Death Sentence

Director: James Wan
Writer: Ian Mackenzie Jeffers (based on the novel of the same name by Brian Garfield)
Cast: Kevin Bacon, John Goodman, Kelly Preston, Jordan Garrett, Stuart Lafferty, Aisha Tyler
Min: 105
Year: 2007

Nick Hume (Kevin Bacon) is an executive with a good family life. One night he and his oldest son, a hokey playing teen, stop a gas station. The son goes in and a gang come in and rob and kill the man behind the register. Then son then gets gets throat slashed by a machete wielding member, as part of his initiation. When, the district attorney tells Hume that he can give the scumbag a guaranteed sentence of 2 to 3 yrs, if he agrees to a lower charge, Hume decides to take manner into his own hands. When he kills him, the gang leader, brother to the deceased swears war on Hume and his family. But, the gang may soon learn that they have fucked with the wrong man.

James (Saw) Wan's ultra-violent revenge thriller works well as a throwback to the 70s movies of this type. The script is very (and I do mean very) loosely based on the novel of the same written by Brian Garfield. Garfield wrote this book as a sequel to his classic Death Wish (which is the book the masterpiece starring Charles Bronson was based on). There is little to nothing to do with that book, but this film works regardless of that.

There is little new or original material that the film adds to the sub-genre, but it is in the handling of the subject-matter that makes it work so well. First and foremost, Bacon gives one of my favorite performances I have ever seen him do. He is loving as a father and badass as a scum-killing motherfucker. His decent into vigilantism is well done,as he is disgusted at first, but by the end becomes a cold-blooded killing machine. I enjoyed the rest of the cast, as well, with Goodman coming off as a suitably sleazy gun-dealer and higher-up to the gang.

Wan gives the movie a washed out look that fits the proceedings. The pacing is fast and furious and the movie never fails to grab your interest. The violence is bloody and exceptionally well handled. Gory squibs, head shots, throat slashing, stabbing, and, best of all, a shotgun amputation manage to give the type of blood-letting that I so like to see in this type of movie and something made by Wan.

It should be noted that the DVD has a director's unrated cut, but there is no extra gore. Instead it is all exposition, which somewhat slow the film down. Though, they don't hurt the movie, it's the theatrical cut that is the superior version.

This is actually my favorite Wan movie. While, Saw might be the better movie; this one holds up much better to repeated viewings. It's ultimately a solid, bloody, and kick-ass movie, with one hell of a climax. If you have never seen it, you owe yourself a favor of viewing of it.

***1/2 out of ****

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Cinema ABCs

A couple of other blogs have been doing this, so, here is mine contribution.

A is for Aliens

B is Battle Royale
C is for The Curse of the Werewolf
D is for Death Wish
E is for The Evil Dead
F is Fudoh: The New Generation
G is for The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

H is for Hard Boiled
I is for Iron Man
J is for Jaws
K is for King Kong
L is for Land of the Dead
M is for Mulholland Dr.
N is for A Nightmare on Elm Street
O is for The Others
P is for Phenomena
Q is for The Quiet
R is for Re-Animator
S is for Scarface
T is for Taxi Driver
U is for Under Siege
V is for Vampyres
W is for The Warriors
X is for X2: X-Men United
Y is for You Only Live Twice
Z is for Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs

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The 10 Best Movies of 2010

As another year has ended it is time for my list of the year's best. Once again, this list is not at all like the other best of movie list out there. And, I wouldn't have it any other way! By the way, I didn't see Inception, The Fighter, or True Grit, so just warning you. I'll see them eventually, but really I am in real rush to do so. Anyways, here's they are:

10. The Runaways- Here's a film I was curious about since I first heard about it. I'm a fan of the band and of the beautiful Kristen Stewart. I had a feeling she could do some great acting if given a good script. This is the proof of it! She really IS Joan Jett! I actually questioned the casting of Dakota Fanning, as I was never a fan, really, and I thought she might be too young to be sexy. But, she more than delivered. Great acting from the whole cast, this is a solid bio-pic.

9. Bad Biology- While this movie was made two years ago it was not given a proper release till last year. About time, too. It's Frank (Basket Case Trilogy) Henenlotter's best work in years. Funny, gory, sexy, and jaw-dropping, this over-the-top horror/ comedy shows that he is definitely one of horror's most audicious and fun filmmaker's. No one makes a movie like him! And, there is NO movie, in any year, that is like this one. Mutant penis and vagina. Yep, you read that right. The lead actress is quite yummy, too. If you ain't seen this one, then you need to, but not if your easily offended. But, if you are, then why are reading my blog?!

8. The Expendables- An action fans' wet dream come true, this has just about anyone you could want from action cinema in it. Stallone's directing keeps things moving fast, and the movie is a ton of fun. The copious amounts of graphic violence gives it a further kick in the ass. One of the year's most satisfying, as far as hype goes anyways, movies.




7. Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy- While both Halloween and Friday the 13th have had docus made on them, this one on the Nightmare movies is the best one. In fact it is one of the finest and most comprehensive docus in the history of horror cinema. Everything you could ever want to know and more (and even more, with the DVD's extra features!) is included. Great interviews and always entertaining. It might clock in at three hours, but if you are a true fan, you'll never feel it. Extra points for not covering the remake (surely one of last year's worst films!)!


6. Edge of Darkness- Before I go any further, let's get one thing clear: Mel Gibson is a fucking asshole. I can't fucking stand him (and I used to be a huge fan). But, let's base this movie on it's own credit, not on the dickhead in the lead role. A well directed, intense, and smart revenge film, EoD keeps you on the edge (pun not intended) of your seat. It also manages to tug at the heart, and the brutal violence reminds you of the sub-genre you are viewing. And, as much as I hate to admit it, Mel pulls off a great performance. It's a shame his idiotic behavior made this one get lost by some fans.


5. Toy Story 3- Pixar does it again! They pull off another great animated movie that makes my list for the third year in a row! As Darth Vader would say, "Impressive! Most impressive". This movie manages to be exciting, funny, and, even, touching. The best entry in the series, and the single best animated movie of last year!





4. Piranha 3D- This is THE best remake of 2010, in fact it ranks as one of the best remakes in the history of mankind. It also happens to be the best 3D movie of last year (the worst 3D movie is also the worst movie, of last year- Resident Evil: Afterlife). Anyways, this is one of 2010's most fun movie going experiences. It's wonderfully exploitative and totally funny. And, the gore? Wow!! This one pushes the R-rating to its limits. Bissecetion, castration, floating implants, etc, this one turns the blue waters bloody red. The cast is cool, too, with Jerry O'Connel as a sleazy pornographer getting my fav asshole role of the year. Then, there are the babes that include porn star Riley Steele and the still beautiful Elizabeth Shue. And, even Gianna Michaels has a cameo. There is tons of nudity and lesbian action. Fuck man, this movie has just about everything!!!

3. Machete- Speaking about movie that has it all, Machete, is another that does. Hot girls, ultra-violence, and the coolest cast outside of The Expendables. Trejo is just fucking awesome as the movie's hero. This was yet another fun and totally enjoyable time I had in the movies. It is what it sets itself out to be, a big budget exploitation film. Oh, Tom Savini's role is one of the funniest and most awesome roles of the year. Shit, even Steven Seagal is cool in this one!!


2. Black Swan- Some say it's a horror film, some say it ain't. I say it is. It's a psychological horror flick and a searing one at that. It's a truly nightmarish experience that gets deep into your psyche. It also happens to be beautifully shot and directed. The performances are amazing, especially by the the stunning Natalie Portman. Her much ballyhooed lesbian action with Mila Kunis manages to be both erotic and disturbing. And, that is no mean feat! In the end, what we have here is 2010's best horror film, bar none. And, the most frightening horror movie of last year, as well.


1. Kick Ass- The best movie of last year may not have been a huge box-office smash (although, it should have been!!!), but it is such a fun and, well thoroughly KICK ASS film. That makes it the most appropriately named film of last year! The cast is likable and quite good. This Nicolas Cage's best role in years (this coming from someone who couldn't stand Cage in the last few years). But, it's Hit Girl that fucking owns this one. Her controversial role, as a 12 year old vigilante that kills bad guys and curses like a fucking sailor, is 2010's most awesome character. The ultra-violence makes this one an even harder ass kicker. Without a shadow of a doubt one of the finest super-hero movies ever made.

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The 10 Best Revenge Films of All Time

Yesterday, I saw Edge of Darkness with Mel Gibson. It featured a moving performance by him, a solid, well thought out plot, and some shocking bits of brutal violence. I think it is the best American made revenge film in recent years. But, what are the all time top ten? I love a good revenge film. It's a pretty simple idea. Our hero has something horrible happen to him/ her or to a loved one and then sets out to avenge that. The sub-genre can fall under action, exploitation, horror, or even sci-fi (Mad Max), but the best of the lot hit us with hard, vicious violence, as well as awakening an almost primal feeling in one. And, it should come to no one's shock that the Death Wish series and Chan Wook Park's films dominate this list. In the end, you owe it to yourself to see all these movies.

10. - Mixing horror, action, and gothic imagery this classic adaptation of the comic book is one of the most visually stunning and kick ass movies of the 90s, as our hero comes back from the grave to avenge the rape and death of his wife.

9. - The first of Park's fantastic revenge trilogy tackles the fact that when one wants revenge their is always another who will want to avenge that. And, hence it is a pointless, violent, and horrifying circle. Great acting, a wonderful plot, and an unforgettable climax make this a classic.

8. - After Paul Kersey's friend is killed by a gang of punks in Brooklyn, NY he (now back in NY) exacts his brand of vengeance and helps the scared community. One of the most wonderfully over the top and violent American action films of all time, Death Wish 3 has become a huge fan favorite and a classic over the years. The wild climax where senior citizen Charles Bronson mows down a seemingly endless group of punk scumbags using a Browning M1919 A4 machine gun, a .475 Widley Magnum, and (in the movie's wildest moment) a rocket launcher! All fucking hail Death Wish 3!

7. - Awesome, badass, and exploitative mix of the revenge film and the women in prison sub-genres. An amazing personal fav, this one has it all you could ask for: stylish movie directing, sexy, naked Japanese girls, red, hot lesbian action, graphic violence, and a great revenge story as our beautiful heroine seeks to get those who unjustly imprisoned her. The greatest women in prison film, ever!

6. - The sleaziest of the Death Wish series is, I think, the best sequel in the series. After his daughter is raped, (as is the housekeeper in a particularly mean spirited scene) again (!) and killed, Kersey goes off to kill the scumbags. Classic dialogue and graphic violence abound.

5. - The rape-revenge film is one of horror and exploitation cinema's nastiest sub-genres. This classic by Abel Ferrara is the best, in my humble opinion. A beautiful mute girl is raped twice in one day by two different pieces of shit. She flips out and eradicates scumbags and sexist men in what might be called a sort of feminist fantasy. Regardless of what you call it, this movie has excellent acting and some nice bits of bloody violence.

4. - When the shogun's decapitator's wife is killed by said shogun, our badass hero swears vengeance and wanders Japan with his cute little kid and armed carriage. My full review of this ultra-violent classic: http://gorezone.net/dvdcrypt/reviewstxt/stu/shogunassassin.html

3. - The single finest American made revenge film, this highly influential classic is not the bloodiest nor the wildest in the sub-genre, but it is smart and excellently directed. Liberal guy changes his ways after his wife is killed and raped, and his daughter raped, too. Lots of movies ripped this one off, many increasing the gore quota, but this remains a masterpiece.

2. - The most moving film in this list Lady Vengeance is the last film in Park's trilogy. This one feels different than the other ones in the series, probably cause our heroine has a truly understandable and just cause and the villain is so deplorable. An unjustly imprisoned woman looks to get her revenge and reunite with her little daughter. The climax of the film is amazing and moving. A beautifully made movie that never feels cheap or sleazy despite the graphic violence. The ending really pulls at your heartstrings. This one made me cray and only gets better with each viewing.

1. - The middle part of Park's trilogy, this story of a man who unjustly spends many years in jail is violent, shocking, and enthralling. The fight scene with the claw hammer kicks some major ass, while the ending is one of the finest and most shocking in movie history.

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