I Am Legend: A bit of an overstatement. ***

A movie about a man living by himself in a monster infested city is nothing new these days; we've been blessed wth 28 days later and 28 weeks later and a number of T.V. shows to boot that hold this same notion, but that doesn`t damage the hype that was set around this flick. The first trailer for this film featuring a scared Will Smith walking into a dark room and having creatures running in the dark is bound to stir up some hype but the marketing fell through when they showed the monsters a bit too early and it leaked all over the internet, but oh well, lets get to the movie.

This movie opens brilliantly; there is no music at the beginning just some talking, actually a news program and as the opening titles roll through we finally get to an interview. A woman is being interviewed and it's amazing because it shows that a doctor has cured cancer. It's a triumphant moment that's tenderly acted and brilliantly conceived, it's so powerful that it will give you shivers, then the screen goes black and we are introduced to something very different. We see New York, three years later, no one is there and it's way too quiet, then we see Will driving a mustang through the empty streets. This part is so eerie and the special effects are really quite amazing; this part is so haunting that it builds a creepy edge to this movie. We finally tag along for the ride as Robert Neville searches for a cure. The suspense in the first half of the movie is phenomenal as it builds up so nicely and the eerie quiet gets creepier and creepier. The flashback system works well too here as the director is hinting a something that's very dangerous and looming, he has a surprise for us. The filming is uncanny and fresh but what's even greater is the acting of Will Smith. Will Smith does an amazing job at finding a character and reacting to his surroundings and he's so fun to watch. This movie is really a showcase for his great acting ability and if an actor can make a man talking to a mannequin seem emotionally empowering, then, he is a good actor. Simply brilliant. Once the monsters get introduced is when this movie becomes crippled and the director loses steam.

The beginning is amazingly suspenseful and builds up to what should be a rousing movie that will stand the test of time but when the monsters get introduced is when the movie simply falls short of movie greatness. First of all the monsters are not monsters; they are infected humans and they are done with CG, yes CG, not actors who are in make up but CG and if you don't know what that is it's computer generated effects. This CG wasn't great either at times these monsters really aren't all that convincing making the beginning look like a gimmick. There were great moments of intensity and suspense; walking through a dark building flashing a light in different places making every moment jumpy, this scene was brilliant or even when Neville gets tangled in a trap makes for a great run and gun scene. This movie loses steam in the middle as new characters are introduced and the monsters just become more and more irrelevant. The ending to this film is passable and predictable and borderline cheese-ball but it works and makes sense for the movie but you can tell a studio made it.

Overall, this movie wasn't horrible the beginning was amazing and ingenious but the director gets muffled has we hit the middle of the movie and he loses that vibrancy that was in the first half. This movie is the best acted movie by the star actor and a reason why any movie lover should watch this flick. The ending also contains the biggest cliches and dumbest allusions that are stolen from The Matrix and any originality that was found in the first half of this movie was lost by the end. Although the ending was predictable it was pretty epic and profound and it worked with the movie making this movie a good, solid watch. The monsters could've been better but the skilled filmmaking made for some pretty creepy and intense moments. This is a package that doesn't fully work as a whole but it has moments and parts that shine so brightly and that made this not a wasted watch. This movie is good, not amazing, and a bit of an overstatement but it works.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers: Pure, creepy, classic sci-fi. ****

This remake of the 1956 original scared a lot of people at first because it was treading into a territory that easily could've made this movie something less than the original, but, this movie simply is better and an extraordinary addition to the sci-fi genre.

This classic theme that hasn't aged what-so-ever is a great idea and leaping point for this movie, this is a commentary on how we live our lives, and how media dictates our lives so that we lose our individuality. The story is simple, we meet some scientists and health department investigators who discover some strange happenings going on in the city of san francisco. They then have to survive these biological attacks brought on from outer space through weird plants or pods. Basically these main characters try to avoid these parasitic attack and what we get is a very smart but very entertaining piece of film that is chilling right to the bone.

This film pays tribute to that old style of film noir as each frame captures a particular classic moment in film history, we have hitchcockian moments, cameos from the story's creators, an ageless Leonard Nemoy and simple yet effective camera movements. We have sequences with incredible shadow effects and running sequences that are as thrilling as a high speed car chase and even some of the city walks will make you're head spin and make you believe in the paranoia that this movie emplies. The acting is top notch too featuring a rather young Donald Sutherland and a more chill, sympathetic Leonard Nimoy that is a joy to watch during this flick, until the end that is. The story of this movie is very plausible too as the aliens represent something more than extra terrestials; like I said earlier this movie is a direct comment on how we need to keep our individuality otherwise our world will turn into a creepy sensational world that is rather dull and scary.

Overall, this is a classic film that has made it's mark and is still continuing to make it's mark in the lives of viewers old and new. It's a creepy revelation and comment on our lives but it never ceases to entertain or even show us some heart. The characters are believable and well conceived, and the sound design and visual design makes this movie all the more creepy. This sci-fi flick has stood the test of time and will for a very long time simply because it's a poignant film that scares us with very simple ways that can affect anyone and are not dated. This is a classic film noir and every movie lover should have this in their library. Movies aren't made like this anymore, it's a shame.

Kill Bill vol 2: Speechless is what I am. ****

We've seen the glorious first entry to this sprawling two part epic and I have to say it was very entertaining but I didn't know what to expect with the new entry from Quentin Tarantino.

The movie begins in a brilliant manner giving The bride the honor of letting us know what has happened in the first movie and this is one of the most brilliant monologues I've ever seen on film. It's shot in a black and white film noir style and is a fitting tribute to everything Tarantino grew up on and loves. Then we get into the movie after an epic beginning that promises a new type of film and not everyone was expecting that. The movie carries on with the last remaining members of the Deadly Viper Assasination Squad and quest to kill them all just for sweet revenge but this movie is so very different than it's predecessor. This movie doesn't have flashy action or gory anime sequences or a group of crazy 88's either but it has something different and something that makes this movie soar above it's predecessor. This movie slows down and moves the action out of the way and replaces that void with heart and emotion, for the first time we see The Bride get emotional and start to waiver on her path, we see a motherly side to her and this inspires a connection from the audience to the bride, Tarantino is breaking new ground here. This is the first time in any of his films that an emotional connection has been established and he threatens to sacrifice his style for this connection, but his style still remains in full force here and this has evolved his film making.

We still get homage to all of Tarantino's favourite things in this film, everything from the classic villian "Pai Mei" to his fetish for comics, to his love for B-movies everything is in full scale in this flick and once again it's weaved together so brilliantly. This movie is more dialogue ridden than the first one but the pay off from this film is all the more worth it. Tarantino has started his series with a bang and a statement and he kills is vicious villian off with a simple pound on the chest. The most climatic part of this film isn't when Bill fights The Bride but it's when the Bride finally see's her daughter and has a conversation with her arch enemy Bill. This is totally ironic and yet brilliant on the director's part as he's weaved a sprawling epic, Tarantino style.

Overall, this movie rises above the predecessor simply because it delivers a different kick, an emotional one, it's a matured adaptation of the revenge policy that the first one established and he does it in such flair and style, a different style, but in style nonetheless. This movie is so so good, the direction is controlled, and the pace is not as fast as the first but it pays more attention to the heart of the characters. These are violent and vile characters but we can sympthasize with them in this movie and this only because of the writing and directing of the film. Even if you don't connect you can pay attention to the incredible style that this film has and marvel at it's brilliance. This is an amazing piece of film and appreciating it is an understatement, Speechless is what I am, I am Speechless.

Black Hawk Down: War is hell ***

War movies have become a huge part of North American culture and many filmakers, actors and producers have jumped onto this bandwagon to reap the benefits and of course the fans love them too. America has been accused of loving these war movies a little too much making every single movie about war successful at the box office. Some of these films have prevailed as excellent movies but some have just floundered in the midst of junk film making but Black Hawk Down is a surprisingly awesome movie that criticizes war but also pays tribute to America's hero's and yet it never glorifies the violence.

Well first and foremost, you know that whatever Ridley Scott directs is going to be special, the man behind some of the most classic films in the history of hollywood was sent to direct this war epic and that was a very interesting choice. This film is the most graphic war flick since Saving Private Ryan and filled to the top with sprawling action from start to finish. This film starts with the audience meeting a group of American soldiers and we see how they live in the country of Somalia as they try to capture an infamous warlord that has caused the country extreme famine and yes of course this is all based on actual events. The direction of this movie is simple and straightforward, we meet the soldiers, get to know them a little bit, then they fight for their lives, but it's the way we connect with the soldiers and the reality of their situation that makes this movie hit home.

Scott uses his huge ensemble cast to his advantage giving them all unique characters that share the same passion for war and some even have a bigger passion to help this poor country from killing itself. This cast is lead by Srg. Everson (Josh Hartnett) and Josh barely pulls through this one; he acts the most stereotypical way he can but it works and he squeezes out a little bit of emotion at the end that makes his performance passible. As actors go, he's the weakest link in this film, and the movie as a whole is everything but passable. This film takes a little mission and little situation and reaches for the stars and what we get is a rather gruesome and intense depiction of war that pays tribute to those men that lost their lives that day.

The action is stellar, it's gritty, sometimes repulsive and it's electric as bullets whiz around the screen and explosions are numerous. There is a build up to the start of the mission, this build up is rather intense and sweeping shots of the black hawks makes Michael Bay's films look rather lame. When the action hits the screen its awesome and rough around the edges; you're not going to get glossy Bayish crap here, what you get is rough, brutal, war that is rather intense and emotional.

Overall, this movie isn't a sprawling epic like some other war flicks but it achieves what it has strived for bringing brutal and awesome action to the screen and we can sympthasize with these characters as well. The only downside to this movie was giving Josh Hartnett the leading role, maybe getting Ewan the main role would've been a little smarter but Hartnett gives a passable performance. Well Black Hawk Down is a war movie that rises above the crowd because of it`s tribute to war veterans and it`s interesting look at how war never really changes, yeah maybe weapons and commands change, but the art of war has never changed just like Plato said "only the dead have seen the end of war". War is hell.