Lethal Weapon Collection 2012 Movie Review

Way, way back in the day, before a traffic pullover and then some breathlessly nflattering words, Mel Gibson was THE man. Mad Max, Braveheart, even Ranson, almost everything he touched was gold. But Lethal Weapon changed everything. The prototypical 1980s buddy flick, teams the unstable Mel Gibson with the stable family man, Roger Murtaugh, played by Danny Glover. Whatever it was, these two had an absolutely magical chemistry on film that defied insanity, death and even bad scripts as the movies went on. 

While the movies get progressively worse as they got bigger, with the exception of 2, Gibson and Glover propel this through sheer star power and will. If you want to see two masters at work, doing what they do almost effortlessly, resulting in pure eye candy, check these films out. They are a tad violent and a little sewer mouthed, hence the R ratings, but they are fantastic. Add Joe Pesci to the mix, right off his Goodfellas role, and you got a great movie on your hands.

If these are not the special editions, that would be too bad, because they are fun, but only the first one adds any real grabbers. The scene where Riggs walks into a sniper's line of fire who was shooting kids is chilling and establishes Riggs' death wish quickly and brutally. Modern post-Columbine sensibilities may find it hard to take, but it is an amazing scene. All the other scenes are filler, but really fun filler. 

If you can take a good hard R with lots of great comedy, this is a movie set for you. Just remember it is a product of its times, and people were not as politically correct then. These still stand out literally as some of my favorite films that I never get tired of watching.

Lethal Weapon Collection 2012 Movie Review

• Actors: Joe Pesci, Danny Glover, Mel Gibson
• Genre: Comedy, Action
• Release Date: May 22, 2012
• Number of discs: 5
• Run Time: 476 minutes
• Studio: Warner Home Video

Safe House 2012 Movie Review

The action/drama/mystery film opens with a quick character build up of the multifaceted CIA agent Matt Weston (Ryan Reynolds). He operates a safe house with nobody in it. He wants a European field assignment, but lacks department seniority.

The movie switches to Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington) obtaining an embarrassing electronic file from the MI6 in South Africa. "Frost", because he is cold. Denzel uses his expected savvy to escape. He is a rouge super agent who free lances, buying and selling information. In order to escape the bad guys, Tobin surrenders to the CIA. Now the questions are: Was this his original plan? What is on the file?

Tobin is taken to our aforesaid safe house for intense interrogation. Frost is too important of a person and the top secret safe house comes under attack. The young low level highly trained Matt Weston is now on the run with a man who is a master manipulator of people. To our list of unanswered questions we now add, "Who is the mole?"

Ryan and Washington give us excellent performances. It had elements of the Bourne series that made this story interesting, but it doesn't quite measure up to that film. Cliche ending. I would say if you are a fan of the trilogy, check this one out.

Multiple chase scenes, torture, killings, shoot outs, minor "roof top" jumping, car wreaks without explosions

Overall, one of the best thriller action movies in the past year.

Safe House 2012 Moview Review

• Starring: Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds
• Supporting actors: Vera Farmiga, Brendan Gleeson, Sam Shepard, Rubén Blades, Nora Arnezeder, Robert Patrick
• Directed by: Daniel Espinosa
• Genre: Action, Crime, Mystery, Thriller
• Runtime: 1 hour 56 minutes
• Release year: 2012
• US Theatrical Release Date: Feburary 10, 2012
• Studio: Universal Pictures

The Secret World of Arrietty 2012 Movie Review

This film is a must see for anyone who loves hand drawn animation. The animation is gorgeous and possibly even more stimulating since we see virtually no hand drawn animation on the silver screen in North America (though so far this year I've been blessed with the Beauty and the Beast re-release and a Fullmetal Alchemist film at my small town theater). As far as Arrietty is concerned the background designers paid great attention to detail while the characters have that streamlined Miyazaki look but move with fluidity and such realism. It's very captivating to see the familiar concept of creatures living between floorboards in such a new inventive way. Seeing what they borrow from the humans and how they use it is part of the charm of the film. I also have to say that this film, like all Ghibli films, does such an excellent job of capturing the majesty of nature. The outdoor scenes here make one long to go for a hike in such an area.

Characterization is also well done. While the characters may not seem as standout or unique as previous Ghibli releases they are all distinct and have formed personalities that are revealed in such refreshingly subtle ways, you don't get a bunch of exposition explaining characters you just see who they are through how they move and act. In this light it was also nice to see traits from the original borrowers material carried over into this representation (the mother being very worrisome, etc.). Arrietty is rightfully the most compelling character, a girl venturing into the larger world for the first time with fear but also curiosity and courage. One note, I would have liked to see more of the other characters, especially Sho/Shawn, but I was very pleased with what I did get to see.

Voice acting is something I really have to give Disney credit for. Dubs are very hard to get right and I've found that they've put good effort into the casting and voice directing of their Ghibli dubs. The voices all sound like they are coming from the characters (with perhaps the debatable exception of David Henrie as Sho/Shawn, who does a great job but sounds a bit deep voiced for the young character), and 99% match the lip flaps. Bridgit Mendler as Arriety does a standout job, Amy Poehler and Will Arnett are charmingly cast as her parents and Carol Burnett is humorous as the house cleaner, Hara. The performances, like the film itself, are understated but very engrossing (for fans of this genre at least). I look forward to being able to listen to the original Japanese dialogue for comparison purposes but I think even those who don't enjoy dubs should give this one a try if it's the only option at your local theater.

Lastly there is the sound. A key component of establishing the reality in any animated film. In Arrietty the sound has been well selected to evoke the feeling of an idyllic summer, especially in outdoor scenes. Sound was also extremely well used to establish Arrietty's unique perspective of the human world. For example, in one scene where Arrietty enters a human kitchen for the first time, the familiar sounds of appliances humming and an empty room at night are used to create a sense of unfamiliarity and vastness. In addition to the excellent sound design I must compliment the score of the film, the music fits well and has a Celtic influence that captures Arrietty's lively spirit.

The Secret World of Arrietty 2012 Movie Review:

• Actors: Bridgit Mendler, David Henrie, Amy Poehler, Will Arnett, Moises Arias
• Directors: Hiromasa Yonebayashi
• Studio: Buena Vista
• DVD Release Date: May 22, 2012
• Run Time: 94 minutes

The Woman in Black 2012 Movie Review

The Woman in Black is a pretty traditional haunted house story that focuses on atmosphere and the lingering feeling of dread instead of CGI gore and horror. If you've read the book, you'll be familiar with the unsettling nature of the story - a general sense that translated well to the stage play and here to the film. The filming locations capture the remoteness of a house cut off by tide and tragedy and the general production design makes great use of a set to spring some fairly major jumps.

Daniel Radcliffe is well cast in bringing an innocence to a pretty dire situation where children keep dying every time the woman in black shows up, and he's clearly going to keep going beyond Harry Potter. The rest of the cast do well to portray the town that doesn't want Radcliffe there too. All of the tension and surprises rise from the situation and some clever camera shots and even the most hardened horror fan should get quite a few scares.

It's all a fairly solid production until the ending. Susan Hill's book transcended the genre with the end of her story (which has since been copied many times) but this movie doesn't stay faithful to the original material in an attempt to spare the audience the downer.

The Woman in Black 2012 Movie Review

• Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Ciaran Hinds
• Directed by: James Watkins
• Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
• Runtime: 1 hour 36 minutes
• Studio: CBS Films

Red Tails 2012 Movie Review

First, as of 22 Jan 2012, "Red Tails" is the number two in the country, with a $19 million dollar purse for the first week! Secondly, there was an apparent miscalculation by the movie industry writ-large, that the American public has somehow lost interest and draw power in a TRUE story of Americans overcoming overwhelming odds and adversity to fight for their country and for racial equality.

Red Tails delivers outstanding performances by both A-listers Cuba Gooding Jr. and Terrence Howard as well as the up-and-coming supporting actors. The action, tempo and effects were great. The storylines for the characters were good as well. The movie allows Americans the opportunity to review first-hand the bigotry and sheer ignorance of that time period, in hopes we will rise above it today. And that perhaps by remembering racism and prejudice in the context of such magnificent sacrfice and human struggle will minimize the impact of the small pockets of poison that still lingers within our society, even today.

Red Tails is AWESOME true-story of America at its best, while simultaneously being at its worse. Its a great movie to take young teens to, just as a reminder, although we havent quite attained "the dream", perhaps they can step closer to attainment in their generation.

Red Tails 2012 Movie Review

• Starring: Nate Parker, David Oyelowo
• Directed by: Anthony Hemingway
• Runtime: 2 hours 5 minutes
• Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, History, War
• Release year: 2012
• US Theatrical Release Date: January 20, 2012
• Studio: Fox

This Means War 2012 Movie Review

"This Means War 2012" Movie Review. When two CIA agents find themselves vying for the same woman, their rivalry is epic! Lucky Reese Witherspoon, to be one-third of an eternal triangle with these guys!

Even though this is a romantic comedy, CIA activities and skirmishes are couched in enough reality that we invest a little skin in the game. But the banter and camaraderie between two hunky heroes keep it cartoony and light. Furthermore, the conversations between our heroine and her best friend are hilarious, particularly when they are being overheard by the guys.

Reese Witherspoon, tests products and facilitates focus groups, but she hasn't quite recovered from her last break-up. Her best friend offers sage advice that positively drips with envy. Chris Pine is the smooth man about town, a CIA-trained lady killer with blue eyes you could get lost in. Problem is, Reese isn't about to fall. She may be tempted, but she won't fall. Tom Hardy is the third side of this triangle, who pretends to be a travel agent, which contributed to the end of his marriage. Now he's competing with Chris Pine for Reese's affections and not doing too badly, either, despite being British.

If you're in the mood to sit back, laugh, and not have to think too much this is the movie for you! It's the perfect combination of Comedy, Romance, and Action. The cast has good chemistry and are sexy to boot! As with any romantic comedy, you can't over analyze...you just have to sit back and enjoy!

This Means War Movie Review 2012

• Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine
• Directed by: McG
• Runtime: 1 hour 38 minutes
• Genre: Action, Comedy, Romance
• Release year: 2012
• Studio: Fox