Black Hawk Down

Black Hawk Down

2001

Action (War)

Rated: R

Running Time: 144 minutes

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore, Eric Bana, William Fichtner, Sam Shepard, Kim Coates, Hugh Dancy, Ioan Gruffold, Jason Isaacs, Orlando Bloom, Jeremy Piven, Tom Hardy, Ty Burrell

Directed By: Ridley Scott

Rating: 8 out of 10

Outline

An American extraction goes horribly wrong in the heart of Mogadishu and some elite soldiers must fight for their lives.

Review

I have a list of movies that I will pretty much watch on a yearly basis and Black Hawk Down is one of them. It is just such a solid action packed movie that it is hard not to enjoy it. Black Hawk Down is the story of a small contingent of elite American Soldiers who are dropped into Mogadishu to capture some key Somali personnel. What transpires next are the soldiers battling for their lives against a ravenous and heavily armed opponent hell bent on their annihilation.

Based on a true story this film will shoot its way into your heart with a little bit of drama and a whole lot of bullets. The viewer is treated to a short back story of why the Americans are there in Mogadishu. From there it leads to a short introduction of the American soldiers you will be following. It is a poor introduction as there are too many key figures in this movie to get emotionally invested in the characters. With such little background info it could have been trimmed to save on this films long running time (144 minutes.) Couple that with most of the guys (outside the very well known actors) all look virtually identical in army fatigues so it seems almost like wasted time filler. No one should be dissuaded from this slow start though as the film gears up to one of the longest and most intense gunfight movies in war history. The film really starts off as the viewer is treated to some fine aerial shots of the city as the troops descend on its target. Things go wrong early for the Americans and then the situation gets downright ugly. What is hard to wrap your head around is this fight for survival takes place not on some distant battle field but amongst urban city streets and buildings. Civilians flee from the carnage as American soldier’s trade gunfire with Somali insurgents. It is cool how the film switched from different groups of soldiers as they battle their way through the unrelenting city of Mogadishu. There is virtually no breaks in the action as the elite U.S soldiers are fired on relentlessly from the roof tops and from makeshift army vehicles. This film is an adrenaline rush of bullets and blood.

This film has one of the most impressive ensemble casts in recent history. There are too many characters to go through them properly so I will give you my top three. Grimes played by Ewan McGregor somehow stole the show in this film. He is an unlikely and unassuming hero as he bumbles his way through the city with reckless courage. He provides a little levity and humor to a film that desperately needed it with such a high body count. The next is McKnight played by Tom Sizemore and he is an unflappable presence in the centre of the tornado. His iron exterior held together the soldiers when most people would probably be in shock. Lastly was Hoot played by Eric Bana who comes across as the say it like it is super soldier. It is easier to believe the Americans survived this mess when Bana is on screen. There are many other characters that stood out but these were my favorite. The camaraderie of the cast is what makes the movie awesome. The attitude of no one gets left behind brings out the best in these portrayals. This movie had moments of great sorrow that is hard to come by in a film with such high body counts but little character development.

Some people may not like the amount of action this film has but I thought it felt right somehow. These soldiers are battling for their lives and the viewer needs to realize that. You will be shocked at the atrocity of war while being totally captivated on how these trapped soldiers will exit the city. This film is also not for the squeamish as body parts and blood is spilt heavily on both sides. The film uses aerial assaults, ground assaults, sniper fire, and anything else you can think of to dazzling effect. I usually pan super gung ho army films but I got into the brotherhood of the soldiers in this film. Guys stay behind to defend a position, guys covering each other’s back, and guys running into open spaces to carry hurt people to safety are inspiring in this film. By the films end it is like a big exhale after watching such an intense mission fail so utterly bad. Bottom line is you need to watch this film as it never lets the viewer take a breath from the carnage.

Director Ridley Scott has carved an impressive career (Alien, Blade Runner) and this is just another film he should be proud of. He covers a sensitive topic tastefully and adds just the right amount of humor to lighten it at times. The camerawork and gun work is superb and hearing the helicopter's mounted guns in surround sound is something you won’t forget. In a film with so many characters and things happening I was surprised to feel sad as much as I did when people were killed. This is a film that will take its place high on the list of best action war movies out there.

I give this movie a huge recommendation to war movie lovers but really anyone who likes action should enjoy this to.

T Factor + If you like war movies than this could score higher on the rating scale.

T Factor – If you do not like graphic scenes of violence this could score lower on the rating scale.

If you liked this film reel recommendations: We Were Soldiers, Saving Private Ryan. 

Paranormal Activity 2

Paranormal Activity 2

Horror (Action, Drama, Thriller)

2010

Rated: R

Running Time: 91 minutes

Starring: Molly Ephraim, Sprague Grayden, Brian Boland

Directed By: Tod Willams

Rating: 4 out of 10

Outline

A family sets up security cameras around their house after a break in only to discover they might not be home alone.

Review

There is nothing worse in the movie industry than an uninspired sequel. A surprise hit first movie has everyone scrambling to cash in on the monetary windfall. What usually happens is the fans pay the price both literally and figuratively, and it is no different with this film. Paranormal Activity 2 is actually a prequel to the first film. It follows the story of the Rey family and it takes place only a few weeks prior to the first movie. The Rey family sets up a series of cameras after a break in, only to find out things maybe more evil then they can ever imagine.

I was looking forward to this film as I was very impressed with the first. They also took a few years in between the first and the second movies, making me have the impression that they wanted to do this movie right, instead of just hearing the cash register sound. This film represented most of what is wrong with sequels, and offered nothing new from the first. The film starts off and we are treated to the usual typical banality as the family goes about their daily lives. The film doesn’t really get going until the family’s house gets broken into, and they set up security cameras all around the house. So it is a plausible explanation as to why the cameras are there. Obviously you need to give a lot of leeway for the camera work, as there is no reason for a camera in the baby’s room, and there is no reason to be carrying a Handy cam around everywhere, especially when you might be attacked. I usually like this style of film, but I found the movie bounced around from camera to camera for no reason, way too many times for my liking. I also found the film way too similar to the first in every aspect. Sure the venue is a little bit bigger and there are a few more cameras, and sure there are a couple more people and a dog involved in this one, but that doesn’t change the frights. What was new and eerily fresh in the first film, seems played out in this one. Sure this film will make you jump when something crashes to the ground unexpectedly, but it never scares you like the first movie did. Having to sit through the same unexplained noises, the tired explanations of what is happening around the house, the apparition’s penchant for ridiculous pranks, and ultimately the same exact formatted movie is hard to take.

The Rey family is not the worst to follow in a film like this. I found they seemed generally scared and emotionally invested at all the right moments. They are not hard roles to pull off as the camerawork adds most of the realism for them. Of course in a lame plot twist, the Rey’s nanny believes in and dabbles in the occult, only adding to the films plausibility misery.

Bottom line is, no one should be blown away by this film if they have seen the first. There is something in the house that wishes the Rey family harm,and it is up to them how to deal with its torment. Sure it answers a couple of storyline questions from the first, but never really captures its own identity. Adding in a baby seems gimmicky and the scares usually come when you are expecting them. Even when the film has the odd moment of hitting that escalated terror level, an almost identical swinging chandelier from the first film is a painful reminder that this film lacks scope. This finished product seemed rushed, and comes off as uninspired, right from the start to the very end.

Director Tod Williams clearly abides by the old adage, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it attitude. His film just never gets to the same level as the first. Too many cameras and lack of a clear vision seems to doom this movie from the start. Not only did this film not further this franchise, it undoubtedly set it back big time. Failing to captivate a huge built in audience is a massive fail and that is a sad thing.

I cannot recommend this film and while the passionate fan will watch anyways the casual fan should give this a pass.

T Factor + If you are easily scared then this could score higher on the rating scale.

T Factor – If you like original material for your films then this could score lower on the rating scale.

If you liked this film reel recommendations: Grave Encounters, Poltergeist.  

Mr. Woodcock

Mr. Woodcock

2007

Comedy

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 87 minutes

Starring: Seann William Scott, Billy Bob Thornton, Susan Sarandon, Ethan Suplee, Amy Poehler

Directed By: Craig Gillespie

Rating: 2.5 out of 10

Outline

A guy has to deal with his mom dating his grade school gym teacher.

Review

So if you thought I was going to take the high road and not comment on the title of this movie...you obviously don’t know me very well. Don’t worry folks, this film is not a documentary on Betty White’s first dildo. Nor is it about Pinocchio’s foray into the adult entertainment world. This film is about a grade school gym teacher called Mr. Woodcock. He physically and mentally abuses his young students. One of his tormented students named John Farley grows up and writes a self help book. John is back in town to receive the key to the city only to find out Mr. Woodcock is dating his mom and he will do anything and everything in his power to end it.

Two glaring problems with this movie is it isn’t relatable and more importantly it really isn’t funny. This movie would have been better suited and a more believable watch if it took place in the 60’s. I am sure there are some angry gym teachers out there but Mr. Woodcock is extreme for this era and not in the Doritos way. The film starts off and we are treated to Mr. Woodcock emotionally destroying some grade school students (including John.) He calls them idiots, embarrasses them, mocks them, makes them run laps, and anything else you can think of in the abuse column. I am pretty sure most viewers will understand quite quickly that Woodcock is an ass, but they will also understand he isn’t that funny to watch. The film shoots forward many years and we are presented with John as an adult. He is a calm and confident man, and he is touring the country promoting his self help book. His tour finds him back in his childhood town and confronting his worst fears. Mr. Woodcock, his childhood nemesis and tormentor is dating his mom. The comedy is pretty weak as it is generated from two main areas. The first comedic area is John tries to break the two of them up by any means necessary. This leads to some painfully dull scenes of John investigating Mr. Woodcock’s past including a white trash ex wife, and a scene where he has to break into Woodcock’s house. The second area is seeing Mr. Woodcock being a gruff and demanding person through every aspect of his life and it gets old very quick. The film struggles like the nerdy kid in gym class to get a laugh from the viewer.

The biggest sign that this film was going to tank was in its two lead characters. John Farley played by Seann William Scott might have turned in his weakest comedic performance ever (Yes that includes Dude Where’s my Car?) He is too reserved and calm playing a self help writer. Making Scott a straight laced lead was the wrong call and he seems lost not being able to let loose. Mr. Woodcock is played by Billy Bob Thornton and he also was a terrible fit for this film. He seems to love this type of character (Bad Santa, Bad News Bears.) He is an older, mean spirited man who picks on kids. While Bad Santa brought out Thornton’s genius, the Mr. Woodcock character brought out all his flaws. He doesn’t come across as funny in any way. He just comes across as old and crotchety. Ethan Suplee, Amy Poehler, and Susan Sarandon are all also in this if you are fans of theirs.

The film never gets there comedically. It usually just has John flipping out and not being able to follow what he preaches in his book. He competes with Woodcock in sports, money earned, and his mother’s affection and it was all a little too much for my taste. There is a funny scene where they wrestle each other but it is a bright spot in a movie full of bland writing. Because the film is lacking in the joke department it comes across as more of a drama. This dramatic story is one you will want to miss as it is nothing deep or original paving the way to a disastrous ending. Bottom line the film relies too much on Woodcock telling John he is banging his mom, and John being way to calm about hearing it.

Director Craig Gillespie’s first foray into the world of full length feature comedy was a bomb. It is true when the script is an unfunny mess (Michael Carnes, Josh Gilbert) it had no chance of succeeding no matter who directed it. The casting is okay but the characters are kept in check far too often. This film really needed to be rated R to work. When you hate someone like John hates Mr. Woodcock it is an unsatisfying conclusion to hear him say he is a meanie. The jokes are too spread apart making the viewer lose interest even though this film is only 87 minutes long.

I cannot recommend this film and while maybe it has an audience with the older crowd, its PG-13 rating makes it comparable to having to play dodge ball underhanded.

T Factor + If you like Billy Bob Thornton as an actor than this could score higher on the rating scale.

T Factor – If you like crude humor than this could score lower on the rating scale.

If you liked this film reel recommendations: Rebound, Kicking and Screaming.