Doom (2005)

Ok, so I rented this movie on a whim... I had low expectations, but I was curious to see what it was all about. I mean, it's got Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Karl Urban. Come on!

If you go into it like I did, you probably won't be too disappointed. It obviously wasn't a thought provoking blockbuster or an inspiring academy award winner, but I don't think it was trying to be. Just some old-fashioned shoot-em up fun!

To sum up, the film is about some space marines who are sent to investigate a research facility on another planet only to discover the facility has been overtaken by genetically modified monsters. Blah blah blah... back story about scientists with god complexes who experimented on human test subjects... blah blah.. must kill or be killed. They also threw in a cute brother and sister storyline to try and get the audience somewhat emotionally invested. The plot is seriously lacking, but I guess that's what happens when you make a movie based on a video game.

One thing I did enjoy is when the movie switches to a POV (point of view) shot that simulates the video game experience. You are seeing everything through the perspective of John Grimm (played by Urban), and as you view only his arms and gun as he takes aim on aliens lurking in corners and on ceilings, you get a sense that you are actually playing the first person shooter game. I'm not sure how true the actual story was to the original game, but the look and feel was an interesting homage to video gamers.

Overall, I must admit, I was entertained. It's a fun, mindless action-horror movie, and as long as you don't expect anything more, it will probably be your newest guilty pleasure.

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Genre: Action & Adventure, Horror, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Synopsis: When a Special Ops squadron answers a distress call from a science lab on the planet Olduvai, the investigation reveals that a series of mutant beings... When a Special Ops squadron answers a distress call from a science lab on the planet Olduvai, the investigation reveals that a series of mutant beings are systematically killing off the population there. 

Rated: R for strong violence/gore and language
Running Time: 1 hr. 45 min.
In Theaters: Oct 21, 2005 Wide
Box Office:$28.0M

Distributor:Universal Pictures
Directed By: Andrzej Bartkowiak
Written By: Wesley Strick, Dave Callaham

Red (2010)

When you take legends like Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Karl Urban and top if off with shots of Helen Mirren firing a sniper rifle, you really can't go wrong.

'Red' is an action-comedy about a retired -- and somewhat bored with all his new-found free time  -- black-ops agent named Frank Moses (played by Willis) who unexpectedly becomes the target of a CIA hit mission. Frank rounds up his old team (Freeman, Malkovich and Mirren) in effort to get to the bottom of what is really going on. Mary-Louise Parker plays Sarah, the case worker at the government pension processing center, and Fank's only recent joy. Because Sarah's life is also at stake, she is taken along for an experience she only read about in her action-romance novels.

I enjoyed this movie thoroughly. It combined just enough action, comedy and romance. My favorite scene would have to be the throwdown between Willis and Karl Urban, who plays William Cooper -- the lead agent on the case to hunt down Frank. Despite the age difference, William still had his ass handed to him on a silver platter. Mid-brawl, while Frank has William's faced pressed against a table, he asks "Kordeski trained you?" to which William answered yes, and Frank retorted with "I trained Kordeski." Seemingly a bunch of over-the-hill ex-CIA agents, the team kicks some serious ass. Cue Aerosmith's "Back in the Saddle." 


The dynamic cast makes for a fun film to watch. And, on a personal note, it was a treat to see Mirren in such a kick-ass role.

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Genre: Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Comedy
Synopsis:  Based on the cult D.C. Comics graphic novels by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner, RED is an explosive action-comedy starring Bruce Willis, Morgan... Based on the cult D.C. Comics graphic novels by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner, RED is an explosive action-comedy starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Helen Mirren. Frank (Bruce Willis), Joe (Morgan Freeman), Marvin (John Malkovich) and Victoria (Helen Mirren) used to be the CIA's top agents - but the secrets they know just made them the Agency's top targets. Now framed for assassination, they must use all of their collective cunning, experience and teamwork to stay one step ahead of their deadly pursuers and stay alive. To stop the operation, the team embarks on an impossible, cross-country mission to break into the top-secret CIA headquarters, where they will uncover one of the biggest conspiracies and cover-ups in government history.

Rated: PG-13   for intense sequences of action violence and brief strong language
Running Time: 1 hr. 51 min.
In Theaters: Oct 15, 2010 Wide
Box Office:$90.4M

Distributor:Summit Entertainment
Directed By: Robert Schwentke
Written By: Erich Hoeber