John Carter (2012)

Seeing the preview I said who the hell is John Carter. What are those strange creatures. Funny as I watched the movie the characters grew on me. That crazy Martian dog was funny. Yes the story takes place on Mars. I’ve said it before Disney knows how important it is for a movie. You need a story and endearing characters. And no easy task for a back drop taking us to Mars. John Carter played by Taylor Kitsch kills a man who carries with him. An amulet that lets him travel to Mars. As the man dies John sees the amulet taking it just before its activated. Now John finds himself on Mars. John seems to have special abilities on Mars. He can leap tremendous bounds. Well not at first it took some getting use to.
He is taken captive by some green creatures kind of desert nomads. The leader played by Williem Dafoe thinks he is special for his ability. On Mars there are two human factions mainly blue and red. They are at war for control. Sounds very familiar doesn’t it. John meets the beautiful princess Dejah Thoris played by Lynn Collins. Her passion is science so she knows a few things. She tells John he is on Mars. She will help him get back if he helps her. But John wants no part in being a hero. He fights it as long as he can. Clearly the two will be head over heals for each other.

Lots of things I enjoyed in this movie. The ships fly in Mars. Some different design a mix of old with new technology. The green barbarians were cool. They have four arms and big horns a brave tribe with no fear. In the end the good guys pull together to defeat evil. Well at least for a little while. Being a Disney movie of course it’s great for the whole family. Good clean movie making, lots of action. Even a fight in an arena with huge blind gorillas. Mark Strong plays Matai Shang. A secret race playing chess with humans. Mark Strong knows how to be a bad guy real well. Really I’m not making any of it up. Seriously I had fun watching John Carter.

Safe House (2012)

The movie trailer looks good and with Denzel Washington. Well you figure it’s going to be good.
Once ago in 1989 Washington was in Glory which he performed outstanding. Since he’s been in some great films. One of my all time favorite movies is Training Day. Did you already guess that hahaha!
Ever wonder what it’s like for a CIA agent. Actually I never did but this is what I thought about throughout this movie. It’s a double edge sword dam if you do dam if you don’t. In the movie the line is very thin and it gets crossed often. Humans as they are use intel for many reasons and the games begin.

The story begins with Matt Weston played by Ryan Reynolds. As a agent he is in charge of a safe house. Basicly he needs to have the place ready in case field agents need it. Or he could be playing house keeper with not much to do. Matt has a girlfriend Ana Moreau played by Nora Arnezeder. Matt has lied about everything because of his job. For national security of course. Denzel Washington plays ex agent Tobin Frost. He is a danger too many people. He sales Intel because he doesn’t believe in the system and is now out for himself. Things go wrong for Tobin and he finds himself heading to a safe house. Now I’m no expert here but when other men show up to the safe house. Someone is rotten in the CIA team if you will. The fun part is guessing who. The shoot out in the safe house was good. I’m thinking this is just the beginning. Matt decides it’s best he take Tobin out. How he gets out with all those men is weak but lets give a pass on it. The dialogue with Matt and Tobin is pretty good. I thought Reynolds was playing it too naïve. We know his a rookie but his a CIA agent. Then when it counts for some action his different. I’m saying less clueless is all.

Overall very entertaining film. I was surprised I read other reviews about how the film lacked but Washington made it watchable. I liked the action and the story of CIA agents. Does a person kill another and feel bad, does it change them. What secrets do they live with. What is the line you say this is wrong I can’t live with this. For Tobin Frost he wanted a different life. After so long doing what he did that was all he knew. Matt Weston was hope that all is not lost. But hey that’s just my take on it. If nothing else the action make it a good movie to see.

Haywire (2011)

To be honest I was reluctant to see this film. I was surprised to see the cast supporting Gina Carano. My thought was how good can a MMA fighter be in a starting role. It’s one thing to be in a movie showing your fighting skills on the screen. For example Quentin Jackson was in a great film called Midnight Meat Train. He has a small part doing what he does fight. But being lead role that’s a entirely different aspect. I like Gina Carano as a fighter I seen her a few times. In this movie her close ups seem forced, lacking a natural flow. The fight scenes have a saving aspect but lack showmanship. I mean Bruce Lee kicked ass with style. The action here was good but perhaps too realistic. You ask this is bad. I think so in films expression and timing goes a long way don’t you think. In general I don’t like films that have a character getting beat up real bad then suddenly turn the table. It seems like bull to me. Ok there are exceptions for example in True Romance Patricia Arquette vs James Gandolfini, a great scene that shows her coming back after a huge beat down.

I realize I’m slamming Gina Carano but for a first time showing it was entertaining film. Over all I like the fight scenes. Except the fight scene with Gina and Ewan McGregor on the beach. That was the worst fighting. Looked like a couple of girls. Well grewing up in Los Angeles California and I’ve seen some tough girls fight you don’t want to mess with. Generally a good story. The film goes back and forth uncovering the story. On the surface Ewan McGregor as Kennith sets up Mallory (Gina Carano) but the scheme goes further. Gina is in good company with the likes of Michael Douglas, Channing Tatum, Michael Fassbender and Bill Paxton. Throw in a cute girl who can fight and bang you have Haywire. I don’t know about a theater hit but as a rental I have seen a lot worse. A decent showing especially if you get a kick out of the excitement of MMA fighting. I wonder will Gina Carano return to fighting of pursue more action films showcasing her fighting skills. I hear she will be in a movie called In the Blood.

Underworld: Awakening (2012)

Here we are at another installment of Underworld. After getting the prequel film out of the way, Selene returns. But first some history. I have always loved the mystic of Vampires. Bram Stoker book and film. The beloved Ann Rice books of vampires sealed it for me. The first Underworld peaked that love for vampires again. To me that is the seller. Sure Selene is one sexy vampire. Can she be a one woman show? Doesn’t matter the person I think to rely on one character you are asking for trouble. This is my explanation why I love vampires and why Awakening disappoints.

Kate Beckinsale is Selene. The world has become aware of Vampires and Lycans. The mission now to exterminate them all. After an underwater explosion with Michael. Selene finds herself the subject of an experiment. Placed in a chamber frozen. She becomes aware of a presence. Suddenly she is freed. One thing about this movie I did like the action scenes. With just a scalpel Selene disposes of several guards that didn’t have a clue what just happen. What happen to Michael? He is suppose to me a bad ass. Stephen Rea plays Dr. Jacob Lane. I thought he was a mad scientist made his character kind of funny. For a little while the big mystery is Eve. The movie plays around the bush. This I thought was very irritating. Eve played by India Eisley she is Selene’s daughter. There what’s the big deal? As the story goes the public think vampires and lycans are gone. Meanwhile under the city seems to be plenty of vampires and lycans. Selene meets David played by Theo James. And it appears David is the only vampire left with any kind of balls. Really this is the best story. After countless years the powerful vampires act like rats in the sewer. It’s a sad day for all vampire fans.

Some cool aspects of the film. Selene walks in the daylight without bursting into flames. Selene can revive another vampire. Cut hand, reach heart and presto! Selene is smarter than huge Lycans. The feeling is it’s all about Selene. She is the lead ok but we need a story with interesting characters. My opinion is the story of Selene and a child looked awkward. Never going anywhere. I’m looking for cool vampires. Bad ass death dealers that don’t take any sh**. I can’t say I completely hated the movie because some parts where amusing. I hate to think whats next. Some rated G family vampire flick. I long for the days when being a vampire meant something. Like mystery, terror, seduction and good old adult fun. I know some of this stems from my expectations. Sometimes it can’t be avoided. Either way I’m sure fans everywhere will see it anyway. Till next hunt hopefully a better bite!

Last Pirouette

The wind blew
I heard no tears
silence the director

long forgotten dreams
her face can’t recall
only this moment

the utmost tender touch
smile that melted me
love always escaped

silence is comforting
one might fear
soothing breeze

the play over
stage broken down
roses faded swirl

doorman paid
friends awaiting patiently
once a beautiful blaze

© 2012 BoogieStu