Kick-Ass 2 (2013)

Last night I decided to take a day off from the blog. As these past few weeks have been going by, I have been attempting to find a variety of flicks to review as the end of year creeps closer. One genre I have neglected has been the super hero / fantasy arena. To change that trend, I decided to sit back and watch Kick Ass 2. 

Plot/ The costumed high-school hero Kick-Ass joins with a group of normal citizens who have been inspired to fight crime in costume. Meanwhile, the Red Mist plots an act of revenge that will affect everyone Kick-Ass knows.

Not being a fan of the typical super hero flicks, I will admit that I thoroughly enjoy the Kick Ass franchise. Yes, these are not for everyone, but they are fun. This one is entertaining with solid performances, blood, violence, action, and everything you need for a fun flick. Sure, it is not perfect, as there were some uneven pacing issues and some strange charactizations, but those were somewhat expected. In the end, it may not reach the level of the first movie in the series, but it is an outstanding movie and one of the better sequels to come out in some time. If you like this type of movie, check this one out! It is fun, entertaining and a blast. 

V for Vendetta (2005)

I decided last weekend that it was time for a small vacation from blogging. It seemed as though everything I had been watching had started to run together in my mind. When you couple that with trying to buckle down to finish the scripting for my Operation Paul Revere short, I just needed the break. That being said, it was time to jump back in. My evening selection is the 2005 action classic V for Vendetta.

Plot/ A shadowy freedom fighter known only as "V" uses terrorist tactics to fight against his totalitarian society. Upon rescuing a girl from the secret police, he also finds his best chance at having an ally.

Let me start by saying that watching this today was even better than the first time I watched it. Honestly, there were some elements that seemed more important in the social construct today than years before. Maybe is was the sense of liberty, or maybe the lawless totalitarian oppressive nature of society. This was one of the best action films I have seen, as it had a tremendous script to match the rather intelligent and political storyline. The acting is solid and combined with the tremendous visuals and action, this is a movie that must be watched and enjoyed. In the end, this is a movie that will stand the test of time as a true piece of action history. If you have not seen it, what are you waiting for!

Hobo With A Shotgun (2011)

 

 

Last night I needed to find something mindless to provide me with some late night entertainment as I continue to wrap my mind around some of the interesting items I have been researching lately. Of course, finding something that is entertaining, mindless and tinged with horror has become a bit difficult lately. My selection for the evening, the 2011 grindhouse entry Hobo With a Shotgun!

 

 

Plot/ A homeless vigilante blows away crooked cops, pedophile Santas, and other scumbags with his trusty pump-action shotgun.

 

 

This was one of the first Grindhouse / Exploitation flicks I have watched in some time that kept me very engrossed all the way through. The storyline works and is really an offshoot of what many people would love to do when they witness atrocities taking place. Sure, maybe it is a bit extreme, but, that is what movies are for. The acting is solid, with Rutger Hauer playing the role perfectly, the cinematography is good with an honest vintage appeal, the gore and violence is everywhere and unbelievably, there is actually some character development. Yes, there are some pacing issues and some of it may be too over the top, but that does not harm the film in any way as it almost adds to the comic outtakes littered in the story. In the end, this one is a must see for fans of Hauer and this genre, it is honestly, everything you could want in a Grindhouse / Exploitation flick.