Directed By: Henry Selick Written By: Henry Selick and Jordan Peele Based on A Book By: Clay McLeod Chapman and Henry Selick Cinematography: Peter Sorg Editor: Robert Anich, Jason Hopper, Mandy Hutchings and Sarah K. Reimas
Featuring the voices of: Lyric Ross, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Angela Bassett, James Hong, Ving Rhames, Natalie Martinez, Sam Zelaya, Tamara Smart, Seema Virdi, Ramona Young
Two scheming demon brothers, Wendell and Wild, enlist the aid of 13-year-old Kat Elliot to summon them to the Land of the Living.
Henry Selick is a master of his craft it is unfortunate that we rarely get to see or experience his projects, but when we do, you are certainly in for a good time. His projects should be looked forward to, as most audiences do for a new Pixar film.
This film feels fresh and is full of diversity which Is rare in animation, especially in films of this kind. Where here the lead character is female and celebrated for her gumption and tenacity.
The one weakness the film has overall is that while it seems deemed to be short and simple. It could have used more enrichment when it came to the characters’ stories. Especially for a film supposedly based on Selick’s unpublished children’s book.
Now of course some parents might not agree with the film being so dark and having a more supernatural and underworld motif. Though really it is advertised on the poster.
As a person with a weakness for song and dance, it might have been more full overall go there was a musical number or music somewhere.
It also offers a reunion of Keegan Michael Key and his comedy partner Jordan Peele (who co-wrote and produced the film) in animated form and with the same Chemistry and hijinks. In Fact, the title is the character’s names
The film has subtle satire about capitalism
And prison industrial complex. As well as a family message for those with and without. How you are not your parents and to be open to your children’s ideas. Especially if at heart they are trying to update something for you.
It makes sense why this came out around Halloween. As it makes a perfect film for the season and a good film to watch with the family.
I was expecting a different marvel than this but also better than expected.
Written & Directed By: Paul W.S. Anderson Based on an original story by: lb Melchior & Original Screenplay By Charles Griffith & Robert Thom Cinematography By: Scott Kevan Editor: Niven Howie
Cast: Jason Statham, Joan Allen, Tyrese Gibson, Jacob Vargas, Natalie Martinez, Ian McShane, Frederick Koehler
Each year we are given Jason Statham in at least 2 new action films sometimes he makes up for the lackluster ones with a good movie like THE BANK JOB, but then to make the money and please the action fans we get him starring in movies like this.
I like to think of Jason Statham as the British Bruce Willis and about every three films that he appears in he makes a good one (Crank, The Transporter) the others run from decent (This) to downright horrible (Dungeon Siege) This film while really being loosely based on the original film DEATH RACE 2000 doesn’t embarrass itself completely. It has a good cast and good action sequences. It reminds me more of THE RUNNING MAN with the falsely imprisoned man the satire of future audiences being entertained by prisoners killing each other in competitions and it being mostly about money and interestingly enough a sexy Spanish female sidekick. Both films starring foreigners.
From this film and Paul W.S. Anderson’s career pretty much after his original films SOLDIER and EVENT HORIZON didn’t exactly light up the box office. It seems now that he prefers to either make his mark in the ongoing film series Aliens Vs. Predator or film movies that have been well established as video games or remaking movies that he uses heavy influences from another. Now having said that, He isn’t a hack but a decent commercial director.
This film is good popcorn entertainment never boring but you can tell where it is going every minute. It is loud and action-filled. It’s rude and crude with nothing really original to say. It has its decadent indulgences like in the middle of the race a big bulldozer of a truck that takes out half the competition that has been presented as such a huge obstacle is taken out so fast you wonder if it was really needed in the first place.
If you’re just looking for something entertaining without thinking too much this is the film. It’s very violent but with enough eye candy to smooth that over. Even with its dank surroundings.
The film takes place in the future where corporations run the penal colonies since the unemployment rate is at an all-time high. Which causes crime to soar and prison overcrowding. The prisons are now run death races on pay-per-view to raise revenue and take out the prison population.
So when reigning champion Frankenstein is killed there is a replacement needed and it just so happens a new prisoner is recruited to replace him as a former race driver on the outside. He is thereafter being falsely accused of killing his wife and promised freedom if he wins the death race. He just has to survive especially against Frankenstein’s rival Machine Gun Joe and a sadistic warden.
Interesting how it almost ties into the current situation the world is finding itself in. Joan Allen is obviously slumming but unfortunately in Hollywood, as an actress gets older the harder it is to find worthwhile roles so at least if your name isn’t Meryl Streep, Glenn Close or Susan Sarandon.
Ms. Allen relishes her role and sinks her teeth in as the main villain. This at least brings the movie up another level towards respectability.
One must give mention to Natalie Martinez who is just so fine and who I look forward to seeing in better roles that at least really give her a part to play but at least here she is a nice part of the eye candy.
Directed By: Barry Battles Written By: Barry Battles & Griffin Hood Cinematography By: David MacFarland Editor: Sean Valla
Cast: Clayne Crawford, Travis Fimmel, Daniel Cudmore, Eva Longoria, Billy Bob Thornton, Andre Braugher, Michael Rapaport, Zoe Bell, Agnes Bruckner, Natalie Martinez, Brea Grant, Paul Wesley, Julio Oscar Mechoso
After her ex-husband Carlos shoots Celeste three times in the gut, it’s time to play dirty. In the fight for her godson, Rob, she hires three outlawed and redneck brothers to bring him back to her. But nothing can be that simple in the South. What begins as a small rescue mission rises to a southern battle royale. This odd team must shoot their way through gorgeous female assassins, Native American hunters, Federal agents, and a whole lot of metal coming after them, while protecting Celeste’s innocent child.
The screenplay for this film was featured in the 2009 Blacklist; a list of the “most liked” unmade scripts of the year.
From the start of the film. The film tried to hear to a degree that boils over to a degree, where it tries to take the audience constantly by surprise. Even though we all know what kind of film this is.
The film works as some kind of exploitive straight to DVD action comedy that seems to aspire for it’s own franchise. That I wouldn’t have a problem with. The film seems to be more mainstream exploitive that plays with the genre and ideas of southern justice. As it feels like a natural film that would have appeared on HBO Friday night original films that were usually action films or thrillers, with big name C-list casts.
The film seems to go out of it’s way to portray the character as white trash, southern rednecks who are surprisingly not racist.
The film harkens back to the take no prisoners action extravaganzas of the 80’s and 90’s. Yet using characters usually portrayed as villains. Redneck hillbillies as the anti-heroes. Who work as mercenaries. Here seeming to have some naive fatalism, but somewhat the most decent characters compared to most of the others in this film.
Billy Bob Thornton as the villain is fun especially with his wardrobe and hairdo as well as facial hair helping make the role more fitting. Even if he plays the role as it is more of a favor to someone.
The biggest name other then Billy Bob Thornton in this film is Eva Longoria in a sexy yet tough role.
The film is full of cliches like in all southern films that seem to have characters ridiculously sweaty for no reason. That is part of the charm.
Though the film seems partly inspired by THE BOONDOCK SANINTS films and the Tremor brothers of the film SMOKIN’ ACES. Who we saw glimpses of in both SMOKIN’ ACES films but never reached their full potential as characters or in action scenes. As we see them mostly in hints and glimpses of what they could do in those films. Kind of like when athletes are spokespeople for products going into the Olympics talking about their particular skill then flunk out at the tryouts for the Olympics all that promise and no follow through.
Here though it isn’t the same or related really. As this is a chance to see what it might have been like if they had gotten their own film. Action first, think second, plan last seems to be their motto. Just destroying and taking whatever stands in their way or really is in front of them.
Though violent social misfits. They are made likeable to a degree. Due to funny camaraderie and the amount of time we spend with them. As well as not appearing as racists. As you would expect.
It’s also fun that a different assassination group or gang. That have a certain similar creed only they are an all female biker gang of assassins and doing double duty of appearing as escorts. Or the gang of African-American road warriors in armored trucks they encounter. Using the south as a backdrop of tradition and unpredictable lawlessness. The film manages to create it’s own world and logic. That leaves the film strangely beautiful
The film plays like a mild western or a modern southern. In this case being that it takes place in the south. Though a western at heart and I story as well as character types. Though not too many strong silent types.
The film has the kind of spirit that and energy that reminds one of the films of Robert Rodriguez. Only not as over the top or campy and more within the realm of reality.
Though the film might be short on grand action sequences. This films spark of originality and fun is what seems to be missing from modern action films, that can get too bogged down in intellectualism or visuals. Instead if actually being entertaining and entertaining the audience. Action films don’t always need to give the audience something they have never never seen before.
The film is unapologetic in it’s violence and brutality. It is also just generally funny in a dark way, but at least not disturbingly or downtrodden. Part of the humor comes from the cast especially Michael Rapaport In his solo scenes.
In the end the film is just a rollicking unapologetic hell of a good time. With little to no pretentiousness, That is a story of outsiders.
Cut To The Chase 