MOVIE REVIEW: DAYBREAKERS

ON DVD

DAYBREAKERS



Fresh off the success of their inventive take on the zombie genre, Undead masterminds Michael and Peter Spierig direct Ethan Hawke in an ambitious tale of a futuristic Earth populated entirely by vampires, and the efforts made by the creatures to ensure that their food supply doesn't run out as humankind is faced with extinction. The year is 2017, and a vampire plague has turned most of the planet's human population into bloodsucking ghouls. As the population of mortals fast begins to dwindle, a vampiric corporation sets out to capture and farm every remaining human while simultaneously researching a consumable blood substitute, headed by undead hematologist Edward Dalton (Ethan Hawke). His work is interrupted after stumbling onto a pocket of human survivors lead by Elvis (Willem Dafoe), a former vampire, whose past reveals a cure that could reverse the tide and save the human race. With time running out, Dalton's only hope lies in outsmarting the security forces of his boss (Sam Neill), whose goal isn't just to find a substitute, but to repopulate humanity in order to sell its blood to the highest bidder. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Director: Peter Spierig, Michael Spierig

Cast: Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe, Claudia Karvan, Michael Dorman, Vince Colosimo.

Release Date: Jan 08, 2010

Rated R for strong bloody violence, language and brief nudity

Runtime: 1 hr. 38 min.

Genres: Horror

Review:

Daybreakers has interesting conceit, if slightly derivative think the vampire world seen in the first Blade, from the start but it mostly abandons most of the more interesting aspects of the story for a splatter fest finale. Writer/director the Spierig brother, who had a much more successful splatter fest with their break through film Undead, have some interesting ideas and could have made for some heady vampire theme story telling. About halfway through the film it seems like they have a change of heart and move the film in a different direction amping up the FX, which are fun and impressive, and action. It’s a real shame because a lot of ideas could have been very fertile grounds for imaginative heady type of film. As the film trots towards the final act it plays it safe and things all work out as expected. The cast is mostly game throughout the film with Ethan Hawke leading the way as the dour and conflicted hematologist looking for blood substitute. He tries valiantly to make his character interesting and engaging but mostly he’s just kind of a bore. Willem Dafoe and his natural creepiness work well here but his character is kind of a carbon copy of James Woods in John Carpenter’s Vampires with a few added quirks to make him more interesting. Sam Neill, like the film itself, starts off interesting hinting at some complexity to his character but degenerates into a clichéd capitalistic villain but with fangs. Slow mo dismemberments and blood flinging finishes off the film which would be just fine if it didn’t start off with so much promise.

C

MOVIE REVIEW: LEGION

ON DVD

LEGION



Scott Stewart's supernatural thriller Legion, scripted by Peter Schink, concerns a group of strangers in an out-of-the-way eatery who become the first line of defense when God, believing the human race is no longer worthy of Him, decides to end their existence. This motley crew's only spiritual ally is the archangel Michael, played by Paul Bettany. Dennis Quaid, Tyrese Gibson, Charles S. Dutton, and Lucas Black co-star in the Screen Gems production. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

Directed by Scott Stewart

Cast: Paul Bettany, Lucas Black, Tyrese Gibson, Adrianne Palicki, Charles S. Dutton.

Release Date: Jan 22, 2010

Rated R for strong bloody violence, and language

Runtime: 1 hr. 40 min.

Genres: Suspense/Thriller

Review:

Terminator with a touch of the dash of biblical mumbo jumbo gives you the general sense of what to expect with Scott Sander’s Legion. It’s a film that is most aware of its B-movie schlockly roots and has fun with it on occasion but not nearly enough to make the entire experience enjoyable. Sander’s best attribute is his ability to move the nonsensical plot along at a nice quick pace, never lingering to long on any details. He hits the major and minor plot points like he’s playing darts. The script is littered with archetype characters that all have standard issue personal issues. The cast, made up of surprisingly strong performers, does as well as can be expected. Paul Bettany is stoic and provides his British Angel an other worldliness feel which fits the character well. Adrianne Palicki is believable if overly “troubled” as the mother of the messiah to be. Dennis Quaid phones in his performance to such an extreme degree you are kind left wondering if he ever wanted this film to see the light of day. Tyrese Gibson, Charles S. Dutton and Kate Walsh have small and limited roles but they do more with them than this film deserves. If the script has one strength its it admirable ability to keep you off balance by dispatching characters unexpectedly and abruptly, something I’ve always enjoyed. Outside of that there is very little new or innovative in this genre film.

D

MOVIE REVIEW: BLACK DYNAMITE

ON DVD

BLACK DYNAMITE



The city streets explode into violence when "The Man" kills Black Dynamite's (Michael Jai White) brother in this seamless recreation of the blaxploitation classics of the 1970s. He was the best agent that the CIA ever had, but these days Black Dynamite only answers to one boss -- himself. When "The Man" ices Black Dynamite's brother, starts pumping heroin into the local orphanage, and floods the ghetto with a secret weapon disguised as common malt liquor, the car chases, gunfights, and shirtless brawls that follow prove wild enough to make even Dolemite green with envy. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Director: Scott Sanders

Cast: Michael Jai White, Kym E. Whitley, Tommy Davidson, Kevin Chapman, Byron Minns.

Release Date: Oct 16, 2009

Rated R for drug content, some violence, sexuality/nudity and language

Runtime: 1 hr. 30 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure

Review:

A lovingly faithful satire that feels authentic through and though, Black Dynamite is a fun if slightly uneven trek through this grindhouse genre. Director Scott Sanders hits all the right marks visually and musically throughout making sure the satire is a painfully close to the real McCoy. Washed out worn looking film stock is used, classic 70’s jams pepper the film with hilarious lyrics giving away the plot, all done to great effect. Michael Jai White, also a co writer on film, in the lead role is perfectly built and stoic through out, never showing his hand too much. He plays the role straight and he’s a perfect embodiment of what the character types stood for and all their laughable excesses. The script is fun and purposely sporadic and unfocused. The characters are all big and cartoonish. They all fit perfectly with an outlandish conspiracy plot about “the man’s” fiendish plot again the black man. It’s not perfect and there are a few dead spots which are a bit easier take as Sander’s keeps the movie moving at a brisk pace.

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: THE A-TEAM

IN THEATERS

THE A-TEAM

1980s TV action gets a reboot with this new version of The A-Team, which shifts the Vietnam vet backstory to a group of Iraq War vets who become mercenaries for hire. Joe Carnahan (Smokin' Aces) directs from a script by G.I. Joe's Skip Woods. Liam Neeson heads up the crew as Hannibal, the brains of the operation, with Bradley Cooper as Face, UFC star Quinton "Rampage" Jackson filling in for Mr. T as B.A. Baracus, and District 9's breakout star, Sharlto Copley, inheriting the unhinged role of "Howling Mad" Murdock. Jessica Biel also co-stars. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide

Director: Joe Carnahan

Cast: Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Jessica Biel, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Sharlto Copley.

Release Date: Jun 11, 2010

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action, smoking, language and intense sequences of violence

Runtime: 1 hr. 57 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure

Review:

A guy movie through and through Joe “Carnage” Carnahan delivers lots of fun testosterone fuel action in his sharply directed reboot of the 80’s series. Carnahan gleefully sets up scenarios and action pieces like a child playing with action figures, the proceeds to make it all explosively real on the screen. The amount of collateral damage done throughout this film run time is probably close to Ronald Emmerich disaster film but so much more fun. The cast has as much fun as the director and never take anything overly serious. Liam Neeson leads the way as Hannibal and he clearly has a ball playing the team’s leader and master planner. Bradley Cooper comes off as a bit smug from time to time but he’s charismatic enough to make it work for the character without going overboard. Sharlto Copley was my biggest question mark coming in but he was one of the strongest performers throughout providing a seemingly endless amount of energy and nuttiness. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is adequate if a bit neutered, due to a silly subplot, as B.A. Baracus, he looks the part but doesn’t have much conviction in delivering lines. Jessica Biel and Patrick Wilson both offer serviceable performances in fairly clichéd roles. The plot is overly complicated to hide the fact that it’s terribly silly and mostly unbelievable. This film doesn’t require much from the upper brain functions and that’s fine because Carnahan delivers enough entertaining insanity to keep you interested as the online liners are fired out as quickly as the bullets.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: GET HIM TO THE GREEK

IN THEATERS

GET HIM TO THE GREEK



An ambitious young record company executive attempts to transport an unpredictable rock star to L.A.'s Greek Theatre in time for his hotly anticipated comeback performance in this spin-off of the comedy hit Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Aaron Green (Jonah Hill) has just landed his dream job in the record industry, and he's eager to prove his worth. His first assignment: travel to London and escort British rock god Aldous Snow (Russell Brand) to the show that will re-ignite his career. Before he departs, Aaron is warned by his boss Sergio Roma (Sean Combs) to never let Aldous out of his sight, and never underestimate his capacity for mayhem. Immensely talented yet deeply tortured, Aldous hit the bottle hard after his popularity began to wane and his girl walked out on him. Aldous is locked in the midst of an existential crisis, and rues the thought of being accompanied across the pond by an insincere sycophant. Though it seems like sex is the only thing Aldous ever thinks about, his thoughts turn to romance when he discovers that gorgeous model/pop singer Jackie Q (Rose Byrne) will be in Los Angeles at the time of his concert, too. Jackie Q is the love of Aldous' life, and he'll do anything and everything to win her heart. With the concert fast approaching and Aaron's fledgling career on the line, the race is on to get Aldous to the Greek, and ensure the big show goes off without a hitch. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Director: Nick Stoller

Cast: Jonah Hill, Russell Brand, Rose Byrne, Sean Combs, Elisabeth Moss.

Release Date: Jun 04, 2010

Rated: strong sexual content, pervasive language and drug use throughout

Runtime: 1 hr. 49 min.

Genres: Comedy

Review:

A sort of but not really sequel to Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek is tad like a rollercoaster ride. It’s most entertaining in the middle but comes to a jarring halt, fun wise, in the last act. Sadly, the emotional angle falls flat and since the 3rd act deals with it primarily it leaves you feeling way too detached from the Spinal Tap light fun. Nick Stoller, who also directed Forgetting Sarah Marshall, finds some good energy and moves the proceedings along at a brisk pace. Stoller doesn’t over direct the film and allows the strongest part of the film, Brand and Hill’s on screen chemistry, to do the heavy lifting. Russell Brand does fantastic work reprising his faux rock star alter ego Aldous Snow. Brand is just so comfortable on screen as Snow it kind of makes me wonder if we are just looking at him as opposed to a character. Johan Hill provides a good counter point to Brand’s unchecked insanity as the super up tight record label peon. Hill has an excellent understated quality about him that allows him to emote with only minor facial reactions. This gives his character a nice honest heart. Elisabeth Moss is good fun as Aaron’s girlfriend in a limited role. Sean Combs has an innate ability to suck any and all comedy or fun out of scene as he tries desperately to play record version of Tom Cruise’s character from Tropic Thunder and fails miserably. He’s such a dead spot and detracts from some of the funnier moments of the film. Music industry stars pop in cameos giving the film a nice authentic touch, along with some raunchy but funny song lyrics for Snow.

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: SHREK FOREVER AFTER 3D

IN THEATERS

SHREK FOREVER AFTER 3D



A domesticated Shrek hatches a plan to recapture his mojo and discovers what life in Far Far Away land would have been like had he never existed in this final chapter of the popular animated film series. There used to be a time when the villagers would run in terror at the mere mention of the name Shrek, but these days the big green ogre is married to Princess Fiona and raising triplets. Maintaining your fierce public persona is no simple task when you're juggling infants and changing diapers, so when Shrek realizes that nobody is afraid of him anymore he recruits mischief-maker Rumpelstiltskin to restore his once-mighty roar. Unfortunately for Shrek, that plan hits an unexpected hitch. As a result, the morose monster takes a trip into an alternate-universe Far Far Away land where there is no Shrek, and Rumpelstiltskin reigns. There, Donkey spends his days hauling carts, and a portly Puss in Boots prefers lounging to swashbuckling. Perhaps with a little extra effort, Shrek will be able to regain his status as top ogre in town and still have his happily ever after, too. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Director: Mike Mitchell

Cast: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews.

Release Date: May 21, 2010

Rated PG for some rude humor, mild action and brief language

Runtime: 1 hr. 33 min.

Genres: Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Review:

Shrek Forever After is a decent if mostly ho hum finale to the once impressive and fresh series. Not nearly as horrible as the dreadfully boring Shrek The Third this entry recaptures a bit of the energy of the first two entries. The 3D is used well and certain scenes are truly magical especially with witches hovering around. The script is fun if a tad bland and predictable. The satire isn’t as strong as it could have been considering the It’s a Wonderful Life slant this go around and it feels like they play it way too safe. Instead we get more pop songs and dance numbers that feel terribly forced. It not all bad there are some funny portions spread throughout the films run time. Mike Meyers does decent work and even provides some dramatic thump during some of the more tender moments. Cameron Diaz is a given a fun warrior princess angle and she clearly enjoys herself. Eddie Murphy and Antonio Banderas both give fun if paint by the number performances. New comer Walt Dohrn has an interesting nasally timber to his voice and his character could have been more interesting and better fleshed out. As the finale entry, Shrek Forever After can’t help but show the series age, fun but overly safe.

C+