The Grey

Liam Neeson

Frank Grillo

Dermot Mulroney

Dallas Roberts

Joe Anderson

Nonso Anozie

James Badge Dale

Screenplay by

Ian MacKenzie Jeffers

Directed by

Joe Carnahan

117 minutes

John Ottway (Neeson) works for an oil refinery in Alaska, as a guard, killing off wolves that get to close to the oil drillers as they work. He is an assumed recent widower, his wife having died from cancer. He writes a suicide note and goes out into the wilderness to kill himself when he gets a flashback of his wife comforting him. He stops and returns to base. The employees are to be ferried home by plane the next day.

All the men are anxious to get back home and we are loosely introduced to a group of workers. One of whom after being annoyed by Ottway’s reluctance to conversation begins to annoy the entire plane with his nervous talk of them all dying in a crash. It doesn’t help that they are flying in the midst of a blizzard.  Sure enough the plane does indeed crash with a horrific realism I haven’t seen since the plane crash/nightmare scene in Fight Club. Another vision of Ottway’s wife brings us back to reality.

He and a few members of the work crew managed to survive, including the yutz who “predicted” the crash. Ottway’s survival skills kick in and he gets the men to work together to try and figure a way out. They are hundreds, possibly thousands of miles from civilization in frigid conditions. To make matters worse, a pack of grey wolves have moved in to pluck them off. At first Ottway thinks they’re just doing what is natural to them, but then surmised they may have crashed too close to their den. And wolves don’t play if you’re too close to their turf. A mass of pine trees are off in the distance and Ottway thinks if the group can make it to the forest; they may be out of the danger zone.

The Grey worked for me on a few levels. One is the amount of realism with which the situation is handled. Not that I have EVER been in a plane crash, freezing tundra, or wilderness, but it didn’t feel like Neeson’s character was a superhero and new exactly what to do. He had foibles that any one of us could have if we were in his shoes. Also there was not one throw away character. You ended up having emotions for all of them.

Having said that, The Grey pulls one Hollywood trick I despise. Making you feel for a character that is absolutely loathsome. On the outset your first emotions are at base level. You hope the wolves not only kill him, but you get to see him torn apart. But as the story progresses Ottway who has read this fool from A to Z breaks him down making him more palatable to you the audience.

I like Joe Carnahan as a writer and director. He’s had a few misses in my opinion, but this is his most solid work since Narc.

Final Verdict: Worth It

My best friend will be mad at me for this...

Underworld: Awakening

Kate Beckinsale

Sandrine Holt

Theo James

Michael Ealy

India Eisley

Stephen Rea

Charles Dance

Directed by    

Måns Mårlind

Björn Stein

Screenplay by Len Wiseman

John Hlavin

J. Michael Straczynski

Allison Burnett

88 minutes

Set 12 years after the events in Underworld: Evolutions, humans have jumped into the battle; the cover the vampires wanted to keep about themselves and their war with the lycans (werewolves) now blown. Humans have even managed to capture the top “death dealer” Selene (Beckinsale) whom is now cryogenicly frozen. The humans have almost decimated both the lycan and vampire clans. They now hide in small covens while the lycans have retreated deep underground.

At the military facility (?), Selene is now referred to as Subject 1. Subject 2, manages to free her and immediately take off leaving Selene dazed, hungry, and pissed off trying to find her former love; the hybrid Michael (Scott Speedman). She lays waste to all in her path with getting psychic “flashes” from who she presumes to be Michael. The two shared a psychic bond when Selene saved him from death in the first movie.

An evil doctor (every genre flick needs one); Jacob Lane (Stephen Rea) is fit to be tied at his two prized subjects escape. They both hold the key to the cure for his son, Quint. But it’s not really a cure (cue evil laughter). While Selene is tracking Michael, she runs into fellow vampire David and they both catch up to Subject 2. Selene is bummed because instead of finding her man huddled in a cold damp corner, she finds a little girl. This is Selene’s and Michael’s daughter, aptly named Eve.

They go to David’s coven where it isn’t long before the lycans show up with an uber super duper lycan. The Super Duper lycan gives Selene a fresh from the oven whoop ass pie. Selene comes to, and the super lycan was nice enough to leave the left over whoop ass pie in a doggie bag. She revives David (still full from his helping of the pie) and finds Eve and they all take off. Since Selene can go about in the daylight, she enlists the help of human detective Sebastian….

Why am I telling the whole story…?

The movie was too rushed and left too many questions open for me. The fight scenes were great but that can’t carry an entire movie. Put some meat on the bone! Also, I found myself losing interest in the character(s). Usually a script that has multiple writers is a bad sign. This was churned out for a quick buck, which it got. Unfortunately those bucks included my $11.50. I liked Underworld 1 & 2; but can live without 3 & 4.

Final Verdict: Not feelin’ it

                                           Young Obi Wan and Darth Maul stomp the yard.
                                            Jedi Theta Sith....I SEE YOU FRAT!!!

Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.


PSYCHE!  I'm not paying damn near $18 to see this in 3D! Like it would be any better. To quote Samuel L. Jackson in "Juice":  "You can pour syrup over shit, but it wont make it pancakes."

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengence
Nicolas Cage
Idris Elba
Violante Placido
Christopher Lamber

Directed by Neveldine/Taylor

95 minutes I will never get back in this lifetime


Ghost Rider is a "third tier" Marvel hero from the 70's who for all intents and purposes was a
bad ass. The movie version of this character however reduces Ghost Rider to a lame ass. The first one was so bad it's funny, but I'd never own it kind of movie. This one is all around bad. Regarding the plot if you could call it that is the Ghost Rider is called to save a boy that can lift the Rider's curse, who also turns out to be the son of the devil, before his dad can possess the kid's body and wreak havoc. Being that his current host body is wearing out.

That's it. The Ghost Rider makes the "Superman II" mistake, i.e. whoops, I shouldn't have given
up my powers because now I REALLY need them. A typical bad guy is given the power is to make thinks rot fast...wow... We get to see Nicholas Cage flip out in bizzare ways making the film look like Celebrtiy Rehab for superheroes.
Speaking of odd movements the film wasn't shot 'jerky cam'/Cinéma vérité style, I'll try to explain. Remember in "28 Days Later" how the cinematography had a sped up jerky motion that was effective when the zombies attacked? This movie uses that through damn near the entire film! Was the DP instructed to do the Harlem Shake Up (look it up on YouTube) the whole time?

I think all the actors involved did it for the check. Idris Elba (whom I'm looking forward to seeing in "Prometheus')plays a French man of faith...who looks like he's possesed by Pazuzu (demon from The Exorcist). Christopher Lambert plays the leader of this monk sect with text scrawled all over their faces. See? We're not the only ones suffering in the recession!

If you can't tell by now, don't see this movie. I only saw it because the movie I wanted to see
was sold out and FOOLISHLY thought it may be fun. If your kids try to drag you to it, lie. Tell them "we have Ghost Rider at home honey", give them ice cream, a toy, just DON'T DO IT!

Man On A Ledge
Sam Worthington
Elizabeth Banks
Anthony Mackie
Jamie Bell
Ed Harris
Génesis Rodríguez

Directed by: Asger Leth

102 minutes

The film starts with a man checking into a posh hotel, ordering a nice meal, writing a note and then going out onto a ledge. Within minutes screams start and the man gets the attention he's looking for. By the time news arrives with Kyra Sedgwick...playing a Latina reporter (???), the man shouts to the crowd that he's innocent.

Former cop Nick Cassidy (Worthington) is serving time in prison for the theft of a $40 million dollar
diamond from businessman David Englander (Harris). In truth, Nick was a whistle-blower who was framed by other cops whom were under Englander's employ. When Nick's former partner Mike Ackerman (Mackie) tells him his father had passed, Mike arranges a heavily secured day pass so he can attend the funeral. There we meet his brother Joey (Bell) and his girlfriend Angie (Rodriguez). Joey berates Nick and a fight breaks out. Nick get's the drop on a cop (mad rhyming skillz son), snatching the gun and escapes. Back to the hotel. Nick demands that suicide negotiator (I don't know of any other way to describe he job) Lydia Mercer (Banks) be brought in to talk. Mercer is well known for her failed attempt at talking down a suicidal cop and isn't respected by the force.

The film has a few twists that were unexpected along with a few that were predictable. The cast did a good job, but there is one thing about Sam Worthington. I like Sam Worthington, but I have a problem getting past the fact that it's Sam Worthington onscreen. Some actors can melt into their roles and become that character. Now Sam can do action. Sam can do boiling anger. But I've yet to see him fully be whatever character he's playing. Even in Avatar. I haven't seen him in
"The Debt", but I think he's got the skill buried in there. Hopefully he'll get that role where we can say "damn he acted his ass off". Jaime Bell does a solid turn, Génesis Rodríguez is hilarious, and Anthony Mackie continues to prove his skills.

The ending for me though was a bit too neat of a bow and happy. And there was a question that was left unanswered. if your gonna do the bow, don't leave anything frayed.

CHRONICLE
Dane DeHann as Andrew Detmer
Michael B. Jordan as Steve Montgomery
Alex Russell as Matt Garetty
Directed by Josh Trank
83 minutes


An unpopular teen named Andrew is bullied at school and at home by his emotionally and physically abusive father. The only friends he has is his mother who is stricken with cancer, and his cousin, Matt. Andrew decides to document his life on video. When Matt invites him to a party to try to get him out of his shell, he begs Andrew not to bring his camera. Andrew does and of course gets himself into yet another beat down.

As Andrew is outside licking his wounds he's approached by popular kid Steve (who's running for class president), he asks Andrew to come with him to see what he and Matt found. Turns out they found some hole in the woods (presumably from a meteor) and as expected Matt and Steve check it out by going down. Andrew reluctantly follows. The trio is exposed to radioactive (?) energy from the meteorite and develop telekinetic powers.

At first it's all fun and games with somewhat harmless pranks any of us would be tempted to pull if we were given the opportunity. The problem is  Andrew is a lifelong victim of bullying, and as you
 know you can kick a dog but so many times. Matt and Steve try to rationalize with Andrew but he spirals out of control.

Chronicle, is a hybrid of familiar stories. The abused teen a la Stephen King's “Carrie”, an Americanized version of “Akira” (Hollywood please note that Chronicle has done it right, don't try to remake Akira), and a little bit of televisions 'Heroes”. It also brings to mind real life tragedies like Columbine, and the plethora of bullying/cyber bullying that you see on today’s news.

Andrew is the focal point, and although you don't get much back story on the other characters they are of equal importance and that is a testament to good acting. As likeable as Steve's character is, it did have a bit of a too good to be true kind of feeling. I mean in high school how many combo popular kids /jocks would be caught talking to an outcast? Let alone saying the outcast is his best friend? There was also the ubiquitous “shaky cam” in certain scenes. Granted, if your falling down a flight of stairs, the camera won't be steady. But most cameras have image stabilizers now so what's up with that?

It's rare that I say this considering today's ticket prices, but I'd go to see this again.

The Woman In Black
Daniel Radcliffe
Directed by James Watkins
95 minutes too long


I remember watching reruns of old school Hammer horrors films on afternoon tv or late night Creature Feature. I remember being scared of Christopher Lee, fangs bloodied and bare as Dracula, or Peter Cushing as Victor Frankenstein. I'm glad Hammer is coming back...but this ain't a good start.  Set in Edwardian era a young lawyer, Arthur Kipps is still suffering from the loss of his wife who died giving childbirth to his now 4 year old son. Kipps is in trouble with his law firm because although he has time to grieve he has to get back to work or risk losing his job.

He's assigned to take over sifting documents left by the late Alice Drablow (nice name), former owner of the estate Eel Marsh (again, nice name). Much like westerns and classic Universal horror films, the town ain't partial to strangers. The only townsfolk minus torches and pitchforks is Sam Daily and his wife who take Kipps in. Sam takes Kipps to the Drablow estate to work.  After some digging about and a few cheap un-scary boo scares, discovers Alice had a sister who was a smidgen insane and was overcome with grief after the death of her son, and hung herself. She is the titular Woman in Black, and since then no one in the town seems to have kids that live to 10 before a horrible “accident” befalls them.

While in the town one child dies from drinking lye, and another burned in a fire. Anyway...the film then turns to the much overused “lets solve how the dead person died, and set things right” cliche  not realizing that once a vengeful ghost, always a vengeful ghost and it backfires into a bittersweet ending.

The town knows there's no chance of procreation there. Why not move? And I'm tired of “unfinished business” ghost stories. “Wooooooo....somebody killed me and the cops were too incompetent to solve the case and I don't have Jennifer Love Hewitt’s cell phone number...wooooooooo...”
I'd be like if I find him can I enjoy my new house I can't afford in the 1st place?  All in all, no dis to Radcliffe or the other actors, but the story was waaaay to slow, and just not scary. I was half asleep when the big scare scene came up and I didn't flinch.

Red Tails
Cuba Gooding Jr.
Terrence Howard
David Oyelowo
Nate Parker
Tristan Wilds
Directed by Anthony Hemingway
121 minutes

Red Tails is the story of a group of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American fighter pilots in World War II. It starts with the squad returning from a routine mission (taking out enemy ground transport). Martin “Easy” Julian is the straight laced by the book leader. His best friend and thorn in his side is Joe “Lightning” Little.  A train approaches that may or may not be the enemy. Easy orders to return to base, but Lightning on a hunch goes on the attack.  And the brotha was right, the train was carrying weapons for the Nazis. After destroying the train, the squad returns happy they had something to do but Easy grouses at Lightning's increasing disregard for orders.

Base is pretty humdrum since blacks aren't allowed to really do anything of use. The squads superior officer, Col. Bullard (Howard) is trying to get his men a chance to truly prove their mettle with the higher brass. Despite the Army's belief that black men show cowardice in the face of danger and not mentally capable of the skills needed in combat (you can find actual documentation of this in training manuals from that time period) Bullard is given his chance. Seeing Bullard's stoicism in the face of these incredulous “facts” made me wish there was more done with that character.

By the time the squadron is assigned their 1st task of escorting a fleet of bombers, we are introduced to so many characters there is no way to get to know them on a deeper level. While the Airmen themselves are supposed to be the main character if you will, it doesn't work as an ensamble. In particular Neyo's southern charcter's drawl was so irritating I'd wince whenever he appeared onscreen. Besides the characters Easy, Lightning, and Bullard, another airman, Ray Gun had charisma and myself and the audience I saw it with pulled for him, but there were large gaps in his story that went unanswered.George Lucas did not write the film, but it did suffer a
lot of cringe worthy dialogue that fell flat. 

Red Tails shines with it's performances by Oyelowo(Rise of the Apes, The Help), Howard, and Parker. And of course the aireal dogfights. Lucas himself watched dogfight footage from WWII when planing out the X-Wing/Tie Fighter battles in Star Wars: A New Hope. For dramatic content and character development, HBO Films "The Tuskeegee Airmen"still holds up and is highly reccomended. I do admire Lucas for his drive to get this film made. He's essentialy fought for it for I believe 28 years he said in an interview. And he got a lesson as far as what Hollywood power players think about black flims. They passed and refused distribution. Lucas did what pioneer black
filmmaker Oscar Micheaux did. Distribute it himself with his own money. 

Safe House

Denzel Washington
Ryan Reynolds

Directed by: Daniel Espinosa

117 minutes


To be fair, I will have to give this one a second viewing...once it's arrives on Blu Ray. I made a
huge mistake of eating a burrito 30 minutes beforehand and had the worst case of "the itis" (food coma). I strained so hard to stay awake that despite all the bangs and booms, my eyelids were halfway closed. The haze didn't clear away until the last 30 minutes of the movie. Anyway...

Denzel Washington plays CIA agent turned rouge Tobin Frost. Never has a character had so much precautionary buildup since Hannibal Lecter. After Tobin, on the lamb overseas gets secret plans that he injects in his own body for safekeeping, he runs from the criminals who are after him. After a lengthy chase, he makes it to the U.S. Embassy (HA! I'm on base, can't catch me!). He gives himself up and is whisked off to a safe house location in South Africa.

There we meet safe "housekeeper" Matt Weston (Reynolds). Weston is bored with the position due to lack of any action or advancement and is in hopes of transferring to Paris along with his fiancee (she doesn't have a clue her man is an agent). Weston gets his wish in the form of Frost when he arrives. After Frost is subjected to a bit of water torture, the lights go off, and a coup d'état is staged on the facility. Weston is ordered to watch Frost as the firefight ensues. Silver tongued Frost convinces Weston the one way out is to let him loose and escape together. Under Weston's watch of course. The two break out, get away, Frost continues to break it down for Weston that it's all a set up and he should now watch his back around the hire ups.

Because Washington has played the villain so well in the past (Training Day), he is convincing as Tobin Frost, and Reynolds does a good performance and his character can stand toe to toe with Washington's despite his rookie vulnerability. Ryan Reynolds works best when he's not playing the smart ass. That's why I feel like this film and "Buried" are examples where we see Ryan Reynolds the actor. The only time his smart ass shtick works for me is when he played Deadpool in "Wolverine". It fit there because of the fact that Deapool in the comics is a smart ass. The best way to describe it is that Bill Murray plays the loveable smart ass. Ryan Reynolds plays more of the douchy smart ass that no one likes.

I'm on the fence with Safe House. It's too much money for a repeat viewing at the theaters, but I'll review it again once it's in the home markets.

Hello and welcome. I'm not a journalist or professional film critic, but since I'm paying $11.50 to see movies, and movies were made for us the public, we've got some say. Posts may be infrequent because this is coming outta my own pocket for the time being, but I'll do my best to stay current. In the future I may do DVD/Blu Ray reviews as well. Enjoy.