Genre: Crime, Drama

Year: 1955

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Robert Ryan, Robert Stack, Shirley Yamaguchi, Cameron Mitchell, Brad Dexter

Director: Samuel Fuller

My Review: This 50's film-noir detective movie (released in 1955) is set in post-wwII Japan. As American's transform the city of Tokyo from Imperial tradition to grimy business district we're swept away in a murder investigation and cultural immersion post invasion. The director (Samuel Fuller) has obviously gone to great pains in an attempt to portray the dichotomy of Tokyo and New York. The cultural erosion imposed by unflinching American ideals is front-and-center. The story is a standard murder mystery with a little romance on the side. Eddie Spannier is a no-nonsense operator. An ex-con come to Tokyo to join his Army buddy Sandy Dawson. Sandy's plan was one of criminal enterprise, but a small piece of the action compared to the crime ring soon unearthed by Eddie. Eddie finds Sandy's wife, but Sandy's dead. Apparently slain by criminal acquaintances that none of the locals wish to discuss. Eddie invites himself into their affairs by rousting the local Pachinko parlor owners. Demanding protection money gets the attention of this criminal racket in no time. Eddie and Mariko (Sandy's secret wife / forbidden by tradition, bound by love, separated by tragedy) are soon drawn into the underbelly of a growing crime syndicate. The movie contains an excellent reveal, but the story is rather linear and predictable. The acting is mediocre and the pacing a bit off (too fast). The best part of this movie is the location, the settings, the local flavor. Japan is changing on the set, and the director captures that transformation and embraces it. Displaying old and new in a contrasting manner that displaces the background of the story itself. I give this a movie a 3 out of 5.

Summary: In Tokyo, a ruthless gang starts holding up U.S. ammunition trains, prepared to kill any of their own members wounded during a robbery. Down-at-heal ex-serviceman Eddie Spannier arrives from the States, apparently at the invitation of one such unfortunate. But Eddie isn't quite what he seems as he manages to make contact with Sandy Dawson, who is obviously running some sort of big operation, and his plan is helped by acquaintance with Mariko, the secret Japanese wife of the dead American.

Genre: Fantasy, Horror

Year: 2010

Country: Norway

Rating:

Starring: Otto Jespersen, Glenn Erland Tosterud, Johanna Mørck, Tomas Alf Larsen, Urmila Berg-Domaas

Director: André Øvredal

My Review: Here's another found footage movie with a supernatural/paranormal subject. Once you get beyond the incongruity of any "Who's filming the guy with the camera?" moments, you'll find that this particular movie is actually quite good. The story is certainly original and interesting, and the production quality quite high for an independent flick made in Norway. Written and directed by André Øvredal, this movie puts this director on the map with American audiences. It's very well directed and written. Despite my initial assumptions regarding 'found footage fims' (most are terrible), this one was well handled. De-emphasizing the 'found footage' aspects of the movie, the director focuses on the unique and ambitious story. Told as documentary and dark comedy. Here is a group of young Norwegian journalists trying to get the scoop on a series of mysterious 'bear killings'. Their persistent nature soon reveals a secret government organization and one it's field agents. Apparently Trolls are real?! and this group of young journalists have convinced a real-life Troll Hunter to let them in on the trade. He reveals all to the inquisitive kids; taking them with him on a series of hunts designed to reign in a few roaming Trolls and one poorly behaving beast who's causing all the problems. The special effects aren't perfect, but they're very well done. The mythos is well constructed and the story well crafted. The acting is ambitious and the pacing perfect. I give this movie a 4 out of 5.

Summary: When bears are found dead in Norway, the students of the Volda University Thomas, Johanna and the cameraman Kalle decide to investigate. They stalk the trailer of the mysterious hunter Hans expecting to find an explanation for the killings. The reluctant Hans tries to flee from the youngsters, but he agrees that they film him in action provided they follow his orders. Sooner the trio of students learns that Hans is actually a troll hunter that works for a secret government agency. Further, several dangerous trolls have escaped from their territory and Hans is assigned to eliminate them.

Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime

Year: 1996

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Damon Wayans, Adam Sandler, James Caan, Jeep Swenson, James Farentino

Director: Ernest R. Dickerson

My Review: It's the Rock & Archie show. A cop buddy movie starring Adam Sandler as Archie Moses (small time criminal) and Rock Keats aka Officer Jack Carter (played by Damon Wayans); an undercover narcotics officer working for the LAPD. Keats is Archie's best friend. They're in on Colton's (Frank Colton played by James Caan) gang when the big drug bust goes wrong. Rock and Archie are left pointing guns at each other when the dust clears. That's when Archie shoots Rock in the head! Fast forward a few months and Rock is recruited to escort Archie back to L.A. in order to stand trial. He's testifying against his old crime boss Colton. Unfortunately for Rock & Archie, Colton's not about to give up quite so easily. With a price on his head, Archie and Keats are both targets in this action packed comedy. The acting was o.k. the direction quite good. The pacing excellent. The best part of this movie was easily the chemistry between Sandler and Wayans. Both men were in the prime of their comedy careers when this film came along. Underrated to this day; I found the movie entertaining, funny and thrilling - despite it rather tired story. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Summary: An undercover police officer named Rock Keats befriends a drug dealer and car thief named Archie Moses in a bid to catch the villainous drug lord Frank Coltan. But the only problem is that Keats is a cop, his real name is Jack Carter, and he is working undercover with the LAPD to bust Moses and Colton at a sting operation the LAPD has set up.

Genre: Adventure, Drama

Year: 2011

Country: Australia

Rating:

Starring: Willem Dafoe, Frances O'Connor, Sam Neill, Morgana Davies, Finn Woodlock

Director: Daniel Nettheim

My Review: Willem Dafoe stars in an Australian movie. Personally, I think the Tasmanian tiger in this movie was a throw-away plot point in order to feature Willem Dafoe in an outstanding showcase for his talent. The movie's pacing was outstanding, Dafoe was introspective, methodical, believable, convincing. The scenery and backgrounds of Southern Australia were magnificent. The cold, inhospitable and alien landscape (to Americans) was a refreshing change, creating a memorable character in the movie. ,The movie itself was poorly written. Based on a preposterous premise (hunting the 'extinct' Tasmanian Tiger for a pharmaceutical company?) but filled with beautiful imagery. Try not to think about the preposterous moral quandaries evoked by the movie's premise (i.e. if all you want is 'genetic material' you could easily obtain it from the animals lair. I'm sure there's plenty of hair and saliva all over the place. For that matter, am I supposed to believe that an experienced hunter doesn't know what a tranquilizer is?) The independent and complicated character portrayed by Dafoe was a well constructed straw man for his acting ability. The music and archival footage were well integrated into this slow moody movie. It's too bad the actual plot knocked it down a notch. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: The independent and lonely hunter Martin David is hired by the powerful biotech company Red Leaf to hunt down the last Tasmanian tiger. Red Leaf is interested in the DNA of the animal and Martin travels to Tasmania alone. He poses as a researcher from a university and lodges in the house of Lucy Armstrong. Martin leans that Lucy's husband has been missing for a long time and he befriends her children, Sass and Bike. When Martin goes to the village, he has a hostile reception from the locals. Along the days, Martin spends his days in the Tasmanian wilderness chasing the Tiger and becomes closer and closer to the Armstrong family. But Red Leaf wants results no matter the costs.

Genre: Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Year: 2012

Country: USA, UK

Rating:

Starring: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Guy Pearce

Director: Ridley Scott

My Review: Another masterpiece by director Ridley Scott (The Duelists, Alien, Blade Runner, Black Rain, Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, American Gangster). Ridley Scott returns to his roots with this sci-fi epic. An origins movie for the Alien mythos. It's hard to characterize/categorize this movie. It's sci-fi, drama, horror, action, adventure. The atmosphere, pacing and tone of this movie are perfect. The landscapes and cinematography breathtaking. I originally thought it was filmed in Antarctica, then Greenland, then Alaska, The New Zealand? Nah - can't be… Much of the movie was filmed in Iceland and the landscapes are raw, primordial and full of energy. Not strictly a prequel to the movie Alien, the story is a prequel to the entire Alien series. I've seen all the Alien films, and consider the original to be one of my favorite all time movies. The story in this prequel is an adventure to discover the origins of life on Earth. Scientist discover a clue that points to a star system far from our system. A hyper-sleep ship is staffed with scientists, technicians and a group of no-nonsense space truckers sent on their way to discover the source of this mysterious clue. When they arrive, they discover the remains of a civilization from a distant past. I won't say much more than that, for fear of spoiling the movie. Of course there's an alien/aliens - It's an Alien origins movie. The technology in this movie pays homage to the spartan late 70s, early 80s look as well as the crowded, cluttered look of the movie Alien. The movie is filled with technology, alien landscapes, pseudo-religious imagery and terrifying creatures. I love that the movie isn't overburdened with unnecessary exposition, and there are more than enough opportunities for a sequel to fill the gap between this movie and the first 'Alien'. The performances were excellent. Michael Fassbender was outstanding in both his roles. As an android discovering his individuality and an android who bases his persona on the mythic ideals of a romantic past in the Lawrence of Arabia character. Many actors in the cast provided interesting characters to drive the dramatic aspects of the movie. Noomi Rapace did a good job in her role, but she has much more to learn about subtlety in performance, and there wasn't really enough time in the movie to properly develop all the characters. The movie is intense, grisly, dark and dramatic. The film contains more than enough cringe worthy and jump out of your seat moments, and fans of action will find more than enough to pump up the adrenalin. The cgi was nearly perfect, with very natural movement, surfaces and movement. The editing was well done, blending cgi and real action in a expert manner. The movie works on it's own, but it's primarily fashioned as a prequel to the entire Alien series. There are a few homage moments in the set production and dialog, and those few gems made me smile upon recognition. I will buy a copy of this movie on Blu-Ray when it becomes available. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Summary: A team of scientists travels through the universe on the spaceship "Prometheus" on a voyage to investigate alien life forms. The team of scientists becomes stranded on an Alien world, and as they struggle to survive it becomes clear that the horrors they experience are not just a threat to themselves, but to all of mankind.

Genre: Crime

Year: 1999

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Isaiah Washington, Lisa Gay Hamilton, James Woods, Denis Leary

Director: Clint Eastwood

My Review: Clint Eastwood directs and stars (as Steve Everette) in this social activist murder mystery. Obviously made as a commentary on capital punishment. Clint Eastwood plays a womanizing, hard drinking, ill tempered, over-the-hill journalist. A man who's worn out more than his fair share of welcomes. On the outs with his wife, sleeping with his boss's (James Woods) wife, and drowning his liver nightly; Steve has just about smoked his last cigarette, when the boss is forced to enlist this hard nosed, old-school journalist on a 'Human Interest' story. Steve heads out to investigate the upcoming execution of Frank Beachum (played by Isaiah Washington). Beachum insists that he's innocent, and Steve is playing a hunch. Can Beachum's innocence prove to be Steve's salvation? In a vain and valiant effort to prove his worth, Steve embarks on a crusade to find the truth. In searching for the answers, he finds a few of his own. The story isn't all that surprising, and it's a bit formulaic but the casting was excellent and the direction smart. Eastwood and cast make it work. The pacing and suspense are well handled, making for a very good movie. I give it 4 out of 5.

Summary: Can an over-the-hill journalist uncover the evidence that can prove a death row inmate's innocence just hours before his execution?

Genre: Drama

Year: 2010

Country: UK, Australia

Rating:

Starring: Emily Watson, Aisling Loftus, Stuart Wolfenden, Lorraine Ashbourne, Federay Holmes

Director: Jim Loach

My Review: Based on a true story, this dramatic recounting of a social injustice affecting thousands of English families is a compelling story, but the poor production made the movie barely watchable. The story (based upon true events) is one of tragedy. Social workers, politicians and clergy conspire to enslave thousands of innocent children in a deportation scheme that separated children from their mothers and turned them over to corrupt church officials. British Social worker Margaret Humphreys (played by Emily Watson) discovers a mystery turned tragedy when she starts reuniting Australian children with their biological parents in England? She risks her career, family life and personal safety in order to uncover the truth in this dramatic tale of unchecked power and unforgivable corruption. The story was great, a really well constructed docudrama. Unfortunately the pacing was a bit off and the lack of an adequate sound track detracted from the dramatic highlights of the movie. The locations were excellent, but somewhat difficult to follow as we moved from the UK to Australia and back on numerous occasions. Another beef I have with this 'movie' is the lack of English subtitles. The audio was very poorly handled throughout the film, and the heavy accents made the movie very difficult to follow. This movie would have rated higher if the production (in all regards) was handled better. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: Set in 1980s Nottingham, social worker Margaret Humphreys holds the British government accountable for child migration schemes and reunite the children involved -- now adults living mostly in Australia -- with their parents in Britain.