Action – Page 2 – cinemescope

100 Word Review – The Running Man (1987)

November 26, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., Sci FiTagged 1980s, Action, adaptation, Arnie, Arnold Schwarzenegger, dystopian, future, Sci Fi, Stephen King, Steven E de SouzaLeave a comment

Arnie really is wonderful, isn’t he? If you were ever in doubt, watch this film.

Set in a dystopian future, Ben Richards (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is convicted of a crime he didn’t commit and forced to participate in a public execution disguised as a brutal gameshow.

Based on the novel by Stephen King (The Shawshank Redemption, The Shining), it was adapted by Steven E. de Souza (Die Hard, Commando). Think an adult 1980s Hunger Games, but with more gore and less characterisation. There’s explosions, plenty of shouting, people in leotards and enough exploding heads to keep any Arnie fan happy.

100 Word Review – Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)

November 9, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., ComedyTagged Action, adaptation, Colin Firth, Comedy, comic book, Dave Gibbons, James Bond, Jane Goldman, Mark Miller, Mark Strong, Matthew Vaughn, Michael Caine, Samuel L Jackson, spy, Taron Egerton1 Comment

Initially sold to me as “Bond with jokes”, it’s so much more than that.

When his dad dies, Eggsy (Taron Egerton) is visited by Harry (Colin Firth). Harry’s a Kingsman, part of a secret service and Eggsy might be just the recruit he’s looking for.

From dream-team Matthew Vaughn and Jane Goldman (Kick-Ass, Stardust), it’s much better than your average spy movie. The plot may be a tad predictable, but it’s full of genuine belly laughs and superb characters. Co-starring Samuel L Jackson, Mark Strong and Michael Caine, it’s a brilliant adaptation of Mark Miller and Dave Gibbons’ comic book.

100 Word Review – Manborg (2011)

November 5, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Sci FiTagged 1980s, Action, adventure, animation, Astron-6, blood, Canadian, Comedy, Fantasy, robots, Sci Fi, Vampires1 Comment

Possibly the greatest and most ridiculous film ever made, Manborg is a must-see for any fans of 1980s action Sci Fi.

Set in the future, Nazi vampires rise from Hell and take over the earth. One man is bought back from the dead by a mad scientist, who gives him some robotic modifications. He is no longer a man. He is Manborg.

Created by Canadian cult movie masters Astron-6 (Father’s Day, The Editor) and in the same vein as Kung Fury. Made on $1000 budget, it seeps with the passion of it’s creators. This film is barmy from beginning to end.

100 Word Review – Kung Fury (2015)

November 3, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., Action, Comedy, Sci FiTagged 1980s, Action, adventure, Comedy, David Sandberg, dinosaurs, Sci Fi, spoof, vikings1 Comment

In 1985, a cop (David Sandberg) masters the most difficult kung fu ever and becomes Kung Fury.

I don’t even know where to begin. This film is 30minutes of glorious insanity. Prepare yourselves for appearances from Adolf Hitler, Thor, Barbarianna (she’s a Viking who rides a dinosaur and carries a machine gun, obviously) and the magnificent Tricerecop, to name but a few.

Definitely on a par with the work of Astron-6 (Manborg, Father’s Day), it is a homage to those straight-to-VHS gems of 1980s action.

Currently on Netflix and YouTube, it’s a funny, action-packed ridiculous rollercoaster of nonsense you must watch!

100 Word Review – The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

October 28, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., Action, Romance, Sci FiTagged Action, adaptation, Emily Blunt, George Nolfi, John Slattery, Matt Damon, Philip K Dick, Romance, Sci FiLeave a comment

This is Sci Fi on a personal scale with potentially international consequences.

A politician (Matt Damon) meets a ballerina (Emily Blunt) he should never have met. Can their love survive or will the Adjustment Bureau restore order as fate intends it?

Based on the short story by Philip K Dick (Total Recall, A Scanner Darkly, Blade Runner), adapted by director George Nolfi (The Bourne Ultimatum, Ocean’s Twelve), this film falls somewhere between Sci Fi paranoia and all out action.

Co-starring John Slattery (Mad Men) as Richardson, this is a film about destiny, choice and fighting for what you believe in.

100 Word Review – In Bruges (2008)

October 6, 2015April 15, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., ComedyTagged Action, assassin, Brendan Gleeson, Colin Farrell, Comedy, Martin McDonagh, Ralph Fiennes1 Comment

After a botched assignment, two hit men (Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson) head to Bruges in an attempt to avoid the heat in London on the orders of mob boss Harry (Ralph Fiennes). But there is more to this mini vacation than there first appears…

Written and directed by Martin McDonagh (Seven Psychopaths), this may be the most hilariously twisted crime comedy I’ve ever seen.

Be warned, it’s not for the squeamish or the overly politically correct. It is dark, dry and just plain brilliant. The screenplay was nominated for an Oscar and how it didn’t win is beyond me.

Short – The Fly

October 4, 2015March 6, 2016Posted in Comedy, ShortsTagged Action, British, Comedy, crime, darkLeave a comment

The Fly from Short of the Week on Vimeo.

100 Word Review – Men In Black (1997)

September 24, 2015April 15, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., Comedy, Sci FiTagged Action, adaptation, aliens, Barry Sonnefeld, Comedy, Ed Solomon, family, Lowell Cunningham, Sci Fi, Tommy Lee Jones, Will SmithLeave a comment

As a piece of my childhood I find it hard to be objective about this film. Having said that I’ve never met anyone who disliked it.

After seeing a suspect blink sideways, police officer Jay (Will Smith) is inducted into a top secret organisation that keeps the world safe from aliens who already live on Earth, the Men In Black. Tommy Lee Jones co-stars as MIB stalwart, Kay.

Adapted from Lowell Cunningham’s comic by Ed Solomon (Now You See Me, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure) and directed by Barry Sonnefeld (Wild Wild West, Get Shorty), this film is brilliant fun.

100 Word Review – The Goonies (1985)

September 13, 2015April 15, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., Action, Comedy, FantasyTagged 1980s, Action, adventure, Chris Columbus, Comedy, Corey Feldman, family, Fantasy, Jeff Cohen, Jonathan Ke Quan, Josh Brolin, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton, Richard Donner, Sean Astin, Steven SpielbergLeave a comment

Hey you guys!

I watched this for the first time last night and was blown away!

Set in a time before parents worried about their children disappearing on bikes into the sunset, a groups of kids (Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Corey Feldman, Jeff Cohen, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton and Jonathan Ke Quan) seek a pirates treasure while being pursued by escaped criminals.

Screenplay by Chris Columbus (Gremlins), directed by Richard Donner (Lethal Weapon) with Steven Spielberg responsible for the story, it’s everything you’d hope for from an 80’s family action adventure film.

You’ll laugh, jump and quote it for days!

100 Word Review – Last Action Hero (1993)

August 31, 2015April 15, 2016Posted in 100 Words..., Action, ComedyTagged Action, adventure, Arnie, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Austin O'Brien, Charles Dance, Comedy, family, Game of ThronesLeave a comment

Arnie’s back.

Danny (Austin O’Brien) is a young boy with a big imagination, obsessed with his favourite action hero Jack Slater (Arnold Schwarzenegger). When he is given a ticket to the latest Slater flick he jumps at the chance, little suspecting that he might become part of the action…

Co-staring the magnetic Charles Dance (Tywin Lannister from Game of Thrones), this is lighter and more comedic than a lot of Arnie’s ouevre, but doesn’t quite fit in to his family-friendly-range (see Junior or Twins). It’s a joy to watch, full of the ridiculous one-liners and explosions we’ve come to expect.