Review: Captain America: Civil War

Captain America: Civil War

Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo

Budget 250 million Box office 1.153 billion 

Starring

Chris Evans - Steve Rogers / Captain America

Robert Downey Jr. - Tony Stark / Iron Man

Scarlett Johansson - Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow

Sebastian Stan  - as Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier

Anthony Mackie - Sam Wilson / Falcon:

Don Cheadle - James "Rhodey" Rhodes / War Machine

Jeremy Renner -  Clint Barton / Hawkeye

Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa / Black Panther

When I first had this film (dvd) I wondered if it would hold well in comparison with the previous Captain America movies.  But then there it was and I as pleasantly surprised.  It foremost added some debth to the characters.  This took the shape of out and out anamosity between members.  Stark continues to be abrasive as always which goes quite far towards alienating other members.  

The conflicts and the motivation are not to believe. Downey reprises his role as Tony Stark / Iron Man as does Evans as Steve Rogers / Captain America, Scarlett Johansson - Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow, Stan  - as Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier, Mackie - Sam Wilson / Falcon, Cheadle - James "Rhodey" Rhodes / War Machine, Renner -  Clint Barton / Hawkeye

Boseman as T'Challa / Black Panther as well as others.

This lends itself to a much more three dimentional character.  Overall I give the film an 8.  The returning heroes add a confort level that I had not been aware of in earlier.  Fans of Cap will not be disapointed. 

Review: Death Note the Movie

Death Note is a live-action Japanese film released in 2006. The  movie is based on the Death Note manga and the later anime series.  

The film primarily center on a university student, Light Yagami, who finds a supernatural notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it.

Light begins a campaign to rid the world of evil with the help of the notebook but soon blurs the boundaries of real evil and perceived evil.  

If you have watched the anime you know that the series goes much further than this.  In truth, Death Note is two part series.  Part 2 was released shortly after the first and deals mainly with the actress Misa.

When watching this movie, I really did not think that the director could pull off the same look and feel as the original anime series that I had watched earlier.  I was however surprised as just how accurate they managed to get.  Yes Ryuk, the Shinigami who was the original owner of the Death Note book was CGI but really masterfully done!  Plus the interaction between the live and cgi characters was seamless.  

If you liked the original DeathNote anime then you should enjoy the live action as well.  In the original anime I really had trouble liking some of the anime characters.  I can't even go so far as calling some Anti-heroes.  The sets are good and really to be honest, it is the best try I have seen so far. 

With that in mind, the movie deserves an 8 and the extras which good are one of the most frustrating ways to navigate!  Good extras...hard to get to! 6  for a total of 14 and an average of 7 which is low for the movie, but more than generous for the extras. 

Thanks to our movie guy Mark for the find.

Guess Who ISN'T In the New Justice League Movie

Latino Review have told IO9 some pretty damning info from insiders over at Warner Bros.

First off here is the roster of super-heroes in the film:

• Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and the Flash.

Quite a line-up huh?  So what is wrong with this picture?  Hint, it is someone that DC comics has pushed hard the past few  years, in fact one has to wonder why Geoff Johns would not be jumping right up and down with this omission, considering that this character has been his pet project for some time now.  

Hell I will be the first to admit that this character was never on of my favs in the comics or in his own tv cartoon series....got it yet?

Read the rest in IO9 Here

Review: Hunger Games

Directed by     Gary Ross

Starring     
Jennifer Lawrence
Josh Hutcherson
Liam Hemsworth
Woody Harrelson
Elizabeth Banks
Lenny Kravitz
Stanley Tucci
Donald Sutherland

From the novel of the same name by Suzanne Collins

Games is a post apocalyptic very reminiscent of Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery.   So much so in fact that if you are familiar with the story at all, you may find it distracting you from the movie as a whole.  But in fact, I can think of several classics that can be used as a comparison.  Say for instance, Brave New World, Many of the scenes are the “country rube” reacting to the “huge” city.  You can even see some of “The Demolition Man” mixed in.  So yes, my very first comment about the film is that it is derivative.   It is like Survivor gone mental.

But, back to the movie.  It is called Hunger Games because it seems (but poorly explained)  that the Districts that participated in an uprising were and are still being controlled by “starvation” or hunger if you would.  To reinforce the hunger stranglehold, each district must pay tribute of two children who must fight the other districts to the death.  

Alliances are made, unlikely loves grow and in the end a heavily telegraphed ending.  

Based on what I have read, there are already plans in the work for a 2 and 3 and by the performance in the box office, they should do ok.  

But in all honesty, if you are a Science Fiction fan, this movie will fall flat for you right from the premise.  It is supposed to be hundreds of years in the future, which is not borne up in the tech or even society...Far less adventurous films have done far far better at portraying a future society, like the fifth element or Priest.  

Hunger Games did not leave me hungry for more.  Poorly executed and ill conceived plus the extras on the rental are non-existent!  A 7 at best.  If you have unlimited rentals or streams, watch it on a big screen, otherwise give it a pass.

Review: Lockout

Lockout

staring
Guy Pearce, Maggie Grace, Vincent Regan, Joseph Gilgun, Lennie James, Peter Stormare

My buddy Mike had been waxing eloquent about this prison break/rescue movie called Lockout and had offered it to me several times. No mention was made about science fiction being the main thread, Mike it seems in not really a science fiction fan. But sorry Mike, Lockout is a Science Fiction flic no question!

The basic theme is your standard framed warrior/police person/ merc is pressed into service to rescue a high level dignitary. Lockout follows Snow a man framed for a crime he did not commit, is offered his freedom in exchange for rescuing the President's daughter Emilie. The kicker is this time the prison is an orbital prison called MS One which he inmates have taken control of.

There are several sub plots about Snow’s “crime” and a mysterious briefcase and others that are tied up at the end.

The plot of Lockout will soon become familiar to fans of the space station /prison venue. Or the rogue soldier/officer or the main character who’s methods are viewed as anachronistic etc. such as say “Outland” or “Demolition Man” There are very familiar plot devices and as such takes very little chances. Matter of fact none. The special effect are adequate and plenty of them though some are definitely going to make you go HUUUUH? But even these are elements from other films, just applied a little gratuitously here.

So, Lockout is if not lazy every bit derivative. The square jawed main man, the femfatale who always seems to have a thing for bad boys. The obligatory psychopathic megalomaniac with a retinue of various malcontents.

But if you’re out for punch him in the throat and stomp on his head brainless fun, then Lockout is your entertainment for the evening. The direction is competent and the cast never seemed to camp it up even you the Wilhelm scream was way early...lol.

Because I only had the dvd the extras were a bit slim, but there was a few decent shorts but no director’s comments but on a dvd can’t say I expected them.

So, I would give the movie a harmless entertainment 7 with a 6 for extras. An overall 13 and a 6.5 rating. With a “its not a rip off, and not bad to boot, rent it I would say, just don’t expect more than good entertainment.” review and hey, that aint so bad!

Review: HOP

Staring 

James Marsden, Russell Brand, Kaley Cuoco, Hank Azaria, Gary Cole, Elizabeth Perkins, Hugh Laurie

Director

Tim Hill

HOP is an Easter-themed live-action and animated comedy film from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment.

Here is what the Wiki says about HOP and to start of civil, lets go with that.

• Hop stars the voice of Russell Brand as E.B., a rabbit who does not want to succeed his father, Mr. Bunny (Hugh Laurie), in the role of the Easter Bunny; James Marsden as Fred O'Hare, a human who is out of work and wishes to become the next Easter Bunny himself; and the voice of Hank Azaria as Carlos and Phil, two chicks who plot to take over the Easter organization.

 That's nice. If I had started out, it certainly would not be so civil. First off yes, I know it meant for a younger audience, but I am sorry, that doesn't excuse them from making even a marginally watchable movie. But no, this movie is a flip off for anyone over the age of 10. I honestly have never seen so many actors blatantly go out just for the paycheck! But I have to be honest, 30 minutes was all I could take of this travesty. 

One of the first things I like to do is check the extras in case there is a different cut or options. Again, there seemed to be but it would seem that Universal has jumped on the "lets make renters second class customers" wagon by turning off all the extra features and even worse letting you know they are doing it because you are renting! So you can see the mind set I was in when I started the movie proper. I love animation...mixed media is ok in its place. But after a half hour of wooden dialog and garish CGI sets, I was pushing the stop button out the back of the remote. 

There really isn't much good to say. If you are an animation fan, run as fast as you can away from this disk, if you are a collector, well unless you have toddlers still in diapers, don't waste the shelf space. 

The movie itself is an unwatchable morass of cliches and one dimentional characters. Here it is in a nutshell - I don't want to be the Easterbunny! But you HAVE to be the Easter bunny! I don't want to work in a no where job. You don't want to be the easter bunny? I can be the easter bunny! I just don't understand my son! I love what I am doing now! I love you son even if I don't understand you. cut fade and scene. shudder..... 

I don't give out negative number ratings, because that is a bit nonsensical however this is damn close....maybe a 3 denoting the fact that they could light and shoot the movie even if calling it a movie is a stretch.  Put the DVD back in the rack and step back, now turn and run as quickly as you can away from the movie.

Naruto Shippuden:Dreamers Fight - Fan Film Trailer

Ok, I know I push a lot of anime down your throat, however at times it is every bit as much legit sci fi as any genre. Then again some anime is just escapist entertainment. Sometimes you just find yourself caught up in an anime world that you had no intention of doing so. That is what happened with Naruto and later Naruto Shippuden. This series is about as whacked as you can get in an anime universe, but at the core are characters you can identify with and ultimately root for. So here I am several years later wating for the number one spiky haired knuckle headed ninja. And let me tell you the fan base is deep and loyal. How loyal you ask? Well check out this fan made live action Naruto movie trailer. Hell I would go see it!

And there is a facebook page here for those that were involved I suspect....

Review: The Green Hornet movie

The Green Hornet
Written by Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg
Directed by Michel Gondry
Starring Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Christoph Waltz, Cameron Diaz. Edward James Olmos

The Green Hornet movie is based on the story line and characters that had originated in a 1930s radio program and has appeared in movie serials, a television series and comic books.
I love movies like this. They lend themselves to simple reviews as is the case here. Hornet is flat out terrible. It is supposed to be an action comedy, but the only action you will want to see after fifteen minutes is the credits rolling.

The story revolves around Britt Reid who as a child was ignored by his father - a ruthless go getter that has little time for a child. Britt lost his mother at an early age so has little direction in his life. He does however fantasize about “helping” people. After one such episode he is sent home for fighting. His father, enraged proceeds to decapitate Britt’s prize possession, a super hero which traumatizes the child.

As an adult Britt find himself without direction. His father has died under mysterious circumstances. Britt finds himself seeking out Kato who makes his morning coffee and it seems is a wildly talented mechanic. After a night of binge drinking they vow to team up and fight crime.

I get the impression that it was suppose to be a comedy / drama, but the comedy is flat, the characters laughably thin and the acting by pretty much everyone involved is just terrible. Diaz is competent but could not carry the movie. Same goes for Edward James Olmos. As the editor of the family's news-paper, he manages to exude that inner strength that has become so familiar with BSG fans. I honestly felt however, like I was watching a Pink Panther movie. A BAD Pink Panther movie at that.

My suggestion to you about this movie is do not no let it anywhere near your player. If you do then you might find yourself forced to watch a few scenes.

The Green Hornet is about a three and I couldn’t care less about the extra. People doing a wax on Wax off are just trying to polish a turd. Not interested.

Review: PUSH

PUSH - PG-13
Cast: Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Camilla Belle
Director: Paul McGuigan
Released: February 6, 2009

Synopsis: A group of Americans with "abilities", some of which include telekinetic and clairvoyance hide from a U.S. government agency called The Division, in Hong Kong.

The Division a shadowy government agency tasked with finding and enhancing people's psychic power with the intent of creating an army of super powerful people for assassinations, espionage and it's like. Nick Gant played by Chris Evans, a telekinetic "mover,” has been in hiding since the Division murdered his father. Nick is forced out of hiding when Cassie Holmes, a 13-year-old clairvoyant “watcher,” seeks his help in finding an escaped “pusher” who may hold the key to ending the Division’s program.

As you can see, the plot line is much like say Firestarter, XMen, Mutant-X and their ilk. Oh and if this movie doesn't remind you of Painkiller Jane I don't know what would! Oh and Heroes? Oh yeah, this could almost be Heroes Hong Kong!

I would like to say that what was lost in originality was made up for with a really interesting plot, but that's not the case, Quaid, Scott and Barrymore could have done this movie with nary a rewrite. I would like to say that the special effects were better...but every time we see a physic power in action all we are given is an X-files black eye thing oh and the pushers have neat pastels when they start smackin on each other and a serious lower bowel rumble every time they hit something....I suspect that there was some skivies being changed after the fight scenes. I swear I saw a "these are not the driod you are looking for" scene!

Ok, well, for those of you that have NOT checked this movie out, here is the trailer. The movie is available on DVD.

Live Action BeBop with Reeves is a go.

As I reported early in 2008, Keanu Reeves had been slotted to play futuristic bounty hunter Spike Spiegel in a live-action adaptation of the Japanese anime series Cowboy Bebop. At that time it was something of an up in the air thing but now Variety reports that this is indeed the case.

Reeves will take on the role of Spike, an adventurous bounty hunter traveling through space in 2071.

PopWatch online asks an interesting question though... Who would you like to see cast as paternal cyborg Jet, sassy femme Faye, and girly techno-savant Ed?

Asking me I instantly go to who would play Ed: Gigi Edgley best known for her role as Chiana on the science fiction TV series Farscape. She practicly had the look of Ed in the makeup of Chiana and the odd mannerisms wouldn't be much of a stretch.

On the same line...Claudia Black as Faye. Tell me you can't see that. Not her Farscape persona but as Vala Mal Doran in Stargate SG-1 That's faye through and through!

Jet is proving to be a tough nut...Ben Browder would be good for the interaction he has between Black and Edgley, but he doesn't feel like a Jet but I really think Adam Baldwin doing something along the lines of his Firefly Jayne Cobb role would fit right in with the theme of Bebop...no not cowboy but the character feel.

Oh WAIT!!!! RON PEARLMAN!!!! now that would be SWEEEEEEEEET!

Ideas people?


EW.com Variety