The former stars of a Star Trek-like TV show are mistaken for genuine space heroes by an alien race searching for saviours. Three Amigos! / A Bug’s Life redux, perhaps, but with excellent casting, a sense of fun, and affection for genre and conventions (of both kinds) throughout.
Month: September 2018
A Bittersweet Life (2005, dir. Kim Jee-woon)
A restaurant enforcer had one job. Not doing that job leads to a chaotic sprawl of violence and revenge as he finds his life smashed apart by his gangster boss. This is a superior revenge flick, with great fight scenes and strong performances throughout.
I Saw the Devil (2010, dir. Kim Jee-woon)
When a secret agent’s fiance is horribly murdered, it triggers an ever spiralling cycle of violence between the killer and the agent. Pulling no punches, this is a dark and brutal film. Gory and unflinching, it’s still a riveting watch. Recommended.
Mission Impossible: Fallout (2018, dir. Christopher McQuarrie)
A direct continuation of the story from 5 sees this move at breakneck pace. Cruise has never ran so much and the double crosses and face swapping are enjoyable as ever. Great stunts and frantic action scenes see the series staying on top form. Excellent.
Another review? Sure! Here’s Eamonn’s.
The Meg (2018, dir. Jon Turteltaub)
Jason Statham versus prehistoric shark. Hokey monster movie that seems torn between two film cultures. Doesn’t know whether to be serious or comedic and even by the end it still can’t decide. Nice effects but generic overall.
Want another review? Here’s Eamonn’s take.
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018, dir. Ron Howard)
Whether needed or not, this origin story is an enjoyable romp through the Star Wars backlot. Solid action and decent performances from Ehrenreich and Glover as Han and Lando, and ably supported by Harrelson, Newton and Bettany. Good popcorn fodder. 😀
Want another opinion? Here’s Eamonn’s opinion.
Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018, dir. Ron Howard)
A Han Solo origin tale. After a clunky and stagey first act, this heist western SF hybrid finds its feet, even though its nominal lead is a black hole around which much more interesting support stuff occurs. Inconsequential.
Boys in the Trees (2016, dir. Nicholas Verso)
A teen struggles with his past and future one Halloween. Excellent little coming-of-age drama with a supernatural edge. Slight, but beautifully shot and performed, and it doesn’t do the things lesser movies might have.
Constantine (2005, dir. Francis Lawrence)
A damned occultist battles a demonic attempt to take over the Earth. Fun apocalyptic fantasy-horror-action hybrid, loosely based on the Hellblazer comic. Lots to enjoy, though over-reliance on CG softens the film’s impact.
The Debt Collector (2018, dir. Jesse V. Johnson)
A desperate-for-money martial arts instructor takes a job as a debt collector. Okay thick ear, with a fight every 5 minutes and some comic moments. Old-school in many ways, and with a tacked-on plot that doesn’t quite work, but reasonable fun for fisticuffs fans. A sequel soon followed.
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