As nail-bitingly intense as it is darkly funny, Jeremy Saulnier’s sophomore effort Blue Ruin is the kind of film that comes down the line and launches careers for all talent involved. A work of sheer craft, it’s a movie that takes a very standard set-up and wears its influences on its sleeve, yet still manages…
Although its number of detractors seems to have increased as of recently, I remain steadfast in my fandom of “The Raid: Redemption,” the Indonesian martial arts movie that became a cult sensation upon its release on Western shores thanks to its brutal action and fluid camerawork that brilliantly captured its already stellar fight choreography. Single-minded…
“The Fast and the Furious” is a great movie. When compared to the latest fast car drama, Need for Speed, that is. It has more fully developed characters played by more interesting actors, a less implausible plot, better choreographed racing and cuter cheerleaders. That last one is a bit of stretch, however; there really are…
The weathered feudal Japanese tale of ronin seeking revenge for their fallen lord, one would think, lends itself nicely to the themes of fantasy. Samurai, their unwavering courage and swordsmanship intertwined with magical elements and mystical creatures represents a marriage made in heaven. Unfortunately, in director Carl Rinsch’s 47 Ronin, this marriage does little justice…
When you do a seemingly impossible task, you can expect more near impossible jobs to come your way (hence the reason I don’t exert myself). Having cleared a block of one ruthless drug kingpin in “The Raid Redemption,” officer Rama (Iko Uwais) is now asked to take them all down. He’ll go deep undercover to…
With its gritty depiction of rundown small town, USA and characters desperate to find their way, Out of the Furnace looks a lot like a film we’d come across before in 1978’s “The Deer Hunter.” But while I don’t suspect Scott Cooper’s film will win any Oscars as Michael Cimino’s did, his all-star cast also…
Gareth Evans made quite the entrance with “The Raid: Redemption” last year so it is no surprise he was approved to get a sequel out for it as quickly as possible. The Raid 2: Berandal is it and its trailer promises it will be as violent and action-packed as its predecessor. Rama (Iko Uwais), having…
