The Raid 2: Because Somehow It Gets Better

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MuXrN8L9ro The Raid 2: Berandal. 2014. Directed & Written by Gareth Evans. Starring Iko Uwais, Arifin Putra, Yayan Ruhian, Oka Antara, Tio Pakusodewo, Alex Abbad, Julie Estelle, Ryuhei Matsuda, Kenichi Endo, and Kazuki Kitamura. Entertainment One Films Canada. Rated 18A. 150 minutes. Action/Crime/Thriller ★★★★★ (Film) ★★★★★ (Blu ray release) Even the trailer just absolutely melts …

Continue reading The Raid 2: Because Somehow It Gets Better

One Ass Kicker Cop v. A Building Full of Psychotics in The Raid: Redemption

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f6f_kfp1Z8 The Raid: Redemption. 2011.  Dir. Gareth Evans.  Starring. Iko Uwais, Joe Taslim, Donny Alamsyah, Yayan Ruhian, Pierre Gruno, Tegar Satrya, and Ray Sahetapy. XYZ Films. Rated 18A. 100 minutes. Action/Crime/Thriller ★★★★1/2 (Film) ★★★★★ (Blu ray release) There are not a lot of action films I truly love, in the sense I don't particularly favour …

Continue reading One Ass Kicker Cop v. A Building Full of Psychotics in The Raid: Redemption

13 Sins: Economy & Morality

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTNtyJIKTXk 13 Sins. 2014. Dir. Daniel Stamm. Screenplay by David Birke & Stamm; based on the original source material 13: Game of Death by Chookiat Sakveerakul & Eakasit Thairatana. Starring Mark Webber, Devon Graye, Tom Bower, Rutina Wesley, Ron Perlman, and Pruitt Taylor Vince. Entertainment One. Rated R. 93 minutes. Horror/Thriller ★★★★ The beginning of …

Continue reading 13 Sins: Economy & Morality

William Friedkin’s THE HUNTED – A Retrospective Review

A look back at an underrated William Friedkin film.

The Drop is a Moody Ride Through the Brooklyn Mob

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6nWJ5NDYMU The Drop. 2014. Dir. Michaël R. Roskam. Written by Dennis Lehane; based on his own short story "Animal Rescue". Starring Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, James Gandolfini, Matthias Schoenaerts, and John Ortiz. 20th Century Fox. Rated 14A. 106 minutes. Crime/Drama/Thriller ★★★★ The Drop is Michaël R. Roskam's first American film. He's most recently come from directing the Oscar …

Continue reading The Drop is a Moody Ride Through the Brooklyn Mob

Stretch Tries But Stretches Too Thin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StLOfuVjCQE Stretch. 2014.  Dir. Joe Carnahan. Screenplay by Carnahan from a story by himself, Jerry Corley & Rob Rose. Starring Patrick Wilson, Chris Pine, Brooklyn Decker, Ed Helms, Jessica Alba, and James Badge Dale. Universal Pictures. Rated R. 94 minutes. Action/Comedy/Thriller ★★★ When Stretch opens up, you see Patrick Wilson, playing the titular character Stretch (get it? …

Continue reading Stretch Tries But Stretches Too Thin

The Last House on the Left: Angry, Ugly People

Wes Craven's early work expresses a ton of violence from angry, ugly people at pretty young things.

Nightcrawler & the Vulture-like News Media

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1uP_8VJkDQ Nightcrawler. 2014. Directed & Written by Dan Gilroy. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Bill Paxton, and Riz Ahmed. Elevation Pictures. Rated 14A. 117 minutes. Crime/Thriller ★★★★★ Dan Gilroy's Nightcrawler is a bit of an unusual film. First off, Gilroy has never directed a feature film, or anything else to my knowledge. His start came with screenwriting. …

Continue reading Nightcrawler & the Vulture-like News Media