Movie Info:
Writers: Frank Miller
Director: Frank Miller, Robert Rodriquez
Cast: Jessica Alba, Bruce Willis, Elijah Wood, Carla Gugino, Michael Madsen, Jaime King, Brittany Murphy, Clive Owen, Josh Hartnett, Rutger Hauer, Devon Aoki, Alexis Bledel, Mickey Rourke, Powers Boothe, Cara D. Briggs, Jude Ciccolella, Jeffrey J. Dashnaw, Rosario Dawson, Jesse De Luna, Benicio Del Toro, Jason Douglas, Michael Clarke Duncan
Rating: R
Studio: Miramax Home Entertainment

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: April 1, 2005
DVD Release Date: April 21, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $24.99

Sin City is just one of those movies you have to see. Done in a graphic novel style with digital enhancements throughout the entire movie, Sin City paved the way for other graphically intensive movies, such as 300. This movie is beautiful, though fans of non-digital methods may harp about the style. I do like old school methods of filmmaking, but it is hard to deny the beauty and uniqueness of something like Sin City.

Not only is Sin City nice to look at, the story is interesting. The characters are intriguing. The acting is stand out. The plots of each individual story come together nicely. Frank Miller, known for his exceptional graphic novels, went out of his way to bring Sin City to the screen in the right way. It’s just a superb piece of filmmaking, all around. I can’t say how much I have enjoyed watching this movie, time and again, since its initial release.

This movie is made up of an all start cast. If I had to give a lead role to anyone it’d be Bruce Willis, but really, this is an ensemble effort. There are so many big name stars in this movie, I don’t think there is a single face you won’t recognize. Miller went all out to find a recognizable cast of talented actors. From Benecio del Toro to Rosario Dawson, every type and flavor of actor can be found in this movie.

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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.

Movie Info:
Writer: Alexander Jacobs, Robert Dillon
Director: John Frankenheimer
Cast: Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey, Bernard Fresson, Philippe Léotard, Ed Lauter, Charles Millot, Jean-Pierre Castaldi, Cathleen Nesbitt, Samantha Llorens, André Penvern, Reine Prat, Raoul Delfosse
Rating: R
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: May 21, 1975
DVD Release Date: February 24, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $22.99

The French Connection II is one of those interesting movies that is a completely fictional movie that was spawned from a movie that was based on a true story. With the first French Connection ending up on the top 100 movies of all time, this was a sequel that had a lot to live up to. In many ways the sequel ends up better than the original movie. It feels grittier and moves at a faster pace. The first time I watched The French Connection I had a hard time staying focused. I couldn’t get over the slow start, but once it got going it was easy to see what makes it so popular. The French Connection II manages to bypass these issues and instead it just feels like it’s a continuation of the story that we’ve already seen.

The biggest change comes in the cast. While Gene Hackman and Fernando Rey returned for the second film, they were the only ones other than some of the crew to come back. Even Hackman did so with trepidation, feeling that too much time had passed. Luckily he changed his mind, because the movie turned out fabulous. I am pretty easy to please when it comes to action movies with good actors. Throw in some drugs, a few chase scenes, and maybe a hostage situation and we’re good to go. Luckily, this movie has all of that and more.

There is one chase scene in particular that ends up being quite interesting. Apparently Gene Hackman has a bad knee. Rather than reminding the director of his health condition he opted to do the scene himself. Hackman would go on to say that the look on his face during the film of pain and determination was not as much acting as it was real life. It makes a lot of sense considering he ended up with a badly inflamed knee. I suppose that’s the sign of a good actor when you’re willing to put your part above your own comfort.

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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.

Movie Info:
Writer: Ernest Tidyman, Robin Moore
Director: William Friedkin
Cast: Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey, Roy Scheider, Tony Lo Bianco, Marcel Bozzuffi, Frédéric de Pasquale, Bill Hickman, Ann Rebbot, Harold Gary, Arlene Farber, Eddie Egan, André Ernotte, Sonny Grosso, Benny Marino, Patrick McDermott
Rating: R
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: October 9, 1971
DVD Release Date: February 24, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $22.99

I recently went through a list of the AFI and the 100 best movies of all time. On the list is The French Connection. I had never seen this film before I had to watch it to review it. This movie is not only based on a true story, it also won numerous Academy Awards including Best Picture. The film was the first to win with an R rating. The gritty drama is just that good.

I had no idea what to expect before popping this into my Blu Ray player. I had not read any synopsis for the movie. I didn’t know who was in it. I just knew it won a Best Picture Oscar. That, of course, didn’t push my opinion in one direction either way. There are Best Picture winners I’ve loved and others I have hated (The English Patient, anyone?). Whether it’s Oscar-worthy is really a mixed bag based solely on personal opinions. So, I had absolutely no expectations about this film either way.

Come to find out, The French Connection is actually really good. The movie starts out a bit slow. It took a little bit of time getting into it and trying to figure out what is going on. Once the action starts, it’s non-stop and the movie is a thrill ride. I didn’t really even know about the real life French connection. The main characters and story are based on the dealings of two, New York City policemen who try to break up an international heroin ring that spawns out of France. The fact that this story really happened is amazing.

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Written by Dominick - Visit Website
Dominick Evans is in his late 20's. He spends his days working as a full time writer/editor and a part time musician/composer. His passions in life include music, directing films, watching movies, reading books, watching sports, wheelchair football, politics, his religion (Hellenic Reconstructionism) and spending time with his family (fiancée Ashtyn, son Robert, and shih-tzu Oliver). Other interests include being an advocate for the disability and GLBT communities.

Movie Info:
Writer: Troy Duffy
Director: Troy Duffy
Cast: Willem Dafoe, Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus, David Della Rocco, Billy Connolly, David Ferry, Brian Mahoney, Bob Marley, Richard Fitzpatrick, William Young, Robert Pemberton, Bill Craig
Rating: R
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: January 21, 2000
DVD Release Date: February 10, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $22.49

I don’t remember any of the supposed hype surrounding the release of The Boondock Saints. I didn’t see this movie until a year or so after it had been released. I caught it on television and ended up really liking this film. I had been told the story for The Boondock Saints was outstanding. I tend to agree. I’m part Irish so I like the Irish references and the fact that the main characters are Irish. It’s nice to see some Irish bad asses out there.

The Boondock Saints was only released in five theaters. The initial showing for the movie was pathetic. Due to casting differences between Miramax and Troy Duffy, the writer/director of the movie, The Boondock Saints ended up having an independent release. Thanks in large part to Blockbuster, the film has developed a cult-like status and rightfully so. Critics seem to hate this movie. I’m not your average critic. I find I often side with the general public on my opinion of movies, more so than many of the poofy critics out there.

What do I not love about this movie is a better question than what do I love. The Boondock Saints is a film your conscious tries to tell you shouldn’t like or shouldn’t relate to, but deep down, everyone of us has a moment where we can relate to the lead characters, fraternal twins, Conner and Murphy. This movie is about divine justice. Some might even say the characters play God, but Duffy himself sums it up best when he states that there are things you watch on television that disgust you so much you hope the person committing the atrocity gets what is coming to them. That’s the entire point of The Boondock Saints.

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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.

Movie Info:
Writer: Mathieu Kassovitz, Eric Besnard
Director: Mathieu Kassovitz
Cast: Gerard Depardieu, Michelle Yeoh, Vin Diesel, Mark Strong, Lambert Wilson
Rating: R
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: August 29, 2008
DVD Release Date: January 6, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $27.99

I’m probably one of the few reviewers on the planet who still likes Vin Diesel. I think the guy has a bum rap as an actor. He studied theatre, so he has to know a little bit about acting. Many times, he’s typecast in the action roles that don’t really show off his versatility. Everyone knows if it’s a Vin Diesel movie, he’s going to be kicking ass in it. If not, it’s a lame movie (The Pacifier anyone?!) he only took to try and get out of that typecasting box. He’s had no true blue drama opportunities, save for, Find Me Guilty, that have come his way.

That being said, I like a good action flick. I enjoy the movies with Bruce Willis when he’s all actionfied. Bruce can also act, but then he had that Moonlighting gig in the 80s, which I believe helped save him from being typecast too much. I’m a fan of Sylvester Stallone, especially in Rambo, even if you can’t understand a friggin’ word he says. I can appreciate the action genre and Vin has had some pretty awesome, high tech action flicks, like Pitch Black and The Fast and the Furious.

What makes Babylon A.D unique from other Diesel films is the inclusion of someone as stunning as Michelle Yeoh. I didn’t know that she was going to be in this movie, but her talent is just unspeakable. It’s kind of sad that director/writer Mathieu Kassovitz had so much trouble with 20th Century Fox, to get the story he wanted to tell told, because Yeoh’s talent is wasted. This movie truly could have been magnificent, but it’s not and I believe we have the studio to blame.

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Written by Dominick - Visit Website
Dominick Evans is in his late 20's. He spends his days working as a full time writer/editor and a part time musician/composer. His passions in life include music, directing films, watching movies, reading books, watching sports, wheelchair football, politics, his religion (Hellenic Reconstructionism) and spending time with his family (fiancée Ashtyn, son Robert, and shih-tzu Oliver). Other interests include being an advocate for the disability and GLBT communities.

Movie Info:
Writer: John Glenn, Travis Wright
Director: D.J. Caruso
Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Michael Chiklis, Anthony Mackie, Ethan Embry
Rating: PG-13
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: September 26, 2008
DVD Release Date: December 28, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $18.99

You might want to call me biased. Going into this film I was pretty certain I was going to like it. I like the fast-paced, action style dramas. I also like movies with Shia LaBoeuf in them. Many people think he’s overrated, but I believe he’s quite an entertaining performer. The amount of comedy he can bring to any movie is reminiscent of many old, famous comedic actors such as the Marx Brothers. He just has that kind of humor, even when he is in a serious role. Word on the street is he’s quite the joker on the set, too.

This movie is the ultimate thriller. While I’ve never seen a story done quite in this way, the greater plot for the story has been told before. Basically, a guy has no choice but to help an unknown source or face the consequences. Of course, there is an assassination in the works, a subplot involving a woman and her young child, a dead twin, and several chase scenes between the main protagonists and the authorities.

There are some surprises awaiting viewers in Eagle Eye. The plot isn’t as predictable as you’d expect. Sure, you can guess good conquers evil and you probably are right, but isn’t that just about every movie out there these days? It is how the plot unfolds that is the true mystery of this film. There are many twists, turns and the actor’s energy keeps the film going. The cast all work well together with many, recognizable faces including Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson and Ethan Embry.

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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.

Movie Info:
Writers: Christopher Nolan, Jonathan Nolan, David S. Goyer, Bob Kane
Director: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Monique Curnen, Cillian Murphy, Chin Han, Anthony Michael Hall, Nathan Gamble
Rating: PG-13
Studio: Warner Home Video

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: July 18, 2008
DVD Release Date: December 9, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $23.99

Heath Ledger deserves an Oscar. Period.

I’ve heard the naysayers, who claim Heath’s performance is just hyped up because he died, but to watch him is chilling. It’s complex, to truly understand all that he took on to embody such a diabolical character, as the Joker. I was spellbound by his performance, and that truly is very rare in this day and age. He had the kind of presence in a film you see from a Daniel Day Lewis (though who could imagine Day Lewis as the Joker?). The hype about Ledger as the Joker began before he died, and continued to swell after his untimely passing.

All things aside, The Dark Knight is a great film. It’s one of the best I’ve seen in 2008. The performance level by all of the actors (save for a few) makes this movie more than just a comic-inspired movie. This film is a fully packed, action filled, blockbuster, with the capability of appealing to a wide range of audiences. Still, this is not just a Batman movie. Nolan and his cast turn this into a work of art. Just because it’s popular doesn’t mean it cannot have that bohemianly avant-garde feel to it. This was brought on by Ledger more than any other player. Just because a movie is popular, mainstream, and a blockbuster sensation doesn’t mean it can’t be deserving of Oscar-buzz. Some films are meant to transcend genres and expectations. The Dark Knight is one of them.

I haven’t seen the standard edition of this. I have no need to, because I own the Blu Ray. All I can say is, BUY BLU RAY. If you have a Blu Ray player, you need to buy this in Blu Ray. I was enveloped in this absolutely stunning, cinematography-filled, cacophony of blissful Batman-heaven. I love Batman. He’s my favorite comic book hero, but never have I seen such an excellent film adaptation of my favorite boyhood superhero. Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Jack Nicholson, Nicole Kidman. None of them can hold a candle to the kind of performances we see from the cast of The Dark Knight. This film is epic and lived up to any and all of my expectations. Despite all the hype, this movie surpassed it.

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Movie Info:
Writer: Masa Nakamura, Takashi Miike
Director: Takashi Miike
Cast: Quentin Tarantino, Yusuke Iseya, Kaori Momoi, Hideaki Ito
Rating: R
Studio: First Look Pictures

Release Info:
DVD Release Date: November 11, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $21.49

I am trying to think of a way to describe Sukiyaki Western Django. I have told myself that there has to be something nice to say about this film. Unfortunately when I thought about it, the only thing I could come up with are that the fight scenes are impressive and the video is spectacular. First off it’s a spaghetti Western. For those of you that have no clue what a spaghetti Western is (I didn’t know either) it’s basically a low budget Western that was produced by Italian studios. The main difference from these Westerns and any others were that the movie was done in the Italian language. Obviously, this makes this movie a little bit different as the core cast is Japanese and they speak incredibly broken English.

Additionally, I don’t believe this has the low budget feel of those old spaghetti westerns. The quality is impeccable and while the writing, directing, and acting could have used some work, the special effects and film quality were high enough to show that a good chunk of change was spent on this film. I actually opted to see this film for Tarantino. He has been amusing or worth watching in just about everything that I have seen him in. I knew I wasn’t a real fan of westerns, but I thought I would check it out for him. I swear on everything that is holy, I will never make such a mistake again. If there is ever a movie that only seems appealing for Tarantino, I will just suck it up and skip it. It will save me the trouble of having to sit through a soulless, bottom feeding movie with no purpose.

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Written by Ashtyn - Visit Website
Ashtyn Evans is a writer, advocate, free thinker, and all around cynical person. Always quick to find the negative in anything pop culture, she loves being a part of that which she despises. Ashtyn and Dominick own numerous blogs together, as well as a full-time writing business. In her spare time she is a full-time college student studying History and Psychology. She plans to one day give up her freelance career and be a full-time blogger, novelist, and domestic goddess. She can be contacted for writing projects, fan mail, or just to say hi. She really is friendlier than we make her look.

Movie Info:
Writer: Ian Fleming, Richard Maibaum
Director: Terence Young
Cast: Sean Connery, Ursula Andress, Joseph Wiseman, Jack Lord, Bernard Lee, Anthony Dawson, Zena Marshall, John Kitzmiller, Eunice Gayson, Lois Maxwell
Rating: PG
Studio: Fox/MGM

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: May 8, 1963
DVD Release Date: October 21, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $22.95

What is there to say about the very first Bond movie? Dr. No was the start of it all. Without Dr. No and a then, relatively unknown, Sean Connery in the lead role, the vast majority of the world would not know who James Bond or 007 was. With the success of Dr. No, an entire film franchise was born. Much of the success is due to the casting of Sean Connery, who writer, Ian Fleming, initially though was all wrong for the part of his esteemed, spy hero. Boy was he wrong!

After the success of Dr. No, Fleming changed his tune. The world now knew Sean Connery and they loved him. In fact, Connery would go on to start in seven Bond movies, in total. He is often named the “definitive” James Bond, though others believe that Roger Moore was a more archetypal Bond. Either way, his success as Bond is what made the series so popular and created the movie series dynasty that’s now on its sixth actor (Daniel Craig) and its latest film (Quantum of Solace), which is about to be released. Just for reference, this will be the 22nd Bond film produced.

Before Dr. No, James Bond was a little known hero from a set of books by Ian Fleming. Today, Bond is one of the most globally recognizable characters of all time. The films just keep rolling out and the popularity of Bond doesn’t seem to be waning. While it is hard to compare with the earlier films, such as Dr. No, the advances in film, including special effects, have made the series bigger, better and more high tech. Many men dream of being as suave as Bond and nearly every girl wishes to be his Bond girl. That’s just a universal truth. Sure, Bond is a womanizer, but that’s a major part of his charm.

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Written by Dominick - Visit Website
Dominick Evans is in his late 20's. He spends his days working as a full time writer/editor and a part time musician/composer. His passions in life include music, directing films, watching movies, reading books, watching sports, wheelchair football, politics, his religion (Hellenic Reconstructionism) and spending time with his family (fiancée Ashtyn, son Robert, and shih-tzu Oliver). Other interests include being an advocate for the disability and GLBT communities.

Movie Info:
Writers: Ian Fleming, Tom Mankiewicz
Director: Guy Hamilton
Cast: Roger Moore, Yaphet Kotto, Jane Seymour, Clifton James, Julius Harris, Geoffrey Holder, David Hedison, Gloria Hendry, Bernard Lee, Lois Maxwell
Rating: PG
Studio: Fox/MGM

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: June 27, 1973
DVD Release Date: October 21, 2008
Online Availability: Amazon for $23.95

I find it hard to get into the Bond films that feature Roger Moore. He had huge shoes to fill when Sean Connery vacated the role, and Moore could never completely fill them. That’s not to say that Moore is a bad actor. He was just miscast as Bond. When it comes to best performances by a Bond star, Moore is near the bottom. In order, of my favorites, I would have to say they are Sean Connery, Daniel Craig and Pierce Brosnan, meaning Moore isn’t even in the top 3.

Of course, this is open to individual interpretation. While most people agree Connery is and always will be the definitive Bond, Moore has a select group of fans who worship him as Bond. I just happen to be one of them that doesn’t. When it comes to the film Live and Let Die, I don’t necessarily think it is a bad film, but I do think that it would have received a much better reception had Connery reprised the role, in this film, as he was asked. This is the first Bond film without Connery in it, and it shows that the writers were trying to shift Bond in a direction Moore could go with the character, thanks to minor changes to the script. Still, I can’t help but wonder what difference Connery would have made in the film.

Moore’s foray into the world of Bond is filled with action. That’s the part of the movie you don’t have to complain about. The film also has a strong plot. If you’ve ever seen a Bond movie you already know it relies on the outstanding action sequences to carry the film. I have no problem with the plot or the action. I do have a problem with Roger Moore. I wasn’t looking for a substandard Bond when watching this film and he truly is second rate to Sean Connery. It’s just impossible to compare the two actors because Connery is leaps and bounds above Moore.

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Written by Dominick - Visit Website
Dominick Evans is in his late 20's. He spends his days working as a full time writer/editor and a part time musician/composer. His passions in life include music, directing films, watching movies, reading books, watching sports, wheelchair football, politics, his religion (Hellenic Reconstructionism) and spending time with his family (fiancée Ashtyn, son Robert, and shih-tzu Oliver). Other interests include being an advocate for the disability and GLBT communities.