Archive for April 26th, 2009

Movie review: Death Race

Posted by eugene on April 26th, 2009

[Blu-ray | DVD]

You know what I love about this movie? There is not a single subtle thing about it. Not a one. It doesn’t take itself too seriously (until the very end of the movie). It knows what it is and revels in it. It’s a definite throw back to the 70s and the 80s. Pick just about any cliche you can think of for a guy movie and it’s in here. Just great stuff.

I had zero interest in watching this when it came out in theatres. Usually Jason Statham + driving = me watching, but the whole weaponized car thing was just too much. I like old school driving Statham (i.e. Transporter 1). And I was never into the whole Mad Max [DVD] thing. But then Netflix decided to NOT send me any blu-rays. I even leave slots open, but no. So I have to add old movies and think might as well. And I’m glad I did. Just a fun time. Total unabashed guy movie.

I also think it’s pretty much a directorial requirement of Statham that he gets more ripped for each successive movie. Ian McShane does his normal gravelly thing. If you like 70s and 80s guy movies and need nearly two hours of mindless fun, this is your movie.

Movie review: Madagascar Escape 2 Africa

Posted by eugene on April 26th, 2009

[Blu-ray | DVD]

This certainly wasn’t as entertaining as the first installment of the series. The story was fine. Rival to the king. Long lost son. Unrequited love. Etc, etc, etc. I guess the first one was a bit of a surprise to me. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would, but it just seemed a little stale this time around.