Dylan Dog: Dead of Night

Brandon Routh does not fare well in my books only because of the abysmal Superman Returns; and he didn't leave that much of an impression on Scott Pilgrim Versus the World. At the end of the day, he appears to be another himbo. But is he really? This new film seems to suggest not ...

The Skinny: Private Eye Dylan Dog investigates supernatural matters in the swamps of Louisiana for his werewolf, zombie and vampire clients.

The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

Matt Damon's taking time off from kicking ass and karate-chopping necks to star in this romantic bizarre sci-fi thriller with beauty Emily Blunt. What can go wrong? Possibly nothing?

The Skinny: Politician Dave Norris (Matt Damon) accidentally bumps into the love of his life Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt) and falls madly in love, only to be informed by mysterious men that they cannot be together. Why? Because these mysterious men represent the force that guides and manipulate fate and destiny of humans. So what does Jason Bourne oops! I mean politician Dave Norris do? He kicks ass! Tthats what he does! Or, he resist the powers that be to be with the woman he loves and runs all over the place with a light fedora. Understandable because Emily Blunt is kinda hot and she is a keeper.  Based on Philip K.Dick's short story "The Adjustment Team".

The Helmer: George Nolfi- The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

The Casts: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt

Release Date: 3rd March 2011 (Malaysia)

The Prediction: Matt Damon in a romantic movie? Noooo!! But he kicks ass! Yesss!! Okay maybe not, but he does a bit of running about in a light fedora, and fights the mysterious men in suits whilst holding hands with hottie Emily Blunt. The trailer suggests a very decent sci-fi thriller with a weird-like overcast hue of blue and grey; everything looks cold and detached but in a good way. I'm looking forward to this, only because I know Damon delivers and his choice of movies over the years have been spot on. The man rarely misses as he chooses his projects well. So chances are this movie is going to be good. There you go. 

Trailer

Official Site

Rango (2011)

I don't normally do review/predictions on cartoons (or computer generated squiggles) but how can I not do one when Johnny Depp is in it? Far from an action star, he is however, still a relentlessly cool cinematic person. And, I kinda like the look of Rango - a lizard with a hat. How cool is that?

The Skinny: Dreamer chameleon Rango who dreams of heroism, ends up as a sheriff in the dangerous town of Dirt. Can he take on the bad elements and remain alive? Creature catastrophe ensues in this strange and fantastical western.

The Helmer: Gore Verbinski - Pirates of the Caribbean:At World's End (2007), Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006), The Weather Man (2005), Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), The Ring (2002), The Mexican (2001), Mousehunt (1997), The Ritual (Short) (1996).

The Cast: Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Ned Beatty, Alfred Molina, Bill Nighy, Stephen Root,

Harry Dean Stanton, Timothy Olyphant, Ray Winstone.

Release Date: 10th March 2011 (Malaysia)

The Prediction: I have to admit I'm looking forward to this movie. I just like the look and feel of the whole project, the creatures and the main star himself, Rango. I mean, its so cool that you have a skinny lizard as a hero gunslinger going against nature's monsters all by his lonesome. This is set to be a fish-out-of-water meets Highnoon with a cast from what? Disney's daydream ensemble? Yeah, why not?Anyways, I love westerns. This movie rocks.

Official Site

Trailer

Source Code (2011)

Jake Gyllenhaal is on the up and up at the moment. With the moderately successful Prince of Persia and the recent critically acclaimed Love and Other Drugs with the sweet-on-the-tongue-chewy-in-the-mouth Anne Hathaway, his career is well plotted. And now we have this action thriller; just so we can decide whether he has the action chops of other manly man of Hollywood.

The Skinny: A soldier is sent into the body of a train commuter who was witness to a bombing - only problem is that he has 8 minutes replayed over and over again to find out who is responsible. Action stuff ensues, with hot chick in tow.

The Helmer: Duncan Jones - Moon (2009), Whistler (2002).

Casts: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monoghan, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright, Russel Peters, James A Woods, Michael Arden, Cos Anvar, Joe Cobden, Craig Thomas.

Tagline: Make Every Second Count

Release Date: 21st April 2011 (Malaysia)

Prediction: This project seems quite water proof - Jake Gyllenhaal the current It dude, and British director Duncan Jones who directed the critically acclaimed Moon (2009) mixing it up in an edge of the seat race against time action thriller.Good to see that time-conscious action films are still alive and kicking as it does effectively leave you on the edge of your seat as seen with The Next Three Days. Anyways, if it looks good, and sounds good, then chances are its probably good. So yeah, knock yourself out.

Wikipedia on Source Code (2011)

Official Website

Trailer

Limitless (2011)

Yet another superhero movie ... or is it? 

The Skinny: A copywriter Eddie Mora (Bradley Cooper) takes special drugs which provides him with superhuman thinking capabilities. However, it comes with a price, as a group of assassins are hot on his trail. Where did the drugs come from and why do they want him dead? 

The Helmer: Neil Burger - The Lucky Ones (2008), The Illusionist (2006), Interview with the Assassin (2002).

The Casts: Bradley Cooper (The Hangover, A-Team), Robert De Niro, Abbie Cornish, Andrew Howard, Anna Friel, Johnny Whitworth, Tomas Arana, Robert John Burk.

Tagline: What if a pill could make you rich and powerful?

Release Date: 18 March 2011 (USA)

Prediction: I like Bradley Cooper - he's the kind of guy you can practically squeeze into any genre of movies: action, comedy, romantic, others. Why? Because he's generic but personable with the right degree of darkness when its called upon (remember The Hangover?). Pit him against De Niro in a superhero-without-costume actioneer, helmed by the guy who handled small gems such as the Illusionist then you may have something going on which is worth seeing. Honestly, I don't like superhero movies, especially costumed ones, or ones with obvious bright light powers coming out from your hands. They're generally lame; a substitute for good acting and good scripting. But this one seems a tad different, the superpowers in this instance is super-intelligence; the ability to super-think super-fast in making super amounts of money. My kind of super powers (apart from instant teleportation). Add to all this superness, a pursuing bunch of killers - which enables you to have brains versus brawns (and guns) face-off. Which should make for good entertainment all around.  

Official Trailer
 Official Site

The Mechanic (2011)

Jason Statham is perfect in this Charlese Bronson remake of a 70s action film with a double plotline that sizzles across the screen like a released fuse.

The Skinny: Elite hit man Arthur Bishop (Stathom) mistakenly assassinates mentor/boss/friend and aspires for atonement by allowing the unbeknowing son (Ben Foster) of the assassinated man to be his protege in the high stakes world of hired killers. Along the way the truth is revealed and the path to vengeance is carved open with a couple automatics and grenades.

The Helmer: Simon West - Con Air (1997), The General's Daughter (1999), Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), Keen Eddie (TV) (2003), Closer to Home (TV) (2005), Under Pressuer (TV) (2006), When A Stranger Calls (2006), Split Decision (TV movie) (2006), The Man (TV movie) 2007), Purple Mountain (2008), Human Target (TV) (2010), The Cape (TV) (2011), The Mechanic (2011). 

The Casts: Jason Statham (Arthur Bishop), Ben Foster (Steve McKenna), Donald Sutherland (Harry McKenna), Tony Goldwyn (Dean), Mini Anden  (Sarah).

The Verdict: This is a great actioneer old school style. I was expecting the typical Transporter type of fare, but was pleasantly surprised that this movie surpassed that franchise by coupla thousand feet. The whole feel of the movie is grainy and golden-hued, strongly reminiscent of 70s spy movies, and to some extent it is. Statham is his silent brooding self, but it is Ben Foster who shines as the reckless and totally unpredictable protege who is very much human in action and reaction. This is a solid film, currently occupying the upper echelons of good action films. Go ahead, enjoy.  

Fast 5 (2011)

Dwayne 'the Rock' Johnson + Vin Diesel + Drug Lords + Fast Muscle Cars + Hot Chicks + Guns + Pyrotechnics = Hell Yeah!

The Skinny: Vin Diesel reprises his role as Dominic from the Fast and the Furious taking on drug lords with his team of raiders and racers, with the Rock as a Federal Agent gunning after him. 

The Helmer: Justin Lin (Community (TV) 2009 - 2010) / Fast Furious (2009) / La Revolucion de Iguodala (2007) / Finishing the Game: The Search for Bruce Lee (2007) / The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006) / Annapolis (2006) / Sportlighting (2005) / Better Luck Tomorrow (2002) / Crossover (2000) / Shopping for Fangs (1997)

The Casts: Dwayne Johnson / Vin Diesel / Paul Walker / Gal Gadot / Jordana Brewster / Elsa Pataky / Sung Kang / Tyrese Gibson / Ludacris 

The Prediction: This'll work. How can it not? Nuff said.

Official Trailer

Wiki on Fast Five