Sonic The Hedgehog Is Surprisingly Fun and Enjoyable [Review]

In the small town of Green Hills, Montana, a blue anthropomorphic hedgehog named Sonic  lives in hiding after being forced out off his home world due to his powers of super speed. After accidentally causing a blackout throughout the western seaboard, Sonic attracts the attention of Dr. Ivo Robotnik, an eccentric evil genius whom the government has hired to figure out the cause of the blackout. After discovering the existence of Sonic he must goon the run once again, but enlists the help of local police officer Tom Wachowski to aid him in avoiding capture.

Sonic The Hedgehog provides a decent amount of action and humor to draw in even the most casual of moviegoer. We watch as Sonic dashes around causing mischief and escaping danger through different environments like the big city or the quiet countryside, deriving enjoyment along the way.

Jim Carrey steals the show as Dr. Robotnik, period. This movie, probably, would not have worked with anyone else in the role. Jim has a talent and that talent is showcased when he gets roles like this.

Jeff Fowler, who makes his directorial debut, does a fine job juggling his storytelling duties with showing off some solid special effects along the way.

Comedian Ben Schwartz was a decent get to do the voice of sonic. If you remember the cartoon that aired then you know what I mean when I say he sounds like Sonic.

James Marsden as Tom Wachowski really filled out the movie. He is not relegated to playing the straight man role but also has his fair share of funny moments as well.

Sonic The Hedgehog is one of the rare moments where a video game turned movie actually works. If you enjoyed POKÉMON: Detective Pikachu then this one is right up your alley.


Rating 8/10 Stars 

Legend No.17 The Valeri Kharlamov Story [Review]

Legend No. 17 is a 2013 Russian film that tells the story of the star Soviet hockey player Valeri Kharlamov. The film centers on the first game of the Super Series, a 1972 series of 8 games to be played between the Soviet National Hockey Team and Canadian professional players, who were said to be the best players in the world.

Valeri Kharlamov was born January 14, 1948 in Moscow to Boris and Begonita Kharlamov. Begoñita, who was born Carmen Orive Abad, was originally from Bilbao, Spain, but moved to the Soviet Union in 1937 as a refugee from the Spanish Civil War. He was named after Valery Chkalov, a pioneering Soviet pilot. Due to his mother's heritage, Kharlamov would be nicknamed "The Spaniard" throughout his career.

The film does a good job of painting a picture of Kharlamov's life as it jumps around from his time as a child in Spain to his early years of playing hockey.

Actor Danila Kozlovskiy does a fantastic job of carrying the film as Kharlamov as does the rest of the supporting cast in their respective roles.

While I can't comment on dialogue, my Russian is flimsy at best, you feel, see and hear the inflection in each actors voice when speaking. Even if you don't understand everything that is said you get the gist and it comes across very well.

Legend No. 17 is one of the best hockey biopics that I have seen in some time. This is one of those films that should sit on every hockey fans' shelf right in between Miracle and Slap Shot.


Rating: 8/10 Pucks

Sam Elliott Is Superlative In The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then The Bigfoot [Review]

Calvin Barr (Sam Elliott), is an old man living his last days in his quiet hometown with his dog who is haunted by his memories of World War II where he undertook a mission to assassinate Adolf Hitler. He was successful in his mission, however the operation was classified and never revealed to the public. One day two men approach him identifying themselves as joint American and Canadian government agents. They explain that all life on Earth may be coming to an end as a strange virus has been killing people and animals around the world and the original source of the virus is Bigfoot itself. Knowing Barr is a highly trained tracker and survivalist, and one of the few people on Earth immune to the virus, the agents try to recruit him to go into the wilderness and kill the Bigfoot in hopes it will end the epidemic.

The premise may sound like a crazy B-movie but do not be fooled, this is a story of loss, struggle and regret while also touching on the idea of duty and what it means to truly have a gift that is both a gift and a curse. It's less about the assassination of Hitler or the hunting of the Bigfoot but what those actions leave in its wake.

The key to this film working so well lays solely with Sam Elliott. He plays the character of Calvin straight with no hint of how absurd his characters life experience is. Had he shifted a hair left or right then this becomes something tonally different, it would go from dramatic to tongue-in-cheek instantly. Thankfully Elliott committed to the latter and gave, what one could argue, is the best performance of his career.

But don't let the true focus of the movie cause you to tapout prematurely because even after the deep character study we are treated to the coolest scene ever filmed. Sam Elliott fighting Bigfoot in a no-holds-barred fight to the death.

The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then The Bigfoot has so much packed into it that anyone can walk away feeling more than entertained. Regardless of genre preference this is one film you don't want to skip on.


Rating: 8.5/10 Stars



Rich Stile @TheDevilsEyes1

Overlord Perfectly Blends Horror and Action [Review]

Overlord set out to tell a good horror story that has a ton of action set against the backdrop of World War II, so if you are looking for a historically accurate war movie just move along. Now for those of you who want to see the Third Reich create mutated super-soldiers that are unstoppable killing machines, then this is the movie for you.

With only hours until D-Day, a team of American paratroopers drop into Nazi-occupied France to carry out a mission that's crucial to the invasion's success. Tasked with destroying a radio transmitter atop a fortified church, the desperate soldiers join forces with a young French villager to penetrate the walls and take down the tower. But, in a mysterious Nazi lab beneath the church, the outnumbered G.I.s come face-to-face with enemies unlike any the world has ever seen.

The cast of Overlord is an excellent mixed bag of character actors who all deliver great performances but the duo of Wyatt Russell and Jovan Adepo shine the brightest. Their on screen chemistry is akin to Wyatt's father and Stallone's in Tango and Cash. These two play well off each other and, in turn, give the ending more depth. 

The effects and set pieces are worth their weight in gold. From the opening paratrooper jump sequence that is, probably, the best ever put on screen to the final shot of Wafner (Pilou Asbaek) in all his undead glory; this film has everything you could want from two different genres blended into awesomeness.   

Overlord is a fun film that feels like a really dark take on Captain American and the super-soldier serum. Instead of fighting for justice with new found power we get ravenous mutated Nazi's who will tear you apart and devour your innards. 


Rating: 8/10 Stars  



Rich Stile @TheDevilsEyes1

The Predator Only Managed To Kill The Franchise [Review]

The Predator series has taken many twists and turns throughout its history. Some good and some outright bizarre, with most believing Requiem is as bad as the series could get... Not true. The latest installment of the Predator series not only undermines the basis of the franchise but sees the creation of an intergalactic PETA (with humans being the ones who need the ethical treatment).

There is so much here that is bothersome and mind-blowing. How do two writers as talented as Shane Black and Fred Dekker churn out a script that makes AvP:Requiem look not so bad. Looking at their track record this should have been a walk in the park for the duo, but instead it will go down as their worst project collectively.

The premise of the movie complete kills the mythos of the Predator species. They are supposed to be a species that hunts all different creatures but respects what they hunt if it gains the upper hand in battle. Its not a sport for them but a test of ability and a way to gauge their species superiority as a whole. This entry implies that there is a faction of predators who think that humans need protected and should not be hunted at all. And this faction has been in contact with the government and planning to help them out with a weapon; The Anti-Predator.

The Predator looks okay for the first half of the movie but when they bring out Super-Predator it becomes a silly, overly CGI'd mess.

There is very little to like here. The acting is very lackluster with the exception of Holbrook, Brown and Busey who actually commit to their roles and play their parts perfectly.

The Predator is an entry into the series that was in no way needed. This entry should have been a follow-up to Predators and not a Predators for the Ethical Treatment of Assholes story.   


Rating: 5.5/10 Stars

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Sucks Donkey Balls [Review]

Okay, I get it, I should have know better but they dangled Jeff Goldblum out in front of me and like a stupid fish in a pay pond I bit again. I bit down hard only to find out that Goldblum has the smallest role ever and the entire movie was an exercise in how to trick idiots into spending their money, this feeling has to be similar to what the fish feel in a pay pond. The worst thing about it is that in two years they'll probably dangle Sam Neill out there and catch me again.... Damn do I feel like an idiot.

Whatever. This movie  has no redeeming value at all except for a Pachy that runs around ramming people in a small crowded area.

The CGI is so bloated and overdone that the one scene featuring a physical T-Rex failed to entertain because it became lost in the sea of nonsense.

When you make a movie called Jurassic World I expect dinosaurs to be featured heavily in the story and by that I mean real ones. Not these man made Indo breeds that have now been feature twice as the bad guy (animal). Dinosaurs are scary enough that you don't have to make up new ones.  

This is a movie you agree to make when you are getting a divorce and know that you have to cut some big checks in the coming months. Yea, Chris Pratt, it shows on screen when you do something for a paycheck. That goes for you too Ron Howard's daughter (I  honestly can't remember her name and I'm to lazy to switch tabs and google it).

I think it's safe to blame everyone who worked on this film as the downfall here. Poor acting, poor writing... No atrocious writing, inexcusable plot and an overall product that is half baked and tastes like a shitcicle.

Please save your money and do not see this travesty of a movie. I can't believe I'm saying this but go see Ocean's 8. Seriously, it's better than it has any right to be. Or see anything else that is not Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.... Maybe just save your money.

Also any half-assed journalist who gives this movie a good review is a shill and did so for a paycheck or they are even dumber than I am and thought a minute of Goldblum was worth the price of admission.

Rating: 3/10 Stars



Rich Stile @TheDevilsEyes1

Fate of the Furious Fires on All Cylinders [Review]

The Fast and the Furious Franchise returns to theaters with its 8th installment, Fate of the Furious, and while lacking a key component in Paul Walker's Brian O' Connor it still manages to be a fun filled, action packed ride.

With Dom and Letty married, Brian and Mia retired and the rest of the crew exonerated, the globe-trotting team has found some semblance of a normal life. They soon face an unexpected challenge when a mysterious woman named Cipher forces Dom to betray them all. Now, they must unite to bring home the man who made them a family and stop Cipher from unleashing chaos.

Say what you want about Vin Diesel, but when he fully commits to a performance he delivers in spades and Dominic Toretto is one of those performances. Vin is now the glue that holds the 'Fast' ship together since the death of Paul Walker and he shows now signs of faltering in this role. This time around he hits a range of emotions that he hasn't hit since Man Apart and a quality performance that's reminiscent of Find Me Guilty. The entire cast fires on all cylinders and gives great performances, but this movie's focus is almost entirely on Toretto with a slight detour to Statham's character.

Jason Statham's Ian Shaw should not have worked as an addition to the team, yet somehow it works and it works beautifully. Shaw doesn't do a full 180 from bad to good, he goes more like bad to bad with a purpose. He's more of an anti-hero and is best likened to The Punisher. His character shows that good and bad are simply perspective and anyone, even Toretto, will do evil for the greater good.

Charlize Theron is the villain this time around and looks fantastic on the screen, but doesn't commit to the part fully. She has definitely given better performances in her amazing career but this one just middles, never quite hitting its potential. Still a decent villain, just not a great one.

Fate of the Furious does  have a glaring weak spot, thought, in Scott Eastwood. His character feels tacked on simply to fill the void left by Paul Walker and his lines fall a bit flat. Hopefully he finds his stride by the next installment because he is the legacy of one of the greatest actors of all time and to see him not live up to that potential would be tragic.

Fate hits all notes that we have come to expect from this franchise and even surprises with a few new ones. If you enjoyed any of the previous installments than there is no reason for you to miss this one.


Rating: 9/10 Stars



Rich Stile @TheDevilsEyes1

Power Rangers Is a Morphin Good Time [Review]

Five ordinary teens must become something extraordinary when they learn that their small town of Angel Grove - and the world - is on the verge of being obliterated by an alien threat. Chosen by destiny, our heroes quickly discover they are the only ones who can save the planet. But to do so, they will have to overcome their real-life issues and before it's too late, band together as the Power Rangers.

Defeated a long time ago and sacrificing himself to protect the powers that Rita so badly seeks, is Zordon (Bryan Cranston) who becomes a trainer/mentor to the new recruits: Jason the Red Ranger (Dacre Montgomery), Kimberly the Pink Ranger (Naomi Scott), Billy the Blue Ranger (RJ Cyler), Zack the Black Ranger (Ludi Lin) and Trini the Yellow Ranger (Becky G). Helped by the slightly excitable, and totally humorous Alpha 5 (voiced by Bill Hader).

With a feature film budget, the Power Rangers have been brought into the twenty first century. The Suits and Zords have received an major upgrade. The film sticks to its roots and keeps many a childhood memories intact. Yet it doesn’t take itself too seriously leaving room for a lot of very funny scenes. And to top it all off there is a sweet little cameo by Jason David Frank and Amy Jo Johnson, the original Green and Pink Rangers.

A fun, action packed outing, and without an overly complicated story line, but a good dose of laughter. Power Rangers is thoroughly entertaining. As the transition from television show to big screen goes, the filmmakers have done a superb job. Keeping all the characteristics of the original series that will leave one with a feeling of nostalgia, and expanding those areas necessary to make for rather good film.



Rating: 7/10 Stars

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Is Pointless but Fun [Review]

In a time of conflict, a group of unlikely heroes band together on a mission to steal the plans to the Death Star, the Empire's ultimate weapon of destruction. This key event in the Star Wars timeline brings together ordinary people who choose to do extraordinary things, and in doing so, become part of something greater than themselves.

Did we really need this entry into the franchise? No, but is it still fun to watch? Yes.

A spoiler warning would be pointless because you know what's going to happen, unless you're some type of weirdo who decided that this is where you'll jump on to that Star Wars thingy.

The premise of Rogue One is laughable, the entire purpose of the movie is to explain why there was a 2 meter opening that is "about the size of a Womp Rat" and is capable of destroying the entire Death Star. Seriously, this is the point of the movie. But it's cool, there are far worse entries into the franchise and for as dumb as the plot is there are still some awesome moments to behold.

(The movie exists so Family Guy would quit making these jokes)



The setup is really slow and doesn't pick up till about an hour in and only then it's brief and back to slow. The payoff is the last 30 minutes where we get a huge battle, a R2D2/C3PO cameo, more Vader and Princess Leia. The acting is really good and it was nice to see Vader in all his badassery again. Also the blind Asian guy (Donnie Yen) was an awesome character and Yen killed the role.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story might be pointless and unnecessary, but if your a fan of the series then you'll like it and if you're not, then maybe this is a good place to jump into the series, but probably not.


Rating: 7/10 Stars  



Rich Stile @TheDevilsEyes1

The Magnificent Seven Ride Again [Review]

Westerns, for a long time they were as profitable as horror movies and just as big a staple in the industry. Though their popularity has waned over the years they are still a viable route to tell stories that couldn't happen in a modern setting. The Magnificent Seven remake knows this and takes advantage by upping the ante of it's predecessor, while still holding true to the genre.

Looking to mine for gold, greedy industrialist Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard) seizes control of the town of Rose Creek. With their lives in jeopardy, Emma Cullen (Haley Bennett) and other desperate residents turn to bounty hunter Sam Chisolm (Denzel Washington) for help. Chisolm recruits an eclectic group of gunslingers to take on Bogue and his ruthless henchmen. With a deadly showdown on the horizon, the seven mercenaries soon find themselves fighting for more than just money once the bullets start to fly.

Antoine Fuqua direction coupled with Mauro Fiore's cinematography creates a western that is paced like a modern day action movie but feels like a classic western at the same time. All the action takes place in-camera and add a level of authenticity that many movies have lacked thanks to the advent of CGI.

The cast is exceptional all the way around. Everyone is given ample time to shine and they do so brightly. Washington, Hawke, D' Onofrio, Hun Lee, Garcia-Rulfo, Sensmeier and Pratt come together like old friends who are just having a good time first and making a 90 million dollar movie second. Hopefully this won't be the last western we see Washington in as he feels very natural in the role.

The only downside to the movie is that its PG-13 rating hinders the dialogue a bit making it feel clunky and a bit forced at times. Also the lack of blood makes a few of the deaths look hokey where the gun goes bang and the guy just falls over (but I guess this could be taken as an homage to the westerns of the past).

Magnificent Seven is a fun, action-packed thrill ride that is rough but a little soft on the grit. Yet it still works beautifully and lives up to the name Magnificent Seven. If you want a fun movie that is visually packed with action and classic stunt work, look no farther.


Rating: 7.5/10 Stars



Rich Stile @TheDevilsEyes1

Suicide Squad Is the Foundation of the DC Cinematic Universe [Review]

Suicide Squad wasn't made for critics, it was made for people who are fans of the DC property and, the obvious answer, to make money. While I can't comment on the financial side of the movie, I can tell you that it hits almost every mark to whet the appetite of a genuine DC comic book fan and is a fun-fueled, action-packed ride from start to finish.

You know the setup, but in the event that you don't here is a quick refresher: Figuring they're all expendable, a U.S. intelligence officer decides to assemble a team of dangerous, incarcerated supervillains for a top-secret mission. Now armed with government weapons, Deadshot (Will Smith), Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Captain Boomerang, Killer Croc and other despicable inmates must learn to work together. Dubbed Task Force X, the criminals unite to battle a mysterious and powerful entity, while the diabolical Joker (Jared Leto) launches an evil agenda of his own.

Part of me wants to spoil the movie and talk about the scenes that are pulled directly from the comic book, the tie-ins with other super heroes and all the little nods to characters both here and there, but I can't.  I do that then I come off as a gushing fanboy and I ruin some awesome surprises that need to be seen, so let me reset.

The cast here is really awesome, I had many reservations about how the characters would be portrayed but they where completely alleviated after the first 15 minutes.

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Killer Croc is so good, seriously I thought it wouldn't work but Adewale kills it and brings Croc to life. The practical fx on Killer Croc is so good that you have no trouble believing that a crocodile-man exists in the world.

Jai Courtney makes Captain Boomerang a hardcore badass. His comic counterpart is okay, but here we get a version of CB that I have always wanted. Jai has the comedic timing and the physicality to be both funny and imposing when need be. I really hope we get to see Jai in The Flash movie because more Captain Boomerang is never a bad thing.

Jay Hernandez as El Diablo is a beast and carries the most tortured backstory out of the Squad. Hernandez is the only one who doesn't want to be what he is and feels punished by his gift/curse. The backstory combined with Hernandez's acting is just a one-two punch to the gut. You are instantly invested in this character and feels that he deserves redemption more than anyone.

Will Smith. I'm glad to say that he can in fact do a bad guy extremely well and is a very deserving Deadshot. Smith takes the character of Deadshot and makes him more than just a hitman. He is a guy who enjoys his job, but also cares deeply for his daughter. Smith is able to show Deadshot has no qualms killing, but having his daughter think he is a waste is worse than a bullet to the head. Smith could very well carry a Deadshot solo film and I'd happily pay to watch it.

Last, but not least, is the star of the hour Margot Robbie as the pitch perfect Harley Quinn. Simply put, if you watched Batman: TAS growing up this is that Harley come to life. From the voice to the mannerisms Robbie is the living incarnate of Harley Quinn. But to take it a step farther, she is 10x more vicious than here animated counterpart... She is to Harley Quinn what Heath Ledger was to the Joker; perfect.

Speaking of the Joker..... As much a I enjoyed Suicide Squad there is one small hitch and really it can be fixed in future movies. Jared Leto's voice for the Joker needs to be tweaked. Leto delivered perfectly with his mannerisms but when talking it feels off. The look of Joker is awesome (said that since day one) and complements Quinn perfectly. He look like a drawing brought to life and has the laugh too, but the odd delivery of dialogue needs to be more fine tuned. However when Leto and Robbie share the screen, it is clear that the two work greatly together and are quite picturesque.

There is a lot more that I would like to explain in great detail but, again, that forces me to do spoilers, so I'll leave you with this...

Suicide Squad is a great addition to the DC cinematic universe and is the first time where we get the villains point-of-view throughout a story. Often we think of villains as one-dimensional with basic goals, but David Ayer does a fantastic job of showing that everyone has their reasonings and that no one, with the exception of the Joker, sets out to be a bad guy. This movies does more than setup villains for future installments, it is the connective tissue that the entire DCCU will be built upon.




Rating: 8.5/10 Stars 




Rich Stile @TheDevilsEyes1









          

X-Men: Apocalypse Goes for the Emotional Farewell [Review]

In 3600 BC, ancient Egypt, a mutant with the ability to transfer his consciousness into the bodies of others, known as En Sabah Nur (Oscar Isaac), is in the process of assuming a new body when a resistance group destroys the pyramid where he and his followers, including his Four Horsemen, are in, causing one of his followers to seal him in the rubble and put him in a sleep. Thousands of years later, in the year 1983, his remaining followers accidentally awaken him from his sleep. Meanwhile, Professor Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) has opened a school for mutants to help them control their powers. When En Sabah Nur, a.k.a. Apocalypse, recruits four powerful mutants, Angel (Ben Hardy), Psylocke (Olivia Munn), Storm (Alexandria Shipp) and Magneto (Michael Fassbender), to help him in his quest for world domination, it is up to Charles and the X-Men to stop him before it is too late.

I have enjoyed the X-Men series since the beginning and though I had worries about Apocalypse, the movie doesn't disappoint for those who have been on this 16+ year ride. Those of you who have not seen the previous movies or those who are not familiar with the series will not enjoy the movie as much as  the diehards, but you will still have a great time especially if you are coming off Days of Future Past.

The parts of the movie that work the best are the ones that viewers are most familiar with. Michael Fassbender delivers a powerful performance as Magneto once again. His story is one of pain and suffering since WWII and has yet to let up. Just when he thinks he has found happiness, it is ripped away in one of the saddest scenes in the movie. Tye Sheridan does an awesome job of stepping into the role of Scott Summers and really lives up to the characters potential; James Marsden would be proud. Finally, though it lasts 2 minutes tops, is the cameo from Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. Sure it's a bucket list thing, but seeing Jackman escape the Weapon X facility looks as if it was ripped from the pages of the Weapon X comic.

However, there are a few hitches with this installment. Jennifer Lawrence feels burned out as Mystique and doesn't give as good as a performance as Days of Future Past. The timeline is again altered in a way that makes it really hard to continue thinking of these as a prequel to the original. And lastly It leaves you wondering where they could possibly go from here. But the final entry into this series has yet to be written and when Wolverine 3 is released next year, then I guess we will know where we stand.

Overall this is one that fans, casual or diehard, don't want to miss. It may not be the opus that was Days of Future Past, but it is a solid fun entry none the less.



Rating: 8/10 Stars 







Rich Stile @TheDevilsEyes1

Captain America: Civil War Hits Marvel High Mark [Review]

Recently Marvel's cinematic universe has been hit and miss for me. Iron Man 3 was a let down, Avengers: Age of Ultron was a clusterfuck and Thor has yet to find its legs, but Captain America has never disappointed. Yet when Civil War was announced, I had trepidation about what was to come. After AOU dropped the ball with a packed cast, I felt that a comic book movie couldn't work with so many characters fighting for screen time; man am I happy I was wrong.

This review is tough for me because, A) I don't want to drop any spoilers and B) There is far too much to cover and explain why it's so good without dropping spoilers. So you see, I find myself at an impasse and the only way out of it is to essentially tell you nothing but this.

Captain America: Civil War might not be a diehard adaptation of its comic book counterpart, but it is one of the best movies I have ever seen. The Russo's have outdone themselves with not just a solid movie, but a movie that is the best yet to come out of the Disney/Marvel house.  If this is what the Russo's have to offer, I can't wait to see them take on Infinity Wars.




Rating: 9/10


Rich Stile @TheDevilsEyes1

Kevin Costner Is Criminally Spectacular in Criminal [Review]

When a CIA agent named Bill Pope (Ryan Reynolds) dies before he can reveal the secret location to a hacker named The Dutchman, the CIA implements a desperate plan to find his whereabouts. They turn to an experimental neurosurgeon who can transfer memories from one brain to another. The guinea pig picked for the procedure is Jerico (Kevin Costner), a dangerous death-row inmate who now possesses Pope's memories and abilities.

The synopsis above might seem familiar, especially if you have seen Reynold's previous film Self/Less, but let me assure you that the only thing this has in common with the previous film is the idea of transferring memories. Once you hit that point you are in for a whole different beast of a film. Unlike the other film, that see Reynolds as the star, where it's a good man trying to do a good thing, we see a bad man struggling internally with doing good things while wanting to do bad.

First and foremost, Costner steals the show and proves, once again, that he is incapable of giving a bad performance. From the caged, animalistic demeanor of Jericho to the kinder, gentler Pope, never once does the performance falter or seem unrealistic. Costner has raw talent and at the the age of 61 is still razor sharp.

The supporting cast of Gal Gaddot as Jill (Bill's wife), Gary Oldman and Tommy Lee Jones round out a group of principle players who deliver on screen as we have become accustomed to. Gaddot is excellent in the role of the grieving wife who sees a glimmer of her husband in a man who is foreign to her.

Overall the film is an amazingly fun ride that balances action with a story of redemption and the battle to do right when all you have even know is wrong. If you enjoy Kevin Costner films, then this is one to see as he is on his A-game here.



Rating: 8.5/10 Stars


Rich Stile @TheDevilsEyes1

Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight [Review]

While racing toward the town of Red Rock in post-Civil War Wyoming, bounty hunter John "The Hangman" Ruth (Kurt Russell) and his fugitive prisoner (Jennifer Jason Leigh) encounter another bounty hunter (Samuel L. Jackson) and a man who claims to be a sheriff. Hoping to find shelter from a blizzard, the group travels to a stagecoach stopover located on a mountain pass. Greeted there by four strangers, the eight travelers soon learn that they may not make it to their destination after all.

Tarantino is one of the best filmmakers of his generation. The man knows how to write a compelling story and shoot it in a way that you know from the opening reel it's a Tarantino picture; he is an auteur.

The Hateful Eight is a western unlike any before, it has the feel of a classic Serigo Leone film but a sense of dread that can only be likened to John Carpenters The Thing.

The cast is outstanding and should have taken home more than just the Oscar for Best Score. Both Jennifer Jason Leigh and Walton Goggins deliver performances that should have easily secured them Best Supporting Actor awards (only Leigh managed to get nominated).

The cinematography is a thing of beauty, Tarantino's decision to shoot in 70mm fills each frame with so much visual information you need more than one viewing to drink it all in.

The film is almost perfect, but hits a small snag when Tarantino decides to hold the audience's hand and walk them through the chapter "Domergue has a secret". He does this by narrating the story and pointing out exactly what is happening instead of showing it a way where the viewer can connect the dots on their own.

The Hateful Eight may hit a snag but the the overall product is still amazing and worth watching every second of its 180 minute runtime. If you are a Tarantino, Western, Horror or Kurt Russell fan then you have no reason not to see this movie.



Rating: 9/10 Stars 



Rich Stile @TheDevilsEyes1

Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice is Perfection [Review]

Contrary to popular belief, it's not easy to take a comic book property and bring it to life. Sure, it may sound easy but when you get down to it they are making a movie that needs to be understood by your average Joe, not just the fanboys. For the most part studios have done a good job at this but it always has the fan inside me saying "I wish (fill in the blank) would have happened", well for the first time I don't have an I wish.

There are only two other comic book movies that I feel are perfect representations of the source material and were tweaked enough to be understood by anyone; Captain America: The Winter Soldier and X-Men: Days of Future Past. These two films encapsulate everything I could possibly want out of a comic turned movie, but Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice is what I wanted, no, needed for a long time.

I 'll get this out of the way right now. You ever watch one of the many DC animated movies or series and it was so good you thought "man, I'd love to see that as a live action movie.", have you? Well, you probably did and I honestly believe David S. Goyer and Chris Terrio have too.  These two men managed to cherry pick the best parts of The Dark Knight Returns, Death of Superman and sprinkle it with nods to every iteration of the characters across their many avenues that you will be hard pressed to find a second of the movie where the characters are not done justice.

What really comes as a shock is that this entry leans heavily in favor of comic book fans and not Joe Blow movie goer. You are thrown into a world where Wonder Woman has lost faith in humanity, Batman doesn't see the good in the world and Superman isn't even sure his existence is a positive thing. There is no backstory to get you up to speed, if you followed these characters at all for the last half century,  then you know what's what.  Out of every comic book movie ever this one feels like it was truly made for the comic book fan.

I could sit here and give you a detailed synopsis of the film or tell you how awesome Ben Affleck is not only as Batman but as Bruce Wayne, but that would not do this movie justice. This is one of those movies that you need to experience, not read about. And you shouldn't take anything I say as rule, you should go out decide for yourself. I will, however, leave you with this...

 Batman V Superman is filled with outstanding performances from Affleck, Cavill, Eisenberg, Adams, Irons and Gadot. They fully embody the characteristics and mannerisms of the comic book characters that I have grown up loving. There is no moment when the movie felt too crowed and each character is given ample time to breathe. This is what many comic book movies shoot for but few fail to achieve. My only complaint is that I wish it was longer, but we are getting a 3hr DVD cut so problem solved.


Rating: 9/10 Stars




Rich Stile  @TheDevilsEyes1

Gods of Egypt, A Tale of Love and War [Review]

If you enjoyed the recent iteration of Clash and Wrath of the Titans, 300 or are just in the mood for a fantastical story of love and war, then Gods of Egypt is right up your alley.

In Gods of Egypt the survival of mankind hangs in the balance when Set (Gerard Butler), the merciless god of darkness, usurps Egypt's throne and plunges the prosperous empire into chaos and conflict. Hoping to save the world and rescue his true love, a defiant mortal named Bek (Brenton Thwaites) forms an unlikely alliance with the powerful god Horus (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau). Their battle against Set and his henchmen takes them into the afterlife and across the heavens for an epic confrontation.

 The casting for the movie is amazing: Gerard Butler (Set), Chadwick Boseman (Thot), Geoffrey Rush (Ra the Sun God),  Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Horus), Brenton Thwaities (Bek) and Elodie Yung (Hathor) give performances that are astounding. The entire cast did a beautiful job and each one deserves high praise, but I have not the time nor patience to list them all. Just know everyone involved did a fantastic job.

The visual effects can seem off putting at first as each frame is saturated with content, but once you adjust you're able to drink in a world full of fantastical design and legendary mythical gods.

Gods of Egypt may seem like just another action adventure story covered in CGI, but at it's core it is a story about true love and the lengths that one will go to for the one that holds their heart. Be it a god in love with a goddess or a mortal who will travel to hell and back, this movie is a genuine tale of love.

Gods of Egypt is a must see if you enjoy mythical tales of gods and goddess, battles of biblical proportions and a story that anyone can relate to. As for the "whitewashing" it's a movie and none of this stuff ever happened in real life, so it is whatever the filmmaker wants, not the viewer.

Rating: 8/10 Stars 


Rich Stile @TheDevilsEyes1

Blunt Force Trauma Hits The Mark [Review]

Blunt Force Trauma is a modern-day western done right. It takes the art of dueling and showcases it unlike any other film before, with the exception of Sam Raimi's The Quick and The Dead. Even though The Quick and The Dead has tread here before, Blunt Force Trauma still covers new ground and pulls off a unique telling of a classic American mythos.  

John (Ryan Kwanten) travels around South America engaging in non-lethal dueling. Two contestants enter an arena wearing bulletproof vests, each enter a designated circle, then duel till one of the players can no longer stand in their circle. Most countries have banned the game, hence the international group of players hunting down one match after another. John eventually pairs up with a player called Colt (Freida Pinto). She has a car, and needs his help to find a player who killed her brother. John, meanwhile, is trying to earn a bout with Zorringer (Mickey Rourke), a legendary fighter who now stays in a remote area and lets only the best come to shoot at him.

 Ryan Kwanten and Freida Pinto are perfectly cast for this film. Ryan delivers a stellar performance as a man who wants nothing more than to be the best and challenge the best. To him it's not about the money, it's about the grace and purity of the duel. Freida brings to life a character who is hunting for meaningless revenge only to hold on to the memory of her brother.

The cinematography is beautiful. The film is truly one perfect shot after another.

Blunt Force Trauma is not just a tale of people shooting at each other. It's about one man who finds the beauty and grace in the art of the duel and his journey to become the best. It may have amazing gun duels, but there is far more here than what lies on the surface.


Rating: 9/10 Stars





Rich Stile @TheDevilsEyes1

Heroes of Dirt Is Definitely Rad [Review]

 There are a ton of BMX videos on the market today. They are usually a half hour in length and consist mainly of riding and a few skits here and there. But those are just "riding videos", they are a very different beast from a feature film. Now anyone who grew up in the late 80's and 90's knows there is only one feature film that combined riding with a compelling story structure; RAD. The Holy Grail of feature film BMX.

RAD is the benchmark for riders and filmmakers alike. The movie came at a time when BMX was riding its first major wave of popularity and showed kids all around the world that if you try hard enough nothing is impossible. Thought the film didn't do well in theaters it became a cult classic on VHS for many a young riders (myself included). But BMX fell off for a little bit and so no one could see a reason to make another BMX. As the years past RAD only grew in popularity and when BMX came back in 1995, thanks to the X-Games, audiences were ready for another BMX film. The only problem was how do you make one as good as RAD?

That question has been the bane of every rider's existence. For twenty nine years we have waited for someone, anyone to step up and take a shot at making a new BMX film. Twenty nine years is a long time to wait, but finally someone has stepped up to the challenge; enter Eric Bugbee's Heroes of Dirt.

Phin Cooper (Joel Moody), wants nothing more in life than to be a pro BMX dirt Jumper. After missing out the Heroes of Dirt competition, he lands in jail for unpaid citations, he is court-ordered for community service and reluctantly mentors one of the boys, Blue Espinosa (Will Martinez) in the ways of the BMX. As luck would have it Phin gets a second chance to show his skills at Heroes of Dirt when another rider becomes injured.  But Blue's world of drug trafficking threatens Phin's ultimate dream when he is faced with a choice: help Blue or help himself.

Casting for the film is on point and very surprising in the quality of acting from everyone involved. Of course the major highlight here is Bill Allen, the one and only Cru Jones, playing the father of Phin. Even though his role is small, it was awesome to see him in a BMX film that wasn't a documentary about RAD. Joel Moody does a fantastic job as the lead and really sells the character as a up-and-coming dirt rider who just happens to get the short end of the stick. William Martinez gives a stellar performance as Blue, the kid who makes poor decisions but has tons of potential just beneath the surface.

The film does have some slow parts and maybe it could have used some ass-sliding but the story, as a whole, is pretty good. My only true gripe with the film is I would like to have seen more riding, but I understand this is a hard genre to crack so I'll be lenient on that.

Is Heroes of Dirt better than RAD, no but I don't think any BMX film will ever be, simply because it was the first. However, if RAD was George Washington then Heroes of Dirt is Abraham Lincoln and that's not a bad guy to be.

If you are a BMXer then you should see this film. If you just enjoy a good story then you too should see this film. My point, everyone should check this out at least once, because it would be a shame to have to wait another twenty nine years for another BMX film. My hats off to Eric Bugbee, you stepped up and took a chance when many others wouldn't, for that I salute you.


Rating: 7.5/10 Stars



Rich Stile @TheDevilsEyes1

Creed Is a Masterful Entry In The Rocky Series [Review]

The Rocky Franchise began in 1976 when Sylvester Stallone took on the title role in the film that he wrote called Rocky. From there the film spawned five sequels and now a sixth quasi sequel titled Creed.

Creed is the other side of the Rocky coin. We all know what happened in his life and the tribulations that he suffered, but we never got a full picture of what Apollo faced in his own life. The film shows us that not everything was perfect on the other side of the fence and that before he died, he fathered another son. This film is as much about Apollo as it is about his son and what it's like growing up in the shadow of a man who never had the chance to know you.

Ryan Coogler pulled double duty on this film as he both wrote and directed this entry of the franchise. This being only his second feature, his first Fruitvale Station, he delivers shots that make him look like a seasoned pro. The in-ring fight sequences where beyond beautiful and in the first "real" fight played out in one continuous shot.

Coogler's ability to direct is equally matched by his ability to write and he wrote one hell of a story. His dialogue and backstory to Adonis (Michael B. Jordan) is so in sync with the franchise it's hard to believe that he, and not Stallone, is responsible for this entry. Coogler did his homework for this film and it shows in spades.

Jordan, most of all, redeems himself after coming off the poorly received Fantastic Four reboot and shows he has the ability to act well and carry a franchise. He does an amazing job channeling Carl Weathers' Apollo and using it as a springboard to become his own man.  His performance is outstanding and fits in the Rocky universe so well you feel like he was there the whole time.

However, Stallone gives a once in a lifetime performance as an aging Rocky Balboa. At almost seventy years old he shows us a side of Rocky that we've never seen before. This Rocky has lost almost everyone, is tired and wants nothing more than to see his wife once again. Stallone shows just what an actor he is by delivering the most emotional performance of his career. Stallone may be getting older, but he is at the top of his game.

Creed is one of the best films I have seen this year and it is a very deserving entry into the Rocky franchise. Hopefully this isn't the end to the Rocky series, but a beginning to a new Creed series.

Rating: 10/10 Stars
  



Rich Stile @TheDevilsEyes1