The Science fiction movie genre just doesn’t possess the spellbinding pizzazz that they once had. They simply aren’t what they used to be as the modern science fiction movies has been on decline. There are fewer and fewer “out of this world” features that make it to the theaters and even fewer that are worth watching. The days of the great sci-fi extravaganzas like Star Wars and Star Trek are almost a fond memory but just when it looks like all hope is lost, Walt Disney swoops in to save the day with the premiere of John Carter. John Carter is a creative, enjoyable intersection of sci-fi, action, and romance. It’s a welcomed addition that reinvigorates a dying genre. The movie stars Taylor Kitsch (Wolverine: X-Men: Origins), Lynn Collins (Wolverine: X-Men: Origins), Dominic West (Punisher: War Zone), Cirran Hines (The Debt), James Purefoy (Ironclad) and Mark Strong (Green Lantern). It also features the voices of Willem Dafoe (Cirque De Freak: The Vampire‘s Assistant), Samantha Morton (The Messenger), and Thomas Hayden Church (Easy A).
Walt Disney’s John Carter is an revitalizing, enjoyable fable which transcends time, space, & imagination. This enjoyable narrative is a family friendly, multifaceted extravaganza about a confederate soldier who is accidentally transported to a foreign but familiar world and then becomes their messiah. It’s the newest blockbuster film from Walt Disney that is easily the best film of the year so far and becomes the first must see movie of 2012.
There aren’t many female action stars that have been elevated to the status of being a “bad ass” that is on par with the male action stars. There are even fewer who actually fit the title and make the movie as well as the role work for them. Most movie fans can name on one hand the number of classic heroines that are forever burned into the psyche of movie lovers. Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley (Alien Quadrilogy), Linda Hamilton’s Sarah Connor (Terminator 1 & 2), Kate Beckinsdale (Underworld series), and Mila Jovovich‘s Alice (Resident Evil 1-5) are probably the top four that come to mind. It’s an extremely distinguished but short list. Colombiana attempts to add a new name to the list. The film stars Zoe Saladana (Takers), Jordi Morella (Knight and Day), Lennie James (The Next Three Days), Michael Vartan (Monster-In-Law), Cliff Curtis (A Thousand Words), and Amandla Stenberg (The Hunger Games).
Colombiana is an action-oriented, multifaceted showcase that attempts to combine a deep emotional film with elements of intense action to bring forth the unique tale of revenge, retribution, and absolution. The film is highlighted by excessive gun play and state of the art violence. Colombiana is a mildly successful merging of the combination of two of the current trends in modern action films. It features the implementation of a female as the star of the film and then it adds that deeply personal story that tries to add depth to the character. The movie is a good throwback to the action movies of old (Commando, Hard to Kill), however, it does utilize the newest Hollywood take on action movies like The American. It follows the current trend in action movies, it’s not just your average shoot em’ up bang bang movie but it’s an action movie with heart.
The success of DVDs and Blu-rays have sparked an unmitigated rise in the production of direct to video releases. This rise has spurned both positive and negative results. It has been a way to give movie lovers a look as some films that may never make it to the big screen however in the same process it had dramatically increased the number of extremely mediocre films that premiere on video ten fold. The good movies are a rare gem among the multitude of abysmal ones. Assignation Games (Rated R) is one of the movies that teeters the line of being enjoyable and being another victim of the direct to video tragedies. This feature debuted in 2011. The movie stars Jean-Claude Van Damme (Kung Fu Panda 2), Scott Adkins (Undisputed 3: Redemption), Kevin Chapman (Unstoppable), Ivan Kaye (Layer Cake), Andrew French (Exorcist: The Beginning), and Serban Cela (Ursul).
Assignation Games is a moderately entertaining, action-orientated happenstance about a pair of contract killers form an unlikely partnership to eliminate an international drug overlord. The film shows how a bond can be formed out of the strangest commonality. It’s a decent action movie that intertwines themes of love, atonement, and friendship within this unlikely tale.
Cedar Rapids is the story of a nonsensical, sheltered dullard who attempts to capitalize on a career opportunity. It’s a direct to DVD feature that premiered in early 2011. The film attempts to capitalize on the success of the Hangover movies by featuring one of its stars Ed Helms. It’s a inconspicuous film is about the transition of life and how one deals with change. It questions morality and integrity.
The Walt Disney studios constantly finds a way to continually keep the younger movie goers flocking to their films. After the debut of the mega hit film, Cars (2006), the studio decided to further explore the adventures of the animated version of the odd couple, Lightning McQueen and TowMater. This highly unlikely pairing return for more vehicular comedy as Cars 2 hit the theaters in 2011. Cars 2 is a moderately enjoyable, humorous sequel to the hit film that took audiences by storm. The film implements the use of personification of vehicular adventure to tell the story of true friendship and self acceptance. The movie is accompanied by an all-star voice cast that features the likes of Owen Wilson (Little Fockers), Larry the Cable Guy (The Tooth Fairy 2), Michael Caine (The Dark Knight), Emily Mortimer (Hugo), and John Tuturro (Transformers: Dark of the Moon).
Cars 2 is a theme driven adventure of friendship and acceptance that is intertwined with a James Bond like spy theme. The return of Lightening McQueen and Tow Mater. All of the gadgets that wow audiences in the spy themed movies make an appearance.
