Another batch of movies I haven't reviewed yet AFAIK. Top three are recent views.
Magnificent Seven (1960)
I don't think I've watched enough Westerns yet, because I like them, and I really haven't watched a lot of them. I decided to watch this one because apparently it's the Seven Samurai (Akira Kurosawa, old B&W movie) story with guns instead of swords. I've only seen that concept repeat itself as a futuristic anime, and it never grows old. The same applies in this movie.
The plot is the same, a village is being ravaged by bandits and decides to hire outside help. Chris, Vin & 5 other lost souls with interesting personalities get together and help out, all for $20. When the villagers ask Chris for help and tell him it's everything they've got, he replies "I've been offered a lot, but I've never been offered everything", and he accepts the job. The movie is easy-going. There's a lot of guns blasting and the special effects are all very primitive except for the huge puffs of gunpowder in the air, but it was an enjoyable movie. It has action, and the characters have character, and the scenery is dust and desolate landscapes. There's a villain too, and that's about all a good movie needs. I think I need to watch more Westerns.
rated 4/5: fo shizzle
Return Of The Magnificent Seven (1966)
The magnificent seven are back! It's not the same magnificent seven because most of them died in the prequel, but the main two characters are still there, along with another band of bandits and poor defenseless villagers. It doesn't beat the original, but it comes close, it's similar. It's also a good movie.
rated 4/5: fo shizzle
Guns Of The Magnificent Seven (1969)
This is the third movie in the Magnificent Seven series. It's not a sequel in the same way the previous two were, nor does it star the same actor as main character, but his name is still Chris. I didn't like this movie as much as the previous two, mostly because of one small but still important detail: the main character is not played by the same person. The new main character doesn't have character. He gets too emotional. He doesn't have that stony glare. His face is too soft. The plot this time is about a revolution instead of the typical bandit bad harassing villagers, and everything is much more elaborately designed. They have dynamite, and even an antique mounted machine gun, and a whole lot of people dying. The movie has potential, but the main character just aint the same. It's a shame.
rated 3/5: not bad
Let the Bullets Fly (2010)
Here's an Asian movie with twisted intrigues and a lot of bloodshed. It's stylishly filmed, varied, entertaining and maybe there's a moral floating around there somewhere as well, but there's not enough fighting. That's why I watched the movie, for the fights, but the fights were mostly guns and explosions, not much martial art. It's a well-made movie though, that hovers between being brutally dramatic and light and humorous. If you don't want to see someone cutting up their own belly over a bowl of soup though, then don't watch, that was one disturbing scene. This movie has no limits even though it's mostly tame. It's one of those a bit strange movies that are Japanese, you know? Well maybe you don't, but if you appreciate a twist and generally well-made drama with decent amounts of action, it's a recommended watch. I'd give it a four but it's a bit too disturbing.
rated 3/5: not bad
Story Of Anvil (2008)
This is the story of Anvil, one of the most underrated metal bands there has ever been. Well maybe not, because this movie is about them and not about one of the many bands that never received any recognition at all, not even the recognition of not being recognized. Anyway, this movie is a combined documentary over their past and a peek into their present where we follow the band during their every day life, during their ups and downs, their work and pleasure, and finally at a nostalgic kick of a concert in Japan, the place where it all started. I've heard of Anvil before but I never knew much about them, and I don't remember if I've really listened to their music, but it's good music, and this is a good movie. Educational and musical and entertaining.
rated 3/5: not bad
Pacifier (2005)
Vin Diesel, a Navy Seals officer, gets a rather awkward assignment guarding a group of kids while their mother is away on some secret government business. It's a Disney movie, so it deals a lot with the family and their various differences and problems. At the same time there's a lot of action, it moves fast, there's a lot of comedy, it's a family movie. Vin Diesel plays his role well, as does everyone else he interacts with. What else is there to say? If you know Disney, you know what this is going to be about. Good movie.
rated 4/5: fo shizzle
Better Tomorrow (1986)
Chow Yun-Fat stars together with a couple of other actors I don't remember the names of in a brutal and bizarre tale of the Asian underworld. There's a counterfeiting operation going on, there are bad guys, there are good guys, there's a bad guy with a brother studying to be a cop. He's about to quit being bad when his dad is killed, his brother blames him, his best friend avenges him and becomes a cripple. There's emotion. There's action. There's a lot of blood. It's Hong Kong Action when it's as best, and did I mention it's directed by John Woo? I've watched this one a few times, most recently last week. It's still good. :)
rated 4/5: fo shizzle
Better Tomorrow 2 (1987)
Better Tomorrow 2 is even better than the first one. One of the main characters is dead, but his brother (who looks just like him, and is acted by the same person, Yun-Fat) appears instead. Out of the whole Better Tomorrow trilogy this is my definite favorite. The plot features the same emotional action-packed underworld frenzy the first one did, and there's even more of it. The end is a showdown like you've never seen before. Well maybe it's not that amazing, I shouldn't hype it up, but there are a lot of people dying in various ways and it's a great movie. If you like HK action this is a classic you'll need to watch.
rated 4/5: fo shizzle
Better Tomorrow 3 (1989)
The third part in the Better Tomorrow series was a bit of a let-down. It jumps into a time of war and follows friends through a battle where there's still a lot of emotion and action and a lot of blood, but somehow it doesn't have that edge that made the previous two so great. Maybe because the war is everywhere, it's no longer the main characters against the world, it's everyone against everyone. They no longer have any control, they're not steering the fight. It's still a good movie, it just doesn't compare to the forenamed two.
rated 3/5: not bad
Samaritan (2012)
Samuel Jackson plays a Con-man. He's out of jail, but someone still holds a grudge against him. How will he handle the situation? Dramatically. It's a gritty action movie with fine-styled gore and a twisted plot. Reminds me a bit of Old Man, but the plot is completely different. I won't spoil it for you, go watch it, if you wish. It's not a movie I'd recommend, but it's not bad either, it's just way too serious for my taste.
rated 3/5: not bad
Puss In Boots (2011)
Animated mixture of tales. There's Jack & Jill, Jack & The Beanstalk, The Golden Goose, Humpty Dumpty, Zorro (?) and probably a few more I didn't recognize. The main character is a cat that wields a sword. Obviously there's comedy, action and romance. There's even some moral values in the mix, and everything is well-animated. Great watch.
rated 4/5: fo shizzle
That's all for now! Happy watching!