The Raid 2: Berandal (2014)

Do you remember the remarkable 'The Raid: Redemption' back in 2011? This is the sequel taking it to the next level. More nasty, more dark, more thoughtful. Rama's brother finally got assassinated by a mobster called Bejo, an intelligent guy who interferes into the local underground mafia, trying to divide the two gangs into a bloody war and take it all. Rama decides to be undercover, and gets imprisoned in order to gain Uco's trust, son of Bangun, leader of the Jakarta gang. More madmen and killers with incredible skills come into the game as betrayals come over and roles always change. Is there anyone for Rama to trust or he has to end it alone?

Director Gareth Evans delivers an awesome action film once more. Everything is well done for the audience's pleasure.

 

American Mary (2012)

A talented young girl tries her best in the medical university but she gets into troubles while doing the dirty job for a mobster. This is not her only problem as twisted doctors are trying to get closer to her and a few weird clients need her services at last. She is confused and has to take difficult decisions about her future that change everything. Her delicate passion for being a surgeon will drive her into a dark, bloody world. An interesting horror film with good acting and working plot. There is not enough gore as I was expecting but it is still an accomplishing gem. It is good to see new talent emerging with entertaining movies that don't follow the cookie cutter mold Hollywood has been giving us. 

Who Am I - Kein System ist sicher (2014)

This gem is just brilliant. A subversive hacker based film that is not the easiest to make very cinematic but Who Am I works out a way to do so. Benjamin is a genius hacker trying to reach the top following his idol's steps. But MRX. The last one belongs to FR1ENDS who are known to be a group of hackers employed by the Russian Mafia and things get complicated as Ben and his team, CLAY, try to make him recognize their work. This encourages them to focus on two actions: to discover the identity of MRX and actively work to stop FR1ENDS. Little do they know, this will all culminate into one massive hack that is more "social engineering", than it is limited to computer hacking. The acting, scrip and action complete a creative, stylish, and quite entertaining film that you will remember for a long time.

Pyojeok aka The Target (2014)

This is another solid action film from South Korea. A gem blending great action scenes due to its excellent choreography and stunts, fine acting and an interesting plot. ER doctor, Tae-joon, is trying to save his wife as she has been kidnapped from a mysterious guy who wants Tae's last saved patient to be delivered to him. Things get messed when gangs and other external factors show up and it becomes clear that there is a larger conspiracy at play. Yeo-hoon, the patient, manages to escape from hospital and wants to find his own solution to personal problems engaging him and his brother to an assassination based on unknown motives as well. Despite its flaws,"The Target" is still sufficiently engaging to entertain- especially since its pace is brisk and its actors easy on the eye.Its a solid and frequently thrilling cinema which should provide genre fans with sufficient entertainment and excitement.

The frame (2014)

Starting writing film reviews after a whole year, makes me feel the thrills. And especially for such a movie as 'The Frame'. Jamin Winans (Ink) writes and directs an amazing story of two people living in parallel worlds. Alex is a thief working for a cartel dreaming to escape away from this situation. Sam is a determined paramedic trying to save the world while running from her past. They will connect each other through their television screens and try to understand the role of this ever-changing universe. Can they explore their inner selves as also avoid the dark creature determined to erase the world. A film that will move and hearten you with an incredible music score as well.

Barrio Brawler (2013)

Barrio Brawler is an interesting action film about martial arts and a story about two brothers who enter a fighting competition. Carlos Castillo is a sensei, a peaceful guy trying to find money to save his dojo from bankrupt and pay for the medications of his mother. He also wants to reconnect with his family again. He decides to find back his younger brother, Ricky who works under a mobster in his bar. Gangster Morales blackmails Ricky to force Carlos to enter his illegal pit fighting tournament as he recognizes his skills. Finally both brothers participate on this dangerous game in order to earn money. So this is a classic story without any special points and script. But the sequence is good, fighting parts are realistic and the cast is creative. After all it is a quite good production.

Heli (2013)

Heli describes us the difficult situation of teenager, Heli and his little sister, Estela, in Mexico. A drama that starts with the relationship of Estela and a young boy who trains for being a cop. The last one finds two parcels of cocaine in an abandoned place and hides them on the roof of Estella's house. Their lives are in danger now and no one can help them as drug dealers arrive there and kill Heli's father. Living and die in Mexico is always a matter of luck for poor people who have to survive in difficult situations. Most of them often turn into illegal activities and police is corrupted as also government. Direction was realistic and the cast is really interesting. A great production that won the prize for best director for 2013 in Cannes festival.

 

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.

 

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.

Ruta Destroy! (2002)

This is a really odd stuff from Madrid of the 00s. Seems like a video clip blending all the acid experience of the rave movement with small music performances. The amateur actors give a real touch to the project and the funny sketches are completing it's purpose. Another alternative cinematic experience for sure. It was on Fantasia Film Festival. Montreal, Canada. You can find it on dvd "Short Gauge Trauma".

Dead man down (2013)

Beatrice is a mysterious woman who watched Victor killing someone in his apartment. After that she threatens to expose his crime unless he helps her paying back another man for her own tragedy that transformed her face with scars making her feeling ugly and having psychological issues. But Viktor's past is even darker while seeking vengeance from his boss, Alphonse, a mobster who tries to find who is behind this evil plan unsuccessfully. Together they will join forces and they will devise a violent and cathartic plan that could change their worlds forever. An atmospheric thriller with great action scenes and excellent cast including Farrell, Rapace and Howard giving emotionally spilling performances. Danish director Oplev still has it and he proved it again. Thumbs up!

Blood (2012)

Another example of bad reputation for Imdb.com where the critics are not representative for a film. This gem should have been rated higher as it is a tight and suspenseful thriller with stunning performances from Bettany, Cox and Graham. Two brothers, Joe and Chrissie, work as police officers are messed into a crime where the one kills a suspect after feeling he is the responsible for the death of a young girl. But after finding out the truth, they both try to hide the evidences. Their ill father, Lenny, will also put them in more troubles than they first found and soon the situation will be extremely difficult. And Robert, another colleague at the force, will start suspecting the duo while watching them behaving weirdly. The cinematography and the plot were great and there is no doubt that this gem was finally good.

In Bruges (2008)

Ray and Ken are two hit men sent from their boss Harry to relax in Bruges, a small medieval town in Belgium. Ray is feeling terribly culpable for the death of a small child. This happened on his last mission where he had to kill a priest in a church. Ken appreciates him and when Harry decides to take Ray off, he is troubled to take the right decision. To execute his mate or defy his restrict orders from his superior. Ray meets a local girl, Chloe, and dates her. An American dwarf starring on a film will also play a special role on the story. Harry is being frustrated and wild with Ken's final decision and arrives to Bruges ready to take things into his hands. I think this is Colin Farrell's best appearance ever in a movie. Ralph Fiennes and Brendan Gleeson are also acting amazingly and the whole thing is just excellent. So deep, dramatic but also funny and some times thrilling.

Java heat (2013)

This is another cool film that should have been deserved a better rating on Imdb. The reason is obvious as it has an interesting plot, good direction, enough action and Mickey Rourke of course. The last one has a cult appearance though depending on a few scenes as the story runs about the Sultan's dead daughter in Java, Indonesia. An American history teacher teams with a Muslim detective in order to find the responsible terrorist for a number of bombings around the country. The motives are not clear as more proofs come out to the light. The two men are not trusting each other as  they actually work under different nations and cultures but their passion and courage will give them more confidence to continue and finally find the real imposters. Loved this mixture of international action style film.

Side effects (2013)

Soderbergh signs an interesting atmospheric film about mind disease and depression. Jonathan Banks, a psychiatrist attempts to fine the cure for Emily Taylor, a woman that has suicide attempts after her reunion with her imprisoned husband, Martin. Banks prescribes an experimental new medication called Ablixa, trying to find the source of her brain damage. When Emily kills Martin in a state of sleepwalking things gonna get serious. Dr. Victoria Siebert who was Emily's last doctor seems to hide some details from her case to Jonathan. The last one faces now law charges for experimenting with his patient and decides to investigate the facts and clear his name. The motivations for this crime will be totally different than what they first used to seem about. Individual cinematography with close ups and actual performances help this film work properly.

Serenade to Miette (2011)

This is a great work of illustrator Toniko Pantoja from Los Angeles. A street magician messes with some mobsters on his way to help a young beautiful acrobat. A small animated film with excellent script, full of action, romance and fun.

Serenade to Miette from Toniko Pantoja on Vimeo.

Dredd (2012)

I can say this is the best adaptation of the legendary comic book 'Judge Dredd' for sure. In a dystopian America after a world war that ruined everything, population has moved into huge Mega City One. Life is extremely difficult as outnumbered gangs rule over the place and the only one force that combines judge, jury and instant executioner are the urban cops, called ''Judges''. Dredd is one of them and he makes himself up a serious impact for the outlaws. Now with rookie Cassandra, a psychic mutant woman with ambition to join the force, they enter into a huge building of two hundred floors in order to find and eliminate drug lord's Ma-Ma clan. The war begins but the enemies are outnumbered. Will Dredd succeed into his mission and stay alive alongside with Cassy? It is a bleak film, a superior action movie with excellent cinematography, dark atmosphere and a faithful attribution to the original story. Actor Karl Urban gives a more convincing performance as Dredd instead of Stalone's attempt through the nineties.