Review : Inception

Director: Christopher Nolan

Release Date: 22 July 2010

Genre : Action, mystery, science fiction, thriller, drama...

Casting: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Cillian Murphy, Ken Watanabe, Tom Hardy

What it’s all about:

This part is actually the most difficult of all, but I’ll try to say as much as possible without giving anything away. So we have Cobb who is a master thief. The weird thing is he doesn’t steals money, jewellery or expensive paintings, he steals something much valuable. He steals secrets, kept by adversaries, opponents and enemies, he steals them when the victim is as his most vulnerable point, his sleep. The problem that Cobb faces is, this time he is hired to plant an idea in his victims head and not extract one. He agrees to do so in order to erase his own nightmares created by his own profession, will he succeed the impossible?

Why yes?

“You ever have that feeling where you're not sure if you're awake or still dreaming?”(the matrix). I think this sentence can explain the essence of this movie. It’s exactly what’s going on true the whole time, and I loved it. You don’t feel that you are in a movie, you just follow the story as if you were part of it, so curious for the next thing to happen, no moment to lose focus, simply a masterpiece. This movie gives you everything that you want in a perfect movie, the questions, the beautiful answers, spectacular special effects, action scenes, I can continue this list, and still this movie has it all and lots of it. The way the movie was build, the rules, the story and the ideas are just overwhelming. I expected a lot from it and I got even more. The actors were top of the art and you couldn’t miss nobody, they worked together as a well built machine. This is the kind of movies that make you rethink and rethink again the theories in the movie, with friends and look it up in forums, so eager to fully understand the beauty of the maze and still to come out guessing what actually happened there.

Why not?

I actually don’t have anything to say here, but I will say this. If you don’t like deep movies with theories, ideas and uncertainty, don’t watch this one, since this one is going to mess with your mind till you are going to jump in front of a car just to make yourself stop rethinking the whole thing. ( Maybe not so much, but you get the point) The beauty in this movie is exactly what you as a simple movie loving person, despise.

Well...

Let’s see this one was amazing, will probably watch it again and I will probably add it to one of my lists, the good lists, with the perfect movies. If you didn’t watch it yet, go shoot yourself, you are not worthy to carry on with your life, of course if you are going to watch it now based on this, the jury will put the execution on standby. Watch this one, preferably in the movies, just to enjoy it as much as possible. Oh and go peeing before the movie, since it’s long and you don’t want to miss anything. Because of all the above I grade this masterpiece...

Grade: (9,75 out of 10)

Mammoth

Review : Robin hood

Director: Ridley Scott

Release Date: 13 May 2010

Genre : Action, adventure & Drama

Casting: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, William Hurt, Mark Strong

Memorable quote:

Prince John: [sarcastically] Would every man have a castle?
Robin Longstride: In England, every man's home *is* his castle.

What it’s all about:

Robin Longstride is an archer in the army of King Richard the Lion hearth. After the unexpected death of the king in the last battle of the Crusades, Robin Deserts the army accompanied by his fellow comrades, to start his own life after the war. During his journey home, he comes across a fallen soldier, who before his death makes robin take an oath to return his sword to his rightful owner , his father in Nottingham.

Why yes?

It’s not men in tights, I think that's a good start. I'm a big fan of the Kevin Costner version so I wasn't sure if a new version was necessary, what could it add to the almost perfect movie? The answer is simple, Ridley Scott is a awesome, Russell crow is awesome, so that's what we need to know. In fact I liked the story very much, it was refreshing to see history in another light. I liked the action scenes although a bit limited in number and intensity, or just longer, besides that great. Loved the beautiful landscapes If they are England at all , and his brothers in arms, were really awesome, sometimes even better than Robin itself.

Why not?

I don't know if you heard about it but there is another movie with Russel Crowe that received an Oscar many years ago, ah yes it’s called gladiator. I know there were many different things, but there were hell of a lot similarities, I just felt, same guy different war and cause. There was also a lot of time wasting which is a bummer since he could invest the wasted time in longer battles. The most important thing that was missing, was all the “take from the rich give to the poor” idea, I guess this part is for the sequel.

Well...

The actors rocked , ok not the evil guy but besides him. the story was good and refreshing, but a bit more action was needed on my part. I would watch it if you didn't have yet, it’s not more in the movies but rent it when it comes to DVD. Because of all that I grade this...

Grade: (7 out of 10)

Mammoth

Review : the expendables

Director: Sylvester Stallone

Release Date: 12 August 2010

Genre : Action, Action and Action

Casting: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts, Randy Couture, Mickey Rourke, Terry Crews

memorable quote:

Barney Ross: What the hell's he doing?
Lee Christmas: Hanging a pirate.
Barney Ross: Don't be ridiculous. Gunnar! What are you doing?
Gunnar Jensen: Hanging a pirate.
Toll Road: That's seriously demented.

What it’s all about:

A bunch of ruthless mercenaries equipped with the newest weapons, backed up by brutal talent in martial arts, get on a mission to eliminate the general of a small army that led a coup d’état in order to make money in the drug business. The mission is pure suicide , will they come out of it with bags or in bags?

Why yes?

When you make a shake and you put a your favourite stuff in it, most of the times you get a decent shake. You take a decent script, put most of the action heroes on the planet in it and start shaking, you get some good “old school” milkshake, with, blood cloths, bullets, knives and guns. The whole movie, except for maybe 10 minutes was pure action, and not so stupid ass aerobic classes, we saw knuckles, fists and amazing explosions. I must admit I didn’t know what to expect, but this was more than expected. We had three or four major action scenes where you just get everything that is needed to make action scenes. Well placed brutality, beautiful stunts and well executed use of force. None of the above listed actors is perfect in any way, but as action heroes, they do just fine. I just spoke about the action cause this is what you get.

Why not?

Difficult to say, maybe the script wasn’t so good. We could say that Stallone filmed the action scenes and then wrote a story behind it in order to make a movie out of it. We get some touchy scenes , maybe to give the movie some moments of peace, I believe that you could minimize those, or even cut them out. Eric Roberts should start to find other roles and not always be the villain, you would believe that he and a couple of other older dudes are the only ones who can be evil.

Well...

What can I say I love those hardcore action movies, with gallons of blood and C4. Of course the script wasn't Shakespeare but in a movie like this we don’t need such a script. Stallone delivered a nice and exiting film, so yes we will extend his pass to be an action hero for at least one more movie. I would recommend to watch this at the movies considering all the action and explosions are nicer on a big screen, so enjoy. Last thing, I loved it that even Arnold got his minute of fame, considering this movie is a tribute to action heroes , respect Sly. Because of all the above I grade this one...

Grade: (7,5 out of 10)

Mammoth

Review : Salt

Director: Phillip Noyce

Release Date: 29 July 2010

Genre : Action, Thriller

Casting: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor

Memorable quote:

Vassily Orlov: The name of the agent is Evelyn Salt.
Evelyn Salt: My name is Evelyn Salt.
Vassily Orlov: Then you are a Russian spy.

What it’s all about:

Evelyn Salt, a CIA agent accused of being a double agent for the Russians, needs to prove her innocence and loyalty to the American flag. As a trained killing machine Salt goes on the run, leaving a battlefield behind her, to try and clean her name, or doesn’t she?

Why yes?

Angelina Jolie plays in the movie, should be reason enough for the male audience, well it shouldn’t be. Everybody here watched the Tomb raider movies, which sucked. The difference between then and now is that in this one Angelina really kicks some ass. If anyone wonders if she could bring an ass beating well she did and big time. The action scenes were realistic, strong and brutal. Loved it. The story had suspense and you couldn’t rest for a moment, during the whole movie. The suspense is great which keeps you sharp and wondering what’s gonna happen now. I even liked Schreiber, he kept it simple stupid, but is an important asset for this movie.

Why not?

The shortcomings, we have here a Jason Bourne dressed up as a woman. The running , the full contact action scenes and the gimmicks, bring us back somewhere else. I wouldn’t kill the movie for this but still important to notice. The plot was rich with dramatic turnovers and changes, a bit too much for my taste, you could even say “if you are not one of us you are one of them “(matrix) , and this continues all the time. Another thing, ok she is as super killing machine , but wasn’t all this to easy ? The cold war, just get over it, the Americans “allegedly” won, so let it be, not every single walking American is a Russian spy ready to take the world for another round, it becomes ridicules at the end.

Well...

All in all definitely fun to watch, you could even say an action cash cow, it’s loaded with action, stunts and boom boom, maybe just not enough to become great. Angelina rocked this one, not only because of the looks but also the acting wasn’t so bad. This isn't a must for the movies but I would recommend to at least watch it somewhere, if not at the movies. Because of all the above I grade this one...

Grade: (7 out of 10)

Mammoth

Review : Cop Out

Director: Kevin Smith

Release Date: 26 February 2010

Genre : Action & Comedy

Casting: Bruce Willis, Tracy Morgan, Seann William Scott

Memorable quote:

Paul Hodges: [screaming random movie lines to get a suspect to talk] Yippie-ki-yay, motherfucker!
Jimmy Monroe: I've never seen that movie before.

What it’s all about:

Jimmy and Paul are two good cops who fight crime in their own way. After failing to apprehend a drug dealer they get suspended from the force. Each one of them is dealing with personal issues and they get in trouble surrounding a worthy baseball card that gets stolen from jimmy that falls in the hands of a drug lord they tried to apprehend in the first place, so a search after the card and the dealer begins.

Why yes?

We have here the classic story of a good serious cop and goofy stupid cop, which would suck normally, but these two work really good together, they form a well welled team, that have been through a lot and know each other so good that it becomes funny. Action comedy isn't too difficult to create although we had our fair share of junk in this department, this one tends to be more comedy, but I liked it, the comedy is good and refreshing. Willis as the serious cop achieves to be stiff and funny. Hodges is just plain stupid that makes you cry. Scott as stupid as always is made for movies like this. He isn’t quite the actor but he found the vibe in this one.

Why not?

Like said before the comedy works on the other hand the action was a bit to dry. No real good scenes in this department. The plot is not to complicated and lacks in originality, but hey still works for me. At the end it’s always the same good guys against bad guys. The guy from the OC (something something) was just not needed, even if he need to do something besides this TV series, he didn’t fit in here. Besides all that not too much negative stuff.

Well...

Gives you want you expect for a action comedy with a twist of good acting on Willis’s part, it worked for me, if you want a good funny evening rent it out, with a bowl of popcorn, maybe a pretzel, m&m’s,...enjoy. Because of all the above I grade this one...

Grade: (6 out of 10)

Mammoth

Review : the karate Kid

Director: Harald Zwart

Release Date: 12 August 2010

Genre : Action, drama & sport

Casting: Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan

memorable quote:

Dre Parker: I get it. You're Yoda and I'm like a Jedi.

---

Mr. Han: Jacket on! Jacket off!

What it’s all about:

We have here the classic fight between good and evil. We could say between capitalism and communism, I’m not sure they thought of this particular context but it also works. Dre Parker a 12 year old boy, moves with his mum to China. The new environment and cultural differences cause problems between him and the school bullies, who kick his ass kung –fu style. This continues till the shy handyman comes around and turns the game around. This so called handy man happens to know some bad ass kung-fu who becomes the little boys master against the evil forces of the dark side. The two forces will meet each other at a deadly kung fu tournament, who will break first? ( a bit exaggerating, still a bunch of kids!)

Why yes?

The Karate kid from 1984 was one of my childhood favourite movies. I was afraid this one was goanna ruin the classic. It didn’t. The story was preserved, I could even say exactly preserved, like a freaking dinosaur in a museum. It was refreshing and fun to watch. The fight scenes were nice (some great ass kicking) and the background footage was amazing. ( I guess China is beautiful). I also like the fact that there was some violence, yeah kids, but still those Chinese guys took it dam serious!

I liked mister Miyagi junior (Chan) he was fun to watch still not as good as the original but as I said before refreshing and I liked the fact that he was serious for ones without his stupid jokes all the time. What can I say about Smith, he is a natural, he follows his father and I see great things for this kid.

Why not?

Sometimes you come across a guy who wears a fake watch, its exactly the same and you wouldn’t see the difference, but still there is this annoying feeling of , seriously fake, dude? This is the same here, I loved the classic so much that every try to make it again is like the fake watch, it’s just icky. Then the other thing, what’s up with the name , karate kid. Has somebody seen karate, not even karate’s uncle was here, so calling this the karate kid when the whole movie is kung fu this is in my eyes kind of stupid.

Well...

I need to be honest, fake or not fake, remake or classic, it was a good and fun movie to watch. Chan and Smith deliver, even if compared to the original master and Daniel San. Go watch it not surely in the movie theater, but definitely somewhere. If this is the only thing left in the movies so yes you can buy a ticket. Because of all the above a grade this one...

Grade: (6,5 out of 10)

Mammoth

Review : Clash of the titans

Director: Louis Leterrier

Release Date: 15 April 2010

Genre : Action, adventure, drama & fantasy

Casting: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson Mads Mikkelsen Gemma Arterton

What it’s all about:

In a time where mankind turns against his gods A random guy learns after the death of his family that he is a semi god. He will lead the way in a journey to defeat the creators of mankind through monsters and various beasts till the inevitable battle between him and the creator himself, yeah I think this wraps it all up.

Why yes?

We get a couple of decent action scenes, the computer graphics are good and even the monsters have their moments .
We get a couple of cool glimpses of the almighty gods, which were nice, but like I said only a couple glimpses, they could appear more. You remember the movie Avatar ( blue man show with guns) well we got here the same Sam as there, action less emotion, we could say average for him. The other actors which includes Neeson a good actor as he is, didn’t really play an important role in the movie.

Why not?

Here we go. We get here a combination of star gate ( the TV series with the guy of MacGyver), some Hercules ( the Disney version, yes) and some rotten cheese from last week. Yeah you got the point I didn't like it a bit. The plot was stupid, first they want to fight all the gods then only one but hey you can change your mind in the middle that’s ok. Another thing, I think they didn’t get the idea of the almighty, you know “all”-mighty like super strong and everything, so they thought we going to fight we him with a dozen soldiers. Everything is so easy , even if it was so promising at the beginning. You know a battle against the gods, sounds really good.

Well...

I didn't like the movie, wouldn't watch it at home or the movies, of course if you want to torture someone of death that's the one I would recommend. Because of all that I grade this ...

Grade: (3 out of 10)

Mammoth

Review : The A-team

Director: Joe Carnahan

Release Date: 5 August 2010

Genre : Action & Adventure

Casting: Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson, Sharlto Copley, Patrick Wilson, Jessica Biel

What it’s all about: Well if you don’t know it from the title than you have a freaking problem, you are not worth watching this, but perhaps you are too young, so I elaborate a bit. “In 1972, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire... The A-Team.” Not exactly but all in all.

Why yes?

Nurse, can I get some A-positive please. Yeah exactly, this is some loaded action movie filled with adrenaline , rush and comedy. I think that’s a good reason to start with. As a child I loved the A-team, I was afraid they goanna f*ck it up, but ultimately they did a great job. First the casting was great for Hannibal, they took Liam Neeson which was a great choice, he didn’t have exactly the charm but I just love him. For face we had Cooper, again loved him and maybe even better than the original face. Murdock, well crazy as hell , by Copley, which was just excellent for this, every frame with him is existing. The last but not least Wilson as Lynch, liked him as funny, kind of evil persona. What I liked most in this movie was that they captured the essence of the TV series , normally films based on TV series suck, but this one was really awesome.

Why not?

A couple of flaws makes this one, a bit less good. The plot, what the hell is going on in this movie. Who is against who, sometimes you just don’t get it. That’s for one but still this doesn’t matter so much since it’s the action that counts in this one , and we got tons of it. Jessica Biel, beauty but that’s it , you couldn’t decide if the chair next to her was more important than she for the movie. BA Baracus was played by rampage Jackson, honestly not good enough. BA Baracus was an icon, he was the one you just don’t want to mess with and here you just didn’t get this feeling. Mr T actually disliked the movie because of all the violence. If you may remember in the TV series almost nobody dies, almost impossible to believe with all the bullets flying everywhere but true. In the movie we have a lot of casualties which is ok for me.

Well...

I really liked this one, got the idea from the TV show but included more raw action and a taste of violence and the casting was quite good. Maybe the plot was not so good, but nobody cares. So definitely watch this one, at home or even at the movies. Because of all the above I grade this one...

Grade: (7 out of 10)

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