GIO'S MOVIE ROUND-UP: MAY'09

WOLVERINE

So disappointing, this movie is all over the place and overall it's not very good. The story is haphazard, the FX atrocious in places and when it's all said and done, it feels like a bigger let down than X-MEN 3. That said, I liked Ryan Reynolds & Liev Schrieber in their roles but I was never the biggest fan of Jackman as Wolverine and here even less so. 

GIO'S OPINION: THUMBS DOWN

STAR TREK

Wow! This is an amazing flick, it has an amazing cast an engaging story and some kick ass FX. I've never been more entertained from a STAR TREK movie and WRATH OF KHAN has finally been knocked out of top spot to #2. The casting director should get an award as everyone perfectly paid homage to the original characters but still created new ones, no weakness anywhere. Never before has TREK been so humorous and action-packed at the same time, I sat on the edge of my seat giggling throughout the entire movie... this is a true summer popcorn blockbuster. Well done JJ Abrams.  

GIO'S OPINION: THUMBS UP

ANGELS & DEMONS

Much, much better than THE DA VINCI CODE. A decent mystery and Tom Hanks' hair is better in this one but still weird.

GIO'S OPINION: THUMBS UP

TERMINATOR SALVATION

I had high hopes cause the trailers kicked ass but overall it was "Amazingly Average". I thought the story was the weakest link and Christian Bale was miscast as the hero (stick to the Batman universe buddy). The visuals were good as were the FX and it was funny to see a young Arnie for a few frames but otherwise it was a disappointment for me.

GIO'S OPINION: THUMBS NEUTRAL

THE SPIRIT (DVD)

As much as I admire the original comic and the man who directed this film, Frank Miller, this truly is one awful movie. It's embarrassing. To tell you how bad it is, Sam Jackson should get an Academy Award for SNAKES ON A PLANE compared to this. I actually fell asleep for five minutes, I haven't done that in eons. Avoid this one unless you want to see how not to make good Comic Book Movie, then by all means, enjoy! 

GIO'S OPINION: THUMBS DOWN

JCVD (DVD)

Good but not great but definitely the best Van Damme flick in eons. Van Damme plays himself, a down-on-his-luck and washed-up movie star who gets caught up in a Hostage situation in him hometown. It's cute, it's quirky, it's got some funny moments and Van Damme is great in it although if it was anyone else, it would be just another movie. 

GIO'S OPINION: THUMBS NEUTRAL 

WONDER WOMAN (DVD)

DC continues to impress with their animated line-up. WONDER WOMAN is a well-done animated movie featuring great voice talent (Keri Russell, Rosario Dawson, Alfred Molina & Nathan Fillion), a good origin story and some decent animation. If you liked DC'S NEW FRONTIER, you will like this one! 

GIO'S OPINION: THUMBS UP

QUARANTINE (DVD)

Based on the spanish flick REC, this pseudo-zombie flick is a little bit BLAIR WITCH, a little bit CLOVERFIELD and all told from the point of view of a news team following some form of "outbreak" at an LA apartment complex. It's good but would be better with more gore and stronger  acting. Still, I found it enjoyable. 

GIO'S OPINION: THUMBS UP

WATCHMEN: TALES OF THE BLACK FREIGHTER/UNDER THE HOOD (DVD)

Unless you are a fan of the original Graphic Novel or the recent movie version, there is no need to see this animated adventure and mock documentary. Although they are cool, they can be a bit... boring. 

GIO'S OPINION: THUMBS NEUTRAL 

THE HILLS HAVE EYES 2 (DVD)

A needless sequel to the remake from a few years ago, this one sees the inbred mutants take on a rookie group of soldiers... much bloodshed and stupidity abound! 

GIO'S OPINION: THUMBS DOWN

PUNISHER WAR ZONE (DVD)

Awesome! That's right, I said it, the PWZ is awesome. Ray Stevenson (Rome) makes a picture perfect Punisher and the film is filled with gore like no other comic film around. Dominic West is a bit over the top as the villain Jigsaw but it works in the context of the film. Don't believe the brutal reviews this film got, it's fun, it's gory, and it's the best Punisher film out of all three that have been made. Still no BATMAN BEGINS though.... 

GIO'S OPINION: THUMBS UP