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Post by stefancrosscoe on Sept 4, 2023 12:47:32 GMT
RoboCop (1987)In a futuristic, dystopian Detroit, a corporation running the police department unleashes a cyborg to fight out-of-control crime that's taken over the city. A timeless action classic. Definitely a thinking-person's action movie. The satirical take on urban decay, capitalism and dehumanization is just as relevant today. Paul Verhoeven's meticulous direction and keen eye for detail help bring together a believable depiction of a dystopian society, a style Verhoeven would continue with on with other sci-fi action thrillers as Total Recall and Starship Troopers. Verhoeven also has a sense of realistic violence, so bloody and brutal that some scenes had to be trimmed in order for RoboCop to avoid the dreaded X rating at the time of release. If you've seen the unrated version on video with those scenes reinstated, you know how even more graphic and bloody it can be. RoboCop boasts some of meanest and nastiest villains in cinema history. This is a gang of thugs who thoroughly enjoy killing somebody slowly in a very sadistic manner. The leader is Clarence Boddicker, and Kurtwood Smith does a fabulous job in giving the character charisma and tenacity. On paper RoboCop may come across as a bubble gum, cartoonish, comic book superhero hero flick, but it's definitely an adult-oriented, thought-provoking sci-fi action thriller. I'd but that for a dollar! 9/10 Masterpiece of an sci-fi/action movie, one of the very few I always end up giving 10/10, but sadly never quite got the same from the sequel (1990), even if it does feature a lot of the same cast, I might also be in a small minority, as I get a bit more out of part 3. What I find interesting about these 80s villains, specially with RoboCop, is how goofy, comical and just way over the top they can be, but on the other hand, pure evil, and they sure loved every minute of being bad. Also, in that way, it just feels so damn good when payback finally comes knocking down hard on their door. Recently had a re-watch of a similar sci-fi/action movie, but one you feel is nowhere close in quality, yet I just cannot be too harsh, as it includes lots of cheese and comical acting, but damn, I wonder how much better it could have been, if someone like Verhoeven had got his hands on it. However, I guess that would mean no RoboCop. Judge Dredd (1995) by Danny Cannon "The law doesn't make mistakes." Total chaos is brewing in Mega City, when one of their own judges is sentenced to life in jail, due to being seen as the killer behind a brutal manslaughter. However, Judge Dredd (Stallone) has absolutely no plans of letting that stand in his way of justice, and together with his new "buddy" (Rob Schneider), the duo must seek a way of entering the huge city walls, in order to capture the real killer who set up Dredd.Another "classic" Stallone mid 90s adventure, and I remember hoping it would be something not far off the fun filled sci-fi/action release of Demolition Man (1993), but beside the futuristic scenery, Judge Dredd is just not up to patch with the latter film. Have never been much into Judge Dredd, and beside the 1995 film, the other I can think of is the 2012 remake. Anyway, as with so many others 90s comic book releases, this one also seems to fall into the trap of never quite decide if it wants to be a movie for adults or kids, and I guess maybe some uncut version is somewhere out there, as you do at times feel a bit cheated. In one moment you have the "hilarious" Rob Schneider getting his stomach blown to pieces, and it the next scene he his alive and kicking, where as earlier some guy gets shot through the throat, while another bad guy is almost torn to pieces (well, the imagination has a big part to play, as we do not see it) and lots of blood all over the place. Also, some of the jokes were a bit weird, like when Dredd has knocked a former male co-worker into "coma", and is trying to steal his clothes as disguise, Schneider delivers a rape-joke I must have completely forgotten about. Sly is not helping out either, as he is constaly stiff and grumpy, but I guess that is why someone thought it was a great idea to throw in some comedian to get the "best" out of the action star. Visually the film is actually not all too bad, I liked the whole Blade Runner meets Flash Gordon style, and at times it also looks not too unfamiliar with the Joel Schumacher Batman films. Diane Lane always looks good, and sadly we do not get to see too much of her and Joan Chen, and way too much of Schneider. Armand Assante is a worthy opponent, and I always get a kick out of the shouting/facial expression battle between the two All in all, far away of being a great movie, but it was fast paced and did deliver a bit more than my last revisit with another Sly mid 90s title in The Specialist. 6/10
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Post by Captain Spencer on Sept 4, 2023 13:29:28 GMT
RoboCop (1987)In a futuristic, dystopian Detroit, a corporation running the police department unleashes a cyborg to fight out-of-control crime that's taken over the city. A timeless action classic. Definitely a thinking-person's action movie. The satirical take on urban decay, capitalism and dehumanization is just as relevant today. Paul Verhoeven's meticulous direction and keen eye for detail help bring together a believable depiction of a dystopian society, a style Verhoeven would continue with on with other sci-fi action thrillers as Total Recall and Starship Troopers. Verhoeven also has a sense of realistic violence, so bloody and brutal that some scenes had to be trimmed in order for RoboCop to avoid the dreaded X rating at the time of release. If you've seen the unrated version on video with those scenes reinstated, you know how even more graphic and bloody it can be. RoboCop boasts some of meanest and nastiest villains in cinema history. This is a gang of thugs who thoroughly enjoy killing somebody slowly in a very sadistic manner. The leader is Clarence Boddicker, and Kurtwood Smith does a fabulous job in giving the character charisma and tenacity. On paper RoboCop may come across as a bubble gum, cartoonish, comic book superhero hero flick, but it's definitely an adult-oriented, thought-provoking sci-fi action thriller. I'd but that for a dollar! 9/10 Masterpiece of an sci-fi/action movie, one of the very few I always end up giving 10/10, but sadly never quite got the same from the sequel (1990), even if it does feature a lot of the same cast, I might also be in a small minority, as I get a bit more out of part 3. Yeah I was never fond of the second RoboCop, and I still haven't seen the third one.
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Post by lostinlimbo on Sept 4, 2023 15:11:46 GMT
Stallone definitely looked a little befuddled. Probably thinking to himself… “I screwed up big time here”. Gladly he followed it up with ‘Cliffhanger’. But yeah, two comedy flops back-to-back. Might watch ‘Oscar’ sometime this week. Oscar I remembered as a bit better, but not so much that I felt the need for keeping hold of my former DVD copy. Then again, I do have a soft spot for his later second attempt on doing mafia-comedy with Avenging Angelo (2002), but that is probably more down to Madeleine Stowe and some ridiculous moments including "farting squirrels", trapped inside the walls and such. Watched ‘Oscar’ last night. It was decent enough. Performances/cast kept me watching, as the story never really got out of first gear. Surprisingly confined to a mansion setting. I did like the gag of the Italian suit tailors (Martin Ferrero) being mistaken for hired assassins, and Tim Curry had his moments.
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Post by lostinlimbo on Sept 4, 2023 15:25:03 GMT
RoboCop (1987)In a futuristic, dystopian Detroit, a corporation running the police department unleashes a cyborg to fight out-of-control crime that's taken over the city. A timeless action classic. Definitely a thinking-person's action movie. The satirical take on urban decay, capitalism and dehumanization is just as relevant today. Paul Verhoeven's meticulous direction and keen eye for detail help bring together a believable depiction of a dystopian society, a style Verhoeven would continue with on with other sci-fi action thrillers as Total Recall and Starship Troopers. Verhoeven also has a sense of realistic violence, so bloody and brutal that some scenes had to be trimmed in order for RoboCop to avoid the dreaded X rating at the time of release. If you've seen the unrated version on video with those scenes reinstated, you know how even more graphic and bloody it can be. RoboCop boasts some of meanest and nastiest villains in cinema history. This is a gang of thugs who thoroughly enjoy killing somebody slowly in a very sadistic manner. The leader is Clarence Boddicker, and Kurtwood Smith does a fabulous job in giving the character charisma and tenacity. On paper RoboCop may come across as a bubble gum, cartoonish, comic book superhero hero flick, but it's definitely an adult-oriented, thought-provoking sci-fi action thriller. I'd but that for a dollar! 9/10 Masterpiece of an sci-fi/action movie, one of the very few I always end up giving 10/10, but sadly never quite got the same from the sequel (1990), even if it does feature a lot of the same cast, I might also be in a small minority, as I get a bit more out of part 3. What I find interesting about these 80s villains, specially with RoboCop, is how goofy, comical and just way over the top they can be, but on the other hand, pure evil, and they sure loved every minute of being bad. Also, in that way, it just feels so damn good when payback finally comes knocking down hard on their door. Recently had a re-watch of a similar sci-fi/action movie, but one you feel is nowhere close in quality, yet I just cannot be too harsh, as it includes lots of cheese and comical acting, but damn, I wonder how much better it could have been, if someone like Verhoeven had got his hands on it. However, I guess that would mean no RoboCop. Judge Dredd (1995) by Danny Cannon "The law doesn't make mistakes." Total chaos is brewing in Mega City, when one of their own judges is sentenced to life in jail, due to being seen as the killer behind a brutal manslaughter. However, Judge Dredd (Stallone) has absolutely no plans of letting that stand in his way of justice, and together with his new "buddy" (Rob Schneider), the duo must seek a way of entering the huge city walls, in order to capture the real killer who set up Dredd.Another "classic" Stallone mid 90s adventure, and I remember hoping it would be something not far off the fun filled sci-fi/action release of Demolition Man (1993), but beside the futuristic scenery, Judge Dredd is just not up to patch with the latter film. Have never been much into Judge Dredd, and beside the 1995 film, the other I can think of is the 2012 remake. Anyway, as with so many others 90s comic book releases, this one also seems to fall into the trap of never quite decide if it wants to be a movie for adults or kids, and I guess maybe some uncut version is somewhere out there, as you do at times feel a bit cheated. In one moment you have the "hilarious" Rob Schneider getting his stomach blown to pieces, and it the next scene he his alive and kicking, where as earlier some guy gets shot through the throat, while another bad guy is almost torn to pieces (well, the imagination has a big part to play, as we do not see it) and lots of blood all over the place. Also, some of the jokes were a bit weird, like when Dredd has knocked a former male co-worker into "coma", and is trying to steal his clothes as disguise, Schneider delivers a rape-joke I must have completely forgotten about. Sly is not helping out either, as he is constaly stiff and grumpy, but I guess that is why someone thought it was a great idea to throw in some comedian to get the "best" out of the action star. Visually the film is actually not all too bad, I liked the whole Blade Runner meets Flash Gordon style, and at times it also looks not too unfamiliar with the Joel Schumacher Batman films. Diane Lane always looks good, and sadly we do not get to see too much of her and Joan Chen, and way too much of Schneider. Armand Assante is a worthy opponent, and I always get a kick out of the shouting/facial expression battle between the two All in all, far away of being a great movie, but it was fast paced and did deliver a bit more than my last revisit with another Sly mid 90s title in The Specialist. 6/10Always been ho-hum on ‘Judge Dredd’. I actually don’t mind it up until Dredd wipes out the cannibalistic desert family. Then we get too much Schneider. Even then, the Dredd connection/iconic image feels less relevant. Armand Assante is a lot fun though. Have you ever seen the other take on the comic character ‘Dredd’?
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Post by lostinlimbo on Sept 6, 2023 10:57:37 GMT
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Post by stefancrosscoe on Sept 9, 2023 11:23:18 GMT
Always been ho-hum on ‘Judge Dredd’. I actually don’t mind it up until Dredd wipes out the cannibalistic desert family. Then we get too much Schneider. Even then, the Dredd connection/iconic image feels less relevant. Armand Assante is a lot fun though. Have you ever seen the other take on the comic character ‘Dredd’?Only once, and that is about 10 years back. So I might try to give it another go before October hits in. Shame the 2012 film never got a sequel, even if it was a DTV release.
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Post by brandomarlon2003 on Sept 9, 2023 20:07:51 GMT
Logan (2017)
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Post by lostinlimbo on Sept 14, 2023 14:39:05 GMT
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Post by theravenking on Sept 20, 2023 10:45:44 GMT
The Last Samurai (1990; Paul Mayersberg) "You got the wrong guy, fellas. I don't run aircraft. I burn villages. I rape, pillage, - that sort of stuff."13 years before Tom Cruise went to Japan for some soul searching in The Last Samurai, a movie with an identical title had a Japanese businessman venture to East Africa looking for his samurai roots. Yes, you read that right: Samurai in Africa!!! And no, it's never explained what Japanese warriors were doing in Kenya. What attracted me to this silly little flick was the fact, that it was written and directed by Paul Mayersberg (whose name appears in the opening credits once as Mayersburg, and then later in its correct form, - didn't anyone check? Didn't anyone care?), who wrote one of my favorite movies, Croupier with Clive Owen. So there's John Fujioka who's trying to combine a business trip with a journey into his ancestor's past. For that he has to go to a forbidden part of the country run by a rogue militia. He hires Lance Henriksen's vietnam veteran turned mercenary Johnny Congo, nicknamed Bambi (something to do with a traumatic experience he had as a kid in a forest, - a story that is never completed, like so many other themes and ideas in this film.) John Saxon appears as an Arab sheik who resides in a luxurious tent and whose wife has nightmares about getting murdered by an African witch doctor. What on earth was everyone thinking? Had Last Samurai stuck to being a B-movie actioner with Henriksen's macho soldier running around killing bad guys, it might've at least provided some fun diversion. But there seems to have been a definitive ambition to make this about more. Real life issues like the conflict between African Natives and Arabs as well as between them and Western colonists are brought up with even some critique of capitalism thrown into the mix. There is also the recurring theme of culture clash. With the the straightforward, confrontational Western approach to things conflicting with the calmer, Zen-like way of the Japanese, as well as the fight between male egos. But none of this is sufficiently explored. As for the explanation of how a samurai would end up in the savanna: There's a scene where Henriksen's character finds a skull and a samurai sword while bathing in a lake. What's the significance of that? - We never find out. Lance's super-soldier is only allowed to cut lose in the last twenty minutes. here people get mowed down by machine guns and some buildings and vehicles go up in flames, but by then it's not only too late, but the way this action is executed also looks very pedestrian and un-exciting. I hope at least everyone involved had a good vacation in Africa. 4/10
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Post by Rey Kahuka on Sept 20, 2023 12:07:50 GMT
The Last Samurai (1990; Paul Mayersberg) "You got the wrong guy, fellas. I don't run aircraft. I burn villages. I rape, pillage, - that sort of stuff."13 years before Tom Cruise went to Japan for some soul searching in The Last Samurai, a movie with an identical title had a Japanese businessman venture to East Africa looking for his samurai roots. Yes, you read that right: Samurai in Africa!!! And no, it's never explained what Japanese warriors were doing in Kenya. What attracted me to this silly little flick was the fact, that it was written and directed by Paul Mayersberg (whose name appears in the opening credits once as Mayersburg, and then later in its correct form, - didn't anyone check? Didn't anyone care?), who wrote one of my favorite movies, Croupier with Clive Owen. So there's John Fujioka who's trying to combine a business trip with a journey into his ancestor's past. For that he has to go to a forbidden part of the country run by a rogue militia. He hires Lance Henriksen's vietnam veteran turned mercenary Johnny Congo, nicknamed Bambi (something to do with a traumatic experience he had as a kid in a forest, - a story that is never completed, like so many other themes and ideas in this film.) John Saxon appears as an Arab sheik who resides in a luxurious tent and whose wife has nightmares about getting murdered by an African witch doctor. What on earth was anyone thinking? Had Last Samurai stuck to being a B-movie actioner with Henriksen's macho soldier running around killing bad guys, it might've at least provided some fun diversion. But there seems to have been a definitive ambition to make this about more. Real life issues like the conflict between African Natives and Arabs as well as between them and Western colonists are brought up with even some critique of capitalism thrown into the mix. There is also the recurring theme of culture clash. With the the straightforward, confrontational Western approach to things conflicting with the calmer, Zen-like way of the Japanese, as well as the fight between male egos. But none of this is sufficiently explored. As for the explanation of how a samurai would end up in the savanna: There's a scene where Henriksen's character finds a skull and a samurai sword while bathing in a lake. What's the significance of that? - We never find out. Lance's super-soldier is only allowed to cut lose in the last twenty minutes. here people get mowed down by machine guns and some buildings and vehicles go up in flames, but by then it's not only too late, but the way this action is executed also looks very pedestrian and un-exciting. I hope at least everyone involved had a good vacation in Africa. 4/10 Sounds amazing! And I'm definitely using Johnny Congo as an alias in the future.
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Post by Captain Spencer on Nov 4, 2023 19:17:13 GMT
In helping to prevent this thread from becoming completely buried, I've bumped it up with this James Bond entry. GoldenEye (1995)Agent 007 attempts to stop a Russian crime syndicate from using a nuclear spaced-based weapon as an instrument of destruction. Immensely entertaining, this is one of my favorite Bonds. Very well written, with sharp dialogue and a wicked sense of humor. And of course the usual dose of eye-popping stuntwork; the tank chase sequence is definitely a highlight. Then there's the bizarre villainess Xenia Onatopp, who brings herself to orgasm while doing her killing. An unusually perverse character for a Bond film Being the first Jame Bond movie of the 1990s, it ushered in a new era for the super agent; political correctness. For openers, M is now a woman (nicely played by Judi Dench, adding a layer of icy cold sternness) who makes it clear Bond is a "sexist, misogynist dinosaur." This makes for a refreshing change-of-pace for the franchise, as they were well aware they had to somewhat change with the times. 7.5/10
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Post by brandomarlon2003 on Nov 5, 2023 14:19:02 GMT
Retribution (2023)
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Post by lostinlimbo on Jan 9, 2024 13:50:15 GMT
Tiger Claws (1991) Two detectives (both with martial arts backgrounds) are put on a case of local martial arts masters turning up dead with signature claw marks on the side of the face. An average star vehicle for the charisma vacum Jalal Merhi. It’s the co-stars Cynthia Rothrock and Bolo Yeung (Bloodsport) who kept this straight to video actioner watchable. Sorta plays out like a straightforward slasher cross police investigation mixed with martial arts. It’s on the cheap, the acting is on the same level and the action never really hits a stride. It’s downright clunky.
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Post by theravenking on Jan 9, 2024 16:27:50 GMT
I watched this too and agree that it's a fun B-movie only let down by some sub-par CGI (that car-chase at the beginning being the definitive low point). Guy Pearce is such a versatile actor.
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Post by lostinlimbo on Jan 10, 2024 18:10:11 GMT
The Gardener (2021) Quite a boring Robert Bronzi aka Charles Bronson’s doppelgänger action vehicle. Had me thinking of Bronson’s melon farmer from Mr Majestyk. Watch that one instead. Virtually a Christmas holiday set home manor siege movie, which really does take its sweet time to get going and once it does… it’s nothing too special or exciting even a with predictable twist. Bronzi goes about his work knocking off the home invaders with tools from the garden shed, though it would’ve been better if it went down the ridiculous path than the straight and narrow. Gary Daniels also shows up, playing the heavy boss and really is the lone highlight. Disappointingly not a fun as it reads/ or sounds.
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Post by lostinlimbo on Jan 11, 2024 22:05:48 GMT
Tiger Claws II (1996) Nonsensical sequel, which continues on from the first film. All three stars return, although Bolo Yeung feels more like a bystander this time around. Even humorous photo stills of his face are used at the end, where what he is wearing doesn’t match what he should be. It’s only two scenes, but it very noticeable it’s not him portraying his character. While I think the story is better implemented in the first film, the sequel does a better job with how it shot its martial arts set-pieces. Again just like the original, nothing spectacular when it came to the action, but it does offer up a few offbeat choices at the backend when an ancient underground tournament comes into play and a minor supernatural element enters the picture.
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Post by lostinlimbo on Feb 20, 2024 20:52:44 GMT
The Professional: Golgo 13 (1983) is slick old-school anime pulp. Sleazy, bloody and with an edge. One of the best of its kind.
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Post by brandomarlon2003 on Feb 21, 2024 3:34:45 GMT
The Last Stand (2013)
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Post by Captain Spencer on Apr 17, 2024 3:13:10 GMT
Executive Decision (1996)
After an airliner is hijacked by terrorists, a special commando unit along with an intelligence analyst attempt to stop them. No matter how many times I watch Executive Decision, it never fails to keep me on edge with all the suspense and tension it builds up. It's the elements of nail-biting suspense and intensity that prevents it from being just a straightforward action movie. The way we see the commando team trying to outsmart the terrorists and stay one step ahead of them without getting caught is thoroughly exciting. Intelligently written with one great twist after another. Longish, but never boring. 9/10
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Post by lostinlimbo on Apr 18, 2024 21:27:05 GMT
Executive Decision (1996)
After an airliner is hijacked by terrorists, a special commando unit along with an intelligence analyst attempt to stop them. No matter how many times I watch Executive Decision, it never fails to keep me on edge with all the suspense and tension it builds up. It's the elements of nail-biting suspense and intensity that prevents it from being just a straightforward action movie. The way we see the commando team trying to outsmart the terrorists and stay one step ahead of them without getting caught is thoroughly exciting. Intelligently written with one great twist after another. Longish, but never boring. 9/10 Great film. One of the best 90s action blockbusters. True, it’s long, but never feels it. And Kurt Russell presence is always a plus. I wonder how they convinced Seagal to take a role, where he’s killed off within the first half-hour . Can only think money, or limited opportunities, but at the time his ego probably took a hit.
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