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

Dog’s Movie House: “Straight Outta Compton” Compelling, Emotionally Charged Depiction Of The Rise Of “Gangsta” Rap!

 

The Cast of "Straight Outta Compton"

The Cast of “Straight Outta Compton”

 

Howdy Folks!  It’s The Kendog!

 

 

 

I was in high school when NWA (Niggaz Wit Attitudes) changed the face of rap culture, bringing in the hard core era of “gangsta” or reality based rap.  I didn’t have to like the music (still don’t, by the way) to appreciate its origins or the cultural effect it had on the American landscape.  The new music bio-pic “Straight Outta Compton” profiles the rise and fall of this game changing Southern California based rap group with grit, gusto, and a tone of honesty that sets this apart from other flicks of this kind.  Continue reading

Dog’s Movie House: “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” Light On Its Cinematic Feet!

 

 

Howdy Folks!  It’s The Kendog!

 

Henry Cavill And Armie Hammer In "The Man From U.N.C.L.E."

 I was never a fan of the Robert Vaughn-starring 60’s television series “The Man From U.N.C.L.E” so I don’t know how faithful this cinematic adaptation is going to be.  But I will tell you that, on it’s own, Guy Ritchie’s (“Snatch”, “Sherlock Holmes”) latest is a loving, light-on-its-feet homage to a bygone era of cold war espionage and 60’s fashions.  It doesn’t reinvent the wheel and is not particularly deep, but “The Man From U.N.C.L.E. is marvelously entertaining.  Continue reading