INDEPENDENCE DAY - Review

"WE WILL NOT GO QUIETLY INTO THE NIGHT! WE WILL NOT VANISH WITHOUT A FIGHT! WE'RE GOING TO LIVE ON! WE'RE GOING TO SURVIVE! TODAY WE CELEBRATE OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY!"

God Bless Americ....I mean the world.....Yeah, the world. Cause the movie President says its no longer exclusive to America. So the world.

The Plot

On July 2nd, gigantic spaceships surround the world, hovering over major cities. When a cable company analyst (Jeff Goldblum) discovers a hidden signal from their satellites that acts as a countdown of destruction, he contacts his estranged wife (Margaret Colin) who is aide to the President of the United States (Bill Pullman) to enact a large scale evacuation. But it is too late, as the aliens destroy every major city around the world. On July 3rd, the surviving military forces, including a cocky air pilot (Will Smith), launch an assault on the ships. Only to discover their weapons have no effect. But on July 4th, the aliens move to make their final strike on the planet, as humanity makes one last desperate attack on their invaders.

Review

What better way to celebrate the Fourth of July than watching the most patriotic pro-American movie ever made.... but ironically directed by a German Director. Roland Emmerich is pretty much the disaster movie king, a title he earned by creating this very film. Jaws may have been the first blockbuster film, but when people look back at what defines a Summer Blockbuster, it will be this one. 

Independence Day is a type of High Concept Summer Blockbuster film that we don't get much in the post Superhero Age of Cinema. A film that pretty much solidified to studio execs what a blockbuster film should be like. Epic storytelling, epic visual effects, massive amounts of action, and relatable yet extremely heroic everyday characters who don't have to be developed too much. It may not have been the first of its kind, but it is heavily considered the best of its kind. Because this movie was the very definition of what cinematic spectacle is suppose to be. From the dogfights to the epic wide shots of  spaceships the size of cities hovering over a famous landmark, this film has everything that is now attributed with popcorn cinema. And I pretty much love it.

The film was created in 1996, post-Jurassic Park, which means that CGI still hasn't been refined to its fullest potential yet. This is where we see a true blending between our modern visual effects and the old school practical effects that have been around for decades prior. The inferno destruction of the major American cities due to the alien blast, still holds up after so many years. Mainly because the destruction of cities was done with miniatures that were built painstakingly detailed, only to be blown with real explosions. This gives it a very tangible feeling that has gotten lost with CGI films, mainly because no matter how much watching a CGI city getting destroyed may be more accurate, there is still that realm of knowing what you see isn't real. But in here, most of what is seen on the screen is completely real. Yes, there is CGI in the movie. But to create the appearance of massive spaceship and jet fighter armadas in the background, while real miniature models fly in the foreground. It is no wonder why this film won the Oscar for best visual effects, because no matter how old this movie gets I can guarantee it will still hold up.

But that's enough praise for the spectacle and the special effects. Because one of the weakest points of the film is its characters. Yes, Jeff Goldblum, Will Smith, Bill Pullman and Randy Quaid are pretty much the only memorable aspects of the film. And an argument can be made that Brent Spiner, the guy who plays the wacky Area 51 scientist, is also the other most memorable actor in the film. However the fact that I can't remember the names of their characters or any other characters for the matter, kind of tells you how important they really are. Because the film is pretty much all story, with the characters acting as drivers for the plot rather than participants. There is some character arc developments for Goldblum's and Quaid's characters, but the changes are so small that it doesn't really seem like so much of one. Everyone in the film is pretty much a capable and heroic version of what we hope we can be if we were ever put in that situation. And given that the only true bad guys of the film are aliens, performed by animatronic puppets, it is pretty clear that the movie is not going for the type of really in depth characters we demand so much in modern blockbusters. This is a film that brings back the simple notion that the first Star Wars movie was about: Good versus Evil. Simple and clean.

The only thing that would really date this movie though is that it is pretty obvious that it is a product of the 90s. Blockbuster films of that era are known to have an occasional over the top character as well as tech that would make youngsters of this generation cringe. In an age when Superhero movies offer good guys and bad guys with a lot depth, this one is just pure fun good versus evil shoot em up.

Final Thoughts

Overall, this movie is a product of a forgotten age of high concept blockbuster cinema. In the Superhero Age of Cinema, there are rarely any original high concept films like this anymore. The closest that we have to something like this is Pacific Rim, which pretty much has a similar story except we have giant robots to fight with against giant monsters, and San Andreas, a very dumb movie that is high popcorn entertainment. I wish we can return to a time when blockbusters were something worth seeing, and not sequels or reboots of existing properties. Which ironically enough is happening with this film in the form of Independence Day: Resurgence. Why can't we have more new ideas? Why? Oh well. Watch this movie to have fun, and that's all.

SCORE: 8.5/10 - AMERICA! F#CK YEAH!

Furious 7 - Review

"One last ride."

At this point, we know those words are bull shit. But to me, this is the perfect last ride for this franchise.... But it won't be.

The Plot

The sins of London from their previous job follows the crew home, as they are hunted by a ruthless assassin (Jason Statham). Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel), Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker), Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez), Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson) and Tej Parker (Ludacris) ban together once again to combat an enemy capable of taking down their former nemesis, Agent Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson). But to turn the hunter into the hunted, they must strike a deal with the mysterious Mr. Nobody (Kurt Russell) in order to find the means to track down their untraceable foe.

Review

Ever since Fast Five steered this franchise into full blown action adventure genre and out of the very niche car racing genre, the movie going audience has become thankful ever since. And with this Seventh installment, we go into over the top territory with every single action movie cliche thrown in to make a satisfying cocktail of fast cars, manly fights, sexy women and most importantly: Family.

But things start immediately introducing us to the film's big bad, Deckard Shaw, played menacingly by Jason Statham. He's pretty much an evil James Bond with the cool cars and gadgets to enforce his cause. Deckard is a completely different animal compared to his brother Owen, the previous film's antagonist played by Luke Evans. From the very opening scene, we are immediately shown just how dangerous Statham's Deckard is, by how far he was willing to see his comatose brother in a heavily guarded hospital. Deckard is definitely the best villain this franchise has created, despite the fact that he only shows up when an action scene is necessary. That's where Dom and his crew come in.

By now, Diesel's Dom, Rodriguez's Letty, Walker's Brian, Gibson's Roman, and Ludacris's Tej have solidified themselves as extremely likable characters. And it helps, because the plot gets a little confusing later on, but luckily we have so many likable characters that make this incoherent plot watchable. However it is pretty clear that a lot of emotions were running high or stirring beneath each cast member, given the circumstances of losing one of their own before production of the film wrapped. Everyone in the main crew is delivering their A-game in acting for this film. Especially Jordana Brewster who plays Mia, sister to Diesel's Dom and wife to Walker's Brian. Her role may have been minimal, but she had the difficulty of delivering some dramatic dialogue to someone who is no longer with them. They're not Oscar worthy performances, but they are the best these actors have given in this type of film. All to honor their late co-star.

The handling of Paul Walker's passing in this film is definitely one of the highlights of the movie. It was treated with respect, yet it also shows how difficult it was to create something coherent when a major player in the film has to be slightly sidelined or shot in weird angles in order to get his side of the story across. But with what Walker's brothers, Caleb and Cody, could do by standing in his place and Weta Digital for placing Paul's face over their's, it all worked out in the end. Especially for the final moment in the film. But it is pretty obvious that it hurt the plot of the film, as it was definitely all over the place at times, but still finds a way to stay a little bit on course.

The action is as spectacular as ever, though this may also prove to be a growing weakness of the franchise for later films to come. This film pulled off some amazing set pieces involving cars, but the danger has become too heightened to the point where it becomes apparent that no one is going to die if they're in a car. And while new director James Wan is new to action, his car sequences are amazing, but his hand to hand combat sequences could use some work. They were not shaky cam, but they were rapidly editing almost to an unrelenting point of not being able to tell what is going on, that it might as well have been shot with shaky cam. They are still spectacular action, but it is obvious that this is the work of a director who hasn't fully grasped how to shoot action yet. But perhaps someday he'll fully engage in it.

While the film is ridiculously dumb fun that doesn't take itself too seriously, something the Transformers films should learn how to do, there are several negatives. The first being the plot. What started out as a simple revenge movie turned into the hunt for a MacGuffin in a government conspiracy movie. Yes, it is awesome to have Kurt Russell as a new badass character. And yes... Nathalie Emmanuel makes a God damn fine ass hacker in a bikini. But their involvement, along with the terrorists played by Djimon Hounsou and Tony Jaa, completely derails what could've been a simple straight forward plot like the previous two films. It could've been a simple horror movie on wheels with Statham's Deckard hunting down Dom's crew one by one till there is a final face off. And while that does happen, the government conspiracy plot looked more like a means to keep everyone alive and useful than have any real danger for the characters.

Then there is Brewster's Mia and Dwayne Johnson's Hobbs. Both of them are heavily important characters in the franchise, but only show up at the beginning and end of the film. Johnson's Hobbs, arguably the character that helped save the franchise in Fast Five was heavily missed as part of the team. But when he comes back into action, he does bring in the cavalry. One could only wish for more of him and Mia, and less of Ronda Rousey's attempt at acting. Yeah, she was only in one scene in the movie, but her acting was so bad that it stuck out in a movie that should be dumb fun. And the ending does enter superhero blockbuster final battle territory, which kind of felt out of place, but it's still pretty awesome!

Final Thoughts

It's really hard to truly be mad at any of the bad things in this film because it is definitely the most fun out of the re-energized franchise. I will say that it is the most rewatchable film in the franchise, but Fast Five and Fast Six are definitely the better films. But what this film does have to offer is a terrifying villain, spectacular action, melodrama about family, and most importantly of all: a touching and very appropriate send off to someone who is considered the most nicest man in Hollywood, Paul Walker.

SCORE: 8/10 - This movie should not work, but thankfully it did. RIP PAUL WALKER

John Wick - Analysis and Review

Yeah, I'm thinking he's back

I once saw him kill three men...with a pencil.

The Plot

John Wick (Keanu Reeves) just lost his wife to cancer (or some sort of non-specified disease) and was given puppy from her before she died to help him cope. But when four Russian wannabe gangsters break into his house to steal his car, they kill the puppy. What the four Russian wannabe gangsters didn't know is that John Wick used to be the Russian Mob's (and possibly the world's) most dangerous hitman. And he's coming for them. And nothing will get in his way.

Analysis

There really isn't one for this because...it is what it is. Pretty much all I'm going to say is that if you know what you are and embrace it, then there is a big chance that others will embrace you as well. That same mentality fits with movies. This movie knows what it is, and it is making damn sure that you know what it is. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. But in this instance, it does.

Review

This is probably the best action movie coming from the states this year. Of course it is nowhere near as good as The Raid 2 in terms of groundbreaking action, but this movie sure has some spectacular action. And that shouldn't be surprise given that the directors of this film were the stunt men from The Matrix. There was another film directed by a stunt man that came out this year called Left Behind starring Nic Cage. But where that stunt man failed, these stunt men succeed. And they bring along their old collaborator and star of The Matrix, Keanu Reeves, back into action.

It should be said right off the bat that if you think the premise sounds silly, don't worry, this movie doesn't take itself too seriously to dwell on it. Yes, it is the story about a man who takes down the Russian Mob because they killed his dog. But it was the dog represents to the titular John Wick that really sets him off. And for the most part, the first 30 minutes of the film handled it really well. Some might even say that the first 30 minutes might almost have crossed the line into "we're taking this seriously" territory. But luckily for the audience, the filmmakers know when to pull the plug before it got too serious. Otherwise everything else that happens, while predictable, would not have been as fun as it is.

Reeves is excellent as John Wick. In the first 30 minutes of the film, we really do buy him as a loner type who loses the one person who made him feel vulnerable. And with the loss of the dog, Reeves was able to convince the audience that John is a man who held back his dark side only to unleash it at this moment we're witnessing. This may probably be Reeves best performance in years. Which is saying a lot since he's not the greatest actor in the world. But with this type of role, he will definitely excel in spades. It also doesn't hurt that his fighting style in this movie is incredible. It is not the martial arts he proficiently displays in The Matrix, but it is a believable form of close quarter combat intertwined with firearms. He really sells that when John Wick goes into beast mode, this guy is efficient and will always try to go for the headshot. And if he doesn't, he would use his ammunition conservatively in order to buy more time for him to get the headshot. He is probably the best original action hero since Liam Neeson in Taken. And I'm glad he has this role to make his comeback.

The film is filled with people who have played villains or have been known for being in these types of movies. Willem Dafoe, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, John Leguizamo, Michael Nyqvist and Alfie Allen pop up as various players in the underworld. Dafoe plays a fellow assassin and appears to have been a mentor figure to Reeves' character. McShane plays the owner of The Continental Hotel, a safe haven for assassins who use their own form of currency and operate on a strict no kill policy while staying at the hotel. While I'm sure it is not original, it is definitely a fascinating concept that makes this film that much more enjoyable. It also helps to have Reddick as the manager of the hotel. Leguizamo has a cameo as a car shop dealer who brings the bad news to the Russian Kingpin played gleefully by Nyqvist. Theon Greyjoy, aka Allen, plays the wannabe Russian gangster and son of the Kingpin who causes the monster to be unleashed. That guy can't catch a break can he? And in a surprising turn of casting is Adrianne Palicki who plays the singular hit woman in the film who is willing break the rules of the Continental in order to get a massive pay.

All of these colorful characters fit nicely in this well constructed fictional underworld. While the mob is very real, these criminals and assassins operate in a highly fictional manner. Which works in favor of the film as it shot in a way to mirror a stylized comic book with a little mix of neo-noir. I mean, seriously, there's a Hotel specifically for assassins to stay in when they're on the job! That should not work, but it does! What also works is that even though the audience can predict what is going to happen along the way, you want to see how it goes down instead of dreading seeing it happen. Because the action is so much fun and the screenwriter should be applauded for making some very witty cliche lines that just add to the fun of this film. It is pretty much a near perfect action movie just because it accepts that fact that it is not trying to be a great action movie. One can even say that it is a satire on the action genre, but not so much that it becomes a bad joke. Good thing it doesn't.

I also gotta commend the filmmakers for not overblowing the violence to Paul Verhoeven levels. This is a pretty violent film, and the head shots are bloody. But at least it was just the right amount of violence that shows brutality without overdoing it.

Final Thoughts

This is definitely one of my favorites of the year. It is a film that came out of nowhere and is pretty much one of the biggest surprises. Will it be in my top 10? Only time will tell. But know this. You need to know what you're getting into with this movie. It is a fun movie that knows what it is and expects you to go along with the ride without expecting anything more. If you can accept that, then this movie will be an awesome experience. If not, then skip this because you're intellectually incapable of having fun.

SCORE: 8.5/10 - The most fun American action movie (not superhero) made in a long time

Sleepy Hollow - 2x04 Go Where I Send Thee... - Review

Time to pay the piper

After discovering that Ichabod has been taking driving lessons behind her back, Abbie gets called in to work a missing child's case. During the search they once again encounter the rogue, Hawley, who is searching of a flute made out of bone. It is then that Ichabod learns that the monster they are facing is none other than the pied piper.

This show continues to excel with their two leads, unlike another show that airs before them. The chemistry between Abbie and Ichabod is impeccable and definitely the best thing about this show. And it is put on display after the first cold opening by having Ichabod recite an ominous speech that turns out to be nothing more than him talking about driving a car. It may seem like a comedic moment and will come in use later, but it was also an effective way to show that Ichabod is growing as a character. Probably not at the rate that Abbie wishes he would and Ichabod definitely does want to acclimate so quickly, but it really shows how far the two of them have come. But in true Sleepy Hollow fashion, there always has to be something going on in town. And this week is no different.

Here we get our first monster of the week episode. That monster being the legendary pied piper. In this one he was a mercenary who made a deal with the demon, Moloch, in order to grant him incredible fighting abilities. And as a bonus he cause use his musical skills to lull his enemies into a trance like state, making them easier to kill. Of course no man who makes a deal with a demon can live without some tragedy. That tragedy involves being killed by a man who hired him during the revolutionary war, in order to hide the fact that he may have been a sympathizer with British. That decision will cause the pied piper to turn into the monstrosity that he is today. And so he returns to haunt his murderer's descendants by claiming a child from each generation after reaching the age of 10. After all, the pied piper needs to change his flute every now and then. The Pied Piper is probably one of the most fascinating creatures to appear on the show, and has to be given that he is the monster of the week. It also helps that he is a martial artist who fights with a bo staff made of bones that is essentially a gigantic flute. He proves to be a formidable opponent and a highly entertaining one.

But really at the core of this episode is facing an almost unwinable situation involving the Lancasters, the family that is cursed to pay tribute to the Pied Piper. The missing girl's mother knows that if the Pied Piper does not get what he wants, then the current generation of children in town will suffer a painful death through a disease. If it weren't for Abbie and Ichabod, this situation would've been difficult for the Lancaster matriarch to handle as she would have no choice but to allow her child to be killed in order for all the other children in Sleepy Hollow to live. It is a situation that no one ever wants to be in, but luckily this show has heroes who will always try to find a way to beat the unbeatable odds. Well, most of the heroes that is.

We are once again introduced to Nick Hawley, who is really being pushed as this character who is going to be important later on. He is pretty much the foil to Ichabod. Both extremely intelligent and well versed with folklore. The difference being one wants to do the right thing while the other will only do so if it gets him what he wants. And what Nick wants is the Pied Piper's bone flute. I'll be honest in saying that I'd be more interested in Nick if he didn't dressed like Nathan Drake from the Uncharted games. I'm not joking, he's wearing the exact same clothes as Nathan Drake. So much so that it is almost distracting. However it does automatically tell you what kind of character he is, if you are aware of the iconic status of his mode of dress. But again, it is really obvious that the writers are pushing this character as a way to shake things up in the show. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this new addition, but hey, he might be useful. Unlike those other male side characters they've had in the previous season. Time will tell.

This has been a fairly entertaining episode, especially since it is the first monster of the week episode of the season. This show continues to excel with the craziness as well as the moments with heart. But it is definitely the craziness factor that has this show standing apart from everything else right now. Especially when there are moments like the one pictured here. Things are not going so well for Captain Irving, but in his vision of the future, he seems to be doing well. And it all ties in to that blood pact he unknowingly made with Henry, The Horseman of War. He apparently becomes an incredibly efficient killing machine under War's guidance. It is moments like this that really propels my interest in the show and will definitely have me tuning in for the next one.

SCORE: 8.5/10 - The standard "monster of the week" episode, but still good

STATUS: Continue to watch - It is Halloween after all!

Review of Previous Episode - Click here

Sleepy Hollow - 2x03 Root of all Evil - Review

"Benedict Arnold"

In this outing of Sleepy Hollow, The Horseman of War starts seeding the destruction of the small town with cursed coins that turn people against what they love the most. When Jenny learns that the new sheriff may be responsible for her mother's death, it doesn't take too much persuasion from a cursed coin to set her on her path. The only hope for Ichabod and Abbie to discover the origins of the coins and how to contain it may lie with a new ally, Nick Hawley (Matt Barr).

It's not a monster of the week episode but rather a "problem of the week" episode. This episode deals with money. Cursed money to be more precise. When Abbie sees a local bank teller lose her shit at her job and starts wanting to rob people, you know that something is definitely wrong. It turns out that Henry, The Horseman of War, has been making a few deposits a the bank. Deposits of coins that have the strange ability to make people go crazy. And to top off the craziness, apparently Ichabod remembers a mission he had with Benedict Arnold to destroy a forge for counterfeit money. Yes, that Benedict Arnold. The most famous traitor in American History. Turns out he didn't betray America out of moral or political reasons. He betrayed because of a cursed coin. A coin that happens to be in the forge for counterfeit coins. And now those coins are in the town's money circulation. Just another normal week in Sleepy Hollow. 

While this episode is very problem of the week, the character focus of this episode is given to the sister relationship between Abbie and Jenny. While the two of them had spent the entirety of Season One to learn to trust and acknowledge their love for each other, the arrival of Sheriff Reyes puts another strain on their relationship. We learn that it is indeed Sheriff Reyes who put their mother in prison, as well as testified to her being insane. While Abbie was aware that Sheriff Reyes knew their mother, she wasn't aware of this knowledge. Jenny is surprised that Abbie simply brushes it off as, "she was just doing her job," and not thinking that Sheriff Reyes putting their mom in jail cost her life. It seeds the fallout between the two, which is convenient timing as there just happens to be a coin that'll send that bitterness into overdrive. While it is great that we're exploring more of Abbie and Jenny's backstory, it does seem kind of early to bringing back the, "I don't trust my sister," card. Especially given that this is the third episode. I'm sure we all know that it will be resolved in the end, but how Ichabod and Abbie find out on how to do that exactly leads to the introduction of a new face.

Enter Nick Hawley, who fans seem to be immediately comparing to Han Solo. And how can they not? Matt Barr just oozes a devil may care charm in his portrayal as Nick. He's a treasure hunter of sorts, collecting rare items and has a vast amount of knowledge that could very well rival Ichabod. And from the looks of things, he is pretty much set up as Ichabod's foil. It is interesting to see a character who knows all the facts, but does not believe the magic part. Which makes for a very playful antagonistic nature between Nick and Ichabod. But luckily for the audience, and to our relief, he buys into the magic thing right away. However he doesn't seem too much in awe of the presence of the supernatural, but rather as another form of knowledge he needs to learn if he's going to collect things. Because after all it is he who knew that there were 30 of these coins and they originated from Rome. In other words, these coins belonged to Judas, probably the top on the list of world's famous traitors. He does add a new flavor to the show, one that I think can add some interesting dynamics. Especially given his past with Jenny. It is unclear if he is really on Ichabod and Abbie's side or if he has his own agenda. But that should've been predictable from how they set up his character. Either way, so far he's a welcome addition. It all depends on how they plan on executing his character for the rest of the season.

All in all, this was an okay storyline with plenty of entertaining twists on history that will bring a smile to your face. It is not the best episode of this season so far, but Season One also had a few of these down episodes. It is really a character development and a character introduction episode that doesn't necessarily forward the plot, but shows that Henry is indeed planning something. I'm sure this will tie in to the larger story that is building her. But for now, this was a nice pause in a rapid fire show.

SCORE: 7.5/10 - Entertaining twists to history, but not as strong as the previous episodes

STATUS: Continue to Watch - There's a Pied Piper in the next episode

Review of Previous Episode - Click Here

Sleepy Hollow - 2x02 The Kindred - Review

Let's save Katrina

After escaping purgatory and putting a halt on The Horseman of War's plans, Ichabod and Abbie now set their sights on saving Katrina from the clutches of the Headless Horseman. 

This episode begins once again with a misleading opening. But unlike the season opener, this one didn't last for 15 minutes worth of runtime. But in that opener, or vision if you want to use the proper term, Ichabod witnesses Van Brunt's (the Headless Horseman) plan to make Katrina his bride permanently. A ritual performed by Ichabod's son, Henry (the Horseman of War), which requires Katrina to lose her head. This show just keeps getting weirder and weirder. And if you've made it this far with the show, then you know you love it. This realigns Ichabod's priorities by having rescuing his wife front and center as the main drive. It is really amazing how the show's writer's move through the plot so quickly by handling things in rapid time. Last episode we groaned at Katrina being captured, this episode she's going to be rescued. See, rapid time. The Strain could learn a thing or two about that.

But of course their plot to save Katrina needs to be burdened by someone. Enter the new Sheriff in town, Leena Reyes, played by Sakina Jaffrey. She immediately makes it know to Abbie that there are things that need to be changed in Sleepy Hollow. Sheriff Reyes also makes a declaration of bringing back sanity to Sleepy Hollow. A declaration that fans know we all laughed at once she said it. While it is obvious the show needed to once again have another lawful problem on their hands given that former Captain Frank Irving (Orlando Jones) is being held in prison to take the blame for a demon's actions, I hope she doesn't stay an obstacle for too long. She's suppose to be an annoying character. Not annoying as in her character is to be annoying, but rather her by the book actions are an annoyance. Especially when she prevents Jenny from joining all the fun when she gets caught taking weapons from the armory. I'm sure the writers know that the audience loves it when these characters finally meet the supernatural, and I hope they do it in the next two episodes. But I have a feeling this one will be dragged out longer than it should. Oh well, someone has to be the party pooper.

But to the main plot. Ichabod plans on using one of Benjamin Franklin's weapon as a means to get Katrina. That weapon? A being called The Kindred which is composed of dead body parts from soldiers during the Revolutionary War. Yup. This show just made Benjamin Franklin the Frankenstein of the series... I love this show. But in order to use The Kindred, they require the head of The Headless Horseman. In other words, they're really creating a monster. Abbie is obviously not please about this, but seeing Ichabod's desperation of not willing to accept losing his wife twice meant that she has no other choice to comply. That compliance leads Abbie to see Captain Irving in prison who gives them access to his vault in a local bank, housing the Horseman's head. Which by the way, at the bank, led to one of those Ichabod moments we all love so much. 

But what is going on with Katrina right now? She knows what Van Brunt plans on doing to her. She knows that Ichabod will stop at nothing to get her. Hell, he's using his former best friend's head to create a weapon to fight his former best friend's body. That is the definition of love right there. But Van Brunt does bring up a really good point to Katrina. Why did he save Abbie from purgatory instead of saving her? Why did she not seem to be his number one priority? Again, the writers know what the fans are thinking and are acknowledging it very quickly. And planting seeds of doubt might actually be good for Katrina's character. It could potentially take her down some dark places, and she may even get to do a lot more than just be a damsel in distress. This becomes evident by how she delays her ritual marriage beheading by telling Van Brunt that only if she falls for him again will it work, and that she's working her way there. So that puts her on the Headless Horseman's good side, right at the exact moment that Ichabod, Abbie and The Kindred make their attack. And I'll just add that the three way monster fight between The Kindred, The Headless Horseman and War's Knight was awesome! 

However it was a pointless endeavor as Katrina decides to stay where she is. WHAT?!?! Her reasoning, because like Ichabod, Van Brunt will do whatever it takes to have her again. And given he's not just a Headless Horseman but the Horseman of Death, that sounds a lot worse than Ichabod's Frankenstein experiment. But she stays so that she can be a spy and filter information to Ichabod as she did learn that Moloch is finding another way out and is not pleased with Henry. I can't help but think that part of this is to stop Moloch but also the other reason being that little seed that Van Brunt planted in Katrina's head: Why did Ichabod save Abbie first? So now, Ichabod and Abbie feel as if their efforts was partially a waste. But it does offer something interesting for Katrina to do in the present, when all of her previously interesting scenes were in the flashbacks. Only time will tell if this gamble will pay off. And given this show's pacing and speeding through the plot, I doubt it will.

On an interesting note...what did happen to The Kindred after they all retreated? He'll be back. I'm sure of it.

SCORE: 8.9/10 - While it seems pointless, it will benefit the heroes for some time

STATUS: Continue to Watch - Like I wasn't going to?

Review of Previous Episode - CLICK HERE

Sleepy Hollow - 2x01 This is War - Review

It has begun...for real this time...I think

One year after the events of the last season finale, Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison) and Abigail Mills (Nicole Beharie) celebrate Ichabod's birthday. However Abigail's attempt of teaching Ichabod the modern way to celebrate one's birthday gets cut short when they discover the Headless Horseman is looking for a key. The key of Benjamin Franklin. In order to find out what he wants with the key, they must consult the captured Horseman of War: Ichabod's son, Jeremy Crane (John Noble).

Okay. That is not really what happens in this episode. But it was a brilliant way to start off. The show notorious for being outrageously ridiculous with plenty of "what the f%#^" moments and "just go with it" moments pulls a big "what the f#%@" opening. The time jump scared me a little. It probably scared everyone. But as we all know. It can't be as simple as that. There is no way they would expect the fans to accept that they decided to skip one year later to a time where Katrina (Katia Winter) and Jennifer (Lyndie Greenwood) are dead. However it is this time jump fake out that makes this show special, and it was smart of them not to have the entire episode dedicated to this fake out.

The time jump was an illusion created by Ichabod's son, the now revealed evil Jeremy Crane played menacingly by John Noble. After the HOLY SHIT reveal of him being Ichabod's son, because honestly the only thing fans would've seen coming is him being a horseman, it is nice to know that John Noble is here to stay. And he makes his stay known by pulling off this grand illusion on not just Ichabod and Abbie but on the viewing audience. That act immediately lets us know what kind of monster the Horseman of War is, and it definitely is a welcoming villain seeing as how the Headless Horseman could've gotten tiring as the solo villain. But it is clear that Jeremy is a definite threat, because with that act he now knows the location to a key. The key used by Benjamin Franklin in his famous experiment involving a kite. And since this is Sleepy Hollow, that experiment was not in the name of science.

No, as Ichabod knows, being Franklin's reluctant student, the key was meant for something else. But in order to stop his demonic son from getting the key, he must first get out of his predicament. Mainly being buried six feet under inside a makeshift coffin with vines restraining him. How he's able to do so is rather comical. Especially a moment when he uses his cellphone to record a final message just in case his plan fails. It has to be seen to be accepted. Because if I were to write about it, it would sound stupid. So trust me. Crazy things happen. I'll let you the viewer see for yourself.

Jenny wakes up as Jeremy's captive and uses her to find the location of this key. Luckily for all of them, even though she has a clue to where it is, she doesn't know the exact place. Luckily, again, for her, Ichabod is able to come to the rescue, after she takes out most of the Hessian guards working for Jeremy. The two of them team up in order to find the key. The key that could be the only thing that can get Abbie Mills out of where she was last seen: in purgatory.

Meanwhile Katrina is not doing so good. Once again she's a captive, but this time not one who can roam about freely like she did in purgatory. No, this time she's tied to a chair in a cabin somewhere. And in that cabin is the Headless Horseman. Also known as Bram Van Brunt, her former fiancé. Her situation in purgatory seemed more pleasant than being tied up to a chair with her headless former fiancé creepily trying to court her once again. Of course she tries to get away, but I feel bad for her having to be a real damsel in distress once again.

This episode has everything that Sleepy Hollow fans want: Incredible action, Off the wall moments, Lovable characters and Brilliant Ichabod moments. This was a brilliant, intense, and funny way to start off the season. This show continues to grow better and better. It'll be interesting to see how this season can possibly top the last. But I'll let you know right now. I'm definitely in for the ride. Especially with that final moment of revealing War's True Form. Consider me in!

SCORE: 9/10 - The craziest way to start the season. And let's hope it stays crazy.

STATUS - DEFINITELY CONTINUE TO WATCH

Review of Next Episode - CLICK HERE

The Raid 2 - Analysis and Review

"With all due respect..."

I can't believe how many times that line is said in that movie. Regardless, it is not like one would go into this movie expecting to hear Oscar Worthy dialogue. But the fact that the dialogue is actually pretty interesting is definitely a bonus. But of course we all know the real reason why we watch this movie: ULTRA VIOLENCE!

The Plot

Straight after the events of the first movie, Rookie Officer Rama (Iko Uwais) gets recruited to go deep undercover to track down cops who have gone rogue. In order to do so, he must gain the trust of the local mob boss's son, Uco (Arifin Putra), to begin his mission. What entails is a world full of lies drenched in blood. This is far more than a simple raid. It is a massacre. 

Analysis

Jonathan Liebesman, director of the newly rebooted Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, cited The Raid as inspiration for what he wants to do with the turtles. Having seen The Raid, I find it hard to believe that would be possible. Though copying The Raid would probably benefit the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie more so than it already is, it is clear that the action will never live up to it. And that's one thing that I've been discovering about American cinema lately. Most of their action movies are not that great.

Sure there are a few cases when it comes to Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Man of Steel. But for true martial arts action, there hasn't really been anything as mesmerizing or as visceral as what Gareth Evans has done with The Raid. Sure, its plot may mirror the same plot as Dredd, which ironically was being made around the same time and therefore not a rip off, with a very simplistic premise. And its in this simplicity that we get a symphony of action. So one could wonder if the reason why there hasn't really been good action movies is because we have now evolved to caring more about the story first then the action is the icing on the cake. The reversal was for The Raid which pride action over plot. And it paid off by being something almost original. Which is why it worries me that this film is going to get the American remake treatment.

There is a skill displayed in front and behind the camera that makes these movies cinematic achievements. And it truly shows here, now that the movie actually has a complex plot. But does it take away from the action?

Review

A lot of complaints about the first Raid movie have been directed at the simplistic plot. Well with this iteration, that should not be a complaint anymore. Director Gareth Evans crafts a plot that jumps off from the original and expands the corrupt universe that the first film only hinted at. In here we get to see it in full force with are nearly unstoppable protagonist fighting his way through.

Iko Kuwais returns in the role of Officer Rama, who is sent deep undercover to hunt down rogue cops. For an action star, the acting from him is pretty solid. But then again with the language barrier, I'm probably not able to know if his acting is good or not. After all, line delivery is one way of showing the talents of a good actor. But having to work with just subtitle and facial expressions, I have to say he is pretty good. His role is a lot more heavier in this film as he is thrown into a role similar to Leonardo DiCaprio's in The Departed and Tony Leung's in Infernal Affairs. The toll of being undercover definitely shows on him as he tries to keep hold of his humanity while dealing with an overly ambitious spoiled brat.

That spoiled brat is Uco, the son of a mob boss and played by Arifin Putra. Again, due to the language barrier it is difficult for me to get a hold of his acting talent. He does seem to have range and the emotions are definitely there. So I'd say he did pretty good. In fact I can praise everyone in this film for being good. Which is surprising that for such an over the top action movie, it comes off as more of a hard hitting drama akin to The Departed and Infernal Affairs.

The fact that I keep mentioning those two movies should give you an idea about the plot. But how it was filmed was strikingly different from those two movies. This is definitely an art house film disguised as a mainstream action movie. The way the shots are composed and camera movements are what one could find in Nicolas Winding Refn films: Drive and Only God Forgives. Though I would argue that The Raid 2 is a far more interesting movie than Only God Forgives, they do share some similarities in scene composition and usage of lighting. It may be an action film, but it is definitely a beautiful one. Which brings me to the point that everyone wants to know: is the action good?

HELL F#@%ING YES! While the action is more spread out in this film, it is a welcoming change to the relentless nature of the first film. The choreography is spell bounding and will keep one mesmerized by how well shot and the skill it takes to pull off such a gruesome fight. It is a testament to the stunt team and star Iko Kuwais for delivering such powerful fights that Gareth has carefully shot to ensure that we can clearly see the gruesome nature of the fights. One could get anxious through the dramatic scenes waiting for something bloody to happen, but one doesn't really have to wait too long. In fact while it does seem boring between the fights, you will not be completely bothered by it once you reach the end. It is definitely well placed throughout the film in the most perfect way. Especially when colorful characters such as baseball guy and hammer girl step in to play.

And yes, the final fight of every action film is definitely a lot better than the final fight from the previous. 

Final Thoughts

This is definitely the best action movie of the year. There is no doubt about it. It has great cinematic filmmaking and incredible choreography to make it stand out from the rest. It's a shame that this is being remade by an American studio so soon. It is hard to imagine how a remake can live up to the action that this film has shown us. Only time will tell, but for now enjoy this great cinematic achievement.

8.5/10 - The best action movie of the year and probably will stay that way

Lucy - Analysis and Review

The Dr. Manhattan movie starring Scarlett Johansson

If you know who Dr. Manhattan is, then you pretty much know where I'm going with this. If you don't then just read the review.

The Plot

When Lucy (Scarlett Johansson) gets tricked by her boyfriend to deliver a briefcase to some shady people, her life goes spiraling out of control. She is forced to become a drug mule for a new drug that gets sealed insider her stomach, along with three other strangers. However while in temporary captivity before she makes her drug run, her captors savagely beat her which causes the drugs to enter her system. This drug begins amplifying her brain capacity to a level far beyond what anyone can imagine. And a ruthless drug lord is unaware of what kind of goddess he created.

Analysis

The once widely accepted belief that humans only use 10% of their brain capacity has recently been proven false. At the time that Bradley Cooper's film Limitless tackled a similar idea it wasn't met with a lot of hostility as much as this film. I'm putting that out there because I know there are several film critics, youtubers, and various other individuals who call bull shit on this premise. They hate this "archaic" defunct belief so much that they automatically assume the movie is stupid for still holding on to a now false theory. But the thing about it is, even though I know this, it really serves the purpose of the story. I'm not going to defend its scientific inaccuracy mainly because stories require something to drive them, and that is what this movie needed. 

Review

When I think about this movie as a whole, I think of it as really cool ideas that never really figured out how to work properly. Yet at the same time while it may not mesh well together, that's not to say it isn't entertaining. It is weird though. From opening the film with a prehistoric woman to immediately jump cutting to modern times with very little idea of pacing or how to properly do so was very jarring. The editing of National Geographic footage in scenes in order to sell a metaphorical point was kind of weird. This movie is just weird. I like weird. Did I say this movie was weird?

This movie is like a weird mash up of the best sci-fi films (ex. 2001: A Space Odyssey) and the best sci-fi animes (ex. Akira) that don't really add up to much. We're not really sure what is the drive of the story because when one believes the plot will be one thing it might also be about another but turns out to be neither. 

When Johansson's Lucy gains her superhuman powers, she becomes emotionless and is driven solely by...... nothing. One would think that a woman who gets abused by the Korean mafia would seek out revenge, but that wasn't the case. Because she becomes emotionless, when the opportunity comes to kill the man responsible (played by Oldboy's Choi Min-sik) for her abuse, she doesn't kill him. Simply because she is no longer driven by anger. She does gain a mission of wanting to spread her newly acquired knowledge after talking to an expert in the field (played by Morgan Freeman) but that does not seem so urgent. It is not what propels the story forward. In fact she is so emotionless and so invincible that one may not be able to find anything relatable to her. 

There was one singular plot point that could've been the drive of the whole movie. Lucy wasn't the only one who had drugs sewn inside their bellies. And in a scene where she discovers that she is disintegrating and requires more of the drugs to keep her alive, we finally see some vulnerability to the invulnerable character. So one would think that she has to hunt down those other three drug mules in order to keep herself alive. No, she gets the police led by a French detective played by Amr Waked to do the hunt for her. It completely takes away something that could've been the central drive of the story, but then again seeing as how Lucy has evolved too emotionless and extremely efficient, she knows how to handle things more easily. 

To put it simply, you're watching this movie because you're fascinated by what Lucy is eventually going to become. You're not watching it because the story is so engaging, because it almost doesn't exist. And despite having Choi Min-sik playing the villain (who does an excellent job in I saw the Devil) he is not really given much to do other than shoot people that piss him off. So really, you're only interested in watching because you're more fascinated into what Lucy is turning into rather than whatever story they're trying to tell.

I'll give the supporting cast a unified decent performances all across the board. Waked was a good detective and...love interest? Choi Min-sik does mysterious evil well...mainly because there was nothing else about his character other than he's evil. Morgan Freeman was...Morgan Freeman. It is really Johansson who delivers a great performance. However the performance was so emotionless because she evolved to not feel emotions that it is hard for one to connect with her. So....it is great to watch but not a very compelling performance.

I should note that there are several special effects shots in this movie that look like they belong in a PS3 game rather than a movie. They're passable, but compared to other special effects films this year, this was weak in comparison. Given their low budget, it is indeed impressive that the effects are as polished as they are. But again, having been spoiled by films that cost five times the price of this movie, the effects just come off as weird. Which is fine because...this thing is weird.

Final Thoughts

Lucy is an enjoyable experience just to discover what the end result of the titular character's evolution will be. If you were expecting a revenge story in which a woman gains superpowers and abuses them on those who wronged her, this is not that movie. The villains in the movie think its that movie, but the main character has evolved far beyond the plot to even care what the villains think. It is a fun watch and nothing more.

SCORE: 6.5/10 - I'd definitely buy it, but if you think about it there really isn't much in it

Edge of Tomorrow - Analysis and Review

The Best Original Film This Summer 

I'm aware that this film is an adaptation of the Japanese novel, All You Need Is Kill, but my stance still stands. This is an original film in the sense that most audience members won't know that it is based on a book. There was no promotion of "based on..." in the trailers or promos and no huge outcry that the characters aren't Japanese or that the lead female is suppose to be American. So this is original to the general audience. Too bad the general audience doesn't like original... or Tom Cruise.

The Plot

When Major William Cage (Tom Cruise) gets drafted into the world's final strike against an alien invasion that has taken over Europe, he is one of the first to die during the storming of the beach. However, upon death he immediately wakes up the day before the invasion. He lives the invasion over and over again till he discovers that the resistance's greatest warrior, Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt), once had this ability to relive the day. An ability he has stolen upon a killing a rare alien among the invasion force. With this ability and Rita's training, Cage must continue to relive the horrific atrocity of war in hopes of eventually finding a way to save the world from an alien menace that can turn back time.

Analysis

Did that Plot Synopsis hurt your head while reading it? Yeah, I tried to explain the plot without giving too much away. But a point that I want to analyze is the need for more original films and why the general audience doesn't want them.

The current age that we live in is the age of remakes, reboots, and comic books. If it isn't a well established franchise then there is a high chance that it won't do well. This is no exception. Film buffs and the more informed general audience member desire original films with some blind belief that an original film will be loved by the audience. Yes, there are some cases when the name attached to project involves Christopher Nolan. But what Tom Cruise has going against him in this film is his last sci-fi effort before this was not well received. I like Oblivion, but if people ever asked me if they should definitely see it my answer would be, "See it when you got nothing better to do and want to pass some time." The film left a bad vibe in people's thoughts. And this film looks like the prequel to Oblivion even though this film has ACTUAL ALIENS, which Oblivion was lacking. That's a minor spoiler for Oblivion by the way.

Which is why original films usually need that name to pull people in. And because of Oblivion, Tom Cruise's name was no longer a solid pull to get people to watch an original sci-fi film. The same can be said about Guillermo Del Toro's Pacific Rim. While it did do better than Edge of Tomorrow's opening numbers, it still didn't amount to what was expected. It did make enough to warrant the possibility of a sequel, but from the way Edge is tracking it doesn't seem like it might make back the budget for a long time. Which is a shame because this film is really good.

Review

This movie is good. I mean really good. It may not be knock your socks off good, but unless you can't stand Tom Cruise then you won't be able to see that this movie is good. The trailers don't really give an idea about Cruise's character. The trailers do show him being a badass soldier in an exo-suit and the concept of "Live, Die, Repeat." But what they don't show is that his character actually has a huge developing arc. His character is a coward. A deserter. Someone who was ordered to fight, but instead tries to find ways to run away only to wind up being put into the front lines of the battlefield. The ability to relive the day each time he dies and still retain his memories allows him to already know what's going to happen, making him seem like a badass who can kill several aliens without any training. It is actually nice to see Cruise play a role that is pretty much the opposite of the highly skilled and efficient Ethan Hunt character from his Mission Impossible series. And if you don't like Tom Cruise, you should know that he does get killed a lot in this movie.

Emily Blunt plays Rita, The Angel of Verdun or The Full Metal Bitch. I'll let you guess which nickname she hates the most. Given that the film is based on a Japanese novel that was adapted into a manga, I'm not surprised that the female character is the strongest or over powered. It is a common trope in Japanese fiction to have powerful female characters that are far more proficient than the male characters even to the point where they serve as their mentors. That is the case for Blunt's character in the film. The only thing that would completely have her fall in line with those female Japanese characters is if there was a scene in her underwear, which never happens. But she's still sexy. You'll know which part I'm talking about that showcases that fact. But back to the point, she's powerful and ultra serious. This is a role that Blunt has yet to play and she does it so well. She delivers a strong performance that convinces you she is the greatest soldier to walk the Earth. I don't even think she smiles at all throughout the whole film. Which one would think an ultra serious badass would just drag the film down, but it actually adds to the fun and humor.

Bill Paxton delivers a memorable performance as a commanding officer from Kentucky with Brendan Gleeson having a nice little bit of being the person responsible for Cruise getting into this mess. The rest of the cast come off as heavy cliches instead of the well thought out cliche characters that Cruise and Blunt portray. I'm being serious, the supporting cast besides Paxton and Gleeson were really nothing special because they're stereotypes. But their stereotypes doe help with the story... or maybe not.

The story is definitely an interesting one as it basically repeats the same two days over and over again at various different times. What is brilliant is the way it didn't feel like such a drag because it was repeating itself over and over again. Each time definitely felt different, mainly because of the journey that Cruise's Cage goes through from coward to near indestructible killing machine. It works out nicely despite probably a few moments when the whole repeating might get on one's nerve, but not on mine. So just fair warning. It does repeat.

I should mention the aliens real quick. To quote one of my favorite movie reviewers, these aliens are "metal tornadoes of death." While their designs may not be impressive the idea of them spinning and moving in an unpredictable fashion really does make them a very dangerous threat. You believe these things can kill you, unlike the stupid Chitauri in The Avengers.

Final Thoughts

This is a movie that has to be seen to believe. Sure I can say it is good, but to say more as to why it is amazing would probably spoil it for the viewer. Go see this film! I'm urging you. If you love sci-fi and hope for studio heads to take more chances on original films, then please support this film. It has a really good story, really good characters, and incredible action for action lovers. Plus, must I reiterate to Tom Cruise haters that he dies a lot in this movie?

SCORE: 8.9/10 - The best Tom Cruise Sci-Fi since his collaborations with Steven Spielberg