Arnold is back, and to me, he is back in a big way. He returns to leading man glory in a film that represents everything that made him famous in the first place. An 80's actioner with cheese ball one liners and a plot that doesn't take too many brain cells to keep up. I had 2 beers during and I never lost focus on the end goal of the film. I really have to thank Sly Stallone on this one. If he hadn't brought back a dead genre with The Expendables 1 and 2, then films like may never have seen the light of day again. When an international Drug lord breaks out of maximum security transfer, all hell breaks loose. The thug is in a very nice Corvette, speeding cross country in a hurry to get back to Mexico and away from the United States law enforcement. When he feels he is home free, the last thing he would expect would be resistance from a 60+ year old, small town sheriff. What he got was one bad ass firefight. Luckily for Ray (Arnold), one of his residents happens to be the curator of a local military museum. Lewis (Knoxville) has accumulated such an array of fire power, and has one of the funniest business plans I have ever heard. He is easily the most obvious comic relief in the film, however, Luis Guzman and Arnold himself add many lighthearted one liners that you will probably take for granted. The Last Stand is a great return to form in more than one way. All in all, this film is definitely worth the price of admission, and it holds the best kill scene I can remember in quite some time. Hint, it involves Arnold on a roof top. Honestly, I don't imagine you will be shocked by where this film takes you. A very pleasurable nowhere.
NBM rates The Last Stand - Awesome
Of the 5 Die Hard films, this one is easily my least favorite. Will I buy it on DVD? Yes. I have a series to complete. However, as much as everyone hated the 4th installment, at least it was smart. This one has very little going for it. It does have John McClane though, and that is always good enough for me. This is the Epitome of a popcorn movie. Thin plot, not to hard to follow, and it is a film solely based on the action. Action does not fill the gaps between extremely smart nuances and plot points, but instead it serves as the fruit of the entire film. What the film does well, it actually does great...and that makes sense. For example, Bruce Willis is getting older, and that comes into quite a few punch lines. Brilliant. The car chase scene through the streets of Russia, though very unbelievable, is awesome and the fact it took over 30 days to film it, makes me love it even more. Why was a NY city cop in Russia? To find his son who is on trial for murder. Ok, makes sense. The plot unfolds from here in just a few minutes and then we get to see McClane and son kick ass on an international level like McClane's do. This way, that way, then like a flash in the pan, it's all wrapped up in a nice neat little package. As far as the whole film goes, it is rather enjoyable. With that said, if it had been any other film, say, a film not directed related to such a prominent franchise, I may have respected it more. It did fall a little flat for me being the return of John McClane and all, but still worth a watch and worth buying to complete the series. Any other movie wouldn't get as graceful a rating, but John McClane alone boosts this film right to the middle of the road.
NBM rates A Good Day to Die Hard - Awesome
I was beyond excited to be finally getting a gangster noir picture. I cannot remember ever enjoying one at the theatre. September 2012 could not get here fast enough and then some jackass shoots up a theatre in Colorado, which was awful, delaying the release of this film by 4 months to allow the film's makers to do re-shoots and to cut a scene involving a historical event from the 1940's involving guns in a theatre. Doesn't make sense to me, but we can't always make everyone happy. It focuses on Mickey Cohen's (Sean Penn) rise to the top of the LA crime scene in 1949, and the cops commissioned in taking him down. All you need to do is have a look at the cast and you should be well aware this will be great. Headlined by a very smash mouth John O'Mara (Josh Brolin) and then on his right hip is the very soft spoken, doesn't even believe in his job anymore, Jerry Wooters (Ryan Gosling). These two guys are fire and ice. Then much like the fantastic film, "The Untouchables", they put together a group of guys that aren't afraid to die for badge and honor. Only difference is, The Gangster Squad is a completely off the books operation. No Honors and no badges. This film has everything that makes any film great. Action, Sex, History, Guns, Explosions, and of course, Ryan Gosling. It is fun, because of the execution, and what few comedy aspects you can have in such a highly dramatic film. This squad was not perfect right off the blocks. Not even close. Trial by fire is more like it. They got some traction and Mickey Cohen started getting angry. He started putting some pieces together, and end the end it was a battle of wills. Which side would give up first? Good vs Evil, and I cannot wait to watch it again. Some may argue this is not a true gangster movie. I agree. It is a cop drama that focuses on the good and less on the evil. Still immensely enjoyable, and at times, very gritty. If you are squeamish at the site of blood, you may want to skip the opening scene. I, on the other hand, saw it as a breath of fresh air in an industry scared to take risks in today's society. Top notch performances from everyone on screen, and the only disappointment I have is the lack of Nick Nolte. I understand why he could not be more present, but he is so awesome.
NBM rates Gangster Squad - Phenomenal
