Man of Tai Chi

Donaka Mark (Keanu Reeves), a financial high roller from the U.S. who runs a covert fight club in Hong Kong. In search of a replacement for Chi-tak, he chances upon the TV broadcast of a Chinese national martial-arts championship. Chen Linhu (Chen), sole disciple of the Lingkong School of Tai Chi, impresses him not only with his innovative moves, but also his innocence. Although he holds a stressful, low-paid job as a courier in Beijing, Linhu declines the offer to compete in Donaka’s underground matches, deeming it dishonorable. However, when the temple guarded by his master (Yu Hai) faces demolition unless costly renovations are made, Donaka’s offer of quick cash suddenly becomes easy bait.

Man of Kicking Your Ass!!! That would have also been a good title for this movie because that’s what this movie is all about.  A Fight Club type of story on steroids is what I thought when I saw this movie.  But I was a little upset to learn that everyone thought the story was weak and lacked any creative fight scenes.  Maybe I just love action movies way too much because I really enjoyed this movie and thought the fight scenes and choreography were excellent, besides, that’s why we see these movies in the first place.  Keanu created this to pay tribute to his trainer Chen Hu, and as far as I’m concerned, mission accomplished.  Now before you see this I want you to understand that it’s not a Jackie Chan style movie and it has no gigantic explosions, just raw man-to-man fight scenes.  If that’s what you’re looking for than this is going to entertain you. 

Enjoy the show.  4 out of 5 roundhouse kicks to the face!

Killing Season

SHRAPNEL tells the story of two veterans of the Bosnian War, one American, one Serbian, who clash in the remote Rocky Mountain wilderness. FORD is a former American soldier who fought on the front lines in Bosnia. When our story begins, he has retreated to a remote cabin in the woods, trying to escape painful memories of war. The drama begins when KOVAC, a former Serbian soldier, seeks Ford out, hoping to settle an old score. What follows is a cat-and-mouse game in which Ford and Kovac fight their own personal World War III, with battles both physical and psychological. By the end of the film, old wounds are opened, suppressed memories are drawn to the surface and long-hidden secrets about both Ford and Kovac are revealed.

Pain and Intense, are the other words I would use to describe this cat and mouse game.  It’s great when Hollywood puts two great actors in a movie and then makes one Superman, and the other Batman and let them fight for supremacy.  This movie has quite a build up and when the action begins you better be prepared to witness pain.  Three times I had to grimace at the screen because damn, it gets mean and painful.  I want so hard to give away some of the best stuff but it’s something you really need to see for yourself.  I’m going to say this; people are going to be making homemade bows and arrows.  The entire movie had about 7 actors with speaking parts and it took me awhile to get used to Travolta’s Bosnian accent.  It’s too bad he couldn’t have played this part with his normal voice because he is a very intense actor who plays mad very well and when he is pissed and yells, you remember it.  Having said that I feel it would have brought some more power to this film.  I enjoyed the show but it did drag on just a little bit and many viewers will be upset with all the killing opportunities each had but to hell with them, this is why we enjoy movies. 

Enjoy the show.  3 out of 5 straight arrows. 

Redemption

Homeless and on the run from a military court martial, a damaged ex-special forces soldier navigating London's criminal underworld seizes an opportunity to assume another man's identity -- transforming into an avenging angel in the process.

If you’re a huge Jason Statham fan like I am, and the rest of the world then you will find this movie entertaining but not to the level of Statham movies that we have become accustomed to.  Watching this I felt like it was a combination of many of the characters that Jason has played.  In retrospect it’s not fair to compare this to any of his movies because the action was a little slower than we are used to and it focused more on his love life and cleaning himself up for a short time to feel normal again.  Watching Statham have a relationship was fun to watch since we are used to him kicking the shit out of everyone he comes across.   I would recommend renting this one, since it’s going to be hard to find in theaters.   It’s Jason Statham, you can’t go wrong with that, if you’re a fan you’ll enjoy this even at the slower pace. 

Enjoy the show.  3 out of 5 kicks to face. 

Pacific Rim

When legions of monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, started rising from the sea, a war began that would take millions of lives and consume humanity’s resources for years on end. To combat the giant Kaiju, a special type of weapon was devised: massive robots, called Jaegers, which are controlled simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in a neural bridge. But even the Jaegers are proving nearly defenseless in the face of the relentless Kaiju. On the verge of defeat, the forces defending mankind have no choice but to turn to two unlikely heroes-a washed up former pilot (Charlie Hunnam) and an untested trainee (Rinko Kikuchi)-who are teamed to drive a legendary but seemingly obsolete Jaeger from the past. Together, they stand as mankind’s last hope against the mounting apocalypse.

My prediction is that this movie is going to do very well this weekend, I’m going to guess that it will surpass the predicted 40 million mark and do 60 – 70 million.  I attended the 2D version and it was sold out which leads me to believe the 3D showings are going to do very well.  Could someone please help me figure out why everyone in the theater brought children?  And when I say children I mean I saw a little boy about 4 years old!! I guess it’s all up to the parents so what can I do; besides criticize the judgment of parents.  This is another in a long list of popcorn movies for the summer and it delivers big time.  Honestly as I watched this movie I was hoping that one day these sea creatures would attack us so I could join the military and pilot one of these machines.  To me this was Jason Statham in a giant robot suit kicking ass all over the world.  You will not be disappointed by this movie; it’s fun, fast, and highly entertaining.  If your not paying attention you forget that the Raleigh Becket character is played by Charlie Hunnam from Sons of Anarchy.  He’s not scruffy or wearing leather so it’s hard to recognize him.  Idris Elba plays another take no shit tough ass character, along with Charlie Day and Ron Perlman who both bring a little humor to the show, and Clifton Collins Jr. giving an as usual solid performance.  It’s easy to say that this movie is an updated version of Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, or at least I did anyway. 

Enjoy the show.  5 out of 5 Jaegers.

World War Z

United Nations employee Gerry Lane traverses the world in a race against time to stop the Zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments, and threatening to destroy humanity itself.

Load up your popcorn buckets and settle in for a fun, smart, and one hell of a great ride at the movies.  I had the luck of sitting next to a woman who brought in three kids late to the show and decided to make noise and talk to the kids throughout the movie until she was told to be quiet enough times that I think she finally got embarrassed or realized how big of an ass she was.  Despite the distractions I was still able to focus on the movie, which is essential, and decipher the plot points they gave.  This movie is based on a novel, which I haven’t read but certainly enjoyed this take on the zombie pandemic.  It was a great character for Brad Pitt and hopefully we will see him do more action.  Mireille Enos also deserves much praise because she is one of the strongest actresses in the business who has earned a shot at major movie roles.  The story takes us on a voyage all over the globe with a fast pace that never gets old and keeps you engaged and working to figure out the solution.  You will not want to miss this movie, grab some friends and enjoy the good times.

Enjoy the show.  5 out of 5 zombie kills.