Tag: Action-Adventure

When Jackie Chan’s Team-up In Hidden Strike Is No Rush Hour

Not all action-star pairings can work, and Hidden Strike demonstrates why producing a spec script can be problematical when the stars aren’t always on board.

Jackie ChanHidden Strike Movie Poster‘s films are often entertaining, but in Project X-traction (aka Hidden Strike on Netflix), the movie struggles to make it to first base. I was hardly excited to wonder if this star can make it to second. After his home run with Ride On, his next film can barely get out of the gate.

This action thriller where he meets John Cena appeared on my Netflix recommendation list and I wished it didn’t. That’s because despite some high octane action, not even this former wrestler can steal the show. He has a lot more better moments than Chan, and that’s not saying much. Here, this lead is supposed to be in charge! Instead, he’s just a commander of a rescue team sent to free Chinese workers from an oil refinery in the Middle East. It’s under attack, and although that extraction was successful, getting out of the region will prove difficult. Luo’s team (Chan) he has to blaze through The Highway of Death and it was too Mad Max for me. Continue reading “When Jackie Chan’s Team-up In Hidden Strike Is No Rush Hour”

Just How Much Crazier Can Hunt’s Life Get after Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One?

Just what kind of crazy stunt we’ll see after Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One will require fans to wait more than a year for.

Mission Impossible Dead Reckoining Part One Movie PosterSpoiler Alert

After witnessing just how much crazier the stunts have become throughout the Mission Impossible movies, Dead Reckoning Part One is the most insane. As for whether that motorcycle stunt can be surpassed in part two, I have a prediction. There will be some nut bar oceanic test for Ethan Hunt to escape from, and he better be Harry Houdini. It’s easy to surmise that will happen in the next film when considering how part one begins.

What I enjoyed from this film concerns how the stakes get raised. This unit keeps on finding themselves in missions a single human can’t take on alone. In this series, Hunt’s team has each other’s back. And it’s great the stories never deviate from this fact. Also, from simple espionage narratives to global threats, I believe this latest is taking cues from past films. From Ghost Protocol to the team creating a Rogue Nation of their own, the latest motion picture has a nautical title that not everyone is talking about.

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Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Isn’t Always About Turning Back Time!

It’s safe to say there’ll most likely be spinoff series following Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, but not everyone will want it.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of DestinyTo be honest, to put Indiana Jones in another rousing live-action adventure means using CGI. I know of one fuddy duddy decrying this latest movie for various reasons. He’s impossible to please, and while I’ll agree too much digital use can be detracting, it’s too late! That’s how movies are made today. Even Moulin Rouge was rich with digital enhancements to make gay Paris come alive. The same was done in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny to make his last hurrah look good!

The extended opening act presented a younger Indy, and the technology to render him has improved by massive leaps. I’m sold by this illusion, and even the action had everything I recall from the original films and a lot more! That is, all the fights happening inside and out of the train is reminiscent of James Mangold‘s directorial work in The Wolverine.

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When Fast X is Streaming, the Race is on to Keep this Franchise Afloat!

Although Mamoa carries Fast X, that’s a lot of responsibility to put on his shoulder.

Fast X Movie Poster - TeaserNow Available to Stream on Prime Video, iTunes, and Vudu

When I saw in the trailers that Jason Momoa is the spotlight in Fast X, I knew he’d have fun with however he’d get cast. As a result, I didn’t rush to go see it in theatres. Instead, I opted to wait for this latest entry to the Fast and Furious franchise to hit streaming services. Although what happens is very formulaic, I’m generally okay with the shift in focus from street-racing to super spy romps that James Bond would never say no to taking on.

And as for whether I’m still invested, I might as well enjoy the ride to the end. The post credits teaser was enough to keep me interested. Although that returning character won’t be part of the main films based on the latest industry reports, that can easily change as the script is still being crafted.

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Danger, Danger, Miles Morales! There’s Trouble All Across the Spider-Verse!

Not everyone will have watched Marvel’s What If series which explains how many worlds exist in Across the Spider-Verse, and one nexus point concerns Miles Morales and canon events which define the foundation of how this omniverse continues.

Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse Movie PosterTo answer the joke of what happens when one Spider-Man disappears from the multiverse, another version will simply take his place! Across the Spider-Verse, just how many of this hero we meet requires putting the film on pause and counting every iteration presented to audiences! That’s what I wanted to do when this action got really baffling, and this movie is not just about Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore).

Well, technically, it is about this version and Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld). Both are having daddy issues. Regarding what these two have to measure up to is what parents want for their kids. This angle is at the heart of the film, and it’s wonderfully defined when they finally have the talk.

And there’s also all that glitz which makes watching this film a pop culture explosion of Andy Warhol, Leonardo da Vinci and many other post-modern artists put into a blender. But the range of styles don’t end there. There’s flourishes of Norman W. Marsh’s Detective Dan and much more. To name all the artistic influences would be tough, and I’m certain that amongst all the names who have drawn the wall-crawler, I’m still searching for a moment Todd McFarlane’s signature style is splashed all over.

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Watch and Hear Indiana Jones Roar in Dolby ATMOS Sound in 4K and in Theatres!

Will there be a massive Indiana Jones movie marathon prior to the release of Dial of Destiny? Maybe, but just in case, Paramount Pictures has an upgrade worthy of this archeologist’s best hunt.

Indiana Jones 4 Movie Collection (ATMOS sound) 4K Ultra
Available to pre-order on Amazon USA

Release Date: June 6, 2023

Fans of Indiana Jones can rejoice! Not only has all the thrilling adventures of Indiana Jones been remixed in Dolby ATMOS on 4K Ultra HD™ in this upgrade, but also they can see it again on the big screen! The worlds and jungles come alive in this Steven Speilberg approved project. And to witness all the past exploits prior to the release of the fifth and final film may be important!

Here, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull will be available for the first time on 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Vision® and HDR-10 from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Paramount Home Entertainment. For the home release, each disc will be beautifully packaged with artwork inspired by the original theatrical posters and will include access to a digital copy of each respective film.

In the United States, Raiders of the Lost Ark will be returning to select theatres on June 4th and 7th. Tickets for this special engagement presented by Fathom Events and Paramount Pictures can be purchased at www.fathomevents.com or at participating theatre box offices. As for whether there will be similiar plans in other countries, please check your favourite movie theatre distributor’s website.

Raiders of the Lost Ark Trailer

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