THE EXPENDABLES 3
Barney (Stallone), Christmas (Statham) and the rest of the team comes face-to-face with Conrad Stonebanks (Mel Gibson), who years ago co-founded The Expendables with Barney. Stonebanks subsequently became a ruthless arms trader and someone who Barney was forced to kill… or so he thought. Stonebanks, who eluded death once before, now is making it his mission, too end The Expendables — but Barney has other plans. Barney decides that he has to fight old blood with new blood, and brings in a new era of Expendables team members, recruiting individuals who are younger, faster and more tech-savvy. The latest mission becomes a clash of classic old-school style versus high-tech expertise in the Expendables’ most personal battle yet.
The aging meatheads are back for their third explosive adventure. Could this cast list get any bigger with the likes of Stallone, Statham, Gibson, Snipes, Grammer, Schwarzenegger and Ford to name but a few. But is this all this film has to offer? You can count on it being pretty explosive laced with tons of action from this all star cast but as for everything else it’s proven this franchise just needs to STOP!
See if you liked: The Expendables series
BLOOD TIES
After serving nine years for murder, Chris (Clive Owen) is released from prison in 1974. His ex-wife, Monica (Marion Cotillard), is a drug-addicted prostitute. She has a son and a daughter. Chris tries to go straight with his new girlfriend Natalie (Mila Kunis), but is unable to start a new life and returns to his criminal ways. This puts him in direct conflict with his brother Frank (Billy Crudup), a New York cop. Their sister, Marie (Lili Taylor), and their sick father, Leon (James Caan), want Chris and Frank to just get along, but can their totally opposite lives prove just too much?
This French financed film is yet another with an all star cast, it’s pretty gritty and raw but it goes nowhere, it’s pretty motionless. The setting is pretty authentic, being set in the 70’s, they’ve pretty much got the ambiance right I’m just afraid It didn’t move me.
See if you liked: Broken City, Mesrine
THE CONGRESS
Robin Wright plays an aging actress with a reputation for being fickle and unreliable, so much so that nobody is willing to offer her roles anymore. She agrees to sell the movie rights to her digital image to Miramount Studios in exchange for a massive sum of money and the promise to never act again. After her body is digitally scanned, the studio will be able to make films starring her using only computer-generated characters, though the consequences of her decision affect her in ways she didn’t consider.
This film is pretty bold switching between animation and the real scenes; it certainly makes you think with its deep, powerful and hidden messages. It’s certainly one of those films that will pretty much stun audiences who will have a hard time explaining what they just experienced. If you’re a fan of the superficial this isn’t for you.
See if you liked: The Machine, Cloud Atlas
THE ROVER
With society in decline, the rule of law has disintegrated and life is cheap. Hardened loner Eric (Guy Pearce) travels the desolate towns and roads of the scorched and dangerous Australian outback. When a brutal gang of thieves steals his car and only remaining possession, they leave behind the wounded Rey (Pattinson) in their wake. Forcing Rey to help track the gang, Eric gives chase. Determined beyond reason, unrelenting in the pursuit of his prey, Eric will go to any lengths to take back the one thing that matters to him.
This film will chill you right down to the bone, full of tension and dare I say it, exceptional performances from both Pearce and Pattinson. Storyline and characters maybe a little offbeat but you get sucked in with each minute that passes. This is a pretty damn impressive piece of film.
See if you liked: Stoker, Moonrise Kingdom
MY PICK OF THE WEEK: THE ROVER