Movie Rental Finds » Adventure

Mirageman

wallruss — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 06:25:50 +0000

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:

Turtles Forever

wallruss — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 12:02:08 +0000

Turtles Forever is a made-for-TV movie that bridges the gap between the different versions of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ that have hit the big and small scren and it does it amazingly well. If you’ve ever been a fan at any age of any TMNT show, movie, or comic then this animated movie was made is for you. I started watching this thinking it would be just like any other Turtles cartoon. What I got was sci-fi, comedy, satire, and plenty of Ninja Turtle action. This movie far surpassed my expectations and kept me riveted till the end.

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.

Inkheart

wallruss — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:32:19 +0000

Inkheart is the story of a man who finds he has the power to bring characters from stories he reads aloud out of the book and into the world of the living. His discovery, however is tragic as it brings storybook villains into the real world and leads to the loss of his wife. Brendan Fraser plays the role of the ‘Silvertongue’ who searches desperately for the possibility of bringing his wife back but the villains he has freed like it here in the real world and have no intention of returning to the book. Paul Bettany plays the hero of the book Inkeart, trying to find a way back into the book. The main villain of this piece is played by Andy Serkis, (you remember Gollum?).

It was a pleasant surprise to see Brendan Fraser in a role that’s not some silly over the top action movie. He’s quite likable in this film. In fact the entire film is quite likable. This is a family movie so it has something for the young ones as well as the chaperoning adults including appearances by classic characters and creatures of literature. It’s a fantasy adventure so you suspend your belief going into it and while at some times it is quite predictable, the journey is still fun. Brendan Fraser kindly moves aside for the villain and hero of the Inkheart book to shine a little brighter than him in this movie, another departure from what we have seem from him lately. While it may never achieve the status of the classic family fantasy adventure, it is enjoyable and worth renting for family night. I give it 4 out of 5 marks.