Shameless Pile of Stuff

R.O.T.O.R. a.k.a R.O.T.O.R. Police Force a.k.a Blue Steel a.k.a Robo Police
Manson International, WestWind Pictures, USA, 1987.

This movie is published as a part of Sci-fi Invasion 50 movie pack box published by Mill Creek Entertainment.

Now this is a movie that puts other cyborg movies in the shade. Forget Terminator and Robocop. Here comes R.O.T.O.R.!

In the future crime is rampant in Dallas. Robotic Officer Tactical Operation Research (R.O.T.O.R.) is created to fight crime as Judge, Jury and Executioner. Justice served, COD(sic). With only a go button and no compassion it soon goes out of control. Paul (Andrew Kasnetz) and his girlfriend are going to spend weekend at the lake. They find an injured couple on the road. The injured man Barrett Coldyron is accused of killing a motorcycle cop. Dr. Coldyron (Richard Gesswein) was the leader of the police robot project that went haywire.

Dr. Coldyron

Last Thursday Coldyron had just a normal day at the ranch. Coldyron has nice breakfast and drinks Texas coffee with his horse. Then he goes riding and lassoes some tree stumps (!?) Ok, so he is blowing the tree stumps up. "Clearing these stumps for pasture land has always been a chore. In the past I've always used nitro or dynamite. But this new Primacord® explosive lets me practise my rope and at the same time it blows the stumps away." I wonder if the Ensign-Bickford Company was one of the sponsors.

Then Coldyron goes to work in the robot lab. Coldyron's department has developed the robot chassis. Dr. Steele (Jayne Smith) from Houston has developed an unknown alloy, a self-learning metal. The robot can do anything from aerobics to Tai-chi. Commander Buglar (Michael Hunter) is rushing the project. The politicians and Commander have been skimming the funding and given what's left for the project. There are only 60 days to finish the project or else Coldyron gets the blame. "You fire me, and I'll make more noise than two skeletons making love in a tin coffin, brother" blusters Coldyron. Well, fired he is and Houghtaling (Stan Moore) inherits the project. Coldyron vents his anger to security guard Statum (Bill Blair, the most experienced actor of the film with many uncredited roles. He also has the World Record in "Most special effect make-up characters portrayed in a career.")

R.O.T.O.R.

Buglar

Statum

In an torally unnecessary scene Coldyron goes to have dinner with girl friend Penny Gayle (Nanette Kuczek). Houghtaling and Willard the Robot try to save the project. "What do you think this is, some low-budget Sci-Fi flick? I mean, what can possibly happen?" Jiving Indian janitor Shoeboogie (Brad Overturf) manages to short circuit instruments using earphones and comb. R.O.T.O.R. climbs up from his vat and starts his career as motorcycle cop. He demonstrates his strength by walking through auditorium full of plastic chairs. Meanwhile Calderon stops a mini-mart robbery using his trusty Desert Eagle.

Houghtaling

Willard

Shoeboogie

Meanwhile almost married unhappy couple Sony (Margaret Trigg) and Gregory (James Cole). Greg is speeding and R.O.T.O.R. punishes the offender by shooting him in the forehead. Sony escapes and calls the cops. Killer cyborg chases her (slowly). He has skill to see past events (sensor recall) when he takes his sunglasses off. Coldyron goes to save Sony and damages the motorcycle but he must get help from Dr. Steele who looks like she has just come from the gym. The final battle is coming!

Sony

Dr. Steele

R.O.T.O.R.

The actors went the school of bad acting. The pacing is odd and the music choices in the first half are weird. The dialogue contains such silliness that the makers clearly had their tongues in cheeks. For some reasons the main characters are dubbed by other voice actors. The Mill Creek version seems to be missing some dialogue, at least in scenes where Shoeboogie short circuits the apparatus and in scene with Coldyron and black policeman Mokie (Shawn Brown) after robbery attempt.

The director Cullen Blaine has worked as a storyboard artist in various cartoon projects such as "Garfield", "Alvin & the Chipmunks" and "Dennis the Menace." He has directed some cartoon episodes but this is Blaine's only live-action direction. Also scriptwriter Budd Lewis worked more as a storyboard artist and he wrote only two screenplays. Just how the duo ended up in this project is a mystery. Needless to say the movie poster looks nothing like the actual film. Wonderfully clumsy film with 1980s cheese, turned into hilarious disaster by director and producer misunderstanding scriptwriter's intention to write a parody film. Not followed by a sequel (although it was promised).

Highly recommended.

Rating:

So bad it is good

Starring: Margaret Trigg, Richard Gesswein, Jayne Smith, James Cole, Stan Moore, Nanette Kuczek, Brad Overturf, Shawn Brown, Michael Hunter, Victor Kwasnick, Ron Baker, Diana Hurd, Bill Blair, Bob Lennard, Janiece Stamper, Robert Vicitation, Leo Martinez, Paul Vela, Dallas Monroe, Peggy Baker, Andrew Kasnetz, Lynn Fyock, Karlton Johnson, Gary Stern, Susan Hukill, Phil Thompson, Karl Yznaga, Shirley Hunt, Linda Morris, Ryan West, Mike Hevey, Joe Graham, Mary Jo Simmons, Ken Meeks, Rusty Han, Corri Jones (as Corri Lewis), Budd Lewis, Carroll Brandon Baker, Clark Moore, Wayne Mauler, George Jones, Gigi Green, Quintin Hardtner, Emily Marrero, Loren Bivens, Georganna Barry, Rocky Patterson, Mike Collins, Patrick Montes, Jo Steele, Lawrence Morgan, Stephen C. Kerr, Michael J. Montes

Director: Cullen Blaine

Hands of Steel (Vendetta dal futuro) a.k.a Atomic Cyborg a.k.a Fists of Steel a.k.a Hands of Stone a.k.a Return to the Terminator a.k.a Return of the Terminator a.k.a Cyborg a.k.a Destroyer

National Cinematografica, Dania Film, Medusa Distribuzione, Italy, 1986.

Part of the Mill Creek Sci-fi Invasion 50 movie box.

In the future radiation disease is spreading. Environmentalist Reverend Mosley (Franco Fantasia) is holding a rally against polluting but industrialists Francis Turner (John Saxon), Cooper (Roberto Bisacco) and Hunt (Sergio Testori) send programmed cyborg assassin Paco Queruak (Daniel Greene) to kill him. The human side of Paco intervenes and he only wounds Mosley. Paco escapes to desert where acid rain almost melts his car and lowers the resale value.

Paco Queruak

Reverend Mosley

Francis Turner

In a desert motel he gets a temporary job as handyman from Linda (Janet Agren). Cyborg's muscles are useful for chopping wood. Also arm wrestling is easy and he beats dirtbag champion Raul (star of Italian cult-trash films George Eastman). Raul is a sore loser and arranges nasty surprise to Paco. Also another challenger Anatola Blanco (Darwyn Swalve) appears.

Linda

Raul Morales

Anatola Blanco

Saxon sends European hitman Peter Howell (Claudio Cassinelli, who died during the filming in helicopter accident) after Paco. Cops Bakey (unknown actor) and Dr. Peckinpah (Amy Werba) try to find out who was behind the assassination attempt. Howell sends Eddie (Andrea Coppola) and female cyborg Susie (again uncredited actress who looks like Daria Nicolodi, these Italian B-films sure are badly documented!) to kill Paco. This leads to the best action scenes of the movie.

Dr. Peckinpah and Bakey

Peter Howell

Susie

This is quite fun cheapo Eurotrash action film, set in "twenty Minutes into the Future." Lots of macho action, pulp violence and some arm wrestling. Okay, it looks very cheap and the fight choreography is that Paco hits enemies with his cyborg hands and the bad guys hit the floor. Still the testosterone-fueled movie is fun to watch and never gets boring. It has also quite good synth score by Claudio Simonetti, keyboard player of Goblin. Set in the future that looks just like the 1980s!

Possible weapons

Laser gun goons

Rating:

Good

Starring: Daniel Greene, Janet Agren, Claudio Cassinelli, George Eastman, Roberto Bisacco (as Robert Ben), Pat Monti, Andrea Coppola (as Andrew Louis Coppola), Donald O'Brien, Frank Walden, Darwyn Swalve, Amy Werba, John Saxon, Bruno Bilotta, Franco Fantasia, Edward Mannix, Dean Ricca, Ted Rusoff, Susan Spafford, Sergio Testori, Alex Vitale, Frank von Kuegelgen
Director: Sergio Martino (as Martin Dolman)

Jesus Christ Superstar - Live Arena Tour

Universal Studios Home Entertainment, The Really Useful Group, UK, 2012.

It is Easter time so let's check out some religious epics.

This is 40th anniversary production of the Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber rock musical.

Anarchists (Judeans) are fighting with riot police (Romans). Judas (Tim Minchin) sings how he admires Jesus (Ben Forster) but thinks that things have gotten out of control and he fears what happens when the people get disappointed in Jesus. Also Jesus begins to believe that he is god. The people are getting restless and want action. Judas scolds Jesus about associating with Mary Magdalane (Spice Girl Melanie C.).

Jesus and Mary Magdalane

Judas

Poster boy

High priest Caiaphas (Pete Gallagher) is troubled by growing influence of Jesus. Simon Zealotes (Giovanni Spano) wants Jesus to lead rebellion against Romans. Judas betrays Jesus and Jesus is crucified. Judas realizes that he has been used and hangs himself.

Caiaphas

King Herod (Chris Moyles)

The crucifixion

As the musical was originally a stage show, this production is returning to its roots but with modern touches. The stage show has modern look with contemporary clothing and video screens although it uses only simple stage set (staircase). Therefore the pre-Christians look like a bunch of Occupy Wall Street protesters and the Romans are like greedy capitalists. Also social media is omnipresent with Jesus getting followers and likes. King Herod (Chris Moyles) is like Jerry Springer. The performers are great and the show is well produced but somehow I liked the 1970s movie a bit more as it worked better as timeless story than the stage play with the modernized gimmicks that will probably become outdated very soon. The stylistic choices create oxymorons as the songs contain lyrics such as "Israel in 4 BC had no mass communication." Not that the 1970s film didn't have campy moments, contemporary style and disco angels. The original 1973 film combined modern clothing and weapons with biblical locations in Israel. Somehow this new version does not have the same nostalgic aspect. Well it is a matter of taste, but I don't usually like operas or classic stories with too much modernization.

What has always been great with this musical is that it gives voice to Judas and motives behind the betrayal. Also the story cleverly compares similarity of religion and celebrity cult with organized religion distorting whatever the good purposes were originally.

Rating:

Good

Starring: Tim Minchin, Melanie Chisholm (as Melanie C.), Chris Moyles, Ben Forster, Alexander Hanson, Pete Gallagher, Gerard Bentall, Michael Pickering, Giovanni Spano, Jeff Anderson, Michelle Antrobus, Jack Booth, Alice Capitani, Ian Carlyle, Leon Craig, Krysten Cummings, Christos Dante, Stephen John Davis, Keisher Downie, Efion Emyr, Lily Frazer, Ryan Gibb, Zoe Green, Bob Harris, Clare Ivory, Samantha Jackson, Jack Jefferson, Leon Maurice Jones, Sia Kiwa, Anthony Lawrence, Brian McCann, Alana Murrin, Tim Newman, Tom Parsons, Rhiannon Porter, Adam Pritchard, Tim Prottey-Jones, Gala Robles, Lucas Rush, Benedict Smith, Russell Smith, Phil Snowden, Adam Strong, Ali Temple, Jon Tsouras, Alex Tucker, Marie Walker, Russell Walker, Karlene Wray
Director: Laurence Connor

Exodus: Gods and Kings

Twentieth Century Fox, Chernin Entertainment, Scott Free Productions, Babieka, Volcano Films, UK, USA, Spain, 2014.

It is 1300 B.C. and the Hebrews are slaves in Egypt. Moses (Christian Bale) is the best buddy and cousin of future pharaoh Ramses (Joel Edgerton). John Turturro is the old pharaoh Seti. The Egyptians face the army of Hittites. Moses saves life of Ramses. Ramses becomes jealous as Moses is better leader than him.

Moses

Ramses

Seti

Ramses sends Moses to Pithom to suppress rebelling Hebrew slaves. Corrupt Viceroy Hegep (Ben Mendelsohn) wants to slaughter them, but Moses tries negotiating with the Elders. God says that the Hebrews must return to the land of Canaan. Nun (Ben Kingsley) tells that Moses will be the future leader of the Hebrews. Pharaoh Seti dies and Ramses gets the throne. Power-hungry Ramses and his mother Tuya (Sigourney Weaver) become paranoid about Moses and they send Moses to die in desert.

Nun

Tuya

Moses meets shepherd Jethro (Kevork Malikyan) and marries his daughter Zipporah (María Valverde). Nine years later Moses tries to climb on a forbidden mountain and sees the burning bush and strange boy (Isaac Andrews). Moses gets a mission from God and must return to Egypt to free his people. In Egypt he meets Nun and his son Joshua (Aaron Paul) and begins to train a rebel army. Then God sends ten plagues to torment the Egyptians. God's actions horrify Moses. Finally Moses leads his people to the Promised Land culminating in the epic crossing of the Red Sea.

Zipporah

Joshua

Crossing of the Red Sea

The film looks great. Massive neo-peplum action scenes look impressive. Also the plagues are explained from scientific point of view by Expert (Ewen Bremner) who does not ultimately give satisfying answers to Pharaoh and then the story returns to the mythic territory. However it feels if a lot of film material was left out as some characters just appear and disappear without a clue. Also there are some story build-ups that never come to conclusion, Chekhov's gun has a cork stuck in the barrel. Missed opportunities are Ramses making himself immune to snake poison, Joshua's immunity to pain and so on. Also Aaron (Andrew Target), brother of Moses has very little to do in the story. Many elements of the original biblical story are quickly passed (Ark of Covenant, Ten Commandments), so those who do not know the original story may scratch their heads.

Overall the film has a good spectacle, with great-looking ancient Egypt but has massive plotholes and some annoying inaccuracies in the script. Versatile Christian Bale makes a transformation from boyish prince to rugged face people's leader.

Older Moses

Rating:

Good

Starring: Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, John Turturro, Aaron Paul, Ben Mendelsohn, María Valverde, Sigourney Weaver, Ben Kingsley, Isaac Andrews, Hiam Abbass, Indira Varma, Ewen Bremner, Golshifteh Farahani, Ghassan Massoud, Tara Fitzgerald, Dar Salim, Andrew Tarbet, Ken Bones, Philip Arditti, Hal Hewetson, Christopher Sciueref, Emun Elliott, Anton Alexander, Jonathan Rod, Maykol Hernandez, Kevork Malikyan, Aaron Neil, Nicholas Khan, Phil Perez, Jorge Suquet, Giannina Facio-Scott, Abhin Galeya, Anthony Rotsa, Ayoub El Hilali, Alejandro Naranjo, Miguel G. Borda, Anna Savva

Director: Ridley Scott

Noah

Paramount Pictures, Regency Enterprises, Protozoa Pictures, Disruption Entertainment, USA, 2014.

Son of Adam and Eve, Cain kills his brother Abel and the fallen angels Watchers help his descendants to build industrial cities that destroy the nature. In only a few generations after Adam & Eve the humans have polluted the Earth. Descendants of Seth protect the remnants of Creation. Last Descendant of Seth, Noah witnesses the murder of his father.

Many years later vegan Noah (Russell Crowe) has wife Naameh (Jennifer Connelly) and sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Noah forbids his sons from picking up flowers and eating meat. He also kills some hungry hunters. Noah gets a message from God who plans to destroy the world. Noah and his family travel through wasteland to meet grandfather Methuselah (Anthony Hopkins). On the way there they save a young girl Ila. Stone giants capture them. One of them Og (voiced by Frank Langella) helps them escape. He feels sorry because they taught humans to create but humans used the gift for evil purposes.

Noah

Logan Lerman, Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Leo McHugh Carroll

Ham, Noah, Naameh and Japheth

Shem and Ila

Methuselah gives Noah some funny tea that helps him see more details about the God's plan. Noah must build an ark and save the animals. Years later Noah and the Watchers are building ark. Ila (Emma Watson) and Shem (Douglas Booth) are a couple but the other boys Ham (Logan Lerman) and Japheth (Leo McHugh Carroll) are single. Evil King Tubal-Cain (Ray Winstone) wants to destroy Noah and take the ark. Noah feels that the Creator wants only animals to survive the flood and also Noah's family must die.

Methuselah

Watcher Og

Tubal-Cain

Although it is a biblical story the film could well be a post-apocalyptic scifi. It is not limited to the Bible story but takes also elements from apocryphal Book of Enoch. For a Darren Aranofsky film the first half is surprisingly main-stream with big fantasy battle-scenes. Still the plot is darker than in usual Hollywood Bible story. Stylistically there are some scenes that are loyal to his style (time-lapse animated map, river and cool evolutionary creation scene and Noah's montage visions). It takes liberties with the story omitting Ham's and Japheth's wives, adding the conflict of Tubal-Cain and Noah and various little things. Some inaccuracy and additions to the original stories and myths are always inevitable. Although the original story is short there are some cool stuff about flood in myths of different cultures that could have been utilized also.

The animals

Noah's Ark

However even the inclusion of stone Transformers are not as controversial as the inclusion of contemporary values unknown to the original ancient story. What is the most disturbing aspect is that it feels like vegan propaganda perfectly forgetting that Biblical Noah certainly was not a PETA-member: "Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar." Likewise it is neglected that Cain killed Abel because Cain became jealous when God liked Abel's animal sacrifice but rejected Cain's fruit offerings. Genesis 8:20. Aronofsky's artistic choice sure, but his black & white preaching negates the themes of the original flood story (after the flood God accepts that there is good and evil in humans, and gives humans permission to eat animals and makes a covenant with Noah and his descendants) and adds themes unknown to the original flood myths by pushing extreme environmentalist agenda. It also creates an oxymoron: if God is worried about environmental damage rather than other sins, how is destroying the whole world going to fix it?

Contrast of ecological Noah vs industrialist Tubal-cain takes a strange turn when the bad guy feels more humane than misanthropic ecofascist Noah. At one point Tubal-Cain's actions basically hinder Noah from murdering his own family. Some religious groups were shocked to see how much the Biblical Noah was changed. For a more balanced view of human vs nature conflict "Princess Mononoke" offered a better option, without neglecting either the environmental damage done by humans or the benefits of technology for example in health care.

Here's Johnny! I mean Noah!

Although professionally done and with good acting, it leaves a bitter aftertaste.

Rating:

Good

Starring: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, Douglas Booth, Nick Nolte, Mark Margolis, Kevin Durand, Leo McHugh Carroll, Marton Csokas, Finn Wittrock, Madison Davenport, Gavin Casalegno, Nolan Gross, Skylar Burke, Dakota Goyo, Ariane Rinehart, Adam Griffith, Sophie Nyweide, Don Harvey, Sami Gayle, Barry Sloane, Arnoddur Magnus Danks, Vera Fried, Thor Kjartansson, Gregg Bello, Mellie Maissa Rei Campos, Oliver Lee Saunders, Frank Langella

Director: Darren Aronofsky

The Bible: In the Beginning...

Dino de Laurentiis Cinematografica, Seven Arts Pictures, Thalia AG, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, USA, Italy, 1966.

When the Biblical epics got bigger and bigger in the end of 1950s, producer Dino de Laurentiis and John Huston decided to ambitiously film three movies based on the Old Testament. Only one was made and the filming took five years. Thus was the twilight of the golden era of great Biblical epics.

After the Creation God creates Adam (Michael Parks) & Eve (Ulla Bergryd). Eve eats an apple and you know what comes next. (Rhetorical question: what would have happened if she had eaten the snake instead?) Next is the story of Cain (Richard Harris) and Abel (Franco Nero).

Adam & Eve

Cain kills Abel

Noah (John Huston) and his sons build the Ark. This is the most entertaining and even humoristic episode with slightly goofy Noah and cute animals. It has also dark imagery about the flood (Darren Aranofsky had almost directly similar scene in "Noah" where drowning people cling to peak of mountain while Noah and his family hear their wailing, after some digging for information it seems that both films took inspiration from woodcut "The Deluge" by Gustave Doré).

"The Deluge" by Gustave Doré (from Wikipedia)

Noah's Ark

Noah and the animals

Then we meet proud King Nimrod (Stephen Boyd) who is building the Tower of Babel. God teaches them humility by confusing their language. Later Abram (George C. Scott) travels to Promised Land. However the Canaanites already live there so they have to conquer the area. Abraham has a love scene with his wife Sarai (Ava Gardner) utilizing dialogue from "The Song of Songs." Abram and his nephew Lot (Gabriele Ferzetti) separate because the land is not big enough for them both. Lot chooses Jordan, area near evil towns of Sodom and Gomorrah. Renamed Abraham and Sarah want offspring but both are already old.

Tower of Babel

Nimrod

Abram and Lot

Later God sends Three Angels (Peter O'Toole) to see if Sodom and Gomorrah should be nuked. Lot's wife looks directly at the mushroom cloud and turns into salt. This segment actually has some delightfully weird scenes. Finally God plays a practical joke on Abraham and his son Isaac (Alberto Lucantoni).

Three Angels

Kinky folks of Sodom

Film is plodding at times to point of being an effective sedative (it took me three days to sit through this movie). The movie is three hours long but feels like three weeks. It follows the original stories very rigidly and except for Noah's Ark segment it lacks liveliness. However at the segment with Isaac and Abraham there seems to be some off biblical questioning of divine justice as also innocent children died in Sodom & Gomorrah. Despite the slowness the film has some good moments though. There is nice cinematography and goodd soundtrack. Good effort but not one of the best Biblical epics.

Rating:

Average

Starring: Michael Parks, Ulla Bergryd, Richard Harris, John Huston, Stephen Boyd, George C. Scott, Ava Gardner, Peter O'Toole, Zoe Sallis, Gabriele Ferzetti, Eleonora Rossi Drago, Franco Nero, Pupella Maggio, Robert Rietty, Peter Heinze, Roger Beaumont, Gianluigi Crescenzi, Maria Grazia Spina, Angelo Boscariol, Claudie Lange, Anna Orso, Adriana Ambesi, Eric Leutzinger, Michael Steinpichler, Gabriella Pallotta, Alberto Lucantoni, Rossana Di Rocco, Luciano Conversi, Giovanna Galletti, Paola Ambrosi, Flavio Bennati, Salvatore Billa, Giovanni Di Benedetto, Alberigo Donadeo, Aviva Israeli, Flavio Nennati, Marie-Christine Pratt, Ivan Rassimov, Amru Sani, Elisabetta Velinska

Director: John Huston

40 Days and Nights

The Asylum, USA, 2012.

A huge flood hits Sahara drowning some teens. Scientists build an ark to store DNA for rebuilding the ecosystem. John (Alex Carter) and his fiancee Tessa (Monica Keena) work in the project. When a train carrying DNA samples is delayed due to landslide, Tessa and Masters (Christianna Carmine) must go fetch them. Also the power cell of the ark is malfunctioning so John and Amato (Ty Barnett) must find a new one.

The ark

Tessa and John

Biblical level disaster strikes

Various people try to reach the ark, but only few can be saved (most of the who cares characters are expendables). Admiral Wallace (Scott Hoxby) is very strict about who can enter the ark. Not that the sideplot finally matters much. As the ark barely holds together, Engineer Maddie (Emily Sandifer), Amato and Masters have to work extra time.

Masters

Admiral Wallace

Maddie

"2012" rip-off with laughable effects. The script seems to have had some ambitious scifi attempt but the film looks hastily made and drowns any possibly interesting ideas. The director fails to make anything exciting and the story jumps from one scene to another without much thought. There are some inconsistencies with the character names and it looks like many scenes were filmed with only one take. It is one of the weakest Asylum efforts of 2012. If there is anything good to be said at least The Asylum has again cast some pretty ladies.

Hyams (Dominic Ledesma), Captain Bridges(Kevin Jackson) and Oates (Victoria Barabas)

Rating:

Very bad

Starring: Alex Carter, Monica Keena, Alex Arleo, Alex Ball, Victoria Barabas, Ty Barnett, David Bittick, Adam Burch, Hector Luis Bustamante, Christianna Carmine, Marcus Choi, Emily Davenport, Evan Dumouchel, Susannah Hart Jones, Scott Hoxby, Kevin Jackson, Jonah Keal, Hina Khan, Jon Kondelik, Dominic Ledesma, Mitch Lerner, Kaiwi Lyman, Rose McConnell (as Kimberly McConnell), Emilio Palame, Rich Paul, Andrew Pirozzi, Emily Sandifer, Aurelia Scheppers, Tom Seidman, Derek Shaun, Kristian Steel, David Venafro, Dylan Vox, Hilary Wagner, Delpaneaux Wills, Paul Addicott, Olga Antnova, Joan Baca, Brian C. Bell, Grace Mondics

Director: Peter Geiger

No Contest a.k.a Hardness a.k.a Running Out - Countdown des Todes
Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment, Norstar Entertainment, Canada, 1995.

Former secret agent guy Sergeant Crane (Robert Davi) is assigned to protect Miss USA Candy Wilson (Polly Shannon) who is Senator's (John Colicos) daughter. Miss Galaxy contest turns bloody when terrorists take everybody hostage and demand 10 million worth of diamonds. The contestants get bracelets that explode if the girls wander too far from each other (a la "Running Man" or "Wedlock").

Crane

Candy

Terrorist boss Oz (Andrew Dice Clay) and his sidekicks Vic (Nicholas Campbell) and Ice (Roddy Piper) are hardened psychopaths who are not shy about killing the hostages. No better are their evil geeks Zed (J.D. Nicholsen) and Cal (Keram Malicki-Sánchez). They take out the police using remote controlled gun turret that scores points.

Ice

Keram Malicki-Sánchez and J.D. Nicholsen

Cal and Zed

Crane is forced to evacuate and he is trying to support the police outside the building. The hostess of the contest and former Miss Galaxy Sharon Bell (Shannon Tweed) and nowadays a star of cheap action films knows martial arts. "She is like Bruce Lee with boobs!" blurts one bad guy. She begins to take out the bad guys sending information to Crane. But the building is rigged with bombs...

Sharon Bell

Hiya!

This is a guilty pleasure trashy "Die Hard" variation with lots of bloody action and amusing dialogue. Direct to video action is not bad, although some corner cutting can be seen (especially the awful looking green screen effect in the end battle). The legendary cast also helps, have you ever wanted to see Andrew Dice Clay as a over the top bad guy? Although Shannon Tweed is not seen in the cover picture and her name appears third, she is clearly the action hero of the story. There is inside jokes, campy humour and low-brow jokes. Former show wrestler Roddy Piper can be seen watching wrestling and his character named Ice is beaten with sack of ice.

The movie was followed by sequel where Sharon went on to stop terrorists smuggling Nazi nerve gas.

Rating:

Good

Starring: Shannon Tweed, Robert Davi, Andrew Dice Clay, ”Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Nicholas Campbell, John Colicos, James Purcell, Judith Scott, Louis Wrightman, Keram Malicki-Sánchez, J.D. Nicholsen, Polly Shannon, Bridget Griggs, Kyrin Hall, Chandra West, Joanna Bacalso, Julie Armstrong, Hugo Dann, George Kash, Jason Blicker, Seymour Blicker, Louis Valere, Richard Waugh, Victor Ertmanis, Richard Yearwood, Robert Bockstael, Douglas O'Keeffe, Nigel Hamer

Director: Paul Lynch

Fool's Gold (2008)

Warner Bros., De Line Pictures, USA, 2008.

In 1715 King Philip's treasure galleon sunk somewhere near Cuba. Centuries later Finn (Matthew McConaughey) and Alfonz (Ewen Bremner) are trying to find the gold. Their boat sinks in freak accident but something positive happens: they find plate from the galleon. Bad news: the boat was funded by gangster rapper Bigg Bunny (Kevin Hart) who now wants his money back. And soon Finn finds himself going to the bottom of the ocean with an anchor tied to his leg. He barely avoids the watery grave.

Finn

Alfonz

Bigg Bunny

Finn's ex-wife Tess (Kate Hudson) works for millionaire Nigel Honeycutt (Donald Sutherland). As Finn is broke Tess gets nothing from the divorce. Finn saves Honeycutt's daughter's Gemma's (Alexis Dziena) hat. Gemma is lovably ditzy socialite. Finn uses the opportunity to tell about the treasure to Nigel who gets interested about treasure hunt. Tess hates the idea first but old flames die hard. But also Bigg Bunny hires old treasure hunter Moe Fitch (Ray Winstone) to search for the lost galleon.

Tess

Nigel Honeycutt

Gemma

Cheery Caribbean music spices up the summery light adventure romp. The story is quite traditional stuff but enjoyable with funny characters. Sometimes it is just enough to see traditional treasure hunting genre being updated. Somewhere it has been called a rip-off of "Uncharted" video game but "Uncharted" itself was a homage of various adventure stories. The story of "Fool's Gold" is more directed towards romantic comedy than action. The island sceneries are pretty and McConaughey and Hudson have nice chemistry.

One of Bunny's henchmen is Theo Huxtable from "The Cosby Show":

Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Rating:

Good

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Kate Hudson, Donald Sutherland, Alexis Dziena, Ewen Bremner, Ray Winstone, Kevin Hart, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Brian Hooks, David Roberts, Michael Mulheren, Adam LeFevre, Rohan Nichol, Roger Sciberras, Elizabeth Connolly, Harli Ames (as Ali Ammouchi), Tom O'Sullivan, Eddie Ritchard (as Edwina Ritchard), Duncan Young, Luke Pegler, Xavier Fernandez, Ra Mel El (as A. Ramel El), Nicholas Cooper, Andrew Allen, Glenn Suter, Peter Whitford, Laurence Coy, Linda Cropper, Clementine Heath, Ashley Cheadle, Jason Dundas, Todd Lasance, Ray Bull, Valentino del Toro, Frank Turner, Bill Watson, Henry Browne, Laura Collier, Tim Oliver Koenig, Tana Smith

Director: Andy Tennant

Vacation (2015)
Warner Bros., BenderSpink/ Big Kid Pictures, RatPac-Dune Entertainment, David Dobkin Productions, New Line Cinema, USA, 2015.

This chapter introduces Griswold family's new generation. Dad Rusty Griswold (Ed Helms) is a pilot in cheap airline company. Mom Debbie Griswold (Christina Applegate) is bored and the boys artistic James (Skyler Gisondo) and bratty Kevin (Steele Stebbins) are always fighting. Rusty tries to make his family happier by taking them to road trip to theme park in the spirit of Rusty's childhood trip 30 years earlier with his dad Clark (Chevy Chase). Maybe some quality time together will make the family members closer. First they rent the pride of Albanian car industry, minivan Tartan Prancer.

Ed Helms, Skyler Gisondo, Steele Stebbins, Christina Applegate

The Griswolds

Tartan Prancer

Don't press swastika

On the way they meet scary trucker, Debbie visits her old college and attends Chug Run and they visit terrible motels. After some misadventures they visit Rusty's sister Audrey (Leslie Mann) and her semi-celebrity weather forecaster husband Stone (Chris Hemsworth). The ideal couple seems to have everything Rusty and Debbie do not have, cool ranch and virile sex life. The Griswolds try also paddling with funny guy instructor Chad (Charlie Day). Everything goes wrong but nothing can stop Rusty's quest for a fun vacation even if it leads to marriage crisis!

Audrey and Stone

Chad

Clark and Ellen Griswold (Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo)

Basically the story continues the National Lampoon's Vacation tradition of putting the characters to increasingly awkward situations. It offers a hilarious but also occasionally raunchy ride. There are really funny bits and some yucky bits, overall it was funnier than I expected it would be. The new version has couple of excrement jokes too many in the beginning but gets better later. Some of the humour is quite dark but also the original "Vacation" had some black humour. Amusing characters pop out during the trip, my favourite was the guy with a rat (Ryan Cartwright). Rusty's lack of situational awareness causes many laughs, continuing Chevy Chase's legacy. Audrey is bit out of character compared to earlier films and has turned into Texan trophy wife. Stars of the original Vacations Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo and also the station wagon make an appearance. For some reason some amusing sequences in Burning Man- festival and also subplot involving Stone's weather forecasting career killer were cut.

Rating:

Good

Starring: Ed Helms, Christina Applegate, Skyler Gisondo, Steele Stebbins, Chris Hemsworth, Leslie Mann, Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Charlie Day, Catherine Missal, Ron Livingston, Norman Reedus, Keegan-Michael Key, Regina Hall, Emyri Crutchfield, Alkoya Brunson, Nick Kroll, Tim Heidecker, Kaitlin Olson, Michael Peña, Hannah Davis, David Clennon, Colin Hanks, Kirstin Ford, Ethan Maher, Elizabeth Gillies, Cristina Squyres, Nadine Avola, Ryan Cartwright, Valerie Payton, O'Clair Alexander, Miles Doleac, Holly Gardner, R.F. Daley, Elizabeth Fendrick, Michael H. Cole, Brooke Jaye Taylor, Matt Cornwell, Mitchell Warren, John Francis Daley, Rick Ericson, Jonathan M. Goldstein, Emily Kincaid, Carla Shinall

Directors: John Francis Daley, Jonathan M. Goldstein

Gladiators of Rome (Gladiatori di Roma) a.k.a Not Born to Be Gladiators
Medusa Film, Rainbow S.r.l, Italy, 2013.

Young Timo is saved from Pompeii before volcanic eruption destroys the city but he loses his mother. He is adopted by Chirone, who owns a gladiator school. Timo becomes a fat slacker and he is not interested in being a gladiator. Timo's childhood's friend and Chirone's daughter Lucilla is returning home to marry Emperor's nephew Cassio. Cassio is also a popular gladiator and Timo's enemy.

Timo

Chirone

Cassio and the gladiator babies

After seeing Lucilla Timo's friends Mauritius and Ciccius decide to help him to become a real champion. There they need witch's brew from Ciccius' grandmother Circe to make him strong. However Timo fails the doping test and gets kicked out of the gladiator school. Personal trainer & warrior woman Diana begins to train Timo for the half of his future profits. Finally the vigorous training culminates in Battle Royale in Colosseum. Can Timo win Lucilla back before the Colosseum collapses?

Circe

Lucilla

Diana trains Timo

This is a kiddie-friendly version of gladiator games, so no "Spartacus" style bloodletting or dismemberments here. However the style varies from Asterix style comical fights to stylized violence of superhero movies. Also it takes some shortcuts to avoid some ethical and tragical questions, after all the Roman gladiators fought to the death for the enjoyment of the audiences. Historical accuracy aside, the style is kept light and goofy. There are ever present cutesy animals and even a bunch of naughty gladiator babies! Some visual gags work and some do not. Plenty of contemporary references are included although less could have been better. One of the craziest pop culture references is the dude with Darth Vader's mask.

The gladiators

Ciccius, Mauritius and Timo in arena

The screenplay was written by Iginio Straffi (best known for "Winx Club") and and American Michael J. Wilson (known for "Ice Age" and "Shark Tale.") Technically it looks fine with nice looking characters and sceneries although it lacks the finesses of high-budget American productions. Except for the setting it is can not be said to be very original compared to the present animated movies, story is routine and traditional "guy must train hard to become a hero without resulting to cheating." As entertainment it has enough fun and wacky characters to make it fun.

Audience

Grubbo the rabbit

The Scandinavian DVD includes English soundtrack (without subtitles) or Finnish, Danish, Swedish and Norwegian dubbed versions.

Rating:

Good

Voice actors: John Scwab. Jo Wyatt, Flaminia Fegarotti, Tim Beckman, Emma Tate, Jonathan Keeble, Glen Wrage, Stuart Milligan, Walter Lewis, Mikey O'Connor, William Hope, Barbara Barnes, Jade Chesney, Jasmine Ireland, Jude Ireland, Naomi Macdonald, Mikey O'Connor, Alexis Nishihata, Emma Tate
Director: Iginio Straffi

Begin Again (2013)
Exclusive Media Group, Sycamore Pictures, Apatow Productions, Likely Story, USA, 2013.

Alcoholic music mogul Dan Mulligan (Mark Ruffalo) is frustrated because finding new talents is more difficult every year. He gets fired from his record company and decides to spend some time with with his estranged daughter Violet (Hailee Steinfeld). It does not go well and Dan continues boozing.

Dan

In a bar he hears indie singer Gretta (Keira Knightley) performing her song. Gretta has just separated from his boyfriend Dave (Adam Levine) who became a famous artist. Now homeless Gretta has temporarily moved to his old friend Steve (James Corden). Dan begins to arrange a recording deal for Gretta. He needs to find musicians for her band and there his contacts and professionalism come in handy. Also one of Dan's talents Troublegum (Ceelo Green) promises to fund the project. At the same time Gretta and Dan try to help each other pull their lives back together.

Gretta and Dave

Steve

Troublegum

"Begin Again" is a nice feel-good music drama that surprises positively. The production of Gretta's album utilizes nicely locations in New York. Ruffalo and Knightley have good chemistry as two different generation music enthusiastics with different backgrounds and problems. Also the production of the album looks fun and creative. The story is quite simple but sympathetic and Knightley has credibility as indie musician.

Rating:

Very good

Starring: James Corden, Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Hailee Steinfeld, Yasiin Bey, Karen Pittman, Paul Romero, Catherine Keener, Andrew Sellon, Ed Renninger, Adam Levine, Marco Assante, Mary Catherine Garrison, Jen Jacob, Rob Morrow, Jennifer Li Jackson, Ian Brodsky, Shannon Walsh, David Abeles, Ann McGowan, Ron Voz, CeeLo Green, Kena Onyenjekwe, Harvey Morris, Terry Lewis, Colin Love, Jimmy Palumbo, Simon Delaney, Danielle Brisebois, Keen Ruffalo, Melissa Maria Gonzalez, Nicholas Daniel Gonzalez, Maddie Corman, Aya Cash, David Pendleton, Joanna Mauer, Erik Detusch, Rich Mercurio, Emilie Cardinaux, Curtis Fowlkes, Emily Yarbourgh, Erin Benin, Alexis Sykes, Julia Bruskin, Justin Chauncey

Director: John Carney

The 'Burbs

Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment, USA, 1989.

Ray Peterson (Tom Hanks) suspects that there is something wrong in the house next door. A weird European family the Klopeks have moved into the house! Not that the neighborhood isn't wacky already with war veteran Lt. Rumsfield (Bruce Dern), nosy gun nut Art (Rick Ducommun) and dog owner Walter (Gale Gordon) causing ruckus and teen dude Ricky (Corey Feldman) just enjoying the show. Pragmatic wife Carol (Carrie Fisher) thinks that Ray is only stressed.

Ray and Art

Carol

It does not seem normal when Klopeks start digging holes to backyard and dragging suspicious garbage bags in the middle of the night. Then Walter vanishes and dog finds a suspicious bone. Are the Klopeks Satan worshipping cannibals? Carol and Mrs. Bonnie Rumsfield (Wendy Schaal) think that it is all misunderstanding and decide to welcome the Klopeks (Henry Gibson, Brother Theodore and Courtney Gains). Meeting them only makes them seem more suspicious. Ray, Art and Lt. Runsfield decide to infiltrate the house when the Klopeks are away. Do not mess with the Suburbanites!

Walter and Darla the Poodle

Bonnie and Lt. Rumsfield

Ricky

In the 1980s many movies about something horrible going on in the suburban residential areas were made. "Fright Night", "Lost Boys", "The Gate", "Elm Street" series and many more. Joe Dante had darkly comedic approach to the genre with "Gremlins" and "The 'Burbs." Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern and Rick Ducommun going overboard spying on the neighbours is wickedly funny to watch. Dante combines the absurd paranoia with a creepy feeling that maybe the Klopeks are evil after all. There are some spoofs to horror films of the era and lots of goofy 1980s slapstick. The script is full of hilarious dialogue and one liners especially coming from Bruce Dern. Nice gem from Tom Hanks' comedic era.

Brother Theodore, Courtney Gains and Henry Gibson

The Klopeks

The line "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Who started it, tuna neck!"somehow made me think of classic "Maniac Mansion" game (1987), that included also a similar insult involving tuna.

Rating:

Very good

Starring: Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern, Carrie Fisher, Rick Ducommun, Corey Feldman, Wendy Schaal, Henry Gibson, Brother Theodore, Courtney Gains, Gale Gordon, Dick Miller, Robert Picardo, Cory Danziger, Franklyn Ajaye, Rance Howard, Heather Haase, Nicky Katt, Billy Stevenson, Gary Hays, Kevin Gage, Dana Olsen, Brenda Benner, Patrika Darbo, Sonny Carl Davis, Moosie Drier, Leigh French, Archie Hahn, Billy Jayne, Phyllis Katz, Jeffrey Kramer, Tracy Newman, Lynne Marie Stewart, Arnold F. Turner, Gigi Vorgan, Darla the Poodle, Carey Scott

Director: Joe Dante

Flipper (1996)
Universal Pictures, American Films, The Bubble Factory, USA, 1996.

Remake of the 1960s movie that inspired a TV-series.

Rebellious kid Sandy Ricks (Elijah Wood) arrives in Coral Key to spend summer with his fun-loving fisherman Uncle Porter (Paul Hogan). (Note: in the 1960s series Sandy was Porter's son). Porter lives in his house with Pete the Pelican. Porter's messy lifestyle does not appeal to Sandy and he would rather go to Red Hot Chili Peppers concert. Porter's rival Dirk Moran (Jonathan Banks) hates dolphins and kills Flipper the Dolphin's mother. Another danger lurking in the sea is a ferocious hammerhead shark Scar.

Uncle Porter

Sandy

Dirk Moran

Sandy meets shopkeeper and Porter's love interest Cathy (Chelsea Field) and her geeky kid Marvin (Jason Fuchs). Cathy tells that the fishing business suffers because the fish die from dioxin poisoning. Flipper follows Sandy and slowly Sandy begins to adjust to the island life. Especially when he meets pretty girl Kim (Jessica Wesson). However Porter must teach the reckless boy some discipline. Sheriff Buck Cowan (Isaac Hayes) says that the Ricks can not keep Flipper and he has to be freed. However Flipper returns and has gotten sick because of toxic waste.

Cathy and Marvin

Kim

Sheriff Buck Cowan

Sandy and his friends decide to stop the pollution and arrest the culprit with help from Flipper. Adventure follows and Sandy has the best summer vacation ever!

Flipper

Nice film for the whole family although the plot treads the well known tracks. The story does not offer many surprises but like any remakes of Lassie, the film is hard to dislike. As feel-good family entertainment it has its place. The dolphin is cute and Paul "Crocodile Dundee" Hogan's presence is a big plus.

Here's theme song of the 1960s series.

Rating:

Good

Starring: Elijah Wood, Paul Hogan, Jonathan Banks, Robert Deacon, Ann Carey, Mark Casella, Luke Halpin, Bill Kelley, Chelsea Field, Jason Fuchs, Lindsay Treco, Jessica Wesson, Mal Jones, Louis Seeger Crume, Bill Nolan, Isaac Hayes, Mary Jo Faraci, Allison Bertolino, Kourtney Brown, Danielle Mulholland, Bryon Williams
Director: Alan Shapiro

Jack Hunter and the Lost Treasure of Ugarit
American Cinema International, Oasis Entertainment, Anka Film, USA, Turkey, 2008.

Jack Hunter and the Lost Treasure of Ugarit title

Adventure man Jack Hunter (Ivan Sergei) steals a stone tablet from museum. Meanwhile wicked archaeologist Albert Littmann (Thure Riefenstein) tries to find lost city in Palmyra. The Ugarit people had invented some kind of energy weapon. Jack's teacher Professor Shaffer (Sean Lawlor) suggests that Ugarit treasure is hidden in Pharaoh Akhenaten's tomb and the stone tablet holds a clue. Jack is not interested in running after vague clues. When the Professor is murdered Jack travels to Syria to find the killer. Friend Liz (Susan Ward) stays behind to offer technical back up.

Jack Hunter

Professor Shaffer

Liz

In Syria Jack meets comical sidekick driver Tariq (Mario Naim Bassil) and has a rough start with archaeologist Nadia Ramadan (Joanne Kelly). Nadia does not like foreigners stealing Syrian antiques. They get a scroll from Professor's colleague Ali (Muhammed Cangören) and get targeted by mooks. Hashashins, sandstorms and traps await the adventurers. They meet also hospitable nomad Hasef (Murat Garipagaoglu).

Albert Littmann

Nadia and Ali

Tariq and Jack

This is the first movie of light "Indiana Jones" style trilogy of TV-movies that have continuous story and can not be viewed separately without losing the plot. Plenty of fistfights, gunfights and chases, rogue archaeologists and Russian mobsters. On the Syfy Channel scale this is one of the better efforts. Not in any way the most original story but the filmy keeps a good pace and filming locations in Turkey look fresh. If you liked "The Librarian" series you'll probably like this also.

Rating:

Good

Starring: Ivan Sergei, Joanne Kelly, Thure Riefenstein, Susan Ward, Nihat Alptekin, Murat Garipagaoglu, Asal Toktamis, Steve Taynton, Mario Naim Bassil, Birol Tarkan Yildiz, Mehmet Polat, Alaina Huffman, Sean Lawlor, Mert Yavuzcan, Muhammed Cangören, Tuncel Kurtiz, Teoman Kumbaracibasi, Sinan Tuzcu, Fatih Haciosmanoglu, Hakan Silahsizoglu, Savas Özdemir, Alper Kul, Michael Halphie, Esin Eden, Orbay Sayu, Tansu Biçer, Volga Sorgu, Silay Ünal, Emre Cosar, Lilie Lossen, Eda Özerkan

Director: Terry Cunningham

Jack Hunter and the Quest for Akhenaten's Tomb

American Cinema International, Oasis Entertainment, Anka Film, USA, Turkey, 2008.

Second part of the Jack Hunter TV-movie trilogy that continues where the first movie ended.

Part of the ancient energy weapon Star of Heaven is hidden in Egypt. Jack Hunter's (Ivan Sergei) old flame Lena Halstrom Alaina Huffman) and museum boss Said Shaheen (Tuncel Kurtiz) find an Ugarit obelisk in Egypt. The obelisk is a tool for finding Pharaoh Akhenaten's tomb. Mystical fire-jugglers burn their camp.

Jack Hunter

Said Shaheen

Lena Halstrom

Jack's friend Liz (Susan Ward) is revealed to be an NSA-agent. She sends Jack and Nadia (Joanne Kelly) to search the hidden weapon. Tariq (Mario Naim Bassil) the Falafel-expert comes along. The trio joins forces with Lena and her assistant Eyhab (Alper Kul). Soon traitors attack and the heroes become fugitives. New opponents appear, a ferocious Midian cult leader Riyad (Savas Özdemir) and ambitious Colonel (Sinan Tuzcu). Of course the old nemesis Albert Littmann (Thure Riefenstein) is still around.

Nadia

Littmann

Cult leader Riyad

Continuing the story of the first film this is about as good as the previous, an entertaining mix of tomb raiding and action with comic relief from Tariq. The TV-movie is bit too light for a direct comparison with "Indiana Jones" but more in the vein of "The Librarian" or special episodes of "MacGyver." This time things get complicated by appearance of Jack's old girlfriend who is a snake in the grass. The filming locations (in Egypt or Turkey) look again nice.

Colonel

Riyad playing a jedi

Rating:

Good

Director: Terry Cunningham

Jack Hunter and the Star of Heaven

American Cinema International, Oasis Entertainment, Anka Film, USA, Turkey, 2009.

Final part of the "Jack Hunter" trilogy.

The visit to the Pharaoh's tomb gave the heroes little more than blisters, bruins and some bad memories. The ancient energy weapon Star of Heaven was stolen by ancient Romans and it is hidden in Turkey. Jack (Ivan Sergei) and NSA-operative Liz (Susan Ward) are chasing naughty rogue treasure hunter Littmann (Thure Riefenstein) who has one part of the weapon Iris of the Heaven. The operation toa arrest him is a catastrophe and Liz vents his frustration on Jack.

Jack Hunter

Liz

A random note: Thure Riefenstein sounds a lot like Vincent Price.

Jack, Tariq (Mario Naim Bassil) and Nadia (Joanne M. Kelly) go to interview antique dealer Armen Antaki (Michael Halphie) for the location of the box containing the part Eye of the Heaven. Unfortunately also Littmann gets the same idea. The Russian mobsters want the ancient laser weapon at any cost. The teamship of Jack and Nadia gets tense because Nadia was Antaki's son's Fuad's (Mert Yavuzcan) old girlfriend. Jack is jealous and Nadia is still not sure if he can trust Jack. Fuad joins the adventurers much to Jack's displeasure.

The relations between Jack and Nadia get tense

Whirling dervishes!

Fuad Antaki

This time there is less tomb raiding and more of hunting for antiques, fighting Russian mafia and seeing how the possible romance of Jack and Nadia will go. There is also Tariq's Oscar bait scene where he gives an inspirational speech to Jack. Tariq you goofy Cupido, you! We also get to see Tariq's wife at last. Like the previous parts (one and two) this made for TV movie has adventure, some comedy and romance. Although it brings little new to the adventure genre, it was generally an entertaining watch. Of course it is be clichéd at times but at least the story arc of Jack and his friends comes to a satisfying conclusion.

Tariq

The final battle of Jack and Littmann is near

Littmann levels up his jedi skills

Rating:

Good

Starring: Ivan Sergei, Joanne M. Kelly, Thure Riefenstein, Susan Ward, Nihat Alptekin, Murat Garipagaoglu, Asal Toktamis, Steve Taynton, Mario Naim Bassil, Birol Tarkan Yildiz, Mehmet Polat, Alaina Huffman, Sean Lawlor, Mert Yavuzcan, Muhammed Cangören, Tuncel Kurtiz, Teoman Kumbaracibasi, Sinan Tuzcu, Fatih Haciosmanoglu, Hakan Silahsizoglu, Savas Özdemir, Alper Kul, Michael Halphie, Esin Eden, Orbay Sayu, Tansu Biçer, Volga Sorgu, Silay Ünal, Emre Cosar, Lilie Lossen, Eda Özerkan, Eric Graham, Sinan Mortan, Erden Alkan, Mehmet Can Kilic

Director: Terry Cunningham

Rumble Fish

Universal Pictures, AMLF, Hotweather Films, Zoetrope Studios, USA, France, 1983.

Based on the novel of S.E. Hinton.

Motorcycle Boy reigns. A blustery graffiti is written on many walls but Motorcycle Boy (Mickey Rourke) himself has vanished. Juvenile delinquent and Motorcycle Boy's younger brother Rusty James (Matt Dillon) has a fight coming with rival Biff Wilcox (Glenn Withrow). Rusty's girlfriend Patty (Diane Lane) does not like fighting but Rusty wants to be a legend like his brother.

Rusty James

Patty

Motorcycle Boy

Rusty has geeky friend Steve (Vincent Spano) and a somewhat unreliable friend Smokey (Nicolas Cage). In the middle of the fight Motorcycle Boy suddenly returns. Motorcycle Boy has realized that he wasted his youth in gangs and he wants to get out of the gang live. But the hard life has left marks and he is quite messed up. Escaping his reputation proves to be impossible.

Smokey

Laurence Fishburne as Midget

Dad

The brothers meet their alcoholic dad (Dennis Hopper). Rusty's life starts to go downhill. He gets suspended from the school and Patty dumps him. Still Rusty dreams of being a respected gang leader one day. Officer Patterson (William Smith) is out to get Motorcycle Boy for any offence.

Officer Patterson

Rumble fish

With cast containing names like Matt Dillon, Mickey Rourke, Diane Lane, Dennis Hopper, Nicolas Cage and smaller roles by Laurence Fishburne, Tom Waits and early role of Sofia Coppola this one has quite a legendary cast. The film looks like a French New Wave- cinema. The wild camera angles and black & white cinematography with occasional splashes of colour this looks like one of the Coppola's most experimental films. Probably Wong Kar Wai has taken some influences from this film. Especially “As Tears Go By" comes in mind. The characters philosophize, mess up their relationships and sometimes participate in gang antics.

Plotwise the film is very simple, and it is all about the mood and the characters. The bleak story still has a hopeful ending, maybe Rusty can still leave the meaningless gang life behind? Stylish cinematography with beautiful time-lapse scenes alone make it worth seeing.

Rating:

Very good

Sterring: Matt Dillon, Mickey Rourke, Diane Lane, Dennis Hopper, Diana Scarwid, Vincent Spano, Nicolas Cage, Chris Penn, Laurence Fishburne, William Smith, Michael Higgins, Glenn Withrow, Tom Waits, Herb Rice, Maybelle Wallace, Nona Manning, Sofia Coppola, Gian-Carlo Coppol, S.E. Hinton, Emmett Brown, Tracey Walter, Lance Guecia, Bob Maras, J.T. Turner, Keeva Clayton, Kirsten Hayden, Karen Parker, Sussannah Darcy, Kristi Somers, Shannon Sukovaty

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

Maggie

Lionsgate, Grindstone Entertainment Group, Gold Star Films, Lotus Entertainment, Silver Reel, Gold Star Films, Matt Baer Films, Sly Predator, USA, Switzerland, 2015.

Diseased crops cause zombie epidemic. The outbreak is mainly in control now but some of the infected still wander around. Maggie (Abigail Breslin), runaway daughter of Wade Vogel (Arnold Schwarzenegger) gets bitten. Maggie must eventually be quarantined but for now she can stay at home. Maggie's step-mother Caroline (Joely Richardson) is afraid and sends her children to their aunt.

Maggie

Wade

Caroline

Wade wants to protect his daughter from quarantine as long as possible. From the quarantine no one comes back alive. Also neighbouring family tried to protect their zombified daughter with terrible results. Wade struggles with decision to end it all before Maggie loses control of herself and turns into a monster.

The disease advances

The depressing post-apocalyptic atmosphere brings to mind "The Road." Despite Ahnuld's presence it is not an explosive actioner but melancholic drama with some body horror elements. Arnold shows his skills as drama actor and does it very well. Unlike most zombie-films "Maggie" leaves the zombie action to minimum and focuses on depicting the slowly advancing symptoms of the disease. It has very tragic tone as Maggie must say goodbye to her loved ones and prepare for inevitable death. The film is darkly beautiful and introduces Arnie in his most emotional role.

Rating:

Very good

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Abigail Breslin, Joely Richardson, Douglas M. Griffin, J.D. Evermore, Rachel Whitman Groves, Jodie Moore, Bryce Romero, Raeden Greer, Aiden Flowers, Carsen Flowers, Walter Von Huene, Dana Gourrier, Amy Brassette, David A Cole, Mattie Liptak, Liann Pattison, Maris Black, Jessy Hughes, Denise Williamson, Taylor Murphy, Colin Walker, Ashley Nicole Hudson, P.J. Marshall, Brett Baker, John L. Armijo, Tim Bell, Laura Cayouette, Duane Cothren, Haylie Creppel, Ryan Hebert, Ken Massey, Wayne Pére, Maddison Sonnier, Christine Tonry

Director: Henry Hobson

Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League - Cosmic Clash

DC Entertainment, The LEGO Group, Warner Bros. Animation, USA, 2016.

Whereas some people collect stamps, action figures or coffee cups, naughty Brainiac (Phil LaMarr) collects planets. Earth is the next one on his list. Batman (Troy Baker) and the Justice League have again some differences of opinion but solving those can wait as Brainiac parks his spaceship on Earth's orbit.

Brainiac

Flash and superman

Humiliated Brainiac retreats to Brainiac-planet to hatch a new plan. He sends Superman (Nolan North), Wonder Woman (Grey Griffin) and Green Lantern (Josh Keaton) in the past or the future. Batman and Flash build a time machine to get them back. Cyborg recruits Supergirl (Jessica DiCicco) to help. Lego-incarnation of Supergirl is a cheerleader with short attention span, but she gets the job done. Batman meets dinosaurs, cavewomen, pirates and future minions of Brainiac. At one point Batman literally jumps the shark (let's hope this does not forecast decline in quality for the series!)

Bat-caveman

Vandal Savage, Caveman style

Supergirl

The third "Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League" story offers much fun as the predecessors. At this point it is clear that the Legofied superheroes do not take themselves too seriously (except Batman) but at the same time it offers fun references to DC Comics mythology. The different eras gives the heroes possibility to wear some contemporary costumes and represent the heroes as they would have lived in the ancient times. Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl and Cosmic Boy make their appearance in the futuristic segment. The script has amusing puns and there is also a little spoof of "Batman v Superman."

Lightning Lad, Saturn Girl and Cosmic Boy

Batman v Superman lite.

Rating:

Good

Voice actors: James Arnold Taylor, Troy Baker, Nolan North, Grey Griffin, Kari Wahlgren, Phil LaMarr, Josh Keaton, Yuri Lowenthal, Phil Morris, Khary Payton, Jessica DiCicco, Andy Milder, Jason Spisak

Director: Rick Morales

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Gladiators of Rome (Gladiatori di Roma)

Movie Review: Begin Again (2013)

Movie Review: The 'Burbs

Movie Review: Flipper (1996)

Movie Review: Jack Hunter and the Lost Treasure of Ugarit

Movie Review: Jack Hunter and the Quest for Akhenaten's Tomb

Movie Review: Jack Hunter and the Star of Heaven

Movie Review: Rumble Fish

Movie Review: Maggie

Movie Review: Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League - Cosmic Clash