the CRAZIES rekalled...

THE CRAZIES is a new suspenseful thriller and is a remake of a "classic" George Romero film of the same name. I put classic in quotations because I have little to no respect for George Romero's films which are often lionized for no discernible reason. While I haven't scene the original I am sure the remake surpasses it in every way. THE CRAZIES is a slow burn thriller that is taut with tension without going overboard with action or gore. The movie stars Tim Olyphant and the movie tells it's story from his point of view for most the film, not a lot of other plot lines to follow in any depth. It is a story of his sheriff character and his steps to retrieve his wife and escape the crazies and the government hoping to contain a potential pandemic by any means necessary. I am a big fan of Olyphant and it was good to see him shine in a staring role, while not as iconic as his sheriff character from DEADWOOD he puts in a solid performance believing everything he choses to do. I was thoroughly entertained by this film.

Another point I would like to make is this film becomes immensely entertaining if you view the film from the point of view of a Tea Bagger believer. You can use this as an example of what would happen if Barack Obama ever get's his wish for universal healthcare, death squads and big government dragging you out of your homes. This movie has it all! That made me laugh.

COP OUT rekalled...

COP OUT is the newest buddy cop film out the week, starring Tracy Morgan and Bruce Willis and directed by Kevin Smith. Kevin Smith directing a film is not new but him not writing the movie is new to him and his audience and it is not note worthy. I respect Kevin Smith for setting out and carving a niche out in Hollywood but this film seems to be him trying to play the Hollywood game. KS doesn't have a visual style that sets him apart or above his contemporaries and without his knack for dialog or interesting situations his talents are wasted here. While Tracy Morgan garners a few genuine laughs with is Jazz Comedy style Bruce Willis appears to smug his way through the film and really add nothing to a tired formula. I have heard Kevin Smith speak about his admiration of Bruce Willis and maybe his fandom got in the way of trying to get an entertaining performance out of him. Sean Williams Scott does a great job in spot duty with a truly odd performance in an otherwise by the book story. I feel a film with Tracy Morgan and Sean Williams Scott could be an entertaining one if given the chance to improve their way through from the time they had together on screen. But the story is so meaningless and tired that it only seems to get in the way of any laughs, trying too hard to have the trappings of an 80's buddy cop film even with the score by Harold Faltermeyer of Beverly Hills Cop fame. Weird how a film that had so many things I appreciate in it failed so miserably.

Black Dynamite rekalled...

BLACK DYNAMITE is a send up of 70's blacksploitation film and does so in such a convincing manner that one could dupe someone with no experience with these actors into thinking it was something from the 70's. Michael Jai White is perfect in the amalgamation of the cinematic blacksploitation ideal and he carries this rather quickly paced film throughout it's 90 minute runtime. As I watched I wondered how they would sustain the pacing and story for a feature length film about 30 minutes in but there was much story to be told. The film seem to be all over the place but follow it's own logic and things seem to make sense. BLACK DYNAMITE wasn't so much making fun of the blacksploitation genre as it seem to be a loving tribute with all the parts one would love about the genre. I was only taken out of this world on a couple of occasions that Tommy Davidson appeared and did his schtick but I am familiar with his stylings from his days on In Living Color and most of the other actors blended into their rolls. Arsenio Hall even makes an understated(for him) appearance. All in all an enjoyable film and an interesting study of how to craft a film in the blacksploitation genre.

Inglourious Basterds rekalled... AGAIN

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS is my favorite film of the last year, I have seen it in the theater 4 times and own a copy of it. My last viewing was just this last weekend and it is still quite mesmerizing. If you haven't seen it yet and you consider yourself a Quentin Tarantino fan or a fan of film and cinema you owe it to yourself to see it. Must see.

Youth In Revolt rekalled...

YOUTH IN REVOLT is the newest teen comedy staring Michael Cera as a character who feel utterly alone and not satisfied with his life and decides to make big changes after meeting the girl of his dreams. I had some trepidations going into this film thinking that maybe the Michael Cera as a teen boy schtick was wearing off but I was pleasantly surprised. The film was a bit more dark and edgy than I expected with some genuine laughs, plus there was some cool direction choices that I did not expect either. I saw this on valentines day with my lady and it was perfect, not terribly sappy yet had some heart and appealed to us both. Not as good as SUPERBAD(which is great) but much better than Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist(which was a disappointment).