Berle (Jackie Basehart), and the long haired reckless Nick (Michael Pergolani). On their way to the prison, they get themselves in the middle of crossfire between the Nazi regime and the American military. They escape and soon find themselves accepting a mission to join a French underground movement to retrieve a nuclear warhead.

Originally film in 1978, the film earned its not most popular title upon its theatrical release in 1981. With Fred Williamson’s participation, the film had undergone title changes such as DEADLY MISSION and G.I. BRO to name a few. However, this can be said to be a routine Italian-made World War II-set flick that from looking at it, brings a sort of spaghetti western feel to the story.

Despite its production value and now official cult classic status, the actors looked like they were having a grand ol’ time, notably Bo Svenson as leader Robert Yeager. Svenson, perhaps best known before this film as the replacement for Joe Don Baker in PART 2, WALKING TALL (1977), plays Yeager as the true ringleader of the gang, even going so far as disguising himself as a top German officer after they take one prison, with the ability to speak German and all.

Fred Williamson brings his hard boiled hero from the blaxploitation days to this film as the only African-American member of the team. He goes about taking nothing from no one and lets them know that. Peter Hooten, who would go on to play Marvel superhero Dr. Strange in a very bad TV-movie, is Tony, who brings an arrogant nature but has strong feelings when it comes to a French resistance member and nurse Nicole (Debra Berger). Nick is the long haired, moustached member of the team who has a shear sense of recklessness while Berle is the quiet member of the team who hopes to make it alive through the ordeal.

Come to think of it, this film can be said to have been or not have been an influence not only for Tarantino. From the foremanner of the “bastards”, it can be said that maybe Stephen J. Cannell came across this movie as an influence for his 1980’s hit television series THE A-TEAM (which in turn, is going through the big-screen adaptation). Yeager is the John “Hannibal” Smith of the group, Canfield is B.A. Baracus, Tony is Templeton “Faceman” Peck, and combine the characters of Berle and Nick and you have “Mad Dog” Murdock. Seeing this film, it all quite makes sense.

The stunts for the film are quite interesting for its time. Stunt coordinator Rocco Lerro did quite a job handling the stuntwork for the actors, most of whom performed their own stunts, notably when they make their way out of a Nazi-occupied castle through a zipline. However, the piece de resistance of the stunts comes in a nicely shot and edited three to four-minute segment in which major crossfire ensues and members of both factions are shot or flying from the impact of grenades. The climax of the film truly brings that spaghetti western feel to a close and one would never expect how the film ends, but it is quite a way to end a film of this caliber.

While it never gained a huge following in its initial release, there is a good chance that Enzo G. Castellari’s THE INGLORIOUS BASTARDS will soon get a new generation of viewers thanks to its influence on Quentin Tarantino and even possibly, Stephen J. Cannell (yet that is not verified to this day).

AlbertV's Rating: B+

Rated R for violence and language.
Run Time: 99 minutes.
Released by American Transcontinential/Severin Films

Directed by Enzo G. Castellari. Written by Sandro Continenza, Sergio Grieco, Romano Migliorini, Laura Toscano, and Franco Marotta. Starring Bo Svenson, Peter Hooten, Fred Williamson, Jackie Basehart, Michael Pergolani, Michel Constantin, Debra Berger, Raimund Harmstorf, Ian Bannen. Stunt coordinator Rocco Lerro.

REVIEW: Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

2009-10-01T18:22:00.003-04:00

Danny Boyle’s Academy Award-winning film is a visual delight that revolves around three time frames for a young man, whom as the title indicates, appears on a popular game show and relives how is able to know the answers.

Jamal Malik (Dev Patel) is first seen at a Mumbai police station, enduring pure torture from investigative officers who think Jamal is a cheater. Coming off a near-complete victory on an Indian version of the popular game show WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE?, Jamal relives the accounts to the head officer how he knows the answers to the questions when he is accused of fraud.

The film intercuts between three time periods in Jamal’s life. There’s the present, in which he is at the police station giving his case to the head officer. There’s Jamal on the game show, in which the host of the show, Prem (Anil Kapoor), seems both impressed and not happy at the same time with Jamal’s performance. Finally, we learn where Jamal came from and the obstacles of life he and his older brother Salim (Madhur Mittal) endure from the time they are children orphaned when their mother is killed to the near present, where Jamal works at a call center and Salim has become a gangster. However, Jamal still remembers and still has feelings for a young woman he met when they were kids, Latika (Frieda Pinto).

Boyle makes good use of the film’s locales and the young fresh cast of the film. While the major characters Jamal, Salim, and Lakita are all played by various actors in different time frames, it is the performances of the young versions of the characters that really drive the film. The three young child actors were originally from the slums of Mumbai and in their film debuts, did a great job showing the troubles that these children endure, perhaps mimicking something they sometimes may go through in real-life.

Their performances do not take away the performances of newcomers Dev Patel, Frieda Pinto, and Madhur Mittal, who play the present versions of the characters. Patel brings out a kind of shyness yet subtlety to the role of the titular “slumdog millionaire” Jamal. Frieda Pinto brings out the “damsel in distress” role as Lakita while Madhur Mittal finds himself torn between his loyalty to his boss and his loyalty to his brother, as if he must act on a road to redemption for all the hurt he caused Jamal since they were little kids and there is plenty of that sibling rivalry that drives Salim to make a decision.

Boyle does bring out some disturbing scenes to the film, and while it does help the story move quite steadily, it can be quite cringe-worthy at times. One such scene involves a young boy singing for a local thug and after impressing the thug; he gets knocked out with ether and is blinded by some sort of silver nitrate to his eyes.

It is truly fitting that SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE deserves its Oscar-winning award for Best Picture. Danny Boyle truly shows a sense of life in Mumbai slums mixed in with one man’s dreams coming true. Plus, check out the end credit sequence where Boyle pays tribute to Bollywood in true fashion. This is truly a delightful yet gripping film.

AlbertV's Rating: A+

Rated R for violence, language, and some sexuality.
Run time: 120 minutes.
Released by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Directed by Danny Boyle. Written by Simon Beaufoy, based on the novel Q&A by Vikas Swarup. Starring Dev Patel, Frieda Pinto, Madhur Mittal, Anil Kapoor, Irrfan Khan, Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, Ayush Mahesh Khedekar, Rubina Ali, Tanay Chheda, Ashutosh Lobo Gajiwala, Tanvi Ganesh Lonkar, Manjesh Manjrekar.

REVIEW: Crank 2-High Voltage (2009)

2009-09-30T17:31:00.003-04:00

In the 2006 film CRANK, we were taken on a wild ride as hitman for hire Chev Chelios, played by British actor Jason Statham, found himself poisoned by a ruthless gangster. After a fall from a helicopter, people thought Chev was dead, but he’s not.

In this insane sequel, the film picks up right where we left off. Chev is kidnapped by a Chinese gang, led by Johnny Vang (Art Hsu). Chev’s heart has been stolen from his and replaced with an artificial heart that can be triggered only by electricity. Chev soon finds himself on another wild ride, one that reunites him with exotic dancer girlfriend Eve (Amy Smart), as well as a bevy of thugs from Chev’s past as he must track down Vang and find his heart.

If you thought CRANK took you in for a wild ride, you have not seen anything yet. Writer/directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor went quite insane with this film, sending Statham’s hitman back to using the most unorthodox methods to stay alive. In one sequence, Chev is surrounded by a band of cops who taser him. Big mistake as the electric jolt of the taser turns Chev into practically Superman as he dishes out some major punishment on the law.

The film also has the notion to be a B-movie fan’s dream as there are quite a number of actors from the lower budgeted movies of the past making appearances alongside a few adult film stars. However, mostly notable is former 80’s heartthrob Corey Haim as strip bar owner Randy, looking like he came out of the Billy Ray Cyrus school of 90’s hair. He has the pleasure of getting beaten up twice, once by Chev and once by Eve, played by returning star Amy Smart. However, the funniest appearance comes from David Carradine, who plays an old Asian man who has the distinction of looking like a sex-crazed Lo Pan lookalike named (get this) Poon Dong.

The film does have a few twists and turns that prove vital to the plot. For instance, Efren Ramirez returns but as a new character, Venus. It so happens that Venus is the twin brother of his killed off character from the original film and teams up with Chelios to find Vang and perhaps, someone else who may be the mastermind to kill Chev once and for all.

However, the film suffers from one major and brutal flaw that makes one wonder what Neveldine and Taylor were thinking. When Chev eventually catches up to Vang, the fight amongst power lines and the fight between literally turns into something that came out of a triple cross of POWER RANGERS, GODZILLA, and Hitoshi Matsumoto’s BIG MAN JAPAN. This was perhaps the most whacked out sequence of the film and it absolutely throws away some of the credibility of the film.

Of course, like its predecessor, there may be a set up for a potential third film in the series, but after seeing this, let’s hope that is truly NOT the case. While it is another wild ride, CRANK 2: HIGH VOLTAGE does have some major flaws and it may make some hope that should there be a CRANK 3, make it more in the vein of the original in terms of action and not do anything on the border of absolute fodder.

AlbertV's Rating: C

Rated R for violence, drug use, language, and sexuality.
Run Time: 96 minutes
Released by Lionsgate Home Entertainment.

Directed and Written by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor. Starring Jason Statham, Amy Smart, Art Hsu, Bai Ling, Clifton Collins Jr., David Carradine, Dwight Yoakam, Corey Haim, Geri Halliwell, Efren Ramirez. Stunt coordinator Jason Rodriguez.

REVIEW: Blood and Bone (2009)

2009-09-30T16:47:00.002-04:00

Underground fight movies are turning out to be “a dime a dozen”, with most of them turning out to have inferior plots and most of the times, very abysmal fights. However, there are some rare exceptions to the case and this action-packed drama is one of those exceptions thanks to the performance of lead actor Michael Jai White.

White plays Isaiah Bone, an ex-convict who finds himself at a crossroads upon his release from prison. He soon finds himself involved with an underground fight circuit and is managed by trash-talking young hustler Pinball (Dante Basco). When Bone proves himself to be a worthy fighter, he gains the attention of ruthless fight promoter James (Eamonn Walker), who sees gold in the new fighter. Bone’s intentions, however, are not what they seem and in a bold twist, finds himself caught between his loyalty to Pinball and an opportunity to get more money with James. However, does Bone have something else in mind altogether?

For his second feature film as director, Ben Ramsey (who co-wrote the godawful DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION) brings a case of redemption with the help of screenwriter Michael Andrews, a martial artist himself who had hopes to create a more honorable character that has a mission that no one, not even the viewer, knows about until the end of the second act. Andrews wished to create a “western”-like character and modernize the type to the world of underground fighting and who better than to bring the character to life than Michael Jai White.

For many years, White has showcased his martial arts skills in far inferior films when his career first started. However, until now, he had never taken the lead role in a martial arts action film because he always felt he did not want to star in just another mindless action film. Since then, White has showcased his acting skills in comedies and dramas, notably TYSON (1995), SPAWN (1997), RINGMASTER (1998) and TYLER PERRY’S WHY DID I GET MARRIED (2008).

White does a spectacular job in the role of Isaiah Bone, because this is a character who is more than he appears to be as well as an amazing fighter. Bone is one of those honorable anti-hero types who may come off somewhat as a bad guy, only because he is an ex-convict. However, he has more good intentions and uses that to his full advantage. White is a holder of seven different black belts and uses his skills to his full potential. He has some of the most flowing aerial kicks that may not have that gymnast style to it in the form of Extreme Martial Arts, but when he pops up in the air, it looks like he is just floating once he unleashes his kicking skills.

Dante Basco, perhaps best known as the voice of the titular AMERICAN DRAGON: JAKE LONG on the 2005-2007 Disney series, hams it up to good effect as fight promoter and Bone’s potential buddy Pinball. He brings a performance that bears some resemblance to a young comedic John Leguizamo. The way he shoots off, if Leguizamo had taken the role of Pinball, it wouldn’t have made much of a difference.

Eamonn Walker, best known for his role on the HBO series OZ, brings fear into some of the minor characters as rival fight promoter James, who proves to be quite the manipulator and virtually has a small group under his total control. When James doesn’t get his way, people either get seriously hurt or die. His main henchman, Teddy D, is played by martial artist and actor Ron Yuan, who doesn’t do much in the action department, yet like Pinball, really hams it up for the cameras reminding people of the Asian gangster-wannabe in the urban comedy HOW HIGH (2001).

Julian Sands is given top billing for the film, but is highly underused in the role of Franklyn McVeigh, the biggest fight promoter in the city. He virtually brings nothing to the table with the exception of acting all smug towards James and others. While it is not uncommon to have the “big fight promoter” type make an impact in a film, Sands’ McVeigh doesn’t make an impact and quite frankly, is the biggest if only flaw of the film.

With the theme of “underground fighting”, one wonders how the action fares. Without a doubt, the fight sequences in this film are far superior to other fight flicks of late, due to the lack of use of too many close-ups and quick shaky cameras. Instead, the techniques shown are well executed both on a camera level as well as an editing level. Where A-list films such as FIGHTING (2009) and NEVER BACK DOWN (2008) fail on the level of fighting, this film succeeds and makes the fighters of the cast look great. Kudos must go out to stunt coordinators J.J. Perry and Steve Upton as well as fight choreographer Fernando Chien for their nicely choreographed fight sequences.

Aside from White, a cast of real-life fighters make cameo appearances and make quite an impact. There’s Kevin Ferguson, known to the mixed martial arts world as Kimbo Slice, playing a prisoner who tries to kill Bone in the film’s opening sequence. Bob Sapp plays Hammer, James’ top fighter and fight circuit champion. Gina Carano plays a female fighter who shines in one fight scene and in a breathtaking fight scene, White is pitted against Extreme Martial Arts expert Matt Mullins. There is even an appearance from Bob Wall, who co-starred in Bruce Lee’s WAY OF THE DRAGON (1972) and ENTER THE DRAGON (1972), as one of McVeigh’s men, aptly named “O’Hara” (after his character in the latter film).

For those who may have felt “gipped” with films such as NEVER BACK DOWN, FIGHTING, and NEVER SURRENDER, prepare to meet your redeemer in BLOOD AND BONE. Aside from the more superior martial arts fighting, the story brings more to the table than you expect and it helps that this is finally the movie that everyone has been waiting for Michael Jai White to take. Highly recommended.

AlbertV's Rating: A

Rated R for language and violence.
Run time: 93 minutes.
Released by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Directed by Ben Ramsey. Written by Michael Andrews. Starring Michael Jai White, Julian Sands, Eamonn Walker, Dante Basco, Nona Gaye, Michelle Belegrin, Bob Sapp, Gina Carano, Matt Mullins, Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson. Stunt coordinators J.J. Perry and Steve Upton, fight choreographer Fernando Chien.

REVIEW: American Streetfighter (1992)

2009-09-30T16:42:00.005-04:00

British-born martial artist Gary Daniels made an impact with his Hollywood debut, a bit part in the straight to video action/drama RING OF FIRE (1991). This film marks his first lead role in an American action film and for its production value, it is pretty underrated and fun to watch.

Ten years ago, Jake Tanner (Daniels) was a professional underground fighter who goes on a mission with best friend Ito Ogawa (Roger Yuan), whose father (Gerald Okamura) was the big man behind the fights. However, a failed attempt to complete mission leads to Ito being gunned down and Jake leaves the U.S. for Hong Kong, where he became a successful businessman.

Jake gets a frantic phone call from his mother, who tells him that his younger brother Randy (Ian Jacklin) has entered underground fighting. Jake’s fears of his younger brother following in his footsteps have come true and Jake heads back to the U.S. There, he finds his former martial arts master Nick (Kent Ducanon) and Nick’s daughter Rose (Tracy Dali), who was Jake’s former girlfriend. When Jake confronts Randy, Randy ignores his older brother and continues to fight. However, Jake soon learns there is more than what it seems to be.

After taking on champion Viper (Dennis Reese) in a fight and ends up mauled, Jake wakes up and learns that Ogawa has been using fighters to transport drugs through their bodies. Jake soon learns Randy could be next and does everything he can to get the truth out before it is too late.

After working on a few Filipino films and showcasing his amazing martial arts skills in the straight to video RING OF FIRE (1991), Gary Daniels gets a chance to shine in his first lead role in an American martial arts film. While the premise is nothing short of standard, Daniels does bring out a decent performance for this type of film. He may not exactly look great with the long curly blond hair he sports here (later cut down), his martial arts skills are really great and as a result, make the fight scenes fun to watch.

Normally known for playing villains in martial arts films, kickboxing champion Ian Jacklin did a good job playing it off as Jake’s younger brother Randy. Jacklin possesses some very good kickboxing skills yet at the same time, loves his role and brings a style that might make him typecast as the showoff fighter. He would bring the “showoff” bit in later villain roles in KICKBOXER 3: THE ART OF WAR (1992) and RING OF FIRE II: BLOOD AND STEEL (1993). However, Jacklin would get a chance to shine in a lead role in the pretty decent B-movie DEATH MATCH (1994) opposite Martin Kove and Matthias Hues.

The fight scenes make the martial arts filled cast look pretty good. While Roger Yuan does a good job showcasing his skills in his cameo appearance at the beginning of the film, Daniels, Jacklin, karate expert Kent Ducanon (who looks like he could play the original Nick Fury with eye patch and all, hence the character name perhaps) and martial artist Dennis Reese (who plays Ogawa’s henchman and fellow fighter Viper) all collaborated on choreographing the film’s fight sequences, with Ducanon pulling some extra duty as stunt coordinator on some of the non-martial arts stunts. For a B-movie, the fights are actually pretty well shot, not utilizing too many close ups or quick cuts. Instead, some nice two shots and angle shots make the fights looks great when compared to some of today’s A-list action films.

AMERICAN STREET FIGHTER may be your run-of-the-mill fight film, but some decent performances of this genre from the likes of Gary Daniels and cast make this somewhat an underrated martial arts B-movie.

AlbertV's Rating: B

Rated R for language, violence, and a scene of sexuality.
Run time: 93 minutes.
Released by Simitar Home Video/Kreative Digital Inc.

Directed by Steven Austin. Written by Dom Magwili, based on a story by David Hue. Starring Gary Daniels, Ian Jacklin, Gerald Okamura, Kent Ducanon, Tracy Dali, Dennis Reese. Fight choreographers Gary Daniels, Ian Jacklin, Kent Ducanon, and Dennis Reese.

REVIEW: 12 Rounds (2009)

2009-09-30T16:36:00.004-04:00

After proving himself to be an action star with THE MARINE in 2006, WWE superstar John Cena returns in this action packed thriller that has one detective involved in one of the biggest “games” of his life, one that could possibly cause him just that…his life.

May 16, 2007. The FBI has attempted to nab suspected arms dealer Miles Jackson (Aiden Gillen) for a long time. However, a botched deal from a so-called mole ruined their chances of ever getting him. During a routine traffic stop, New Orleans police officer Danny Fisher (Cena) goes after Jackson and his girlfriend after his partner is shot down. When Fisher finally catches Jackson and his girlfriend, an attempt to escape leaves Miles’ girlfriend dead and Miles captured.

Flash forward to the present. Danny has now become a detective and lives at home with his longtime girlfriend Molly (Ashley Scott). However, his past catches up to him as exactly one year to the day of that fateful incident, Miles has escaped from prison and to make matters worse, he kidnaps Molly. Danny discovers the only way to stop Miles is to play along with a “game” Miles calls “12 Rounds”. To Miles, it is all about getting revenge for his girlfriend’s death and putting Danny in an ultimate cat-and-mouse game could prove to be not only dangerous, but potentially fatal.

WWE Superstar John Cena, following in the footsteps of fellow wrestler turned actors Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, slowly is beginning to make a somewhat decent comparison as he fared well in his film debut, THE MARINE, in 2006. However, with his second film, what helps Cena in his action star status is a pretty decent storyline and the direction by Renny Harlin, the Finnish-born director of DIE HARD 2 (1990).

Speaking of DIE HARD, the film brings a little resemblance to DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE (1992), in which Bruce Willis' John McClane plays a game of cat-and-mouse with revenge seeking Jeremy Irons. Instead of New York, the film is set in New Orleans where Cena's Danny Fisher plays the ultimate cat-and-mouse game with a revenge seeking fellow.

While Cena displayed hand-to-hand combat and his skills with the gun in THE MARINE, in this film, he uses more of his street smarts to play the game. He may be seen by some as just another wrestler turned actor but here, it is the intelligence of Detective Fisher in addition to some of his action scenes that could potentially turn Cena into the next Dwayne Johnson down the road.

Aiden Gillen, perhaps known for his roles in THE WIRE and the Jackie Chan-Owen Wilson starrer SHANGHAI KNIGHTS (2003) makes for a very good villain in suspected arms dealer Miles Jackson. Very clever, he always tends to get the upper hand in the game and even goes as far as pulling some aces in the hole when necessary. Ashley Scott, who almost a decade ago, kicked some major butt as Huntress on the television series BIRDS OF PREY, plays damsel-in-distress Molly. She has a somewhat rocky relationship with Fisher, but the game may ultimately bring them together. This is Scott's second film with WWE Films as she appeared as the love interest/damsel-in-distress in the remake of WALKING TALL (2004) opposite Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

In the end, 12 ROUNDS is a pretty good action thriller with a pretty good performance from John Cena, an intelligent villain in Aiden Gillen, and a cat-and-mouse game that altogether may help Cena rise to become one of the next big action stars.

AlbertV's Rating: B

Rated PG-13 for violence.
Run time: 99 minutes.
Released by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Directed by Renny Harlin. Written by Daniel Kunka. Starring John Cena, Aiden Gillen, Ashley Scott, Steve Harris, Brian J. White, Gonzalo Menendez. Stunt coordinator Steven Ritzi.

THOUGHTS: Patrick Swayze (1952-2009)

2009-09-15T16:15:00.004-04:00

Hollywood lost an icon last night as Patrick Swayze, who danced his way to superstardom with the hit 1987 film DIRTY DANCING and kicked some major butt in the 1989 action film ROAD HOUSE, has lost his battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 57.

Swayze had a love for sports and theater. A former ballet dancer and athlete, Swayze would make his film debut in 1976 with the teenybopper cult film SKATETOWN USA. However, it was his work in the 80's and early 90's that made him a superstar in Hollywood.

Although he would appear with major roles in 1983's THE OUTSIDERS and 1984's action drama RED DAWN (the remake is currently shooting), it was his performance as dance instructor Johnny Castle in 1987's DIRTY DANCING that made his an instant superstar. Combining aspiring dancing, appeal, and at times, ruggedness, Swayze delivered one of the most finest performances of his career.

A year later, Swayze would use his dance background to train in martial arts under the legendary kickboxing champion Benny "The Jet" Urquidez. While he first used his martial arts skills in the low-budgeted SAVAGE DAWN, it was ROAD HOUSE that put him on the map as a bonafide action star. As Dalton, a bouncer who fights his way through a criminal organization, the film featured a highlight bout between Swayze and ex-Army Ranger turned actor Marshall Teague. The film was a hit.

In 1990, Swayze returned to playing a romantic lead, but this time, he would appear as a titular GHOST. Playing a man who is murdered, he returns from the dead to make amends with his girlfriend, played by Demi Moore, and find out who killed him and why all through "psychic" Whoopi Goldberg. The film was a major hit at the box office.

After playing the villain in the 1991 action film POINT BREAK, Swayze's career took a dip. However, he still kept rolling with the punches, showcasing his acting talents as a drag queen in 1994's TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, JULIE NEWMAR to playing a truck driver in the action packed BLACK DOG.

In March of 2008, Swayze was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Despite his illness, Swayze starred on the one-season A&E series THE BEAST.

Patrick Swayze may be gone, but his legacy will never be forgotten. R.I.P. Patrick. I hope you're showing Gene Kelly, Danny Kaye and Fred Astaire some of that modern dancing up there.:-)

REVIEW: Fighting (2009)

2009-09-08T17:39:00.005-04:00

Before he loaded up as Duke in the recent hit G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA, Alabama-born Channing Tatum whipped some major butt in this action-drama that features some pretty good fight scenes plus some really good performances from the cast.

Tatum plays Shawn MacArthur, a young man from Alabama who has come to New York City to somehow get on with his life. Selling knock offs, Shawn encounters Harvey Boarden (Terrence Howard), a two-bit hustler, who is hoping to find some new talent for an underground fight ring. When Harvey is impressed when Shawn throws down against some of his boys, Harvey gives Shawn a chance to make some real money by fighting.

As Shawn begins to fight and win, he begins to fall for local club waitress Zulay (Zulay Henao), who lives with her grandmother and daughter. As the stakes begin to get higher for Shawn, he finds an old face in Evan Hailey (Brian J. White), a former protege of Shawn's father who Shawn has had his problems with. Evan is the top dog in the underground fight world and despite dark truths being revealed, a showdown between the rivals is inevitable.

With underground fighting being the new "fad" of action films, this may bode off as no exception. However, this is one of those rarities where the use of character development makes this film plausible and watchable. Channing Tatum gives out a great performance as Shawn, the Alabama-bred man who becomes the talk of the town when he competes in the underground fight circuit. As the movie goes on, we get to learn why Shawn has a sense of inner demons within him that he lets out once he fights. It may cause one to pose mixed feelings about him. Yes, he has a taste for fighting for money, but in some aspect, he also wants to do the right thing and in a way, give himself a sense of redemption.

Terrence Howard is definitely a respectable actor who proves he can make any role work. Here is no exception. As two-bit hustler Harvey, Howard brings kind of a "big brother" role to Shawn, trying to help him in any way possible. This includes letting the rookie stay at his place and help him make more money. As the film progresses, Harvey does have his share of dark truths, and eventually, like Shawn, he feels he needs to find a way to redeem and repent for his past mistakes as well.

The film is not just your ordinary fight movie. It is more of a tale of redemption for these two. In some ways, even the character of Zulay, played by Zulay Henao, needed a sense of redemption. As a single mother working as a club waitress, she feels she can do better. Sure, she becomes Shawn's love interest, but it is revealed she is much more than what one would think.

The action scenes, choreographed by Mike Gunther, were not too bad for this type of film. While the more flashy moves were mostly taken out, with the exception of Shawn against Dragon Le (played by kickboxing champion/actor Cung Le), the action mostly consisted of knock out, drag out fighting that is more reminiscent of those good old fashioned bare knuckle drabs that Clint Eastwood used to do in ANY WHICH WAY BUT LOOSE and EVERY WHICH WAY YOU CAN, but with a dose of the big mixed martial arts stuff. They prove not to be too bad for this film, yet at times, one feels that they could have been edited just a little better.

Nevertheless, FIGHTING is a decent effort from director Dito Montiel. It had a story about redemption through the underground fight world, the dark side of said underground fighting, but the performances of Tatum and Howard really moved the film forward and ultimately, watchable.

AlbertV's Rating: B

Image courtesy of Universal Pictures

REVIEW: Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1987)

2009-09-04T12:49:00.005-04:00

In what can be considered an homage to the classic 1950's monster films comes one of the most campy 80's cult classics this side of the world.

One night in a small town, something that looks like a shooting star appears and lands in the backyard of a local farmer (Royal Dano). A big circus tent appears and a group of alien-like clowns appear and shoot the farmer with a beam. Meanwhile, couple Mike (Grant Cramer) and Debbie (Suzanne Snyder) look for the shooting star and find themselves at the circus tent as well. They soon learn that this is no ordinary big top. They narrowly escape the clowns and try to warn local cop Dave (John Allen Nelson), Debbie's ex-boyfriend, and foul-mouthed arrogant Officer Mooney (John Vernon). No one believes them but soon it becomes too late.

The clowns begin to appear all over the town and begin to trap hapless townsfolk in cotton candy cocoons and take them back to their big top. While Mooney still doesn't believe anyone, Dave begins to believe Mike and Debbie. When Debbie is eventually kidnapped by the clowns, Mike and Dave must find a way to stop the clowns and end their terror once and for all.

From the Chiodo Brothers comes this very campy film that begins with the catchy Dickies title track, where the first line goes, "P.T. Barnum said it so long ago. There's one born every minute, don't you know." That, along with the methods the clowns use to trap their victims, it is all out fun that is definitely not to be taken seriously.

What stands out are the various looks of the clowns. The Chiodos didn't stick to just one look. They infused many variations with a common aspect, the black under the eyes and fangs. Perhaps the black eyes may have proven to be an interest in the recent blockbuster THE DARK KNIGHT, in the form of lead villain Joker. They have the smiles, but they are without a doubt evil and smirking at times. In other cases, the evil laughs are well played out all in the name of good wholesome fun (Who are we kidding?).

While Suzanne Snyder's Debbie throughout the movie played the atypical "damsel in distress", there were more than two 50's hero types here. There's Grant Cramer as Mike, Debbie's current boyfriend and college prankster whose had his share of trouble. Then there's John Allen Nelson as Dave, the policeman who used to date Debbie and still has some feelings for her yet at the same time, respects Debbie's decision to be with Mike. In a scene involving both guys, they do talk about Debbie and even with Mike apologizing in a sense of feeling responsible for "stealing" Debbie, Dave admits that it wasn't her fault or Mike's. It was Dave himself for making Debbie feel pressured to have security.

John Vernon, the late great character actor, brings his famous act of the guy you just want to smack around to the mix as Officer Mooney. From the beginning, it is clear he is the most hated character in the film, even more hateful than the clowns and that says something. When the townsfolk call in to complain about the clowns, he becomes unconvinced throughout the film, until finally, he does see the clowns. Then, those who cannot stand Mooney gets their wish.

Definitely an all-time cult classic, KILLER KLOWNS FROM OUTER SPACE, is definitely for fans of the cheesy brand of humorous monster films. It is all-out fun!

AlbertV's Rating: B

Image courtesy of MGM

THOUGHTS: Shing Fui-On (1955-2009)

2009-09-02T16:26:00.004-04:00

The Hong Kong cinematic world lost a legend on August 27, 2009. Shing Fui-On was one of those talents where you knew the face and knew he always played mainly bad guys, but off-screen, one of the most likable fellows one could ever meet, according to one of my good friends, Mike Leeder.

Shing was perhaps best known for appearing alongside Chow Yun-Fat in some of the most famous heroic bloodshed flicks of the 1980's, including A BETTER TOMORROW, A BETTER TOMORROW II, PRISON ON FIRE, TIGER ON THE BEAT, THE KILLER, and the original GOD OF GAMBLERS. One of his last roles was in the recent action film BODYGUARD: A NEW BEGINNING, where he had a cameo appearance as a Triad boss.

Shing was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (nasopharynx cancer) in 2004. It never let his spirits down and while we have lost a legend, his spirit and legacy in the film industry will forever live on.

For a more biographical look at Shing, check out: HK Cinemagic.

R.I.P. Shing Fui-On

REVIEW: The Art of War III: Retribution (2009)

2009-08-31T18:50:00.001-04:00

First, Wesley Snipes took on a political conspiracy in THE ART OF WAR. Then, Snipes returned to avenge his mentor's death in THE ART OF WAR II: BETRAYAL. Now, Snipes...oh wait, Treach takes over for Snipes for this third installment that had potential, but doesn't bode so well in the end.

After getting into hot water by his superiors for publicly going after a suspected arms dealer, Agent Neil Shaw (Treach) is given a new assignment. He must head to South Korea, where a summit is being held in an effort to peacefully resolve the nuclear threat of North Korea. North Korean agents have been attempting to get their hands on nuclear warheads in an effort to stop the summit. Along with rookie agent Jason (Warren Derosa), Shaw heads to Korea where he ends up getting in the crossfire of a supposed talk between a South Korean diplomat and North Korean agents. When the diplomat is killed, Shaw finds himself framed for the murder and only a woman he saved during the ensuing battle, Sun Yi (Sung Hi Lee), is the only one who can help clear his name.

The original ART OF WAR (2000) was in this reviewer's opinion, an underrated action film. Wesley Snipes did a great job showcasing both his acting and martial arts skills and it had a great plot at the time. Suffice to say, Snipes seemed to be the only good part of the 2008 sequel ART OF WAR II: BETRAYAL, in which it was nothing more than a standard revenge movie. This installment, actually shot before Art of War II and meant to be the original sequel, has a good plot. However, the downfall comes in the form of its lead actor, Treach, who replaced Snipes as series hero Agent Neil Shaw.

Treach is more believable when it comes to more urban-orientated action films such as the 2005 team-up with Steven Seagal, TODAY YOU DIE, and THE GAME IS DEAD. It is not bad enough that he was chosen to replace Snipes, a well respected actor and martial artist, but Treach just brings the urban attitude to the role and quite frankly, it just doesn't fit right with the political action film, which is what this series is known for being. Furthermore, his talent in the action department is practically the polar opposite of Snipes. While Snipes has a more technical style in terms of martial arts action that he used in the previous installments, Treach uses a more rugged boxing style and was doubled for the few high kicks used in the film.

The supporting cast tries to help and actually end up performing better than Treach does in the end. Notably, there's Warren Derosa's Jason, who comes off mostly as the underdog rookie and plays it throughout, even when he gets involved directly in the action. Model Sung Hi-Lee plays it fairly well as Sun Yi, the young woman who becomes Shaw's only hope to clear his name. She comes off as a damsel-in-distress, but sort of becomes a true ally throughout the film.

The action, at times, fares well yet falls flat as well. This comes notable in a gunfire sequence, in which the filmmakers attempt to turn Treach into a Chow Yun-Fat with double guns with the slow motion effect. While everyone knows that is far from happening, it comes off not too shabby. However, as mentioned, Treach isn't a martial artist and while Snipes showed some more flashy kicking, Treach was doubled by Larnell Stovall and Mark Hicks for some of the more flashy kicking, which is not used as much here as in the previous films. The style here is more of a Western boxing style and at times improvising, such as Simon Rhee on the receiving end of a golf club.

There is news footage used in the film, mostly representing North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, as the story seems to be the element that makes the film what it is. Involving a peace summit that involves North Korea's nuclear program, a major problem at the time the film was shot in 2007, really could played out better had Snipes reprised the role of Shaw.

Basically, this is hoping that ART OF WAR III ends the series. If producers end up making an ART OF WAR IV, Snipes will need to return as Shaw. However, chances are, the film series has come to an end.

AlbertV's Rating: C-

Image courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

REVIEW: Never Surrender (2009)

2009-08-31T18:12:00.002-04:00

It seems that using mixed martial arts in films is the new "it" in action films. With films like NEVER BACK DOWN and the Hong Kong hits SPL and FLASH POINT, the use of MMA seems like a new fad. However, it can soon prove to be a downfall with films such as this 2009 actioner, which tries on effort but ultimately falls short.

The film revolves around MMA champion Diego Carter (Hector Echavarria), who after successfully having defended his title, finds himself in a whole new world. At a nightclub, he meets a mysterious woman, Sandra (Silvia Koys), who takes him to a secluded place where an illegal tournament is held. There, Diego becomes intrigued and is set up by the tournament's promoter, Seifer (Patrick Kilpatrick), to compete and earn a spot in the tournament.

The prize for the winners of the tournament is a young lady to spend the night with. While Diego eventually falls for Sandra, who is Seifer's girlfriend, he soon learns that the tournament is not all it is cracked up to be. He learns that Seifer, a Russian-born mobster and martial arts champion himself, is using the tournament to combine his taste of blood and his running a prostitution ring. When Sandra and another young woman, Monique (Sabrina Machado), are kidnapped by Seifer to lure Diego after Seifer kills Monique's boyfriend and fellow MMA-er Stone (Heath Herring), Diego relies on the help of some of his fellow MMA-ers in an all-out rescue mission.

Argentinian-born martial artist Hector Echavarria did a lot with this film. He plays the lead character, came up with the story, produced, directed, and choreographed the film's action sequences. However, seeing the film's promotion, Echavarria's main co-stars consists of some of the top fighters from the Ultimate Fighting Championship and even StrikeForce to name a few. In some major supporting roles are Georges St. Pierre, B.J. Penn, and Heath Herring. Despite being on the poster, Quentin Jackson is only in one scene. Patrick Kilpatrick, a veteran villain actor, always tends to be above average and this film makes no exception. He even serves as one of the film's producers.

So where does the film go wrong? Well, to begin with, the whole "MMA meets prostitution ring" angle could have worked, yet the film borderlines with pretty much a softcore erotic thriller as there are some pretty explicit sex scenes. They could have just toned that part down, then it would have been more like watching an action film.

Another flaw in the film is that to make MMA work in films, there needs to be a strong technical side to combining the camerawork with the fight choreography. Here, it doesn't really play off well, especially with Echavarria relying at times on taekwondo style high kicking. One of the tournament fighters is an expert at the Brazilian martial art capoeira and one wonders how MMA can be used against such an exotic style. Perhaps one who plans to use MMA as the basis of action in a film and make it work should check out the films SPL and FLASH POINT to see how it can work on film.

In the end, NEVER SURRENDER could have had the potential to become a good action film. However, the fight scenes could have looked better and with the story borderlining on erotic thriller, it just falls flat.

AlbertV's Rating: D

Image courtesy of Lionsgate

REVIEW: Inglorious Basterds (2009)

2009-08-31T16:14:00.002-04:00

Filmmaker Quentin Tarentino. You either love his work or hate his work. I for one, am always intrigued by his work. This World War II set film is perhaps one of his best films, thanks to a cast that pulls off some very intriguing and at time, funny performances.

Set in Nazi-occupied France during World War II, the title refers to eight Jewish-American soldiers who are led by Tennessee-born Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt), who has just one thing in mind: killing the Nazi regime. The Nazi regime are led by Adolf Hitler (Martin Wuttke), but in France, the man who has been causing the havoc is SS Commander Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz), who is nicknamed "The Hangman" for his brand style of execution.

Tarentino's work has always been intriguing. His vast knowledge of various genres have inspired him to release some of the most interesting films Hollywood fans have seen. After the succcess of his Asian-cinema inspired KILL BILL series, Tarantino decided to explore World War II and yet bring a B-movie exploitation vibe to the project, as influenced by a 1978 Italian-U.S. made exploitive film called THE INGLORIOUS BASTARDS, only replacing the African-American soldiers with Jewish-American soldiers. Talk about a taste of vengeance.

Like some of his previous work, he splits the film into chapters, in this case five chapters. The focus of the story is not only the mission the titular "Basterds", but a very intriguing plot involving a Jewish woman, Shoshanna, played by French actress Melanie Laurent. Shoshanna's family were murdered by Landa and his regime and disguising herself as Emmanuelle, a movie theater owner, she becomes the object of affection by a Nazi soldier turned national hero and actor, Frederic Zoller (Daniel Bruhl) and practically uses a film based on his life to hatch a plan to get revenge.

The cast seems like they are having a lot of fun when it comes to their roles. Brad Pitt without a doubt puts on a thick U.S. Southern accent and really tends to ham it up as "Basterds" leader Lt. Aldo Raine. However, the one performance that really stands out is that of German-born Christoph Waltz, who makes his Hollywood debut as SS Col. Hans Landa. Waltz brings a combination of charm and sadism in the role, slowly building and acting friendly towards the people he questions before ultimately getting his hands dirty.

German-born actress Diane Kruger brings a performance made for the likes of a Marlene Dietrich or even a Greta Garbo. Kruger plays Bridget Von Hammersmark, a popular German actress who becomes a "double agent" and helps the Basterds in the mission against the Nazis. Her opening scene is just riveting and somewhat reminiscent of classic 30's Hollywood.

Like his previous KILL BILL, the film tends to "kick it up a notch" when it comes to violence and this film is wildly violent. Aside from machine guns going off, there are some very graphic scalpings (perhaps influenced from the William Lustig shocker MANIAC (1980)) and even HOSTEL director Eli Roth (playing one of the Basterds) knocking Nazis with a baseball bat while acting like he is an announcer for a baseball game. As for the climax, it really goes beyond wild yet intriguing at the same time.

Aside from Hitler, the "Reichminister of Propaganda" Joseph Goebbels, played by Sylvester Groth, is seen here as the director of the film that starred and is based on the life of Nazi war hero Frederic Zoller, "Del Stolz der Nation" (Nation's Pride). Also appearing as a character is German actor Emil Jannings, played by Hilmar Eicchorn. Jannings's most well-known film in the United States is the classic THE BLUE ANGEL (1930), an German expressionist film that basically was the launch pad for Marlene Dietrich. An avid fan of film, Tarantino also makes a reference to B-movie helmer extraordinaire Antonio Marghereti, who is best known for the films YOR: THE HUNTER OF THE FUTURE and THE STRANGER AND THE GUNFIGHTER.

Based on the entire film, especially the endidny World War II-purists can basically avoid this film. There are absolutely no historical accuracies involved. You can pretty much sum up INGLORIOUS BASTERDS as what Tarentino wished could have happened during World War II and is quite fun ina way that only someone like Tarantino can pull off.

AlbertV's Rating: A-

Image Courtesy of the Weinstein Company

REVIEW: Super Fuzz (1981)

2009-08-26T18:36:00.001-04:00

Sergio Corbucci, one of the permier directors of the spaghetti western films of the 60's and 70's, delves into comedic superhero farce with this cult classic starring the one and only Trinity, Terence Hill.

Hill plays Dave Speed, a Miami police officer who on a mission to find a man for a traffic violation, accidentally gets immersed in red plutonium that has been ejected from a rocket for a top secret government test. Surprisingly, Dave not only survives the attack, but soon he learns he has acquired super powers.

Getting himself in the worst of situations, Dave uses his newfound powers on speed, telekinesis, and agility to stop local crimes with the help of his partner, Sgt. Willy Dunlop (Ernest Borgnine). However, when Dave crosses paths with a gang led by former movie diva Rosy LaBouche (Joanne Dru) and counterfeiting fish marketer Torpedo (Marc Lawrence), Dave soon finds himself framed for Willy's kidnapping and "murder"? What will Dave do to clear his name and what happens when he learns that he loses his powers when he sees the color red?

The first time I saw this movie was when I was about five years old and it was on HBO practically all the time. This was a definitive cult classic that satirizes the whole superhero genre, made famous from the likes of Superman, Batman, and others. Here, we have just an ordinary guy who ends up having super powers after some nuclear explosion...a red nuclear explosion. See where this is going?

With his star status in some of the top spaghetti westerns, notably the Trinity films, Terence Hill looks like he is having fun as lead character Dave Speed. Yes, that really is the character's name. He hams it up when it comes to his powers and willfully plays them to hilarity, such as chewing one piece of gum and blowing it to a balloon the size of Texas to running through a room and jumping out of the window to a 30-story drop and land on his feet.

Another plus of this film is veteran Ernest Borgnine, who spends most of the movie yelling and screaming at Dave for the obvious reason that he doesn't think Dave has powers. He even has a trademark line, "Get em' up there" that he repeats over and over again, but you can't help but have a heart for the big galoot. Once he starts ranting, bringing back memories of the first time I watched this, I started laughing.

Plus, let's face it. For anyone who remembers seeing this on HBO back in the 80's like I did, who can forgot that classic La Bionda/Oceans theme song, "Super Snooper". Makes you want to break out the polyester and grab that bass guitar with the famous "Super Super...Super Super Snooper" that is heard during some of the superheroic comic moments.

With a combination of cult classic hysterics and one of the most "messed-up in a funny way" endings, it was like going back in time when seeing SUPER FUZZ and anyone who saw the film and liked it as a kid, this is hoping this brings back some good, funny, super snooping memories.

AlbertV's Rating: A- (for cult classic value)

Image courtesy of Avco Embassy Pictures

REVIEWS: My Bloody Valentine 1981 & 2009

2009-08-15T18:17:00.000-04:00

A classic horror film got the remake treatment earlier this year, with the Canadian-based 1981 original and the U.S.-set 2009 remake that revolves around a murderous miner who stalks a small mining town.

The 1981 version is what film expert Adam Rockoff described as an "original slasher" film. Where most of the slashers, such as HALLOWEEN (1978), are set in the suburbs, this Canadian-based slasher is set in the small town of Valentine Bluffs. Twenty-two years ago, a miner named Harry Warden (Peter Cowper) went crazy and went on a killing spree on Valentine's Day. His calling card? Stuffing human hearts in heart-shaped candy boxes.

Fast forward to the present. Returning to assist the local mine is T.J. Hanniger (Paul Kelman), the son of the mine's owner, who is also the town mayor. Returning home, he has learned his girlfriend Sarah (Lori Hallier) has taken up with a fellow miner, Axel Palmer (Neil Affleck, no relation to Ben or Casey). As the townsfolk decide to hold their first Valentine's Day party since the fateful massacres, local bar owner Happy (Jack Van Evera) warns the young miners that Harry Warden may come back to kill if the party is held. Of course, no one believes him. However, his "prophecy" seems to come true as someone dressed like a miner has returned and began killing, using a pickaxe as a weapon. Could it be that Harry Warden has indeed returned?

When police chief Newby (Don Francks) decides to cancel the Valentine's Day party when people start turning up dead, the miners decide that there has to be a party on Valentine's Day. T.J. comes up with the idea of having the party at his family's mine. When the party starts at the local bar, the miners and their girlfriends are soon in for a terror trap as the murderous miner has returned and begun a major killing spree. As Newby learns the party has gone on, he tries to find Harry before it is too late. However, is Harry closer than everyone thinks?

From director George Mihalka, with a story by Stephen Miller and screenplay by John Beaird comes this Canadian-based horror film that has a fresh idea with its setting in a small mining town as well as mixing the horror genre with that of the dramatic "love triangle". While most of the focus is on the murderous miner and his pickaxe, the film's dramatic element comes in the form of a triangle between lead characters T.J., Axel, and Sarah.

When the film was originally made and ready for release, the at-time very "conservative" MPAA forced the producers to cut most of the gory effects in order to get the "R" rating. This really ticked off not only the producers, but the fans as well. However, ultimately they agreed to cut the film and the film was released in 1981. However, compared to horror films such as the SAW series and HOSTEL films, the gore effects here would be tame. As a result, the original uncut version finally saw its way to a U.S. DVD release in 2008 to commemorate the 2009 remake.

The gore effects really stand out for its time. Responsible for the effects are the Burman Studios team of Tom Burman and Ken Diaz. The death scenes for its time can be considered very inventive. At that time, where else would you see someone get a pickaxe through the chin and out of their eyeball or someone impaled on a shower pipe with the water from the shower shooting out of the victim's mouth? The Burman Studios would be responsible nearly four years later for turning Michael J. Fox into the titular TEEN WOLF.

The ending of the film is quite a shocking surprise and would have been the setup for a potential sequel. Sadly, there is no MY BLOODY VALENTINE 2, but a new generation of fans would not only get to see the worthy remake, but now with the Director's Cut DVD, get a glimpse at how the "legend of the miner" all began.

Some Quick Trivia about the film: The film's producers, John Dunning and Andre Link, would go on to create the very successful film company Lions Gate, who made the 2009 remake and served as executive producers of the remake. Actor Neil Affleck would go on to become a popular animator, working on shows like THE SIMPSONS and directing a bunch of episodes of the popular Noggin series MISS SPIDER'S SUNNY PATCH FRIENDS.

In January of 2009, Lionsgate released the remake of the 1981 slasher film in 3-D. While many horror classics get the remake treatment and are somewhat considered failures for the most part with some exceptions, this is definitely a worthy remake that changes the structure a little bit while paying homage to the original film.

Instead of Valentine Bluffs, the film is set in the town of Harmony, Pennsylvania. Ten years ago, miner Tom Hanniger (Jensen Ackles) accidentally forgot to bleed the lines and caused a major accident. The only survivor of the explosion was Harry Warden (Rich Walters), who was revealed to have killed the other miners before getting caved-in and falling into a coma. He awakes from his coma and begins a killing spree in the hospital before going back to Hanniger Mine and makes mincemeat of a local party. When Tom's girlfriend Sarah (Jaime King) sees Harry kill a partygoer in front of her, Sarah gets help from local Axel Palmer (Kerr Smith) and his girlfriend Irene (Betty Rue). When Tom arrives, he is nearly killed by Harry, but is saved by Sheriff Burke (Tom Atkins).

Fast forward to the present. Sarah is married to Axel, who has become the Sheriff of Harmony. Meanwhile, Tom has returned home, leaving after the fateful incident with Harry. He has returned with the intention to sell the mine, which will affect all of the townsfolk in Harmony. When he arrives at the local hotel, Irene has been with a local trucker, who has been videotaping their "encounter". When the trucker gets confronted, as he tries to enter his truck, he finds a miner with a pickaxe and both he and Irene are killed as well as the hotel manager. Axel has seen the calling card and the townsfolk believe that good ol' Harry Warden is back.

With Tom returning to town as the miner, people think that the miner is going after Tom and will cut his way through anyone to get to him. Tom, still plagued by nightmares from that fateful night, sees Sarah and while learning that she has married Axel, that she still may have a "soft spot" for him. Meanwhile, Axel has a secret of his own, an affair with Sarah's co-worker Megan (Megan Brook), who is pregnant with Axel's child. As the body count begins to grow, dark secrets and truths are revealed but can the townsfolk withstand the terror of the murderous killer with the pickaxe?

Under the direction of Patrick Lussier (who also co-edited the film), this is definitely a worthy remake of the 1981 original slasher film. Similarities between the original and the remake involve the setting of a small miner town and the "love triangle" subplot of sorts. However, unlike the original, instead of a group of miners and their girlfriends being killed off, it seems as if most of the victims are people who have some involvement in the original incident of ten years ago.

What makes the film somewhat a little inferior to the original is not exactly the body count or the inventive styles of death, but it falls more with the "love triangle". In the original film, the triangle between T.J., Axel, and Sarah heavily played an important part of the overall storyline. However, here, the focus of the "love triangle" seemed to be not much of a compliment to the gore. Sarah knew where she stood when it came to Axel being her husband and despite Tom returning to town, she still loves Axel. However, Axel wasn't so sure of his real feelings for Sarah and has an affair with her co-worker. It takes the murders and the investigation to eventually fall into place in terms of the overall result of the "love triangle".

When Lions Gate decided to release the film in 3-D, having seen the film in both 2-D and 3-D, the 3-D truly stand out in terms of the execution of things. It is as if you got a gun tossed at you, a fireball coming your way, and a part of someone's mouth...yes, that's right. When the killer impales his pickaxe up through someone's mouth, the killer pulls the chin off and it comes right at you in 3-D. It's pretty gruesome at times, but what is a horror film without some gore now and again?

Quick trivia for the film: How do you know that the town of Harmony is in Pennsylvania? When you see the license plate on Tom's truck in the opening of the film, you can see it is a Pennsylvania license plate.

In conclusion, while the original 1981 MY BLOODY VALENTINE (uncut version) stands out as an original slasher film, the 2009 remake is definitely one that is worthy and like its original, has a real "surprise" of a finale that has to be seen.

AlbertV's Rating of MBV 1981: A-
AlbertV's Rating of MBV 2009: B+

THOUGHTS: John Hughes (1950-2009)

2009-08-09T16:22:00.001-04:00

On Thursday, August 6, 2009, the cinematic world lost a legend. John Hughes, the man responsible for some of the most popular teen flicks of the 80's as well as creating one of the funniest film families in the history of cinema, passed away in New York City. His name was John Hughes

I was a huge fan of Hughes' work. After working as a ad copywriter who got his showbiz start writing jokes for the likes of the legends Rodney Dangerfield, he got a job writing for the National Lampoon magazine, which led to the creation of the Griswold family, in which Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo played the parents in the four VACATION films, ranging from Hughes' 1983 original to the 1997 installment VEGAS VACATION.

However, Hughes is more synonymous with the "teen films" of the 1980's. He is responsible for the teen angst, which started with SIXTEEN CANDLES (1984) with Molly Ringwald and Anthony Michael Hall. However, it was the 1985 film THE BREAKFAST CLUB that started the whole "Brat Pack" era. In the now classic film, six teens, all of diversity, spend the day in Saturday detention. Judd Nelson's rebel Bender gave us some of the most famous lines in that film, including the now Bart Simpson-trademark line, "Eat My Shorts". His other teen flicks, WEIRD SCIENCE (1985), FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF (1986), and PRETTY IN PINK (1986) all were box-office gems that remain classics to this day.

Hughes delivered other classics such as PLANES TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES (1987) with John Candy and Steve Martin; SHE'S HAVING A BABY (1989) with Kevin Bacon and Elizabeth McGovern; and was the one responsible for the rise of the Mac, Macauley Culkin, with the hilarious HOME ALONE (1990) and its first and best sequel, HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK (1992).

Hughes came up with a great line from FERRIS BUELLER that stands today to a lot of people...

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you'll miss it."

Thanks for the Memories, John. Rest in Peace.

THOUGHTS: The Expendables (2010)

2009-07-28T17:21:00.000-04:00

Only one question comes to mind for this upcoming action film: How did Sylvester Stallone persuade some of the best action heroes of past and present to star in this film that he has written, directed, and starring in? One can never tell, but from the recent images from the film that have shown up online and in print, we are in for one HELL of an action ride!!!

The film revolves around a band of mercenaries known as the Expendables. They are led by Barney Ross, played by Stallone. They are hired by Interpol to overthrow a South American dictator, General Garza (David Zayas), who has his own team of mercenaries.

Here's the roundup for the good guys and the bad guys:

The Expendables are Lee Christmas (Jason Statham, TRANSPORTER trilogy), Bao (Jet Li, international action star), Hale Caesar (Terry Crews, EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS), and Toll Road (Randy Couture, UFC Legend).

Garza's goons are Monroe (Eric Roberts, BEST OF THE BEST), Dan Paine ("Stone Cold" Steve Austin, WWE Legend), the Brit (Gary Daniels, kickboxing and B-movie legend) and the tratorious Gunnar Jensen (Dolph Lundgren, ROCKY IV).

Co-starring in the film are Mickey Rourke as the Expendable's arsenal supplier Tool, Charisma Carpener (ANGEL) as Lee's girlfriend Lacy, and a special appearance from Arnold Schwarzenegger (Yes...THAT Ahhhhh-nold).

The action scenes are coordinated by the 87Eleven team, led by Noon Orsatti, Chad Stahelski, Jonathan Eusebio, Guillermo Grispo, and Jon Valera.

The bottom line is that this is going to be one awesome action film not to be missed!!! If you want action, then THE EXPENDABLES may be on your list come 2010!!!

THOUGHTS: Iron Man 2 (2010)

2009-07-28T16:57:00.000-04:00

Last Saturday, principal photography had wrapped up on the much anitcipated sequel IRON MAN 2, coming out in May 2010. The film brings back Robert Downey Jr. as military weapon creator Tony Stark and his armored alter ego, Iron Man.

Along with Downey, Gwyneth Paltrow returns as Stark's former assistant Pepper Potts, who has become a high level executive at Stark Industries. Tony's new assistant is the mysterious Natasha, played by Scarlet Johansson, who has a secret identity of her own: The Black Widow, a former Russian spy who has excellent hand-to-hand combat skills.

Replacing Terence Howard as Tony's best friend and military officer Jim Rhodes is veteran Don Cheadle. Whether Rhodes will join Stark as the grey armored War Machine (like the comics) is still up in the air.

However, what we do know is who the villains are this time around. First, there's the always great to watch Sam Rockwell (gotta love him in CHARLIE'S ANGELS as the bad guy) as Justin Hammer, a rival of Stark's who will go to any lengths to best his rival. Last but not least, Mickey Rourke, hot on the comeback trail after his performance in the indie film THE WRESTLER, plays Ivan Vanko, a Russian weapons specialist who has created an Iron Man-like suit of his own, complete with whips on his arms, hence the nickname "Whiplash".

Jon Favreau returned to helm the second film after making a successful hit with the original film, released in 2008. This time around, the script was done by veteran actor Justin Theroux, who also co-wrote Ben Stiller's hilarious film TROPIC THUNDER.

I got a hunch that this sequel may outdo the original film in terms of both storyline and action. One can't help but love an action-packed superhero film with a great storyline that complements the action sequences.

Well, we will have to wait until May 2010 to see how IRON MAN 2 comes out. Until then, let's just keep the "spec" to a minimum.

REVIEW: Turbo - A Power Rangers Movie (1997)

2009-07-27T18:50:00.000-04:00

In 1997, the series POWER RANGERS ZEO was coming to an end. What better way to kick off the next Power Rangers series with a full-length feature film that has a very shocking twist and the return of an original Ranger without her powers.

Angel Grove has been the home of the Power Rangers, protectors of the Earth against the likes of Rita Repulsa, Lord Zedd, and even Ivan Ooze (see last post for 1st film's review). Their latest challenge comes in the form of Divatox (Hilary Sheperd-Turner), an evil space pirate hellbent on releasing an ancient warrior known as Maligore from his imprisonment in a volcano on the island of Maranthias.

In order to complete her mission, Divatox must kidnap the kind alien warrior Lerigot (Jon Simanton), who has the key to release Maligore. It is up to the Rangers, Red Zeo Ranger Tommy (Jason David Frank); Green Zeo Ranger Adam (Johnny Yong Bosch); Yellow Zeo Ranger Tanya (Nakia Burisse); and Pink Zeo Ranger Katherine (Catherine Sutherland) to protect Lerigot from Divatox and her minions.

During training for a martial arts competition, Blue Zeo Ranger Rocky (Steve Cardenas) injures himself and is deemed unable to assist the Rangers. The Rangers soon learn that in case Maligore is released, the Rangers' Zeo powers will be useless. Therefore, they must now gain new powers and become the Turbo Power Rangers. Still wearing their Zeo colors, the Turbo Power Rangers have new vehicular Zords and now much head to Maranthias to stop Divatox. Meanwhile, Rocky's replacement as the Blue Ranger has arrived in the form of pre-teen youngster Justin (Blake Foster), which shocks everyone.

Divatox has kidnapped former Power Rangers Jason (Austin St. John) and Kimberly (Amy Jo Johnson) during a diving expedition along with resident airhead bullies Bulk (Paul Schrier) and Skull (Jason Narvy) in exchange for Lerigot. Duped into thinking the exchange will take place, Divatox has everyone under her grasp and she intends to release Maligore and weark havoc on the world.

This action packed sequel is a step up from the original in terms of mainly its action sequences. The plot is still pretty much child's play, but this is a children's action film we are talking about. The Ranger characters are derived from the 1996 Super Sentai series GEKISOU SENTAI CARRANGER.

While the original POWER RANGERS ZEO team appear in the film, one can't help but be stunned at the injury sustained by Steve Cardenas' Rocky character. As the original replacement for Austin St. John as the Red Ranger, Cardenas has superb martial arts skills, and his absence may have made the film somewhat inferior. However, 11-year old Blake Foster, a martial artist who was discovered while training, takes over suitably as the new Blue Ranger. He is obviously doubled when he is in Ranger form (a cue from the Kibaranger of 1993's GOSEI SENTAI DAIRANGER, in which Kibaranger was actually a kid as well), but Foster gets to strut his martial arts skills in one fight scene.

This time around, replacing veteran Jeff Pruitt is Alpha Stunts co-founder Koichi Sakamoto heading the fight choreography this time around. Bringing his unique style of costumed combat that helped make the sequel GUYVER 2: DARK HERO (1994) a more exciting sequel than its predecessor, Sakamoto and the Alpha Stunts team did a great job with the fights much like the way Pruitt unleashed his excellent choreography skills in the original film.

However, the kicker here as to why this may be seen as a more superior sequel is the finale, pitting the oversized Maligore against the new TurboMegazord. Where the first film had ridiculous looking computer effects to showcase the Megazord, in this film, the producers decided to do it in true Japanese tokukatsu form. It truly works here as it does with the Power Rangers universe and is far more better to see than the cheesy computer graphics that could have potentially ruined the PR world.

In the end, TURBO: A POWER RANGERS MOVIE is a superior sequel over its predecessor, especially with the true form of tokukatsu replacing horrific CGI effects.

AlbertV's Rating: B+

REVIEW: Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers-The Movie (1995)

2009-07-19T01:13:00.000-04:00

In 1993, the world was introduced to the Power Rangers, an Americanized adaptation of the Japanese annual Super Sentai series. With the success of the television series, 20th Century Fox unleashed the first of two feature-length films that combined elements from three Super Sentai series.

In the city of Angel Grove, a construction site becomes the home of an unearthed artifact. An claw with a huge purple egg is unleashed. That night, Lord Zedd (Mark Ginther) and Rita Repulsa (Julia Cortez) open the egg and a mysterious alien named Ivan Ooze (Paul Freeman) appears with plans of world domination. He has learned that Zordon, his one-time nemesis, is still alive and that he will have to deal with the Power Rangers.

The Rangers are Red Ranger Rocky (Steve Cardenas), Blue Ranger Billy (David Yost), Yellow Ranger Aisha (Karan Ashley), Black Ranger Adam (Johnny Yong Bosch), Pink Ranger Kimberly (Amy Jo Johnson) and White Ranger Tommy (Jason David Frank). When they learn of Ivan Ooze's appearance, they try to fight off Ooze's goons but it proves to be too little too late. Ivan has destroyed the Rangers' command center and has put Zordon on life support, causing the Rangers to lose their powers.

In a last ditch effort, the Rangers must travel to a distant planet where under the watchful eye of Dulcea (Gabrielle Fitzpatrick), they must train in the art of Ninjetti and find "The Great Power". Meanwhile, Ivan Ooze is planning to take over Angel Grove by turning the residents into zombies and digging up his master creation, a giant sized-robot monster.

In 1993, producer Haim Saban unleashed the phenomenon known as the Power Rangers to children everywhere...at least in the United States. Two years after its inception and a roster change on part of three actors, the feature film finally was released. Yes, it is a kids' action film and yes it can be very cheesy...but this is cheesy in a very fun way.

Complete with the colorful costumes that the kids love (based off 1992's Super Sentai series KYORYU SENTAI ZYURANGER and 1993's GOSEI SENTAI DAIRANGER) plus the rigorous action sequences choreographed by martial arts expert Jeff Pruitt, the comic relief lies in the all too sarcastic villain.

Veteran actor Paul Freeman hams it up as the sarcastic Ivan Ooze, an evil mutant whose plans on world domination even gets the best of series villains Rita Repulsa and Lord Zedd. The duo get ample screen time, but most of it is spent in a snowglobe. Meanwhile, Aussie actress Gabrielle Fitzpatrick (MR. NICE GUY) plays Dulcea, the Rangers' mentor in the art of Ninjetti, which takes a page from the 1994 Super Sentai series NINJA SENTAI KAKURANGER.

Of course, aside from the Rangers and Zordon, along with automated sidekick Alpha 5, school bullies Bulk and Skull return to the big screen as well. They are more throwaway roles for the most part, but they do try to help the Rangers out during the very bad CGI-filled finale. The finale is perhaps the worst part of the entire film due to its lack of good CGI effects to represent the Rangers' Zords not to mention Ooze's combining of himself and robot monster.

While this is considered a campy look at the Power Rangers, the sequel, TURBO: A POWER RANGERS MOVIE (1997) fares just a tad better, but give them credit. After all, this is a kid's movie we're talking about here.

AlbertV's Rating: B-

Image courtesy of 20th Century Fox

REVIEW: Transporter 3 (2008)

2009-07-10T10:22:00.001-04:00

In 2002, French producer Luc Besson (THE FIFTH ELEMENT) and American writer Robert Mark Kamen (THE KARATE KID) unleashed THE TRANSPORTER, an amazing action packed film revolving around Frank Martin, an ex-Special Forces officer turned courier who followed three rules. The film would make British actor Jason Statham a star in the action genre but was followed up by a weak sequel in 2005. Is redemption possible with this third installment of the series? The truth is while TRANSPORTER 3 had a better storyline than the second film, it was the action that looked extremely weak this time around.

Returning to France after a stint in Miami, Frank Martin (Jason Statham) has retired from his job as a transporter and has given the job to Malcolm (David Atrakchi), a young man who is at the wrong place at the wrong time. Malcolm was hired to bring a woman, Valentina (Natalya Rudakova), for Johnson (Robert Knepper), a businessman who plans to destroy the environment and uses Valentina as bait for her father, Minister Leonid Vasilev (Jeroen Krabbe), who is announcing plans to save the environment.

When Malcolm is shot, his car drives through Frank's place and it all becomes clear. Frank was originally hired to transport Valentina but had refused, giving the thugs Malcolm's name and number. Malcolm and Valentina revealed they have metal devices that may have a connection to the car. When Frank finds Valentina in the backseat, he returns to his place where he is knocked out cold. He wakes up the next day to find a metal device strapped to his wrist.

Johnson confronts Frank, giving him an ultimatum to take his job or die. Frank agrees on the condition that he drives his own car. Johnson installs a new GPS in the car and afterwards, Frank is determined to get answers. He learns the GPS and the metal device are a part of a bomb in which Frank will die if he is more than 75 feet from the car. When Valentina is in the passenger seat, Johnson convinces Frank to take her and the two begin a new "mission".

Let's begin with the pros of the movie. Jason Statham returns as Frank Martin and he is in top form as always when it comes to his roles, particularly the role of "transporter" Frank Martin. This must be his favorite role as Statham gets to once again showcase both his acting and fighting skills. Another plus is the return of French actor Francois Berleand as Frank's detective friend Tarconi. He is definitely the comic relief at times and always provides to be Frank's one and only true friend and ally. However, the biggest plus is that after writing a weak script for the 2005 sequel, Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen came up with a better storyline that revolves around the environment with shades of the Japanese film BATTLE ROYALE in terms of the use of "electronic devices". Robert Knepper of PRISON BREAK fame makes for a decent villain in Johnson, a ruthless businessman who has plans for destroying the environment and when he fails to work with a man who wants to save the environment, he makes the man's daughter the "package" of the film.

Now, the cons. Luc Besson met leading lady Natalya Rudakova in New York City. The Russian-born model makes her film debut as Valentina. However, Besson and Kamen's script made her a very annoying character. Most of the time, she talks about what she wants to eat. It may seem cute at first, but after a while, you just would want to tell her to be quiet. This is to make up for the fact that Frank didn't have a love interest in the second film, even though there was a connection of sorts between Frank and Amber Valletta's character in the film. The relationship between Frank and Shu Qi's Lai in the original is still the best of the bunch.

The biggest problem with TRANSPORTER 3 is the action in the film. While it was to see Corey Yuen returning to choreograph the fight scenes, the problem doesn't lie with Yuen. The problem lies with the editors of the film and new director Olivier Megaton, who replaced Louis Leterrier (who opted to do the 2008 action hit THE INCREDIBLE HULK). As much as they wanted to try something different with action scenes, they completely did a hack job here. A combination of quick cuts, close ups, and at times slow motion definitely ruined the fights here. While Statham was still in top form in the fights, the way it came out looked like as if someone had a seizure had edited the fights at the same time. Even the car chases don't compare with that of the first film and it is even more sad that Michel Julienne returned to coordinate the car stunts.

The bottom line is should there be a chance that Besson and Kamen do a fourth TRANSPORTER movie, they will need to go back to basics and do something along the lines of the first film in terms of editing action for the film and have a storyline that will work.

AlbertV's Rating: C-