You Kill Me is billed as a killer comedy and that’s exactly what it is. Ben Kingsley plays the part of the family killer who is also an alcoholic. The drinking is interfering with his job and when it causes him to miss a key hit, the family sends him to San Francisco to dry out and get it together. He get’s set up with an apartment and a part-time job at a morturary getting dead bodies ready for their funeral. While at work he meets Téa Leoni’s character who has her own issues and they embark upon a relationship. At this point Ben Kingsley’s character has been an alcoholic so long, he doesn’t remember being any other way. With the help of his new love interest (Leoni) and his AA sponsor played by Luke Wilson, he works to find his way which couldn’t happen too soon because the last guy he missed killing is making life more than a little tough for the people he’s left behind.
There were a lot of recognizable actors in this movie and I’d say the movie was well acted as a whole. Even Luke Wilson wasn’t terrible and while Téa Leoni’s character was a bitch, she was quite a likeable one. The film is definitely a comedy but it’s not really laugh out loud funny though it does make you smile a lot. Ben Kingsley is awesome and the movie is really just plain fun … even when it tries to be serious. I give it a 3 and a half out of 5 marks but I’m considering giving it 4. Here’s the trailer:
The Boondock Saints is the story of two Irish fraternal twins that set out to kill evil men in Boston. It stylish, funny, and action packed. The twins are played by Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus. There’s also a flaming gay FBI agent hot on their trail played by Willem Dafoe. The twins are bad-ass, and while they may not be the most intelligent of vigilantes, they make up for it in attitude, daring, and style. Though they are killers, they believe themselves to be doing the lord’s work by destroying evil. There is a prayer they say just before they kill their last victim that is quite interesting and memorable. This movie is fun to watch all the way through and the music is pretty good too.
I was looking back trying to figure out why I hadn’t seen this movie in the theater and found out the movie was released in the U.S. on only a few screens due to the actual columbine incident. It was later re-released seven years later. There is already a sequel which I have seen and also recommend called The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day. It’s nearly, if not just as good, as the original. I ended up screening both movies back-to-back with friends and a good time was had by all. I consider them both classics and easily give the original 5 out of 5 marks. Check out the trailer for the original:
Mirageman is the story of a young man in Chile who decides to be a Superhero. He has no powers, just some martial arts skills or as the byline says, “just his fists and guts”. The film starts with the hero practicing his martial arts while his history is told from newspaper clippings and photos on his wall. He’s a humble guy and apparently living on just enough money to get by. Later he runs across a chance to use his skills to help someone and dons a mask to do so. His story makes it to the news and his sick brother who immediately starts to improve. It is at this point that the main protagonist of the story decides to be a Superhero.
There’s a lot to like about this movie. It’s clearly low budget but somehow contains all the elements of a great Superhero movie. There’s plenty of comedy as Mirageman learns about the superhero business through trial and error; from who he should trust, what clothing he should wear, to how to get around transportation issues. What really stands out here is the martial arts. This was some of the best fighting choreography I have ever seen outside of a Chinese or Japanese film. There’s no slow motion, just awesome, real-looking fight scenes.
As I said before, this film was made in Chile so it is English dubbed but if you’ve ever watched old martial arts movies of the past then getting through this will be easy. The Superhero movement and action is somewhat similar to the old Spider-Man live action television show. It’s a little cheesy but definitely entertaining and fun to watch. The music is good too. I give this movie a 4 out of 5 marks. Check out the trailer:
Logorama is an Oscar nominated short film in which every character and pretty much every piece of the landscape is made from some popular logo. It starts off innocently enough but then turns violent with a heavy dose of profanity and other PG-13 elements. I loved it. You will too. You can find out more on the film’s official site and you can watch the entire short below.
Exiled is a Chinese action movie that while taking place in relatively modern times, plays out very much like a Western. In it, a group of old friends are brought together again under interesting circumstances. Two of them arrive to kill one of the others while another two arrive at the same time to protect him. Their friendship endures while they shoot at each other and others shoot at them.
This movie is subtitled but the conversations happen slow enough for them to be easily read without missing anything important in the movie. Some parts of the film play out like a Kung Fu movies with guns instead of hand to hand combat. The personalities of each of the friends are relatively distinct and each is likeable in his own way. There are plenty of action scenes and since there are lots of bullets flying, there is plenty of blood but not to the point of it being gory. The enduring friendship of the main give guys is fun to watch as it plays out amidst the backdrop of bullets, crime, and gang bosses. The movie takes place in Macao, China and has its appropriate comedic and dramatic moments woven into this action piece.
None of the actors were recognizeable to me but everyone seemed to play their part well. This was an enjoyable film. It was directed by Johnny To who I never knew but now have an appreciation for. I easily give this movie a 4 out of 5 marks. Enjoy the trailer below then go rent the movie.
You Kill Me is billed as a killer comedy and that’s exactly what it is. Ben Kingsley plays the part of the family killer who is also an alcoholic. The drinking is interfering with his job and when it causes him to miss a key hit, the family sends him to San Francisco to dry out and get it together. He get’s set up with an apartment and a part-time job at a morturary getting dead bodies ready for their funeral. While at work he meets Téa Leoni’s character who has her own issues and they embark upon a relationship. At this point Ben Kingsley’s character has been an alcoholic so long, he doesn’t remember being any other way. With the help of his new love interest (Leoni) and his AA sponsor played by Luke Wilson, he works to find his way which couldn’t happen too soon because the last guy he missed killing is making life more than a little tough for the people he’s left behind.
