Fast Five (aka: Fast and the Furious 5 - 2011)

When its over, I just loved this film.  It's not because of the acting or the story or any of that "critically acclaimed" stuff.  I just loved it for the pure entertainment of having Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, and international actors - Joaquim de Almeida and Sung Kang - all in the same movie.  Watching the scenes with Diesel and Johnson and their over sized egos was reminiscent of Pacino and DeNiro (in Heat) or Stallone and Schwarzenegger (in The Expendables).  It's rare to see these two pumped up actors together and the great chemistry they had onscreen.  Director Justin Lin has done a top-notch job at revamping the series and returns to the driver's seat for the third time giving this fifth installment more adrenaline, more guns, and more over the top maniacal driving.  If you're not a fan of the series, this film is still worth a look.  It's got some great vehicular stunts and well-edited chase sequences.  If you are a fan of the series, you can't miss this one.  There is a feeling of closure for the two main characters - Dominic (Diesel) and Brian (Walker), of finally getting that freedom they so often talked about in previous films. There are a few surprises including a loss and an extension of "the family."  Han (Kang) returns, along with some new faces, to help Dominic even the score against a Brazilian drug lord named Reyes (Almeida), but things get messy when a relentless federal agent (Johnson) is assigned to hunt down Dominic and Brian.  Rounding out the main cast is Jordana Brewster, who returns as Brian's girlfriend and Dominic's sister, Mia.    

My rating: 4 out of 5

Buried (2010)

When it's over, I can understand the appeal this film had for some people and sheer disappointment for others.  I would give the vote of disappointment.  I think Ryan Reynolds' bold attempt to stray away from his more heroic roles pays off in Buried, because it truly is something different for him, and his performance in this "one-man" show proved he can act as well as look good.   However, the ending ruined my journey through claustrophobia-land.  The story about an American buried alive inside a coffin by Iraqis with only a cell phone, lighter, and flashlight was appealing, and it kept my interest until the very end - until the decision to end the movie the way it did (I don't want to reveal any spoilers).  I was hoping for more of a Hollywood ending, but got instead, an ending that seemed unfair and pointless.  Maybe that was the film's intention, but I don't have to like it.

My rating: 2.5 out of 5

Takers (2010)

When it's over, Takers  took me by surprise.  It's the story about five bank robbers living the high life after a successful heist.  However, when a former member of the team gets released from prison, he convinces the team to rob an armoured car carrying $20 million.  Success seems imminent, until a police officer gets alittle too close in solving the case.  The film was more entertaining than I had expected and although it was predictable, it kept me guessing on who would die and who would live.  I was impressed that the film had a collaborative feel to it where the actors shared an equal amount of screen time.  I didn't sense any egos trying to consume the film and with a cast that included emerging talent as well as established talent (such as: Chris Brown, Hayden Christensen, Matt Dillion, Paul Walker, Michael Ealy, Idris Elba, T.I., Jay Hernandez, and Zoe Saldana), egos could have easily verve the story to varying directions.  Instead, emerging director, John Luessenhop managed to keep the storyline well-paced with each character getting a fair slice of the plot.  

My rating: 3.5 out of 5

Centurion (UK - 2010)

When it's over, director Neil Marshall (Descent, Dog Soldiers, Doomsday) proves again that he has a lot of vision and he can stretch that vision with little dollars.  His vision may not garner him box office gold, but it does establish him as an inventive independent film director.  In Centurion, Marshall tells a story set in Britain 117 AD.  The story follows Quintus Dias and his march with the Ninth Legion under orders to wipe out and destroy the Picts, a warrior tribe of painted people.  What the Romans thought would be their grandest victory, turns out to be a trap and Dias becomes the sole surviving centurion of the raid.  Soon, Dias becomes the hunted as he tries to make his way to the nearest Roman outpost.  There is a hint of a love story - small and sweet, and is a nice break from the fighting sequences.  This film is ultra violent with slashing swords and copious decapitations reminiscent of 300.  As much as I respect Marshall as a director, his films lack character depth and development.  He's great at creating setting and suspense, but fails at making the connection between character and viewer.

My rating: 2 out of 5

Knight and Day (2010)

When it’s over, the title has nothing to do with the plot, which is unfortunate, because titles really do sell the movie to some degree.  Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz reunite (their last film together was Vanilla Sky) to play Roy and June, two people on the run from the US government and international baddies who want to get their hands on a new invented battery that could power an entire city.  Roy's a secret agent thought to have gone rogue and June's a civilian who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Pit these characters together and you get a mix of tongue-and-cheek humor, damsel in distress scenarios, and full-throttle action. Cruise still does most of his own stunts and holds up the persona of "cool" quite well.   Diaz was a bit irritating as the constant complainer, but manages to redeem herself slowly throughout the film as a tough gal who can take a few punches.  The film held my attention only long enough for the credits to roll, and after that...it was quite forgettable.

My rating: 2.5 out of 5