Month: April 2018

Today’s quick review: Kickboxer: Vengeance. After his brother Eric (Darren Shahlavi) is killed in an underground fight, Kurt Sloane (Alain Moussi) travels to Thailand to get revenge on Tong Po (David Bautista), the muay thai expert who murdered him. With the support of Liu (Sara Malakul Lane), a Thai police officer, and the training of Master Durand (Jean-Claude Van Damme), Eric’s trainer, Kurt prepares himself for the fight of his life.

Kickboxer: Vengeance is a martial arts action movie with a revenge plot and a healthy number of fights. A budget film, Kickboxer: Vengeance is plagued by weak writing, thin acting, and awkward direction. However, it makes up for these shortcomings with near-constant fighting and remarkable feats of athleticism. The result is a subpar story wrapped around decent action, nowhere near the best of the genre but passable.

As a protagonist, Kurt is almost too much of an underdog. Even at his best he only comes across as a halfway-decent fighter, and he reliably takes more hits than he dishes out. His moves and physique are impressive in absolute terms, but he lacks the presence of the fighters around him. The training he receives under Durand helps with some of these issues, but Kurt never quite shakes the impression of being an underdog too weak to win.

The rest of the cast is high on fighting ability and low on acting. Dave Bautista makes for a formidable villain in Tong Po, with his massive frame, stony expression, and extensive tattoos. Jean-Claude Van Damme is a fun addition as Durand, Kurt’s quirky but rigorous trainer. The supporting cast has a few solid fighters in it, but no one truly jaw-dropping, and the characters are uniformly shallow.

The action fluctuates between one-on-one fights, where Kurt is consistently outclassed, and group fights, where he has more of a chance to shine. The former are quasi-realistic martial arts duels, while the latter have more of a traditional action movie flair. However, Kickboxer: Vengeance lacks the flashy, implausible stunts to make the group fights exciting, so the action only really hits its stride in a few of the longer solo fights.

The writing is token at best. There are no cringeworthy lines, but one or two plot holes, a generic story, and flat delivery mean that the film has barely enough juice to see it through to the end. The direction makes a few jarring mistakes, such as unnecessary flashbacks, mistimed shots, and more than a few limp moments. The movie only just manages to work as an action vehicle, and even then it’s best watched by those with lax standards.

Watch Kickboxer: Vengeance when you are in the mood for a martial arts film without some of the excesses of ordinary action movies. However, the film is badly outclassed by other movies in the genre, and in spite of one or two good points, an interested viewer would be better served looking up The Protector or The Raid: Redemption for jaw-dropping martial arts.

4.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 5.5 to 6.0 for decent action marred by bad storytelling.

Today’s quick review: His Girl Friday. On the eve of his ex-wife Hildy’s (Rosalind Russell) wedding, newspaper editor Walter Burns (Cary Grant) convinces her to cover one last story for him in an effort to lure her back to the life of a reporter. As Walter schemes to get rid of Bruce Baldwin (Ralph Bellamy), Hildy’s fiance, Hildy finds herself drawn into the elaborate case of a man about to be executed for murder.

His Girl Friday is a comedic romance set in the heyday of sensationalistic journalism. Cary Grant stars as Walter Burns, a charming but unscrupulous newspaperman who will stop at nothing to get his wife back. Rosalind Russell plays opposite him as Hildy, a born journalist who accepts one last job before her marriage and retirement. Hildy must choose between the tumultuous life she left and the peaceful one she claims to want.

His Girl Friday makes for an unusual romance. The plot unfolds at a breakneck pace, mirroring the constant churn of the newspaper business. Walter Burns makes for an odd romantic, trying every dirty trick he can think of to keep Hildy in town long enough to win her back over. The dialogue is rapid, the ethics are flexible, and the romance is a slow-motion train wreck as Hildy finds herself caught between her scoop and her marriage.

Watch His Girl Friday if you are a fan of classic films and you are game to follow a circuitous plot. Thanks to its shady characters and chaotic tone, His Girl Friday is not the best choice for those who want to be whisked away. But fans of the era will appreciate its acting, writing, and craftsmanship. Lovers of the classics should at least give it a shot, while newcomers may want to ease in with a more straightforward movie.

8.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for good writing and acting, tempered by morally dubious characters and rapid pacing; your score will be higher if you’re a fan of its tight patter and skewed approach to romance.

Today’s quick review: Police Academy. When the police department loosens its hiring standards, dozens of underqualified applicants enroll in its training program. Carey Mahoney (Steve Guttenberg), a sly troublemaker, signs up as an alternative to jail time, with every intention of getting kicked out. But fellow recruit Karen Thompson (Kim Cattrall) gives him a reason to stay, even if he has to put up with the academy’s abusive drill instructor (G.W. Bailey).

Police Academy is a police comedy with a light, mischievous tone and a cast of colorful characters. Police Academy follows a familiar comedy formula, pitting an eclectic group of misfits against an unreasonable authority figure. As far as such movies go, Police Academy skimps on the plot but offers a healthy dose of humor. Mahoney makes for a fun protagonist as he tries everything he can think of to get kicked out, and he plays well with his love interest Thompson.

As a comedy, Police Academy is entertaining but not outstanding. Its scenes tend to be short and end abruptly, a lot of its humor is forced, and its writing lacks the heart of, say, Ghostbusters. But in spite of these flaws, Police Academy is a fun watch, with goofy characters, slapstick humor, and general hijinks. Not every gag lands perfectly, but enough do to make the film feel worthwhile.

The cast of Police Academy is an odd group, including an enormous ex-florist, an unstable gun enthusiast, and a Latin lover. Few of the characters have much depth, but each is given a brief story arc to fill out the film. Michael Winslow deserves special mention for his performance as Larvell Jones, Mahoney’s friend and a master of sound effects. His vocal talents and silly sense of humor are responsible for some of the film’s best gags.

Watch Police Academy when you are in the mood for a fun movie with a few good laughs. Skip it if you are expecting a deep plot or sharp writing. For other movies in a similar vein, check out Animal House, a wild college comedy; Major League, an underdog sports comedy; or Stripes, a comedy about Army boot camp.

6.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for fun if imperfect comedy.

Today’s quick review: Code Name: The Cleaner. Jake (Cedric the Entertainer) wakes up in a hotel with a dead FBI agent, a briefcase of money, and a bad case of amnesia. He is whisked away from the police by Diane (Nicollette Sheridan), a woman claiming to be his wife, but Jake soon decides to investigate on his own. Together with Gina (Lucy Liu), a waitress who knows him, Jake pieces together the clues to reach a shocking conclusion: that he is a spy for the CIA.

Code Name: The Cleaner is a spy comedy that puts a silly spin on the amnesiac thriller genre. Cedric the Entertainer stars as Jake, a sweet, honest man caught in the middle of a web of intrigue. Lucy Liu joins him as Gina, a waitress who knows about his past and is willing to hide him from his pursuers. The two make a charming duo, neither one a phenomenal character, but good with one another.

Code Name: The Cleaner follows a simple formula: place Jake in an unusual situation and watch him react to it. These digressions offer up some lowbrow humor and slapstick, but they tend to lose sight of the main plot for minutes at a time. The story itself is not particularly elaborate or clever, but it is enough to keep the fiilm moving. Code Name: The Cleaner has the vibe of a primetime comedy, a lax affair with a basic premise requiring little thought or attention.

Watch Code Name: The Cleaner when you are in the mood for an easy and mildly amusing watch. Though far from a comedy masterpiece, its likable characters and decent sense of humor make it a nice palate cleanser. Skip it if you are looking for something good rather than decent. For another Lucy Liu crime comedy with a better script, check out Lucky Number Slevin. For a martial arts comedy with a similar premise, check out Jackie Chan’s Who Am I?.

4.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 for decent humor and charm.

“Would you like to play a game?” —WOPR

Today’s quick review: WarGames. When David Lightman (Matthew Broderick), a high school student with a gift for computers, gains access to a military computer used for nuclear war simulations, he thinks he’s playing a video game. But for NORAD, the situation is all too real, and the US military prepares to launch a retaliatory strike against the Soviet Union. It’s up to David and his friend Jennifer (Ally Sheedy) to stop the simulation before it starts World War III.

WarGames is a cyber thriller that captures the mystery and danger of experimenting with computers. Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy star as a pair of good-natured teenagers who bring the world to the brink of war when they toy with the computer in charge of the United States’ nuclear response. WarGames mixes youthful adventure with 80s computer culture, high stakes, and a dash of Cold War commentary.

WarGames is notable for its iconic premise and solid script. The plot takes a few liberties with the capabilities of computers, but it puts them to good use, delivering a steady progression, interesting plot developments, and themes that are realistic, even if their particulars are not. Broderick and Sheedy make for likable protagonists and a cute couple. The film has little real action, but it does a good job of keeping the level of tension high.

Watch WarGames when you’re in the mood for an imaginative thriller with a family-friendly tone. Not everyone will appreciate the selective suspension of disbelief that the premise requires, but those who can roll with the plot’s logic will be treated to a well-crafted and enjoyable film. Skip it if you are looking for action, villains, or an elaborate plot.

7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for an interesting premise, a good script, and a likable pair of leads.

Today’s quick review: Sneakers. Martin Bishop (Robert Redford), the leader of a ragtag team of security consultants, takes on a lucrative job for the NSA: to steal a powerful cryptographic device from its inventor. The job goes smoothly until Martin’s team figures out just what the device is capable of and just how badly the governments of the world want it. And when the device falls into the wrong hands, it is up to Martin and his friends to get it back.

Sneakers is a crime drama with heist and comedy elements. Sneakers offers a glimpse into the world of security, hacking, and intelligence. Robert Redford stars as Martin Bishop, a computer expert with a troubled past. He is joined by Mary McDonnell, Sidney Poitier, Dan Aykroyd, and Ben Kingsley for a decent and well-used cast of characters. The film’s borderline thriller plot is offset by a sense of humor, with a few surprisingly good jokes throughout the movie.

Unlike most computer-based movies, Sneakers actually deals with realistic themes and attitudes. The specifics are exaggerated for the sake of the story, but the consequences of a cryptographic breakthrough and the motivations of old-school hackers are both given a more thoughtful treatment than usual. This care is reflected in a plot that unfolds well, hinges on its characters’ personalities and decisions, and includes a fairly solid heist.

Watch Sneakers when you are in the mood for a decently executed heist movie with a good balance of comedy and drama. Though not a superlative film, Sneakers does enough right to be a worthwhile watch. Skip it if you are looking for a more gripping thriller or a more dedicated comedy. For another movie about hacking, check out WarGames. For a less plausible, more action-packed take on the cyber thriller genre, check out Swordfish.

7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for a reasonably smart plot and a dash of good comedy.

“I am an FBI agent.” —Johnny Utah

Today’s quick review: Point Break. To catch an elusive gang of bank robbers, FBI agent Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves) goes undercover in the Los Angeles surfing community. His guide to the lifestyle is Tyler (Lori Petty), a surfer girl he finds himself drawn to. But Johnny loyalties begin to waver when Bodhi (Patrick Swayze), one of Tyler’s friends, shows him just how fulfilling the surf life can be.

Point Break is an action movie with a sports twist. Keanu Reeves stars as Johnny Utah, a young, driven FBI agent whose attitude makes him a natural fit for his new undercover assignment. Patrick Swayze plays opposite him as Bodhi, a dedicated surfer who sees potential in Johnny. Their friendship is put to the test as Johnny comes closer to identifying the bank robbers, jeopardizing his newfound sense of peace for the sake of his job.

As far as crime movies go, Point Break has an unusual emphasis on character. None of the individual characters are all that astounding, but clear tensions and a good plot progression make them feel worthwhile. Between bank robberies, chases, and plenty of waves, Point Break also has its fair share of action. Every now and then the film’s action movie conventions will clash with its character-driven plot, but generally the two sides go well together.

Point Break is worth a watch if you are in the mood for a crime drama that invests in its characters. Surf fans will get the most out of the film, but anyone can appreciate the characters, plot, and action. For a movie with a similar premise, but with street racing instead of surfing, check out The Fast and the Furious. For a documentary with all of the waves and none of the action, check out The Endless Summer.

7.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for a good story and decent action.

Today’s quick review: Baby Driver. Baby (Ansel Elgort), a talented driver with an ear for music, works as a getaway driver for Doc (Kevin Spacey), the mind behind a series of daring robberies, to pay off an old debt. With the end of his service approaching, Baby hopes to leave the criminal life behind him. But Doc has no intention of letting his cash cow leave, and he pulls Baby back in for one more job.

Baby Driver is a slick, stylized crime drama and comedy from director Edgar Wright. The movie shows life through the eyes and ears of Baby, whose ubiquitous shades and odd mannerisms mask an incredible gift for driving. As a result of his tinnitus, Baby listens to music almost constantly, and his musical picks form the film’s pitch-perfect soundtrack. To round it all out, Baby Driver features amazing stunt driving, snappy dialogue, and polished presentation.

Tonally, Baby Driver splits the difference between a comedy and a drama. At its brightest, it is a fun romp with an upbeat soundtrack, impressive action, and the punchy humor Edgar Wright is known for. At its darkest, Baby Driver is a tense story about an innocent young man who’s in over his head. But even in its most dramatic moments, Baby Driver never loses its sense of momentum or its moral compass.

From a cinematic standpoint, Baby Driver is a treat. The camera plays with interesting angles, flowing movements, and long, continuous shots in addition to the more standard fare. Many of the film’s sequences are synchronized with the soundtrack, giving the entire movie a sense of rhythm. Baby Driver also rewards careful viewers with a plethora of subtle jokes, references, and callbacks that are easy to miss but there for those who look for them.

As far as acting goes, Baby Driver has just what it needs. Ansel Elgort plays Baby with the right blend of innocence, resilience, and quirky charm to hold the movie together. He is backed up by a talented supporting cast that includes Kevin Spacey as the sharp, dangerous Doc; Jon Hamm, Jon Bernthal, and Jamie Foxx as rotating members of Doc’s colorful criminal crew; and Lily James as Debora, the waitress Baby falls in love with.

The film’s all-around quality and style make it well worth a watch for a wide range of viewers, and only those who dislike stylized presentation or violence should steer clear. For a darker film with a similar premise, check out Drive. For a fantasy action film from the same director, check out Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

8.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it an 8.0 for great cinematography, humor, and style.

Today’s quick review: La Femme Nikita. When Nikita (Anne Parillaud), a troubled young woman, is sentenced to life in prison, the government offers her a chance to repay her debt by becoming an assassin. Under the guidance of Bob (Tcheky Karyo), she is taught how to present herself, how to fight, and how to kill. But when she graduates to field work, she has trouble reconciling her newfound freedom with the risky, anonymous assignments she is given.

La Femme Nikita is a crime drama from director Luc Besson. La Femme Nikita follows the transformation of Nikita from a violent, aimless woman to a refined assassin with a shot at a mostly normal life. Unlike most movies about assassins, La Femme Nikita has only a sprinkling of action. Instead, the focus is on Nikita, her quirks, and the challenges she faces adjusting to her new life.

La Femme Nikita strips away the glamor from the assassination business. The assassins are unstable criminals forced into service by the government. Every mission has a million ways it can go wrong, many of them caused by the limited information each operative is allowed. And at the center of it all is a woman whose chance at normalcy is jeopardized by the missions she is forced to complete.

Nikita herself is a complex character, growing out of her impulsive youth and into the professionalism of an assassin. Her erratic behavior and hostility make her hard to sympathize with, but her difficult circumstances and vivacity offer her some hope of redemption. The peculiar heroine is ably played by Anne Parillaud. Playing opposite her is Tcheky Karyo as her calm, cool handler Bob.

The result of all these elements is a well-presented, character-driven crime drama with a dash of action. La Femme Nikita is a rare movie that presents the bad with the good, that focuses on people over events, and that has the raw quality to pull it off. As a thriller or an action movie it is outclassed, but its unusual tone and strong presentation make it worth a watch. For a similar film by the same director with a bit more story, check out The Professional.

7.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for good characters, strong presentation, and an unusual take on the hitman genre.

Today’s quick review: Flypaper. When one bank is held up by two sets of bank robbers at the same time, Tripp (Patrick Dempsey), a bank customer with a variety of neuroses, and Kaitlin (Ashley Judd), one of the bank tellers, find themselves in the middle of a convoluted hostage situation. But as the night wears on, the robberies hit snag after snag, and Tripp uncovers a series of clues that suggest the simultaneous robberies may be more than just coincidence.

Flypaper is a crime comedy and mystery centered around a pair of ill-fated robberies. Patrick Dempsey stars as Tripp, whose mental issues and powers of observation make him a terrible hostage but a great detective. Ashley Judd plays opposite him as Kaitlin, a bank teller who helps him piece together the truth behind the robberies. The supporting cast includes Tim Blake Nelson, Octavia Spencer, Matt Ryan, and Jeffrey Tambor.

As a comedy, Flypaper is surprisingly entertaining. Between Tripp’s unhinged resourcefulness, the lovable idiocy of robbers Peanut Butter (Tim Blake Nelson) and Jelly (Pruitt Taylor Vince), and the motley assortment of hostages, the film has plenty of material to work with. The humor is more amusing than hilarious, but Flypaper handles its chaotic tone well, while the plot twists and mismatched clues make Flypaper a fairly effective mystery.

Watch Flypaper when you are in the mood for an underrated comedy with a puzzling plot. Flypaper lacks the polish and finesse of a big-budget movie, but its unusual premise, passable execution, and charm make it a worthwhile watch. Skip it if you are looking for a tighter mystery or a more uproarious comedy. For a whodunit that’s heavier on the comedy, check out Clue.

6.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for charming characters, good comedy, and a decent mystery.