Machete!

Grindhouse is a term that commonly refers to theaters that specialized in playing B movies.  Many times these movies were exploitation films that were in double feature formats.  Popular in the 1970s and typically low quality and low budget, exploitations in these movies are an over exaggeration of the subject, usually violence, sex, and special effects. 

2007’s release of Grindhouse, co-written and directed by Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino, played as a double feature, included the films Planet Terror and Death Proof.  When released, the film featured several fake trailers, advertisements, and announcements.  One of those trailers was for Machete, a screenplay that was originally written in 1993 for Danny Trejo, after casting him in Desperado. 

A former Mexican Federale Machete Cortez (Danny Trejo) is betrayed and attacked by his former boss and druglord Torrez (Steven Seagal), after he is unwilling to be bought he is left for dead after his wife is murdered in front of him.  After three years Machete shows up in Texas as in immigrant trying to make a living.  He is picked up by Michael Booth (Jeff Fahey) for a job to assassinate the Senator (Robert De Niro) during a reelection rally that focuses on tough immigration policy.  Set up by Booth, Machete, now on the run, tries to get his revenge and help the network against radical anti-immigration vigilantes led by Lt. Von Jackson (Don Johnson).  The movie also stars Jessica Alba as Sartana Rivera an immigration agent torn between helping the cause and enforcing the law, Michelle Rodriguez as Luz the leader of the network that helps immigrants transition into America and find jobs.

Overall I give this movie a 3.5 out of 5, and would recommend this to most people.  A very enjoyable experience that was well paced and did not disappoint, for what it was, the acting was good and the story was entertaining.  A true exploitation film, Machete has it all.  Not taking itself to serious as it becomes comical at times.  Opening with a second place finish of $14million during a stretch where moviegoers are tightening their wallets may not be seen as a total disappointment.

Of the other fake trailers, Hobo and a Shotgun, which won Robert Rodriguez’s South by Southwest Grindhouse trailer contest, is currently being filmed as a full-length feature staring Rutger Hauer as the hobo.  Eli Roth’s Thanksgiving is also in the works as a possible full-length film. 

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

For fans of video arcade games, comic books, or just good entertainment, this movie is for you. Universal’s or fans of video arcade games, comic books, or just good entertainment, this movie is for you. Universal’s Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, based on a six volume graphic novel, is the story of Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) who finds the girl of his dreams, in his dreams.  Doing some asking around, he finds that who he is looking for is Ramona V. Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winsted), a girl trying to Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, based on a six volume graphic novel, is the story of Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) who finds the girl of his dreams, in his dreams.  Doing some asking around, he finds that who he is looking for is Ramona V. Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winsted), a girl trying to get away from her past, and is at first reluctant to get involved with Scott Pilgrim.  After convincing her to go out with him, the two have a great night, but the following morning he receives an email informing him that if he is to have her as his own, he will have to fight her seven evil exes. 

The movie follows the story of Scott Pilgrim and his band the Sex Bob-ombs competing in a battle of the bands for the chance to sign with Gideon Gordon Graves’ (Scott Schwartzman) label G-Man.  Each round of the competition is disrupted by an evil ex that Scott Pilgrim must defeat.  Each battle is fought in an arcade versus style with great special effects to go along with a great musical soundtrack.

The movie is very fast paced and with quick transitions to move the film along.  The arcade style adds a little nostalgia as well as a fresh take on action and fight scenes.  To focus on the fight sequences some of the back story of the characters is lost in the adaptation, but does not detract from a great movie.  Michael Cera played the part of Scott Pilgrim very well, and at times, Michael Cera wasn’t being all Michael Cera, which may have kept some people away from his recent films. 

Overall I would have to give this a 4.5 out of 5.  One of my favorite, if not my favorite, movies of the year.  The acting was great, and the score was amazing.  The visuals during the fight scenes were fantastic.  Everything about the movie added to its greatness.  With a meager opening of 10.5 million, it worries me that original ideas will not be green lit by studios.  I definitely recommend this movie as a must see.

The Expenables!

The Expendables was written and directed by Sylvester Stallone, featuring him and an ensemble cast of the last twenty year’s action stars.  All play bit parts in a mercenary group led by Barney Ross (Stallone), where each has a specialized skill and style of combat. 

A mysterious man, Mr. Church, offers Ross’ team a job that would have them overthrow the tyrannical government of a small gulf island, Vilena. Ross and Lee Christmas (Jason Statham) travel to Vilena to meet with their contact and to do some reconnaissance.  Once there they find that the real problem for the island is an American, James Munroe (Eric Roberts), trying to exploit the people and to build a drug empire.  After getting too close to the palace the three have to fight their way back to the plane to escape danger.  Not wanting to leave her country, Sandra (Giselle Itie) stays behind against the request from Ross Barney. 

Not wanting to accept the job, but feeling he is responsible for putting Sandra in danger, Ross decides to go back on his own to save her.  The team, loyal to their leader, decides they are up for the task to take down the government and to save Sandra.

The movie is exactly what you would expect with the abundance of gun fire, explosions, fight scenes, bad guys, heroes, and, of course, a damsel in distress.  Didn’t expect it to be a good movie, although I knew it would be an entertaining movie.  Keeping your expectation in check will allow you to enjoy the movie for what it is.  Sylvester Stallone is actually very coherent and the acting is, well, not why you will go see and enjoy this movie.  The cast of Sly Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts, Randy Couture, Steve Austin, Mickey Rourke, along with two small cameos, is what will draw the audience to the theaters. 

Overall I would give this movie a 3 out of 5.  The story is passable and the action is sufficient.  The ensemble cast is what makes this movie what it is.  The special effects weren’t all the great, and the score was a little off at times, none of which effect the entertainment value.

Salt!

Sony Pictures releases this action/adventure spy thriller starring Angelina Jolie as Evelyn Salt and Liev Schreiber as Ted Winter, both as CIA agents caught up in a classic Russia vs. US espionage story.

Evelyn Salt tries to live a normal life, or as much as she can for a CIA agent.  A night that was supposed to be her anniversary is interrupted by a Russian nationalist claiming he has information and is attempting to defect.  He insists that there is an uncover agent that has been ordered to kill the Russian President that is traveling to New York City for the funeral of the US Vice President.   During the interview Orlov claims that Salt is a Russian spy.  

Detained for questioning and unable to reach her husband on the phone, Salt is determined to escape, find her husband and prove her innocence.  Trained as a covert operative Salt escapes the CIA building and returns home only to find her husband has been taken.  Now on the run from her former colleagues the chase takes to the highway as Salt jumps from semi to semi in a typical movie chase scene that eventually leads to her escape. 

The movie has everything you’d expect from a spy thriller.  The plot was well conceived and the action was appropriately used to advance the story.  Angelina Jolie has become an excellent choice for the female action star, and her performance as Evelyn Salt does not disappoint. 

Allowing yourself to get immersed into the story you will find Salt to be very enjoyable and entertaining movie.  A few different twists can keep you wondering where the story will end up.  The action was great, and mostly believable.  The story is also well resolved and does leave room for a potential sequel.

Overall I would give this movie a 4 out of 5.  If this is your type of movie, as it is mine, you will be pleased with the money spent.  The visuals, editing, and score were all average, that said, they didn’t add or detract anything from the film.

Tech nerds rejoice!

According to Financial Times iPhone users can now legally modify their phones.  The US Copyright office announced rules today allowing users to modify their phones to allow them to switch networks and add applications to the phone that were previously not allowed by Apple. 

This decision is a major blow to AT&T who is currently the exclusive carrier for the iPhone.  This also majorly effects Apple's closed app ecosystem where the company had final say on which apps you were allowed to install.  Apple is known for it's notorious control of it's software and products. 

A free speech advocacy group known as Electronic Frontier Foundation has been lobbying for these changes that had previous allowed too many exemptions and protection. 

Note that any modifications will still void your warranty.

Mad Men Season 4 Premiere Review "Public Relations"

It's the middle of summer and that means only one thing, the return of AMC's critically acclaimed show Mad Men for its 4th season.  We were left with a bit of turmoil as we seen the end of the marriage between Don and Betty Draper, as well as the familiar faces of Sterling-Cooper leave to create their own rival ad agency.

This season picks up getting right to business, but this time at Sterling-Cooper-Draper-Pryce.  It is unclear how much time has passed at first, the new ad agency is afloat, but definitely treading water.  Don skills and focus seem to be unraveling as he remains just as stubborn as seasons past.  Don remains vague and distant with whom he is during an interview that was to showcase him and his company, but ultimately ends up doing more harm than good. It is very apparent that both Peggy Olson and Pete Campbell start to really come into their own as Pete matures and becomes more confident in his ability. A stunt, although successful, further sours the professional relationship between Don and Peggy, as it appears his once untouchable persona is being tarnished.  An abrupt outburst to potential clients forces Don to accept Bert Cooper's offer of a second interview, this time with the Wall Street Journal.  He begins his image repair by telling the magazine of the story the forced him into creating this new ad agency.  During this time we find that only a little over a year has passed since the end of season 3. 

During the episode Don goes on his first date, set up by Rodger Sterling with a friend of his wife Jane.  A 25 year old actress interested but is poised to take it slow.  We find that his plans for Thanksgiving are spent with a prostitute that he must have been involved with for some time for her to know what he likes.  We also find that he developed a fetish where he enjoys being slapped in the face.  Such practices are generally a way for men in power at work to have the roles reverse and become submissive in the bedroom. 

Overall it was a good start to the new season as we get to see what kind of storylines will unfold as well as the development of our favorite characters.  I look forward to next week’s episode, as well as the series premiere of Rubicon the next AMC's commitment to original programming.  Rubicon is a serialized political thriller that tells the story of Will Travers an intelligence analyst who cracks codes for a living.

Despicable Me!

Brought to you by Universal Studios Despicable Me stars Steve Carell (The Office) as Gru, an aging, mostly unsuccessful villain, Jason Segal (How I Met Your Mother) as a young promising villain and Miranda Cosgrove (iCarly as an orphaned girl forced to peddle cookies for the seeming evil Miss Hattie (Kristen Wiig).

The ads have everything to draw the kids in, and the movie has just enough to keep up the kids’ attention.  In recent years animated movies had just enough adult humor and references to make these “family movies” actually entertaining for the whole family.  Despicable Me has too many tendencies that pander to the children in the theater, rather than try to entertain the broader audience. 

Intended to be cute and funny the minions, employed by Gru, fail to do either.  There were times that I would grin or chuckle at the noises and gestures, but overall I found them to be overused and occasionally annoying.  Some of the bright spots were Dr. Nefario (Russell Brand) and the three orphans, of which gave the most consistent comedy. 

With Pixar raising the bar to its highest level, it is hard for others to meet such standards.  This film always felt like something was missing, but overall I have to take it for what it is, a children’s movie.

Still entertaining, but only average, I give it a 2.5 out of 5.  Visuals, voice over, and music, a much better 4 out of 5.