Category Action
Jurassic World
Some movies can be deemed “critic proof.” These are films that, regardless of the actual quality of the film, many people are still going to see. Most Marvel superhero movies, for instance, could be considered critic proof. The general public will see Avengers 5: Iron Man Gets a Hernia despite many reviews arguing against said […]
Spy
It opens with a sweeping tracking shot traveling over blue water towards an enormous European chateau, while the John Barry-esque score plays on the soundtrack. Inside, impeccably dressed millionaires hob-knob with other impeccably dressed millionaires. A smoothly debonair man in a tuxedo slips undetected downstairs. Already, we’re laughing in the audience, as we’ve seen countless […]
Tomorrowland
“Greetings, my friend. We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. And remember my friend, future events such as these will affect you in the future.” — The Amazing Criswell in Plan 9 from Outer Space. There’s a sense […]
Mad Max: Fury Road
This doesn’t happen. It’s been thirty years since the last Mad Max film. Thirty. It’s been seventeen years since George Miller has directed a live-action feature film. There have been rumors and rumblings and mumblings from Hollywood for years about this film. As far back as 2000, when I was a senior in high school, […]
Avengers: Age of Ultron
There is a moment deep into Avengers: Age of Ultron that has an understated eloquence and beauty unusual for the wam-bam, thank you Captain attitude of these recent Marvel movies. It is night at the Avengers’ headquarters, and a key superhero is looking out at the New York City skyline, floating above the floor. Director […]
Furious Seven
The Fast and the Furious films are aggressively ridiculous. These movies are like the Velveeta of modern cinema; gooey, delicious cheese. For fourteen years, the adventures of Dominic Toretto, Brian O’Connor, their friends, enemies and frenemies have dominated the American action landscape like no other franchise. Yes, The Fast and the Furious films are a […]
Blackhat
In his review of the 2002 film Death to Smoochy, Roger Ebert wrote about how only truly talented people could make a film like Death to Smoochy. “Those with lesser gifts would have lacked the nerve to make a film so bad, so miscalculated, so lacking any connection with any possible audience,” he stated, ” […]
American Sniper
American Sniper left me with an unclean feeling. Before I talk about the directing, the performances, the cinematography or any other aspect regarding the film; I have to say that this movie made me feel icky. It takes a certain kind of true story, and distorts and twists the perspective and personality of its real-life […]
The Equalizer
So, what’s your favorite action movie cliche? Frankly, there’s so many to choose from. I’m partial to several, like how about the talking villain trope; that’s where the villain has the hero cornered, and instead of killing him, the villain just talks and talks thereby giving the hero the upper hand. Or, have you ever noticed how […]
Top Shelf Movies 