Summer 2010--Attack of the Kicking Remakes

KARATE KID-2010
ACTION/DRAMA---REMAKE

I did not see the original movie (yes, I know I should have seen it) so I am just writing about the current film. It is about Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) and his mom (Taraji P. Henson) who gets a job in China and has to move there. At school he is bullied and he ask Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) to help him learn kung-fu to defend himself, and gets involved with a martial arts tournament. It is good and Jackie Chan is great. He plays it straight, and it shows!!! Jaden Smith is Will Smith’s son!! He is charming and has star quality. It is refreshing to see a young black actor in movie not involving drugs or ghetto life. Should you see it? If you like these kinds of movies--yes, but if you can wait--wait.

A-TEAM
ACTION COMEDY---REMAKE
WOLF,WOLF ACTION HOUNDS REJOICE!!!

I really dislike Hollywood with remakes, reboots and reimagings, but sometimes they actually work, and the 80’s remake of The A-Team is one of them. The story is about the best Special Forces squad there is, but they get framed and have to clear themselves. Plot is not really important here, but action and BIG explosions are!!! The cast is very good. Liam Neeson( Zeus in Clash of Titans)is outstanding as Hannibal Smith, the leader. He is a good replacement for the late George Peppard. Bradley Cooper (Hangover) as “Face” is not only good looking but smart too!! That wasn’t in the series!!

Sharlto Copley (District 9) is an excellent ‘Howling Mad’ Murdock and UFC champion Quntion “Rampage” Jackson is pretty good as B.A. Baracus, but he's nothing like Mr. T. He swears a lot to show his attitude. Jessica Biel is not bad as Captain Charissa Sossa. She is just there to provide a pretty female in the macho movie. The villains are okay. Patrick Wilson (The Owl in Watchman) as Agent Lynch, Brian Bloom (As The World Turns, and co-wrote the movie) as Pike and Gerald McRaney (Simon and Simon) appears as General Morrison. Director Joe Carnahan (Smoking Aces) did an excellent job. I know people and critics say this movie isn’t good. For me it IS a popcorn movie.

SPLICE
SCI-FI/THRILLER---SPECIES REMAKE?

This movie is not good as a thriller, because you have seen this before. A science couple (Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley) mix different DNA to help fight disease, then they create a creature that evolves very quickly with bad results. As humanity tale, it's better because it shows man should be feared more than what it creates. When Dren is small she is cute like a baby, when it grows they treat it like a child, when it becomes a teen and rebels, they cage it, when it becomes sexual the male doctor screws it, and when it becomes dangerous they try to kill it!! It all sounds very good, until you watch it!!! The film reviews have been mixed because (depending on taste, or what you're concentrating on) it is very bad as an executed drama, but too very good (as a concept). This is a movie that is best reserved for DVD or Blu-ray. Why? Because you'll think it is very good, or you wasted your eyes for 90 minutes.

Sands of the First Summer Round Up

PRINCE OF PERSIA
FANTASY/ADVENTURE

This movie is based on a video game. I don’t play video games so I think the game is better than the movie, and I'm basing my review on the movie ONLY. It is about a homeless boy who is adopted by a king, takes over a city that has a magical dagger that can turn back time. Plot is otherwise not important for these kinds of movies, but action there is, and there is plenty. It also shows you beautiful, imaginative worlds.

The Prince Jake Gyllehaal is hot as the hero!! He buffed up for the role, and does it show! He could have been topless the entire movie for me. Gemma Arterton is Tamina, a strong-willed princess out to protect the dagger. Guys think she is hot too (but not to me) but she is talented. Sir Ben Kingsley as the evil Nizam is very good, and for comic relief Alfred Molina (Doc Oct in Spider Man 2) shines as Sheik Amar.

Steve Toussaint is great as Amar’s partner Seso. I would like to see more of that actor. I wished they put Arab actors in the major roles, but it is all about money. All the actors seemed to have gotten a tan in the movie. So should you see this movie? If you like action and adventure. YES if not please wait!!

ROBIN HOOD
ACTION ADVENTURE

The collaboration of Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott are always interesting. The latest movie is this one. This story is about how Robin Longstride (Crowe) became Robin Hood. There is action, but it is not for action hounds. It is very realistic, authentic at times very slow. It is two hours and twenty minutes. Talented people are in the film besides Crowe. Oscar winner Cate Blanchett (Lord of the Rings, Aviator), Max Von Sydow (The Exorcist, Rush Hour 3), William Hurt (The Hulk--2008).

The villain should have been Matthew Macfayden (TV show MI5) as Sheriff of Nottingham but Mark Strong (Sherlock Holmes, Kick Ass) as his henchman steals the show as Godrey. You should see this movie, if you like Russell Crowe the actor and director Ridley Scott, if not rent it on Blu-Ray. The film is not doing well in the United States, but very well overseas. Americans are not used to thoughtful entertainment in the summer but mindless, popcorn fluff.

JUST WRIGHT
ROMANTIC COMEDY

It Is Alright! Tyler Perry is not the only one who makes black romance. Director Sanaa Hamri (Something New, Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants 2) has directed a fairy tale urban romance. It is about Queen Latifah (Leslie Wright) who is a physical therapist who cannot find love. Guys like her for she loves sports--especially basketball, but don’t find her a hottie. Rapper Common is Scott McKnight who she helps him recover from his injury.

Long live the Queen!! This former rapper acts like a real woman! She said she produced this film because no roles for her size and her color were being made. She was right and she did it right!! Common is okay. Pretty actress Paula Patton (Precious) is good as a gold digging female. Pam Grier (Foxy Brown, Coffy, Jackie Brown) is good as Latifah’s mom and James Pickens Jr. is great as her dad. The story you have seen a thousand times before---just not black version---but it is very well made. Should you see it? Yes, you should see it with your partner or girls night out. It is worth seeing on the big screen, and DVD.

More Iron, No Rust!!

Summer movies are officially here today, and it starts with IronMan 2!!! The plot is Tony (Robert Downey Jr., who is great) Stark is dying, and rival Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell, Moon) wants to be a pop-idol genius like Tony, but is not able to make an army of super robots. He's helped by a Russian Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler) who is out for revenge. Rourke is appropriately evil as the villain but his accent was too thick. His best buddy is Rhodey/War Machine (Don Cheadle, Hotel Rwanda, Ocean 11).

Mr. Cheadle does a great job replacing Terrence Howard. The females are Pepper Potts (Gweyneth Paltrow) his witty, smart personal assistant and hot body, kick ass Natalie Rushman/Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) Director Jon Favreau does an excellent job, and the ending is worth the price of admission!!! It is amazing!!! The two Iron Man movies and the Hulk keep hinting at The Avengers. I hope Favreau does The Avengers as well as Iron Man 3!!!

You Can't Lose with Raunchy Losers

Let me say this movie is totally insane. It has the best cast I have ever seen!!! The movie is based on the graphic novel. You shouldn't read the comics before watching the movie (I broke my own law---I read a few issues), as the movie stands alone by itself. I don’t why it didn’t make a lot of money. The cast is well known to those who know movies. Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Watchmen) is the cool level-headed guy except when it comes to women. He is a scruffy version of Robert Downey Jr. Zoe Saldana (Avatar) is one bad-ass chick as Aisha.

Can’t tell much more about her and her vendetta as that would give the some of the plot away. Chris Evans (Fantastic Four) is hilarious as Jenson, the best comic relief I have ever seen!!! Idris Elba (Obsessed) is Rouge who is tough as hell. Columbus Short as Pooch is funny. The villain Max is the most funny, annoying evil guy EVER!! Some people on line say in the graphic novel he is nothing like the Max in the movies but you must judge for yourself.

The movie is rated PG-13, but it sure looks like a R movie cut back!!! SPOILER: There might be a sequel, but I doubt it unless it goes directly to DVD. Should you see it? If you like loads of action and humor, yes; if not, you can always go Blu-ray or DVD.

Kick Your Dragon

KICK-ASS
FANTASY/DARK COMEDY

You are going to here this phase until you are sick of it but the movie Kick –Ass truly kicks ass!!! KA is about Dave Lizewski (played great by Aaron Johnson) as an ordinary guy who loves comic book superheroes and decides he wants to be one. There is good and bad to his decision but what a ride you will have!!! The movie is based on the comic book by Mark Miller, who also wrote Wanted, so you know his comics are VERY violent!!! Director Matthew Vaughn did an excellent job. The cast is just great!!!

Chole Moretz as Mindy Macredy aka Hit Girl is girl power to the extreme!!! She is a pint-size Punisher with a face of an angel. She uses knives, guns and weapons little girls shouldn’t use. She is just GREAT!!! Nicholas Cage as Mindy’s father Big Daddy is like an insane Mr. Rogers and his low-rent Batman suit!!! Mark Strong (the villain in Sherlock Holmes) is sick as Mafia leader Frank D’Amico. Strong was just born to play bad guys!!! Christopher Mintz-Plasse (McLovin’ in Super Bad) is not too bad as D’Amico’s son. So, should you see this movie? Yes!!! It is like teenage Watchmen but it failed at the box office probably the kids who wanted to view it couldn’t. Be patient to wait for video for it is worth the wait!!!!

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON
ANIMATION

This movie has been out for awhile, and you know why? It is very good!! The movie is also in 3D which makes it even better. The story is about Vikings killing dragons but the story really is about acceptance and father and son relationships. The voices match the characters which includes Gerald Butler (300) Craig Ferguson (Late, Late Show), America Ferrera (Ugly Betty). The characters in animation recently display more emotion than today’s actors!!! It is just as good as Up!!

It is scary in spots for small children, but some parts of the movie are just breathtakingly beautiful. I don’t remember it being heavily advertised well--and it doesn’t need to. Should you see it? Yes!! Should you see it in 3D? Oh yes!!