Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance 3D Movie Review

What was the movie about? Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance continues the story of Johnny Blaze played by Nicolas Cage, who is struggling to control the spirit of vengeance within him. Blaze is drawn to Eastern Europe. There, he is approached by Moreau played by Idris Elba, who is part of a monk order out to protect a certain child. After Moreau failed his mission, he asks Blaze to find and protect the child from the devil. Blaze is drawn to the child and eventually meets up with the child and mother. However, the child's mother Nadya played by Violante Placido isn't easily trusting. When things are finally ironed out, all hell breaks loose, leading to losing the child, to Blaze losing the one thing he needed most to protect the child.

What was good about this movie?
The CG presentation of the Ghost Rider was truly inspiring to watch. Just seeing the comic book hero come to life and exhibit his powers that we haven't seen before in the first movie was good. Some CG moments did go over the top, but didn't take away from the action scenes this movie mostly focused on.

Why you may not enjoy this movie?
If you are watching this movie for the story, then expect to be disappointed. The story isn't ground breaking, for it's your typical protect the child from the bad guys. The 3D felt more like it was last minute idea. No point in the movie did I feel the 3D was a wow factor. So don't feel like you need to watch this movie in 3D for you won't be missing much.

I give Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance an Imp Score of 2 out 4 smiles -  consider renting!

The Rum Diary Movie Review

What was the movie about?

The Rum Diary is an adaptation of the Hunter S. Thompson’s novel about an American journalist named Paul Kemp played by Johnny Deep. Kemp takes a freelance job in Puerto Rico for a local newspaper going under during the 1950s. He gets tangled up with local business men, who seek fortunate at any means. Additional troubles arise when Kemp falls in love with Chenault played by Amber Heard, who is the fiance of Mr. Sanderson played by Aaron Eckhart. Sanderson is a powerful business tycoon in which Kemp gets involved with, which causes him to struggle to find a balance with the culture and the people he knows.

What was good about this movie?

Johnny Depp 's  performance of  a believable young and constrained Hunter was truly inspiring and entertaining to watch, with a strong support cast that delivered even more enjoyable moments that made this movie worth watching.

Why you may not enjoy this movie?
Die hard fans of the book may not like how Paul Kemp and Sanderson characters are portrayed. In the film, Deep combines both characters personalities. In the book both have dueling persona's of Hunter, one being a cutthroat athletic type, the other being an alcoholic anti-authoritarian. Some may have issues with this, but I feel the film direction made the movie more enjoyable.

My Impression Score: 3/5 - Average entertainment

Elite Squad: The Enemy Within Review

It's always exciting to watch a foreign movie with subtitles, especially a crime thriller that's new. We have so many crime shows in the US its getting so saturated that we are seeing less refreshing stories. I am not saying Elite Squad is a ground breaking story, for we have seen this type of story told many times. What probably makes this movie so enjoyable is the different atmosphere it presents and a glimpse of what crime could be like in a different country.

Elite Squad: The Enemy Within is a foreign crime, drama, thriller that escalates with a bloody invasion of the BOPE in the High-Security Penitentiary Bangu 1 in Rio de Janeiro. The incident gets criticized when the skull officer in charge Lieutenant-Colonel Roberto Nascimento played by Wagner Moura and his second in command Captain Andre Matias played by Andre Ramiro are accused by the Human Rights member Diogo Fraga for unjust executions of prisoners. This creates chaos that leads to Matias being transferred to the corrupt Military Police, while Nascimento is recognized and promoted to work with the intelligence group of the Secretary of Security. Nascimento service eventually leads to expelling several drug gangs from heavily influenced slums, but creates an even worse adversary protected by political influence leading to mass killings and betrayal. 

Overall, this movie was the biggest box office film of Brazil and I can see why. The movie was action packed, the acting was superb with plots and twists that kept you on your toes providing an enjoyable crime thriller every step of the way. The only reason you may not enjoy this movie is the subtitles. Given there is a lot going on, reading while watching can be a disruption to the great film work this movie presents.

I give 'Elite Squad' an Imp Score of 3 out of 4 smiles. Great Entertainment worth watching!

Safe House Movie Review

 

Opened February 10, 2012
Runtime:1 hr. 55 min.
Safe House Trailer

What was the movie about?
Safe House is the story about a frustrated inactive agent, Matt Weston played by Ryan Reynolds. Weston is a "housekeeper" assigned to a low-profile safe house in Cape Town, who dreams of being a full-fledged agent. Weston gets an opportunity when his first occupant is the most wanted and one of CIA's best operatives who turned rogue, Tobin Frost played by Denzel Washington. As soon as Frost is brought in for interrogation, chaos erupts and mercenaries attack the safe house. Things look grim and Weston takes measures and barely escapes with Frost. As Weston searches for answers to who attacked, both are hunted aggressively by a party that will stop at nothing to kill them.

Why watch this Movie?
From beginning to end, this was a non-stop action movie. Ryan Reynolds performed admirably in his acting and fight scenes. Denzel Washington was truly entertaining and amazing to watch, to some extent equalling his great performance as a bad guy in Training Day.

Was the movie worth seeing?
I truly enjoyed this movie, it had a good balance, but was heavy on action, which I don't mind at all. I truly enjoy movies with a lot of action when they have great fight scenes, gun play and car chases, which this movie delivered. A must watch if a fan of Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds and action movies for you will find some level of entertainment.

My Impression Score: 3 out 4 smiles - worth watching!