MOVIE REVIEW: HOT TUB TIME MACHINE

ON DVD

HOT TUB TIME MACHINE



Disappointed at the way their lives have turned out, four longtime friends reunite at the ski resort where they used to party and find themselves transported back to the year 1986 by a magical Jacuzzi. Adam (John Cusack), Lou (Rob Corddry), Nick (Craig Robinson), and Jacob (Clark Duke) have all seen better days; Adam's and Nick's love lives are in the dumps, Lou is clinging to his hard-partying past, and video-game addict Jacob can't even muster the courage to walk outside. A fun stay at the ski resort where the gang made some of their best memories seems like just the thing to cheer everyone up, but after a night of heavy drinking in the hot tub, the four friends wake up to find they're about to live through the '80s a second time. Determined not to make the same mistakes twice, Adam, Lou, Nick, and Jacob decide to take full advantage of the unique opportunity presented to them, and create the lives they've always wanted. Chevy Chase, Crispin Glover, and Lizzy Caplan co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Steve Pink

Cast: John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke, Crispin Glover

Release Date: Mar 26, 2010

Rated R for strong crude content, nudity, pervasive language, drug use and strong sexual content

Runtime: 1 hr. 40 min.

Genres: Comedy, Comedy, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Review:

Simplistic to the point of absurdity Hot Tub Time Machine is one of those movies that should be a hell of lot funnier than it actually is. First time director Steve Pink has a clean slate to work with because of the simple and basic premise that is laid out in title. The problem is that Pink doesn’t quite know what to do with it, so he goes for gross out gags and predictable jokes more often than not. It’s not that it isn’t funny from time to time but it isn’t nearly as funny as it could be. The cast does what it can with the jokes, giving laughs from time to time but never consistently. John Cusack is kind of spotty here, occasionally going through the motions but he does end up in outfit very similar to what he wore in Say Anything so you can’t complain too much. Rob Corddry is on full blast throughout, over the top and mostly funny with occasional spats of annoying. Craig Robinson is solid always delivering strong delivery on his lines. Clark Duke isn’t given much to do outside of spouting out generic nerd speak. Chevy Chase walks through the set from time to time and seems as confused as to why he there was we are. Crispin Glover is given the task of carrying a running joke that goes on way too long for it’s own good. Somehow with 4 writers behind the script it’s the best they could for him. It’s a shame that Hot Tub Time Machine doesn’t just go balls out and runs with the insanity and silliness of its premise.

C-

Thor: Comic Con Trailer

Still unsure about this one, even if the trailer is passable....

MOVIE REVIEWS: THE RUNAWAYS

ON DVD

THE RUNAWAYS



The story of the groundbreaking '70s female rock group the Runaways is recounted in this River Road Entertainment production focusing on the duo of guitarist/vocalist Joan Jett (portrayed by Twilight's Kristen Stewart) and lead vocalist/keyboardist Cherie Currie (Dakota Fanning) as they navigate a rocky road of touring and record label woes under the malevolent eye of abusive manager Kim Fowley (Michael Shannon) during their teen years. Acclaimed video artist Floria Sigismondi directs from her own script, with Scout Taylor-Compton co-starring as guitarist Lita Ford. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Director: Floria Sigismondi

Cast: Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning, Michael Shannon, Stella Maeve, Scout Taylor-Compton

Release Date: Apr 09, 2010

Rated R for sexual content, language and drug use all involving teens

Runtime: 1 hr. 45 min.

Genres: Drama, Drama, Music/Performing Arts

Review:

The Runaways, based on Cherie Currie’s memoir, is film that should be a lot more interesting and captivating than it is. Instead of exploring some of the more interesting angles of preteen exploitation and other more diverse themes, director Floria Sigismondi hits the usual notes of most rock band biography. Occasionally the first time director will hit a sweet spot, mostly during the musical numbers, and when she does the film really has a spark of life. Sadly, outside of those moments the film drags and feels more like a made for TV film with more explicit teenage drug use and sex as the only differentiating aspect. As a result strong performances from the film 3 main player in the film are mostly wasted. Dakota Fanning delivers an incredibly strong performance that full of texture and depth, probably more than is on the actual page. Kristen Stewart has the right attitude throughout but her character feels terribly underwritten for some reason, strange considering Joan Jett is one of the producers. Stella Maeve, Ali Shawkat and Scout Taylor-Compton are paid to hold instruments and remain mostly mute with Compton being allowed to scream from time to time. Michael Shannon delivers the most interesting performance as Kim Fowley and he’s easily the most interesting character in this tepid biography.

C-

Sucker Punch Trailer

Not really sure what to make of Zack Synder's newest film just yet but the "cool" visuals are in full effect that's for sure....

MOVIE REVIEWS: THE LOSERS

ON DVD

THE LOSERS



Director Sylvain White adapts the Vertigo comic about a team of mercenaries who wage war on the CIA after they're double-crossed in the field and left to die. Clay (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), Jensen (Chris Evans), Roque (Idris Elba), Pooch (Columbus Short), and Cougar (Óscar Jaenada) were on a black-ops mission in the Bolivian jungle when rogue CIA agent Max (Jason Patric) hung them out to dry. After beating the odds and surviving their ordeal, the team decides to strike back against Max even if it means sacrificing their own lives to do so. Aiding them on their treacherous suicide mission is sexy operative Aisha (Zoe Saldana), who has her own reasons for wanting to see Max get his just deserts. But getting to Max won't be easy, because in addition to having the CIA on his side, he's about to spark a war that could plunge the entire globe into chaos. Their time quickly running out as Max's plan kicks into overdrive, the Special Forces unit that everyone assumed dead arms themselves to the teeth and prepares to strike back with a vengeance. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Director: Sylvain White

Cast: Jeffrey Morgan, Zoe Saldana, Chris Evans, Idris Elba, Columbus Short

Release Date: Apr 23, 2010

Rated pg-13 for a scene of sensuality, violence, sequences of intense action and language

Runtime: 1 hr. 38 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure

Review:

Coming to life with a kinetic energy that makes the film engaging right from the start, The Losers is the kind of stupid fun that makes illogical storylines and overly telegraphed twist bearable. Sylvain White give this comic adaptation a zany over the top feel which is perfect for the subject matter and nothing is every terribly weighty or heady. Instead there is a clear cut modus operandi to provide as much action packed mindless fun as possible. White moves this movie along at a brisk pace allowing you to gloss over some of the more glaring issues in the story. The cast is clearly on board and is clearly having fun from the start. Jeffery Dean Morgan feels extremely naturalistic as the team’s alpha dog Clay. He lives in this characters skin easily and coolly throughout. Idris Elba is strong as the 2nd in command even if he’s shackled with the most obvious of storylines. Chris Evan is a real scene stealer as the wise cracking hacker Jensen. Oscar Jaenada and Columbus Short are both good in more limited roles. Jason Patrick seems miscast as the film main baddie, he never quite gets the character and overdoes what should have been a cooler more sinister character. Zoe Saldana is right at home as the resident female ass kicker, her and Morgan have strong chemistry. The flaws while forgivable are hardly small. Sylvain White does what he can to cover up the story’s silliness and illogical plot and for the most part he succeeds but in some of the slower parts in the third act they become more and more apparent. Still, as silly action films go this one is a strong example of how to keep it light and fun.

B-

MOVIE REVIEWS: SALT

IN THEATERS

SALT



Director Phillip Noyce teams with screenwriters Kurt Wimmer (Equilibrium) and Brian Helgeland (Mystic River) to craft this thriller starring Angelina Jolie as dedicated CIA officer Evelyn Salt, who is accused by a defector of being a Russian spy. With each attempt Salt makes to prove her innocence, her mentor, Winter (Liev Schreiber), only grows more suspicious of her true motivations. The longer she eludes capture by ambitious CIA agent Peabody (Chiwetel Ejiofor), the higher the stakes get. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Phillip Noyce

Cast: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Andre Braugher

Release Date: Jul 23, 2010

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and intense sequences of action

Runtime: 1 hr. 31 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

Excessively ludicrous and obnoxiously stupid Salt is an action dud of massive proportions. Phillip Noyce directs this seemingly endless parade of shoot out, getaways and plot twist with dead set seriousness that can best be described as oblivious. Oblivious to the abject silliness of the entire proceedings with characters so poorly executed it hard to take any of them very seriously. Taking herself just as seriously is Jolie, whose stone cold demeanor makes you think she really believes this character is somehow grounded in reality. More surprising is that her action sequences are surprisingly unconvincing throughout and she shoots, punches and jump kicks with all the passion of a coma patient. Liev Schreiber is saddled with a character who given some of the most banal dialogue in recent memory. Poor Chiwetel Ejiofor just doesn’t seem to have any luck with summer blockbusters, in last year’s 2012 he got to be the scientist who was wrong all the time, as he’s given the unenviable task of simply looking confused throughout. The entire ordeal makes the Bourne movies look like real world documentaries and the Mission Impossible movie look incredibly plausible. Somewhere Tom Cruise thanking his lucky stars that he passed on Edwin A. Salt and it was redone as a vehicle for Jolie otherwise it may have proven the actual nail in his blockbuster coffin something which Knight and Day isn’t.

D

Tron Legacy Full Trailer

I have to confess I was never really a fan of the original but this one looks interesting......

MOVIE REVIEW: INCEPTION

IN THEATERS

INCEPTION



Visionary filmmaker Christopher Nolan (Memento, The Dark Knight) writes and directs this psychological sci-fi action film about a thief who possesses the power to enter into the dreams of others. Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) doesn't steal things, he steals ideas. By projecting himself deep into the subconscious of his targets, he can glean information that even the best computer hackers can't get to. In the world of corporate espionage, Cobb is the ultimate weapon. But even weapons have their weakness, and when Cobb loses everything, he's forced to embark on one final mission in a desperate quest for redemption. This time, Cobb won't be harvesting an idea, but sowing one. Should he and his team of specialists succeed, they will have discovered a new frontier in the art of psychic espionage. They've planned everything to perfection, and they have all the tools to get the job done. Their mission is complicated, however, by the sudden appearance of a malevolent foe that seems to know exactly what they're up to, and precisely how to stop them. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Director: Christopher Nolan

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page

Release Date: Jul 16, 2010

Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and sequences of action

Runtime: 2 hr. 22 min.

Genres: Suspense/Thriller

Review:

Christopher Nolan’s Inception is like watching someone play make-believe on an epic scale. Everything is large about this film, heady themes mixed with aggressive visual and multilayered story arcs crisscrossing about that one could easily be lost by sneaking out to a quick bathroom break. Nolan’s persistent dedication to playing with the audiences perceptions is very much at play here in this sci-fi thriller that is a really a heist movie at its heart. While Nolan crafts an impressively complex and intriguing storyline it’s also one that bears a lot of hallmarks of previous films, clearly showing Nolan’s inspirations for this endeavor. Sadly, this makes certain aspects of the film fairly predictable. It’s original and derivative at the same type, perhaps a purposely imposed paradox from Nolan. The cast is all in fine form and each make the most of their roles regardless of how limited it maybe in some cases. Leonardo DiCaprio is appropriately dour and determined throughout. He doesn’t quiet let this character breathe as much as he should making his realization at the end come off as a tad artificial. Marion Cotillard is clearly having the most fun in the entire film as she gets top play varied versions of the same person throughout. Her performance runs the gamut of tender and heartfelt to mildly terrifying and selfish. She commands the screen every time she’s on it and makes the strongest impression throughout. Ellen Page gives the smart ass shtick a break and plays her character well with a nice sense of wonder and discovery. Joseph Gordon Levitt, Ken Watanabe and Tom Hardy are all quiet strong in supporting roles each giving their characters recognizable traits in limited screen time. Cillian Murphy isn’t given much too do outside of looking like a mark. As a whole this is another win for Nolan’s increasingly impressive resume, even if he couldn’t resist an open ended finale.

A-

Bluray quality; Video is nearly perfect showcasing the wonderful visuals throughout; Sound mix is impressive across the board, extremely active.

I was hand-selected to be a member of Blu-ray Elite, a beta program from Warner Home Video which has graciously sent me this free Blu-ray disc.

MOVIE REVIEW: PREDATORS

IN THEATERS

PREDATORS



A group of hardened killers are hunted on an alien planet in producer Robert Rodriguez and director Nimród Antal's entry into the popular sci-fi action franchise. Mercenaries, murderers, gangsters, and convicts, they were the most feared men on Earth. But now they're a long way from home, and when the predators become the prey, fearless mercenary Royce (Adrien Brody) prepares for the fight of his life. And he's not alone, because Mexican gangster Cuchillo (Danny Trejo), Israeli Defense Forces veteran Isabelle (Alice Braga), notorious mass murderer Stans (Walton Goggins), Russian Special Forces operative Nikolai (Oleg Taktarov), RUF death squad member Mombasa (Mahershalalhashbaz Ali), and sword-wielding Yakuza Hanzo (Louis Ozawa Changchien) are all armed to the teeth, and out for blood. The odd man out is Edwin (Topher Grace), a once-prominent physician whose career came to an end following a big scandal. When the motley crew encounters Noland (Lawrence Fishburne), a resourceful human who has somehow managed to survive on the alien's hunting grounds for some time, they prepare to take the ultimate stand against the most powerful Predators yet. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Director: Nimród Antal

Cast: Adrien Brody, Alice Braga, Laurence Fishburne , Topher Grace , Danny Trejo

Release Date: Jul 09, 2010

Rated R for pervasive language, gore and strong creature violence

Runtime: 106 min

Genres: Action/Adventure, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

The sequel that should have been made 20 years ago Predators hits the screen feeling like a throwback from the start. Nimrod Antal makes his intentions clear from the start and he delivers the action filled sci-fi follow up you’d expect needless to say it’s predictable in everyway you can imagine but it’s still good fun. Once you get past the face that you’re watching a movie directed by someone named Nimrod, he also directed Vacancy, you’ll find that he directs the action well and hits all the key points for the suspense needed for this type of fare. Taking cues directly from the 1987 John McTiernan Arnold Schwarzenegger testosterone filled classic, Antal uses everything that made the original so enjoyable with a mild twist. When I say twist I should clarify in that Antal uses so much from the original that it almost feels like a remake but it could be worse, see either of the Alien v Predators movies. Adrien Brody is dutifully self serious and self centered as the “leader” of this group of predatory victims, yes the title has double meaning. I couldn’t help but notice that Brody, while passable, is taking himself way too serious throughout. Alice Braga does what she can with a thinly written role and she has one too many damsel in distress moments for my taste especially considering she’s supposed to be a trained killer. The supporting cast is underused which is a sham since there are so many impressive character actors on the cast. Of them only Fishburn and Walton Goggins make an impression. Once we reach the final reel, with the people you know would still be alive, you can feel Antal spreading his wings a little having more fun after a commendable effort of righting what was wrong with the thrown together sequels of the past 20 years.

C+

Full Machete Trailer

The level of win just keeps going up and up on this film....

MOVIE REVIEW: KNIGHT AND DAY

IN THEATERS

KNIGHT AND DAY



A fugitive couple (Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz) wages a war between truth and trust while speeding across the globe in an attempt to avoid capture by a determined federal agent (Peter Sarsgaard). Paul Dano, Viola Davis, Olivier Martinez, Maggie Grace, and Marc Blucas co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Director: James Mangold

Cast: Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Peter Sarsgaard, Paul Dano, Viola Davis, Olivier Martinez, Maggie Grace

Release Date: Jun 23, 2010

Rated: brief strong language and sequences of action violence

Runtime: 2 hr. 10 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Comedy, Comedy

Review:

Silly, predictable and occasionally fun Knight and Day is exactly what it looks like, nothing and nothing less. A thinly veiled plot which only serves to move Cruise and Diaz from one set piece to another so madcap action can ensue. James Mangold shoots his stars as such and it’s light and fluffy with never an ounce of weight or depth. Mangold takes full advantage of the budget with beautiful locales all the while using his general “splosion” money well. Cruise is light hearted and fun, pretty much doing his Ethan Hunt character from Mission Impossible throughout. Cameron Diaz does her usual tomboy but I’m cute deal, something she has down pat, and smiles her Joker smile shrieking intermittently. She’s not as grating as she could have been so that’s always a positive considering what’s required of the role. The strange thing here is that Cruise and Diaz are strangely disconnected throughout as if they are both doing their own thing and the only reason we know they like each other is because the film tells us so. The supporting cast is pretty just going through the motions doing what’s required of their paper thin characters. In the end, it’s Cruise and Diaz showcase; if you enjoy them you’ll enjoy this overlong predictable film.

C

MOVIE REVIEW: YOUTH IN REVOLT

ON DVD

YOUTH IN REVOLT



Superbad's Michael Cera discovers a vacation romance in Youth in Revolt, a teen comedy from Charlie Bartlett's screenwriter, Gustin Nash, and director Miguel Arteta (Chuck & Buck). The film is an adaptation of C.D. Payne's first book in a series of best-selling satirical novels starring Nick Twisp, a sexually charged 14-year-old whose intelligence and hormones get him into all sorts of adventures. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide

Director: Miguel Arteta

Cast: Michael Cera , Portia Doubleday , Jean Smart , Zach Galifianakis , Adhir Kalyan

Release Date: Jan 08, 2010

Rated R for sexual content, language and drug use

Runtime: 1 hr. 30 min.

Genres: Comedy, Comedy, Romance, Romance

Review:

Take one part Wes Anderson, one part Napoleon Dynamite and a sprinkle Fight Club’s split personality, mix with a teen angst story line and you’ll have Youth in Revolt. A subversive and off beat film that a bit off kilter but occasionally hits the sweet spot with its originality. Director Miguel Arteta gives his film a subtle pop that serves it well throughout. The script is kind of hit or miss with a few segments hitting an impressive stride but there are more than a few dead spots along the way. Cera and Doubleday’s characters also speak like they are intellectual yuppies in their late 30’s. Cera though does a solid job of making it feel naturalistic and Twisp feels very much like the kind of character we’ve become accustomed to seeing him play. He has a lot more fun playing his imaginary alter ego Francois. He’s clearly enjoying himself on screen and I think the character is underused as he mostly disappears from the film near the end. Fresh faced Portia Doubleday delivers an impressively naturalistic performance and handles the material well. The supporting cast mostly sit in the shadows and have fun with fairly clichéd stock characters. Having watched the film I understand the difficulty in marketing this film because it’s very atypical, fun if not perfect especially if you’re looking for a comedy that’s off the beaten path.

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: THE BOOK OF ELI

ON DVD

THE BOOK OF ELI



In the not-too-distant future, some 30 years after the final war, a solitary man walks across the wasteland that was once America. Empty cities, broken highways, seared earth--all around him, the marks of catastrophic destruction. There is no civilization here, no law. The roads belong to gangs that would murder a man for his shoes, an ounce of water--or for nothing at all. But they're no match for this traveler. A warrior not by choice but necessity, Eli seeks only peace but, if challenged, will cut his attackers down before they realize their fatal mistake. It's not his life he guards so fiercely but his hope for the future; a hope he has carried and protected for 30 years and is determined to realize. Driven by this commitment and guided by his belief in something greater than himself, Eli does what he must to survive--and continue. Only one other man in this ruined world understands the power Eli holds, and is determined to make it his own: Carnegie, the self-appointed despot of a makeshift town of thieves and gunmen. Meanwhile, Carnegie's adopted daughter Solara is fascinated by Eli for another reason: the glimpse he offers of what may exist beyond her stepfather's domain. But neither will find it easy to deter him. Nothing--and no one--can stand in his way. Eli must keep moving to fulfill his destiny and bring help to a ravaged humanity.

Director: Allen Hughes , Albert Hughes

Cast: Denzel Washington , Gary Oldman , Mila Kunis , Ray Stevenson , Jennifer Beals

Release Date: Jan 15, 2010

Rated R for some brutal violence and language

Runtime: 1 hr. 58 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure

Review:

The Hughes Brother’s have always had more talent than they’ve been given credit for, kind of lost in the mix and failing to make their mark after their break through film Menace 2 Society. The Book of Eli, unfortunately, won’t leave any sort of lasting impression either. Dour and lacking any sort of real heart, this overly serious and only occasionally interesting post apocalyptic road movie thinks it’s a lot more important than it actually is. The script has a message and the screenwriter could have taken some interesting angels on the subject matters of faith and religion in general, instead we get generic heroes and villains dialogue with a fairly pain by the numbers action sequences. The Hughes Brother’s shoot the film with enough style to give it an impressive if overly glossy look throughout even if we are left with the impression that the end of the world looks like Arizona. Denzel Washington is the strongest player in the entire film. He plays Eli with serious single mindedness vigor, giving the character a depth that isn’t in the script. It’s a shame he’s mostly wasted because I think that he could have done something interesting with a meatier more interesting take on the general concept. Washington plays his dutifully and looks believable during the films action sequences. Mila Kunis isn’t asked to do much in her role, much like the rest of the ancillary characters. Gary Oldman is asked to play a one dimensional villain and no one could fault for collecting a play check here. Ray Stevenson and Jennifer Beals are thoroughly wasted barely say a word. If you’d seen the more enjoyable classic The Road Warrior or the more thoughtful and gut wrenching The Road then there’s really no reason to waste your time here outside of waiting for a ludicrous curve ball at the end of this film.

C-