So... since I did one of these lists back in 2012, why not do one more? A short list of movies I'm looking forward to and then some I'm really not looking forward to this year that just began. It starts with...

A Good Day To Die Hard

Aka Die Hard 5. So far the Die Hard series is one of the best series of action movies ever made. Though nothing can really compare to the first three, the fourth one managed to bring new life to the series, and Bruce Willis is still doing all major ass-kicking in the movies.

In this one, it will be no different, I hope! It will be another great dosage of punchlines and personal warfare, a classic clash of good versus evil in some criminal scheme that is bigger than ever. Actually, the fourth one was the biggest one yet, and it feels like it'd be a hard job to top that one off. Will they even try? Maybe it'll be back to the normal villainous plots as in the former three, Now that the series is back on track and all I suppose they don't need to give it another big push. I haven't read the IMDB info on this one, but I'm looking forward to whatever it brings! Whatever it is, it's bound to be good action.

Monsters University

The original Monsters Inc was no favorite, but it was a good movie; good fun... and I am looking forward to this sequel!

The World's End

Technically this is not a sequel, but it is the third movie directed by Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. There was Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and now... The World's End. This time it's a (I'm guessing incredibly fresh and funny) take on the disaster film genre. The first two were great, and I am really really REALLY looking forward to this one!!

Read on...

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!

I have no time to write real reviews, but I feel like I should leave reviews on movies I've recently watched while they're still fresh in memory. So here you go, mini reviews! :) The first ten of many, probably, if time doesn't fall down like a gift from the skies. Keep reading.

This Means War (2012)

This was a potential candidate for cinema viewing the last time I went to the cinema, but I chose to watch it at home instead. Good choice. It was way too romantic for cinematical viewing IMHO. It was a good movie, well-filmed with a few (though a bit too rare) good action scenes, a lot of comedy, a lot of awkward situations, a lot of romance. A typical feel-good film with two guys competing over one girl. Of course none of them usually date, the girl hasn't been interested, and there's a flashy happy ending. Typical. Twist? Maybe. Enjoyable? Decently. Maybe the atmosphere is too bright. Maybe everything is just too perfect. Maybe it's just that this is a film for girls. IDK, good movie, but nothing I'd watch again .

 rated 3/5: not bad

The Outpost (2008)

Dreams of the third reich didn't end with the war, they kept going, underground. It turns out the Nazis were experimenting with something that would make their soldiers immortal. It's almost within their grasp. A scientist pops up and fulfills their goals. It's a thriller with a bit of action, bit of a creepy atmosphere but nothing that makes it stand out. Not incredible actors either, it feels very normal. I feel the plot could have been used much better for a much better movie. Mediocre.

 rated 2/5: decent

The Outpost 2 (2012)

The first Outpost movie was a thriller, this one is more action oriented. The Nazi's are taking over the world using their newly created techniques, a task force has been sent in to stop them, a reporter ends up splat in the middle. She's female btw, obvious choice. The atmosphere is creepier than it was last time, the effects and surroundings have much more work put in them, there are more people involved, there's a lot more action, but it still fails to break out of the just-another-movie category. I feel like the plot had an even better potential in this, and sometimes they've really managed to capture that eerie feeling all Nazi movies send out, but overall, it's just not good enough. Not good enough actors. Not good enough flow of the overall film. It'll keep you entertained, but it's nothing memorable.

 rated 2/5: decent

Red Tails (2012)

Here's another new movie I just watched. It's about a company of black fighter pilots during the second world war. They're still oppressed due to color, but through their efforts they manage to stand out anyway. Through the movie we get to know a set of characters, all with strong personality traits. They're presented well in a way that they all gain audience empathy, and when things happen to them it really stings. It's a movie that'll stay etched in my mind, not just because of an intertwined happy/tragic end but because of the great aerial footage included, featuring a wide array of both older and newer planes and spectacular effects. I don't know how it would look IRL, but it looks real, it's very well done. They manage to capture the essence of flight as well. When the places glide through soft clouds it feels like you're up in the sky with them, and you imagine how the clouds feel. Most of the movie takes place in the sky, but there's a lot of ground filming as well. Everybody is a great actor, even the minor characters. The scenery is superb; if it's not about the sky it's about the beautiful views beneath the planes. This just might be my favorite movie of the year... maybe better than 21 Jump Street. Bit hard to compare movies of so completely different genres though. Anyway, even if you're no plane fan, this is a recommended watch. It'll leave you stirred emotionally and stuffed on flight. Really.

 rated 4/5: fo shizzle

Rampart (2011)

Rampart sucked. It'll probably get an Oscar. The movie is well made, stars good actors, features vivid emotions, varied scenery and very lifelike portrayals of a grim reality in a normal world. Where's the entertainment? Movies like this are just depressing. Artistic, maybe. Documental, sure. Is it based on a real story? It's too real for me.

 rated 2/5: decent

Haywire (2011)

The movie starts at a cafe. A young woman walks in. A while later a man arrives. He sits down at her table, you can see before he walks in she's not happy about it. They start talking. You start wondering what it's all about. Suddenly he throws a cup of hot coffee in her face and bashes her head into a solid object close to the camera. You can really see the impact. The fight continues and my first impression is: professional. If you liked the Bourne Identity series you'll love this. It has the same professional feel to it, but at the same time it's not as dark as Bourne Identity. It doesn't have the same pressure, but it certainly has a lot of suspense; a lot of good fight scenes.

All the while it manages to remain calm. You get involved in the action in a strange way, many things are filmed from such an angle that you feel present, but at the same time the atmosphere is distant. Everything is calm. It makes me wonder, was there a soundtrack? I don't remember one. Did the lack of a soundtrack make it seem all the more professional, does the silence invoke a sense of reality in the movie? I should mention btw (spoiler btw) that both of these two characters presented in the start of the movie are agents. In a way it feels like a mixture of Mission Impossible and Bourne Identity. At the same time it's fresh. It's a great movie. Highly recommended.

 rated 4/5: fo shizzle

Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)

Since when did they decide to get rid of the numbers before the Mission Impossible movies? Since now, I guess. I feel I'm running out of time here, so I'll just say this: This was a good movie. If you like the MI trilogy, you will like this. The mood is somewhat lighter than the previous movies, but the stunts/effects/etc are all the same if not even flashier/riskier/more varied. If you like action movies like I do it's a must see.

 rated 4/5: fo shizzle

Contraband (2012)

Here's another great action movie you must see. It has the regular mixture of criminals and good guys and criminals that are actually good guys, a good plot, and good action. Wahlberg is in the movie too, and ever since I say The Big Hit I've become a bit of a fan. Nothing will ever compare (to the Big Hit) but still... this is one more good action movie in his list of merits.

 rated 3/5: not bad

Bad Ass (2012)

Finally it looks like Danny Trejo is getting some roles as lead character! In this he plays a grumpy old man that beats up two punks on a bus and gets internetally famous. Life is complex though, it gets shitty, but he fights his way through the shittyness. Age-wise he fits right in, he's almost 70, but I still find the fact that he's aging a bit depressing. Also depressing is the fact that it took him this long to start starring in good movies. He's had incredibly many minor roles in other movies. Not that he's a good actor or anything, he's just badass. This is a decent movie, nothing fantastic. If you like Danny Trejo it's worth the watch. If not... maybe not.

 rated 3/5: not bad

Operation Condor 3 (2012?)

I haven't seen this one yet. It's not out yet, but I'll end this post by mentioning how much I'm looking forward to it. It's been more than 20 years since the first two Operation Condor movies, but they were great, they had some amazing martial arts footage and really creative stunts. Jackie almost died during the filming as well. Maybe that's why the rumors that he had died in a heart attack started circulating during the filming of this one? Really looking forward to this. Jackie and Danny Trejo are about the same age, so it'll be interesting to see what kind of crazy stunts he can perform at this age. I'm trying not to get my hopes too high. :)

That's all for this time. Any movie recommendations?

I watched a few movies that weren't too great recently. They're not worthy of a one review post each, so I suppose it's time to revive the old Three Reviews series I used to be posting in ancient times.

Courageous (2011)

Courageous is the story of 3-4 police officers and a Mexican worker. It's mostly a drama about their struggles within and without the job and how fate steps in and gives them a shot, and about the brave things they do. The brave things they do are not at all as brave as the things regular action heroes do, this is more like a fictional documentary-style drama movie and though there are 3-4 chases there's only one real chase that ends in a shootout. Though you might say it's realistic and personal and down-to-earth, it just isn't my type of movie. Too much talk, too little action, so I'll give it a

 rated 2/5: decent

Arena (2011)

Arena is another take on the plotline in the movie Gamer. Not exactly the same, but similar. Nobody's controlling the characters that do battle, but they're not doing it of free will either, so it's pretty much the same. The movie features a few fights, bloody, filmed in a way that they look taken straight from a videogame. Weaponry and costumes are important things, but overall it's just a sad movie. Not sad as in I almost cry movie, but sad as in there's nothing positive about it. The action is slow and brutal, without any real stunts to liven it up. There's a lot of blood, a lot of pained expressions, a lot of viewers grimacing or laughing or making a O face. I'm sure they put a lot of money into this film and a lot of people like it, but movies like this are just crap. The plot is ok, the acting is ok, Samuel Jacksson is in the movie, but it'
s just a piece of crap. It's not that I dislike violence in movies, or violence that tries to be stylish (thin 300 or Equilibrium), but this just doesn't reach me. It's not stylish, it's not emotional, it's not heavy, it's just a sad crappy movie.

 rated 1/5: shit shit shit

Inside Slade - The Singles 1971-1991 (2004)

Slade is a band I've known about for some time that most people I talk to about it don't seem to know about. They've made a lot of rock music. It's rhythmical, it has catchy refrains, and it makes you happy. All their songs are great, I love the band, but this documentary was a disappointment. I had looked forward to seeing a lot of footage of the band, live performances or music videos or whatever, as long as I could see the band and hear their music at the same time. I've only heard them on tape previously (yeah, tape, oldschool) and I was hoping this would give me an image to sync with the music. What I did get was a whole lot of talking on how and why the band was great and how they tried to reach out to different audiences or change their musical style and yada yada. Sure, for a fan there's a lot of interesting things being said, but there's way too little music. There are previews of the different singles, but they never let you hear a whole one, and they're all bad quality, there's nothing new, you'll find better footage on YouTube than in this documentary. Disappointing.

 rated 2/5: decent

Usually when I watch a movie it's a relatively random event. I mean, I don't plan ahead. I don't wait restlessly for a cinematical production of a game I've played, or of a book I've read, or a remake of an old version I liked. I don't watch trailers to find movies I look forward to, nor am I very involved in the movie buzz. I really don't know what new movies there are out there unless I happen to walk by a cinema and glance at posters through the glass.

The exception to my lack of interest in upcoming movies is probably when I've watched something great and it ends in a way that promises a sequel. There doesn't have to be a 'To Be Continued' message after the film. It's usually clear if there will be a sequel or not, and if it isn't clear, than all the more pleasant the surprise when a sequel does arrive. There are a few movies I really look forward to this year, so I thought I'd write them down for you all right here. First... Read on...

What are the odds. I was just thinking about posting a few reviews for a couple of movies I watched yesterday when I stumbled upon a bunch of reviews I wrote about a year back but never posted. I know I never posted them because I searched the whole site with a quick SnR, so this is all completely new material. Completely old, I mean. :P The missing typos are new though, anyhow, enjoy.

Croc (2007)

Is it comedy? Is it drama? Is it horror? I really have no idea, but it would have been a great movie if it wasn't for the extremely crappily made digital effects. The plot features a wise old croc, filled with rage, migrated to some tropical paradise due to global warming, bent on killing as many innocent humans as possible (well, not all of them innocents, but humans nevertheless). And we all know that when animals (other than humans) mess with humans, they get shot, stabbed, or in one way or another killed. As is probably the case here, or is it? I'm not telling you, wouldn't want to spoil the story for you already. A very realistic plot line indeed though.

Anyhow, the actors are decent, the sounds are good, the scenery is varied, the filming is neatly done. All and all it's a good movie, not above average, nor is it below.

 rated 3/5: not bad

The Untouchables (1987)

Al Capone runs the city, all of it. Chicago is a changed place. He has the police on his payroll, the politicians, the lawyers, everyone. He's untouchable. Then one day a small and unlikely group of people gather together to stop him once and for all. Al Capone isn't too frightened, he knows his power, and he has no doubts that they wont win against him. One by one the team gets killed, but they manage to get their mission accomplished regardless. It's a beautiful film, nicely put together, with great concept and character. Though I would have liked seeing Al Paccino play the villain instead of Robert De Niro. He would have given the role so much more emotion. Anyhow, if you haven't seen this movie yet, and you like action/gangster/action, watch it.

 rated 4/5: fo shizzle

Jumper (2008)

Turns out there have been two classes battling each other even since the days of medieval. They're called Jumpers, and they're called Paladins, and the battle still hasn't ended today. Jumpers have the power to teleport. Paladins don't like that power, they try to erase it. This is the story about a young boy who discovers his powers, learns to use them, and kills his foes. It's really much more than that, but I'll keep it short. The actors do their job, the filmography is stylish and the soundtrack blends in so smoothly you barely hear it. I've heard a lot of critique against this movie, but it's not at all as bad as they say it is. I recommend it.

 rated 4/5: fo shizzle

Read on...