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”

Die Harter is full of ♥ and Craziness

Even though the number of episodes in Die Harter is shorter than season one, maybe eight is enough so the inevitable movie cut doesn’t trim any story out.

Die Harter Movie PosterAvailable on Roku

Fans of Kevin Hart‘s style of comedy and John Cena being weird will certainly Die Harter of laughter at how this series is continuing. The fictional version of this comedian believes he can become the star of his own film.

After reinventing The Jeffersons as an action television show, people are talking about him. But he wants to go further and have a movie that is completely unscripted. He pitches it to Jordan (Nathalie Emmanuel) in hopes she’ll join him, but little does he know his stunt in a public place drew the attention of a hater.

When this series is presented in 15 minute chunks, I could take a breather and process the chaos that’s going on when Hart gets knocked out, threatened by a villain over a loudspeaker, escapes and tries to figure out who is after him!

Continue reading “Die Harter is full of ♥ and Craziness”

Is It Die Hart or Die Harter? Movie Version Review and Sequel News.

Kevin Hart’s manic exuberance in Die Hart gets played up for different reasons. Can he become a different kind of talent that he’s not?

Die Hart 2 Movie PosterNot everyone knows Kevin Hart starred in a TV series which follows a fictional version of himself as he learns how to become an action star. Die Hart was released in 2020 on Quibi as 10 minute shorts, and to find an edited together movie on Amazon Prime is more of a reminder. That’s because Die Harter is set to debut on Roku on March 31.

From the official synopsis:

After achieving his dream of becoming a bona fide action hero in Die Hart, Kevin Hart now wants to cement his legacy as the greatest action star of all time. He’s developed a concept for a revolutionary movie where the action is so unscripted and unexpected that even Kevin won’t know what’s coming next. But his myopic dream comes with a blind spot, and he soon finds himself the victim of an evil revenge plot, orchestrated by someone from his past.

In the sequel, Kevin must enlist the help of his favourite co-star Jordan King (Nathalie Emmanuel, returning for season 2), his over-eager assistant Andre (Ben Schwartz), Andre’s mom Cynthia (Paula Pell), and legendary Hollywood stuntman Mr. 206 (John Cena) if he wants to survive.

Continue reading “Is It Die Hart or Die Harter? Movie Version Review and Sequel News.”

F9’s Home Video is “All In” the Retrospective

The wait is certainly worthwhile for the featurettes offered in the home video release than seeing the film.

F9: The Fast Saga (Blu-ray 2021) Region free !!! - Blu-Ray MoviesBy Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Available to purchase on Amazon USA

The extra six minutes of footage added to the recent Fast & Furious 9 Blu-ray release doesn’t amount to too much for those curious. Aside from Dom (Vin Diesel) and Jakob (John Cena) Toretto’s drag race, and some romantic interest with the younger kid and Letty, the rest felt more like short extensions to a few scenesss. But for those who missed seeing this movie on the big screen because of a certain global pandemic, the wait is certainly worthwhile for the featurettes offered than seeing the film. Those with an ATMOS home sound system will enjoy the audio workout this movie delivers.

“F9: All In” details the family as they were introduced in the past films, the people who wanted to get into this world and then some! It’s 46minutes long! The added pieces, “Practically Fast” and “Shifting Priorities” add to the documentary and it delves into the 20 years of the franchise as fans wait for the finale to this franchise.

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Who Is The Puppet Master in The Suicide Squad?

While Suicide Squad is not likely to integrate with the rest of the DCEU anytime in the future, I’m hoping this rework proves that making more Rated R films is a must.

DC FanDome: 'The Suicide Squad' Unveils Cool Footage And New PostersBy Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Warner Brothers
Playing at theatres and HBO Max

Spoiler Alert

James Gunn has topped himself since he was given complete freedom to redo Suicide Squad. That 2016 film was great at introducing villains to do the dirty work that Uncle Sam doesn’t want to acknowledge, but isn’t all that memorable. This 2021 soft reboot that adds The to the title surpasses everything David Ayer attempted, and ups the ante. James‘ eccentric vision even includes a crazy build up to the finale typical for a Troma film (where this filmmaker got his start). Whether Ayer had to abide by the rules the Warner Bros and DC established with this franchise or he just did not understand the characters at all, Gunn makes the motley crew (from beginning to end instead of those who survived) rootin’, tootin’ hilarious

Continue reading “Who Is The Puppet Master in The Suicide Squad?”

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