This Weeks Reviews (26th May - 1st June)

Next Week: Martha Marcy May Marlene & The Raid

Man On A Ledge

Phil's Quick Capsule Review:

Man On A Ledge is a fun, if forgettable thriller based on a stupid premise that any  one would actually care if Sam Worthington wanted to jump off a building (hint: most people really wouldn't).  A few nice twists, some tense moments and the worlds most obviously betrayal all lead up to a formulaic but fun 90 minute diversion. 

Best Bit: The break in 

Rent, Borrow, Buy, Stream: Rent

IMDB Rating: 7/10

If you liked this try: Red Eye (8/10); Phone Booth (8/10); Contraband (6/10)

Haywire

Phil's Quick Capsule Review:

 Proving to be not to everyone's tastes I actually found a hell of a lot to enjoy in Haywire, mostly thanks to the always brilliant director of of Soderberg.  That said MMA fighter Gina Carano brings a hell of a lot to the table in the lead and, for her first film, comes across well.  Good fights, great cast, top notch direction.  What's not to like?

Best Bit: Fights! 

Rent, Borrow, Buy, Stream: Rent

IMDB Rating: 7/10

If you liked this try: Out Of Sight (8/10); China O'Brien (7/10); The Expendables (6/10)

This Weeks Reviews (19th - 25th May 2012)

Next Week: Haywire

Real Steel

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:

Oh boy.  Who thought Robots boxing could be this fun.  Certainly not me but damn as cheesy as it is at times Real Steel is actually two hours of sentimental, robot bashing fun that will bring a tear to the eye of even the most cynical film goer.  Director Levy packs in enough action to keep the kids happy. The fighting will appeal to the inner child of most grown ups and the films heart makes it a perfect film for every member of the family.  

Best Bit: Robots. Fighting. Duh!

Rent, Borrow, Buy, Stream: Rent

IMDB Rating: 6/10

If you liked this try:  Transformers (8/10); The Road (6/10); Terminator Salvation (5/10); 

Osombie

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:

Okay so a film retelling the death (and rebirth) of a Zombie Osama Bin Laden and his discovery by a crack team of soldiers set against the back drop of an Afghanistan riddled with the un-dead may not be to over one’s tastes. But actually this very low budget action film is pretty good fun, if you can bypass the lacklustre CGI and occasional saggy pace.  But then what more would you expect from a film called… Osombie.  Overall… good fun!

Best Bit: Head shots.  Lots of head shots.

Rent, Borrow, Buy, Stream: Stream

IMDB Rating: 6/10

If you liked this try: Dawn of The Dead Remake (8/10); Dawn Of The Dead (8/10); Day Of The Dead (8/10)

21 Jump Street

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:

 I have made no secret of my dislike for the walking lump of Oak that is Channing Tatum.  But the excellent 21 Jump Street shows that with the right script, right director and the right co-star, he actually does have some skills.  Parodying the former TV show, 21 Jump Street is packed with laughs and overall makes for a good night in.

Best Bit: Tatum & Hill shine together

Rent, Borrow, Buy, Stream: Buy

IMDB Rating: 8/10

If you liked this try: Starsky & Hutch (8/10); Dukes OF Hazard (7/10); Get Smart (5/10)

Special Review: How I spent My Summer Vacation (aka Get The Gringo) Review

Phil’s (Not so) Quick Capsule Review: Robert Downey Jnr had Sherlock & Iron Man. Charlie Sheen had Two And Half Men. . Er... Rob Lowe had, er, Jane Doe? Okay so not every comeback has a happy ending but maybe, just maybe after years of what could best politely be called 'troubled times' the once Hollywood darling Mel Gibson could be on HIS way back with this gritty action thriller.

That How I Spent My Summer Vacation (aka Get The Gringo) was shot a few years back and has ended up direct to PPV in the states speaks volumes to where Gibson's career is right now.  But sometimes you have to divorce the man from the movie, and this is certainly true here because actually this is a very good film.  Co-written by Gibson, this hard boiled action thriller is actually one of his most enjoyable films since Payback. 

The story (care of imbd.Com). Driver, a career criminal (Gibson) nabbed by Mexican authorities is placed in a tough prison where he learns to survive with the help of a 9-year-old boy.  With escape on his mind, he has to fight corrupt officials & fellow inmates to get back to his stolen money.

To be honest it’s not the world’s most complex story, but then again neither was Lethal Weapon or Payback. But this film is almost less about story and plot twists than it is about getting Gibson back in the public eye for the RIGHT reasons and what better way to do it than a jaunt back to the kind of films that the public loved the best.  As vehicle for it’s star is works well.  Mel Gibson is back to his loveable rogue fast quipping Payback best here, all broody noir complete with moody voice over and anti-hero with a shady past lead.    He may have aged since the days of Martin Riggs but he can still swing with the best of them and his considerable screen charisma is well showcased here. 

The support cast, especially Peter Stormare and ‘cute kid’ Kevin Hernandez,  acquit themselves well and the film makes the most out of its tight 95 min run time throwing enough action beats, stand offs and witty dialogue to keep film moving along at a brisk pace. 

Director Adrian Grunberg worked as Assistant Director on numerous action led films, from the excellent Man On Fire to Gibson's own Apocalypto so it's fair to say he's been schooled well and it shows - the action is well handled and the a key shoot out has more than a hint of Gibson's love of the ultra violent.  Grunberg also does well with the films modest budget (est $20million USD) but it’s a shame that  its small UK release and dumping direct to TV in the states means that it will probably never make its money back.

I guess the ultimate story to come out of this is no matter how good the film is, Hollywood isn’t ready to forgive and forget just yet and unfortunately just as this film was set for release in the UK another story started to circulate about Gibson publically sharing his less than pleasant views and opinions.  Shame. 

In short: Mel you made a good film.  Now for every ones sake, please keep your mouth shut and do it again.

Best Bit: Prison Shoot out

Rent, Borrow, Buy, Stream: Buy

IMDB Rating: 8/10

If you Liked This Try:  Lethal Weapon (9/10);  Payback (8/10); Mad Max (8/10)

This Weeks Reviews (12-18th May 2012)

Next Week: 21 Jump Street & Real Steel 

Best Worst Movie

Phil's Quick Capsule Review:

A documentary about the cast & crew of the (IMDB) voted worst film ever made? Yup this didn't sound promising.  But  actually this is a fascinating documentary that looks ta the trials and pitfalls of being in a low budget movie and how the cult of that film can mistakingly lead you to thinking you want to do it all over again.  Oddly tragic and prophetic, this is an expertly made if painful to watch look at the dark side of film.  

Best Bit: Will you make troll 3? 

Rent, Borrow, Buy, Stream: Rent

IMDB Rating: 8/10

If you liked this try: Full Tilt Boogie (8/10); Hamster Factor (8/10);  Lost In La Mancha (8/10)