Snowpiercer (2013)

An ultra-violent actioner that takes place in a self-contained super-train in a post-apocalyptic world where people are segregated by class, both figuratively and literally? Sign me up!

The train turned out to be cooler than I thought. Themed cars such as a marine aquarium, steam saunas, hair salon, greenhouse, and nightclub. Unfortunately, the end of the train and the end of the movie both turned out to be a disappointment. Great ideas for movies rarely have great endings. Snowpiercer was not an exception.

Rating: C

Wonder Woman (2017)

Mildly entertaining. The best bits were during the planning phase in London when character nuances had a chance to surface. But I had a running list of complaints.

Did it not dawn on them that if Ares never returned, they would all die off in a generation’s time, you know, since there were no men around to get them pregnant? 

Their home island made use of too much CGI. Might as well have been a cartoon. 

Training with real weapons would have surely led to accidental beheadings and dismemberment. Where were all the disfigured chicks who failed warrior academy? 

When WW dives into the ocean to save the pilot, she misses certain death on the rocks by a few feet. Does she have sonar? That’s not a dive I see them practicing. 

I don’t care how important your mission is. If you wash up on the shore of an island full of sexy Amazon ladies, your new mission is to enjoy every second of the rest of your life. 

One bad guy kills himself with cyanide to avoid giving up secrets whilst the others are knocked out, readily available for questioning. Do they bother? No.

Crossing No Man’s Land she deflects a few bullets with her wrist guards, but then hides behind her shield as the gatling gun starts. Um, how did her legs not get blown to bits? 

Why does WW’s sword never have any blood on it?

In the end, it turns out she’s basically invincible, which renders all previous action sequences meaningless. Everything leads up to two “gods” duking it out in a pointless fight. 

WW is victorious after she decides love can conquer all. Heavy stuff. 

Rating: D

Death At A Funeral (2007)

I don't think it turned out as funny as they thought it would during the shoot, but I can't deny laughing quite a bit during some parts. There's no way all these disastrous events could ever happen at one funeral, but maybe that's the fun of watching it on screen.

Rating: C

Black Hawk Down (2001)

Almost nonstop action, violence, death, and mayhem the entire film. Loved it! Ridley Scott knows how to keep his audience’s heart pounding.

Rating: B+

AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004)

Nice bit of distracting violence for a Saturday afternoon. Plot was decent, but it felt rushed. I think they could have drawn it out a little longer and made a better film.

Rating: C

Match Point (2005)

It’s hard to love a film whose main character is such a slime ball. Sure, Scarlett Johansson makes for one incredibly enticing mistress, but that doesn’t excuse his behavior. I certainly didn’t see things escalating to the point that they did. Disturbing.

Outside of the terrible music, it doesn’t feel much like a Woody Allen picture. It certainly wasn’t one of my favorites from him.

Rating: C-

The Rundown (2003)

I love action movies, even when they aren't very good. I can't help enjoying a great fight scene, car chase, or explosion. The Rundown was ok. Some plot points were a bit tired, but the action and surround sound kept me going. if you're in the mood for a little escapist action, this is a decent rent.

Rating: C

Snatch (2000)

Guy Ritchie at the top of his game following his brilliant "Stock, Lock, and Two Smoking Barrels". Complex characters and story are effortlessly blended for our amusement. It's a very funny, very violent film.

A second viewing of Brad Pitt's gypsy slugger reveals my initial instincts were right: He should have been nominated for an academy award for this role. Too bad it's the kind of performance that NEVER gets recognized by Hollywood. He's quite brilliant.

Rating: A-