Greetings, and welcome to Megat's Movie Drive In. A quick look at current and upcoming movies from around the world. From mainstream to icky-stream to shrieeeek-stream. Its all here and its all summarized for the benefit of those living on the run, or those just too lazy to read long ass passages.
So lets begin with the current mainstream stash:
Current:
A-Team
A beaut from the 80s where it was generally a Stephen J Cannel Universe which was representative of all that was the 80s - soudtrack from the carpenters, lotsa explosions, leaping bodies, flying cars ... you just cant go wrong with the A Team. So they're back, in better shape, better looking and with a whole new post 9-11 take. You just cannot miss this eye candy.
The Skinny: wrongly imprisoned for a crime they did not commit, a group of ex-military men from the Iraq war escape from the US military penintiary to clear their name and start a career in interior decoration (or was it helping those unfortunate people oppressed and suppressed by bullies with money and henchmen?)
Helmer: Joe Carnahan - Smokin' Aces (2006), Faceless (2006 - TV), Ticket (2002), Narc (2002), Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane (1998).
The Casts: Liam Neeson (Col John 'Hannibal' Smith), Bradley Cooper (Lt Templeton 'Faceman' Peck), Jessica Biel (Charisa Sosa), Quniton 'Rampage' Jackson (Cpl Bosco 'BA' Baracus) Sharlto Copley (Murdock), Patrick Wilson (Lynch)
The Verdict: Hell, go for it! Its better than watching Sex and the City 2 by a damn sight! ***/*****
Knight and Day
Tom Cruise starrer, with Cameron Diaz roped in for the ride. Its a roller coaster of an action romcom with lotsa explosions, leaping bodies, flying cars .... (hang on, that sounds familiar). Its a rare first for the Cruiser, as he takes on action, comedy and romance all in one. Cameron Diaz on the other hand, has had her rounds on similar ventures and is none the worse for it. Although I could really do with a younger, nicer looking chick with outstanding jugs. But thats just me.
The Skinny: Innocent bystander gets mixed up with secret agent on the run, relying on each other to avoid getting popped. A fast paced, globe trotting actioneer with fast vehicles, explosions, crazy stunts and a light touch of romance.
The Helmer: James Mangold - 3:10 to Yuman (2007), Men in Trees (2006 - TV pilot), Walk the Line (2005), Identity (2003), Kate and Leopold (2001), Girl, Interrupted (1999), Cop Land (1997), Heavy (1995)
The Casts: Tom Cruise (Roy MIller), Cameron Diaz (June Havens), Peter Sarsgaard (Fitzgerald), Jordi Molla (Antonio), Viola Davis (Director George)
The Verdict: Great first date movie which has a bit of everything for the dude and the dudette. Dont listen to the critics. What do they know. They just write reviews. Hoho. ***/*****
Robin Hood
Russel Crowe must be the oldest looking Robin Hood in cinematic history. And thats not exactly a bad thing. Just puts a spin on mainstream perspective I suppose. But then again, this is helmed by Ridley Scott, the dude who out-duded the other dudes back in 2000 with Gladiator. Which went on to spawn countless other less notable wannabes with the single oft spewed battle cry speech thing, before engaging with the enemy.
The Skinny: Not so focused on the forest-lurking, steal from the rich, give to the poor Robin Hood of popular lore, this one is a tad serious. It follows the adventure of an archer in the Richard the Lionheart army who takes on the Norman invasion of England, amongst other intrigues which includes the entrance of a new king...
The Helmer: Ridley Scott - (are you kidding me?! Where do I begin?!) Body of Lies (2008), American Gangster (2007), A Good Year (2006), All the Invisible Children (2005 - segment "Johnathan"), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Matchstick Men (2003), Black Hawk Down (2001), Hannibal (2001), Gladiator (2000), GI Jane (1997), White Squall (1996), 1492, Conquest of Paradise (1992), Thelma and Louise (1991), Black Rain (1989), Someone to Watch over Me (1987), Legend (1985), Blade Runner (1982), Alien (1979),The Duellists (1977), Boy and Bicycle (1965)
The Casts: Russel Crowe (Robin Longstride), Cate Blanchett (Marion Loxley), Max Von Sydow (Sir Walter Loxley), William Hurt (William Marshal), Mark Strong (Godfrey), Oscar Isaac (Prince John), Danny Huston (King Richard the Lionheart)
The Verdict: for serious punters who takes their history lessons seriously. A solid, no nonsense romp into medieval England with a strong cast and iron-clad performance. ****/*****
Eclipse
This series is actually the vampire / werewolf version of Sex and The City for women in the mid to late 30s. Even though it was written for teens, its actually an excuse for these mature ladies to see buff dudes getting illogically romantic and earnest. Hoho!!
The Skinny: Based on the Stephenie Meyer Twilight Saga books, this is the 3rd instalment of the vampire / chick / dude / werewolf saga which was written, adapted to screen, produced, directed, played and rolled out in roughly 2 weeks (or seemingly so). This time around, the ever fickled chick Bella who cant decide between pale as death vampire sissy boy Edward, or the buff, boy-toy werewolf Jacob, must face the upcoming high school graduation and strange killings in them near woods. Vampiric / werewolfic action ensues.
The Helmer: David Slade - 30 Days of Night (2007), Hard Candy (2005), Do Geese See God? (2004),
The Casts: Kristen Stewart (Bella), Robert Pattinson (Edward), Taylor Lautner (Jacob)
The Verdict: Stricly for the chicks only. And mature chicks at that. This is kinda like what women would want horror movies to be like. With romance, soft lighting, slow-mo, buff dudes who are emotionally in touch with their woman-side, and deathly parlour looking vampires who are so into high school chicks.
