Skip to main content

Jason and Shawn versus Smiley and The Man with the Iron Fists

Smiley

Jason: Your enjoyment of Smiley will hinge 100 per cent on what you think of the last five minutes. There are allusions made to how Smiley ends throughout the film, so it doesn't hit you totally by surprise. But it is still almost clever enough an ending to blindside you. It does make Smiley an unconventional slasher movie, and reminded me a bit of the 2005 thriller Cry Wolf. Take from that what you will. Smiley works because it's different, and I dug that. But, once you know the surprise, it likely won't be as cool the second time. So I gotta give Smiley a Bad. Still, a decent one-off. And worth the watch for horror fans.

Shawn: A great solitary watch. True to the society we seem to be creating. I really dug the idea, kinda old school with the new-school twist. And ZERO guilt. Ha ha. I judged this movie by the cover, and wasn't disappointed. Moral of the story, judge shit by the cover. You might be right. Especially books! I really did like the "Bloody Mary" feel of this, and believe we are heading for a similar fate. All the components are really in place. I recommend this watch to fellow Basementites, but only once. A Bad. But in a good way. Ha ha.

The Man with the Iron Fists

Jason: This is, in every sense of the phrase, a critic-proof movie. Either you grove on this loving throwback to 1970s martial arts films or you don't. You get off on the in-references to the works of Brian de Palma and Bruce Lee, or you don't. I did. And I loved it. This is a messy, violent martial arts movie that breaks out a big brawl within the first five minutes and never lets up. Somehow the RZA recruited the likes of Russell Crowe, Lucy Liu and what I can only assume are a collection of kung fu greats for the cast. And Eli Roth and Quentin Tarantino behind the scenes. My hat is off to you, sir. A Good all the way!

Shawn: Wire fu. Quentin Tarentino... This movie was the perfect balance for a man movie. Obviously a Good, but not just because it was a martial arts flick, but because it had a story. A good one. Fantasy, action, gore. Man movie. The only gripe was RZA himself. Not enough to ruin the movie, but still not quite a fit. This is a Good.
Enhanced by Zemanta

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

#CocktailHour: Slushtail

  Summer approaches, inspiring thoughts of sunshine, backyard parties, and having a tip and sip with friends.  With that in mind, I bring you this week sunny beverage. To make a slushtail, mix a can of frozen orange juice, a can of frozen lemonade (or limeade), a can of pineapple juice, a couple cups of black tea (or English Breakfast), and two cups of bourbon- such as Southern Comfort, in a pitcher.  When it's all nicely mixed, put it in the freezer until it's a nice slushy consistency. Scoop the slush into a cocktail glass, and pour in some Sprite or 7-Up.  Add a little umbrella for some frivolous fun, and a straw. Voila!  Ready to enjoy. This is a very refreshing drink.  The fruit juices, Sprite, and bourbon- when chilled makes for a great punch-like drink.  The bourbon doesn't overwhelm juices.   In fact, they are all nicely balanced in terms of flavors.  The sourness of the citrus fruits contrasts well with the slightly sweeter Southern Comfort.  It was refreshing enou

Unlock your fate with The Puzzle

When my dad wasn't working, building stuff or being my dad, he was making puzzles. It was a guaranteed way for him to unwind. So it was with great interest that I sat down to watch Italian filmmaker Davide Melini's award-winning short The Puzzle. You see, the mother in the five-minute film likes to relax with puzzles just like my dad. Unfortunately, her good-for-nothing son keeps harassing her for money. Losing herself in her favourite passtime, the mother soon discovers that completing this puzzle might unlock a nightmare. The Puzzle has been an official selection at more European film festivals than you can shake a stick at, and was voted Third Best Italian Film at the Rome International Film Festival in 2008. Having watched it, I'm not surprised. It's a tight little film that hits you hard in the final few seconds. You can tell Melini cut his teeth as an assistant director for legendary Italian filmmaker Dario Argento. But enough chit chat on my part. See if yo

The Animated Addict: "The Adventures of Tintin" (2011)

If you're a 40 + white dude, like myself, you may remember a comic series called " The Adventures of Tintin ".  I know I remember them.  This series, dating back to 1929, got turned into a animated feature film by Steven Spielberg in 2011. After buying a model of ship called The Unicorn, teenaged journalist Tintin finds himself on adventure that will take him from the high seas, to the low deserts, and from the distant past to the present.  With his trusty dog, Snowy, by his side, Tintin uncovers a story connecting two men across the centuries.. . The story is really quite good.  It's well crafted, and high paced- with just enough slow moments to build and develop the world and the characters.  This is the sort of adventure story you'd find in the old serials of the 1930's and '40's.  In fact, it felt like it was the sort of tale that you'd find Indiana Jones undertaking.  I found myself swept up, and swept along as our hero swung from one e