Shattered Ravings

Metal Shifters
(a.k.a. Iron Invader)
Directed by Paul Ziller
Courtesy of Anchor Bay Entertainment
Release Date: February 7, 2012

METAL SHIFTERS is one of those guilty pleasure movies…you know the ones I’m talking about: they’re not very plausible and (sometimes) not very well done, but you enjoy watching them anyway. This film is well done, but the premise itself is a little…well…hokey, I guess. Still, it is a lot of fun, and you can’t beat that!

If you are not familiar with METAL SHIFTERS, here is the plot courtesy of the press release:

It travelled millions of light years through space before colliding with a Soviet satellite and crashing into rural Redeemer, Idaho. Now an alien bacterium that transforms steel objects into furious killing machines has infected the local scrapyard. Can a local contractor and his estranged ex-girlfriend find a way to stop a heavy metal monster from tearing a path of biological and mechanical destruction through small-town America?

Technically, the plural title is a little misleading because there’s only ONE of these creatures in the film. But don’t let that dissuade you; METAL SHIFTERS is an entertaining jaunt into SyFy Channel territory. If you’re a fan of the channel’s other original films, you’ll love this one.

I will have to tell you up front, though: this film won’t be for everyone. Many of you will probably find it too hokey to watch. But for those of us that love Roger Corman, Ed Wood, and that general style of entertainment, this one will be a must-see. The acting is mediocre, and the CG special effects are sorta ho-hum, but the dialogue is witty and the intensity of the suspense can’t be ignored.

METAL SHIFTERS probably won’t win any awards, but it is 90 minutes of low-budget gold. If you can look past the junior-high level CG and the semi-plausible science, you’ll be in for a treat. I personally enjoyed the film and am interested to see what director Paul Ziller does next.

The film is available now on Blu-ray and DVD.

MSB

Thanks to some meds and some rest, I am actually feeling human again. So, I should start posting more reviews again tomorrow (Thursday). Thanks for your patience and well-wishes.

MSB

I’m fighting off the flu or something, so I’m taking a couple of days off to rest and get better.

See you soon.

MSB

Outrage
Directed by Takeshi Kitano
Courtesy of Magnet Releasing
Release Date: January 31, 2012

I have to confess: I love Japanese mobster movies. Yeah, you know the ones I’m talking about…specifically those that deal with the Yakuza. So it’s no wonder that I jumped at the opportunity to see OUTRAGE.

If you are not familiar with this film, here is the plot synopsis courtesy of Magnet Releasing:

In a ruthless battle for power, several Yakuza clans vie for the favor of their head family in the Japanese underworld. The rival bosses seek to rise through the ranks by scheming and making allegiances sworn over sake’. Long-time Yakuza Otomo has seen his kind go from elaborate body tattoos and severed fingertips to becoming important players on the stock market. Theirs is a never-ending struggle to end up on top, or at least survive, in a corrupt world where there are no heroes but constant betrayal and vengeance.

OUTRAGE is an excellent mob flick. It has a lot of guts and has an overall feel like GOODFELLAS. Combined with the gruesome killing and maiming scenes in the film, this movie could easily pass for a modern-may American mob flick.

Be warned however: this is a complex plot and you have to pay attention to what’s going on, otherwise you will be lost. There’s so much backstabbing and betrayal going on that it’s sometimes hard to remember who is screwing who over. It’s awesome though, with an ending that definitely does not disappoint.

OUTRAGE has excellent acting, outstanding special effects (there’s a bit of awesome gore in here, especially one particular scene in a dentist’s office that will leave you physically hurting), and a tight storyline. Director Takeshi Kitano (who plays the lead character) does a superb job of combining old-school gangster tactics with a modern day story. Make no mistake, there’s plenty of greed and deception to go around here.

But, with all of the betrayals and two-faced dealings going on, I did have to wonder how factual this could be. Obviously, Japan is a different culture and therefore they have a different way of thinking…but I found myself wondering if Yakuza families would actually operate this way. Of course, that kind of thinking can go along with any mobster movie for that matter, but I felt it was worth mentioning here.

OUTRAGE is a great film and very entertaining. Be sure and check out the Blu-ray for superior picture and sound quality, as well as a wide variety of special features. The film is available now, so give this one a look very soon.

MSB

The Double
Directed by Michael Brandt
Courtesy of Image Entertainment
Release Date: January 31, 2012

I wasn’t too sure what to expect going into THE DOUBLE. I knew it was a spy thriller, a genre that I thoroughly enjoy…and I knew it had Topher Grace in it, whom I also enjoy (Richard Gere is ok, although he’s not one of my favorite actors). So I went into the film with high hopes. Thankfully, my expectations were met and then some with this movie.

If you are not familiar with THE DOUBLE, here is the plot synopsis courtesy of the press release:

When a United States Senator is brutally murdered, the evidence points to a Soviet assassin, code-named Cassius, long-thought to be dead. Two men who know Cassius best are thrown together to catch him. Paul Shepherdson is a retired CIA operative who has spent his career tracking Cassius around the globe. Ben Geary is a hotshot young FBI Agent and family man who has studied the killer’s every move. Ben thinks he knows Cassius, but Paul knows he is dead wrong. Now, time is running out to stop this merciless killing machine. This tense thriller will keep you guessing until the very last shot.

THE DOUBLE is an awesome, mind-twisting thriller that, as mentioned above, keeps you guessing up until the very end. It is well written and very well executed. There are several twists inside the plot, and each time you think you have things figured out…well, you don’t.

I have seen spy thrillers before, but few of them had me guessing like this one. THE DOUBLE does an excellent job of building you up and then breaking you down once you think you have a solution. I love movies that do this, and anytime a director can pull it off with skill, the result is impressive.

The acting in THE DOUBLE is great, with Topher Grace and Richard Gere both giving great performances. I thoroughly enjoyed both onscreen; they played off of each other well, with Gere acting as the veteran and Grace portraying the cocky young hotshot. I was curious as to whether or not Topher Grace could pull this off, but he does so with ease.

If I were forced to find a flaw with THE DOUBLE, I don’t think I could. The plot is tied up nicely at the end, the fight scenes are enjoyable, and everything is well done in the movie. I enjoyed it immensely and will definitely watch it again in the future.

Check out THE DOUBLE for sure. It hits store shelves today, January 31, 2012.

MSB

Parts of the Family
Directed by Leon Paul de Bruyn & Gabriel Lloyd
Courtesy of Troma Entertainment & CAV Distribution
Release Date: 2003

Normally, Troma films are a blast to watch. Sometimes funny, sometimes semi-serious, but always gory and over the top…Troma prides itself on never taking things too seriously, even when horror is concerned. Unfortunately PARTS OF THE FAMILY is neither funny nor horror-laden, a combination that makes this film a dud for me.

If you are not familiar with PARTS OF THE FAMILY, here is the plot synopsis courtesy of imdb.com:

Beyond the front door of an old, decrepit house is buried a horrible and tragic past. One horrifying and gory night a family of four is brutally hacked to pieces. The only survivor is the young and beautiful housekeeper, Ella. When she steps out of the house one day, she has no idea that she is about to be snatched by failed bank-robber Jason Goodis. Goodis, however, could not have imagined that the innocent hostage he is dragging back inside, has an unquenchable thirst for blood!

First off, this DVD boasts two movies by different directors of the same zombie story. I thought “Wow, that’s cool…interesting to see two different perspectives.” But further investigation revealed that the second film is basically the first film with added scenes (that do nothing for the story). I was pretty disappointed with that to say the least.

The plot of PARTS OF THE FAMILY is a convoluted mess that doesn’t make any sense. We never find out why Ella kills the family, why she turns them into zombies, or how she does it. We never discover her ‘plan’ for them or why she feeds them or anything in that regard. I found myself wanting the movie to end very quickly after the first third of it was over.

The special effects however are well done for a low-budget production. PARTS OF THE FAMILY has some phenomenal gore and postmortem visuals, although the zombies do look more like mummies than anything. Still, have to admire what the production team was able to accomplish with such a little budget.

The good effects are not enough to save this film, though. It tries to take itself way too seriously for the most part, but in the scenes that try to be humorous, they instead come across as lame. There’s no saving grace with campiness, either…the film just falls flat on its face in just about every category.

It pains me to say this, but give PARTS OF THE FAMILY a pass. I am normally a huge fan of Lloyd Kaufman and the Troma team, but this one just didn’t do anything for me. I will stick to CLASS OF NUKE ‘EM HIGH or the other Troma films that I know deliver instead.

MSB

Rampage
Directed by Uwe Boll
Courtesy of Phase 4 Films
Release Date: 2009

Uwe Boll is probably a great guy that everyone likes…but let’s face it: he has made some awful movies. Need examples? I offer HOUSE OF THE DEAD, ALONE IN THE DARK, BLOODRAYNE, and IN THE NAME OF THE KING: A DUNGEON SEIGE TALE. Interestingly enough, all of those films are video-game adaptations, and all of those films are absolutely terrible.

So you can only imagine my hesitation about watching RAMPAGE. I will admit: the only reason I decided to go ahead was because over 6,000 users on imdb had given it 6 out of 10 stars. I am extremely happy to report that this film is utterly awesome and one you should definitely watch soon!

If you are not familiar with the film, here is the plot synopsis from the DVD case:

The boredom of small town life is eating Bill Williamson alive. Feeling constrained and claustrophobic in the meaningless drudgery of everyday life and helpless against overwhelming global dissolution, Bill begins a descent into madness. His shockingly violent plan will shake the foundation of society by painting the streets red with blood.

What the synopsis fails to mention is that Bill is a 20-something who is a bit of a slacker, and his plan is to don a suit of Kevlar body armor and hit the streets with two assault rifles to gun down everyone who crosses his path. This is absolutely staggering to think about and ultimately results in a massive body count (I would guess at least 100 dead, if not more).

RAMPAGE is an amazing movie because it is brutally realistic. With the exception of a couple of eyebrow-raising contraptions (like the technology to remote-control a van from two blocks away), this scenario is one that could very well play out in real life. And Boll’s execution of the film is stunning, bringing this concept vividly to life on the silver screen.

The special effects in RAMPAGE are excellent and the acting is top notch, although my sole complaint about the film is that I think the shaky camera aspect was a bit too much in certain parts. I think a steadi-cam or even a tripod would have achieved the same effect here and there. But that doesn’t detract from my enjoyment of the film.

I will not give anymore plot points away, but I do have to comment on the huge twist towards the end. I sure as heck didn’t see it coming, and it almost leaves you speechless when it happens. I finished RAMPAGE late last night, after my family was already in bed, and I almost went in and woke my wife up to tell her about it. That’s how enthralling the film is!

You must definitely see this film to appreciate it; I don’t think you will be sorry. It is wildly entertaining and devilishly clever. I hope to see much more of this type of writing and filmmaking from Uwe Boll in the future. For all of his misses in the past, RAMPAGE has made up for all of those and then some in my book. Check this one out soon.

MSB

The Dead
Directed by Howard J. Ford & Jonathan Ford
Courtesy of Anchor Bay Entertainment
Release Date: February 14, 2012

Wow…I just finished THE DEAD and now I know what all the hype is about! This is an excellent zombie flick, full of originality, great acting and effects, and much more. Even if you’re not a zombie fan, you are sure to find something about this film that you like.

If you are not familiar with THE DEAD, here is the plot synopsis courtesy of the Anchor Bay press release:

When the last flight out of war-torn Africa crashes off the coast, Lt. Brian Murphy is the sole survivor in a land where the dead are returning to life and attacking the living. On the run in a hostile and inhospitable parched landscape, Murphy has to use his wits and ingenuity if he is to get home alive to his family. When he crosses paths with local soldier Daniel Dembele, a man frantically searching for his son, they join forces. Two desperate men from two very different cultures fight side-by-side to survive across the incredible vistas of Africa as the world around them succumbs to the deadliest of viruses.

I am absolutely amazed at how engaging this movie is. It draws you in from the opening scene and doesn’t let you go until the credits roll. The movie clocks in at 105 minutes long, but you will barely realize the time has passed. IT IS THAT GOOD.

As I’m sure you can tell from the press release above, THE DEAD is anything but your average zombie film. It has a unique setting, which gives visceral landscape images and yet one more way for survivors to day. The film also shows how a zombie apocalypse can affect every culture, even the tribal lands of Africa…not just modern-day America/Europe/Russia/insert-your-industrialized-country-here; that is one aspect I truly love about.

The special effects are superb, with the filmmakers making their zombies less gory and more frightening. In other words, they focus more on how the zombies act and what they do (i.e. tear their victims apart and eat them alive) instead of lathering them up in gore and rotting flesh. Don’t get me wrong: I love both types of zombies. But the dead in THE DEAD are slow, Romero-isque plodders, who can surprise you and overtake you before you know it.

The acting is first rate as well, with Rob Freeman and Prince David Oseia both giving Oscar-worthy performances. Yes, I just said that…but you have to see the film to appreciate how well they do. I would wager that we will be seeing much more of both men in the future.

The only flaw I can see with THE DEAD is a minor one and a strictly personal opinion: I am not too happy about the ending. Granted, it does leave it open for personal interpretation…but I would have liked to have seen what happens next. Maybe there will be a sequel?

THE DEAD is an absolute win for me and another must-see for 2012. Be sure and check out the Blu-ray version so you can enjoy the HD sound and picture. With these landscapes, you won’t be sorry. THE DEAD hits store shelves February 14, 2012.

MSB

True Legend
Directed by Yuen Woo Ping
Courtesy of Vivendi Entertainment and Indomina Releasing
Release Date: September 13, 2011

Yuen Woo Ping has been involved with some of my all-time favorite action films: Black Mask, The Matrix trilogy, Iron Monkey, and Kill Bill just to name a few. The man has an astounding eye for fight scenes and knows what the audience wants to see. TRUE LEGEND puts him back in the director’s seat and brings us a fresh new addition to his credentials.

If you are not familiar with TRUE LEGEND, here is the plot synopsis courtesy of Vivendi Entertainment:

Yuen Woo Ping brings you TRUE LEGEND, a heart pounding epic about the timeless battle between good and evil. Su Can’s respectable life is obliterated when his vengeful brother, Yuan, returns from war armed with the deadly Five Venom Fists. Weakened but not destroyed, Su Can learns a never-before-seen form of martial arts: the Drunken Fist. Armed with this new power, he returns home to honor his family through retribution by taking on his brother in a battle to become the ultimate warrior.

As expected, the fight scenes in TRUE LEGEND are eye-popping. It is amazing how visceral Yuen Woo Ping makes his battles, and they always seem to top themselves. He can take what he did in his last film and top it in the next. This is a true testament to his genius, as many in the action genre can become stale after a while.

Visually, TRUE LEGEND captures the majestic beauty of the Oriental countryside and intertwines it with some amazing CG work. The result is a film that blends action with art, a timeless classic that you will want to revisit over and over again. The landscapes are mesmerizing and the CG prints must be seen to be appreciated.

But while the film is excellent in almost all aspects, there was one minor letdown for me: towards the end, it almost turns into two separate movies. The first three-fourths of the film deal with Su Can and his family, about the betrayal of his brother and then his quest for vengeance. BUT…the last fourth of the movie deals with Su Can in a tournament battle (that is never mentioned anywhere else in the film) to uphold the country’s honor in battle. This didn’t ruin the film for me, but I definitely felt like I was watching two different films.

TRUE LEGEND is a must-own for fans of action, especially for those who follow Yuen Woo Ping’s work. With cameos by some of the genre’s biggest names, including David Carradine, Michelle Yeoh, and Jay Chou, there’s no way you can say ‘no’ to this film. Be sure to check out the Blu-ray version for some excellent special features, including five behind-the-scenes featurettes and more.

MSB

The Lost Goddess
by Tom Knox
Release Date: February 6, 2012
Publisher: Viking

I have to confess: I had not heard of Tom Knox prior to reading THE LOST GODDESS. That’s not saying much, though, as I find myself with less and less time to browse through my favorite bookstore. But I will also tell you this: Tom Knox is one heck of a storyteller and I will definitely be reading his future (and past) works.

If you are not familiar with THE LOST GODDESS, here is the plot synopsis courtesy of the Viking press release:

While working on a dig in the most remote part of France, Julia Kerrigan comes across the find of her career – a trove of skeletons, many with holes at the front of the skull and arrow wounds studding the various skeleton bones. Her excitement about her discovery disappears the following day, however, as her mentor and a friend are brutally murdered.

Meanwhile, Jake Thurby, who has been traveling Cambodia as a travel photographer, lands a job with a beautiful Cambodian lawyer, Chemda Tek, that takes him to the mysterious Plain of Jars. What starts as a fascinating assignment soon turns deadly, as Jake and Chemda realize they’ve uncovered a horrific historical clue that authorities will go to any length to keep quiet.

Linking the two investigations is a strange, demonic woman – dazzling in her physical prowess and unstoppable in her hunger for vengeance. What this killer is avenging is the link between prehistoric remains in the European caves, the horrific genetic experiments still occurring in Caucasian Russia, the mystical mutations committed by the Khmer Rouge, and a strange fortress perched at the top of the world in Communist Tibet.

Are you interested yet? You should be after a synopsis like that! As you can see, this book is full of unique ideas, a veritable treasure trove of action, intrigue, and suspense. Knox bases his concepts on real-world headlines and very plausible events. The result is an excellent read that takes you on a tidal wave of a ride.

In THE LOST GODDESS, Knox threads together several interesting theories that answer a couple of history’s biggest mysteries. And in doing so, he also casts certain, more recent historical events in a different light as well. The resulting story brings to life a terrifying historical fiction that could have very well played out in real life. Don’t be confused: this is not alternate history…but more like an insertion of a fictional event into historical fact.

The story is mesmerizing and captivates the reader with spellbinding ease. Knox blends suspense and action together like a well mixed drink, which he then dishes out with a smile. Knox has an easy writing style and has no problems conveying complex ideas in simpler terms.

If I were forced to find a flaw with THE LOST GODDESS, I could not do so. The writing is smooth, the plot is focused and attentive, and the characters are engaging. There’s really not much more you can ask for out of a book.

THE LOST GODDESS is a major win for me, and I would wager it will be a big title for Tom Knox and Viking as well. Check this one out for sure on February 6, 2012.

MSB