Posts Tagged ‘reviews’
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Review: Olympus Has Fallen
Olympus Has Fallen is the first of two films this year that has a plot centered on the White House being assaulted. Purely set up as an all-out action film it succeeds by setting a chaotic and dire stage and never letting off the gas. It's more Die Hard than A Good Day to Die Hard was. Gerard Butler stars as a former Secret Service agent who finds himself in the midst of the takeover and as the only person in a position to put an end to it. A rogue North Korean faction takes control of th...
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Review: Flight
In his first return to live-action since Cast Away in 2000 director Robert Zemeckis tackles a dramatic circumstance of a pilot (played by Denzel Washington) who crash lands a plane and then is put under the spotlight for his state of mind during the incident in Flight. It's a film that has some great performances, an incredibly vivid and tense crash sequence, but is plagued by some heavy-handedness when it comes to the faults of the pilot in question. There is an interesting dilemma as a ...
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Review: The Bourne Legacy
The Bourne series continues even without Jason Bourne and for the most part delivers enough to justify its existence - just at a level below those that came before it. The Bourne Legacy focuses on Aaron Cross (Jeremy Renner), a part of the "Outcome" program, as he tries to survive as those in charge look to shut it down and protect their interests by killing all those involved. Cross, along with a genetic researcher played by Rachel Weisz, essentially become the loose strings in the mess ...
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Review: Total Recall
Total Recall acts more as a re-imagination of the original story "We Can Remember it for you Wholesale" by Philip K Dick than a complete remake of the 1990 film. There are some nods to that one, and certainly it shares the basis and themes, but the latest version stands on its own fairly well. Despite a number of issues Total Recall is an enjoyable ride that takes advantage of improved special effects and the presentation of an intriguing high-tech future despite the crumbling of the world a...
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Review: The Avengers
Years of build-up in creating the "Marvel Universe" through five individual films finally culminates with The Avengers which brings together a number of popular superheroes to battle Loki and an army under his command. At times Marvel received criticism for shoehorning in elements of S.H.I.E.L.D - the organization defending the planet - or other story threads in those earlier movies that wouldn't get their payoff until later. I always enjoyed those moments however and it was definitely wo...
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Review: Wrath of the Titans
It'd be difficult to approach Wrath of the Titans with a completely open mind. The film it follows, Clash of the Titans, was dull and almost single-handedly began the downfall of 3D in the US. Those low expectations though may actually be an advantage for Wrath. Though flawed it's an entertaining film with some spectacular special effects. Even more surprising - the 3D is worthwhile and enhances the experience. (more…)...
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Review: John Carter
The writings of Edgar Rice Burroughs have greatly influenced sci-fi over the last 100 years. With John Carter the long road of taking the series of novels to the big screen has finally been realized. The result is a decidedly mixed bag and one that won't exactly hold direct appeal to any particular age or demographic. Based on the first novel "A Princess of Mars" the story centers on John Carter who finds himself transported to Barsoom (Mars) where he becomes involved in a war between fac...
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Review: 21 Jump Street
While 21 Jump Street is based on the popular ’80s TV series it isn’t a straight remake – rather it presents a modern day take on the concept of police officers infiltrating crime rings by going undercover within places like high schools. The film takes a much more comedic angle, while mixing some action in, and it all really works. (more…)...
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