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:

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:

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.

This movie didn’t receive a lot of accolades at the box office and I really don’t understand why. It looked great. The story was good and the voice acting was too. Maybe it was the actual death that happened in the film. That did take me back a bit when I saw it. Still, this was a very enjoyable film family film. The main character was charming and easy to feel for. Maybe it was too different from the source material. I am familiar with the Astro Boy character of old but I never followed it very closely. I enjoyed this movie and easily give it a 4 out of 5 marks.

I’ve been a fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles since they were just comic book heroes so I may be a bit biased. The original TV version was fun but made for kids. The latest version got better and also darker but never held my attention enough to keep up with the seemingly endless episodes. Still I’d watch an episode now and then just to see what was happening in the series. This movie does not require you to be as knowledgeable of Turtle lore as I am. You don’t have to be fan of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to enjoy this movie but if you are, even just a little, rest assured that you will be appropriately entertained. All that and you can even sit and watch it with your kids.

After having been disappointed with everything that has come out of the Highlander storyline of late, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by this film. Already an Anime fan, I appreciate the visual quality and overall look of the film. It is an untold story of the Highlander mythos and fits well into that franchise, paving the way for new stories to be told. That I am already a fan of the Highlander conversation is what got me to check out this film and I am happy I did. I found it to be pleasing on many levels and easily recommend it, giving it a 4 out of 5 marks.

Street Kings must have been the coming out party for a bunch of TV actors. You can’t go 15 minutes in this movie without seeing some star of a TV show. It also stars a couple of well known rappers and even a comedian though little about this movie is funny. This is a man’s movie. There’ plenty of gritty action and killing and very little romance. The roles of the two women in the movie are only there to support the man. Like the title says, this is a street movie complete with drugs, thugs, and rampant crime. Keanu plays the action hero like a woken up Neo in the Matrix.

This was a surprisingly good movie. There are parts that reminded me a lot of Training Day. I had to get over my issues with Keanu playing a bad ass cop but after that I was pleasantly suprised. I didn’t go to see this in the theater because no one said anything good about it but I liked it. It had plenty of action and while the plot wasn’t entirely hard to see through, I had fun getting to the end. I give this a 4 out of 5 marks.

Blood and Bone

This film had everything but sex and made me think of it as a Blacksploitation movie without the exploitation. Both the good guy and the bad guy were compelling and there is a heated racial conversation between Eamonn Walker’s and Julian Sands’ character that was quite memorable.  This movie had decent acting, great action, and an actual story. Director Ben Ramsey did some nice work here. Despite moments of predictability, I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed this film. Bottom line, it was good and should have been in the theater. I give it a 4 1/2 out of 5 marks.