Partners in Paris
"Rush Hour 3" (2007)
Directed by: Brett Ratner (Rush Hour 1 & 2,
X-Men: The Last Stand)
Starring: Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Max von Sydow
Running time: 90 min.
Rut's Rating: 4/5
Opposites still attract in the latest installment of the "Rush Hour" franchise. Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker return to their respective roles of Inspector Lee and Detective James Carter, in the second sequel to a hugely popular and successful movie series. In their latest adventure, Lee and Carter travel to Paris to do battle with the Chinese Triad, a Mafia constituency. When the Ambassador of China is assassinated and the clues lead them to Paris, Lee and Carter get mixed up in the dangerous group and someone from Lee's past may be a part of it.
The formula in "Rush Hour 3" is simple, yet effective. Take a by-the-book, mild-mannered, Chinese martial-arts practicing officer, pair him with a loud, bombastic, wise-cracking African-American detective, and throw them both into a murder or kidnap plot. Audiences have obviously loved the pairing; the first two films in the series made over $350 million combined. These films may not exactly be on the level of something like "The Godfather" or "Heat", but sometimes you just want a movie that allows you to sit back, kick up your feet, and forget about all your problems for about 90 minutes, and that's what the "Rush Hour" movies give you.
You can tell that Chan and Tucker have fun with their roles; some of the dialogue comes off as being improvised, but it works because of the off-beat chemistry of both actors. Detective Carter is loud, over-the-top, and in my opinion funnier than ever. At times, it isn't exactly what Chris Tucker SAYS that's funny, per say, but HOW he says it. And Jackie Chan is, as always, a great straight man to Tucker's style. Also, the impressive stunts and action scenes that Chan still pulls off are a testament to his dedication and persistence. It would have been easy for Chan to suggest a stunt double, but a true professional, he decided to once again go his own. And the results are impressive once again; watch for a great-looking car chase in the streets of Paris, as well as a fist-fight at the top of the Eiffel Tower as just two examples of the action in this movie.
If anything, the only fault that I saw in "Rush Hour 3" was that it was too short. It clocks in at about 83 minutes when the end credits start rolling, as well as the pre-requisite blooper reel to accommodate them. I would have liked another 10 minutes or so put into it, maybe some character exploration or another cool car chase or action sequence. But maybe that's what made the franchise successful in the first place - they set up the plot, throw Lee and Carter into some crazy shenanigans, give us the action, give us the funny, give us the ending, and they're out. It's not a bad thing, really. I just really liked the film and wanted to see more of it.
If you've seen the previous two "Rush Hour" films, or just like mismatched partners in an action movie, much like Riggs and Murtaugh in "Lethal Weapon", then you just might like this third adventure. Funny, explosive and action-packed, the traffic doesn't slow down in THIS rush hour.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Ruttle's Reviews: The Archives
Britain Gone Bad
"Hot Fuzz" (2007)
Directed by: Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead)
Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Timothy Dalton
Running time: 121 minutes
Rut's Rating: 4/5
Hard-nosed London police officer Nicholas Angel (Pegg) is a man always on the lookout for crime. A keen eye with an impressive arrest and conviction record, he is seen as a threat to the other low-profile, ho-hum members of the force and is sent to the quaint, sleepy little village of Sandford, where he is paired with a bumbling partner named Danny Butterman, played by Nick Frost. When a series of grisly "accidents" begin to claim the lives of village residents, Angel and Butterman take it to the streets and investigate what they believe could be murder.
"Hot Fuzz" is the latest film from the trio of director Edgar Wright, and actors Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. These three brought us the instant classic "Shaun of the Dead", and fans of that film would definitely take a liking to this one. What they did for the zombie-flick genre in "Shaun" they do for the over-the-top action-movie genre in "Fuzz". The film is brilliantly written and you can tell that director Wright and actors Pegg and Frost are big fans of explosive, gun-toting action. As well, Pegg and Frost have that same great chemistry we saw in "Shaun of the Dead", a sort-of Abbott and Costello relationship. Frost's portrayal of Danny Butterman is believable and hilarious; the innocent, puppy-like enthusiast and the perfect opposite for the no-nonsense Nicholas Angel. Danny's love of gunfights and action movies, ("Bad Boys II", in particular) are dismissed by Angel as a childlike fantasy, but that may soon turn to reality when they investigate the supposed "accidents" happening around town.
The main suspect that Angel and Butterman investigate is grocery store owner Simon Skinner, played by Timothy Dalton. The former James Bond has fun with the role, and is a good choice in casting a possible murderer. As well, the legendary Bill Nighy (you know him as Captain Davy Jones from the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films) has a neat cameo as the Chief Inspector of Angel's former precinct in London. It seemed to me that all the actors were actually enjoying being in this film, which is a rare thing in Hollywood these days, with all the over-wraught promotion, studio deals and lucrative contracts. These people just got together and made a movie that is entertaining, funny, and very well done. It actually seems to come off as a bigger-budget version of a student film, because of the laid-back-yet-dedicated feeling of it, instead of just some A-listers phoning it in.
There also just seems to be something about British humor that is so appealing to North American audiences. Growing up on Monty Python and Mr. Bean may have helped, but after watching a movie like "Hot Fuzz", something mainstream and undeniably American just doesn't seem AS funny as it was before. You laugh, but it's not a hearty put-your-whole-face-into-it sort of laugh. Writers and directors could learn a few things from these talented Brits; maybe something like Saturday Night Live would be funny again if these guys took a turn writing and directing sketches.
If the combination of great action & comedy is your thing (it's OK, raise your hand, it's my thing too), then "Hot Fuzz" is just for you. In an age of mainstream movies with A-list celebrities who like to think they're funny, this one actually IS.
"Hot Fuzz" (2007)
Directed by: Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead)
Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Timothy Dalton
Running time: 121 minutes
Rut's Rating: 4/5
Hard-nosed London police officer Nicholas Angel (Pegg) is a man always on the lookout for crime. A keen eye with an impressive arrest and conviction record, he is seen as a threat to the other low-profile, ho-hum members of the force and is sent to the quaint, sleepy little village of Sandford, where he is paired with a bumbling partner named Danny Butterman, played by Nick Frost. When a series of grisly "accidents" begin to claim the lives of village residents, Angel and Butterman take it to the streets and investigate what they believe could be murder.
"Hot Fuzz" is the latest film from the trio of director Edgar Wright, and actors Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. These three brought us the instant classic "Shaun of the Dead", and fans of that film would definitely take a liking to this one. What they did for the zombie-flick genre in "Shaun" they do for the over-the-top action-movie genre in "Fuzz". The film is brilliantly written and you can tell that director Wright and actors Pegg and Frost are big fans of explosive, gun-toting action. As well, Pegg and Frost have that same great chemistry we saw in "Shaun of the Dead", a sort-of Abbott and Costello relationship. Frost's portrayal of Danny Butterman is believable and hilarious; the innocent, puppy-like enthusiast and the perfect opposite for the no-nonsense Nicholas Angel. Danny's love of gunfights and action movies, ("Bad Boys II", in particular) are dismissed by Angel as a childlike fantasy, but that may soon turn to reality when they investigate the supposed "accidents" happening around town.
The main suspect that Angel and Butterman investigate is grocery store owner Simon Skinner, played by Timothy Dalton. The former James Bond has fun with the role, and is a good choice in casting a possible murderer. As well, the legendary Bill Nighy (you know him as Captain Davy Jones from the "Pirates of the Caribbean" films) has a neat cameo as the Chief Inspector of Angel's former precinct in London. It seemed to me that all the actors were actually enjoying being in this film, which is a rare thing in Hollywood these days, with all the over-wraught promotion, studio deals and lucrative contracts. These people just got together and made a movie that is entertaining, funny, and very well done. It actually seems to come off as a bigger-budget version of a student film, because of the laid-back-yet-dedicated feeling of it, instead of just some A-listers phoning it in.
There also just seems to be something about British humor that is so appealing to North American audiences. Growing up on Monty Python and Mr. Bean may have helped, but after watching a movie like "Hot Fuzz", something mainstream and undeniably American just doesn't seem AS funny as it was before. You laugh, but it's not a hearty put-your-whole-face-into-it sort of laugh. Writers and directors could learn a few things from these talented Brits; maybe something like Saturday Night Live would be funny again if these guys took a turn writing and directing sketches.
If the combination of great action & comedy is your thing (it's OK, raise your hand, it's my thing too), then "Hot Fuzz" is just for you. In an age of mainstream movies with A-list celebrities who like to think they're funny, this one actually IS.
Ruttle's Reviews: The Archives
More Than Meets The Eye
"Transformers" (2007)
Directed by: Michael Bay (Bad Boys, The Rock, Armageddon)
Starring: Shia LeBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, John Turturro, Jon Voight
Running time: 144 minutes
Rut's Rating: 5/5
Autobots and Decepticons finally engage in an explosive on-screen battle in "Transformers". It's a dream come true for any fan who grew up watching the animated TV series, bought the action figures, or simply engaged in some playground debate over who was the better leader - Optimus Prime or Megatron.
The story centers on a young man named Sam Witwicky, played by Shia LeBeouf. An independent outcast, Sam goes to an auto dealer with his father looking to buy his first car. He comes home with a yellow Camaro for $4000, and takes it out for a test drive. Coming across a party, he sees Mikaela, a girl he knows from school, played by Megan Fox. He offers her a ride home, and what we see is the usual movie cliche of loner-wants-girl, girl-sort of-resists-yet-thinks-he's-charming sort of thing. But it plays out nicely because both LeBeouf and Fox have great on-screen chemistry, and there's just something that's very likable about these two.
Meanwhile, higher-ups in the United States military forces have big problems on their hands. Mysterious machines and weapons attack bases and are assembling for a war against the human race. Scientists and experts are brought in from around the world to try and figure out what these things are, but they can't seem to wrap their heads around it. White House Defense Secretary John Keller, played by Jon Voight, issues very little information to the media, as everyone scrambles to determine what kind of threat they are facing.
Sam is sleeping, meanwhile, when his car suddenly comes to life and drives away. Sam chases after it, and Mikaela follows him as the chase ends up at a wrecking yard. Suddenly, a police cruiser transforms into a robot and chases after Sam, and out of nowhere, his Camaro also transforms and does battle with the evil robot before destroying it. Scared at first, Sam and Mikaela come to realize that this now 30' tall Camaro means no harm to them, and this is when the entire Autobot army assembles. Goose bumps appear on your arms as the robots you admired as a kid come to life on the big screen. Sam and Mikaela are speechless as these normal vehicles change shape in front of their eyes and stand before them. Finally, a blue semi truck appears and transforms, introducing himself as Optimus Prime. The Autobot leader then introduces the rest of the gang, and tells Sam and Mikaela the origins of their race, as well as the plans being formed by the Decepticons - a race of ruthless, human-destroying robots.
So with an army of robots that have their backs, Sam and Mikaela set out to stop the Decepticons from annihilating the human race. As you can guess, this results in some great-looking action and battle sequences involving good robots and bad ones. Director Michael Bay is known for loving explosions and special effects, so you can bet that both are in huge supply here. Personally, I'm not a big fan of him, because it seems like he substitutes story and character development with overblown effects and CGI. But yet, with "Transformers" he has finally hit a good balance. It's a great story and it's very easy to become immersed in it; you find yourself cheering out loud for the Autobots to win their battles with the Decepticons, and feeling a bit sad when one of the good guys have fallen. And for once, the CGI looks realistic, which helps you believe that its all the more real.
"Transformers" is the very definition of a summer action blockbuster. With a great human cast to complement the Autobots and Decepticons, as well as some great special effects and CGI, it's sure to please even the most hardcore fan base. Maybe heroes really do come as robots in disguise.
"Transformers" (2007)
Directed by: Michael Bay (Bad Boys, The Rock, Armageddon)
Starring: Shia LeBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, John Turturro, Jon Voight
Running time: 144 minutes
Rut's Rating: 5/5
Autobots and Decepticons finally engage in an explosive on-screen battle in "Transformers". It's a dream come true for any fan who grew up watching the animated TV series, bought the action figures, or simply engaged in some playground debate over who was the better leader - Optimus Prime or Megatron.
The story centers on a young man named Sam Witwicky, played by Shia LeBeouf. An independent outcast, Sam goes to an auto dealer with his father looking to buy his first car. He comes home with a yellow Camaro for $4000, and takes it out for a test drive. Coming across a party, he sees Mikaela, a girl he knows from school, played by Megan Fox. He offers her a ride home, and what we see is the usual movie cliche of loner-wants-girl, girl-sort of-resists-yet-thinks-he's-charming sort of thing. But it plays out nicely because both LeBeouf and Fox have great on-screen chemistry, and there's just something that's very likable about these two.
Meanwhile, higher-ups in the United States military forces have big problems on their hands. Mysterious machines and weapons attack bases and are assembling for a war against the human race. Scientists and experts are brought in from around the world to try and figure out what these things are, but they can't seem to wrap their heads around it. White House Defense Secretary John Keller, played by Jon Voight, issues very little information to the media, as everyone scrambles to determine what kind of threat they are facing.
Sam is sleeping, meanwhile, when his car suddenly comes to life and drives away. Sam chases after it, and Mikaela follows him as the chase ends up at a wrecking yard. Suddenly, a police cruiser transforms into a robot and chases after Sam, and out of nowhere, his Camaro also transforms and does battle with the evil robot before destroying it. Scared at first, Sam and Mikaela come to realize that this now 30' tall Camaro means no harm to them, and this is when the entire Autobot army assembles. Goose bumps appear on your arms as the robots you admired as a kid come to life on the big screen. Sam and Mikaela are speechless as these normal vehicles change shape in front of their eyes and stand before them. Finally, a blue semi truck appears and transforms, introducing himself as Optimus Prime. The Autobot leader then introduces the rest of the gang, and tells Sam and Mikaela the origins of their race, as well as the plans being formed by the Decepticons - a race of ruthless, human-destroying robots.
So with an army of robots that have their backs, Sam and Mikaela set out to stop the Decepticons from annihilating the human race. As you can guess, this results in some great-looking action and battle sequences involving good robots and bad ones. Director Michael Bay is known for loving explosions and special effects, so you can bet that both are in huge supply here. Personally, I'm not a big fan of him, because it seems like he substitutes story and character development with overblown effects and CGI. But yet, with "Transformers" he has finally hit a good balance. It's a great story and it's very easy to become immersed in it; you find yourself cheering out loud for the Autobots to win their battles with the Decepticons, and feeling a bit sad when one of the good guys have fallen. And for once, the CGI looks realistic, which helps you believe that its all the more real.
"Transformers" is the very definition of a summer action blockbuster. With a great human cast to complement the Autobots and Decepticons, as well as some great special effects and CGI, it's sure to please even the most hardcore fan base. Maybe heroes really do come as robots in disguise.
Ruttle's Reviews: The Archives
Yippee Kay-Aye...
"Live Free Or Die Hard" (2007)
Directed by: Len Wiseman (Underworld, Underworld: Evolution)
Starring: Bruce Willis, Timothy
Olyphant, Justin Long
Running time: 130 minutes
Rut's Rating: 4.5/5
Returning to the movie franchise that made him a household name, Bruce Willis is back as Detective John McClane in the fourth installment of the "Die Hard" series. This time around, he finds himself battling a computer terrorist organization that is systematically shutting down the economic structure of the United States.
Any fan of the "Die Hard" movies knows that McClane has always had an on-again, off-again relationship with his estranged wife, Holly. Well, by this point they are now officially divorced, and John now has a rocky relationship with his daughter Lucy, played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead. After a confrontation at the beginning of the film between the two, McClane is summoned to pick up a computer hacker named Matt Farrell, played by Justin Long. Farrell may know some things about the terrorist organization, so the FBI sends McClane to get him. It's at Farrell's apartment that things get a little explosive, as terrorist enforcers burst into the apartment and start shooting up the place, looking to eliminate Farrell. McClane and his new sidekick escape and the action is only getting started.
"Live Free Or Die Hard" gives us that nostalgic feeling of what action movies used to be like. Pyrotechnics, stuntmen, and car chases that seemed to go on forever, but you never wanted them to end. And I think it's only right that a sequel to a beloved action franchise that started in 1988 use those kind of techniques. So many film crews and directors rely on CGI and other effects to pretty much MAKE the movie for them, and it always seems to come off as too over-the-top and unrealistic, not to mention expensive. There's no sane reason why a movie like "Evan Almighty" should cost $175 million, but it does. Less is more, people.
This is the first film in the "Die Hard" series to have a PG-13 rating, while the previous three were rated "R". Some die-hard fanatics of the franchise (pun INTENDED!) might be a little peeved at that, and to be honest I wasn't thrilled about it, either. John McClane is a regular, blue-collar every-man who can curse up a storm when things don't go his way, but that part of his personality is a little scaled back in this one. Yet when you think about it, it was the right thing to do for business. Having an R-rating can seriously hurt an action movie these days, and then there goes the box office dollars. Director Len Wiseman was smart with this one; he substitutes C-words and F-bombs with car chases, incredible stunts and very impressive action sequences. And the formula proved to be a huge success, as "Live Free Or Die Hard" has earned over $110 million since being released on June 27.
Like every "Die Hard" before, Bruce Willis gives a great, pedal-to-the-metal performance as the wise-cracking hero, John McClane. Willis has had a long, storied career and is a huge favorite among millions, so it's nice to see that he would return to this franchise instead of letting the studio pick some pretty boy in a remake. Uggghh, makes me shudder just thinking about it. As the wide-eyed, computer hacker sidekick Matt Farrell, Justin Long gets the job done. He's nerdy, spastic, and complements the jaded McClane well. Timothy Olyphant plays Thomas Gabriel, the leader of the computer terrorist organization. Olyphant is arrogant, vindictive, and a good choice to play bad-guy to Bruce Willis.
If you love action, Bruce Willis, that guy from the Mac commercials, or you just want to see a police car collide with a helicopter, then "Live Free Or Die Hard" is for you. It stays true to the feeling of the previous films, and still keeps that 1980's-90's action flick mentality. They don't make 'em like this anymore.
"Live Free Or Die Hard" (2007)
Directed by: Len Wiseman (Underworld, Underworld: Evolution)
Starring: Bruce Willis, Timothy
Olyphant, Justin Long
Running time: 130 minutes
Rut's Rating: 4.5/5
Returning to the movie franchise that made him a household name, Bruce Willis is back as Detective John McClane in the fourth installment of the "Die Hard" series. This time around, he finds himself battling a computer terrorist organization that is systematically shutting down the economic structure of the United States.
Any fan of the "Die Hard" movies knows that McClane has always had an on-again, off-again relationship with his estranged wife, Holly. Well, by this point they are now officially divorced, and John now has a rocky relationship with his daughter Lucy, played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead. After a confrontation at the beginning of the film between the two, McClane is summoned to pick up a computer hacker named Matt Farrell, played by Justin Long. Farrell may know some things about the terrorist organization, so the FBI sends McClane to get him. It's at Farrell's apartment that things get a little explosive, as terrorist enforcers burst into the apartment and start shooting up the place, looking to eliminate Farrell. McClane and his new sidekick escape and the action is only getting started.
"Live Free Or Die Hard" gives us that nostalgic feeling of what action movies used to be like. Pyrotechnics, stuntmen, and car chases that seemed to go on forever, but you never wanted them to end. And I think it's only right that a sequel to a beloved action franchise that started in 1988 use those kind of techniques. So many film crews and directors rely on CGI and other effects to pretty much MAKE the movie for them, and it always seems to come off as too over-the-top and unrealistic, not to mention expensive. There's no sane reason why a movie like "Evan Almighty" should cost $175 million, but it does. Less is more, people.
This is the first film in the "Die Hard" series to have a PG-13 rating, while the previous three were rated "R". Some die-hard fanatics of the franchise (pun INTENDED!) might be a little peeved at that, and to be honest I wasn't thrilled about it, either. John McClane is a regular, blue-collar every-man who can curse up a storm when things don't go his way, but that part of his personality is a little scaled back in this one. Yet when you think about it, it was the right thing to do for business. Having an R-rating can seriously hurt an action movie these days, and then there goes the box office dollars. Director Len Wiseman was smart with this one; he substitutes C-words and F-bombs with car chases, incredible stunts and very impressive action sequences. And the formula proved to be a huge success, as "Live Free Or Die Hard" has earned over $110 million since being released on June 27.
Like every "Die Hard" before, Bruce Willis gives a great, pedal-to-the-metal performance as the wise-cracking hero, John McClane. Willis has had a long, storied career and is a huge favorite among millions, so it's nice to see that he would return to this franchise instead of letting the studio pick some pretty boy in a remake. Uggghh, makes me shudder just thinking about it. As the wide-eyed, computer hacker sidekick Matt Farrell, Justin Long gets the job done. He's nerdy, spastic, and complements the jaded McClane well. Timothy Olyphant plays Thomas Gabriel, the leader of the computer terrorist organization. Olyphant is arrogant, vindictive, and a good choice to play bad-guy to Bruce Willis.
If you love action, Bruce Willis, that guy from the Mac commercials, or you just want to see a police car collide with a helicopter, then "Live Free Or Die Hard" is for you. It stays true to the feeling of the previous films, and still keeps that 1980's-90's action flick mentality. They don't make 'em like this anymore.
Ruttle's Reviews: The Archives
In celebration of this film's long-overdue release on DVD, this week's review is dedicated to a movie that I grew up watching. This is the film that made me a huge fan of mythical creatures and monsters, and no doubt played a role in turning me into the horror film fanatic and filmmaker that I am today. Ladies and gentlemen......The Monster Squad.
Dracula, The Wolfman, & Scary German Guy
"The Monster Squad" (1987)
Directed by: Fred Dekker (Night of the Creeps, TV's Tales from the Crypt)
Starring: Andre Gower, Stephen Macht, Jon Gries
Running time: 82 minutes
Rut's Rating: 4/5
An assortment of monsters come together and plot to find a mysterious amulet that will grant them the power to rule the world, but not if a group of young teenagers have anything to say about it. Horror blends with adventure in "The Monster Squad", and while the dialogue and acting may be cheesy, this is simply a fun, straight-to-the-point movie that is easy to enjoy. Think "The Goonies", but with more of an edge.
Sean Cranshaw (Andre Gower) and his friends Patrick, Horace, Rudy, and Eugene spend their days reading and talking about monsters. Little do they know that Dracula, played by Canadian actor Duncan Regehr, has arrived in their small town and plots to rule the world with the power of a mysterious amulet. To do so, he recruits the help of legendary monsters Frankenstein, the Mummy, a lizard-like swamp creature, and the Wolfman. Actor Jon Gries is one of the more known actors in this movie, (you know him as Uncle Rico in "Napoleon Dynamite"), and he plays the innocent, tortured man who turns into a howling werewolf during the full moon. I have to say, even though this movie is 20 years old, the make-up effects used in making the Wolfman are top-notch and in my opinion, this is exactly the way a werewolf should look. The physical features of a wolf, but standing on two legs and wearing the ripped, tattered clothes of a man.
The gang finds out about this world domination plan with the help of a German neighbour, who helps translate the book that Sean brings him. It is the diaries of famed monster hunter Abraham Van Helsing, and it details the story behind the mysterious amulet and the battle of good and evil for control of the world. Banding together, the teenagers map out a plan and set it in action.
"The Monster Squad" is a movie that you either love or hate. There is no in-between. You either write it off as wasteful, teenage drivel or accept it for the cheesy yet enjoyable movie that it is. It doesn't take itself too seriously because it knows that its pure fantasy, but that's OK. Its horror for teenagers, so you aren't going to see blood and guts all over the screen, like you seem to in almost every supposed "horror" film in this hyper-speed Facebook generation.
As I mentioned before, this was a movie that almost raised me when I was a kid. I loved it back then, and I still do today. On July 24th, it is FINALLY being released on DVD, in a 20th Anniversary Special Edition package. Loads of special features, new interviews with the now-adult cast, and vintage behind-the-scenes footage. Being a fan of the film for as long as I have, this is one that I'm definitely picking up for my ever-growing collection.
Dracula, The Wolfman, & Scary German Guy
"The Monster Squad" (1987)
Directed by: Fred Dekker (Night of the Creeps, TV's Tales from the Crypt)
Starring: Andre Gower, Stephen Macht, Jon Gries
Running time: 82 minutes
Rut's Rating: 4/5
An assortment of monsters come together and plot to find a mysterious amulet that will grant them the power to rule the world, but not if a group of young teenagers have anything to say about it. Horror blends with adventure in "The Monster Squad", and while the dialogue and acting may be cheesy, this is simply a fun, straight-to-the-point movie that is easy to enjoy. Think "The Goonies", but with more of an edge.
Sean Cranshaw (Andre Gower) and his friends Patrick, Horace, Rudy, and Eugene spend their days reading and talking about monsters. Little do they know that Dracula, played by Canadian actor Duncan Regehr, has arrived in their small town and plots to rule the world with the power of a mysterious amulet. To do so, he recruits the help of legendary monsters Frankenstein, the Mummy, a lizard-like swamp creature, and the Wolfman. Actor Jon Gries is one of the more known actors in this movie, (you know him as Uncle Rico in "Napoleon Dynamite"), and he plays the innocent, tortured man who turns into a howling werewolf during the full moon. I have to say, even though this movie is 20 years old, the make-up effects used in making the Wolfman are top-notch and in my opinion, this is exactly the way a werewolf should look. The physical features of a wolf, but standing on two legs and wearing the ripped, tattered clothes of a man.
The gang finds out about this world domination plan with the help of a German neighbour, who helps translate the book that Sean brings him. It is the diaries of famed monster hunter Abraham Van Helsing, and it details the story behind the mysterious amulet and the battle of good and evil for control of the world. Banding together, the teenagers map out a plan and set it in action.
"The Monster Squad" is a movie that you either love or hate. There is no in-between. You either write it off as wasteful, teenage drivel or accept it for the cheesy yet enjoyable movie that it is. It doesn't take itself too seriously because it knows that its pure fantasy, but that's OK. Its horror for teenagers, so you aren't going to see blood and guts all over the screen, like you seem to in almost every supposed "horror" film in this hyper-speed Facebook generation.
As I mentioned before, this was a movie that almost raised me when I was a kid. I loved it back then, and I still do today. On July 24th, it is FINALLY being released on DVD, in a 20th Anniversary Special Edition package. Loads of special features, new interviews with the now-adult cast, and vintage behind-the-scenes footage. Being a fan of the film for as long as I have, this is one that I'm definitely picking up for my ever-growing collection.
Ruttle's Reviews: The Archives
Have You Seen This Before?
"Deja Vu" (2006)
Directed by: Tony Scott (Top Gun, The Fan, Man on Fire)
Starring: Denzel Washington, Val Kilmer, Jim Caviezel
Running time: 128 minutes
Rut's Rating: 3.5/5
The title almost tells you to pay attention. "Deja Vu" isn't your typical shoot-em-up, blow-it-out popcorn flick. Sure, there IS a nice amount of that, but its the reasoning behind all of it that makes you pay attention, and it was this aspect of the film that I really loved.
Denzel Washington is Doug Carlin, an ATF agent who tries to uncover the mystery behind a horrific act of terrorism; a ferry carrying over 500 people, including sailors, crewmen and their families, explodes in New Orleans. Sometime later, Carlin is shown the body of a young woman who looks to have died in the massacre, but she was found an hour BEFORE the explosion. How can this be? Carlin tries to put all the pieces of the puzzle together, but something just doesn't add up. Meanwhile, he is joined on the case by FBI Agent Pryzwarra, played by Val Kilmer. Carlin's skills impress him, so he invites him to join Pryzwarra's special surveillance team.
At this point, "Deja Vu" sort of transforms from a crime drama into a sci-fi action film. The team's method of criminal surveillance is mesmerizing; a special program in which they're able to view events that have already happened. Think of your local convenience store's surveillance camera, only with the ability to view everything in a room at any angle you can dream of. But there's a catch; once something has happened, you can't go back and view it again, so there is no rewinding. The possibility of having such a program exist is interesting to think about. With this method, the team tries to track down the young woman, only in a time warp period of days ago, when she was alive. They link the woman's death to the person who planted the explosives on the ferry, and from this point, it's all about pin-pointing the fine details in how, where, and when it all goes down.
Denzel Washington relishes in this kind of role; mysterious, but yet down to earth. He doesn't try to pretend to understand this weird, futuristic surveillance program. His only concern is trying to prevent what happens, and finding the person responsible for it in the first place. Fans of his are sure to like him in this role, but I have to say that I liked him a bit more in director Tony Scott's other Denzel-starrer, "Man on Fire". Val Kilmer, meanwhile, has fun with his role, even if its pretty much the straight-and-narrow "play by the rules" kind of cop role. But Kilmer rarely disappoints in any role he takes and this is no exception.
Personally, the stars of this film aren't necessarily the actors themselves. Yes, they're a big part of it obviously, but it's the premise that takes centre stage. And anyone who knows me and my love of film probably knows my stance on CGI, but I have to say that the visuals in this movie are incredible. There's one scene in particular where Denzel's character is chasing someone on the freeways and roads of New Orleans that uses a split image, and it comes off really good on-screen.
Director Scott is known for his explosive yet personable films. With this one, he's created a story that simply leaves you thinking, "What if?" What if authorities could develop a technology to go back in time? What if murder could be prevented in this way? It may all seem a little over-the-top for some people, but "Deja Vu" is a film that simply asks for your attention. But don't worry; its not like its something you've seen before.
"Deja Vu" (2006)
Directed by: Tony Scott (Top Gun, The Fan, Man on Fire)
Starring: Denzel Washington, Val Kilmer, Jim Caviezel
Running time: 128 minutes
Rut's Rating: 3.5/5
The title almost tells you to pay attention. "Deja Vu" isn't your typical shoot-em-up, blow-it-out popcorn flick. Sure, there IS a nice amount of that, but its the reasoning behind all of it that makes you pay attention, and it was this aspect of the film that I really loved.
Denzel Washington is Doug Carlin, an ATF agent who tries to uncover the mystery behind a horrific act of terrorism; a ferry carrying over 500 people, including sailors, crewmen and their families, explodes in New Orleans. Sometime later, Carlin is shown the body of a young woman who looks to have died in the massacre, but she was found an hour BEFORE the explosion. How can this be? Carlin tries to put all the pieces of the puzzle together, but something just doesn't add up. Meanwhile, he is joined on the case by FBI Agent Pryzwarra, played by Val Kilmer. Carlin's skills impress him, so he invites him to join Pryzwarra's special surveillance team.
At this point, "Deja Vu" sort of transforms from a crime drama into a sci-fi action film. The team's method of criminal surveillance is mesmerizing; a special program in which they're able to view events that have already happened. Think of your local convenience store's surveillance camera, only with the ability to view everything in a room at any angle you can dream of. But there's a catch; once something has happened, you can't go back and view it again, so there is no rewinding. The possibility of having such a program exist is interesting to think about. With this method, the team tries to track down the young woman, only in a time warp period of days ago, when she was alive. They link the woman's death to the person who planted the explosives on the ferry, and from this point, it's all about pin-pointing the fine details in how, where, and when it all goes down.
Denzel Washington relishes in this kind of role; mysterious, but yet down to earth. He doesn't try to pretend to understand this weird, futuristic surveillance program. His only concern is trying to prevent what happens, and finding the person responsible for it in the first place. Fans of his are sure to like him in this role, but I have to say that I liked him a bit more in director Tony Scott's other Denzel-starrer, "Man on Fire". Val Kilmer, meanwhile, has fun with his role, even if its pretty much the straight-and-narrow "play by the rules" kind of cop role. But Kilmer rarely disappoints in any role he takes and this is no exception.
Personally, the stars of this film aren't necessarily the actors themselves. Yes, they're a big part of it obviously, but it's the premise that takes centre stage. And anyone who knows me and my love of film probably knows my stance on CGI, but I have to say that the visuals in this movie are incredible. There's one scene in particular where Denzel's character is chasing someone on the freeways and roads of New Orleans that uses a split image, and it comes off really good on-screen.
Director Scott is known for his explosive yet personable films. With this one, he's created a story that simply leaves you thinking, "What if?" What if authorities could develop a technology to go back in time? What if murder could be prevented in this way? It may all seem a little over-the-top for some people, but "Deja Vu" is a film that simply asks for your attention. But don't worry; its not like its something you've seen before.
Ruttle's Reviews: The Archives
Lifeless Eyes, Like a Doll
"Jaws" (1975)
Directed by: Steven Spielberg (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan)
Starring: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss
Running time: 124 minutes
Rut's Rating: 5/5
It's the original summer blockbuster. The film that made you scared to go in the water, wash your hands under water, or even drink a large glass of water. Decorated filmmaker Steven Spielberg was only starting to get his feet wet (pun intended!) when he made this legendary movie, and it ended up making him a household name. We all know the tale; a huge great white shark terrorizes the residents of a small island community called Amity, and it's reign of terror isn't ending anytime soon.
In what has been described as director Spielberg's "quintessential film", the use of underwater POV (point of view) shots is done very well. Using this technique, we're aware that this is the shark, moving slowly but destructively, looking for it's next victim. The numbing and brilliant score from composer John Williams (DUH DUH......DUH DUH DUH DUH......) only makes these shots all the more suspenseful. We may not actually SEE the beast, but we know it's there, simply waiting.
As for the human side of things, the film stars Roy Scheider as the Amity Police Chief, Martin Brody. He and his family are new to the island, having moved from New York, and ironically, he is afraid of the water. Scheider is a good fit for the role; Chief Brody is a man faced with a horrifying threat, and a community that looks to him for action. But he isn't alone. Richard Dreyfuss is Matt Hooper, a shark expert brought in by Brody to try and identify just how big of a problem Amity Island has. Dreyfuss is a fine choice for the role; a little nerdy, yet knowledgeable. He and Scheider have good chemistry and complement each other well. And finally, there is the hard-edged, moonshine-drinking shark hunter, Quint. He is without a doubt my favorite character in the film, and he is played with scary-good authenticity by the late Robert Shaw. Quint is a man who you can easily see has lived a hard life, yet his character doesn't command a "woe is me" attitude. Just wait until Quint's introduction in the film; you'll see that this man simply commands respect. Also, his story of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, (in which sharks killed over 700 men who were stranded in the ocean in 1945) is haunting and an incredible piece of storytelling.
And so, with the Fourth of July approaching and a town of people that live for the beach, the stubborn, greedy Mayor is dead-set against a full investigation into the shark attacks, for fear that people will run off and go somewhere else instead of spending their tourist dollars in Amity. Murray Hamilton plays Mayor Larry Vaughn, and with his cheesy suits and eyes filled with dollar signs, he is a great antagonist. Chief Brody and Hooper just can't seem to convince him that they have to close the beaches to ensure the safety of everyone. The Mayor only changes his mind when Amity's Fourth of July celebrations get cut short when the shark shows up and kills a man - all in plain view of everyone on the beach. From there, Brody and Hooper track down Quint and the three of them set sail, in search of the killer great white.
From there, it becomes almost a game of hide-and-seek. The three men sit, patiently waiting. Hooper steers the boat, Quint sits in his fisherman's chair, and Brody throws chum in the water for bait. When Hooper and Quint aren't looking, the shark suddenly springs up and shocks Brody nearly to death. Quiet and backing up slowly, he utters to Quint those infamous words that are synonymous with this film, "You're gonna need a bigger boat." At approximately 25 feet long and a weight of three tons, Brody's words ring true. The shark plays mind games with our heroes, showing up whenever it feels like it, seemingly coming from all directions, and dragging the boat further out to sea. It's only a matter of time before the beast does enough damage, ramming the boat and trying to leap onto the back end. When it starts to show signs of sinking, it's up to the three men to destroy the shark quickly before they become lunch, in a dramatic, explosive conclusion that keeps your eyes glued to the screen.
"Jaws" is the definition of a classic film. It may have been released over 30 years ago, but it stands the test of time. Steven Spielberg and crew may not have known it at the time, but they were setting the standard for any filmmaker who wanted to tackle the horror/suspense genre, myself included. For most of the film, you don't even see the shark. It's that old saying, "Less is more." All you need to get that feeling of welcoming dread is that POV shot and the infamous score. I know that for the longest time after seeing the movie, and even sometimes now, I can still hear it whenever I'm near a river or lake.
Duh duh........duh duh duh duh......
"Jaws" (1975)
Directed by: Steven Spielberg (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan)
Starring: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss
Running time: 124 minutes
Rut's Rating: 5/5
It's the original summer blockbuster. The film that made you scared to go in the water, wash your hands under water, or even drink a large glass of water. Decorated filmmaker Steven Spielberg was only starting to get his feet wet (pun intended!) when he made this legendary movie, and it ended up making him a household name. We all know the tale; a huge great white shark terrorizes the residents of a small island community called Amity, and it's reign of terror isn't ending anytime soon.
In what has been described as director Spielberg's "quintessential film", the use of underwater POV (point of view) shots is done very well. Using this technique, we're aware that this is the shark, moving slowly but destructively, looking for it's next victim. The numbing and brilliant score from composer John Williams (DUH DUH......DUH DUH DUH DUH......) only makes these shots all the more suspenseful. We may not actually SEE the beast, but we know it's there, simply waiting.
As for the human side of things, the film stars Roy Scheider as the Amity Police Chief, Martin Brody. He and his family are new to the island, having moved from New York, and ironically, he is afraid of the water. Scheider is a good fit for the role; Chief Brody is a man faced with a horrifying threat, and a community that looks to him for action. But he isn't alone. Richard Dreyfuss is Matt Hooper, a shark expert brought in by Brody to try and identify just how big of a problem Amity Island has. Dreyfuss is a fine choice for the role; a little nerdy, yet knowledgeable. He and Scheider have good chemistry and complement each other well. And finally, there is the hard-edged, moonshine-drinking shark hunter, Quint. He is without a doubt my favorite character in the film, and he is played with scary-good authenticity by the late Robert Shaw. Quint is a man who you can easily see has lived a hard life, yet his character doesn't command a "woe is me" attitude. Just wait until Quint's introduction in the film; you'll see that this man simply commands respect. Also, his story of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, (in which sharks killed over 700 men who were stranded in the ocean in 1945) is haunting and an incredible piece of storytelling.
And so, with the Fourth of July approaching and a town of people that live for the beach, the stubborn, greedy Mayor is dead-set against a full investigation into the shark attacks, for fear that people will run off and go somewhere else instead of spending their tourist dollars in Amity. Murray Hamilton plays Mayor Larry Vaughn, and with his cheesy suits and eyes filled with dollar signs, he is a great antagonist. Chief Brody and Hooper just can't seem to convince him that they have to close the beaches to ensure the safety of everyone. The Mayor only changes his mind when Amity's Fourth of July celebrations get cut short when the shark shows up and kills a man - all in plain view of everyone on the beach. From there, Brody and Hooper track down Quint and the three of them set sail, in search of the killer great white.
From there, it becomes almost a game of hide-and-seek. The three men sit, patiently waiting. Hooper steers the boat, Quint sits in his fisherman's chair, and Brody throws chum in the water for bait. When Hooper and Quint aren't looking, the shark suddenly springs up and shocks Brody nearly to death. Quiet and backing up slowly, he utters to Quint those infamous words that are synonymous with this film, "You're gonna need a bigger boat." At approximately 25 feet long and a weight of three tons, Brody's words ring true. The shark plays mind games with our heroes, showing up whenever it feels like it, seemingly coming from all directions, and dragging the boat further out to sea. It's only a matter of time before the beast does enough damage, ramming the boat and trying to leap onto the back end. When it starts to show signs of sinking, it's up to the three men to destroy the shark quickly before they become lunch, in a dramatic, explosive conclusion that keeps your eyes glued to the screen.
"Jaws" is the definition of a classic film. It may have been released over 30 years ago, but it stands the test of time. Steven Spielberg and crew may not have known it at the time, but they were setting the standard for any filmmaker who wanted to tackle the horror/suspense genre, myself included. For most of the film, you don't even see the shark. It's that old saying, "Less is more." All you need to get that feeling of welcoming dread is that POV shot and the infamous score. I know that for the longest time after seeing the movie, and even sometimes now, I can still hear it whenever I'm near a river or lake.
Duh duh........duh duh duh duh......
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