Movie Review # 49 The Gunfighter's Pledge (2008)

Release: 2008
Director: Armand Mastroianni http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0557857/
Writer: Jim Byrnes http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0126327/
Cast:
Luke Perry http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000580/
C. Thomas Howell http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001367/
Kim Coates http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0167649/


Ratings:
Rotten Tomatoes: 17% Audience http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1195618-pledge/
IMDb: 5.4/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1146439/
Netflix: 3.2 Stars


Review:
The Gunfighter's Pledge or as it is found most often The Pledge. Is a made for TV Western for the Hallmark Channel. But unlike most made for TV movies this one surprised me by not being totally worthless and showed that on occasion no matter the cookie cutter movie. That they can have a heart and soul even it is barely registrable which this film is.

For what this movie is worth. The acting wasn't bad and had enough cheese on it make you smile. The writing could have come from a country song. Sheriff loses his family, set's out for revenge. Accidently kills a man looking for help and returns the body to the ranch. Then decides to stay and falls in love. Yep that sounds like a country song or at the very least a daytime serial for a made for TV movie which this. I honestly can not complain about this at all.

It was not entirely entertaining and the end of the movie is a huge let down. But that is just how TV movies go. Well I need say that is how westerns go as they usually either have a giant climatic scene or they choose to wimp out. Then one wimped out and fizzled. Not enough though for fans of westerns to skip. Which I am and with the lack of real westerns coming to the big screen finding even a half way decent one like this is a God send.

Now my only wish is that more westerns where made. I just do not see it happening and as such when I get to whet my appetite on films like these. I should and shall and never hope for the best. At least everything was shot properly and they had a wonderful set. So all in all it is just decent and fun. Long live those cowboys of the wild wild west.

My Rating: 2.5/5 Stars

Movie Review # 41 The Cutter (2005)

Release: 2005
Director: William Tannen http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0849587/
Writer: Bruce Haskett http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1761013/
Cast:
Chuck Norris http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001569/
Joanna Pacula http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001586/
Daniel Bernhardt http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0076780/


Ratings:
Rotten Tomatoes: 37% Audience http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/cutter_the/
IMDb: 5.0/10 Stars
Netflix: 3.1 Stars


Review
If there is one man who transcends through all of pop culture it is Chuck Norris. Despite his popularity the man can not act or make movies and this movie is a prime example. The Cutter takes place in Spokane, Washington and deals with a Auschwitz survivor who happens to be a exemplary jewel cutter. Who has been kidnapped (if you can say that about an 80 year old man?) to cut stolen gems from a mummy's tomb.

Yea this sounds stupid and lets toss in that the people holding the cutter captive are Neo-Nazi's and you have a trifecta  of total crap upon crap. All of which is made even more unbearable with bad writing, acting and horrid transitions between shots. Often with nauseating effects like speed up time shifts of a flying scene that start and stop abruptly. Which serve no purpose other than show off the industrial district's of Spokane, Washington. I swear this movie was shot by a teenage male who thought that showcasing Chuck Norris would make him popular.

Honestly it didn't and all this did is show the ineptitude of the director. As there are glaring holes and here are a few examples. Headlights and grill in a fan get shot up and the next scene they are mint again. The main villain gets shot in the chest and then the bullet hole isn't there. Only show back up again as an ink stain. Yep way to go special effects team and director. You guys shot for the lowest bar on the film continuity scale and somehow whiffed on a bar the size of Texas.

But you did and I had to watch it. Which I wish I had not. But it is Chuck Norris and I am supposed to love it. So that is my only excuse for the high rating on IMDb.com as fans of the Chuck thought he was amazing and awesome! Guess what folks he is an aging actor who was nothing more than a B-Film action star. Who only became popular in pop culture through a commercial and a horrible TV series. Which this movie reminded me of.

Yea this was a 90 minute excuse to revive Walker Texas Ranger and it still sucked!  But no matter what I say the Die Hards for Chuck will still stay true to him and give this pile of crap a glowing review. Which I can not. I much rather smother my face in steaming pile of dog shit than sit through this again.

My Rating: 1/5 Stars

Movie Review # 24 High Hopes (2005)

Release:
Director: Joe Eckardt http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1836968/
Writer(s): 
Cecily Gambrell http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0303879/
Colby Kane http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1022833/
Cast:
Jason Mewes http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0582939/
Edward Furlong http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000411/
David Faustino http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004910/
Andy Dick http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004873/
Danny Trejo http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001803/


Ratings:
Rotten Tomatoes: 24% Fresh Audience http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1209964-high_hopes/
IMDB: 3.7/10 http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5547798684833737318
Netflix: 3 Stars


Rating:
High Hopes is a comedy I had high hopes for. Sadly my High Hopes where lowered so greatly that I felt that was watching a movie that a group of frat guys came up with. Not to say that it was awful or even bad. It wasn't it just was a stereotypical B-Film jaunt that never lived up to its cast.

The cast consisting of Jason Mewes, David Faustino, Andy Dick, Danny Trejo and Edward Furlong. As well several other cameos through out. Is quiet honestly a great cast for a film. With most of them being some of the better films in the past 10 years. Sadly though this film is not one of them. Choosing to stick to middle ground of bad films that get made. Only to make you go what the fuck where they smoking? In this case it was the M-100.

Since they where obviously smoking during the making of this film. Here is the run down of the movie. A drug dealer gets a case of medical grade cronic. Then the man that gave it to him dies only for a group of misfits wanting to make a movie works out a plan just like Ocean's 11. In order to obtain it. Yep a heist and stoner flick all wrapped up in a craptastic package. Which is honestly sad very sad.

This movie had great potential as a film. Especially with the cast only if they tightened things up. Maybe even gone in and done some rewrites for this film. But as it is. It is just a flawed movie that had great potential.

My Rating: 2/5 Stars

Movie Review # 19 Pokemon: The Rise of Darkrai

Release: 2007
Director: Kunihiko Yuyama
Writer: Hideki Sonada
Cast:
Michele Knotz
Ikue Ootani
Sarah Natochenny


Ratings:
Rotten Tomatoes: 79% Fresh Audience
IMDB: 5.5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1226251/
Netflix: 3.8 Stars


Review:
Pokemon: The Rise of Darkrai is possibly the best Pokemon movie outside of the first one. As it takes parts from other established franchises like Godzilla and Hayao Miyazaki's epic tail Nausicaa of the Wind (1984). Then melds them together to form a wonderful and enchanting tail. Yet keep it completely Pokemon. From beginning to end it is entertaining, funny and enjoyable enough for adults and children over 7.

I say that as moments in this film are scary for younger kids. Which is alright in most parents books. But I do recommend you viewing it first and making the judgement on it before letting your young ones watch it. As this  is the darkest of all the released Pokemon movies. It is also the reason that this film is amazing. It took a more adult theme and went with it. As it respected the aging audience of Pokemon.

So here is the story synopsis Palkia and Dialga two Pokemon that should have never met. End up meeting then creating a battle. As they are both thinking the other invaded and are protecting their lands. Now for Darkrai I will not break that story bullet point as it is a main plot line for the film. As for everything else? Honestly it is Pokemon so you will love or hate it dependent on that.

But if you are a teeter then this might one of those Pokemon films that  you might actually enjoy. It is not like a lot of the others. Where Ash saves the world etc etc. In this one he helps out but is not the main hero. Which was refreshing and great. Now we move on to acting, art and music and per the usual they are all good. Which is what you come to expect from these movie releases.

With saying that here is my verdict. Pokemon: The Rise of Darkrai is a great Pokemon movie. It is entertaining, dark and magical. It can stand alone outside of the franchise and be enjoyed by Pokemon fans and non-Pokemon fans. That is just my take and I hope all of you come back tomorrow for my next movie review.

My Rating 3.75/5 Stars

Movie Review # 18 Monsters (2010)

Release: 2010
Director: Gareth Edwards
Writer: Gareth Edwards
Cast: 
Whitney Able
Scoot McNairy


Ratings:
Rotten Tomatoes: 71% Fresh Critics 49% Fresh Audience http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/monsters-2010/
IMDB: 6.5/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1470827/
Netflix: 3.1 Stars


Review:
Monsters is a movie that takes bits and pieces from other established franchises and then tries to make it their own. Try as they might the movies they stole from where a lot better and are much more preferred to this one. Not saying that this Independent film is awful by any means it is just no Mist or Cloverfield. Both of which where used as a source material for this film. Some might add in a little bit of District 9 with the creatures being stuck on Planet Earth thanks to a downed probe.

But that might be the farthest stretch for this film in general. So here is the story. A probe is sent to scavenge some alien artifacts found in our galaxy. One the way back it crashes down in Mexico and these monsters come to life once the are on Earth. This is paper thin as single ply toilet paper and just as flimsy. But what can I say this sorta story is what Hollywood Sci-Fi is built on. Aliens crash land and all hell breaks loose yada yada.

As with classic alien monster movies. You have two to for people who make a difference in the general scheme of things. But that is where this film is different as there is no closure nor is the a real story. It is all about two people trying to get back to America from Mexico and honestly it was drab and boring to put it best. The monster animations where amazing and reminiscent of Cthulu creatures. Which is awesome in my books. Just that at no point do you feel dread, scared or even remotely any suspense. That is a downer and one that gets massive negative points from me.

So the story sucks and yet there is a positive. The acting and the direction of the film was honestly really good. Well not really good as I felt I was watching one of those old made for tv horror movies. Yeah, it was bad all around but in that good fun way. So what are the positives of this film? Acting wasn't to horrible, music was pretty awesome, animations where cool. The story seems like it was written on a used piece of toilet paper. Outside of that I liked this B-film.

If you have time or just need an afternoon off from reality. There are far worse movies than this to watch. If you are fan of the Mist, Cloverfield or even classic Alien crash landing movies. This is one you should pick up and watch at least once. Who knows maybe you will be just like me and like it just because it bad enough to be awesome.

My Rating 3.25/5 Stars

Movie Review # 17 The Chaperone (2011)

Release: 2011
Director: Stephen Herek (Mr. Holland's Opus, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure)
Writer: S.J. Roth
Cast:
Paul "Triple H" Levesque (Blade: Trinity, WWE)
Yeardly Smith (The Simpsons, Maxium Overdrive)
Kevin Corrigan (Superbad, Pineapple Express, The Departed)


Ratings:
Rotten Tomatoes: 25% Fresh Reviewers 51% Fresh Audience http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_chaperone/
IMDB: 4.1/10 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1663187/
Netflix: 3.9 Stars


Review:
I do not know what it is about WWE production movies. But I seem to enjoy them. The Chaperone which stars Triple H as Ray "Ray" Bradstone is an ex-con who spent the last 7 years in prison trying to get to know his teenage daugter. All the while he has his past haunting him through out the film. It is honestly a bit of cat and mouse and often juvienile in its approach to things.

Especially at the end but hey if we can put disbelief that wrestling is not staged then you can with this film. At no point do you see this other than what it is. A good and fun movie to watch with the kids. Triple H does an admirable and at times amazing job in acting. As much as I love Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin both whom have branched out to acting. They do not hold a candle to Triple H as he can honestly really act. The only other one who showed this kind of talent on screen is the "Big Show" Paul Wright in Knucklehead.

Which honestly was the funniest movies I have seen in years. Sadly I saw it before I started this blog and won't be writing about it. Now back to The Chaperone it is a happy go lucky film. Where good triumphs over evil and is filled with more cliche's about cops and robbers than you can imagine. But I honestly could not stop watching it. Maybe I long for sugary coated movies that are just silly enough to make me laugh. But so overly done that they make me sick.

That or I just enjoy movies that have a heart and pulse. Like this one does. It is not amazing nor is it terrible it lies in that middle ground that proves that B-Movies are not always terrible. But sometimes surprisingly good despite what IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes saying that this is terrible. So give it a shot especially if you are a wrestling fan or just a fanatic for Triple H.

My rating 3.5/5 Stars


Trailer for the film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKZfReufnzw&playnext=1&list=PL067CA3510B810C26