sâmbătă, 2 mai 2009

All the Boys Love Mandy Lane (2009) Full Movie HD


Since the post-modern shenanigans of Scream have now passed as much into the realm of retrodom as the films that Scream itself parodied, the slasher genre has undergone a very bizarre 'return to roots' in which the conventions of the genre subverted by Scream seem no longer to be an object of satire, instead these age-old cheesy-as-hell clichés have found themselves again worshipped to an almost religious degree by a new audience unaware of concepts such as self-awareness or irony. With this in mind, the genre is in what could be called 'a new dark age'. Thank heavens then for All The Boys Love Mandy Lane.

This latest genre entry is not ground-breaking in the way that Scream was. It lacks that films overt subversiveness and intertextuality, as well as its well timed humour. However Mandy Lane plays with enough conventions to be interesting. Chiefly, the film blends together two narratives, one is a coming-of-age tale of self discovery, the other is a typical nasty slasher film. The plot, like the best of these films, is so simple you could write it on the back of a postage stamp. Mandy Lane is the girl every guy wants to bed, and over the course of a weekend getaway it seems many a hormonally addled young squire has this in mind, unfortunately one person is so obsessed with her that they're killing anyone who isn't worthy of her.

Such a premise is hardly ingenious, but the way the film uses it is. Whilst all the typical teen stereotypes emerge, the films concept is used to examine them in more than the usual level of detail. Witness the jock who's actually an insecure wimp intimidated by societal demands to be the alpha male, the slut who's so obsessed with her looks she's self consciously anorexic, and the wise cracking black guy who actually doesn't wise crack at all. The killer is revealed well before the end and the motivation of the killer is scarily realistic, almost empathetic, in a world of everyday high school shootings. Whilst many of the characters in the film aren't exactly likable, they are empathetic, and for this reason the film contains an emotional weight other slashers do not.

There's a twist at the end, which most people will see coming, but like any good twist the focus isn't on what it reveals but what it doesn't reveal. Indeed, the twist only poses more questions, particularly regarding the moral compass of the film which is, at best, ambiguous. Generally speaking, the film isn't particularly gory, relying more on suspense and suggestion. I found the film's level of realism, some would argue nihilism, refreshing in an era of popcorn orientated teen fodder. It won't convert slasher haters, or those devoted to living in the 'good old days', but it will intrigue those who want to see a slasher in which teenagers actually exist as teenagers, as opposed to merely victims solely there to get naked then die. Also worthy of note is the wonderful cinematography and use of music, which is truly outstanding. Ultimately, Mandy Lane is a less than by-numbers slasher flick, with a lot going on under the surface (which will go over a lot of people's heads). Like the best horror films, it made me think. That is no bad thing.

(500) Days of Summer (2009) Full Movie Divx


They said this movie wasn't going to be a love story, but that's simply not true cause I feel all warm and fuzzy after watching this flick. I think it's Love. How could you not love this movie, this a story about a guy named Tom who wants to be an architect but ends up working a meaningless job at a greeting card company creating romantical propaganda on paper. Luckily for him the most perfect girl in the world, Summer, just started working at his office and wouldn't you know it, she loves The Smiths, too. It's a match made in Ikea Heaven, but wait there is a twist here! This goddess of all things shabby chic doesn't believe in love, furthermore she doesn't want to be held down by a relationship. Oh No! Poor Tom. Those ocean blue eyes, that voice, that smile, those eyes.... oh those eyes, how could Tom not fall deeply in love with Summer. So begins the season of love, the 500 Days of Summer. In 500 amazing days Tom will learn about relationships, reconciliations (a good Ex never dies), Love, Lose and most importantly about moving forward.

Now talk about great performances, this ones got two. You want Zooey, you got Zooey. She's all over this one, easily one of her top performances to date. She is simply truth in this movie, she'll make you love her and then she'll slowly break your heart but you'll just want to love her more until all you see are those glowing blue eyes in your loneliest nightmares. Joseph Gordon Levitt is so prime here, the chemistry between he and Zooey clicks perfectly and not only that but since every woman,man and child is in love with the knee bending powers of Ms. Deschanel it must be said that JGL gives such a strong performance that he clearly owns this movie all the way till the very end. You might come on down to the cinema looking for Zooey but you'll be rushing home to hit up the IMDb to see what the 3rd' Rock kids been up to over the last 8 ( hint... see 2005's Brick). While watching JGL's performance it's pleasantly reminiscent of a pre-Brokeback Heath. He has such a charm about him that glows and an easy smile that jumps off the screen, plus much like Heath he has the chops to take it dark and lonesome with sincerity if the flick requires. The rest of the cast rounds out nicely with a few supporting folks like Clark Gregg who plays Tom's square Boss and Geoffrey Arend who is good for a few good sidekick chuckles. By the way special shout out to Ian Reed Kesler who played the "Douche" (IMDBs words not mine) with perfection. That must have been an interesting audition call.. looking for 30-something dude to play the "Douche". Well Played Sir!

Now the dynamic duo aside, Marc Webb the Director has got a little something-something going on. Past sins aside (directing Jesse McCartney videos, WTF?), it seems that his music video hipness lends a freshness and style to the overall appearance of this flick. The movie very rarely missed its mark and by golly its got real DEPTH!. Needless to say this makes it quite a bit more interesting then the latest McConaughey (dude what happened, you were so cool in Dazed) and Kate Hudson needs a paycheck mindless studio romance. You'll have lots to talk about and feelings to relive long after this ones stopped rolling the credits. Additional strong points here are a visual aesthetic that has a modern meets Capraesque remix, which felt very much built around Zooey Deschanel's fabulous style. The colors and landscape are all complimentary to the movie, downtown LA never looked so nice! The other thing we got going on here is a killer soundtrack, built around some Smiths, Doves, and a few others, not mention the fact that once again we get a chance to hear Zooey Deschanel do a little karaoke in the movie which is a tasty little treat.

Bottom line 500 Days is going to be on your mind in 2009 and chances are that like a good EX it will always pop back in your life and you'll dust if off and pop it in the player and go down memory lane remembering all good stuff, then like a swift punch in the gut like only a good EX can, it'll break your heart all over again.

See it, believe it.

The Hurt Locker (2009) Full Movie HD


Simply put, action ace Kathryn Bigelow's "The Hurt Locker" is a near masterpiece of suspense and unrelenting intensity.

Her first film since 2002's "K-19: The Widowmaker," The Hurt Locker is definitely a return to form from the director of probably the greatest (in this man's humble opinion) surfer-action movie of all time "Point Break." The film follows Bravo company, a team of bomb technicians situated right in the heart of the Iraq war's modern IED warfare. Jeremy Renner, mostly known for impressive performances in "S.W.A.T" and "The Assassination of Jesse James," gives his most riveting performance yet as the lead, Staff Sergeant William James, a reckless but brilliant soldier who has taken down almost 850 bombs.

What separates this film from the bulk of mainstream cinema that has tackled the Iraqi situation is that it doesn't simply exist as a political polemic, or even a reminder of the humanitarian horrors that plague the Iraqi people.

Instead, Bigelow and screenwriter Mark Boal give us a story that transcends politics and can be seen as almost a straight up kick-ass action pic. The film is plotted by increasingly dangerous and fully realized defusion sequences, all of which were shot from beginning to end in single takes with DOP Barry Ackroyd's cameras continuously roving around set in order to create a tense realism that translates well to the screen.

Very elaborate attention to detail and mise-en-scene is in every frame of the pic, with Bigelow choosing to shoot in Jordan and locations being less than 10 KM away from the Iraqi border. And from a searing heat wave ranging up to 49C to actual Iraqi refugees used as extras to impeccable sound design and special guest cameos by Guy Pearce, David Morse and Ralph Fiennes, Bigelow has succeeded in creating an entirely memorable and visceral experience that will surely leave its mark in the pantheon of the very best war spectacles put to film.

vineri, 1 mai 2009

My Life in Ruins (2009) Full Movie HQ


I was invited to the Greek premiere of "My life In Ruins" held in advance here in Athens 2 days ago. Nia Vardalos was present along with the director & the producer of this film and they were honored for "advertising" my country abroad. Unfortunately, the wonderful Richard Dreyfuss was not present. Anyway,about the movie.This is a very predictable,cliché & mediocre "travelling comedy" that a few people may find amusing. Vardalos is using again her Greek roots to perform a part which is practically the only thing she has proved to us she can deliver as an actress: Neurotic Greek American woman,unhappy with her job,life etc in a bus trip through the Greek land which changes her life.All of these feelings superficially felt & depicted. The supporting cast is enjoyable though (all types of travelers i have seen visiting my country in a somewhat overreacting depiction,the creepy bus driver who falls for Vardalos) and of course Richard Dreyfuss is the lead of them all delivering a hilarious performance & the best lines of the film while doing some Greek sightseeing at the same time. The beautiful Greek surroundings will definitely be a good reason for the viewer to watch the film & even if he has no plans to visit my country he might change his mind soon. There is some great shooting including locations of important ancient Greek history like Delphi & The Parthenon (in his first real movie appearance for over 30 years!). The magic of these places is there indeed for the viewer to feel but is this enough really to pay for the movie ticket? apart from that the humor is weak,fat & folklore (stemming from extremely childish situations)and so is the entire point of view of the director. As a Greek i never liked this type of folklore approach Ms.Vardalos is so keen on giving us every time... simply because things here are so different from the Greek American perception & if the Greek American people involved in this production actually knew it,they would probably reconsider. Synopsis: Watch the film if you enjoyed your travel in Greece or if you plan on visiting soon. But apart from that, the movie is weak & not so smart,easily forgotten in the long run of the bus in the distance between Delphi & Acropol...

Moon (2009) Full Movie HD


I like Sam Rockwell, I like sci-fi, and I wanted to like this movie. However, I found it muddled and confused -- and not in the sense of "fruitful ambiguity." Many practical problems with the script might have been solved had the setting been moved to an isolated asteroid at the outermost fringe of the Asteroid Belt. This would relocate the action far from Earth and make Rockwell's predicament seem more lonely and precarious. As it is, with the Earth looming large in the sky, just two days away, and with Sam possessing a lunar vehicle which enables him to drive around the moon -- perhaps to the next mining station? -- he just didn't seem especially cut off from the rest of civilization. I also found the talking computer, (complete with nickname and personality), an all-too-familiar cliché.

Dead Snow (2009) Full Movie HQ


For me personally, one of the hardest fought tickets of Sundance 2009 was to see the movie Dead Snow. I knew from the moment I heard that it was a film about "Nazi Zombies" that it was something that would be at minimum moderately entertaining, and the film truly did not disappoint. Initially, when I saw that it was about four attractive, twenty-something, med-student couples going to a cabin in the mountains for Easter Break, I was reminded of the gruesomely serious "torture porn" movies of Eli Roth like Hostel or Touristas, but was pleasantly surprised that the Norwegian filmmakers decided on a different approach. Instead, they decided to take a somewhat satirical approach to the genre classic setup, with quotes from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, self-referential quips about the number of horror movies that start with the same premise as the characters are experiencing, and over-the-top/low-budget fight sequences complete with absurd weaponry and obscene amounts of blood. By taking this approach and creating a movie that has been rightfully compared to the Evil Dead series, the Norwegian filmmakers have successfully done what Eli Roth has failed at time and again, created an entertaining horror film that will truly stand the test of time, if only for its absurdity.

The only issue that I have with the film is that due to the nature of my initial viewing, among 280 something die-hard fans who were yelling and groaning along with me throughout the entire movie as well as at Treevenge, the equally absurd short film shown before it, I now fear that should I get the opportunity to see this film again it won't be able to live up to the enjoyment of that first viewing.

Management (2009) Full Movie Divx


MANAGEMENT is complimentary delight. A sweet dramedy about love and insecurities. Let yourself be taken by Jennifer Aniston and Steve Zahn and their imperfect yet harmonious chemistry. Woody Harrelson is a comic genius. It's an endearing story about… taking chance on love no matter how scary the uncertainties can be. Spontaneous and heartwarming, enjoy the hospitality courtesy of MANAGEMENT.

I love the story that writer/director Stephen Belber has crafted. I like how he takes his time in developing the characters, getting us to familiarize ourselves and connect with and understand the motivation behind their decisions. You notice the changes that happen within the span of time from the first meeting, to the conflict in the basement all the way to butt-grabbing conclusion. The characters don't stay the same throughout the entire thing, they go through interesting life changing journeys, one after another.. nothing far-fetched.. a bit silly maybe but still within our reason. Yes it's a comedy but it also has some very touching and sad dramatic elements and not in a way that would you put to sleep or plain tear jerkers. It's well thought out with the intention of making us re-think why anybody would wanna get in a relationship in the first place anyway, is it for love or for security?! What a great blend of comedy and drama I might add. It's the type of humor that would break you and get you to chuckle or at least smile even when you try not to. It's a cute little movie.

Jennifer Aniston gives the best performance of her career as Sue, a successful corporate type woman who, during one of her business trips, encounters Mike, played by Steve Zahn who's still stuck doing family business, living a life that's going nowhere but once he catches a glimpse at Sue, he knows that he would have to risk everything to be with her. Steve Zahn is the type of actor who may not be an Oscar caliber yet, possibly because of his goofy presence, he does have the talent and the heart to get the job done. He'll challenge himself and give his all for the story that he strongly believes in.

Sue, despite occasional interest in taking risks and having fun a little, is the kind of woman who likes to play it safe. She goes out to feed the homeless and do all kinds of charity work while juggling a successful career at the same time…but she figures she wouldn't be able to do all that if there's no financial backup to support that certain lifestyle. The themes get even more relevant in this day and age where economy is in the craphole. Is it wise to just take a leap into unconditional love with your eyes closed?!

I think what Belber's trying to emphasize that it can be a struggle being with somebody that you love that loves you back but at least you're truly happy instead of pretending to be. It's also some sort of a stereotypical study on woman and man. Some women tend to mature faster and is very selective when choosing a life partner. Some men still like being a kid, just like Mike who doesn't have much vocabulary in his head, resulting in hasty behavior such as flying thousands of miles away, willing to go broke, just to see if she feels the same way. But what's interesting is Sue's other option is a rich man but also an immature kid. An ex punk rocker named Jango, brilliant played by Woody Harrelson who has the most perfect comedic timing, one of the best actors of our time. Being with Jango proves that Sue has a type after all, she keeps finding herself with the same type of guy. She's scared to give in to love that doesn't have money on the side while Mike isn't sacred to chase after love but he first needs to get out of the life that's been holding him back all these years. They're both taking a chance on each other. What comes after is an adventure they're going to have to figure out together.

The Brothers Bloom (2009) Full Movie HD


While the complete polar opposite of Brick, Johnson left the Dashiell Hammett prose and instead decided to delve into Wes Anderson territory. His The Brothers Bloom is a smart, witty adventure that takes some unexpected turns on its journey, never lets a detail fall into obscurity, and shows that if nothing else, he is a high caliber storyteller that should be around for a long time, not rehashing the same thing over and over again, but churning out refreshingly new and unique yarns to entertain and enlighten.

This tale is about a duo of con men—the best in the world—who reunite to do one last job. The younger, Bloom, has been playing the roles written by Stephen since they were children, always embodying the character so easily because it allowed him to be that which was not himself. After having fallen in love with too many marks, only to watch as they swindled and left them out to dry, Bloom is ready to quit and goes into self-imposed exile for three years until his partner finds him and rounds him up for one last big score. That score involves an eccentric shut-in, a woman who has never left her mansion and collects hobbies in order to entertain herself. A master with a deck of cards, juggler extraordinaire, harp player, and ping-pong champ, amongst other activities, there is little she does not know. This epileptic photographer is anxious to go off on an adventure and opening up to the Brothers Bloom is her perfect opportunity to do so, and their best chance at an easy million dollars.

What the men did not account for was her inexhaustible sense of enthusiasm and uncanny knack for the con game. Getting herself out of situations that the brothers can't even fathom and catching on to things so quickly, it's as though the mark becomes the professional, however, that is exactly Stephen's plan. She is a woman of intelligence, beauty, and unique without compare. Penelope is exactly the girl that Bloom has been looking for, but of course, she is discovered in one of Stephen's stories, accessible only until they must cut her loose. Yet, here comes the first "what if" of the film. What if our orchestrator has concocted this all for Bloom, a con on a grand scale in order to give him the life he always wanted? Bloom does say that Penelope feels just like one of Stephen's characters, but as he says in his defense, "the day I con you, is the day I die." We can only hope those words don't become prophetically true.

Johnson weaves an intricate shell game for his characters to roam through, crossing paths, discovering secrets, telling lies, and possibly conning each other. No one truly can tell what's real because not only are they unsure themselves, they know that every one of them has the potential to make-up an elaborate scheme to confuse and manipulate. Ruffalo is the true artist at this game, crudely drawing up a plan of attack in brainstorm bubble trees, thinly veiling his tales with inside jokes that a woman like Penelope (Weisz) is well-informed enough to see through, yet too naïve to put together. Straight from the start, a childhood narrated by Ricky Jay, these boys have gotten what they wanted and planned to perfection. Trained by the nefarious Diamond Dog, the men, (Brody portraying the other, Bloom), have eclipsed their master and took the world by storm. Along with their pyrotechnics guru Bang Bang, (Rinko Kikuchi) and a select cast of regular actors (Robbie Coltrane as the Belgian and a great string of cameos in a bar scene early on with Nora Zehetner, Noah Segan, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-him Joseph Gordon Levitt all showing some Brick love), the boys always get what they want. Ultimately attempting to create the perfect con—so well planned out and airtight that it happens all by itself—this con becomes reality and everyone gets exactly what they wanted.

The Brothers Bloom is told in a storybook fashion with bright colors and in-focus frames. Johnson jam-packs each composition with detail upon detail, never shying away from having an important plot point occur in the background, behind a conversation or action by our leads at the forefront. Most times they are jokes, lending some levity to the situation, one that becomes ever more dark as the charade goes along; unexpectedly dark, yet perfectly so. His use of humor infuses a heart into the proceedings and a true bond and relationship between Stephen and Bloom, two men that learn to hate each other at the end of a job, but always come to the others help when needed at the start. You must be diligent to the environment surrounding our actors, as it is just as much playing a role as they, helping a truly bold and intricate story be disguised as a simple one. Very slight on first appearance, it is the fact that it's so well told that makes it seem simpler than it really is. Without any bloated superfluities or weakly handled tangents, this tightly woven tapestry lives on its own at a breakneck speed, culminating with a spectacular final twist, an end that had been building up right from the start in that bourgeois playground during the boys' foster home placement. The Brothers Bloom look out for each other and never let the other down, no matter what damage it may cause to themselves. In the end, they do it all for their brother, anything they can to make the other's life a success.

Star Trek (2009) Full Movie DvDrip


Last night I was lucky enough to be one of the few to attend the world premiere of J.J. Abram's "Star Trek" at the Sydney Opera House. This red carpet event was every bit as surreal and magical as the film itself.

The film in many ways matched the venue – unreal. You have doubtless heard or seen other reviews (as I have) and they probably say the same thing: this is (in every sense of the phrase) a second take on the Star Trek universe, from the beginning.

From the opening sequence, JJ Abrams asserts his authority in a plot twist which will shake the very fabric of the Star Trek universe. In a sudden (plot) twist, the very nature of the film becomes clear: this is a new Star Trek.

However, the opening sequence delivers more than just this "statement" - it also gives us a taste of what is to come: action, drama, solid performances and an outstanding introduction to a new era.

Little by little we are introduced to the main characters, starting with Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Uhura as we briefly navigate their early lives including events at Starfleet Academy before hitting a plot crescendo which brings all the cast together – and to the starship Enterprise, NCC 1701!

This is a movie strong on character development, and each of the actors deliver brilliant performances – nothing less would be appropriate given the shoes each has to fill.

The movie moves along at an agreeable pace, never slow enough to be tedious, nor too frenetic so as to be judged another "run 'n' gun" style sci-fi action flick.

This is a movie with cutting edge special effects, but they serve more to frame the storyline and characters rather than to be the show entirely.

Star Trek has always been tied to models and great visuals, so this is something which we've come to expect from this groundbreaking franchise.

Since I do not intend to introduce spoilers in this review, I can only really say that the crew of the USS Enterprise is brought full circle to face the film's dark enemy, a Romulan by the name of Nero who is portrayed by Australia's own Eric Bana (who is not given nearly enough screen time in my humble opinion).

By now you've probably heard that the movie also features Leonard Nimoy – reprising his role as Mr (please, not Doctor) Spock. This is indeed true, however you may be surprised to learn that this is no token cameo role.

Leonard Nimoy's Spock plays a pivotal role in the film, and in a way bridges the franchise from the original series to the new film version. He also has delivery of my most favorite line in the film..

Each actor holds their own with the roles we know so well. It would be unfair to single out any specific actor.. but I have to say that Simon Pegg and Zachary Quinto are simply outstanding amongst a group of very talented actors in a movie which is (perhaps a little surprisingly) carried by strong character development.

In summary, this film is likely to appeal to a wide audience including die hard Trekkies and those new to the Star Trek universe. This is a must see film, even if you can't tell the difference between a Tribble and a Tholian!

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) Full Movie HQ


To tell you the truth I'm pretty surprised by all the negative reviews I've been reading on the IMDb and elsewhere on the net (AICN for example). I thought X-Men 1 and 2 came close to being masterpieces and that X-Men 3 sucked big time. The Wolverine movie however is well made, exciting and surprisingly effective. But that's an opinion from somebody who doesn't know anything about the comics. To me Wolverine is mainly a movie hero and maybe that can make a big difference.

Two elements make this movie really work. Liev Schreiber - a very underestimated actor - does a great job as Wolverine's brother Victor/Sabretooth. It's their love/hate relationship that is the main subject in this story and that really keeps it interesting. In the first minutes of the movie this is well established. The opening credits are really beautiful.

Second: the story. I really love the story. It has romance, betrayal, vengeance, action, a touch of immortality... All the good elements are there in the right doses.

Yes, I really love this movie. I hope to see more of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in the future, because there are a lot more adventures he can and should have. Maybe director Gavin Hood can repair some of the damage that Brett Ratner did with a X-Men 3. Because an X-Men 4 - with hopefully Josh Halloway as Gambit - would be a great spectacle indeed.

There's only one big thing that really puzzled me. So the Liev Schreiber character is actually the same Sabretooth we see in X-Men 1? Because the two characters really don't seem the same in the two movies. Everything they have "experienced together in the past" (in the prequel) seems forgotten in X-Men 1 (when they only fight each other).

Anyway, go see this!

Battle for Terra (2009) Full Movie HD


I was at the gala premiere of Terra in Toronto and was absolutely blown away by this film- I'm not a big festival goer- but I was in Toronto on vacation and saw something about Terra on the local news. It's hard to believe that 'kickmekenneth' and I were at the same screening. I've never commented on these types of websites but came across this review when I was looking for info about this film. The film was incredible- the world Tsirbas created is gorgeous and totally unique. I felt as though I was watching a painting come to life. It was so refreshing to experience an animated story whose characters had depth and conflict like those in a dramatic live action film. The environmental and anti-war themes were expertly woven into the plot and clearly Danny Glover, Brian Cox and Justin Long felt strongly enough about this film to present the premiere and Danny Glover was gracious enough to talk with us afterward. Terra's only flaw may be that it is ahead of its time in the US – where we are are used to our animated characters being simplistic, forgettable talking animals. TERRA is the future of CGI. I took a group of children who have not stopped talking about this film since the screening- we go to all the animated films, and I've never seen this kind of reaction from them. I also noticed a few adult audience members sniffling tears at the dramatic conclusion. BRAVO Mr. Tsirbas! This is a film worth seeing... Does anyone know who Mr. Tsirbas is or where I can learn more?

Crank: High Voltage (2009) Full Movie Divx


For those of us that saw the first movie Crank it seemed open and shut - a retooling of D.O.A. and Speed to combine a exploitation-action-comedy that had Jason Statham gunning after the dirty folks who slipped him a irreversible Chinese poison that would kill him immediately unless he kept his heart racing like a coke-driven locomotive. At the end it seemed especially the case since, well, Chev Chelios falls out of a helicopter and crashes on a car. Dead? Actually no, as case turns out to be.

Let's face it - with Crank you already had to suspend disbelief, but with Crank: High Voltage you'll need to put your disbelief in a microwave and cook until it's about ready to jump out and kick the ever-loving s*** out of you. This movie not only doesn't follow logic or laws of physics or biology, it flips the finger and goes along on its way like the best video game your friend ever got that he wont let you play.

But hell, why bother playing when watching it may be even more fun? Chev Chelios- who three months after we last saw him has been given a "fake" heart with a kind of electrical system (think of a ghetto version of that thing Tony Stark has as Iron Man) after some Chinese dudes took out his heart- goes on rampages, when properly given the quality electroshock of course, like he's the energizer bunny criss-crossed with... hmm, the most psychotic hell-bent killer one's ever seen outside of the dirtiest and most ultra-violent exploitation flicks ever? Even more to face it, at this point Chev Chelios would make Charles Bronson have second thoughts about that sock-o-quarters.

To say that this is a "better" movie than the first one would not be correct. It's simply not. The first had a clearer story, and didn't try to add "depth" like flashing back to Chev's childhood memory of being on a talk-show as an already ultra-violent hoodlum kid with a talk-back mouth (still a very funny scene, but besides the point). What Crank: High Voltage has, and this is in barrels and barrels like an outhouse at a circus, is crazy, LOTS and LOTS of craziness. This had me, and at least a good lot of others at the midnight screening I went to, howling with laughter. What else can you do as they actually TOP the in-public rampage-of-sex scene between Statham and Amy Smart as they get it on (because, apparently, skin friction creates energy doncha know?) in front of a full crowd at a race track? Or what about the incredibly stream-of-consciousness cut-aways to the F-you-Chev-Chelios texts scrolling across the screen?

Best of all, or just so bats*** mad of all that you will be hitting yourself across the head with a hammer to make sure you're not seeing things, are new casting choices. One, Clifton Collins Jr, is a nice little touch where he gets to basically go all out- and I do mean ALL out, handlebar mustache included- after playing low-key character parts for years. The other will keep genre fans talking for weeks: David Carradine, that's right, David "Bill" Carradine, is in the movie as the 100 year old gangster who is barely on life support and is given his last chance at life - thanks to Chev Chelios' Chinese-poison-resistant heart. Compared to Carradine's "how-the-hell-did-they-get-him" casting, Bai Ling is just a natural choice as a relentlessly obnoxious Ho' who keeps following Chelios as he's "her Kevin Costner." Did I mention the brother of the uh, Efren Ramirez's character from the first film, is back as a gay turret's-body sufferer?

Add on to this Jason Statham's go for broke attitude with the whole shebang, and the fact that the filmmakers behind this film (as well as the first one) will go to the most extreme lengths to make the most hardened action film and Grindhouse geeks drooling and jaws agape many times over, and you've got yourself a completely, joyously Gonzo piece of HARD-R-rated American cinema. Don't go to see it because it might give a "message". See it because it's Jason Statham rampaging- at one point he turns into Godzilla at a power plant fighting a goon- all the way to the last moment... and yes, there will be a sequel! Maybe...

Fast and Furious (2009)Full Movie Divx


Director Justin Lin has a distinctive thrilling visual style. The opening sequence of his "Fast & Furious" is an amazing adrenaline rush. Dom (Vin Diesel) and his girlfriend Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) highjack a cargo truck careening down a ravine in the Dominican Republic. Dom, unflinchingly guts out a crazy maneuver that saves himself and Letty from fiery death. This establishes the tone for "Fast & Furious": extreme and full throttle. Vin Diesel and Paul Walker reunite in this satisfying re-energizing of the franchise. Justin Lin generates spectacular eye candy: strong heroes, slick cars, gorgeous women, intense action, and some to the wildest high speed sequences. The soundtrack is pretty hot, too.

What is interesting: this time around Chris Morgan's story is about vengeance. What works is the dynamic chemistry of Diesel and Walker. Diesel is not breaking new territory. He plays to his strength as the powerful dark hero, who follows a code of honor. Paul Walker is a pleasant surprise. He infuses a force and charisma in Brian O'Connor. Walker has become a stronger actor since "The Fast and the Furious". This time around he and Diesel are true screen partners. Theirs is a partnership of friction, brotherhood, and ultimately of respect which grounds "Fast and Furious". In one scene former girlfriend and Dom's younger sister Mia (beautiful and strong Jordana Brewster) asks why Brian (Walker) let Dom (Diesel) go 8 years ago. Brian tells Mia it's because Dom taught him: "Nothing matters unless you have a code." Brian also confesses that he is still trying to find his own code.

After Dom's stunt in the Dominican Republic, the authorities are closing in on him. To protect the love of his life, Letty (Rodriguez), he leaves her the money and disappears. However, while in exile Mia breaks the news to Dom that Letty has been murdered back home in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, FBI Agent O'Connor is hunting down the mysterious drug cartel kingpin Baraga, who is able to move large shipments of narcotics across the border with his elite drivers. Brian is also tracking down Dom, who he knows will come back to Los Angeles because of the personal tragedy.

Dom returns home just flying under the FBI radar. He has Mia show him where Letty was killed in a car crash. Dom discerns that Letty was brutally murdered, and that the murderer left a distinguishing signature. Mia pleads with Dom to let this go: this will not bring Letty back. Dom sullenly declared, "It's already too late." He intends to kill Letty's murderer and find the man ultimately responsible. All paths lead to the mysterious Baraga. So Dom and Brian's destinies collide as they compete as drivers for Baraga's right hand Campos (slick John Ortiz). That race too, is another spectacular mind blowing ride through the trafficked streets of Los Angeles.

Okay much of "Fast and Furious" is predictable and formulae; however, Justin Lin does so with amazing style and verve. He keeps the action crisp and vibrant. Diesel and Walker are solid heroes to cheer for. Bad guys Campos (Ortiz) and Fenix (ruthless Laz Alonzo) are completely despicable. Jordana Brewster is the right blend of tough and smart as Mia. Surprisingly good is beautiful and enigmatic Gal Gadot as Gisele, who has a soft spot for Dom. "Fast and Furious" is a high speed vengeance tale with charismatic heroes Diesel and Walker. Director Lin keeps our attention with hot cars, hot women, and spectacular stunts. "Fast and Furious" is not going win any awards, but it is thoroughly entertaining.

Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009) Full Movie HQ


The incredible lack of quality in this film is not only intensified by Miley Cyrus' lack of acting or singing skills, it is aggravated as the entire movie resolves around her own "inner struggle"(huh). She is incapable of delivering her lines with any sort of credibility or patience whatsoever and has to rely on being loud and intense in order to keep people's attention. That showcasts how her on-screen persona is similar to her on-stage persona: In order to hide her obvious flaws in talent, simply distracting the fandom (teenage girls usually between 6 and 13) with over exaggerated moves and expressions tends to do the trick. Some people might call that "Being relatable" or "Having a stage presence", I call that a plot to remain in the spotlight of 10 year old girls (All while failing at "overgrowing her character" by dating a 21 year old underwear model and uploading half naked pictures of herself in real life).

Billy Ray Cyrus, on the other hand, is the complete opposite of his daughter. Instead of overstating every single line and facial expression, he barely manages to pull them off with disdain. I swear to you, his repertory of expressions and emotions is even smaller than the list of his musical hits.

The screenplay is just what one would expect from a Disney Channel movie. You will not find a "Finding Nemo" or a "Wall-E" on this one, just a simple "sweet tale" about a character struggling while finding young love (Except that it fails at that too, given not only that the main characters do not last together for long and that on the show the Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana character changes boyfriends as fast as she changes tampons). The love interest is so disgustingly clichéd that you might just laugh at his fakeness. The jokes, as expected coming from a Hannah Montana movie, are simply not funny at all.

In fact, the entire movie gets so lame and predictable that it becomes yet another proof of how -for everyone's sake- Disney Channel's writers are ought to commit suicide.

Now on the music (Or lack thereof). The soundtrack is just what would be expected by Hannah Montana: songs filled with self-references and childish squabble. Although it meets its purpose of making small children happy, it is nothing more than that.

The movie includes a ridiculous Macarena wannabe "dance song" which is so incredibly complex that not even her fandom will replicate it without a severe amount of effort (Were they actually expecting people to dance the Howdown whatever? It's not like its simple, or easy for that matter).

Miley Cyrus and her dad are simply not talented at all in the musical arena. The only song worth saving from this whole mess is The Climb, which is actually deep and thought provoking.

If you are not a tormented parent who is being absolutely threatened by his daughter to go see this film with her, I implore you for your own sake, take that money elsewhere and save yourself the nuisance. Because in the end that is the only thing this is.

State of Play (2009) Full Movie DvDrip


Whether you loved em' or hated em', espionage thrillers made up a generous portion of cinema from the 1940-50's. With fast paced, edge of your seat story lines, plot twists, political undertones and dramatic personal struggles with morality, nobody did it better than Emeric Pressburger and Michael Powell. Their attention to character detail and it's purpose in conjunction with the narrative gave heart and humanity to this new string of movies which could have fallen into similar (yet shallower) alpha male characters such as James Bond. Never the less, we cannot forget that ultimately if it weren't for their vision and invention of the genre, Hollywood may have never capitalized on the staggeringly profitable Bond franchise that's still going strong today.

In the mid 70's, due to the heat of the political environment at that time, the genre decided to go in the same direction. All The Presidents Men, brought to light the investigative strategies of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein and tackled the Watergate scandal from the perspective of the Washington Post. As audiences, we shared in the thrill of being able to follow the case as it unfolded, interviewing witnesses and piecing together clues in order to make a 10 O'clock print deadline. We were part of the chase, the scandal and always privy to the evidence necessary to solve the mystery at hand...that is until a new piece of evidence arose and bashed in all of our original assumptions.

State of Play may be the first film to pay homage to this Pakula classic while dually creating more poignant themes for today's political atmosphere. Crowe plays a reporter for the Washington Post and McAdams, an internet blogger, serving as our Woodward and Bernstein clones on the case of a Senator, Affleck, whose mistress succumbs to a rather untimely death VIA train tracks. To add insult to injury, it turns out that our reporter and senator are practically best friends. The plot unfolds, relationships falter and the real truth, to our pleasant surprise, blindsides us like a drunk driver on a narrow road.

Director Kevin Macdonald clearly knows what he's doing here and along with a well written screenplay by Tony Gilroy, carefully crafts a neat, sharp and extremely entertaining thrill ride of a movie whose run time is 2 hours and 15 minutes, but feels like 30. State of Play never fails at keeping you guessing, does a fine job of throwing in a few curve balls, and leaves you with a clean taste in your mouth come end credits. What more do you want? Sure. It isn't the next Best Picture and Crowe won't take home an Oscar, but you'll enjoy some nail biting action scenes and there are much worse things to look at than Rachel McAdams on the big screen for a few hours.

Helen Mirren is delightful in what little screen time she is given. Affleck is "good", although decided to play it completely safe in a role that even he really can't screw up. Lets face it, he needed to gain even a small amount of points since Hollywoodland and the flops that followed in his footsteps.

Overall, you'll be as pleased and refreshed as I was to see a picture that has the finesse of an espionage thriller, the entertainment value of an All The Presidents Men political drama and the edginess that we should expect from a modern day piece of cinema that doesn't star Miley Cyrus.

Monsters vs Aliens (2009) Full Movie Divx


The President of the United States (Stephen Colbert): "Boys, set the terror level at code brown, 'cause I need to change my pants."

Monsters vs. Aliens is my first 3-D movie—not really, but it is the first time I have felt the process worked within a film as an integral part of the artistic process. It supports the science fiction, titillates at times, but most of all gives the illusion of reality. DreamWorks can be proud of this addition to the pantheon of excellent contemporary animations (dominated by Pixar) that use its Shrek as a touchstone for memorable characters wedded to mature themes and superior techniques.

Monsters vs. Aliens is also a family film in the truest sense: Elders to tots can enjoy the visual delights of 3-D outer space and observe a young bride-to-be Susan Murphy (voice of Reese Witherspoon) grow by a radiation accident into the heroic role of Ginormica, a woman literally too big for her britches. She must assert her independence from a self-centered fiancé and convince family, friends, and the world that an out-sized woman (read overachieving feminist) has a place in the male world, a superior place at that.

A strength of this sweet film is its use of ironic, sometimes sardonic, language to satirize just about everyone, from the president (see the opening quotation, not great humor but entertaining) to the makers of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, whose feel good '70's glow is ripe for 21st-century cynicism, to memories of such chestnuts as The Blob and The Creature from the Black Lagoon.

The hip,loving mood of the film is exemplified by the alien's proclamation at invasion time, "Humans of Earth, my quest has led me to your planet. Give it to me now! You should, in no way, take any of this personally. It's just business."

Earth (2009) Full Movie HQ


This documentary makes you travel all around the globe. It contains rare and stunning sequels from the wilderness. It shows you how diversified and how fragile our planet can be. The polar bear's future is highlighted at the beginning and at the end of it. After all, its bleak future is closely linked with the consequences of global warming. This documentary is however a simplistic approach of such a serious environmental issue. It can nonetheless be easily seen by young children since it mainly remains descriptive. Scientists might well be disappointed as it is not a remake of Al Gore's documentary "An inconvenient truth" but frankly...what a description!!! A question may then arise: Isn't it worth preserving our world's beauty? Because this documentary proves that in 2007 such a beauty still exists despite the different pollutions. By living in towns and cities we tend to forget that we are part and parcel of this nature. All things considered this documentary reminds us that we own a common treasure called "EARTH".

The Soloist (2009) Full Movie DvDrip


Previews and marketing for The Soloist give a very different image of what the film actually is about. Watching the trailer, one would think, "Oh, here's another 'feel good white-guy- meets-black-guy movie where the black guy is sincere but troubled and the white guy wants to help him but can't relate to him and has a short temper but it's okay because in the end they both learn from each others' differences' with a musical backdrop thrown in just for artistic interest- lovely! Exactly what I need to watch to feel better on a Saturday evening!"

The reality is in fact the opposite- the story ends on a somber note, occasionally plunging into melodrama, but the 'feel-good' market is indeed misleading. This is a movie that wants, tries desperately, to touch on some very serious issues, but unfortunately causes itself to become undone as a movie.

The story revolves around an LA Times columnist named Steve Lopez who stumbles across n eccentric and mentally ill homeless musician, Nathaniel, who is a musical prodigy and a Julliard dropout. At first obsessed with the story, Steve inevitably becomes involved in Nathaniel's personal life while dealing with his own issues with his ex-wife and his job.

That's all you really need to know, but even if I wanted to try to explain it further, that would prove rather difficult because the film itself doesn't even really know what it's about- is it about finding the kindness to be someone's friend, the homeless crisis in LA, dealing with people with schizophrenia, pursuing your dreams, coming to terms with not living your dreams, or even more basic, is it about Nathaniel or is it about Steve? The movie doesn't know as it bombards you with as much information as you could possibly need to know about any of that, whether its via flashback sequences about Nathaniel's past, moments where "the voices" invade Nathaniel's head and freak him out, overly dramatic scenes involving policemen arresting homeless people, an excessive amount of really irrelevant time in Steve's office and about a head injury of his, and multiple musical montage scenes to Beethoven, one involving helicopter shots and pigeons, and another involving an uninterrupted three minutes of color splashing across the screen rhythmically.

With that said, it's very well-acted. When director Joe Wright isn't throwing as many different things together in the editing room as he possibly can, Robert Downery Jr. and Jamie Foxx put together a fantastic on-screen duo that actually manages to defy the clichés that one might expect. Jamie Foxx especially makes the character his own to the extent that he is almost unrecognizable, both in speech, mannerism, and physical appearance from anything else he's ever done. The two of them together make the film memorable and it is their lack of ability to understand one another that essential makes the best drama of the film. Without it, everything else going on in Steve's life- the quest for the next big story and the problems with the ex-wife, falls flat of any real dramatic significance.

The film wants to be so much. It wants to be so much so badly it feels like it doesn't even care if it's a movie at all. It has moments of ingenuity, but it could've been so much more powerful if it were just a story about either one man's love for music or one man's choice to change someone else's life rather than trying to throw as many different punches as possible.

Fighting (2009) Full Movie Divx


The running joke about most movies made in New York City is that penny-pinching producers usually shoot spectacular aerial long vistas of the Big Apple and then lens everything else either in Canada or Hollywood. If you're ever visited N.Y.C., you can spot the difference between the actual locale, usually unkempt and teeming with humanity, and the comparative tidiness of Toronto or an immaculate Hollywood soundstage. Award winning Sundance film director Dito Montiel of "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints," shot his new movie "Fighting" with Channing Tatum on the mean streets of 'the city that never sleeps' where Montiel grew up. The terrific authenticity of Gotham, however, cannot compensate for "Fighting's" punch-drunk plot about illegal street fighting.

If you've seen "Hard Times" (1975) with Charles Bronson," "Every Which Way But Loose" (1978) with Clint Eastwood, "Lionheart" (1990) with Jean Claude Van Damme," "Fight Club" (1999) with Edward Norton or "Snatch" with Brad Pit, about underground bare knuckles boxing, you've caught the cream of the crop. Generic from the get-go, "Fighting" amounts to little more than a sluggish knuckle-sandwich saga that telegraphs its every surprise far in advance.

Shawn MacArthur (Cullman, Alabama, native Channing Tatum of "Step Up") hasn't been in the Big Apple long. He earns his keep selling books on the sidewalk. The first time Shawn tries to pedal his product with other vendors on Broadway, several street hoods attack him and steal his money. He swaps blows with one of them and puts the guy down for the count. Watching this fracas from the periphery, eagle-eyed Harvey Boarden (Terence Howard of "Iron Man") admires Shawn's pugilistic skills. Not surprisingly, Shawn's assailants work for Harvey who earns his money as a street hustler/fight promoter.

Eventually, Shawn and Harvey have a close encounter. Initially, Shawn just wants the dough back that Harvey's henchmen stole. Harvey convinces Shawn that he can earn $5-thousand and more in illegal street fights. Gradually, Shawn and Harvey grow to trust each other, but beneath the surface unresolved tension simmers between them. Basically, Harvey sees Shawn as his ticket to prosperity. Harvey hails from Chicago. He came to N.Y.C. with the dream of opening an IHOP, while Shawn is fresh out of Birmingham, Alabama. Shawn parted company with his wrestling coach father after a family dispute. Shawn's past catches up with him in the character of arrogant Evan Hailey (Brian J. White of "12 Rounds") who was a member of Shawn's father's wrestling team. When Shawn and Evan tangled in a fight, Shawn's father intervened, and Shawn put the smack down on dad. Indeed, trouble with fathers is a theme that Montiel explored in depth in his first feature "A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints." Montiel choreographs each of Shawn's brawls with a sloppy, improvised realism. Unfortunately, these slugfests lack the ferocity of last year's bare knuckled high school drama "Never Back Down." Instead, Tatum and his opponents engage in free-for-all bouts that resemble the fisticuffs from the second-rate survivalist saga "The Condemned" (2007) where the combatants pounded on each other, but we never saw fists smash flesh. What stands out about these fights is the locales. Montiel stages this fights in Gotham's ethnic neighborhoods, such as the Russian enclaves in Brooklyn and the Hispanic hang0uts in the Bronx.

The villains are anemic. Martinez (Luis Guzman of "Carlito's Way") and Jack Dancing (Roger Guenveur Smith of "American Gangster") are Harvey's old friends, but they show him no respect. They want to eliminate Harvey and take on Shawn as their own boxer. Meanwhile, Shawn and Evan talk tough about old times in Dixie. Evan openly antagonizes Shawn. Nevertheless, these villains prove too lightweight to be intimidating.

Good fight movies make you want to shadow box, but "Fighting" lacks muster. Sadly, too, we are deprived of the inevitable training sequence that is part and parcel of any good Palookaville potboiler. Here, Shawn engages in a quick workout on a subway before a bout.

Montiel penned the script with Robert Munic of TV's "The Cleaner." "Fighting" qualifies as little more than an anthology of cauliflowered clichés and stereotypes from boxing movies. Harvey and Shawn's relationship grows complicated when Harvey arranges a $100-thousand winner take-all-purse and tries to persuade Shawn to throw the fight. This is one of those boxing plots as old as either "Golden Boy" (1939) with William Holden and "The Set-Up" (1949) with Robert Ryan or more recently Bruce Willis in Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction" (1994). Naturally, Montiel and Munic provide our hero with some time out for romance. He meets cute, sexy Zulay Valdez (Zulay Heano of "Grizzly Park") who makes ends meet as an underpaid, overworked, single-mom waitress at a private club with a young daughter and a stern, drill sergeant of a mother.

Tatum channels Marlon Brando, mumbling his dialogue and behaving so casually that he doesn't appear to be acting. Clearly, Tatum is an up and coming cinematic contender, a handsome but hard-bitten hero in the Vin Diesel mode. Terence Howard, who is usually very good, looks miscast. He doesn't look as desperate for success as his character complains about being. Zulay Henao doesn't garner enough screen time to make much of an impression despite her high wattage smile.

"Fighting" spends too much time pulling its punches to carry any clout.

17 Again (2009) Full Movie HD


17 Again" has been done before in "Big", "13 Going On 30" and one of my favorite movies, "The Kid". That being said: I really liked "17 Again". This is a star vehicle for teen heart-throb Zac Efron. Okay, the movie opens cheesy with ripped Efron shooting baskets in 1989 as high school star point guard Mike O'Donnell, highly recruited by colleges. Efron also impresses in a dance number with the cheerleaders. It's a good kind of cheese.

In director Burr Steers and writer Jason Filardi's "17 Again" older Mike (sympathetic Matthew Perry) gets a chance to be 17 again with the assistance of spiritual guide Janitor (Brian Doye-Murray). Efron is really good here displaying charm, humor, and surprising depth and compassion. There is a scene where the young Mike (Efron) consoles his daughter Maggie (vulnerable Michelle Trachtenberg) over her heartbreak, "When you're young everything seems like it's the end of the world, but it's not…" "17 Again" has a certain bitter sweet and affirming resonance. In a light hearted way "17 Again" is about the choices we make in life and how we foster greatness for the ones we love. "17 Again" works, because of the solid Efron and the amazing Leslie Mann as Mike's estranged wife Scarlett.

Mike (Perry) is currently living with his wealthy high school bud Ned (hysterical Thomas Lennon). Ned is the genius, who invented the software that prevents music piracy, and also the guy who made piracy possible. Mike's wife Scarlett (Leslie Mann) has filed for divorce, and he barely knows his two teenage kids Maggie (Trachtenberg) and Alex (Sterling Knight). Mike has a job he hates. After a devastating day at work Mike visits his high school that Maggie and Alex now attend. He expresses his yearning to be 17 again in his glory days to the Janitor (Doyle-Murray). Having ice cream with his kids, he finds out the Maggie got into Georgetown and Alex lies to him about trying out for the basketball team.

There is a wonderful scene as Leslie Mann discards Mike's belongings in a wood chipper. Mike confesses, "I have been so disappointed with my life…" Mann's Scarlett has had to endure this for 18 years of marriage. Mike said he felt obligated. Broken hearted Scarlett concedes, "Don't do me any favors." From here "17 Again" charts a familiar course as Mike becomes the 17 year-old Efron. What keeps it in engaging is Mike's epiphany that his travel back is really about "helping Alex and Maggie". Mike discovers that Alex is a punching boy for bully Stan (jerky Hunter Parrish), who is captain of the basketball team. Stan is also Maggie's boyfriend. Alex is really a great kid with a good 3 point shot, and sweet on head cheerleader Nicole (pretty Josie Lopez). Maggie is the smart and big hearted teen defining herself in the world. Both Knight and Trachtenberg are authentic and very good.

The supporting performances are strong. Thomas Lennon as Ned is hilarious and charmingly nerdy. His Jedi Knight duel with young Mike (Efron) is hysterical. Ned also poses as Mike's Dad. Ultimately this works as he pursues the affections of the stunning and funny Melora Hardin as Principal Masterson. I was dying when Lennon and Hardin were talking in Tolkien Elfish at dinner.

We stick with the movie, because of Efron and Mann, who are compelling and display a goofy and touching chemistry. Efron is good looking and charming. Mann is smart, sexy, and funny. There is a funny sequence as Mann tells Efron that she is not into the whole "cougar" and "Mothers I like to…" deal. Efron has a moment of solace as his Mike sees the beautiful garden Scarlett designed. The two have a lot of fun with an inappropriate tango of sorts. It's this kind of spirit, fun and touching humanity that make "17 Again" so entertaining and worth watching.

Obsessed (2009) Full Movie Divx


I know I am included in the many people who go on and on about Hollywood constantly cranking out drivel over and over again but why? Why does Hollywood do this? Well it is because many people pay to see it and those of us who complain about this product do not go around shelling out our hard-earned money for this crap but many of you support this; you know who you are. I think…no, I know that it will only get worse. Most movies nowadays are really no longer about being story driven; however it's more and more commercialized garbage of who can sell the most tickets. Well you and I know that most of the demographic that goes to the movies are teenagers and it is no speculation that many of them do not care about character and/or dialogue driven or intricately plotted films. No this is fast food, talk show entertainment; no thought required. In this case, we have this weekend's bad movie called Obsession, well there is another one called Fighting which is a Never Back Down Fight Club, but that is for another page. By the look of the movie poster, I initially thought it would be something directed straight to DVD but no sadly it is not. I guess this is mostly for people who don't even remember Fatal Attraction and geared toward mostly the Lifetime audience.

Plot, let's see, successful Idris Elba receives huge promotion at some company he works for (does it matter what?), is happily married to Beyonce and they have a nice house with a white-picket fence out in the suburbs. It's the American dream come true, right? But no wait, there's a new temp in the office (Ali Larter) and the two of them hit it off but only after he gives her a snotty look with the remark, "You're a temp?" and they go out to a flashy glitzy club and share drinks and before you know it, they're all over each other right away. There is no nudity or explicit sex involved; well it's PG-13 so it's very tame. There's just a lot of groping and grinding, sorry boys. So during throughout the middle, Ali Larter becomes, well…Obsessed and Idris has a hard time confessing his affair but finally does after Ali's escalating bizarre behavior but not too bizarre, this is PG-13 folks. Then Beyonce becomes more and more frustrated. Plus the fact that she knows whom he has slept with because they met earlier in the movie. Oh Beyonce is going to take her down, at least she's says so because Idris doesn't want to take full control of the situation fearing that this could possibly destroy what he has worked oh so hard for.

Then there's the howling, scathing catfight between Ali and Beyonce, whoo-hoo!!! Little blood is shown, remember this is PG-13 and everything ends on a happy note and all is forgiven. Could this be a social commentary on race relations? Hardly. Also, there are many people talking about a possible "big twist". No, no twist. Believe me, if there were, it would be advertised totally differently, like the movie's tagline would be something like, "Who's doing what to whom?" in such the dramatic voice. Yeah go suckers, give 'em your money.