Genre: Adventure, Drama, War

Year: 1969

Country: UK

Rating:

Starring: Michael Caine, Nigel Davenport, Nigel Green, Harry Andrews, Patrick Jordan

Director: André De Toth

My Review: Michael Caine plays an oil executive drafted into the British military during World War II. Content to spend his days sorting out the petrol needs of the British army, Capt Douglas finds himself in unfamiliar territory when he's told to lead a rag-tag group of irregulars into the Libyan desert. Their mission; locate and destroy the German fuel reserves well behind enemy lines. As Capt. Douglas tries to take charge of these misfits he's surprised to find that they don't take orders very well. The squad of eight misfits don Italian uniforms and strike out into the desert on a mission where the fate of North Africa could be decided by who has fuel; the Germans or the British… Excellent cinematography and on location work. The deserts of North Africa (filmed in Spain) were very convincing, the scenes shot during sandstorms were excellent. The film seemed particularly realistic. Giving a more realistic view of desert warfare than most action films. Excellent direction, writing and character development. I give this movie a 4 out of 5.

Summary: The Dirty Dozen meet the Stiff Upper Lip. A British Petroleum executive (Michael Caine) is assigned to work with the British Army in North Africa handling port duties for incoming fuels. This gives him the official rank of Captain in the British Army. The Colonel (Nigel Green) in charge of the Dirty Dozen is told he must have a British officer accompany his men on a dangerous mission 400 miles behind the German lines and is saddled with the Petroleum executive, who tries to argue his way out by saying that his contract states he is to only work port duties. That argument is lost on the Brigade Commander (Harry Andrews) who simply points out that the executive is wearing a British uniform. The real leader of the Dirty Dozen (Nigel Davenport), a released prisoner himself, doesn't need or want the British officer, who's supposed to be in charge, but he's promised an extra 2,000 British Pounds if he gets him back alive...

Genre: Thriller

Year: 2001

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Rick Yune

Director: Rob Cohen

My Review: A summer block-buster done right. Hot cars, hot women and chiseled dudes. This movie is more about style than substance, but it sure succeeds in that regard. Creating a genre and a franchise that lives on (work on FF6 is underway for a 2013 release). The story? Paul Walker plays Brian O'Connor, an undercover cop posing as a gear-head with a job at the local parts shop. Vin Diesel plays Domenic 'Dom' Toretto, leader of a local group of street racers. O'Connor is on the trail of a group of street gang that hijacks semis for high-priced cargo. O'Connor struggles to fit in with the street racers while investigating some leads. The stakes get higher when rival gangs come under suspicion and mix it up with Dom's crew. O'Connor's allegiances are tested when the police pressure him to produce evidence linking Dom's crew to the hijackings. The story is relatively straight forward, and the dialogue is lame, but the action is scorchin' in this adrenaline powered, super sexy, summer block-buster. The acting was o.k. Vin Diesel is a pretty good 'Action Hero' and the supporting cast was well matched in casting. 4 out of 5.

Summary: Undercover cops infiltrate Los Angeles street racers to bust a hijacking ring.

Genre: Action

Year: 1988

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Willem Dafoe, Gregory Hines, Fred Ward, Amanda Pays, Kay Tong Lim

Director: Christopher Crowe

My Review: Willem Dafoe (as Buck McGriff) and Gregory Hines (as Albaby Perkins) have a crappy job, but someone's gotta do it. They're plain-clothes cops (Enlisted men working for the Army's Criminal Investigations Division) in Saigon during the height of the Vietnam war (~1968). They're their to police American soldiers, but there's plenty of problems with their job. The locals that hate their guts, the 'politicals' that want them dead, the brass that wants their ass, the Vietnamese police who don't appreciate their tactics, and the GIs in the trenches who don't give a damn about their lame ass investigations. When McGriff and Perkins are put on the case to find an American serial killer, the show gets interesting. This isn't a movie about the Vietnam war. It's a gritty detective story, filled with the harsh realities of civilian life during wartime, and dripping with atmosphere. This cop thriller is fast paced, filled with excellent action, twists, turns, and some pretty good acting (The chemistry between Hines and DaFoe was excellent). The direction (debut feature for Christopher Crowe (also credited as co-writer for screenplay)) is tight and tense. The script isn't full of cliches or stereotypes, but sure is full of suspense, action and drama. The sets, locations and set work was outstanding and despite the poor quality of my VHS copy, I give this movie a 4 out of 5.

Summary: McGriff and Albaby are probably doing the worst law enforcement job in the world - they are plain clothes U.S. military policemen on duty in war-time Saigon. However, their job becomes even harder when they start investigating the serial killings of local prostitutes. Their prime suspect is high ranking U.S. Army officer which brings their lives in danger.

Genre: Horror

Year: 1988

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: James LeGros, Reggie Bannister, Angus Scrimm, Paula Irvine, Samantha Phillips

Director: Don Coscarelli

My Review: A sequel to a 70s cult classic. In this continuation of the original story, Mike (played by James LeGros from the original movie) and Reggie (Reggie Bannister) are hunting the Tall Man and his demonic dwarves. Filmed in the 80s, this particular sequel features much better production value, but the acting is just as awful. James LeGros and Reggie Bannister aren't exactly an 'A-Team' when it comes to actors. Mike may have convinced the doctors that he's sane, but the reality of Mike's dreams make insanity seem comforting in this disturbing sci-fi horror flick. The pros - Some gratuitous nudity, some spooky special effects and a scary soundtrack. The cons - The entire movie is shot in the dark, the dialogue sucked, the acting was horrendous. In this film, the originality of the first film has worn off, and now your left with a remake that lacks the suspense and shock from the original movie. I give it a 2 out of 5.

Summary: The young boy from the sequel seeks to gain revenge on the Tall Man, who killed his brother and many others.

Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure, Family, Mystery

Year: 2011

Country: USA, New Zealand

Rating:

Starring: Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig, Nick Frost, Simon Pegg

Director: Steven Spielberg

My Review: The number of people involved in the production of this movie (like many these days) was staggering, and it's difficult to feel the influence of some names, but Steven Spielberg's direction in this Adventure movie is clearly evident. This production is a blend of stop motion and cgi. Unfortunately, there was far too much cgi, and some scenes left me disappointed with the excess of visual effects. The Story: Tintin is a character from a comic book series called 'The Adventures of Tintin' by Belgian artist/author Georges Remi (pen name Herge'). Tintin is a young journalist with a thirst for adventure and a lovable dog named 'Snowy'. The movie jumps directly into adventure, wasting no time on character development. The story begins when Tintin buys a model ship at the local market. He soon discovers that this model is far more valuable than appearances would suggest. The first clue in a series of clues leads Tintin and snowy deep into the Adventure of Captain Haddock and the lost treasure of the Unicorn. A rather dense plot combining two themes makes for a complicated story but the action was quite impressive. Unfortunately, the complicated plot necessitates continuous dialog, exposition and a pace that leaves you dizzy. The voice talent was very well done, despite the demanding pace and frenetic action. I didn't care for most of the sailing ship battle sequences as cgi overtook stop motion to present wholly unrealistic action scenes that took me completely out of the story. While the production value was high and the direction excellent, the story was far too ambitious for a stop motion cartoon running 107 minutes. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: Having bought a model ship, the Unicorn, for a pound off a market stall Tintin is initially puzzled that the sinister Mr. Sakharine should be so eager to buy it from him, resorting to murder and kidnapping Tintin - accompanied by his marvellous dog Snowy - to join him and his gang as they sail to Morocco on an old cargo ship. Sakharine has bribed the crew to revolt against the ship's master, drunken Captain Haddock, but Tintin, Snowy and Haddock escape, arriving in Morocco at the court of a sheikh, who also has a model of the Unicorn. Haddock tells Tintin that over three hundred years earlier his ancestor Sir Francis Haddock was forced to scuttle the original Unicorn when attacked by a piratical forebear of Sakharine but he managed to save his treasure and provide clues to its location in three separate scrolls, all of which were secreted in models of the Unicorn. Tintin and Sakharine...

Genre: Drama

Year: 2000

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Giovanni Ribisi, Keanu Reeves, Katie Holmes, Greg Kinnear

Director: Sam Raimi

My Review: Written by Billy Bob Thornton (starred in 'A Simple Plan' directed by Sam Raimi) and Tom Epperson, directed by Sam Raimi (The Evil Dead, Spies Like Us, Evil Dead 2, Miller's Crossing, Army of Darkness, Spiderman x2 x3). Starring Cate Blanchett (as Annabelle Wilson), Katie Holmes (as Jessica King) and Keanu Reeves (as Donnie Barksdale). Sam Raimi gets back to his roots in the Horror genre. The Gift is a excellent thriller with some supernatural twists and a bit of horror. Cate Blanchett plays a small town psychic giving readings to make ends meet. She provides a social service to many members of this community, and uses her gift to reassure, comfort and console those with questions about the direction of their life. When the town's darling (Jessica King played by Katie Holmes) goes missing, most suspect the town's wife beater (Donnie Barksdale played by Keanu Reeves) but local officials can't crack the case, so they call upon the talents of the local 'psychic'. There are plenty of suspects with questionable motives and desperate personalities, so the suspense stays thick as the mystery draws to a close. When Annabelle's 'gift' starts to reveal the truth, the dangers become more deadly than the cliched redneck with a mean streak. The movie features some pretty good acting from the primaries and supporting cast, excellent pacing, great lighting and some excellent suspense. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Summary: A woman with extrasensory perception is asked to help find a young woman who has disappeared.

Genre: Drama, Music

Year: 2009

Country: Iran

Rating:

Starring: Negar Shaghaghi, Ashkan Koshanejad, Hamed Behdad, Abrang, Bahman Ardalan

Director: Bahman Ghobadi

My Review: An Iranian film about musicians who can't express themselves in their own home. It's part documentary, part drama. Filled with great music and some excellent editing, the movie depicts a pair of young musicians who yearn to form a band and play in a concert. They would prefer that their concert take place in Iran, but the concert date in London is looming near. Unfortunately, bureaucrats, bad luck, lack of money, corrupt police, and religious stricture are all conspiring to thwart their plans. Will they be able to get those passports? Will they find a drummer? Can they get a permit for their concert? The movie does a good job of depicting Tehran's underground music scene. It's a real look into the politics of social repression of religious intolerance of political corruption. An outstanding soundtrack and musical work accompany all aspects of the movie. The acting was mixed and the direction marginal, but the cast was very enthusiastic and the production work excellent. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Summary: After being released from jail, Negar and Ashkan, two young Iranian songwriters, decide to set up an underground band and look for other musicians to join them. But the authorities keep putting a spanner in the works. Fed up with being hindered from expressing themselves the two young people try to get documents to leave the country for Europe...

Genre: Romance

Year: 1960

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov

Director: Stanley Kubrick

My Review: Spartacus - An award winning (four Oscars in 1961) film directed by Stanley Kubrik, starring Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Tony Curtis, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov, Nina Foch and many others. It's a dramatic telling of a historical tale. The story of Spartacus; a Thracian slave and gladiator who leads a revolt against the corrupt and unjust Roman Empire of 73BC. Unwilling to submit to the lash, disgusted with the moral and ethical corruption of the noble Romans. Spartacus inspires revolution in his fellow gladiators. Overturning the order of things, he leads an ever growing army of liberated slaves. The Roman Senate and Military are no match for the men and women who fight for their freedom. Can these free slaves make their way to the port of Brundisium and by sea to a lasting freedom? A classic epic with a fantastic cast, excellent acting, outstanding direction. and story based on historical fact so epic it had to be told. 5 out of 5.

Summary: The slave Spartacus leads a violent revolt against the decadent Roman empire.

Genre: Thriller

Year: 1988

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Demi Moore, Michael Biehn, Jürgen Prochnow, Peter Friedman, Manny Jacobs

Director: Carl Schultz

My Review: A quasi-religious movie, filled with suspense, supernatural thrills and a compelling apocalyptic theme. The direction wasn't the best, but the story was so compelling that I couldn't pry my eyes off the screen. Starring Demi Moore, Jurgen Prochnow and Michael Biehn. Demi and Michael play the Quinn's. Demi is pregnant and Michael is a lawyer. Looking for some extra money, they rent their spare room to a mysterious foreigner. David seems a likable fellow, but he's a little spooky. His arrival marks the coming of something bigger - Bigger than all of us. It's the end of the world. He's a herald; revealing the signs of the Apocalypse, he's heaven sent to bring about judgement day. As the days tick by, Abby and a small group of believers do their best to stop the impending doom. The story is pretty good and the acting fine. The pacing, editing, lighting and music were excellent. I give this one a 4 out of 5.

Summary: Around the world, the signs of the apocalypse--as outlined in the Book of Revelation--seem to be coming to pass in the wake of a mysterious wanderer. Father Lucci, the Vatican Emissary assigned to investigate, dismisses the occurrences as natural, but Abby Quinn, a young American woman, has reason to fear they're real--and that the unfolding events may spell disaster for her unborn child.

Genre: Fantasy, Horror

Year: 1979

Country: West Germany, France

Rating:

Starring: Klaus Kinski, Isabelle Adjani, Bruno Ganz, Roland Topor, Walter Ladengast

Director: Werner Herzog

My Review: Another version of Bram Stoker's Dracula. This one is written (screenplay) and directed by Werner Herzog. Produced as an homage and remake to the classic silent movie (of same name) by F. W. Murnau, this version stars Klaus Kinski as Dracula. His performance was unforgettable. Creepy, disturbing and hypnotic, Kinski's Dracula is a classic portrayal never equalled. Bruno Ganz as Jonathan Harker gave a poor performance through most of the movie. His performance in the final scene was quite remarkable; a tremendous improvement. Isabell Adjani provided a poor performance throughout. Roland Topor as Renfield was another actor of note. His performance rivaled that of Klaus Kinski, creating another lasting archetype. The pacing and camera work was slow to the point of dream-like. Creating a mythic ethereal feel throughout the movie. The music matched the mood and pace of the movie and the set of Dracula's castle was awesome. Ancient, crypt-like and steeped in the folklore of Romania. I just wish I had been able to watch the German language version on Watch Instantly. I give this movie a 4 out of 5.

Summary: Jonathan Harker is sent away to Count Dracula's castle to sell him a house in Varna, where Jonathan lives. But Count Dracula is a vampire, an undead ghoul living off of men's blood. Inspired by a photograph of Lucy Harker, Jonathan's wife, Dracula moves to Varna, bringing with him death and plague... An unusually contemplative version of Dracula, in which the vampire bears the curse of not being able to get old and die.