Tasmanian Devils

Released:  January 2013 (SyFy)

OVERALL RATING:  *  *  .5
(on a scale of 1 to 4 - 4 being best)

Director:  Zach Lipovsky
Writer:  Brook Durham
Producer:  Lindsay Moffat
Main Actors:  Danica McKellar, Kenneth Mitchell, Apolo Ohno, Mike Dopud

Directing:  *
Acting:  *  *
Plot:  *
Entertainment Value:  *  *  * 
Predictability:  *  *  *
Gore Factor:  *  *  * 

This is definitely one of the better SyFy movies that I have seen recently.  No, it's not because I was an extra in Danica McKellar's movie, Inspector Mom!  I just really appreciate her superb acting skills.

Seriously, she did do a decent job with that script.  Not exactly the most eloquent lines in the world.  I do think that her boobs varied in cleavage throughout the movie.  This is not due to me trying to look at them, it's simply focus where the director pointed attention too.  Every female forest ranger type neglects to button or zip up their shirts past the base of their bra, right?

The special affects guy must have enjoyed breaking everyone in half.  It seemed like those little devils really liked to play tug of war with bodies.  The beginning of the movie had a very graphic body dismemberment that was kind of cool.  I don't have anything to compare it to though - I mean, I haven't seen someone torn apart by demented tasmanian devils before.

I do think it was entertaining.  Keep in mind - it's a SyFy movie.  I am partial to them and, well, you know I know they aren't really Oscar worthy.

Favorie Scenes:  (I couldn't decide on one - and I've given them names)
  - The flying devil
  - Danica shows off her fire skills
  - Anderson crawls, the devil crawls

Django Unchained

Released:  Dec. 25, 2012

OVERALL RATING:  *  *  *  .5
(on a scale of 1 to 4 - 4 being best)

Director:  Quentin Tarantino
Writer:  Quentin Tarantino
Producers:  Reginald Hudlin, Stacey Sher, Pilar Savone
Main Actors:  Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio

Directing:  *  *  *  *
Acting:  *  *  *  *
Plot:  *  *  *
Predictability:  *  *  
Entertainment Value:  *  *  *  *

Highly entertaining movie!  It's Quentin, so expect some flying blood and language.  The basic story was endearing, but of course I didn't come away feeling all gushy and stuff - which is good cause I probably would be rating this movie lower if I had.

There were some very funny moments in the film.  I laughed out loud numerous times.  Also, there are some classic Tarantino shots - like all the gunman coming into the house at one time.  Stuff blew up and people were in shoot outs - right up my ally!!!

I wish I had a better memory cause there are some awesome lines in this.  Samuel L. Jackson threw out some fabulous one liners.  They probably wouldn't be as funny out of context though.  Still, he I think had the best funny lines.

Obviously, I recommend the movie.  It's Oscar nominated for a reason.   I do recommend you NOT let children see this though.  It's Tarantino.

Favorite Scene:  The Klan discussing the bags.  Don Johnson was great!

Wristcutters: A Love Story

Released:  2006

OVERALL RATING:  *  *  * .5
(on a scale of 1 to 4 - 4 being best)

Director:  Goran Dukic
Writers:  Goran Dukic, Etgar Keret
Producers:  Chris Coen, Tatiana Kelly, Mikal P. Lazarev
Main Actors:  Patrick Fugit, Shannyn Sossamon, Shea Whigham

Directing:  *  *  *  
Acting:  *  *  *  * 
Plot:  *  *  *
Predictability:  *  *  *  *
Entertainment Value:  *  *  * 

I do not recommend this movie for anyone who wants a funny, happy, escape movie.  It is a good film, but the subject matter is pretty deep.  Suicide is a serious topic and not something people discuss lightly.

The perspective portrayed of what happens after a person 'offs themselves' is interesting.  It makes you think about life, death and religion.  The details of limbo land in the movie are fascinating as well.  The production design fit the plot perfectly.

The acting in the film was great.  Characters who have committed suicide are difficult to play.  You can't be a total downer, but you also can't be too 'happy'.

I recommend seeing this film.  See it when you are emotionally stable though.

Favorite Scene:  The gas station in which people drive off with the gas hose still in their tank.

The Mechanic

Released:  January 2011

OVERALL RATING:  *  *  .5
(on a scale of 1 to 4 - 4 being best)

Director:  Simon West
Writer:  Richard Wenk;  Lewis John Carlino
Producer:  Rene Besson;  William Chartoff;  David Winkler
Main Actors:  Jason Statham; Ben Foster; Donald Sutherland

Acting:  *  *  * 
Predictability:  *  
Directing:  *  *  * 
Entertainment Value:  *  *  * 
Plot:  *  *

Ahhhh - Jason Statham - He is such an awesome bad ass action movie guy.  And he's totally hot.  Really really really hot.  I greatly valued seeing him with his shirt off in the movie.

The actual movie was okay.  I wouldn't say it isn't worth seeing, but it's definitely not high on the list of movies you MUST see.  The pace of the movie seemed to drag a bit in certain places.  There were some really good action sequences though.  It was fantasic to see a car just drive into the back of a bus.

It was a predictable movie.  More so than it should have been.  The movie opens with a pool scene that you can fully expect the expected.  There weren't a lot of surprises.  I think it could have been better with a bit of twists here and there.

For some reason, Jason Statham and Donald Sutherland work well in movies together.  I wish Donald had a bigger role though - it was like 'The Italian Job' - he wasn't in the movie much.

If you're looking for something to watch and have seen most of the movies you want to see, pick this one up.  If you're a Jason Statham fan, SEE IT ASAP!

Favorite Scene:  The cemetery - the production design and music worked well in this.