The B Action Movie Thread - Page 1669

Looker is cool. It's not Crichton's best, but the concept is way ahead of its time and helps it stand out among more cliched potboilers.

 

I actually wouldn't mind a remake either. Get Liam Neeson in Albert Finney's role, I'm there.

They showed it in my facility one weekend, but I never caught it. I wanted to, but something always came up. Like doing well at the poker table. Even though it was more art than action, DRIVE was my favorite of any movie of 2011. Granted, there's several things I need to catch up on still.

I can say that I missed some things from the end of 2010, and caught them in there, too: TRUE GRIT and THE TOWN were both stellar.

Dammit, Fazer, I remember liking you. No man that makes INGLOURIOUS BASTARDS deserves hate. Second best movie of 2009, right behind HOTEL FOR DOGS.

I lose points for rehashing a version of one of my facebook jokes there.

Lee Bung Hyun of Bittersweet Life and I Saw the Devil fame (and GIJOE too) has joined the cast of RED 2.  Less importantly, Catherine Zeta Jones has also.

 

I was one of the folks on here that enjoyed the first one.  However, I do feel that Lee Bung Hyun should be doing more high brow affairs.  The guy is a top-notch actor.  I'd rather he stay and work in Korea then do non-stop action films where he is largely sidelined.
 

Who asked for Red 2?

 

RED was one of Bruno's biggest hits of recent years.  It was better than LFODH and we're getting a follow up to that.

I ASKED FOR RED 2.

 

 

"I'M GETTIN' THE PIG!"

Except for the Borgnine, RED sucked. Hope this follow up is better than the last time a modest Bruno hit got a sequel - THE WHOLE TEN YARDS.

Besides you, Rene.

Experienced Rage for the first time tonight! From my Facebook movie chronicles:

 

If Hugh Grant built his career around kicking people in the face, using guns as melee weapons, and doing a combination of both, his name would be Gary Daniels. My fellow B-movie comrades know him well. Others may know him as that British bad guy from The Expendables who Jet Li kills by kicking him in the jaw and snapping his spinal cord. Here, he plays a second grade science teacher (sounds like a Hugh Grant rom-com right now, doesn't it?) who get suckered into an underground government organization's plot to clone him, a perfect being, as an army of supersoldiers.

No, this isn't some Captain America movie that flew under the radar, and these guys sure as hell ain't noble like SHIELD. Realizing that he, obviously, should not be some kind of superweapon, he hauls ass through what feels like a string of lean, destructive action sequences you'd never know could be done so well in a 90's direct-to-video cheapie, particularly a MASSIVE police chase, a building scale that tells the one in Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol to fuck off, and a climax at a shopping mall that apparently no one goes to (maybe Seaview Square or Paramus Park*?). One small gripe at the end aside, a wonderful action movie most have never heard of. And Gary Daniels > Hugh Grant.

 

* - Sorry, in-joke for the Jersey folk.

 

Where next: Riot or Recoil?

 

Recoil.  Some great action in this one. 

Yep. RECOIL for sure. Check out WHITE TIGER at some point as well. The best of his non-PM titles. 

What they said.  Recoil.

RAGE is great. Love the stunts.

GOD BLESS AMERICA is my new favorite movie of the year. American pop and poitical culture is perhaps an easy target, but the satire was sharply observed. The humor is pitch black, and the (QT inspired) violence is at times wince inducing, but at the heart is a buddy chemistry between Joel Murray and Tara Lynn-Barr that reminded me of HAROLD AND MAUDE. In my opinion, Bobcat Goldthwait's best yet.

Macready, Lee Hung Byun was...Perfectly Cast, as...Storm Shadow in...2 G.I. Joe Films.  G.I. Joe...IS...Highbrow, and Rise Of Cobra was the...Best Film of 2009!  I hope that there is a...G.I. Joe 3!

 

I liked RED as well. Though i was surprised on how fat Richard Dreyfuss has become over the years,

 

Getting Catherine Zeta Jones back for the sequel is another plus for me.

 

Yes, of course.  I want it to be a recurring thing that he dies in each installment and still comes back in the follow up.

 

I meant something that utilised his acting talents a bit more.  In the GIJOEs and RED 2, being part of an ensemble means there's less time to show what he's capable of in that regard.

 

 

What is (semi) retirement if you can't just sit back and enjoy it?

I thought Red was mediocre but inoffensive. You got the sense that the cast were all having a good time making it and that counts for something. Did I want it to be better? Yes, of course. A sequel has a chance to improve things, at least. But, as Elvis said, we're probably getting The Whole Ten Yards all over again.
 

RED was meh.

Erix, have you seen CELL 211? If not, check it out. Really intense Spanish prison thriller, with Luis Tosar, the head bad guy from MIAMI VICE. The director describes it as DIE HARD meets A PROPHET.

And you wouldn't have to read the subtitles!

I've been meaning to give CELDA 211 a look.

 

Yeah, I speak perfect Spanish. But Castillian Spanish can sometimes require subtitles for me. I couldn't understand half of MAR ADENTRO when I saw that one. Though, in all fairness a lot of that was Catalán or something. Still, subtitles would have helped.
 

Macready, I understand what you meant.  Outside of starring in something like...Expendables 3, a Marvel Comic adaption, or G.I. Joe or something in the genre, you cannot get any more...Highbrow than that.  That is what I meant.  If Lee Hung Bun, wanted to star as a S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent or Marvel Superhero that would be more compelling...To Me, than some standard...drama!

 

Hey Guys, to me...Red 2 is as appealing as a...Lead...Shoe!

This list is telling me Riot is PM's best, but everyone seems to be on the Recoil team. I assume to stick with Recoil first?

 

The video store with nothing but PM movie posters in Rage, by the way, is hilarious.

 

 

Favorite part has to be when Murray fucks up trying to blow up the girl's car and then hesitating and shooting her.

Video Store Adventures: I got THE GREY + CHRONICLE for tonite.

 

This was pretty cool, a Random Roles with Jackie Earle Haley. He talks about his experiences with THE BAD NEWS BEARS, DAMNATION ALLEY and much, much more:

 

http://www.avclub.com/articles/jackie-earle-haley-on-bad-news-bears-watchmen-dark,73884/1/

You're gonna love The Grey, Elvis. Milius would be proud! Chronicle is flawed but very, very good. The less you know, the better.

All the Gary Daniels talk, I'm going to rewatch RAGE tonight.  I've never seen RIOT, and that's on deck as well.

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM MICHAEL MADSEN!

 

Listen to the man.

Rage And Recoil are pretty great, but Riot is a bit of a step down. The one big thing that makes me recommend it is that it ends with a car chase in a parking garage rather than the standard shootout. That alone gets a pass from me. I enjoy a shoot out, but it was cool seeing something different.

Just finished up EL GRINGO. Found it to be a solid effort from Scott Adkins. A bit over-stylized at times during the action scenes but had a good time with it nonetheless. Certainly gave Adkins his chance to rack up the biggest body count in his filmography thus far. Christian Slater is fine in his role as a shady cop.

 

There's a fairly large set piece in the middle where Adkins lays waste to tons of henchman. It's a hoot to watch but it leads you to believe the finale will be just as kill-crazy, if not more. The climax doesn't quite get that bonkers which was a shame.

Fat Elvis, I walked past the...Anthology Film Archives in NYC, and saw a poster for...Damnation Alley!  I have never been to that theater, but it is in the East Village, so I can imagine it being filled with many...Village People (not the band, people in the...Village!)  If there ever was a double feature Of...Village of the Damned and Damnation Alley, the AFA could sell it as...Village of Damnation!

I haven't got around to watching yet, but I bought Haywire from Wal-Mart the other day.

Duke, that's a GREAT theater, even though it's kinda small and has shitty acoustics. A couple years ago, they did an amazing retrospective of not-on-DVD crime films, including Freebie and the Bean and The Outfit, and I heard many stories of the Bill Lustig-curated retrospective of his producing efforts. Well worth a visit.

Gabe T, Thank You for the update!

It was very Milius. Which was cool. I liked it quite a bit, even if it wasn't quite THE EDGE. A very mature film from Joe Carnahan. Liam was great, and the nearly unrecognizable Dermot Mulroney surprised me. And I liked the ending.

Going to watch Safe in a few hours. Hope i'll have a great time at the Theatres with it.

 

Next week, The Raid: Redemption!

I never thought of it as very Milius, but that fits. Liked it very much, especially the colour palette Carnahan used. This would make a great double feature with The Hunter, which I loved all up and down. I'll watch anything with Dafoe, especially when he gets a lead.

 

While I was one of the few who thought that Drive was good but still overrated, Attack the Block was also my favorite movie of 2011. I am so glad I got to see it on the big screen.

 

 

While I've heard mixed reviews for it, I'll be excited to watch it sometime next week. Even if it's at an arthouse joint where hipsters usually hang out. I'll likely have a drink at the outdoor bar they have before I go in. That's the place where a girl that I refer to as Busty Rumer Willis used to work at.

 

Anyhow, I notice that World's Greatest Dad is on Netflix Instant Streaming so that's something I should check out first, so I have an idea what to expect from him as a director. I do remember that some people here have praised the movie in the past.

 

 

Awesome. I wish they would play that at all cineplexes before the feature began. Then again, like I said recently I've been lucky in recent months in that I haven't really had a problem with idiots at the movie theatre.

Watched STASH HOUSE. No good. Seems like the first hour is just the dullard husband and wife wandering around inside the house, while Lundgren and his associate wander around outside the house. Nothing of any consequence at all happens during this time. I might have nodded off, I can't remember if I lost consciousness or not. Picks up a bit towards the end, Lundgren finally gets the chance to have a little more psycho-fun but it's too little and far too late.

 

EL GRINGO is much more lively.

Don't listen to anything you hear about the plot, go in blind. It never ends up going exactly where you think. Also, a seriously brilliant performance from Robin Williams.  I'm not a fan, but this is what I will remember him for.

 

Yeah, it's great stuff.  Basically what Gabe said.

Watched Apocalypto on BluRay. Fucking amazing. I got Get The Gringo but I'll watch it tomorrow night.

So today I scored the Schwarzenegger 3 pack of Commando, True Lies,  and Predator. I was happy as hell because up until this point I had never seen a DVD copy of Predator in widescreen. I had heard how horrible the Blu Ray treatment (ultra plastic-shiny) was on this thread, so I was tickled pink to get the film grain treatment this evening. It looked amazing, and still remains in the obvious category of untouchable action cinema. This was my first widescreen viewing by the way and I had even beat the NES Predator game some years back. Still nice to have a new expierence with a classic  like this, the movie looked gorgeous.

 

MVP: Bill Duke as Mac. Yes, this is obvious, but I can't imagine the film having half as much gravitas or tension without his presence. My new fav would be Richard Chavez, he didn't deserve that sad of an end note in my opinion (though the ruthlessness of the kill was awesome in perspective). 

 

I also think this movie may have Arnold's most subtle acting. Take that for what  you will, but when he relates about Afghanistan you can see a quiet shift in his face that works in an unforced way.

 

My main thought is this: Has any director ever landed a one-two action punch quite on the level McTiernan did with Predator and Die Hard? I find myself hard pressed to find anyone comparable. 

 

On a side note, I wasn't really impressed by The Expendables on the level I expected to be, but damned if the trailer for EX2 isn't the coolest thing I've seen all month. Just the motorcycle vs. helicopter alone has my seat sold. I didn't want to be hyped twice by this, but here I am all over again expecting the best.

CHRONICLE surprised the Hell out of me at how good it was. I didn't think it was still possible to have an exciting and original take on the Superhero genre, but this one managed that. This tale of regular teens gaining superpowers, works here because the characters are so likable, and their joy at working out and discovering their powers is so infectious. I loved the first two thirds of the film the best, when it was just about this discovery and budding friendships. (the scene where unpopular geek Andrew, encouraged by his new friend, uses his powers to dazzle at a talent show is perfect) When things took a turn down a dark path, though it was telegraphed, I honestly hated to see it. The spectacle gets pretty crazy in the last third, but because the character foundation has been laid, it's not empty or annoying like say in (a movie I hated) THE INCREDIBLE HULK. The Action is breathtaking, but the intensity is heightened because we care about what happens. The found footage aspect of the film is messy, and doesn't always work logically, but it never took me out of it. And it does enhance some scenes -the POV early flying scenes are wonderful and euphoric. Verdict: maybe not quite as fresh to hardcore comic nerds, but to everyone else, an exhilarating film well worth a viewing. Oh shit moment: the first time things go bad, when road rage telekinisis is used to slam a truck off the road and into a lake

 

I also hold this opinion.  Arnie's acting in the film is actually impressive, not only for the subject matter and genre, but for those who would say he's a one-note non-actor.  He's quite subtle at times, intentionally funny at others, and rises to the occasion when he needs to do the dramatic stuff.  He works especially well with the cast that surrounds him.  I love Predator. 

The movie poster I've been waiting more than 20 years for.

Just saw Safe.

 

I liked it. The first 30 mins take a bit of setting up, but once Statham goes into his Steven Seagal mode it picks up. The fights are brutal and well done (Especially the one at the Russian Restaurant). There's a bit of shaky cam here but i didn't mind it all that much this time.

 

Definitely better than The Killer Elite. Slightly better than The Mechanic in my book.

 

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

THE DIVIDE is one of the most unrelentingly unpleasant movies I've seen in a while. Kind of the point, but still, damn. Poor, Rosanna Arquette.

 

It will forever baffle me why people like this movie, especially with the basis that the characters were somehow likable. Andrew is an annoying, mopey little asshole whose arc, as you say, is telegraphed (I'd say obnoxiously, painfully so) from the moment the movie starts. Steve, meanwhile, seems like a glib douche. I thought the third guy was okay but he's just sort of a vague nice guy saddled with an annoying, useless love story.

 

As for Red 2, I thought the first one was agreeable, but I'll never watch it again. The Whole Ten Yards, meanwhile, is one of the worst sequels I've ever sat through. I did it because I think, conversely, that The Whole Nine Yards is one of Bruno's best recent(ish) movies.

 

I really like how Tosar's character developed over the course of the film.  In the 'Inevitable Paul Haggis Remake', whoever playes that role is going to have a tough time coming anywhere near his level.

 

 

Sounds good.  Adkins needs a few worthwhile leading roles.  With this and US:DOR, he should experience a nice bump in his stock value.  I'm not expecting a huge amount from him in Ex2.

 

 

Oh, Snap!!

 

 

I really liked it but am really surprised at how highly valued it is.  It is a really simple film done with lashings of style.  And some great performances, it's rare to get acknowledgement for roles that are underplayed.

 

 

John Woo had The Killer and Bullet in the Head, back to back (if you don't count his action directing Just Heroes).  Though some might not agree with Bullet in the Head being called an action film.

 

 

The ways in which Chronicle keeps the recorded footage theme does stretch credibility sometimes (in a film that involves little realism).  It was described as someone on here as being a US Akira.  Anyone wanna bet it ends up being better than any eventual remake?

Do you think Hollywood will ever let Adkins headline a solo Hollywood film? Like Statham in his TRANSPORTER Series?

 

There was supposed to be a MAXIMUM CONVICTION Trailer released today.

The folks at the Steven Seagal Forum seem really pissed off at Voltage Films for not releasing it.

I saw it just now too. I'm glad you guys all picked up on the Sensei-ness of the film. Anyone who calls it a typical Statham flick is a fucking idiot. It's a typical Sensei flick, if you can't tell the difference, you don't love action films.

On the ending;
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
Yeah, that film was harsh. But it's great to see Biehn in something worth watching. I love that despite being an unpleasant asshole, he's the true hero of the film for refusing to lose what little humanity he had left before the apocalypse.