1 … 108 109 110 111

The Kenblog: Anatomy Of A Shoot Out!

 

 

Howdy folks!  It’s The Kendog!

john wick 1

Keanu Reeves as John Wick

 

After watching “No Escape” recently (read the review here) I found myself wondering about the great shootouts in movie history.  I thought the action scenes in “No Escape” were well done although in service to a somewhat empty narrative vessel, but they don’t compare to the shoot-outs I’m about to show you here.  As you watch these, think about the way the music (or lack thereof) heightens the drama, how the choreography is staged and how the actors completely commit to the moment both physically and emotionally.  Or you can simply turn your brain off and enjoy these scenes for what they are:  pure kinetic bliss.  So Sayeth The Kendog!  Continue reading →

Dog’s Movie House: “No Escape” Slick But Somewhat Unpleasant Thriller!

 

 

Howdy Folks!  It’s The Kendog!

 

Pierce Brosnan And Owen Wilson In "No Escape"

Pierce Brosnan And Owen Wilson In “No Escape”

 

 

 

John Erick Dowdle is primarily known for his horror films.  Movies like “Quarantine” and “As Above, So Below” trade on the menace of inhuman threats for the thrills he generates.  It’s not a bad formula and those two films, while far from perfect, have some genuinely interesting elements to them.  I suppose, then, I could forgive Dowdle (along with his brother Drew, who co-wrote the script) for applying the same formula for the new political thriller “No Escape.”  Trouble is the people menacing the recently arrived to Thailand (or Cambodia or whatever country to which they’ve recently moved; the film doesn’t say) are supposed to be people, no monsters, and treating them as the latter makes this otherwise slick exercise in suspense and action filmmaking uncomfortable to watch in all the wrong ways.  Continue reading →

Dog’s Movie House: “American Ultra” Entertaining, Sometimes Uneven Mix Of Action And Comedy!

 

Jesse Eisenberg & Kristen Stewart In "American Ultra"

Jesse Eisenberg & Kristen Stewart In “American Ultra”

 

 

Howdy Folks!  It’s The Kendog!

 

 

Stoner comedies have always had their place in the cinema.  Every since Cheech and Chong first lit up in the 70’s there has been an audience for movies with protagonists who spend most of their screen time high.  Many of these comedies have a difficult time combining the broad comedic strokes involved with the stoner lifestyle with well-rounded and believable characters.  Add an action component to the mix and the equation becomes even more complex.  Fortunately, “American Ultra” the new film from “Chronicle” scripter Max Landis, manages to, for the most part, balance all of these balls in the air to a very entertaining effect. Continue reading →

Dog’s Movie House: “Agent 47” More Of A Sleep Agent Then Anything Else!

Rupert Friend as Agent 47 in "Hitman: Agent 47"

Rupert Friend as Agent 47 in “Hitman: Agent 47”

 

 

Howdy Folks!  It’s The Kendog!

 

 

Videogame movies are almost impossible to pull off.  It seems that the filmmakers forget that just having gamers’ favorite characters onscreen is not enough to ensure a good movie.  You still have to deal with little things like plot, acting, and decent cinematography.  Unfortunately, “Hitman: Agent 47” continues that trend, turning what could have been an amusing B movie concept into a loud, lumbering, clichéd bore. Continue reading →

1 … 108 109 110 111
Facebooktwitterrss
pat-walsh-show-front-page

america matters Ken Dog Radio Show

bizsites-logo-01