The Iceman (2012)

Based on the real story of Richard Kuklinski, this movie tells about the history of one of the most diabolical self-confessed contract killers in American history. Richard has difficult childhood as both of this parents used to beat him up. So as grew up he became a coldblooded person. He worked as a porn film technician but his mob boss, Demeo, forced him to work for him as a contract killer. He started enjoying that so much that he found many ways to eliminate his targets. He managed to kill over 100 hundred people over twenty years. His family had no idea about his real profession as neighbors and friends were admiring them for being happy and well adjusted. His collaboration with another hit man, Robert 'Mr. Freezy' Pronge, gave him the opportunity to work alone secretly from the mobs, something they didn't like finally. The end was near but he couldn't expect it. A stunning biographical film that portraits the serial killer as well. The performances are exceptional especially Ryder's and Shannon's.

 

The Book of Eli (2010)

A wanderer, Eli, travels along deserted States for the last thirty years. The earth is an empty place now after a nuclear war that ruined the planet. He feels he has a special mission to complete. Going west and reach a safe place for his precious item he has with. The last Holy Bible that keeps him sane and gives him a supernatural power to protect himself from scums and gangs who kill for fun and survival in this chaotic environment. Carnegie is the gang leader in a small town and as Eli arrives there, he realizes that something strange happens and looks forward to find out about newcomer's secret. Carnegie presses his blind lover Claudia to send her daughter, Solara, to look over the situation but Eli is always one step beyond. This post apocalyptic film is just beautiful. It's development is solid, the cinematography is intriguing and Denzel is the right guy to perform the messenger of God in this ruinous world. Even if the ending is a little far fetched.

Eddie the Sleepwalking Cannibal (2012)

Lars Olafssen is a talented famous art designer. He moves to Koda Lake, a small Canadian town in order to work as a teacher in an art school. He is recognized and the director wants him. Soon problems appear at the school as one of its sponsors dies and she leaves Eddie back, a mute weird guy, passionate with cereals living on his own word. Now Lars has to protect him as Eddie's mother property can keep the school opened. Soon he realizes that Eddie has more secrets and his hunger doesn't need only cereals but fresh hot blood. When Eddie is sad, a syndrome that transforms him into a beast awakes. Lars will find a way to be inspirational again, painting on canvas after every murder of Eddie. A crazy black comedy with stunning performances and bloody artistic lines.

Dabangg (2010)

Chulbul is a fearless cop who has been raised with his mother Naini, stepfather Prajapati, and younger half-brother Makkhi. His relationship with the other two male members of his family are not the best instead of his pure love for his ill mother. His manners also are not good and he is not the typical inspector. But this is not a problem for him on his fight against crime. Chedi is a corrupted official of the government working on a secret plan to eliminate a local commissar and set himself as a new candidate. But Chulbul discovers his evil plans and he is getting ready for some action. This is an interesting example of Bollywood action cinema with great cast, lots of beautiful choreography, fun and famous Indian actor, Salman Khan starring again on another cool gem.

Pain & Gain (2013)

Bodybuilder and gym manager Daniel Lugo was dreaming of the American ideals. He wanted more and he was a real poser. He decided with his pals, Paul and Adrian to kidnap Jewish successful businessman Victor Kershaw and force him to sign over assets Lugo believed Kershaw owned him. When the last one identifies Lugo by his voice, they decide to kill him. The trio manage to possess Viktor's property after all and live a rich life. Adrian buys a huge house and get married, Paul starts cocaine and Daniel takes Viktor's house in order to stay in. But Viktor is too tough and survives at last. The gang is still after him so he calls detective Ed for help. When money are over, Lugo plans a new risky operation, to kidnap Frank Grig, another businessman but everything goes wrong. This is a real story that tells you that only life can give you such crazy situations. The performances are great, there is suspense and action in high levels.

Smokin' Aces (2006)

Special agents Messner and Carruthers are investigating the biggest case in the history of Italian Mafia at the States. Mob boss Primo Sparazza takes out a contract on Buddy "Aces" Israel, a snitch who betrayed his organization. Now various hit men from around the globe are ready to rip out Aces heart. From violent Tremor brothers to sexy ebony killer duo of Georgia and Sharice. There are also two more specialists, Soot and Acosta, specialized in disguise and tortures, participating in this deadly rush. Another crew of three ex cops are responsible for Israel's transportation from Lake Tahoe hideout. Chaos will rise with the arrival of the first hit men and an old secret will change agent's Messner faith to its service. An incredible action film, maybe one of the best of the past decade, full of excellent performances from a serious cast as Liotta, Reynolds, Piven and Garcia. 

Half baked (1998)

Thurgood, Scarface, Brian and Kenny are friends since childhood and they have a common love. Their addiction to weed. When the last one accidentally kills a cop's diabetic horse, he is put in jail and is given a 1 million dollar bail. His pals have to find a way to release him as soon as possible because the other imprisoned guys want his 'fruit'. As Thurgood works as a janitor at a pharmaceutical lab, he has easy access to its store and a great amount of Marijuana so he decides to steal it and sell it with friends helping him in order to save the money for Kenny's bail. He meets Mary Jane but he has to tell her lies about his attempt and his illegal passion. Soon dealer Samson hears about Thurgood and he wants to meet him but his intentions are not the best. Another cool comedy from the late nineties with lots of fun and good performances and Snoop Dogg as well.

Los últimos días aka The last days (2013)

Marc works as a programmer at a big company in Barcelona. He realizes day by day that something strange happens around him as people become sick while they come out from buildings. It is only the beginning of a huge epidemic spreading across the planet though. Marc decides to escape from his shelter through the tunnels of the underground and find his wife Julie. He meets Enrique, another decided man who wants to approach his father at the hospital. Together they start a difficult journey to find their beloved ones and they will become best friends even if they don't really trust each other at its beginning. A very interesting idea gave this Spanish film a great opportunity to be a classic sci fi gem that is compromising. When cinematography is combined with an actual script, we can have an extraordinary result.

A night at the Roxbury (1998)

Steve and Doug Butabi are not the typical playboys. Actually the really don't have manners in approaching women and this makes them looking like idiots. Their father also doesn't have the best opinion for them as he thinks that they are lazy, useless and completely irresponsible to work on his fake plants business. Their only ambition is to open their own club. But they need to enter the legendary Roxbury club first and have a taste of its nightlife. There they will meet its owner, Mr. Zadir who will find their ideas for a new club interesting and he will help them. This was a hilarious comedy from the nineties with the original soundtrack reminding you of this incredible era with the worst fancy fashion around and the mega clubs that defined the nightclubbing. Even Jim Carrey had a small comedy sketch with this theme giving a great performance with the starring duo.

Catzilla (2013)

Beware of the mighty kitten that destroys a whole town. No one can beat it until a young woman gives him a new trial. To fight against a similar monster cat and tear the place apart. Funny and enjoyable animation, full of action and dedicated to Kaiju mythology where Godzilla and other famous monsters appeared in Japanese cinema around sixties.

CATZILLA from Platige Image on Vimeo.

Gallowwalkers (2012)

I could say I always liked Snipes's films. But this time it didn't get so well as usually. The problem with this film is the editing. The story is about a colored gunman who seeks for revenge for the rape and death of his wife. We really don't know enough about his roots except he was abandoned from his mother, a witch or something like that. He grew up at the orphanage and then found a shelter at a woman's butcher house. He will find Fab, a young brave man in chains, and he will hire him to help him eliminate the responsible gang for his drama. But there is a curse on him that everyone he dies from his hands shall return to life. This strange mixture of western and undead is just a mess because the director seems to have forgot the lines of cinematography. The sequences are not following the correct order and the whole thing is a violent movie that could be a horror classic but instead of that stays another gem that will fade into oblivion. It's a pity for Snipes though because he acted well again.

An optical poem (1938)

A dance of shapes. A title card tells us this is an experiment in conveying the mental images of music in a visual form. Liszt's "Second Hungarian Rhapsody" is the music. The shapes, all two-dimensional, are circles primarily, with some squares and rectangles, and a few triangles. The shapes move rhythmically to the music: receding from view or moving across the screen. Red circles on a blue background; light blue squares; white rectangles. Then, a red background of many circles with a few in the foreground. Red gives way to blue then to white. Shapes reappear as Liszt's themes re-occur. Then, with a few staccato notes and images, it's over. Enjoy August and rest of the summer my friends.