In 2003, Park Chan-wook’s revenge thriller
Oldboy made audiences squirm in their seats, and Spike Lee’s
new remake, despite some issues, is going to elicit a similar reaction. While
the grim plot and overriding themes are note for note the same, Lee,
screenwriter Mark Protosevic (I Am Legend), and a fantastic
cast, do enough to differentiate their film, and keep it from being a tired
rehash.
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Tuesday, November 26, 2013
'Homefront' Movie Review
If this were 1987, “Homefront” would be the baddest feature
film to hit your local Cineplex this holiday season. Written by Sylvester
Stallone, from a novel by Chuck Logan, this is a movie that Sly, Schwarzenegger,
or one of their ilk, could easily have headlined in their 80s action prime, and
I mean that in every conceivable way. There are cell phones and modern
automobiles—a few late model pick up trucks at least—but this could be almost
any time in the last 30 years. There’s a timeless, anachronistic quality, and
that is how “Homefront” is best enjoyed, as a fun trip into nostalgia.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Blu-Ray Review: 'Ip Man: The Final Fight'
Over the previous five years, movie audiences have been
inundated with the legend of Wing Chun master Ip Man, who, before becoming the
focus of numerous motion pictures himself, was most known as master to Bruce
Lee. This year alone has already seen Wong Kar-wai’s version of Master Ip’s
life, The Grandmaster, and with Ip Man: The Final
Fight, director Herman Yau delivers his second take on the
grandmaster’s story, and ostensibly the third, and final installment in this
particular cinematic Ip Man saga.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
TV Review: 'The Walking Dead'-4.07-"Dead Weight"
Last week’s episode of The Walking Dead,
“Live Bait,” saw the return of the most notorious villain in the franchise,
David Morrissey’s the Governor. After his season three meltdown, he’s been out,
wandering the zombie-infested wastes, trying to find himself, and you think,
after he falls in with a family, that maybe, just maybe he’s finally changed.
At the end of the episode, the Governor and his brood encounters Martinez (Jose
Pablo Cantillo), his old buddy from Woodbury, and the question is left hanging,
is he really any different? It’s like the dilemma that faces every recovering
addict, when old faces and old triggers surround you, can you stay strong in
your convictions? Read on to find out how he reacts in tonight’s episode, “Dead
Weight.”
Monday, November 18, 2013
'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' Movie Review
The Hunger Games is a good enough movie.
The world building in early portion is well done and engaging, but by the time
get to the actual games of the title, things fall apart. At that point you have
a lone girl running around the woods, trying not to die, not talking to anyone,
that’s only so interesting. Suzanne Collins’ novel gets away with this, the
first-person point-of-view makes you privy to the innermost thoughts of heroine
Katniss Everdeen, portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence. In the film she spends a fair
amount of time gazing into the distance. If you’ve read the book, you know
she’s thinking about Gale (Liam Hemsworth) or Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) or her
sister Prim (Willow Shields), but if not, you have no idea.
Four Places 'Almost Human' Borrows From
Fox’s futuristic buddy cop drama AlmostHuman hit the air tonight, and I know this was only the pilot—and the
first night of a two-night premiere—but I’m on board this train. Right out of
the gate, the show has a ton going for it. Not only is the cast, headlined by
Star Trek’s Karl Urban, top notch, but the creative team
includes Fringe showrunner J.H. Wyman and J.J. Abrams, who
created shows like Lost and is directing Star Wars:
Episode VII.
TV Review: 'The Walking Dead'-4.06-"Live Bait"
Last week’s episode of AMC’s The WalkingDead, “Internment,” left a lot for fans to ponder. First up, Daryl
(Norman Reedus) is about to find out that Rick (Andrew Lincoln) banished Carol
(Melissa McBride). Daryl’s a good guy, and the best character on the show, but
he’s also a crazy redneck powder keg, so you never know how he’ll react,
especially to news like that. Then the final shot of episode dropped an even
bigger nugget into your lap. The Governor (David Morrissey), the primary
antagonist for season three, who had been noticeably absent thus far in season
four, shows up out of the blue, watching the prison like a creepy peeping tom.
How does all of this shake out? Read on to find out, but beware, there are some
serious SPOILERS if you haven’t watched this weeks Walking
Dead, “Live Bait.”
Saturday, November 16, 2013
AMC Orders A 'Preacher' Pilot
With The Walking Dead, Breaking
Bad, and Mad Men, AMC has proven their not afraid
to take risks, and they’re going to get the chance to show that once again. The
network has ordered a pilot based on Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon’s comic
Preacher.
Friday, November 15, 2013
Five Shows And A Movie To Watch Before 'Almost Human'
Fox’s futuristic police procedural Almost
Human premieres this Sunday and Monday, November 17 and 18
respectively, and not only does it look like a badass new sci-fi joint, the
show boasts a ton of big time creative power as well. Behind the scenes you’ll
recognize names like J.J. Abrams, who is directing a little movie we like to
call Star Wars: Episode VII, and J.H. Wyman, the showrunner
behind Fringe. On screen, there’s Bones McCoy himself, the
new incarnation of him anyway, Karl Urban, Lily Taylor from The Conjuring,
and Friday Night Lights’ Minka Kelly, among others.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Jean-Claude Van Damme Does The Most Epic Splits Ever
I offer this video up for your enjoyment with only one simple statement: this is the best thing I've ever seen.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
TV Review: 'The Walking Dead'-4.05-"Internment"
Last week on AMC’s The Walking Dead
dropped a bit of a bombshell on viewers, and it didn’t even involve any key
players dying. Rick (Andrew Lincoln) actually made a decision, and that
decision was to banish Carol (Melissa McBride), an OG member of his crew. What
do they have in store this week as a follow up? Read on to find out.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
If This Trailer For 'The Raid 2: Berandal' Doesn't Make You Drool, We Are Not Friends
There's not much to say about this trailer for Gareth Evans' action sequel The Raid 2: Berandal. My reaction primarily consists of giggling and clapping. Watch it for yourself, know that it's getting a legitimate theatrical release, and prepare to get punched in the face again.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
'Thor: The Dark World' Movie Review
More than most films in the Marvel cinematic universe,
Thor straddles the line between science fiction and fantasy.
With movies like Iron Man and Captain
America, and characters like the Hulk, science has always kept the
films tethered to the real world. Thor, and especially the
latest installment, Thor: The Dark World, allows for a
certain broadening of horizons, bringing in magic and mythology, while still
keeping a distinct sci-fi edge.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
'Life Tracker' Movie Review
Call it destiny, call it fate, call it whatever you want,
the question of whether or not we as humans should know what our future has in
store for us has been a hotly debated topic since there have been topics to be
hotly debated. This subject is at the center of Joe McLane’s new micro-budget
Life Tracker.