The Expendables really were a blast. Gathering together such greatness as Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Jet Li, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, Terry Crews and even Arnold Schwarzenegger makes it seem almost too much. It's a delicate symbiosis with that many usually-main-character characters on set at the same time, but they manage it well.

Not everyone gets along, but it feels like everyone has a place, and the tough-guy convos have plenty of punchlines, jokes, and occasionally even cutting poetry. There's hidden wisdom too, if you listen.

The only actor I didn't really recognize here was Randy Couture, but I guess not everybody else did either considering he doesn't have a very major role. Eric Roberts makes a notable guest appearance, along with Steve Austin and a bunch of others.

The plot? The Expendables are a bunch of mercenaries for hire, and they're hired to take out a particular general on a small island, but it turns out he's but a puppet of an ex-CIA agent farming drugs. A girl gets involved, and though Barney (that's Stallone) first plans to abandon the mission - too dangerous - it gets personal. They all go back in, have a blast, and the credits roll. That's the kind of movie this is. Plenty of action. Plenty of explosives. Plenty of tough guys with creative names.

Some of the action footage is almost too sped-up though, and patched up to the point you feel you're not getting a clear view of all the great fighting choreography, like when you go on vacation but it's only a weekend so you end up running around and trying to relax as much as possible and end up not relaxing at all. It's intense. But between the fights it does have some laid-back times too, and that variation is much required.

I like the atmosphere, even if I feel like some action sequences could've been filmed from a better angle, and at a better pace. There's a couple chases too, and cool cars, and a plane. It's like a war movie and regular action movie combined: creative carnage featuring a gathering of charismatic characters all with their own problems. If you like action, you will probably like this!

Vilnius, btw, doesn't that sound a bit like villainous? The ploy was more noticeable in the second, though. ;)

 rated 4/5: fo shizzle

Baise Moi means 'Fuck Me' in French, so from the title you pretty much know what type of movie this is going to be. Gritty, exploitational, endearing, and not exceptionally entertaining or inspiring, but convincingly real. It was banned in Malaysia because of very high impact violence and sexual content throughout, and soon after also in Singapore and Australia. A bit extreme, but it's definitely not a pleasant watch.

It's about two girls, each with their own gory story, who get together and go on a killing spree around the country, getting fucked and fucking guys over (girls too - they don't discriminate). It's messy, and not very sexy, and in the end it appears as pointless as it appears.

All the while they kill and get money, they talk, and contemplate life and the end, and ride around, and walk around, and look around, and then it's over. Where does it all lead? Not really where you expect.

I'm not sure what I got from this, maybe just the revelation that: not everyone has a purpose. Not everyone gets where they want, or does what they want, or knows what they want. Not everyone cares. For some there's an edge, for some there isn't, and what's really right and wrong? Were the main characters good or bad? Could their actions be justified by the circumstances of their lives, or did they take a turn somewhere when they should've just kept moving forward? What's life? What in the world did this movie have that opened up for so many questions? I don't question my ethics, I promise, but it did make me wonder.

The filming isn't very professional, but the blood does look real. I suppose it is how it's supposed to be: down to Earth and disgusting. I wouldn't recommend this movie, but it definitely brought up new perspectives, and both script and filming feel natural. An unconventional; unpleasant watch.

 rated 2/5: decent

The third Mission Impossible still feels like the most serious one of all. In each of the first three it felt like they were trying to find a style that suits the franchise, changing the mood as well as the mission, and this one was pretty intense.

Philip Seymour Hoffman plays a most convincing villain as Owen Davian, and once again there's a mole within the IMF itself. A few new characters pop up and act like they've been there forever, most notably Billy Crudup as John Musgrave, and Laurence Fishburne as Theodore Brassel - the top brass. I'm glad at least Luther is a re-occurring character though, and Simon Pegg as Benji was an interesting addition. His presence in itself seems to opt for a comical increase. There's also Ethan's loving wife Julia (Michelle Monaghan), and a couple new team member. I wonder if they'll stick around.

As with the last movie, this one's also about a virus, though the details aren't specified (we're not even told it is a virus, but it looks like one). It's not so much about what the virus can do, as what the man who wants the virus can do, and he is one dangerous man. Where the last movie offered a flare of romance, this one has real love, and it plays a central role in this intrigue. The gadgetry and tech is back as well, on a whole new level. Professionalism: big jump.

The mission? It takes place at the Vatican, among other places, and though the details aren't discussed in advance (I wish they were) it's all very elaborate and professional-like. The stunts are elaborate as ever, as are the chases, and heists, and all the scheming behind the scenes. It doesn't really compare to the first two IMO, but it's another great IM movie, third best before it all went back to basics, and got... better! It really did.

Good action, and with this it's been ten years of MI movies! They've handled the franchise well.

 rated 4/5: fo shizzle

I've watched this movie more times than I care to mention, and it's still a blast. The action scenes are intense, and the intimate scenes are intimate, and the intrigue is one step ahead of all other MI movies. I just realized it's directed by John Woo too! So, that explains it.

Not only does Woo manage to capture the motions of each scene, and to empower the action, but he has a flare for romance. The typical potential-virus-outbreak scenario may not be unique, but it feels like it's taken to a whole other level here. An emotional level.

There's not as much gadgetry and tech as there was in the first movie, but it's got enough for it to still feel relevant. The only thing that could possibly be improved is the mission itself, of which the planning stage is missing almost entirely. The fact that the one 'mission' is a failed mission doesn't make it better either.

I do miss the preparations and insights, but as an action movie, it can't get much better than this. Tom Cruise is the perfect protagonist, Dougray Scott the perfect antagonist, and Thandie Newton the perfect link. The characters are all a great fit, except for maybe that Australian helicopter pilot. Not sure what he contributes.

There are some uncomfortable scenes of close-up knife blades, finger-tips getting chopped off, and self-inflicted viruses - and there's a car chase out of the ordinary. They went wild with the filming, and it's wonderful! It flows. The continuity of plot and action is sublime.

It starts on a mountain. There's a lab. There's a plane. There's exotic sceneries, intrigue, a mass of masks and deception, and one grand showdown in multiple parts. There's symbolism too, with doves and waves and what-nots. It's not traditional Mission Impossible material, if that's what you're looking for, but out of the original trilogy this is definitely the one that had the biggest impact on me/the one I like and remember the most.

It's action with a passion! It's John Woo.

 rated 4/5: fo shizzle

The first Mission Impossible still holds it's spot as the most stylish and somber in the MI franchise. It starts off with a job gone wrong, an agent getting disavowed and framed - all agents on his team dead, and turns into a daring mission to steal a NOC list, reveal the real villain, and get his cred back.

The mission's the main thing - both planning and execution, but the characters make it all the spicier. I'm especially happy to see Jean Reno making his way to the Hollywood scene with this one, and he does a grand job as semi-smart villainous sidekick. Luther (Ving Rhames) is a memorable personality too, as is the charismatic Max and her goons. And of course, Tom Cruise! It just wouldn't be the same without him.

The fourth or fifth time I watch this it feels like I have little to say about it, but it still held my attention from start to finish. It's the start of a franchise, and one of those action classics that never really grows old - even if the special effects aren't all up to modern standards. Great watch.

 rated 4/5: fo shizzle

Megatron is back, and he has a Prime with him. The Fallen - one of seven brethren who betrayed his brothers and tried to destroy life on Earth by consuming the sun. Or rather, by turning it into an energy form that would feed them.

The movie starts with Sam going to college, after a crazy day at home and a quick breakup with Mikaela (it's like a premonition before the second movie O_o). His stay there turns out shorter than he expected, though all but eventless, and soon they're all on their way to Egypt to save the world, once more, with a couple of new additions to the crew. For comedic effect.

It's a both messy and masterful adventure, with a little love and humor, and tons and tons of special effects and action. Feels nostalgic to see Megan Fox still here, since she opted out of the third one for Googleable reasons. This was the Transformers movie with the Linkin Park theme song too! Ahhh the nostalgia.

Of course it doesn't stand up to the first, but in terms of intensity and action it does take it a step further. It's a good sequel - a grand adventure that'll definitely keep you entertained (if you like Transformers and stuff). Great watch.

 rated 4/5: fo shizzle