Review: Push (2009)

I found this movie to be pretty interesting. Could have been better with the good cast and the storyline. It was sometimes bit slow and confusing.
This movie reminds me of the TV series Heroes, Some parts are very similar.
This movie keeps you guessing to the end with unexpected twists and turns.
I was disappointed to see Djimon Hounsou in the bad side.
You can see a much mature performance by Dakota Fanning, yes she is grown up.

Story:
Two strangers with special abilities must find a special girl in Hong Kong before the secret american government organization (aka Division) finds her.

Special abilities you'll find in the movie,
Watchers - Can see the future
Movers - telekinetic
Pushers - Can put any thought in your mind
Sniffs - Can detect any place
Shifters - Can shape objects
Shadows - Can hide from Sniffs
Bleeders - Scream the hell out

Starring Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Camilla Belle, Djimon Hounsou

Directed by Paul McGuigan

Distributed by Summit Entertainment

Running time: 111 minutes

Rating: 7/10 (Push)

Review: Bronson (2009)

Really interesting biographical movie about the most violent prisoner in England (Michael Gordon Peterson).
I don't think that the artist narrating method is suitable for a movie like this. Sometime it made the film really boring.

Movie does not try to justify anything. In the end we are left clueless on weather to feel sorry for him or not. Really good acting by Tom Hardy replicating a man who is completely don't care about the results for his actions.

Starring Tom Hardy

Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn

Distributed by Vertigo Films

Running time: 92 minutes

Rating: 7/10 (Bronson)

Review: Echelon Conspiracy (2009)

Action, Thriller and Mystery all in one package. Reminds me of the movie "Eagle Eye", Echelon Conspiracy is like a low budgeted version of Eagle Eye. Could have been lot better. Acting was also bit corny. Some scenes looked really dumb but I must say that you can enjoy the movie without getting bored.

Story is about a young man receiving text messages by a unknown person that gives him tips on how to win lot of easy money. Soon he finds himself in middle of a big international conspiracy.

Echelon Conspiracy is also know as The Gift in USA.

Starring Shane West, Edward Burns, Ving Rhames

Directed by Greg Marcks

Distributed by After Dark Films

Running time: 105 minutes

Rating: 8/10 (Echelon Conspiracy)

Review: Ong bak 2 (2008)

Now this is a excellent martial arts movie. non stop fighting with well choreographed fight scenes. The movie features fights in variety of Asian martial art styles.
Realistic fights, totally unique experience that you will not get from any other movie.
There is a really nice elephant taming scene, Thailand style.
First movie was good but this one is totally awesome.

The story is about a young Thai boy on a path of self discovery and revenge.

Movie is in sub titles since it's a Thai movie. You don't need worry about it, Movie is 80% fighting.

By the ending of the movie we can expect Ong bak 3 very soon.

Starring Tony Jaa

Directed by Tony Jaa, Panna Rittikrai

Distributed by Sahamongkol Film International

Running time: 97 minutes

Rating: 9/10 (Ong bak 2)

Review: Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia (2009)

This movie was a time waster for me. Acting was terrible and seems like low budgeted.
It has some good action but when you compare it with the first movie this is awful.
This movie stars World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) "Mr. Kennedy" (Kenneth Anderson). If you are a wrestling fan, then you should probably watch this movie because Mr. Kennedy is a Top Gun who plays a major role in the movie.

The story is about a special unit of Navy SEALS who are fighting Colombian special forces to regain their honor and rescue a hostage.

No real story only non stop Action.

Starring Kenneth Anderson, Joe Manganiello

Directed by Tim Matheson

Distributed by 20th Century Fox

Running time: 94 minutes

Rating: 6/10 (Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia)

Review: The Hurt Locker (2009)

Very realistic movie about the Iraqi war. Very good suspense will keep you glued to the seat. We must salute all who risk their lives for betterment of others specially bomb disposal units who always gamble with life every time they go out to disarm a bomb. The character James was a real wild character wonder if there are people really like him in the Army.
Movie silently talk about the heavy emotional toll on soldiers in this messy Iraqi war.

Story is about a special bomb squad unit called U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). How they face bomb threats every day in a very hostile environment.

Starring Jeremy Renner, Ralph Fiennes (strangely a small role)

Directed by Kathryn Bigelow

Distributed by Summit Entertainment

Running time: 131 minutes

Rating: 7/10 (The Hurt Locker)

Review: Wonder Woman (2009)

Theme is simple, Don't mess with the Amazon Women :)
Good animation with Action and a Fighter jet dog fight. Some fight scenes were stupid they could have been better. Good story with a Ironic ending.

Story is obviously about how Wonder Woman became to be the super hero we all know.

Nice quote from the movie,

Secretary: Mr President the threat has been neutralized.
Mr President: How?
Secretary: It seems by a group of armored Super Models.

Voice: Keri Russell (Wonder Woman), Nathan Fillion (Steve Trevor)

Directed by Lauren Montgomery

Distributed by Warner Premiere, Warner Bros. Animation, DC Comics

Running time: 75 minutes

Rating: 8/10 (Wonder Woman)

Review: Resident Evil: Degeneration (2008)

I'm completely disappointed in this film. I expected much more form this movie since I have seen the Resident Evil film trilogy. I thought this been an animation they will blow my mind off by spectacular effects. Movie is not bad but could have been much better.

The story is based on the popular Game Resident Evil. Resident Evil film trilogy plot was different than the actual game but this movie is set with same characters you will find in the game like Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield.
This time Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield come together to fight a new kind of terrorism and a new virus called G virus.

Directed by Makoto Kamiya

Distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment

Running time: 96 Minutes

Rating: 6/10 (Resident Evil: Degeneration)

Review: RocknRolla (2008)

Wow superb British crime movie with lot of black humor. How the story unfold is really great. I recommend anyone to watch RocknRolla. Realistic action, Look out for the character of Johnny Quid and his monologue when he plays the piano, Something we surely need to think about. I loved the two Russian hitmen they never stay beaten down.

Story is about the London's underworld real estate market and centers around one big deal with a Russian.

Starring Gerard Butler, Tom Wilkinson, Thandie Newton, Mark Strong

Directed by Guy Ritchie

Distributed by Warner Bros

Running time: 114 minutes

Rating: 8/10 (RocknRolla)

Review: Taken (2008)

Taken is an excellent thriller. You should definitely watch this film.
Action, drama, suspense everything is perfect. Acting was excellent by Liam Neeson.
Never seen a good thriller like taken for a long time. Realistic action, you'll enjoy the movie every bit. Don't miss this one.

Story is about an Ex CIA agent (preventer) who needs to rescue his kidnapped daughter from been sold to slave trade. He will need all his experience and skill to accomplish this mission.

The story is not original but don't be fool by that.

Directed by Pierre Morel

Distributed by 20th Century Fox, EuropaCorp

Running time: 93 minutes

Rating: 9/10 (Taken)

Review: Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon

Excellent Chinese war film. I'm always a big fan of Chinese dynasty warriors. Really good war scenes, lot of action and fighting. Music is also good. I'm sure anyone will enjoy this film.
Sometimes the story just fast forward all of a sudden. That's the only complaint I have. Other than that the movie was Great.

Story is about the legendary general Zhao Zilong of the Kingdom of Shu. His rise and fall.

Movie is based on the historical novel Romance of Three Kingdoms.

Directed by Daniel Lee

Distributed by Sundream Motion Pictures

Running time: 102 minutes

Rating: 8/10 (Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon)

Review: Body of Lies (2008)

Body of Lies is a very good thriller and a spy movie. Story is not very original, I have seen similar plots previously.
Very good performance by Leonardo DiCaprio (Roger Ferris). Sadly there is a needless love story in the movie also.

Story is a about a CIA operative who is trying to track down a terrorist leader active in Jordan.

This movie is based on a novel written by David Ignatius.

Distributed by Warner Bros

Running time: 128 min

Rating: 8/10 (Body of Lies)

Review: Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)

I can say it's average, Nothing special. I expected more from this movie.
Story is about a mall cop (Kevin James) which suffer from hypoglycemia (He will pass out when his blood is low in sugar). One day a group of criminals take over the mall, then its up to Paul Blart: Mall Cop to save the day.
I like to talk more about the criminals. They are very acrobatic and agile. Most of them do urban stunts, BMX bike stunts and skate board stunt. You can enjoy it very much.
Some jokes were very dumb, I'm really disappointed on this film.

Studio: Happy Madison

Distributed by Columbia Pictures

Running time: 88 min

Rating: 7/10 (Movie)

Review: The Spirit (2009)

The Spirit is a film similar to Sin City. Comic type of a movie.
These films has different color scheme and effects than normal movies, Even the acting is weired and awkward.
What I can say for this movies is that its crap compared to Sin City. So sad that Samuel L. Jackson is part of this movie.
There is no good story to follow, Only thing you can enjoy is the killing with a sense of humor.
I love the movies directed by Frank Miller but this must be the worst.

Distributed by Lions Gate Entertainment and OddLot Entertainment

Running time: 102 min

Rating: 6/10 (2009)

Review: Transporter 3 (2008)

I always loved the first two transporter movies. This one is much better than those two. Awesome car stunts and pursuits. Lot more action, fighting scenes and Audi cars (Like a Audi advertisement). Surprisingly there is a BMX bike stunt scene also. This time Frank Martin (Jason Statham) has to deliver his package with a bomb strap in his hand that explode if he move too far from his car. Good action movie.

Distributed by Lionsgate, EuropaCorp, 20th Century Fox(UK)

Rating: 7/10 (Transporter 3)

Review: Gran Torino (2008)

If there's Clint Eastwood the movie should be great, Gran Torino is a different story we rarely see in western films, I recommend everyone to watch it. Great film with emotion.

Studio: Village Roadshow Pictures, Malpaso Productions, Media Magik Entertainment

Distributed by Warner Bros.

Rating: 8/10 (Gran Torino)

Review: Punisher War Zone (2008)

Punisher: War Zone is a must for any Action film lover. Much better than first Punisher movie. You can enjoy the movie from the beginning to the end. Lot of crazy killings, blood and violence. Very good effects and fighting scenes. Story goes around fighting between Jigsaw and Punisher. Not much of a story to follow, Just follow the Action ;-)

Rating: 8.5/10 (War Zone)

Review: Twilight (2008)

Twilight is not totally what I wished for.
Cannot say the film is bad. A totally new definition for the vampires.
Nice romantic vampire story which I never seen before Yet the plot is not very unique. I expected much more action in the film. By judging the ending we can predict that Twilight 2 will be coming out soon.

Rating: 7/10 (Twilight)

Review: Underworld Rise of the Lycans (2009)

Underworld Rise of the Lycans is the 3rd part of the underworld movie series. The film takes us back to early stages when Lycans were first produced by the vampire lord Victor. They could have continued from where they last stopped but for my disappointment the story is set in very early days.
Overall experience is great with excellent effects.

Rating: 8/10 (Underworld Rise of the Lycans)