Set Yourself Free For A Laugh With ‘Wanderlust’

Wanderlust:  3 ½ out of 5

Wayne Davidson: My name's Wayne by the way. I'm a nudist.
George: Oh yes, we noticed your penis earlier.

I do like it when I laugh a lot during a comedy.  The funny thing about this film is that I did laugh a lot during it, yet it is hard for me to say that I really loved it.  I liked it for sure, it has Paul Rudd being incredibly charming, smarmy, and just plain silly, along with a very talented supporting cast; all with moments to shine.  The film is also just plain bizarre at times, fitting in having little moments that I can appreciate based on my own tastes.  Still, even as a smile remained on my face, the structure of this film has its faults, not feeling like a seamless experience, as it reaches its inevitable plot beats.  Were the premise to be strong enough to go somewhere more interesting, this film could have relied on more than just humorous moments from its cast, but as it stands, it does provide enough humorous moments from the cast, which is just fine.

‘Act of Valor’ - Rated M For Mature

Act of Valor:  2 ½ out of 5

Frag Out!

Last year my title for the film review of Battle: LA stated that you may need a video game controller in order to watch it.  With Act of Valor, it seems more like a supplement to playing a video game.  If you were to become tired of playing Modern Warfare or Battlefield, then Act of Valor is easily a way of keeping that emotional state alive.  For a film that is based around authenticity of the actions taken by the actual active duty U.S. Navy SEALs, it is certainly just as concerned as looking like a slick video game come to life.  The big difference is that this film is clearly working on a lower budget and lacks some of the visual panache that is more easily achieved by experienced action directors.  Still, Act of Valor does contain a lot of harrowing action sequences, glued together by a plot that is a straight procedural and entirely inconsequential.  Regardless of the intentions of this film (which started out as a recruitment film in early stages), if one desires a flurry of explosive action that is slightly more realistic than average, this is that film.

Midnight InCeption

 

The summers of 2010 and 2011 have provided me with two films that, on the surface, have very little in common with one another; however, after some careful consideration, I have found many intriguing similarities between the two.  I am speaking of 2010’s Inception, written and directed by Christopher Nolan, and 2011’s Midnight in Paris, written and directed by Woody Allen.  These films are unlikely allies, because, in a broad sense, they are both very concerned with the concept of dreams.  Both films contain a somewhat multi-layered approach to their concepts and story and were met with much success both critically and financially.  It would seem audiences were on board for multifaceted thinking in the case of both a blockbuster film and a low key “art house” comedy.  Regardless, I had a simple goal in mind, which I hope properly puts forth how I wanted to turn a single idea into an in-depth article concerning two films I greatly admire. [Major spoilers for both films, beyond this point]

Out Now with Aaron and Abe: Episode 45 – Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance

This week’s episode of Out Now with Aaron and Abe finds the duo (along with guests Jordan Grout and Alan Aguilera) dealing with vengeance, as the rider has come to claim his souls.  Ghost Rider: The Spirit of Vengeance is the main film review for this week and there’s nothing like a big dose of Cage Rage to get things going.  Of course all of the regular segments are here as well, including “Know Everybody”, Trailer Talk (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and Lockout), box office results, retro reviews, and there is even time for some games.  This episode is hotter than a flaming skull.

So now, if you’ve got an hour to kill…

A Double Shot Of The Punisher

So after watching Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, I figured I would revisit Punisher: War Zone, as I was very much reminded of that film.  Having done that, I've decided to put up my original review of that film, which is a little bit more crudely written, as many of my early reviews are.  As a bonus, I've also put up in my review for the 2004 Punisher staring Tom Jane as well.

‘Ghost Rider’ Blazes Through A Frenetic Sequel

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance:  I don’t know what star rating best applies, so I’ll say 3 out of 5

Johnny Blaze: This thing... There's no conscience, just hunger. The Rider's gonna come out. And when he does, he'll destroy whoever's got it coming.

Let’s start off with an obscure reference – The tagline for the mid-90s comic book film, The Phantom was “Slam Evil”.  In Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance, Johnny Blaze, aka The Rider, doesn’t just slam evil, he literally sucks it in, chews on it, spits it out, then gives you the finger, as he drives off on his Hellcycle.  Let it be said right now, if you’re seeking a film full of constant clarity and touches of nuance, this sequel to (the inferior) Ghost Rider will not be for you.  However, if you want a film that has Nic Cage dialed to 11 and pissing fire, Idris Elba as a drunken French priest going on shooting rampages, and the Highlander himself – Christopher Lambert as a tattooed monk with a long scimitar, then this new Ghost Rider film, from the directing duo behind the Crank films, is one you may want to check out.

Out Now with Aaron and Abe: Episode 44 – Safe House

This week’s episode of Out Now with Aaron and Abe puts the gang on the run, after their secure location is raided by evil forces from the outside.  Aaron, Abe, and guest Gerard Iribe are talking about the Denzel Washington/Ryan Reynolds action/thriller Safe House and also manage to save some time for a mini-review about the new, limited-release horror film from director Ti West, The Innkeepers.  The group also manages to fit in the regular segments as well, including “Know Everybody”, Trailer Talk (The Amazing Spider-man and The Bourne Legacy), (epic) Box Office results, retro reviews, and some games.  Hopefully the second house remained safe enough for these guys to record the whole thing.

So now, if you’ve got an hour to kill…