STAR OF THE MONTH: DIANE KRUGER

I just recently watched the new film Unknown with Liam Neeson. His co-stars included January Jones and Diane Kruger. Diane has been a favorite of mine ever since I first saw her as Helen in 2004's Troy. She will be the star of month for July and I will post facts, pics, and reviews of her. And it works out perfectly because the German born star has a birthday this month as well. And one of my friends hails from Germany and we have been discussing Diane quite a bit. Well me more than her, but still. So if you're a fan of Ms. Kruger please do stop by Hero Worship to join in on the festivities.

UKNOWN is Liam Neeson's solid companion piece to TAKEN...

Dr. Martin Harris (Liam Neeson) awakens after a car accident in Berlin to discover that his wife (January Jones) suddenly doesn't recognize him and another man (Aidan Quinn) has assumed his identity. Ignored by disbelieving authorities and hunted by mysterious assassins, he finds himself alone, tired and on the run. Talk about an identity crisis. He soons find help in the form of a spunky cab driver/hostess named Gina (Diane Kruger). Soon the two are running all over Berlin trying to solve the mystery of Martin's life and at the same time, avoid being killed. Unknown plays like a seasoned Bourne movie about a man who can't remember certain things about his life but becomes more and more resilent as the movie goes along. And it plays also like a nice companion piece to Liam's own action flick, Taken. Because once he is pushed too far, he finally begins to fight back. I liked this movie and it was nice having it take place in Berlin. A nice change of pace from America. The cast is terrific. Liam shines once again in a very demanding role that has him play confused, loving, smart and then finally bad ass. January Jones is ok, but she is absent quite a bit as the movie centers on Liam and Gina. Oh by the way I think I'm in love with Diane Kruger. She is awesome as Gina with her lilting German accent being perfect and her character as the type of woman that you just can't walk away from. Unknown is a solid thriller.
B

Action Movie For The Day - THE MATRIX (1999): In the words of Keanu...WHOA!

March 31st, 1999. I remember that date reverently for two reasons. One, well my birthday is March 31st so that's a no-brainer. But the other reason is because this very cool sci-fi action flick called The Matrix debuted. And it was freakin' off the chain. You had never seen a movie like this before. It introduced so many cool concepts that it was copied and parodied so many times by other films, you began to lose count. But The Matrix is one wild ride. Keanu Reeves as Neo, the chosen one who will lead humans to rebel against the Matrix, a massive artificial intelligence system that has created an illusion for humans of everyday life of present day with jobs, family, school, etc. Well the year is actually 2199 and the Matrix is running things. A small group of humans led by Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) with the high kicking Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss best role) at his side are fighting back and recruit Thomas Anderson (Keanu) who thinks he is a computer programmer. But in actuality he is the chose one called Neo. Of course The Matrix sends its agents led by the nefarious Mr. Smith (icily played by Hugo Weaving) to eliminate him. And in the Matrix world, you can do anything. As Neo finds out he has some mad kung fu skills downloaded into his brain. The laws of physics do not exist in this world and that makes for some cool and fantastic scenes. Bullet time! How cool was that! The Matrix is awesome and holds up remarkably well. Much more than the weaker sequels that followed. The original is still the best.
B+

Action Movie For The Day: DIE HARD (1988)

One of the best action films ever made. The one that made Bruce Willis into a movie star. The one that introduced Alan Rickman to the world. And of course the one to start all those terrorists on a train, boat, plane, etc type movies. But this is the best one. Bruce is perfect as John McClane-the tough NY cop who battles terrorists one Christmas Eve in a hi rise in LA. Loaded with sensational action and plenty of one liners from Bruce. A must have in your DVD collection.
A
Supervisor: "Attention, whoever you are. This channel is reserved for emergency calls only.."
McClane: "No fucking shit, lady. Do I sound like I'm ordering a pizza?"

Takagi: "You want money? What kind of terrorists are you?"
Hans: "Who said we were terrorists?"

 

Action Movie For The Day - THE BOURNE IDENTITY (2002)

Matt Damon is awesome in this exciting action thriller. He plays Jason Bourne, a man found at sea, left for dead, with amnesia. He doesn't remember his past of being a spy, but when he starts to piece his life back together and starts to use his deadly skills, watch out. This is a super action thriller that mixes old school stuntwork and chases with a new world attitude. Matt Damon is totally convincing as the super spy. And Frank Potente is engaging as Marie, a woman who reluctantly tags along and helps Jason figure out what's going on. Top notch stuff. Two equally impressive sequels followed, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatium.
B+



Jason Bourne: I don't want to do this anymore.





Conklin: I don't think that's a decision you can make.
Jason Bourne: Jason Bourne is dead, you hear me? He drowned two weeks ago. You're gonna go tell 'em that Jason Bourne is dead, you understand?
Conklin: Where are you gonna go?
Jason Bourne: I swear to God, if I even feel somebody behind me, there is no measure to how fast and how hard I will bring this fight to your doorstep. I'm on my own side now.

Action Movie For The Day - POINT BREAK (1991): 100% Pure Adrenaline!

A most excellent film. Keanu Reeves is perfect as an ex college football quarterback turned FBI agent on the trail of surfers who rob banks. I know that sounds wild but this movie rocks. As Agent Johnny Utah, Reeves has one of his best roles ever. And he's backed up solidly by veteran agent Angelo Pappas, played by Gary Busey. And Patrick Swayze is ok as Bodhi, the leader of the bank robbing outfit who call themselves The Ex- Presidents. Directed with style by Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker), Point Break is one cool action film. Some of the best scenes include an intense shoot-out at a house of suspected bad guys; a thrilling car chase which leads to an exciting foot chase by Reeves after Swayze; and a very cool skydiving scene. Lori Petty is on hand as the girl who Utah falls for. Plenty of eye candy with sexy women, breath-taking waves and some great surfing scenes. And a rocking music score.
B+







Johnny Utah: " I caught my first tube today...sir."

Action Movie Of The Day: THE ROAD WARRIOR (1981)

In your face full throttle action flick. And what's great is, it's done with actual cars and people not none of the CG crap that is everywhere in today's movies. Mel Gibson returns as laconic ex-lawman Max who helps a small colony of survivors battle mohawked savages in the Australian outback. All for the last precious commodity in the world- fuel. Super charged action with thrilling car chases and unbelievable stunts that will leave you gasping. Definitely a must see and must have. They do not make them like this anymore, that's for sure.
B+


Max: "Two days ago, I saw a vehicle that would haul that tanker. You want to get out of here? You talk to me."

ACTION MOVIES All Summer Long...

The summer is here and what better time than to watch some action flicks. You know the ones with the bad ass cops chasing the ruthless bad guys; the outrageous and over-the-top explosions and fist-cuffs; the high octane car chases; the sexy girls; the rocking music; all those things required to make a great action film. So for the rest of the summer I plan to watch at least one action movie a day and post my review. Such films like Die Hard, Lethal Weapon, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Gladiator, Escape From New York, Point Break, Bad Boys, Beverly Hills Cop, Speed, The Last Boy Scout, Bullitt, Cobra, Goldeneye, Romancing The Stone and tons more.

I will kick off things with Demolition Man, the sci-fi action flick from 1993 that starred Slyvester Stallone as super cop John Spartan who battles his crazy nemesis Simon Phoenix (played by Wesley Snipes). The two wage war in modern day LA but then are placed in suspended animation until the year 2032 when Phoenix is accidentally freed and the only person who can stop him is Spartan. You see Spartan was tried and wrongfully convicted of killing some innocent bystanders in the crossfire between him and Phoenix. So now Spartan gets payback. Co-starring Sandra Bullock as Officer Lenina Huxley, a cop who longs for the good old days of busting skulls and shoot-outs. Demolition Man is a cool action flick that really does throw everything at you. Stallone and Snipes make a good hero/villain dynamic. And there are tons of fist fights, car chases and shoot-outs galore.
B

Season Four of TRUE BLOOD premieres tonight...HELL YEAH!

Can you believe it? It's aready season 4 of True Blood? I've been with this series since its debut back in 2008 and have been hooked ever since. The new season will introduce us to a coven of witches. True Blood which started out mainly about vampires has evolved to include everything from werewolves to demons. The main focus has been the triangle between Sookie, Bill and Eric. But more drama is also unfolding besides these three. Let's not forget Lafayette's struggles, the vampire nation itself trying to remain at peace with humans, and the still present werewolves. I for one can't wait for the new season to begins. Which is about 2 hours away. Oh and I'm eagerly awaiting the return of the delicious vampire queen Sophie Anne (played by Evan Rachel Wood). To all Twilight fans and followers, this is how it's done.

Curbing my LUTHER addiction with some Idris Elba movies....

So while I'm waiting for season 2 of that very cool British series, Luther to premiere here stateside, I've been hankering for anything with my man Idris Elba in it. And thanks to my friend Jennifer aka Morleysaurus, who has already seen the first two episodes of the new season which makes me want to see it even more. So I've been biding my time with some movies starring Mr. Elba. After viewing him on the big screen in Thor recently, I own several of his movies on DVD. I have watched RocknRolla with Gerard Butler; 28 Weeks Later, and The Losers. I even watched him in the late 90's British tv series Ultraviolet about vampires with the always cool Jack Davenport. So hopefully all this Idris viewing will tide me over until the new episodes of Luther start airing. I hope. Are there anymore Luther fans out there?