Reviews

I was sent an advance copy of this movie on DVD. I enjoyed the first Smokin Aces and I had no problem spending 90 minutes on this one. Firstly, there's tons of gratuitous violence and nudity. If that's not your thing, skip this.

Secondly, this is called Smokin Aces 2, but from its apparent direct-to-DVD release status, you can expect that Jeremy Piven and other big cast members like Ray Liotta didn't show up. However, Tommy Flanagan (the guy from the first movie who changes his face) has a reprisal. We see Vinnie Jones of Snatch fame (Bullet-tooth Tony) playing the usual hit-man/tough man. Tom Berenger is easily the best, as he plays the target of a large assassination contract for his head.

The movie is a sequel, but it has nothing to do with the Buddy Aces Israel storyline (though his name is mentioned once, I guess just to get SOME sort of movie-verse continuity). Like the first, Smokin Aces 2 sets up the assassination contract, but the storyline is not even close to as appealing and creative as the first. You do get to see the rival assassins preparing and scheming to be first to claim the prize, however unlike SA-1, there is no creative twist to how they all converge on the target. Instead you just get a boring shootout with some very (VERY) far-fetched comical interludes (All I'll say is exploding midget clowns).

A terrible script, terrible storyline, a worse ending, yet somehow the first half of the movie was tolerable. If you're a male who likes guns and boobs, you'll likely be able to sit through this. Autumn Reeser shows some skin, as does Martha Higareda, someone I had not known until this movie.

It's still a 2/10. One point for guns, the other for naked ladies. I'm pretty sure 99.9% of females will despise this movie, and any male not enamored with action/nudity probably will too.

Bourne Supremacy - 9.5 / 10 This is easily the best 3quel of the entire year. Compared to Shrek 3, Oceans Thirteen and even Pirates, this stands up and beats them down, Bourne style.

The movie moves quickly, we get to see great fight scenes and we delve deeper into Bourne's past. This time it's the final chapter, where Bourne is going make the hunt end. Matt Damon does an amazing job turning into Jason Bourne. They are one and the same person. Reintroduced to the storyline is Pamela Landy as well as Nikki Parsons, both notables in the Bourne series. We also get to see other well trained assassins come after Bourne and some great fight scenes and chase scenes ensue.

All I can say is, this was the most fun I've had in the cinema this year. Watch this film.

I loved the first Pirates movie and the second one was a surprisingly good sequel. Expectations for the third were astronomical to say the least.

All the gang is back this time, loose ends are tied up only to be loosened again at the end. The movie takes on a grander scale and its all about the big things, but the creators have continually put in the humorous dialogue, and lots of Jack Sparrow to lighten the mood.

I've read many reviews from critics saying the movie was extremely confusing. I'm not a blatant fanboy - I went to this movie with a relaxed demeanour and I was able to understand everything. I mean, a lot of things happen but in no way are you scratching your head going "I don't get it." The movie is filled with twists and plot turns, secret plans, treachery, heroism and most of all, good ole Pirates. This one is unmissable, you will end up in the theatre or renting on DVD and loving every moment of it. The crowd cheered in the beginning (as they had in Spiderman-3) but the difference was, when the credits appeared, they gave the movie a standing ovation. All I remember at Spiderman-3 was a mob of people, rushing to get back to their cars and forget what a waste of $350 million that film was.

And to cap it all off, Jack is back where he started, a familiar setting and perhaps a premise for a fourth film. Bravo Pirates, you've continued your brand of great action, humour that's going to keep audiences coming back for more.

I just returned from a midnight screening and all I can say is wow, the movie industry has managed to create something bold, original, weird and at the same time extremely enjoyable. After Lord of the Rings, we were tired of seeing massive battles that used CGI to create armies containing hundreds of thousands of troops, and after Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, Braveheart, etc.... I was a bit tired of the historical period-piece films.

300 has managed to rejuvenate this genre. Snyder (director) was not afraid to mold his movie into the image of the graphic novel it is based on. The skies glow vivid colors, and the clouds seem to almost touch you in the theater. The use of slow-motion, even in non-battle sequences, made certain segments so much more impacted. One thing I will commend them for is not over-using the slow-motion, and keeping the camera controlled (no shaky/Blair Witch Project here, you can clearly see the battle scenes).

The story moves relatively quickly into the main plot line: the 300 Spartans making a stand against the might of the "million man" Persian army (although the trailer claimed a million, in the movie Leonidas only comments that the Persians "claim their army is in the millions"). Once it begins, it grabs you and doesn't let go.

The Spartans are unarmored, wear heroic red cloaks and look like the fiercest SOB's you will ever see. The fighting direction was very effective, and the use of blood splatter made the fight scenes unique (although I could complain none of the blood ever made it to the floor and stained the ground, partly due to it being 100% CGI).

However, past the blood and historical inaccuracies, the only thing that truly bothered me was the freaks/monsters. A mutant who is locked in chains and then "unleashed" on the Spartans, a hunchback who follows around the Spartan army, a Rhino strapped with war "garments" and war elephants resembling those of Lord of the Rings. I understand these are stylistic devices from the graphic novel but they could have toned it down a little bit. I loved the look of the immortals, but the rest of the Persian Army generally looked like crappy Middle-Eastern militia fighters, against the gleaming, flowing red capes of the Spartans.

This movie made we want to grab a spear and head in the Phalanx formation. If you like action, fighting, a bit of nudity (and for those girls, 300 sculpted and muscular Spartans), this movie is for you. Forget guns: This is SPARTA!

9/10 for Smokin' Aces, the new action/drama starring Jeremy Piven.

This movie won't get onto the top 250, nor will it win any Oscars. It will be bashed for its "copying" of other movies' styles, themes, etc... but in reality, Smokin' Aces is a hip, cool and violent action movie that is told in almost a story-mode, and then extends itself into the usual movie mode where events are just told through seeing them. No spoilers, but I'll give the basic plot: Buddy "Aces" Israel is a washed up hotshot from Las Vegas who was in the mob and now is in trouble with the FBI. To ensure he is let off the hook, he offers to give up the names of some of his co-mobsters. The mob boss sends a universal contract to kill Israel and get his heart (literally). The prize is a cool million, and there are several hit men looking to get the job done.

Jeremy Piven as Aces is perfect. Playing a dramatic prick (sometiems similar to his role as Ari on Entourage) and later on an emotionally battered, washed-up wreck - Piven shows his quality. This movie is in limited release, but I think ultimately Piven has made a good choice by taking this movie. He has a great range of emotion, everything felt authentic, and he made me laugh, cry, and everything in between.

Ultimately, see this if you are into action movies, things like Sin City, Kill Bill - lots of violence but an intelligent plot to it as well (though some would argue that the plot was retarded, I found it cool). It is under 2 hours, the movie goes by at a blazing pace, and by the end you are impressed with a smile on your face. Definitely one of the coolest movies I've seen of late, and it's a shame directors don't have the snazz to make 'em like this anymore. The closest thing you can relate it to is Snatch/Lock Stock Two Smoking Barrels, but this one has a lot more blood, gore, guns, guts and naked ladies (hence the 18A rating, at least here in Canada).

If you enjoy a good action flick, something fun, go see it. You won't be disappointed.

9/10 for the greatest Rocky since the first.

"Rocky Balboa" touches on the emotional side of the two-time former champ. With his wife dead and his estranged son pushing away from him, Rocky is slowly finding his life is becoming empty. Current champion Mason Dixon is undefeated and hated by the public because all of his fights are against duds, and he hasn't had a real challenge yet. See where this is going? Rocky is searching for something in his life. A computer simulation ran a test between Rocky in his prime and Dixon, and showed that Rocky would win . Controversy begins, as people differ in opinion. Rocky wants to start fighting again, though he mentions "Small time, local" we all know there's no room for small time in this final bout.

So an exhibition match is scheduled between Dixon and Balboa. We get the classic training scenes, the wildly famous Rocky theme and Stallone showing us what he's got left.

My only complaints where that the things that everyone looked forward to in this film - the training and fighting - were a bit short in comparison to the introduction where Balboa is seen going to his wife's grave several times. Stallone as director wanted to emphasize the emotional state of Rocky - he did not want this to be about just winning. It got through, but I think it overshadows the exciting and explosive nature that we all paid admission price to see. If anything, extend the training scenes a bit more.

The fight was excellently done in my opinion. It was filmed during a real boxing match - hence lots of people in the audience commented on how similar it looked when watching a boxing match on TV. Only unrealistic parts where that both fighters beat the hell out of each other practically every round, which doesn't happen but this is Rocky. This is what we came to see.

I don't often cheer at a movie, and I don't think many of you do either. But as soon as the letters "Rocky Balboa" came on the screen in large gold, appearing one last time, the audience gave it the applause it deserved.

Well done Stallone. A classy way to end a revolutionary movie franchise that has told the underdog story in a way that no one else could. Watch this movie in theatres, with friends and family, and embrace it.

"The Prestige" is a film about two magicians who are friends at first but when a tragedy strikes, the two split up and have their own magic acts. A rivalry begins between them and from there, the movie twists and turns like a windy road.

The acting is the strongest point of the film. Jackman and Bale are both charismatic and extremely likable, although I'll admit I was cheering for Bale (Who wasn't? :P). The plot is well developed and some have complained about the length but when you have a good movie playing, you don't notice the time. Once the movie grabs you, it doesn't let go.

Definitely worth the admission price. Go see it, tell your friends, and you'll thank me later.

I first started watching "24" this past year, during the middle of its 5th Season. My friends all watched it, and I heard enormous praise from anyone who followed the show, so I was at Blockbuster and decided to rent Season 1. It did not disappoint.

24 is one of the most creative and refreshing shows of the past five-six years. It has a very unique concept, great characters and amazing plot. Kiefer has been the MVP of the show and has created quite a following. 24 has become a cult phenomenon and recently has been signed to continue for at least 3 more seasons (so Season 6-7-8 are all signed for). I finished Season 1 in a matter of days (quite addicting) and got Seaons 2-4 I highly recommend 24 to anyone who asks about it. As to whether or not you start at Season 1 - it all depends on how much time you have. Renting the DVD's or borrowing them you can watch a lot of episodes at once without commercial breaks and eventually you can skip 5 minutes of each episode by fast-forwarding through the "Previously on 24" segments.

10/10, this show is absolutely amazing and I can't wait until Jack Bauer is back in season 6, kicking butt as usual.