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Guns, Girls and Gambling (2012)
A poor man's Tarantino road movie!!
From the outset this movie tries (in vain) to be your pro to typical Tarantino/Rodriguez road/gangster/dark comedy movie. It fails terribly on almost every level. I originally watched this because of Gary Oldman, Jeff Fahey and the Elvis theme that was underpinning it.
Considering Fahey had nailed his performance in Machete around the same time...he totally locked-out on this dire role. Alas with Fahey, he's either brilliant or darn right awful. As with an earlier review, I too don't really see why Oldman went for this script. Christian Slater movies are globally accepted as trash these days so I did have that niggle in the back of head when picking it up...I wasn't let down LOL!! Had this movie been done by either Tarantino or Rodriguez then it would be another cult classic like Machete, but I defy anyone to say they would keep this well below par, poorly acted, body-less FAIL in their collection.
Any Given Sunday (1999)
Leads the way for US Football movies
With an all-star cast it's very difficult to pick fault with this movie. My only gripe was the odd "pat on the back" style lines that slipped in here and there, motivational war speeches after seeing the light etc but they certainly don't detract from what is an epic movie. The odd corny line here and there is almost unmeasurable in this 2hr40min marathon of high octane action and passionately acted masterpiece.
Still find it hard to believe it was filmed in 1999!! Seems like it was just released this year every time I watch it (5 times now). Each character is integral to his or her own part and you're never left wondering why they had a part in the first place. Whether it's Pacino's lead role on film or Lauren Holly's minor character of Quaid's "Cap Rooney" wife.....they all have fantastic screen presence and have you relating to them straight away. Life and death struggles was a bit of an overstated tag line, but certainly you start to bond and feel every painful emotion and physical blow the team (Miami Sharks) endure.
I personally haven't felt an emotional football or even sports movie like this since All The Right Moves back in the early 80's with Tom Cruise. From Pacino and Foxx down to minor coaching cameo actors, they all have 3 dimensional roles. This movie could've easily have been over 3 hours long and it would still be over too quick. I only wish that Oliver Stone would direct a hockey epic like this instead of the comedy mishaps we always get like Slap Shot, Youngblood and Goon!! A solid 8/10 for a film that brings out some of the best performances from Pacino, Quaid & James Woods. Foxx is brilliant in making you feel compassion early on for his character to feeling utter disdain and contempt as his alter-ego grows and grows and loses touch with why he started playing football in the first place.
Goon (2011)
Slap Shot meets Youngblood
As my title states I think this movie does a pretty good job of bringing 70's & 80's hockey passion into the Millennium.
Never been much of a Sean William Scott fan but he's passable as Doug "The Thug" Glatt. Liev Scrieber's character of Ross "The Boss" Rhea is more palatable and if your a hockey player or enthusiast then you'll relate to his role a lot more.
For me Slap Shot was and always will be the #1 hockey movie ever, but this won't be out of place as my #2, just pipping Youngblood.
Would've liked to have seen a bit more involvement from Eugene Levy as Doug's Dad, didn't really see what point he played in the film to be honest. Also Doug's "love interest" wasn't much cop either. If they'd steered away from the silly sub-plots of hometown bot does good or nice guys CAN finish first etc then you'd have more of a "balls to the wall" hockey flick for the hardcore viewer. That said, 7/10 for a subject that will always struggle to get bums on seats, whether it's the comedy of the year or a docu-drama that pulls on the heart strings.
I'd personally like to see the equivalent of Any Given Sunday (NFL Football) with an NHL hockey theme, making use of a high profile cast also.
Beneath the Darkness (2011)
What was Dennis Quaid thinking?!?
I've always been a big fan of Dennis Quaid's but my God, what was going on in his head when he agreed to do this B-movie horror/chiller?! If you thought Ray Liotta was bad in "Turbulence" with his over the top, maniacal character...Quaid beats him hands down in this one. I admit he keeps an amusing swagger to his insane character throughout that just about saves him, but the whole concept is not only ridiculous, it's been done a thousand times before. Scorned husband punishes all who stand in his way blah blah blah.....
The adjoining cast of relative unknowns aren't much better and very unconvincing in their respective roles. I wouldn't even classify this movie as a bit of fun, it just plain stinks!!!!! I gave it 3/10 because Quaid did make me laugh once or twice with his one-liners but the ending sums up the stupidity of the entire film.
The Devil Inside (2012)
All been done before!!
When will *Hollywood* start to realise that camcorder style movies.......SUCK!!!!! Everything post Blairwitch has fallen by the waste side really. We all get our hopes up every time and then have them dashed!! Paranormal activity, Troll Hunter, Cloverfield and now this...it just ain't working folks. Not only do we have a home footage style movie that gives you the usual nauseous feelings but the whole concept of exorcism has been done 10 times over. Again, anything that's post Excorist really doesn't measure up, but this particular movie fails on both levels.
Early trailers looked tasty (as they usually do LOL) but come the final product, I was bitterly let down. Over acted to the point where you wonder if they're even going off a script. In trying to make it genuine real footage, discovered by the cops blah blah blah you just start to get annoyed because you know fine well it's all bullsh*t.
My advice, stick on the Exorcist again or even the original Nightmare on Elm Street if you want a couple of cheap, silly scares!!!
Source Code (2011)
Predictable but very enjoyable
Twightlight Zone meets Quantum Leap meets The Outer Limits. This movie could almost be a pilot for a series "Source Code". I think Gyllenhaal makes this a better movie than it actually is and I'm not particularly a fan of his. Good tense thriller, but it doesn't really take a genius to work out who it was!! Would recommend to all and probably watch again quite soon. Gyllenhaal is probably the only actor in the movie however that actually keeps the score moving along at an interesting pace and is also the only actor with any real talent that is believable. I feel that a stronger supporting cast along with another half hour or so added to the length and we would have a real strong film that merits a lot more. As I said before, I wouldn't be surprised to see this turned into some new-age Quantum Leap type series and I do feel it would take off with the right cast.
Kill the Irishman (2011)
Worst "Gangster" movie I've ever seen!!
What the Hell were Chris Walken and Vincent D'onofrio thinking when they agreed to do this??? Dreadful acting mixed with unpromised plot make for a truly hideous film. Says it's rated R for violence etc, what a laugh! Every time you're about to get into some "Goodfellas" style face smashing, the camera pans away....unbelievable! Lead actor Ray Stevenson is shocking, trying to re-live Danny Greene's real-life trials. Biggest flop I have ever seen and it was painful watching from start to finish. Even Val Kilmer couldn't deliver a semi-decent scene. It amazes me how this movie managed to get some of the "old guard" mafia actors involved in such an awful score. Perhaps the script was appealing, but the production was none more authentic than watching a children's daytime show. AVOID!!!!