INSOMNIAC SONG
MOVIE AND TELEVISION REVIEWS
ACTION
Alex Cross (2012)
Starring: Tyler Perry, Matthew Fox, Rachel Nichols, Edward Burns
Directed By: Rob Cohen
Rating: PG-13
Run time: 101 minutes
Synopsis: A homicide detective is pushed to the brink of his moral and physical limits as he tangles with a ferociously skilled serial killer who specializes in torture and pain.
There are a few things you need to know about this one. Alex Cross is a character from James Patterson's novels. He was played much better in the past by Morgan Freeman. Matthew Fox goes against his usual hero type to play someone criminally insane. Sadly, the movie fails on plot, dialogue and a lot of other issues. The most glaring was the death of a supporting character that's pretty much almost completely ignored.
Rating: 2/5
ACTION
Dredd (2012)
Starring: Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Lena Headey
Directed by: Pete Travis
Rating: R
Run time: 95 minutes
Synopsis: In a violent, futuristic city where the police have the authority to act as judge, jury and executioner, a cop teams with a trainee to take down a gang that deals the reality-altering drug, SLO-MO.
Forget the 1995 Sylvester Stallone movie (Judge Dredd). That was a joke compared to Karl Urban's version of Dredd. If you're a fan of the 2000AD comic series, you'll be quite happy with this one. If you're not, you're going to get a gritty, tight action film with an unemotional lead male. No, he never gets any romance from the female lead (or any others). This is how an action film should be. If nothing else, check it out for the use of slow motion effects. It's an effect that fits in with the plot rather than being tossed in to spice things up. Also, how often does your leading man only show his nose and jaw? Karl Urban's handsome face has never been so underutilized!
Rating: 3/5
ACTION
Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013)
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton, Peter Stormare
Directed By: Tommy Wirkola
Rating: R
Run time: 88 minutes
Synopsis: Hansel & Gretel are bounty hunters who track and kill witches all over the world. As the fabled Blood Moon approaches, the siblings encounter a new form of evil that might hold a secret to their past.
Go into this movie expecting to see a foul mouthed, strong brother and sister duo battling witches because that's exactly what you'll get. There's enough action to keep you going while the makeup and costumes are quite interesting. I'm always interested in the detail that's put into weapons in these types of movies. Keep an eye out for the character Edward. He's not cgi like most trolls would be in movies these days. Instead, he's an actor in an animatronic suit. Gemma Arterton is more than just a pretty face. She's capable in action scenes to stand up beside Jeremy Renner (more famous as the Avengers' Hawkeye).
Rating: 3/5