2/28/2007

Chaos (2005)


Chaos (2005) -* * *

Directed By: Tony Giglio

Starring: Jason Statham, Ryan Phillippe, Henry Czerny, and Wesley Snipes











Chaos is an entertaining, but cliched thriller.

Quentin Conners (Statham) is a cop who gets fired after a hostage situation goes bad. He gets reinstated with a new partner (Phillippe) after a bank robber named Lorenz (Snipes) takes over downtown. But something about the robbery isn't right when none of the money is taken...can Connors and his partner figure out the truth?



This movie was made before Inside Man (2006) but it was on the shelf for 3 years. I guess it's hard to market after the success of that movie. It does have its similarities, but overall the movie is different. Statham, Phillippe, and Snipes all put in good performances. Henry Czerny has the usual underwritten role as the Chief.

The movie does have some good action in the middle with a well-shot motorcycle chase and gunfight between Lorenz and Conners. The last interrogation scene with Phillippe is full of fun overacting. The climax\ending is VERY similar to Inside Man which almost ruins the movie.



Hopefully Chaos will get a release because it shouldn't stay on the shelf forever.





Comeuppance Review by: Ty

2/27/2007

Flight Of Fury (2006)


Flight Of Fury (2006) -* *

Directed By: Michael Keusch

Starring: Steven Seagal










He's Back! Barely two months after Attack Force (2006)!

 The plot, which is a ripoff of the Michael Dudikoff movie Black Thunder (1998) by the way ... is about "John Sands" (Mr. Large and In Charge, which officially makes Seagal, the Garfield of the action movie world) who has to stop a renegade pilot from giving a powerful jet plane to "Romanian Russians" (?).



The good news is that this is a step up from Attack Force, which is a good thing, and it looks like Seagal was trying. The bad news is that he's still fat, and using ADR voice-overs. This movie is chock, and I mean chock full of stock footage from other movies like Stealth Fighter (1999) and Black Thunder. The "script" even uses the same names. Every aerial shot is mismatched.

There's some good action and explosions toward the end, and Seagal's one liner is "Hell Yeah" which is funny. My life is complete.

Comeuppance review by: Ty

Chasing Ghosts (2005)


Chasing Ghosts (2005)- * * *

Directed By: Kyle Dean Jackson

Starring: Michael Madsem, Danny Trejo, Michael Rooker, Gary Busey, Shannon Sossamon, and Meat Loaf









Chasing Ghosts was a pretty good mystery. Michael Madsen stars as Detective Harrison, who is about to retire. He only has one more case to solve: Who is killing the crime lords around NYC?

The best parts of the movie are the confrontations with Madsen and Gary Busey, and the twists near the end. Meat Loaf, Michael Rooker and Danny Trejo are underused. The style of the film also works. The cinematography looks great but there are a little too many quick cuts. It was shot In L.A. but the director did a good job hiding it.



It's worth seeing for an excellent Michael Madsen performance and the presence of the eclectic cast.

2/22/2007

Journey To The End Of The Night (2006)


Journey To The End Of The Night (2006) -* *1\2

Directed By: Eric Eason

Starring: Brendan Fraser, Mos Def, Alice Braga, Catalina Sandino Moreno, and Scott Glenn










Journey To The End Of The Night is a disappointment.

The plot: Paul (Fraser) is a pimp who lives in Brazil with his father Russo (Glenn). They have a drug deal planned. Their mule suddenly dies, and, desperate, Russo asks dishwasher Wemba (Def) to replace him. It doesn't go exactly as planned....

The whole movie feels rushed. Something must have been cut out because it feels disjointed. There's no way this movie is 85 minutes long. If it was 2 hours it would've been better. The actors are good however. Def impresses again with a good performance. Fraser goes a little over the top but it works for his character. Glenn is always worth watching.





If you like the actors, JTTEOTN is worth seeing, but overall it's a minor disappointment.

Comeuppance Review by: Ty

2/19/2007

Stone Cold (1991)


Stone Cold (1991)- * * *1\2

Directed By: Craig R. Baxley

Starring: Brian Bosworth, Lance Henriksen, Sam McMurray, Arabella Holzbog, Gregory Scott Cummins, and William Forsythe












Ah, Stone Cold. What a classic! In the tradition of Cobra, he puts the "force" in "enforcement"! It has a very similar style of highly entertaining macho-stupidity as seen in fellow classic Road House (1989), a period in our nation's history where such things flourished.

John Stone (The Boz) is a cop who goes undercover in a biker gang to weed out the leader, Chains (Henriksen) and his dangerous crew.



Okay, the plot isn't much, but how 'bout that Mullet! Only in 1991 can you get away with that hair. Boz has a couple of good lines like "Cleanup on aisle 4", very reminiscent of Cobra's "I don't shop here".

Henriksen always puts in an excellent performance. He's at his best as the villain. Forsythe looks young (and a little heavy) here, but he doesn't disappoint. The climax at the courthouse is hilarious! You gotta see it to believe it!


On top of everything else, there are many quotable lines. They truly don't make movies like this anymore,  which is a travesty. Stone Cold will always hold a special place in my heart.



Comeuppance Review by: Ty

The Underground (1997)


The Underground (1997)- * * *

Directed By: Cole S. Mckay

Starring: Jeff Fahey,  Jastereo Coviare, Jillian McWhirter, Gregory Scott Cummins, and Brion James















The Underground is another winner from PM Entertainment. Fahey plays Brian Donnegan, a cliched cop character who has to stop the killings of rap stars. He gets in too deep after his partner is killed. Now he must stop the murders any way possible. He's doin' it freestyle...


Because this is a PM flick, you can expect good stunts. The pyrotechnics are cool and the car chase at the end is a blast. Jeff Fahey puts in an emotionless performance, but it works. The plot is silly and the dialogue worse, but that's part of the B-movie fun. If you like this one, I also recommend Hologram Man

In the end: If you like Jeff Fahey (and who doesn't...) or PM movies (and who doesn't...), check this one out.


Comeuppance Review by: Ty

2/14/2007

Wilderness (2006)


Wilderness (2006)- * * *

Directed By: Michael J. Bassett

Starring: Sean Pertwee











Wilderness is a tight and scary film.

A group of teenage offenders are sent to a forest to rehabilitate after the death of another inmate. But someone and something is after them, killing them one by one. Can they escape?


The movie is loaded with gore and suspense. Sean Pertwee is his usual professional self and the special effects are pretty well-done. It's from The director of the underrated Deathwatch (2002), so you know it's going to be nothing less than good. The only drawback is the jarring use of video during the first killing. But that's a minor problem. I also like that all the characters are despicable and there's really no hero. The climax is very entertaining and bloody.



Wilderness is another winner from Michael J. Bassett. I highly recommend it.

Comeuppance Review by: Ty

2/12/2007

Man About Town (2005)


Man About Town (2005) -* *1\2

Directed By: Mike Binder

Starring: Ben Affleck, Rebecca Romijn, Adam Goldberg, John Cleese and Gina Gershon









Man About Town is the biggest DTV movie of 2007. I can see why it deserved its DTV fate.

The plot: Jack Giamoro (Affleck) is a smarmy talent agent who has a successful life and a beautiful wife (Romijn). He realizes that his wife is cheating on him with his top client (Goldberg). This sets him off emotionally and he starts a journal and it contains all his dark secrets.

Unfortunately, it gets stolen in a robbery and he needs it back desperately.



The first 40 minutes are pretty decent. Affleck and Romijn are great and they have some strong chemistry. Then it falls apart....fast. The journal class\robbery subplot just doesn't work. If they cut that out and focused on the infidelity it would have been a stronger movie. I think this went straight to video because of its wildly uneven tone. It's not really a comedy, it's more of a drama. The climax, while entertaining, is predictable and feels rushed. The supporting cast is good however, with John Cleese standing out as Jack's teacher.



Overall, Man About Town is worth seeing for the first 40 minutes. If you like Affleck, you might enjoy it.

Comeuppance Review by: Ty

2/09/2007

Pit Fighter (2005)


Pit Fighter (2005) -* * *

Directed By: Jesse Johnson

Starring: Steven Bauer, Scott Adkins, Stana Katic, and Dominiquie Vandenberg









Pit Fighter, not to be confused with the classic 90s Sega Genesis game of the same name, is a gritty and bloody action movie.

Jack (Vandenberg) wakes from a coma after a bullet was put into his brain. All he wants is revenge. But first he needs to climb up the ranks of a corrupt system and that means he has to fight.



If you want realistic and well-choreographed fights this is the movie for you. Every move is bone-crunching. One guy gets his eye knocked out! Vandenberg puts in a gruff performance as the anti-hero. Steven Bauer plays his friend and manager. Bauer is always good and he has some interesting lines like:

"Well, you ever wanna know what God thinks about money, you look at those to whom he gives it to."

The movie is fast-paced and well-directed. Jesse Johnson put a lot of energy and effort into this and it paid off.

The climax is very entertaining. Jack fights everybody with only a sword and his fists.

Pit Fighter is a hidden gem that's worth uncovering.



Comeuppance Review by: Ty

2/08/2007

Supreme Sanction (1999)


Supreme Sanction (1999)-* * *

Directed By: John Terlesky

Starring: Michael Madsen, Kristy Swanson, Tommy "Tiny" Lister, and Ron Perlman









Supreme Sanction is a fun little flick. 

 Kristy Swanson plays a hit-woman who betrays her contract and now the government wants to kill her. Michael Madsen and Ron Perlman play the heavies.

Madsen puts in his usual good performance and as contracted he has to wear a Hawaiian shirt. Swanson does the best she can in the main role. I don't want to forget "Tiny" Lister. He plays a tough black guy and does it well. Perlman is only in it for a few minutes but he makes an impact. The action is fast-paced and entertaining.



Supreme Sanction is definitely worth watching for Madsen fans.


Comeuppance Review by: Ty

2/05/2007

Incubus (2006)


Incubus (2006) -*1\2

Directed By: Anya Camilleri

Starring: Tara Reid, Alice O'Connell, and Akemnji Ndifornyen











"Incubus" has been on the shelf for a while. Filmed in late 2004, it collected dust for a year and half and then premiered on AOL. It finally comes to DVD this February. It wasn't worth the wait.

Jay (Reid) and her group of friends are stranded in a building where they realize that someone or something is terrorizing them by going into their dreams. Can they stop the madness?

Wow, this is one badly acted movie. The token black guy (Ndifornyen) was the worst. His line readings were awful. It appears that O'Connell can be seen reading the cue cards - with no emotion whatsoever. I'll save the worst for last: Reid has been better (Silent Partner for example) but she doesn't show talent here. Just a blank expression. Her screams are even miscued and lifeless.



The only saving grace was the climax\ending. It had some suspense and gore and was put together well. If only the whole movie was like that. This Incubus gives Esperanto a bad name...and surely Mr. Shatner is none too pleased.

Comeuppance Review by: Ty

2/03/2007

Stiletto Dance (2001)


Stiletto Dance (2001) -* * *

Directed By: Mario Azzopardi

Starring: Eric Roberts and Yaphet Kotto










We all know the truth: Eric Roberts is Awesome! Come on, admit it. I'm a big fan of the man. Julia sucks. Eric is better.

Stiletto Dance is about a cop named Kit Adrian (Roberts) who infiltrates the Russian mob, only to be swept up in a deadly love triangle with Lena (Lucie Laurier) and his partner.

The movie is a lot of fun. It has everything: pervasive swearing, brutal Russian mob violence and a cool performance from the master of Ham: Eric Roberts! Yaphet Kotto makes an appearance as the chief of police. His role is made up of exposition, but he puts in his usual professionalism.


Comeuppance Review by: Ty

2/01/2007

Extreme Limits (2000)

Extreme Limits (2000)-*

AKA: Crash Point Zero

Directed By: Jim Wynorski

Starring: Treat Williams and Richard Riehle













Before I start my review I should give some history of the director of this mess: Jim Wynorski. He goes under many pseudonyms: Jay Andrews (His usual hide name) H.R. Blueberry, Harold Blueberry, and Bob E. Brown (Heh-Heh). He also uses stock footage from other movies. I'll get to that... now to my review already in progress...

Treat! No! How could you, man! You're really hurtin' for cash I see.

The plot: A plane carrying a doomsday device is stranded near a mountain and FBI agent Jason Ross (Williams) has to save some people before the world explodes.



Wow, this movie is cheap! There are scenes lifted wholesale from The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) and Cliffhanger (1993). Not ripoffs, but the actual scene! What they DID film is rubbish. All the actors (except Treat) are awful and need to rip up their "SAG" cards. There's one scene with a bear that's hilarious! You can plainly see there's a man in the suit.

Unfortunately, Treat made another movie with Jim: Gale Force (2002). Don't get me started about the movies Treat made with Fred Olen Ray, Critical Mass (2000) and Venomous (2001) .


Prince Of The City (1981), Deadly Matrimony (1992), and even Third Degree Burn (1989) are better than this. Don't punish yourself like I did.


Comeuppance Review by: Ty

Federal Protection (2002)


Federal Protection (2002) -* * *

Directed By: Anthony Hickox

Starring: Armand Assante, Angela Featherstone, and Dina Meyer











Federal Protection is a cool and violent movie.

Frankie Carbone (Assante) is a small-time hood stealing cars for a living. When a contract on his life gets botched, he is put into the witness protection program. It seems like he's safe, but he's not. Bootsie (Meyer) is a hitwoman who will stop at nothing to find him.



Armand Assante is always worth watching because of his excellent over-acting. Watch Dot.Kill to see what I mean. He doesn't disappoint here, with a couple classic yelling moments from Assante. Dina Meyer is very sexy in her role. The action scenes, while silly, are bloody and well-staged.



If you like the actors involved, you'll enjoy Federal Protection

Comeuppance Review by: Ty

Blast (2004)


Blast (2004) -* * *

Directed By: Anthony Hickox

Starring: Eddie Griffin, Breckin Meyer, Vivica A. Fox, and Vinnie Jones










Blast is an entertaining flick.

You don't take an action film seriously with Eddie Griffin and Vinnie Jones. The plot is about Lamont Dixon (Griffin) who is an ex-fireman\tugboat captain. He is working on an oil rig at Christmas time when terrorists led by Michael Kittredge (Jones) hijack the crew. Kittredge has a electronic device that can destroy California. Now it's up to Dixon to save the day.



Eddie Griffin was a pretty good action hero. Vivica A. Fox goes through the motions as the head FBI agent. Breckin Meyer has a silly name (Jamal), and a couple good lines and Vinnie Jones plays the evil villain role well. No one should care that Blast is direct-to-video. If you want an exciting and funny action\comedy, this is it.




Comeuppance Review by: Ty