The transporter refueled (2015)

Summary :
In the south of France, former special-ops mercenary Frank Martin enters into a game of chess with a femme-fatale and her three sidekicks who are looking for revenge against a sinister Russian kingpin. 

Genre : Action
Country : France/China

Cast :
Ed Skrein : Frank Martin
Ray Stevenson : Frank Senior
Loan Chabanol : Anna

Director : Camille Delamare

My Opinion 

“You know, in my day, when you wanted to make a cup of coffee you just had to boil the water
and strain the grinds. Now it seems like you need a PhD.
Dad, you have a PhD. That's a juicer.”

I can remember the first "The Transporter" from 2002 as an energetic and fast-paced film with Frank Martin racing through the streets of the French south coast with his car. Frank's driving skills were unrivaled and he used this talent for anyone who would pay for it. The next two films continued on this momentum. All films had the same in common. The story was straightforward and simplistic. You could call it a typical weekend movie. A movie you'd go for without thinking.

 
I wasn't waiting for a reboot. The only reason I watched this, was to see how Ed Skrein would do as the tough courier. Because honestly, "The Transporter" is and will always be Jason Statham. The controlled fighting style and his dry humor are characteristics he holds a patent on. The person who tries to play the role of Martin again, will have to do his utmost best to equal this (let alone improve it). However, I admit that Skrein wasn't so bad. Already during the very first scene in the garage, I had a feeling that he'd do just fine. The same quiet, calm approach. The same conciseness. Also a not so talkative man. And when he has to give a reply, he does that in a grumbling and almost incomprehensible way. And he sticks to his self-imposed rules.

The whole movie centers on a Russian prostitution network around the French Riviera. It's leaded with an iron fist by Karasov (Radivoje Bukvić), an unscrupulous Russian pimp who at least has more brain cells than the lovely ladies who work for him. Just like the three ladies of pleasure Anna (Loan Chabanol), Gina (Gabriella Wright), Qiao (Wenxia Yu) and Mary (Tatiana Pajković). They came up with the brilliant plan to kidnap Frank's father (Ray Stevenson) and so put pressure on him so he would help them take revenge. Revenge because of the inflicted suffering and the ruined lives of these young ladies.

"The transporter refueled" is just what you would expect. A quite simple story without much quibbling and with one action scene after the other. The fights are well choreographed. Skrein also makes use of attributes which are lying around. Although he's not as muscled as Statham, Skrein keeps control over every situation and at the same time he appears to have a decent stamina. There are also some not bad-looking car chases. In particular the one at the airport is pretty spectacular. The most successful part of this "Transporter" reboot, is the contribution by Ray Stevenson. This resulted in a few light-hearted chuckle moments.

Yet I couldn't get rid of the feeling that I was watching a faint imitation of the original. There was really nothing we haven't seen before. A clichéd film that looks like an extended commercial about Audi. This is what i call product placement. Also the well-known annoyances were present in this film. Despite the fact that Frank is in the minority all the time, he still manages to leave everyone behind in wrinkles. And sure he has a very fast car. But even with a 2CV he could shake off his pursuers without a problem, because they are too stupid to drive in a proper manner anyway. For me, they may close up this franchise. There's no pep anymore, the story is told, the fuel tank is empty ... It doesn't need to be refueled again.

My rating 4/10
Links : IMDB

Top Dog (2014)

Summary :
London bad boy Billy Evans gets in over his head when he joins a dangerous criminal gang. 

Genre : Crime/Drama
Country : UK

Cast :
Leo Gregory : Billy Evans
Ricci Harnett : Mickey
Vincent Regan : Watson

Director : Martin Kemp

My Opinion  

Low-budget indie films originating from the UK don't always guarantee quality. "Top dog" is proof of that. The meager attempt to blend hooliganism within English football with local crime which is connected with the more notorious mafia of the country, unfortunately turned into a fiasco. The idea isn't bad. Only they've dropped a few stitches in the implementation of it. The result doesn't leave a lasting impression and can safely be classified as another third-rate crime movie.

It's the story about Billy Evans (Leo Gregory), leader of a group of supporters of an English football club who spend their weekends with beating up supporters of the opponent. He's an exemplary family man and a person who's trusted by his blood brothers. The day he wants to help his uncle and aunt to get rid of a local extortionist gang, he doesn't realize what hornet's nest he's getting himself into. Before he knows it, he finds himself in a tricky situation with unpleasant consequences as a result. He starts to realize that hooliganism and mafia practices are two totally different disciplines.

Normally I'm always pleased with the performances in a British film, but this time something bothered me at that level. The most eye-catching performance came from Lorraine Stanley (wife of Billy's best friend). Gregory was at times convincing as the cold-blooded and unstirred leader of football fans. But during the emotional moments it all looked kind of silly. Ricci Harnett, the machiavellian gang leader with his accompanying mocking grin, was the most intriguing character. Unfortunately he behaved like a beaten dog when sitting in front of the big chief Mr. Watson (Vincent Regan). Yet strange that such a confident thug like Mickey, and always accompanied by two bodyguards, can be beleaguered in such a simple manner. Most likely an underestimation of the opponent.

Ultimately, it's just a typical film about thugs and hooligans. The story didn't provide the necessary tension. Needless to say there were also some ridiculous scenes. Such as when the police wants to question Billy about a brawl. Billy flees and before you know it, the complete police force (and special task force) is chasing him, as if he's an escaped, most-wanted terrorist. Slightly exaggerated. The clashes in Mickey's clubs looked rather amateurish and contrived. If you want to watch a decent film about the English underworld, then I suggest you watch "Legend". And I am convinced there are better movies about hooliganism. "Top dog" was certainly not Premier League.

My rating 3/10
Links : IMDB

Terminus (2015)

Summary :
Following a near-fatal accident, David Chamberlain makes an unprecedented discovery that will not only determine the fate of his family, but of mankind. 

Genre : SF
Country : Australia

Cast :
Jai Koutrae : David Chamberlain
Kendra Appleton : Annabelle Chamberlain
Todd Lasance : Zach

Director : Marc Furmie

My Opinion 

“You're like every other hick in this town.
Full of opinions on things you know nothing about.
Scared shitless of losing what you think you have.
And what's that?
A future.”

You feel like watching a Science Fiction that makes you think back to classics like "Cocoon" or "The invasion of the body snatchers"? Well, you need to give this Australian low-budget indie a chance. Just so you know it in advance, it's not particularly innovative and it's not filled with breathtaking special effects. Yet I found it an enjoyable film to watch in between. Unfortunately it was fairly predictable, certain performances weren't the best of the best and the concept was again post-apocalyptic.  

The whole story revolves around the mechanic David (Jai Koutrae) and his daughter Annabelle (Kendra Appleton). Due to the loss of his wife, David has a serious drinking problem and a fairly desperate family situation. A conflict in the Middle East ensures that the economy is falling apart and the overall world peace is endangered. While driving through the night, David witnesses a crashing meteorite. He loses control over his steering wheel and ends up in the hospital. The next morning his injuries seem to be healed and in a miraculous way, a kidney he donated to save his wife grew back. After several visions, he takes it upon himself to build a capsule with the help of Zach (Todd Lasance), a disabled war veteran. It sounds a bit like when Noah was given the divine command to build an ark, in order to secure the survival of the human race.

Although this film takes place in the U.S., the majority of the actors are Australian and everything was filmed in Portland and Sydney. If I hadn't read it somewhere, I wouldn't have known it. In most films, aliens visiting our planet, don't have friendly intentions. In "Terminus" on the other hand, the alien phenomenon is anything but hostile. It's rather helpful and has healing powers. And again there's an agency (the National Science Agency) that tries anything to get hold of this meteorite. In that way they could produce unbeatable combat troops.

Obviously this film was made with a limited budget. But despite this limitation, the makers managed to deliver a sound film. The doomsday scenario is subtly mixed throughout the story with strategically placed newsflashes about the developments in the Middle East. Only the end was quite self-evident. In terms of performances only the NSA agents were weak  and portrayed in an ordinary and pathetic way. It was the interaction between David and Zach that provided some highlights. A piece of advice won't harm : Lower your expectations before you watch this movie.

My rating 5/10
Links : IMDB

The Walk (2015)

Summary :
Twelve people have walked on the moon, but only one man - Philippe Petit - has ever, or will ever, walk in the immense void between the World Trade Center towers. Guided by his real-life mentor, Papa Rudy  and aided by an unlikely band of international recruits, Petit and his gang overcome long odds, betrayals, dissension and countless close calls to conceive and execute their mad plan.

Genre : Biography/Drama
Country : USA

Cast :
Joseph Gordon-Levitt : Philippe Petit
Ben Kingsley : Papa Rudy
Charlotte Le Bon : Annie

Director : Robert Zemeckis

My Opinion 

"For me, to walk on the wire, this is life.”

I hope it's not the intention to make a film about every bizarre human achievement. Otherwise we'll be looking at a whole series of movies. Besides the shown dazzling images, I thought it was just a soporific spectacle. Halfway the movie I dozed off. Fortunately that didn't happen to Philippe Petit while he was swinging on that steel cord between the Twin Towers. However, there are two things about this film that stand out. First of all, the used camera technique. I myself suffer from fear of heights and "The Walk" gave me often anxiety attacks and a spinning sensation. It managed to get me as far as holding my hands in front of my eyes. You won't see me do that even during the most terrifying horror. And then there's Joseph "Looper" Gordon-Levitt talking with a French accent. Although he could have made a caricature out of Petit easily, he managed to play the driven, passionate Frenchman with gusto.

Already from the opening scene you know what you can expect. Philippe speaks to the public from the top of the Statue of Liberty and introduces this true story. The way he tells the story with enthusiasm and emotion, ensures that your curiosity is aroused. Did he succeed in this dangerous undertaking? Or is he speaking to us from heaven, after he smashed to bits and ended up as a human pizza between the two majestic towers? Those who know the real story, know the outcome of course. And furthermore Phillippe also reveals the ultimate goal early on in the film. So we can't speak of a surprise element anymore.

The first part is about Philippe working as a street artist in Paris. It's there that his passion for walking the wire started. With the help of the circus owner Papa Rudy (Ben Kingsley), whose family practiced tightrope walking for years, he learns the tricks of the trade. And when he reads an article about the construction of the Twin Towers, he only has one goal in his life and that's to cross the yawning depth between the two towers while walking that rope. What follows is a kind of "Ocean Eleven", to make sure this stunt will be a success. The moment Philippe decides to fulfill this dream, the preparations begin. Figuring out how to achieve it and what equipment is required. Assembling a group of accomplices and create a detailed plan so that nothing would go wrong the day Philippe tries his luck. The second part is about the implementation of this plan. Of course you can expect some setbacks and unexpected obstacles during the attempt, so that it becomes more intense and exciting.

Gordon-Levitt played his role with bravura and with conviction, although the forced sounding accent bothered me at the beginning. All the time I was wondering why they hadn't chosen an authentic French actor. But as the film progressed, I thought it was an admirable performance off him. Kingsley's part was extremely funny. But for me the two helping hands from the United States, summoned by a shop owner, were really amusing. Charlotte Le Bon is a lovable and frail appearance, but served merely as an attribute (such as the flexible stick Philippe uses during his tightrope walking) in a parallel storyline. All in all an entertaining and at times terribly intense film. But it didn't reach the same level as Philippe did during his famous act.

PS. Finally I want to mention that I find it a huge achievement from the filmmakers they weren't tempted to make it a kind of tribute to the Twin Towers and avoided to use any reference to what ultimately happened with these towers.

My rating 6/10
Links : IMDB

The Runner (2015)

Summary :
In the aftermath of the 2010 BP oil spill, an idealistic but flawed politician is forced to confront his dysfunctional life after his career is destroyed in a sex scandal. 

Genre : Drama
Country : USA

Cast :
Nicolas Cage : Colin Pryce
Connie Nielsen : Deborah Pryce
Sarah Paulson : Kate Haber

Director : Austin Stark

My Opinion 

“I'm running for Senate to move things forward, not only for this great state of Louisiana, for this great country.”

Every time I tend to give Nicolas Cage yet another chance to prove to me why I admired him in the past. What a pleasure it was to see him at work in "Matchstick Men". How impressive he was with his unforgettable role in "Leaving Las Vegas". Admittedly, in the past there were also a few crappy films with him starring in it. Recent years he manages to participate in one failure after the other. Just look at "Ghost Rider", "Tokarev" and "Outcast". The only noticeable better movie between all these is "Joe" (although I still need to see it). The rest is just sad. That's why Cage looks more sad in each released movie. Just look at the cover of "The Runner". Those tired, tormented, sad eyes speak volumes.

"The Runner" isn't really such a movie that introduces the revival of Cage's film career. And yet I respect Cage for his courage to participate in a politically charged film like this. Because to be honest, politic isn't really an exciting topic to fill a feature film. Politic is boring, sometimes unworldly, incomprehensible and uninteresting to me. It's therefore not surprising that these are also the characteristics of this political drama. The title of the film is a bit misleading. It's not that Cage runs around to provide financial support for local fisheries. Nor that he swiftly runs from one lover to another. Or that it has a symbolic meaning when it comes to his flight out of alcoholism. It simply refers to the daily habit of Congressman Colin Price (Nicolas Cage), to put on a pair of running shoes every morning, so he can go jog a bit.

It's all about the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico where an explosion on an oil rig caused oil streaming into the sea for months. Southern states like Louisiana and Alabama were hit by this oil spill. Price is a congressman in Louisiana and he's concerned about the fate of the local fishermen and industries. In an emotional plea during an television interview, he draws attention to the economic consequences of this environmental disaster. At once he's the center of attention and his employees see this as an opportunity to let his political career grow. Unfortunately some surveillance recordings are revealed with compromising images of this congressman with an African American young lady in an elevator. Price is truly concerned about these fishermen because she's the wife of an African American fisherman. His political career hits rock bottom and before he knows it, he's looking again at the bottom of a whiskey bottle. Typical American. At least the man tries to do something for the hard-working working man and before you know it, the media comes up with some facts related to the man's privat life.

The only ray of light in this unnecessary film, filled with political drivel and unabashed corruption, is the magnificent acting by Peter Fonda. He plays Colin's father and he's also a former politician who has swum through difficult waters (oil-free in his case). He also has an enormous alcohol problem. The relationship between both hard-boiled politicians isn't so good. And you can say that's an understatement. There are some wonderful acting moments between father and son. But for the rest, this film is as dead as the fish in the oiled seawater. Apparently politicians are energetic. A trait this film really doesn't possess. Lets hope Cage looks a bit more cheerful in his next film !   

My rating 3/10
Links : IMDB

The Hateful Eight (2015)

Summary :
Some time after the Civil War, a stagecoach hurtles through the wintry Wyoming landscape. Bounty hunter John Ruth and his fugitive captive Daisy Domergue race towards the town of Red Rock, where Ruth will bring Daisy to justice. Along the road, they encounter Major Marquis Warren and Chris Mannix. Lost in a blizzard, the bunch seeks refuge at Minnie's Haberdashery. When they arrive they are greeted by unfamiliar faces. As the storm overtakes the mountainside, the eight travelers come to learn that they might not make it to Red Rock after all...

Genre : Mystery/Western
Country : USA

Cast :
Kurt Russell : John Ruth
Samuel L. Jackson : Major Marquis Warren
Jennifer Jason Leigh : Daisy Domergue

Director : Quentin Tarantino

My Opinion 

“Now, Daisy, I want us to work out a signal system of communication.
When I elbow you real hard in the face, that means: shut up.”

Countless film enthusiasts were waiting impatiently for the new "Star Wars" movie last year. Believe it or not, I wasn't really. On the contrary, I was waiting for the new film by Quentin Tarantino. Sorry Tarantino haters, but Yankee Doodle Dandee, this was again a brilliant film by the most rebellious, anarchic director Hollywood ever saw. You have to give him credit for one thing : he remained true to his personal style. So once again we get a typical Tarantino movie with acrimonious dialogues, racist statements and a bloody apotheosis. The end result is a kind of "Reservoir Dogs" mixed with "Django Unchained", which takes place in a small space as in "From dusk till dawn". I hope Quentin's abandons the intention to make only 10 films. But isn't it time he changed his routine a bit?

Are you a big fan of classic Italian spaghetti westerns? Well you'll be enthusiastic when the movie begins in all its grand splendor. A snowy landscape with in the foreground a cross covered with snow. And while slowly zooming out, you can see a stagecoach approaching in the far distance. This is accompanied by music of Ennio Morricone and text in a font type that can be associated with old westerns. The moment this chariot stops willfully (after a long period) because Samuel L. Jackson, sitting on a pile of corpses, blocks the road, it's the start of a nearly 3-hour immersive cowboy story full of mystery and revenge. A kind of Cluedo in a cabin. Except that there won't be a solution that sounds like "The colonel committed the murder with a candlestick in the billiard room", but rather "Which of the eight people who took shelter in Minnie's Haberdashery because of a snowstorm, will endure the storm".

The hateful 8 are almost all old acquaintances of Tarantino and appeared in one of his earlier film projects. First there's Samuel L. Jackson, who recently starred in "Kingsman: The Secret Service" (after some less impressive performances) and in the past appeared in "Pulp Fiction", as the bounty hunter Major Marquis Warren. Samuel L. Jackson as I like to see him: raw, angrily defending himself and disturbingly brutal. The white bounty hunter John Ruth is played by veteran Kurt "Death Proof" Russell. A bounty hunter just like Major Warren, but suspicious and protective when it comes to the award he's getting for his prisoner Daisy Domergue (Jennifer Jason Leigh). Along the way they pick up Sheriff Chris Mannix (Walton "Django Unchained" Goggins), who's on his way to Red Rock, the place where Ruth wants to get his money. The blizzard however prevents them from travelling further and they have to sit out the storm in Minnie's cabin. And this in company of a Mexican called Bob (Demian Bichir), the executioner Oswaldo Mobray (Tim "Reservoir dogs" Roth), the wandering cowboy Joe Gage (Michael "Reservoir dogs" Madsen) and former general Sandy Smithers (Bruce "Django Unchained" Dern). So everything is prepared now for a thoughtful game of 'whodunit' with Domergue at stake.

Despite the long runtime (3 hours is a bit too much), the movie isn't boring for a second. The conversation at the beginning between Jackson and Russell is a foretaste of what comes afterwards. Because the whole film is full of such hilarious conversations. The film is neatly divided into six chapters. The story is explained in detail painfully slow. And as required in a real Tarantino, the film is peppered with humor, rude and racist comments and an exaggerated end with massively flowing blood. And all this in a meticulously elaborate and detailed decor. It looks more like a Shakespearean drama.

Needless to say that the acting of the various characters deserve the most praise, because the film consists mainly out of brilliant dialogues. A memorable joust with witty arguments and dialogs which made sure the tension increased. The contributions of Russell and Jackson were in this case of a high level. The only rather bizarre choice for me by Tarantino is the presence of Channing Tatum. I would have prefered an appearance of Christoph Waltz.

Maybe I'm a little biased because I'm a huge admirer of the work that Tarantino always delivers. And yet I think "The hateful Eight" isn't his most successful creation, even though it's a wonderful masterpiece. Perhaps it's because I see through the concept that Tarantino uses and the surprise element is completely gone. The way the dialogues are structures, is indeed always the same. The repetitive nature of dialogues and the phrases that follow eachother at breakneck speed as if they are fired by a Gatling gun. Patiently and meticulously the complete story is being formed. For the impatient viewer it appears as if it takes ages to finish. Of course there's the rudeness and inclemency both contextual as textual. And the usage of extravagant humor. And finally, the excessive, violent and bloody climax. These are usually the fixed elements that recur in a Tarantino. Except that each film is placed in a different setting.

But as a true Tarantino fan, again I can only conclude this was an exquisite film and I enjoyed it full three hours. I'm already looking forward to the next movie. Hopefully Quentin seeks an alternative approach, in such a way that he can surprise me again.

My rating 8/10
Links : IMDB

Mercury Plains (2016)

Summary :
A troubled young man runs away to Mexico, where he is recruited to join a paramilitary group of teens fighting the drug cartels. Isolated in the desert, he proves himself by becoming The Captain's top soldier, but questions the group's true purpose. As the Mexican police close in, he realizes that his only way out is to escape back to America, but first he must outwit The Captain.

Genre : Action
Country : USA

Cast :
Scott Eastwood : Mitch Davis
Angela Sarafyan : Alyssa
Nick Chinlund : The Captain

Director : Charles Burmeister

My Opinion 

Every descendant of a famous person struggles with the same problems. They all have to prove themselves real hard, so they aren't referred to as "son of" or "daughter of". The prejudices that everything is served on a silver platter for them and thanks to their famous father and mother the path to success is without obstacles, is difficult to avoid. I guess Scott Eastwood (indeed "son of") knows what I mean. If you take a look at his his filmography, Scott has been really active. Although most films sound unfamiliar to me (except "Diablo" which, however, I gave up watching after 10 minutes due to the old-fashioned look and the fact that I'm not really a western fan), he also succeeded in getting a part in "Suicide squad". A movie I'm eagerly looking forward to. Time to see whether Scott can shake off the image of his über cool father.

"Mercury Plains" should have gotten the alternative title "Goonies meet Sicario". Because in essence this is just a film about a gang of scouts members (looks like it in a way) who are led by an (allegedly) charismatic, articulate leader to fight against drug gangs in Mexico. After witnessing some amateurish-looking skirmishes with local drug dealers and a raid by the police, the story evolves into a kind of survival trip in the desert. A bit like "Beyond the reach". It's situated at the Mexican border near the notorious Mexican citie Ciudad Juarez. Scott Eastwood plays the unemployed, American teenager Mitch. He's convinced by a friend to cross the border of Mexico. Thanks to his friend, Scott gets in trouble and is approached by Jesse (Justin Park) who tells him about The Captain (Nick Chinlund).

I tried to be unbiased and gave Scott a chance to prove himself. But I couldn't resist to compare him with his father. And the similarities are creepy anyway. It was as if I was looking at the young Clint again. The same facial structure and profile. The same calm and controlled expression. Also a man without many words and thoughtfully taking every possible option into consideration. Even the intonation of his voice and the controlled manner of answers are similar. Without any doubt Scott's future looks bright. As long as the future films he's going to play in, are from a higher level. Because in general you can say that this was an abominable bad movie, full of improbabilities and ridiculous situations.

 

Scott's acting was by far the best that you could admire in this movie. That's not so hard since the rest of the cast just made a mess out of it. Maybe the age caused it. But sadly enough Chinlund wasn't too convincing either. And Angela Sarafyan looked desirable, but her part was meaningless and pathetic. Furthermore, I was wondering the whole movie if Mitch's step father actually wasn't worrying about his missing SUV. Most laughable fragment was a confrontation with a known drug dealer. As told by The Captain he seemed to be guarded heavily. But I never saw a dangerous drug dealer being overpowered this easy. The guerrilla operations carried out by this group of young people against seasoned drug cartels, resembled those of old B-movies. The denouement in the sweltering desert looked considerably better, but by that time I already fought against the urge to stop watching. Hopefully Scott Eastwood goes his own way and will be offered a part in a decent film. Like the old Eastwood once said: "Improvise, Adapt and Overcome". 

My rating 3/10
Links : IMDB