The Last Stand (2013)

When it's over, Arnold Schwarzenegger took his stand. A small border town sheriff must stop a cartel boss from crossing the U.S. border into Mexico. This was Schwarzenegger's first major film since leaving office as Governor of California. It was a decent comeback, and definitely not one of his better films, but the usual Arnold stuff were there - one liners, big guns, and violence. Much of the film's shortcomings came from a weak supporting cast, and if they were removed, the story would remain unchanged. It was clear the film was all about Schwarzenegger, as he carried the entire film from beginning to end. For gun enthusiasts, there were plenty of classic firearms featured including: the Colt Dragoon, Colt Thompson, and the Vickers Machine Gun, which all packed big punches. The Last Stand was not a thinking film nor was it realistic, but it was entertaining and it gave me what I needed after a long busy day - some diversion.

My rating: 3 out of 5

The Man with the Iron Fists (2012)

When it's over, kung fu is not hip-hop. It may work in the right filmmaker's hands, but Director/Writer Rza is not that one. The story takes place in a village in feudal China where assassins, warriors, and British soldiers try to steel a chest full of gold. In the village, a former monk turned blacksmith (Rza) tries to defend his community. There are no shortage of big names including Russell Crowe, Lucy Liu, and Rick Yune, but this does not help the film, except to market it. Two things this film desperately need are: (1) replace the lead actor, which in turn would replace the director, because they are the same; and (2) make it clear who and what the story is about. Quentin Tarantino produces this awful tribute to classic kung fu films. The film would have been ten times better if he had been in the writer/director seat. The kung fu is cheesy and the gratuitous violence demoralizes the film. The acting is poor, reinforced by a weird blend of characters that make this film so awful, awful, awful.

My rating: 1.5 out of 5

World War Z (3D - 2013)

When it’s over, this is a zombie film, even if people say it is not. Even the word “zombie” is mentioned several times in the film. It is simply a different kind of zombie film that is a combination of I Am Legend, 28 Days Later, and The Crazies (2010). Clearly, not an original film, but not terrible either. For the most part, WWZ stands on its own among other zombie/plague films. There is plenty of suspense to keep viewers guessing and holding off on washroom breaks. In 3D, the pop-out scenes are intensified. United Nations employee, Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) must find the origins of a virus that is consuming humanity before it becomes unstoppable. He leaves behind family, friends, and safety in search of a possible cure. Gone are the straggling, lop-sided undead bodies roaming aimlessly. Gone are the infected, who consume human flesh. Gone are the gore of intestines and brain splatter. In its place are fast, swarming creatures who work collectively to attain their goal – infect the uninfected. Everything about this film looks like it is done on a grand scale, especially in the scenes where the zombies swarm, but this “epic-ness” does more harm than good to the film. There is an overabundance of CGI, making the zombies more fake than believable. I think zombie stories work best when the stories are intimate and are told in contained settings. In I Am Legend, it is New York City. In 28 Days Later, it is London, England. In The Crazies, it is a small Iowa town in the United States. In WWZ, it is global, and there is a feeling of detachment on the viewer’s part. The film looks and feels like a mega blockbuster, rather than a story about a man trying to save his family, which essentially, is the core story, because Gerry’s actions are motivated by his need to protect his family. I like Pitt’s portrayal of Gerry. He does a solid job carrying this film, combining action and drama to give audiences some good scares and memorable scenes. I would recommend a viewing on the big screen, and if possible, in 3D.

My rating: 3.5 out of 5 

Iron Man 3 (2013)

When it's over, "You know who I am," Tony Stark says. The symbolic quote is Tony's search for himself and his conclusion of who he is. I like this third installment, because it dares Tony to question his actions, and that is character growth I did not see in the previous two films. As an audience, we have watched him grow from an insensitive businessman to a man set on protecting mankind, even if it means blowing his ego to mega proportions. In Iron Man 3, we see Tony (Robert Downey Jr.) vulnerable and changed, and much of that has to do with his love for Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow). In order to save Pepper, Tony must defeat a madman who uses genetic alterations to terrorize humanity. Audiences will finally see Potts in action, as the film gives Paltrow some solid screen time. Guy Pierce and Ben Kingsley take the roles of bad guys, but Kingsley's character is not who he seems, which makes for some good humor. There is plenty of action and destruction, which is no surprise considering there are dozens of Iron Mans fighting dozens of genetically altered baddies. This third installment dares to please as several surprise plot twists make it intelligent as well as entertaining. 

My rating: 4 out of 5

Anna Karenina (2012)

When it’s over, life is a stage, a performance done in scenes and acts. This is Director Joe Wright’s interpretation of Leo Tolstoy’s tragic story of love and forgiveness. Kiera Knightly takes the leading role as Anna, a woman married to a  Russian aristocrat (Jude Law), who gives up position for true love for Count Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), and pays the price for it.  I have seen many versions of this classic tale, and none I really liked. However, Wright’s version is the most memorable, because of its palette of wondrous colors. I love the art direction. It is a spectacle of lavish costumes and opulent décor. No words are necessary to describe each character, because their clothes do the talking for them.  Whether the clothes have a high collar or is draping down the shoulders, the clothing is a commentary of who they are and says something significant about their personalities. The acting is good by all, in particular, Law, who captures the coldness of Alexis Karenin perfectly, while still allowing a sliver of humanity to peek through the stoic demeanor. Still, despite the A-list actors, I cannot get into the minds of the characters. I cannot connect with them, because they are so strong willed, like iron, like the steam train that is so symbolic throughout the film. Although Anna’s strength falters at the end, her actions can be considered defiant, and there is strength in that also, which never allows the viewer to completely engage in the pain she suffers. The scenes show her emotional and physical collapse, but they do not pull me in.  There is something lacking, perhaps realism (because the film is a stage - literally), which makes me feel very detached from the characters. As tragic as the story is, I did not feel any desire to mourn the losses in the name of love.

My rating: 3 out of 5