The International

Movie Info

Directed by: Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run)
Written by: Eric Singer (writing debut)
Starring: Clive Owen (Children of Men, Inside Man), Naomi Watts (The Ring, Mulholland Dr.),
Genre: Action/Suspense/Thriller
MPAA Rating: R - for some sequences of violence and language
Runtime: 118 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 55% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 52/100
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
My Response: I saw The International at a screening a few days ago, and it was a lot better than I thought it would be. Clive delivers (as always) a solid action/thriller performance. It's not revolutionary, but it's entertaining. The irony of a movie opening about a bank becoming too powerful during the current bank collapse is an added bonus.

Trailer



Official Website

Push

Movie Info

Directed by: Paul McGuigan (The Reckoning, Lucky Number Slevin)
Written by: Screenplay: David Bourla (Nostradamus)
Starring: Camilla Belle (When a Stranger Calls, 10,000 BC), Dakota Fanning (Man on Fire, War of the Worlds), Chris Evans (The Fantastic Four, Sunshine)
Genre: Action
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - for intense sequences of violence and action, brief strong language, smoking and a scene of teen drinking
Runtime: 111 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 26% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 39/100
IMDB Rating: 6.9/10
My Response: This one reminds be of last year's Jumper: Tons of CGI action...bad plot. ...Explosion!...bad characters...action-packed!...dumb. Skip it.

Trailer


Official Website

Taken

Movie Info

Directed by: Pierre Morel (Banlieue 13)
Written by: Screenplay: Luc Besson (The 5th Element, Leon) & Robert Mark Kamen (The Transporter, Banditas)
Starring: Liam Neeson (Batman Begins, Gangs of New York), Maggie Grace (Lost (TV), The Fog), Famke Janssen (X-men trilogy, The Wackness)
Genre: Action/Suspense
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - for intense sequences of violence, disturbing thematic material, sexual content, some drug references and languag
Runtime: 94 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 58% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 49/100
IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
My Response: After watching the trailer for this one, everyone should know two things: (1) don't f*ck with Liam Neeson or any fictional daughters he may have, and (2) see this movie so you know why you should not take any chances. Taken looks to be the best movie released since all the Oscar-contenders a while ago, so don't miss it.

Trailer



Official Website

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

Movie Info

Directed by: Patrick Tatopoulos (Bird of Passage)
Written by: Nine dudes....too many to list
Starring: Rhona Mitra (Doomsday, Shooter), Michael Sheen (Underworld, Frost/Nixon), Bill Nighy (Underworld, Love Actually)
Genre: Action/Fantasy/Horror
MPAA Rating: R - for bloody violence and some sexuality
Runtime: 93 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 38% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 47/100
IMDB Rating: 6.8/10
My Response: There is only one word I can use to talk about this film: Why? As in... why make a prequel to a crappy movie franchise...why would Michael Sheen go from the Oscar-nominated Frost/Nixon to this....why does Bill Nighy, a respected English actor, do these horrible vampire movies...why are there NINE writers for this movie? Why? Why? Why? Skip it.

Trailer



Official Website

Outlander

Movie Info

Directed by: Howard McCain (directorial debut)
Written by: Screenplay: Howard McCain (writing debut) & Dirk Blackman (writing debut)
Starring: James Caviezel (The Passion of the Christ, The Count of Monte Cristo), Sophia Myles (Tristan + Isolde, Underworld), Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Enemy at the Gates)
Genre: Action/Adventure/Science Fiction
MPAA Rating: R - for violence
Runtime: 115 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 29% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 40/100
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
My Response: This is very unknown movie, and it is only getting a limited release. That's too bad, because it definitely looks like it could be entertaining. Someone said that if it was released in the 80's, Outlander would probably be a cult favorite nowadays (like Conan or Predator), and I can't disagree. See it if you can, and make sure to catch it when it hopefully comes to the SciFi channel in a few years.

Trailer



Official Website

Defiance

Movie Info

Directed by: Edward Zwick (Blood Diamond, The Last Samurai)
Written by: Nechama Tac (book), Clayton Frohman (Under Fire) & Edward Zwick (The Last Samurai)
Starring: Daniel Craig (Casino Royale, Munich), Liev Schreiber (The Manchurian Candidate, Scream), Jamie Bell (Billy Elloit, The Chumscrubber)
Genre: Drama/Action/War
MPAA Rating: R - for violence and language
Runtime: 137 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 40% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 56/100
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
My Response: Everyone is saying two things about this film: the direction turned a great story into a run-of-the-mill movie, but the acting is pretty solid. Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber perform admirably, and I've been a huge fan of Jamie Bell (since he's still young, he's going to be an actor to watch for years to come). But despite these performances, this film looks to dissappoint. Skip it.

Trailer



Official Website

The Spirit

Movie Info

Directed by: Frank Miller (Sin City)
Written by: Frank Miller & Will Eisner (comic books)
Starring: Gabriel Macht (American Outlaws, Because I Said So), Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction, Jurassic Park), Scarlett Johansson (In Good Company, Lost in Translation)
Genre: Action
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - for intense sequences of stylized violence and action, some sexual content and brief nudity
Runtime: 103 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 16% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 31/100
IMDB Rating: 5.8/10
My Response: While this film looks like Sin City and many people will go watch it because of all the similarities, The Spirit falls far short of the breakthrough that Sin City achieved. Frank Miller made this movie without the help he's had in the past (with Sin City and 300), and the lack of help definitely hurts this movie. Skip it.

Trailer



Official Website

The Day The Earth Stood Still

Movie Info

Directed by: Scott Derrickson (The Exorcism of Emily Rose)
Written by: David Scarpa (screenplay)
Starring: Keanu Reeves (The Matrix, The Parenthood), Jennifer Connelly (The Rocketeer, A Beautiful Mind), Kathy Bates (Misery, Titanic)
Genre: Action/Science Fiction
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - for some sci-fi disaster images and violence
Runtime: 103 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 23% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 39/100
IMDB Rating: 6.3/100
My Response: I only have one thing to say about this movie: do yourself a favor by renting the original film and enjoying a true masterpiece. Okay two things... I wish Gort was here to take care of people who make remakes.

Trailer



Official Website

Punisher: War Zone

Movie Info

Directed by: Lexi Alexander (Green Street Hooligans, Fool Proof)
Written by: Nick Santora, Art Marcum, & Matt Holloway (screenplay)
Starring: Ray Stevenson (Rome, King Arthur), Dominic West (300, 28 Days), Julie Benz (Rambo, Saw V)
Genre: Action
MPAA Rating: R - for pervasive strong brutal violence, language and some drug use
Runtime: 107 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 15% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 31/100
IMDB Rating: N/A
My Response: Studios don't usually let critics preview movies they think will get poor reviews, so you'll have to wait for the reviews on this one. And don't expect a lot of continuity from the first Punisher movie (as it looks like they've restarted the franchise), but look for this one to have A LOT more action and face explosions (see R Rated trailer below). Skip it unless you're a male teenager.

Trailer



Official Website

Transporter 3

Movie Info

Directed by: Olivier Megaton (The Red Siren, Exit)
Written by: Luc Besson & Robert Mark Kamen (screenplay)
Starring: Jason Statham (Transporter 1 & 2, The Bank Job), Robert Knepper (Hitman, Hostage), Katia Tchenko (Ronin, Madeline)
Genre: Action
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - for sequences of intense action and violence, some sexual content and drug material
Runtime: 100 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 34% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 53/100
IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
My Response: Want to see Jason Statham kick some bad guy butt without much plot or character development? If yes, then this is the movie for you! And make that a double yes if you want a movie directed by the guy who may just be Optimus Prime's biggest enemy....I'm just sayin'. And look at the posters for the 3 Transporter movies:


If they couldn't even change the poster, how much different do you think the movie is?? Skip it.

Trailer



Official Website

Australia

Movie Info

Directed by: Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge!, Rome + Juliet)
Written by: Baz Luhrmann, Stuart Beattie, Ronald Harwood, Richard Flanagan (screenplay)
Starring: Nicole Kidman (Eyes Wide Shut, Cold Mountain), Hugh Jackman (X-men, The Prestige)
Genre: Drama/Action/Romance/Adventure/War/Epic
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - [See Full Rating] for some violence, a scene of sensuality, and brief strong language
Runtime: 165 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 52% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 53/100
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
My Response: This film has been anticipated for quite some time, and it has promised to be a big epic war movie that transcends its time period and all the genre's it adheres to. But, the earlier reviews say that it is just too long and falls far short of these lofty expectations. Rent it.

Trailer



Official Website

Quantum of Solace

Movie Info

Directed by: Marc Forester (Finding Neverland, The Kite Runner)
Written by: Paul Haggis, Neal Purvis & Robert Wade (screenplay)
Starring: Daniel Craig (Casino Royale, Munich), Olga Kurylenko (Hitman, Max Payne), Jeffrey Wright (Casino Royale, W.)
Genre: Action
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - for intense sequences of violence and action, and some sexual content
Runtime: 106 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 69% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 58/100
IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
My Response: I'll kill all the anticipation and internet talk right now: Quantum of Solace is going to be my weekend suggestion. I know, I know...you're shocked. And while Daniel Craig's second Bond film doesn't look to be as awesomely cool and entertaining as his first one, it's still a can't miss movie. Look for this one to mix frantic action sequences with tense emotional scenes. Go see it and watch Bond be as awesomely cool as he can be!

Trailer



Official Website

RocknRolla

Movie Info

Directed by: Guy Richie (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch)
Written by: Guy Richie (screenplay)
Starring: Gerard Butler (300, P.S. I Love You), Thandie Newton (Crash, W.), Jeremy Piven (Smokin' Aces, Entourage)
Genre: Action
MPAA Rating: R - for pervasive language, violence, drug use and brief sexuality
Runtime: 114 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 61% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 56/100
IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
My Response: It's undeniable that guy Richie can make some very entertaining crime movies, as seen in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch. RocknRolla seems to be in the same vain as these films, and with Gerard Butler leading they way, it should be a fun time at the theater. See it.

Trailer



Official Website

Max Payne

Movie Info

Directed by: John Moore (Behind Enemy Lines, Flight of the Phoenix)
Written by: Sam Lake (video game), Beau Thorne (screenplay)
Starring: Mark Wahlberg (The Departed, The Italian Job), Mila Kunis (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, That 70's Show), Beau Bridges (Charlotte's Web, 10.5)
Genre: Action
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - for violence including intense shooting sequences, drug content, some sexuality and brief strong language
Runtime: 100 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 8% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 31/100
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
My Response: Max Payne looks to add great special effects and some supernatural elements to the ol' cop-loses-family-and-wants-revenge formula. The movie is based on the popular video game from 2001, and as you know, movies based on video games rarely work out. But, if all you want is some effects eye candy, then hit it up. If you want a memorable action flick, skip it.

Trailer



Official Website

Eagle Eye

Movie Info

Directed by: D.J. Caruso (Disturbia, Two For The Money)
Written by: John Glenn, Travis Wright, Hillary Seitz, & Dan McDermott (screenplay)
Starring: Shia LaBeouf (Transformers, Disturbia), Michelle Monaghan (Mission Impossible II, Mr. & Mrs. Smith), Billy Bob Thorton (Friday Night Lights, Armageddon)
Genre: Suspense, Action
MPAA Rating: PG-13 - for intense sequences of action and violence, and for language.
Runtime: 118 minutes

Reviews

RottenTomatoes Score: 27% Fresh
MetaCritic Score: 46/100 - Mixed or average reviews
IMDB Rating: 6.6/10
My Response: I was able to see Eagle Eye at a preview screening last night, so I have some insight into the film. I was anticipating the movie as an entertaining thriller with some plot holes, and I was right. There are some great action scenes to watch, but you need to suspend your disbelief more than a few times to be able to fully enjoy the movie. Shia Laboef entertains like always, and it's a fun movie to watch. Just don't expect much more than that and you'll be satisfied. I think this film is best seen in a theatre to fully appreciate the action scenes.

Trailer



Official Website