Seized is a throwaway yet better-than-expected direct-to-video action-thriller that doesn’t break any new ground whatsoever but found relatively entertaining thanks to Scott Adkins and some moderately well done stunt work.
IP Man 4: The Finale starring Donnie Yen marks the end of the popular martial arts series. The 4K, Blu-ray and DVD arrives on April 21st and On Demand on April 7th.
The Debt Collector was a surprisingly well made action-thriller with Scott Adkins showing that he has the charisma and charm to carry a small-scale film like this. Beyond that, the action scenes are well shot.
American Assassin doesn’t manage to standout amongst the numerous other espionage thrillers out there and yet I found it entertaining mostly for the cast, namely Dylan O’Brien and Michael Keaton, not to mention relative newcomer Shiva Negar, more so than the plot.
The Legend of Hercules gets to have the distinct pleasure of being the first flop of 2014 at the box office and with critics and audiences alike and for good reason. There’s nothing here save maybe for Gaia Weiss who, albeit in a limited role, was decent (and easy on the eyes).
While not the strongest of the numerous MCU films so far, Doctor Strange at least is still a fun flick helped more by the charisma of both Benedict Cumberbatch and Tilda Swinton more than a routine, thin plot and another forgettable villain.
Hard Target 2 isn’t a half-bad DTV flick though it is pretty standard fare and probably went on a good 10-minutes too long. Still, Scott Adkins makes for a serviceable action hero with the right amount of charisma to pull off the role while seeing Robert Knepper playing a villain is always a welcome.
Criminal is your run-of-the-mill action/thriller that succeeds mostly with a strong ensemble cast led way by Kevin Costner who gives a nice performance while Gary Oldman, Tommy Lee Jones and Ryan Reynolds are more background noise. This is the perfect movie as a rental, but not much more.
Criminal is your run-of-the-mill action/thriller that succeeds mostly with a strong ensemble cast led way by Kevin Costner who gives a nice performance while Gary Oldman, Tommy Lee Jones and Ryan Reynolds are more background noise. This is the perfect movie as a rental, but not much more.
Jarhead 3: The Siege is at least an okay flick though it takes more than a few cues from the real life events in Benghazi that were portrayed in the big budget Michael Bay flick, 13 Hours. As it is, it’s passable entertainment.
Home Invasion isn’t going to challenge one’s mind or anything but it’s not a terrible movie, perfectly passable (not to mention safe) for what it is, a quick direct-to-video flick destined to air on Lifetime.
Close Range isn’t good however, I will say at least the fight choreography wasn’t half bad but the acting has much to be desired and the screenplay doesn’t fare much better. But for fans of Adkins and kind of old school, 1990s-esque films, it might be worth a rental or cheap pick-up.
For a DTV flick, Legendary isn’t bad and the visual effects are halfway decent… well, probably Asylum levels and at least better than a SyFy Original Movie. Scott Adkins actually is alright here and Dolph Lundgren always seems to have a good time playing an unabashed villain. The DVD released by Lionsgate is unsurprisingly light on features but the audio and video transfers are both well done.
The Legend of Hercules gets to have the distinct pleasure of being the first flop of 2014 at the box office and with critics and audiences alike and for good reason. There’s nothing here save maybe for Gaia Weiss who, albeit in a limited role, was decent (and easy on the eyes). Anyway, avoid this as there’s nothing redeeming, not even in the “it’s so bad it’s good” kind of way either.
This direct-to-video sequel to a movie I frankly barely heard of and never seen, actually wasn’t bad. Despite a kind of lame subtitle, Ninja II: Shadow of a Tear isn’t a bad movie with well choreographed fight scenes and on the whole a nicely framed picture from director Isaac Florentine.