Cast: Michelle Yeoh, Cynthia Rothrock, John Sham, Hoi Mang, Hark Tsui, James Tien, Dick Wei, Fat Chung
Two unlucky thieves break into a just murdered man’s hotel room and steal his passport with a hidden microfilm wanted by a triad boss. Two hard-kicking women cops from HK and the UK get the case.
I didn’t know much about this film going in. That only added to the surprises and pleasures that this film offers.
This is an enjoyable action film starring Michelle Yeoh and Cynthia Rothrock as a kind of buddy comedic film. Though the laughs mainly come from the con-man trio they are chasing throughout and working with on deals to catch bigger villains. The film allows them to be human and a bit more than just types.
There are plenty of action set pieces. As the film is mostly easy though towards theme becomes a bit more dramatic and tragic.
There is plenty of stunt work and scenes that amaze as far as their choreography. Not surprising when you know the the director is master fight choreographer Corey Yeun. Which truthfully is one of the reasons one finally checked this movie out.
The film moves quickly, though some jokes and scenes go on for a bit too long. Overall, it is a joyous affair that never quite runs out of energy.
Cast: Shannon Presby, Lori Loughlin, James Spader, Eric Stoltz, Eddie Jones, John Philbin, Tom Atkins, Brad Sullivan
Newly orphaned siblings Abby and Loren McWilliams arrive in a small Florida town to help their Aunt Fay and Uncle Charlie run a family-owned amusement park, and they find that the town is terrorized by a local street gang.
This is definitely a film of its time. A film that is mostly a thriller towards the end turns into an action film in a small town.
It has James Spader as a southern redneck, a gang leader in Florida, who is a Sharp dresser and has died beach, blonde, hair and eyebrows that almost make him look like an albino. You wonder why his character would hang out with them whom his gang seems to be made up of as they come off more southern redneck stereotypes than he does.
The title gives it away that this story is about a brother and sister, whose parents passed away and who move in with an uncle who may or may not be using them for labor and money to open up his own amusement park. They try to fit in the school, but the local gang takes a liking to the sister and begins to harass her, and when her brother tries to defend her, he becomes their other.
Throughout the film, each of them gets back at one another and ups the ante until the inevitable finale when the gang takes it too far and the brother and sister have to defend themselves against them and any hope of the police getting involved seems absent as there is a sheriff, but he seems to be the only cop we see throughout the film And the teachers seem to turn a blind eye to everything.
The film isn’t bad it it sometimes feels a little ridiculous, but it stays entertaining and seems perfect for its teen audience as long as no one asks too many questions. The film could be easily forgettable and typical of its time, though it has some ridiculous curveballs that keep the audience interested. It is not truly a time capsule of time and genre.
It stays away from being exploited though at times it seems like it’s going that way, and part of the fun is seeing well-known actors playing supporting roles in this film.
It’s definitely a film that has a certain audience, though you can enjoy some more absurd elements that make it a perfect popcorn movie to look back upon.
Through it all this is more a film to watch for James Spader‘s strange performance amongst the other absurdities. as it is so random yet so captivating a hint of things to come in a showcase a bit of his range. Though also for a villain, he seems to be filmed like a heartthrob more than even the heroic character of the film
Cast: Toni Collette, Monica Bellucci, Alessandro Bressanello, Eduardo Scarpetta, Tommy Rodger, Tim Daish, Sophia Nomvette, Gulio Corso, Dora Romano, Francesco Mastroianni
An American mom inherits her grandfather’s mafia empire in Italy. Guided by the firm’s consigliere, she hilariously defies everyone’s expectations as the new head of the family business.
At first, this film seems like it would be fun but it’s more a female audience-friendly culture comedy. Where the humor is not found in having a female mob boss but in having a middle-aged divorced housewife become a mob boss or go about trying to run a crime empire out of nowhere.
This would’ve been a high-concept comedy in the ’80s, ’90s, or maybe early 2000s that would’ve maybe been more of a star vehicle or at least offered up something a little more daring.
The film has a few laughable moments, but for the most part seems uninventive and uninspired, even adding in a romance aspect that proves to be more of a fantasy aspect of the movie turning more into a midlife crisis change of life types scenario.
No truthfully, there is more sizzle and star, Tony Collette, and costar Monica Bellucci’s scenes together that have a bit of flirtation and eroticism to it that could’ve made the film a little more risky, especially when there is seen where Bellucci straddles Colette.
The film is fine and simple, but it just feels so uninspired. They had a title and they just went with it and tried to make things up around it where most of the male characters are either Sexists or idiots or untrustworthy.
Such as the scenes with her ex-husband, there was a way of making him more despicable and a loser rather than the obvious that the film chooses to go to where you wonder what she ever saw him if she was not a teen parent and a shotgun marriage.
Not to mention a film that is set in Italy. It’s not very picturesque. it seems like it was filmed in an indoor sets. That doesn’t look very expensive or that luscious.
Also, there aren’t that many comedy set pieces or even that many action sequences the ones that they do have seem poorly set up. This film is more for the MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING crowd than anything.
I really wanted to like the film as I like the main cast. Usually, Toni Collette can do no wrong, and it is a pleasure anytime Monica Belluci is on screen. Yet, the only time the film is close to its potential is in the performance of Sophia Nomvette as Colette’s best friend. Who turns a typical sassy African-American best friend role and runs with it to utter hilarity. One only wishes that she was more of the film.
Based on Characters Created By: Erich Hoeber & Jon Hoeber
Cinematography: Larry Blanford
Editor: Jason Gourson
Cast: Dave Bautista, Chloe Coleman, Ken Jeong, Kristen Schaal, Anna Faris, Craig Robinson, Foula Borg, Taeho K., Billy Barratt, Tanner Burjaq
JJ, a veteran CIA agent, reunites with his protégé Sophie, in order to prevent a catastrophic nuclear scheme threatening Vatican City, which disrupts a high school choir trip to Italy.
While the first film was surprisingly endearing and entertaining, this sequel isn’t horrible, but while it hits half of the same spots as the first film, this time, it feels a little more forced and unfocused as the first film felt specific this film felt general
Now anyone who was looking forward to this sequel I’m sure won’t be greatly disappointed, though the problem here is that as with all sequels, it must be bigger while the first film was singular. This one is more international and foreign locals. It has its moments but seems to be missing that, and the sweetness that made the first film work
It also doesn’t help that this film has a much bigger cast a lot of bigger more recognizable names and small roles that you would expect more
The film is predictable and it tries and all the characters do have their chemistry, but for some reason, it just isn’t as charming as the first though it is entertain
The film feels like a successor of the Frankie Muniz starring film AGENT CODY BANKS this is a continuation and the kid’s spy genre, not the SPY KIDS franchise. only here more of a buddy comedy like AGENT CODY BANKS, less a James Bond-type story, and adventure as this one is more all about teamwork.
Dave Bautista actually looks a little smaller this time around, but he is still an imposing force who gets stuck in more comedic situations, but he used well in the action sequences.
Chloe Coleman is hilarious a girl with a crush, but who still also has her eyes on the prize as far as missions go and hold her own and all of her scenes of action and comedy and even a little romance.
There is plenty of action in comedy and some jokes and languages that I am a little surprised they got away with a PG-13 movie but then again it’s all done and innocence and fun and not trying to be dirty or nasty. Even if it feels a little more risqué, the previous film was more of a children’s film. This is a little bit more of a preteen movie, but it’s still at heart a family film that you can watch together.
Written By: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Jeff Rowe, Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit
Based on TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES characters, Created By: Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird
Head Of Cinematography: Kent Saki
Editor: Greg Levitan
Voice cast: Micah Abbey, Shamon Brown Jr., Nicolas Cantu, Brady Noon, Ice Cube, Jackie Chan, Ayo Edebiri, Maya Rudolph, John Cena, Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne, Natasia Demetriou, Giancarlo Esposito, Paul Rudd, Post Malone, Hannibal Buress
After years of being sheltered from the human world, the Turtles set out to win the hearts of New Yorkers and be accepted as normal teenagers through heroic acts. But they soon get in over their heads when an army of mutants is unleashed upon them.
Over the years, there have been many reboots of this franchise as well as ongoing, animated television shows. There were even two live-action films after the initial live-action trilogy of films.
I have to say that this animated film is the best of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise since the original animated series and also the first two live-action films which are near deer to my heart. I saw them in theaters and the first one I kept trying to see in theaters and I think, I tried five times to see it in theaters and it was always sold out. This was before you could buy your tickets online so when I finally did get to see it, it was so magical and felt so worth it.
This film emphasizes the teenage part of the title as the characters do have fighting skills, but they are also still teenagers at heart growing up and wanting to belong but also wanting to have fun and not necessarily so mission-focused.
With it being more about teenagers, it prepares you to have patience with that aspect as an adult, though it’s a perfect family film that feels a bit more funky and fun than any of the films have before. It’s a film for a younger audience though older fans can’t enjoy it.
Here’s a little bit reimagined with a more urban feel in a different villain than the nemesis usually the villain Shredder.
The film is a lot more fun and emphasizes a bit more humor than action.
The star voices don’t add too much more of a hay isn’t that such and such factor that would work with or without them, though it is nice to see here, the familiar voice does at times the danger of taking you out of the film, especially when it comes to certain beloved characters.
Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, take over the franchise or the ideas for the story here and rework it, just as they have others that they either produce or create shows like THE BOYS and PREACHER amongst others. At least it seems like the stuff that they are behind that RIP that they were fans of from the beginning so while they are making it a little more hip, they know what the fans like. Enjoy and want.
The film is an original story at heart. It’s closer to the more blockbuster material of the animated cartoon than the previous live-action movies that starred Megan Fox.
It’s a reboot for a franchise that continues to reinvent itself while sticking to the same premise, yet never venturing into the dark original world of the cult comic book from which it came.
Written By: Simon Barrett, Jeremy Slater and Terry Rossio
Story By: Adam Wingard, Simon Bennett and Terry Rossio
Cinematography: Ben Serensin
Editor: Josh Schaeffer
Cast: Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Dan Stevens, Kaylee Hottle, Alex Ferns, Fala Chen, Rachel House, Ron Smyck
The new installment in the Monsterverse puts the mighty Kong and the fearsome Godzilla against a colossal deadly threat hidden within our world that threatens the existence of their species and our very own, as well as diving deep into the mysteries of Skull Island and beyond. Delving straight into the origins of Hollow Earth, this film will explore the ancient Titan battle that brought man and monster together forever.
Just as this film has an excruciatingly long title they couldn’t just go by the latter to remind you of who is in it and why you might want to see it.
There has to be another type of genre for films like this other than special effects movies. Most of this film is digital and practically animated with some live action. That is advanced but feels like WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT only not as good and not an intentional comedy.
This is typical summer fare that is a popcorn movie and if you are into it can see why these are made and audiences rush to see them. As modern monster b-movies, but as each new one is made it also feels like the quality goes down. As they have to stretch the believability for a new one. That seems to chronicle another new step in these creatures’ lives. I can understand the continuing adventures and humans discovering new lands and dimensions.
Though again it feels dumber but obviously expensive as even the returning cast
The list gets slimmer and slimmer and the leads while Respected actors. They are not as widely known as the previous leads and less big box office names. Which helps their careers with bigger films and nice paychecks. Even if the quality is off.
No matter how much the film tries to be interesting it feels pretty basic and that you have seen it before and for as long as they are you know you are here more for the fights or action rather than the backstory that leads up to them or the big reveal of whatever monster they have come together to fight and worse of all these films feel like the promise of two big stars interacting then by the end spend only a scene or two together and that is where the magic happens and truly interesting parts of the film
It has been shown with GODZILLA MINUS ONE. You can make a monster film With live action that has emotional depths and can live co-current in different genres. I wish this film had the same strength but again this is playing to the audience of the previous Godzilla and Kong movies so you know what you’re gonna get and what you see is what you get.
Basically, this film feels here to introduce mothers again into the mix and little Kong for the kids and the knowledge of what it’s Like being a parent which is also expressed by the Indigenous girl and the main scientist in human form
While All this Destruction and damage is going on the humans are collateral Damage which we see running and panicking Sometimes. So that we are like the vermin or instruct maybe animals of the world that outnumber these beasts and monsters who try to help but are generally barely thought of until afterward and that is only by the film, not the main characters who are the beasts
just as there is no blood really in this film even when killing a mutant rat wolf in the beginning and ripping it apart there is green goo, not blood that fills the screen. Though I can’t imagine why he would want to eat it after as it seems like it is filled with toxic
It seems Godzilla just wakes up to take care of the monster problem in this world like It’s a job and King Kong just wants a quiet place to roam.
Cast: Millie Bobby Brown, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Robin Wright, Angela Bassett, Ray Winstone, Brooke Carter, Nick Robinson, Milo Twomey, Nicole Joseph
A young woman, Elodie, meets a handsome prince and they fall in love. At their wedding it is revealed that the prince had more sinister reasons for courting her: she is to be sacrificed to a dragon that has been terrorizing the kingdom. Elodie now has to fight for her survival.
This movie would’ve been better off as maybe an episode of a sci-fi, fantasy anthology tale or rather Maybe as a side story on a lord of the Rings type series than a feature film.
It’s pretty simple, cut and dry, and feels like it’s extended for no real reason that adds anything to the overall project tone, or story.
As it is a tale of female empowerment with a pretty stacked cast, other than Millie Bobby Brown have very little to do but play standard cliché rules that are beneath their talents, especially Angela Bassett in a thankless minute, but pivotal support supporting role. Who seems here because she is in a lot of projects more than what the role actually offers.
This film has this kind of prestigious, framing around itself for something that comes off as a basic bedtime story or nursery rhyme.
It tries to be a thriller and keep us in anticipation, with the excitement of how she will survive, as well as giving a backstory to why she finds herself in her current situation while learning the power of resilience and not falling victim to all that glitters and those your talk to worship.
Though in the end, it feels like a movie that be more of a time waster, or a seat, filler if it had been released theatrically, as it is more of a seat filler. A film intended to do big business on opening weekend due to the spectacle and previews as well as star and knowingly, less and less money as word-of-mouth spreads.
I can’t fault the production as it is a typical big budget, sci-fi, fantasy, special effects, action movie, only here made small and put in medieval times, but more marketed as a special effect fantasy with not much of a story or plot of why and how we got there . as is put in place as more of a placeholder for the action scenes, which is what really takes over.
The film doesn’t offer much for the actors other than to react and a big game of pretend. it might hold some interest overall it plays itself out fairly early even for a film that is almost 2 hours.
Feeling as if he unfairly cheated death too many times, Shikishima, a surviving Kamikaze pilot, is attacked on Odo Island along with many war plane engineers by a gargantuan monster. After the engineers die because of Shikishima fails to distract the monster, an overwhelming amount of guilt weighs on him, especially after a homeless woman and a baby move into his home when he returns. Shikishima, now on a personal mission, teams up with a large group of veterans to finally take down the monster known as Godzilla.
I am not a huge fan or follower of Godzilla and any Kaiju series of films.
This is by far the best and most impressive Godzilla movie though truthfully I have only really watched the American reboots and the current buddy science-fiction versions that usually pair him with King Kong. Though I have seen a few of the older Japanese ones.
The special effects are impressive and noticeably pay homage to old-school Godzilla and bring them into the present. that are effective.
It’s enjoyable how they never really explain him just as a natural disaster. They continuously have to deal with and how in his aftermath. He is still an imminent threat. This also works as a metaphor for the character’s war lives, trying to find some new kind of normal but everything is different and gone. While the world keeps seeming to move and constantly Change even if some Old Truths stay the same and offer Promise.
It’s A Perfect Example of a lead character dealing with life, death, and guilt. Giving him a hero’s journey in full. We follow mainly through the experiences of one character and those around him. Especially during the years and aftermath of wartime.
Like a war movie in itself, only They are again fighting a war against an unknown enemy though this time feels more worth it as more of a threat
It’s also just a cool movie with a good story, Which is quite effective and relatable. This might have even been bigger during the pandemic. Though it wouldn’t be able to be seen properly. This is a movie that is best seen on the biggest screen possible.
This is a movie that could have been pure entertainment, but It grabs you and pulls you into the plight of the characters and tells a story resonant with rich backstories that are felt. Even if not fully explained
Cast: Jason Statham, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Josh Hutcherson, Jeremy Irons, Minnie Driver, Phylicia Rashad, Bobby Naderi, Jemma Redgrave, Don Gilet, David Witts, Sophia Feliciano.
One man’s brutal campaign for vengeance takes on national stakes after he is revealed to be a former operative of a powerful and clandestine organization known as “Beekeepers.”
I am not trying to be insulting, but usually, once you see one, Jason Statham action film you’ve seen them all this one has more reliable names behind it in the form of Screenwriter, Kurt, Wimmer (EQUILIBRIUM) and Director David Ayer (FURY, END IF WATCH)
No, Jason Statham is an action hero of modern times as you assume what you are going to get he does manage to surprise you with his film’s superior quality. Especially if he has the right filmmaking team behind him.
Referred to as the British Bruce Willis, but you could also call him a modern-day Charles Bronson as he does have range, but he commonly plays the same type of character who could easily be interchangeable sometimes when it comes to an online.
There’s just something likable about him and his films maybe it’s because he doesn’t really try to prove himself. His films are satisfying and simple and you just want to see how it gets to its predictable conclusion is an easy appeal to his audience.
Are not only younger but annoyingly, younger and loud, colorful outfits more at home it would seem in a 90s set film and stereotypical as most of the movie villains tend to be obnoxious and give us the obvious information. Though there is a female assassin who seems to come out of another film or reminds one of a similar character from a previous Jason Statham film, THE TRANSPORTER 2, only the one in that previous film, gave up a better fight and made it more erotic.
Here he doesn’t have that much time until waste so he is straight to the point whereas the supporting cast plays out the drama. He’s there for the action first and foremost.
What raises the bar a little in this film is that somehow Jeremy Irons is in this movie and a supporting role and he is here for a paycheck and chewing the scenery. Playing the upper-class British business dignitary. He is just one of a few character actors, obviously doing this as a paycheck role. Most of them are not American-born actors. Though they are playing Americans.
This is basically a story of the old being being ripped off by young twerps. Where is seems each level of this scam depends on the other to do the dirty work. At first, it seems pretty cut and dry with plenty of bee references.
Even the main villain is more loud than truly menacing as really, the henchmen are the only ones truly putting up a fight. When he is overconfident, you know that they are hubris will be the downfall, especially when facing a folk hero who tends to drive or has a fondness for pickup trucks who you cheer for throughout.
As the beekeeper is supposed to be private and all the killers, they seem to send after him who were meant to be a challenge, seem to be loud and obvious. However, it does run into the problem of being an equalizer in the movie-type situation. Where no matter who his enemy is, it’s obvious that they are no real threat to him and don’t even really put up too much of a fight. So they are more here as time-killing obstacles no real threat. so there is no tension and no real excitement unless you are really into the setup or the star.
The only true surprise is that this film goes all the way up to absolute power while playing on American intelligence.
The film is trashy and is a pure popcorn movie. Where are you? Can see the franchise or sequel form by the end. This is definitely an unabashed guilty pleasure.
Written By: Josh Olson, John Brancato, and Halley Gross
Cinematography: Zoe White
Editor: Chris Tonick and Robert Grigsby Wilson
Cast: Jessica Alba, Mark Webber, Anthony Michael Hall, Jake Weary, Tone Bell, Alejandro De Hoyos, Gabriel Basso, Kaiwi Lyman, Nadia Molcho, Peter Monro
A devoted daughter is attempting to figure out the cause of her father’s passing.
I am guessing this was supposed to be Jessica Alba’s comeback film To the big screen after being out of the film world for a while and running her Honest brand.
This definitely was not the right project as it seems like a Netflix movie that even one of their bigger stars Jennifer Lopez would turn down that is how disappointing this movie is. I’m wondering if they had the script and tried to sell it to Alba as her return to movies but not tell her that probably Jennifer Lopez turned it down as well as another list of stars I mean Netflix as an action movie starring character actor Allison Janney. That is way more entertaining than this will ever be.
Jessica Alba, who is a great beauty even deserves better than this film. The audience doesn’t even deserve this film. The film is that poor.
In watching the film. I know it takes place in a small town so I know it can’t be too impressive when it comes to the action plotting or visuals but this should still definitely be better.
The action sequences are not that impressive or expressive action and are far short of what one would hope for.
The film is basically unoriginal and doesn’t seem to have any intentional humor. It also has no mystery. You pretty much know how it’s gonna go and offer no surprises in the way that it happens, except that you expect everyone in this film the characters to be a lot smarter.
Which unfortunately is the quality one has come to expect when it comes to Netflix’s star vehicles.
This is a film, where a character you can tell is gonna be a jerk as he has a stylish mullet. that is derivative and bland that this film is.
What is shocking is that the film is co-written by some noted screenwriters Josh Olson and John Brancato. As well as Halley Gross who has quite a few screenwriting elements under her belt. So I wonder if each tried to make it better by laying on their expertise and somehow it all got simplified.
It’s a good thing. This film didn’t go to the big screen. It would definitely be a disappointment even more than it is here. There is nothing in this film that feels worthy of being on the big screen.
Even while it was fighting for either a bad or worse. as you watch a film with a crap charisma villain, and the characters get to take down a terrorist for extra measure.
This also could’ve ended much quicker. It needs to be so long and also feel that way.
by the end, the only question I had was why do they use the name ghost always for terrorists or assassins? I know maybe it gives a certain visual or maybe informs the audience of their mysterious nature and how easily they can disappear but I think it’s time for Screenwriter to come up with a better name or alias for these types of characters. That was the most interesting aspect of this movie and it was still derivative.
Cut To The Chase 