Tag Archives: Movie

Action, No Spoiler Reviews, Thriller

THE EQUALIZER (2014): ‘Badassery’ Denzel Washington Style

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The Equaliser (2014), Denzel Washington
The Equaliser (2014), Denzel Washington

Director Antoine Fuqua and Denzel Washington’s The Equalizer makes me think of Taken (2008) and Taxi Driver (1976). It’s unsurprising since all three films feature young girls who end up in very unfortunate predicaments, but luckily for them, an individual takes it upon themselves to do everything they can to make things right.

I love stories like this because not many who find themselves in such precarious situations are as lucky. As always, seeing ‘baddies’ get what they deserve is fun to watch. I mean, I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I was at the end of Bryan De Palma’s Carrie (1976).

The Equaliser (2014), Denzel Washington, Chloë Grace Moretz
The Equaliser (2014), Denzel Washington, Chloë Grace Moretz

If you’re familiar with Washington, let’s face it, there are few who aren’t, then you know you’re in for a fun ride. Laced with action, good dialogue and Denzel style ‘badassery,’ The Equalizer will keep you entertained.

One of the most memorable moments for me was the swift move with the gun at Pushkin’s warehouse. It’s so very quick and just as impressive each time I hit the replay button. I also love the music that starts at approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.

Watch it because it’s good

Happy Film Loving,

G

Action, Adventure

MAD MAX – FURY ROAD (2015): For The Portrayals Of Madness

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Mad Max - Fury Road (2015), Charlize Theron
Mad Max – Fury Road (2015), Charlize Theron

I remember absolutely nothing about the original Mad Max films. I’m not even sure that I’ve ever properly watched one. However, after seeing the teaser trailer for the 2015 version (Mad Max, Fury Road), it looks to be a fantastic spectacle.

Teaser Trailer >

All that’s left for me to do is get in the mood for another apocalyptic tale. Somehow I think Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron and Nicholas Hoult will manage to convince me. After all, what’s more intriguing than portrayals of ‘mad’ by talented Actors? Yes, that’s right. Nothing.

After the tease… The Official Main Trailer >

How amazing was that? Talk About Relentless!

The Final Trailer >

And so the final stretch of the wait until May 7th, 2015 begins.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Comedy, Drama

DANNY COLLINS (2015): Trailer of The Week

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Danny Collins (2014), Al Pacino
Danny Collins (2014), Al Pacino

Read my spoiler-free movie review of Danny Collins (2015).

Annette Bening, Al Pacino, Christopher Plummer, Bobby Cannavale… It’s hard not to adore all of them – and unsurprisingly, they star in some of the best films ever made.

Today, however, it’s all about Danny Collins (2015). And as per the following trailer, the signs for a good experience are good.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Sci-Fi, Thriller

PREDESTINATION (2014): The Next Ethan Hawke 2014 Hit?

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Predestination (2014) Ethan Hawke
Predestination (2014) Ethan Hawke

Read my spoiler-free movie review of Predestination (2014).

Ethan Hawke has been very busy; a fact that makes me, an eternal fan of great acting talent, a very happy so and so.

With more than 5 releases out this year, including the already very well -received Boyhood, who can blame me?

A sci-fi thriller from sibling directors, Michael and Peter Spierig; the premise of Predestination involves time travel for the purpose of preventing crimes from taking place.

Quite the promising trailer we have here, isn’t it. And, perhaps unsurprisingly, Tom Cruise’s rather good film Minority Report (2002) came to mind as this preview played. Fingers crossed it’s great.

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Adventure, Family, No Spoiler Reviews, Thriller

MALEFICENT (2014): Definitely Not Your Typical Disney Evil Queen

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Maleficent (2014)
Maleficent (2014)

Paragraph 5 (Spoiler Alert)

Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of Maleficent has been criticised for not being evil enough. I think people of this opinion have missed the point of the film entirely.

Not to say that the movie is perfect because the pace did leave me wanting. Nevertheless,  it’s clear to me that for audiences to buy into the story, Jolie definitely couldn’t look for inspiration for her character from the likes of pre-existing Queens of pure evil. A perfect example being ‘Queen Revenna’ of Snow White And The Huntsman (2012) – wonderfully played by Charlize Theron.

No, no, no. Jolie would have to study characters far more complex. I imagine that she must have because Maleficent is absolutely unlike the traditional evil queen, and that doesn’t make for a lesser film, but a different one.

Besides my issues with the pace, there is one aspect of the story that  I found particularly hard to accept…

…now, I may be overthinking things since I’m not the film’s key demographic. But… with Maleficent being not just a fairy with powers, and instead ’the strongest of the fairies’, I expected that she would have the means to regenerate her wings. And if she couldn’t do this, I imagined she would at least use her magic to locate the wings – once she’d used the same special powers to learn that her wings had not been completely destroyed. Am I alone in this?

I have no regrets at all about watching the film. The difference was refreshing. Plus, I LOVE Angelina Jolie! She could lead me almost anywhere. Probably.

Happy Film Loving,

G