Unfortunately, a movie that we were all hoping would be excellent has turned out to be less than that, probably significantly so. Rentrack has reported that this weekend, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For came in a staggering 8th place at the box office with just under 6.5 million dollars in returns.
This is a crushing blow for a film that looked so promising. What with the success of the first Sin City and the high profile stars involved in acting and creating this movie, it's a shocker it didn't even make it to double digits. The combined efforts of Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez, Josh Brolin, Eva Green, Mickey Rorke and about a thousand other talented people didn't turn out a successful product.
I haven't made it to the theatre to see this yet, although given a few awful reviews that are already out there, this might be one just to watch at home. One of the best reviewers on the interwebz, Vince Mancini, sat through it yesterday and released this review. It paints a damning picture. Sorry in advance to anyone out there who wears fedoras.
If the likes of Eva Green and Jessica Alba can't bring people to see this movie, it must be pretty bad.
For all the Game of Thrones fans out there whose favorite character is Tyrion, I have two words for you: Station Agent. The 2003 film The Station Agent was one of Peter Dinklage's first big projects and it put him on the radar for his current role. The Station Agent is a masterwork in the study of loneliness.
Peter Dinklage's character, Fin, has been mocked his whole life for being small. As a result, Fin has grown into a supremely private, quiet recluse, who refuses even the most well-meaning attempts at companionship. The Station Agent is about him slowly forgoing that lifestyle. Patricia Clarkson, Bobby Cannavale, and Michelle Williams play supporting roles as the people who steadily bring Finn out of his shell.
It is a slow, deliberate film that manages to take the viewer on an 88 minute journey that, despite very little action, will leave you very pleased. Here's a clip:
Tom Hardy has proven his action chops before in movies like Bronson, Dark Knight Rises, and Warrior. Now he's starring in a reboot of another beloved action franchise: Mad Max: Fury Road. If it's anything like some of his other projects, Fury Road could be the start of something great. Check out the trailer below:
The BBC is consistently coming out with excellent television. There are too many great shows to mention them all here, but these 3 are perhaps the best.
Note: For purposes of respect, I'll try my hardest to say series instead of season in this article. It won't be easy...
The New Doctor Who
Not watching Doctor Who has often been one of the biggest gaps in my TV knowledge. However, thanks the never-ending brilliance of the BBC, there is another iteration of the Doctor coming to TV. Peter Capaldi (The Thick of It, In the Loop) is fantastic and everyone who is up to date on the show seems extremely excited. Doctor Who is next on my to-watch list, and it should be on yours too.
Here's an awesome preview to get you pumped:
Luther Movie
For fans of extremely intense police procedurals, look no further than Luther. The unforgettable Idris Elba plays DCI John Luther, a ruthless detective who craftily handles some of the most unnerving villains you're likely to find on TV.
Season 3 just finished airing a few days ago, and unfortunately it will be the program's last series. Ruth Wilson, who plays Alice Morgan, a sociopathic killer who became something of an anti-hero; is getting a spin-off show which should be good. However, the best news of all is the upcoming Luther is getting a movie to cap off the events of series 3.
Some TV shows don't lend themselves to movies very well. Infamously, a few TV executives, who should find other work, wanted to turn Game of Thrones into several movies, thank god that didn't happen. However, Luther translates nicely to the big screen. He is a deliberate character, and the episodes are all almost an hour long already. It shouldn't be too much of a stretch.
Sherlock's Future
It seems like Sherlock is everyone American's favorite drama from across the pond. There are several good reasons for this. Two of them being Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock Holmes) and Martin Freeman (Dr. Watson).
Just like Luther, Sherlock has very long episodes. It is been on TV for a long time, and will likely finish with a feature film. However, that won't be for at least two years. An extra long special is shooting in early 2015, and with another series on the way later in the year.
I can't offer much in the way of predictive content, but here is a best-of Sherlock that will have to do for now.
Superhero movies dominate the screens these days, but years ago, martial arts stars like Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan (and the incomparable Patrick Swayze--just for Roadhouse) were masters of choreographed action. Both genres are great in different ways, but it is sad to see how marginalized the later has become. I've started Martial Arts Movie Mondays in order to appreciate those wonderful gems that existed before Marvel and Christopher Nolan entered the movie-sphere like an invading army.
Jet Li's Fearless came out in 2006, making it one of the last of its kind. I've always loved Jet Li as an actor; Unleashed was excellent and he has carved out a nice space for himself in the Expendables crew (mindless action, but it could be a lot worse).
In Fearless, Li is superb. He plays Huo Yuanjia (yes, I had to look up how to spell that). The movie begins with Li as a full fledged master battling three westerners come to "show them Chinamen how we do it in the west." In three excellently choreographed fights: boxing, lancing and fencing, Li shows great range and continues kicks ass with style every time. Before the final battle with a much more reserved Japanese opponent, the audience is treated to the story of Yuanjia's life, which takes up most of the rest of the film. He starts as a small boy who, after being bullied, decides to become China's greatest master of Wushu--a truly beautiful fighting style if there ever was one. In short, an excellently done, if predictable tale. It is compelling, cool, and a little cheesy, like all good martial arts movies are. The true strength of the movie, not unexpectedly, is its fight choreography. I defy anyone to find a movie not involving Bruce Lee (or Neo, although that is a bit of a stretch) that has fights this well done. Every battle is different, and they're all great. My favorite is probably Yuanjia's clash with a 300 lb. giant boxer, appropriately named Hercules O'Brian, right before the final tournament. The creativity he uses in order to combat the massive difference in size and strength is a ton of fun to watch. Four out of four stars. All I can say is: watch this movie. Note: It's even on Netflix, so now you have no excuse not to watch it.
Unfortunately, a movie that we were all hoping would be excellent has turned out to be less than that, probably significantly so. Rentrack has reported that this weekend, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For came in a staggering 8th place at the box office with just under 6.5 million dollars in returns.
