Strong Finish

Movie: Toy Story 3
My Rating: 4 stars

This is a pretty good movie.  And this third installment serves as a perfect ending to this story about the secret lives of children’s toys.  (I’ll be pretty angry if Disney tries to milk a few more dollars out of this brand by keeping it going).  And, I’m glad this final episode turned out so well, because, like a few other trilogies that come to mind, the middle film sucks pretty hard (Indiana Jones, I’m looking at you).  Toy Story 2 is a pretty sub-par offering, relying on childish gags to advance a pretty lackluster plot.  But this third film revives all the witty humor, and the astute understanding of human nature that I had loved from the first movie.  Pretty much, this film explores what happens when our loveable band of toys runs into a group of toys-gone-bad.  Their owner, Andy, is all grown up, and headed to college, and has yet to decide their fate.  Will they end up in the attic, with all his other cherished, yet unused knickknacks?  Will they get donated to daycare, where they will continue to see consistent, though rough, play?  Or, will they be sentenced to the dreaded garbage bin?  Due to a miscommunication between Andy and his mom, our friends find themselves in daycare.  They have lived such a sheltered existence up to this point that it doesn’t occur to them that other, mistreated toys might have motives that are less than pure.  And it’s right when they start to suspect treachery that the real hilarity begins.  The characters are as nuanced as ever, and while they are caricatures, you’ll recognize plenty of real, human personalities in them.  Everyone I talked to really loved this film.  I had read all the rave reviews, and I was never quite sure I believed them.  The first film was pretty fun, but nothing special.  And the second was just lame.  So, I never really expected Disney to wrap up the story in a satisfying way.  But, I have to admit, they really pulled through this time.  And, I recommend this movie to just about everyone.  It’s probably necessary to have seen the first film so that you’ll be familiar with all the characters, and their back-stories, but I think it’s probably ok to just go ahead and skip number two if you haven’t already seen it.

Low Standards

Movie: Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian
My Rating: 2 stars

I'm a sucker for sequels.  Even when I didn't particularly like the original movie.  I guess I feel compelled to press on once I've sunk a little time into a franchise.  That would certainly explain my commitment to many a doomed series in the past--although, nothing could have forced me to finish watching Keeping up Appearances (or any of those straight-to-video Disney abominations, for that matter).  And that's why I chose to watch this movie--because my standards are pretty low.  I didn't totally hate the first installment, and I think Amy Adams is pretty cute, so what the heck!  I was willing to give it a shot.  But this really turned out to much more of a kids movie than I was hoping for.  Did I expect a little more nuance?  Honestly, no.  I've seen the first film, remember.  But I can always dream, can't I?  There are a few tidbits for adults in this movie.  There are a couple pretty funny ad-libbed throwaway scenes.  And, one, very poorly concealed advertisement for the educational opportunities provided by the Smithsonian Institute (although it's kinda mean to toy with parents' hopes for their idiot children like that).  Although, I did kinda get a kick out of the fact that the casting director apparently looted the whole cast of The Office and 30 Rock to fill out the ranks of supporting actors.  But, on the whole, the comedy revolves mostly around bodily functions, and slapstick physical humor.  A fine movie to watch with your mom while you're home for the holidays, but nothing I'd ever pay to see, certainly.  But, I guess some parents are just so desperate for ways to "entertain" their high-energy kids that they'll plunk down money for just about anything.

Hypnotized

Movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I
My Rating: 3 stars

Oh, Harry Potter!  I'm drawn to you like a moth to a flame.  Even when I know that I'll leave the theater more frustrated than satisfied.  I've sunk a lot of time, energy, and money into this franchise, and I'll be darned if I'm going to give up on it now.  I mean, I'm not one of those crazy superfans that camps out all night for tickets, but I still inexplicably want to see how this story plays out on screen, even though I've read all the books and know exactly how it's going end.  I guess that's what the movie studio counted on when it split this final volume of J.K. Rowling's story into two parts.  They're going to milk this story for all it's worth.  Yes, yes, people argue that this final book, being the longest in the series doesn't lend itself well to being crammed into one film--that it needs much more time to cover all the important plot points.  And, I think there is some truth to that.  But, it doesn't mean that the studio execs didn't see dollar signs in their eyes when they made this decision.  So, I think this episode is a little bit frustrating, not only because it leaves off halfway through the final book, and without resolving much, but because the pacing is a little off.  It feels pretty slow and plodding.  That's probably because most of the action happens in the second half of this volume, and because the movie is paced for a much larger story arc.  But, I definitely felt all 146 minutes.  I'm not saying I didn't enjoy this movie.  I love the Harry Potter story, and I'll definitely be sad when the whole thing's over.  It's just that these middle episodes always leave you longing for resolution.  All I can say is that the final movie is going to be totally awesome!

New Release Special

Movie: Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
My Rating: 2 stars

Well, this movie was a bit of a disaster.  I’ve read all the books in this series pretty recently, and Disney definitely plays a little fast and loose with the plot of this installment—well, actually, with all the movies in the series so far.  I generally don’t have too much of a problem with studios taking creative liberties, but in this case, Disney turned what was originally a pretty interesting adventure story into a trite, sermonizing pile of treacle.  But, of course, some of that could be C.S. Lewis’ fault.  He definitely gets much more heavy-handed (and a lot less elegant) with his theology as this series progresses.  So, in this episode, Lucy, Edmond, and their useless cousin Eustace, join Prince Caspian on the Dawn Treader (Peter and Susan are too old for Narnia now).  And, they are sailing this ship East in search of answers.  The journey starts off as a search for the seven noblemen who fled the kingdom when Caspian’s evil uncle seized power.  But, the trip pretty quickly turns into a ludicrously elementary battle against Evil itself—all aided by their resident, thinly-veiled Christ figure, of course.  I don’t have a problem with religious movies at all.  And, I actually think the first movie in this series turned out pretty well.  But, when directors cheese up movies this badly, I do start to get a little annoyed.  I suppose the Disney directors can’t be blamed for C.S. Lewis’ gratuitous use of deus ex machina, but they added plenty of their own flaws.  The movie is full of cinematic clichés, problems resolve themselves laughably easily (not that I would have wanted the film to stretch out any longer), and the story has been pretty significantly dumbed down.  Dissatisfied with a mere quest to discover the fate of lost noblemen, the screenwriters apparently thought it was necessary to add a more dramatic (and unbearably cheesy) plot about an evil, green mist that is taking human sacrifices, and that can onle be stopped by the pure of heart. I think Disney should have left well enough alone.  Unfortunately, I think this series will only continue to go downhill if the studio decides to keep making these films.  But, maybe this will be the last.  I didn’t see the same volume of ads and posters that they made for the first two films.  I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

New Release Special

Movie: True Grit
My Rating: 4 stars

This was a pretty cool movie.  And, it's actually a lot funnier than I expected.  I think Westerns can get pretty boring sometimes.  Maybe I'm just not the intended audience for that material, but I find those old stories about rugged loners, traveling from town to town, enforcing justice to be kind of a snoozefest.  Then again, it could just be that most of the Westerns I've seen are really old.  Our film technology advances so fast that movies start looking pretty cheesy after about ten years.  So, when I heard that the Cohen Brothers were going to be remaking this classic, and playing it straight, I was expecting lots of stoic silence, and manly gazing into the mid-distance.  I haven't seen the original film, or read the book, but I think these directors did a really good job of staying true to the original character of an old Western, while updating the tone to make it interesting for a modern audience.  This is your classic tale of vengeance and (semi-)vigilante justice.  14-year-old Mattie Ross wants to hire a rough-and-tumble U.S. Marshall to chase down the outlaw who killed her father, and she makes sure to select one with only a token respect for the law.  Because, she wants blood.  The setting in this film is just as rugged and isolated as we expect in these tales of the Wild West, but dialogue is witty, and the Cohen Brothers weren't afraid to have a little bit of fun with the characters.  Little Mattie is sharp as a tack and seems to relish the opportunity for an adventure with some wild types.  Le Boeuf, a Texas Ranger along for the ride, is pompous and ridiculous, and is always good for a little comic relief.  And, Marshall Rooster Cogburn is our resident, grizzled, drunk, who isn't afraid to get his hands dirty if it'll get the job done.  They're all wildly colorful characters, and they turn this relatively straightforward quest for vengeance into a pretty comical journey.  It seems like people were pretty worried that Jeff Bridges wouldn't live up to John Wayne's performance in the original, but I don't think they were counting on this film having a different character from the first.  As I mentioned, I haven't seen the original, but I get the impression that it is more sentimental, and lacks some of the basic humor, or self awareness of this one.  So, while the two actors are nominally playing the same role, they really are two different characters.  I was pretty impressed.  And, I think this film is definitely worth seeing on the big screen because of all the beautiful scenery.

Dating Advice From Movies: Black Swan

Movie: Black Swan

My Rating: 4 stars

Some actresses just need to find the right role to shine.  It seems like directors have been wasting a lot of time casting Natalie Portman as the bright-eyed ingénue, or the sultry temptress, and the result has always felt a bit wooden or forced.  Not all actresses were meant to play every role, and I think Portman would really benefit from choosing parts that take advantage of her natural style—perhaps, exploring some of the more dark, high-strung characters out there (I call this “Nicole Kidman Syndrome”).  Because, Portman is just brilliant in this film, playing the tense, neurotic Nina, obsessed with perfection.  Nina has the potential to be a world-class ballerina, but she’s so uncomfortable in her own skin that she can never relax enough to make her dancing feel inspired.  Now, there’s nothing new about a strung-out ballerina, but this girl’s disorders are monumental. She’s worried that others are trying to steal her success, but it’s really her anxiety that’s her own worst enemy.

I initially though this film might make a good lesson for women who may be a little uptight when it comes to dating.  Nina is a very beautiful woman, but during the few chances she gets to socialize in this story, she’s such an emotional wreck that she instantly chills any room she enters.  This girl is cold as ice, and no amount of sexy coaxing from Mila Kunis, or aggressive molestation from Vincent Cassel, is going to bring out her sensual side.  There’s got to be a message here for girls about how it’s always better to just relax, and be comfortable with yourself, and your body.  Because, desperation is never attractive.  And, it’s really only once you’re in a happy, clearheaded state that you can accurately gauge potential mates, and judge whether your relationships with other people are healthy.  These nervous types tend to get walked all over by just about everyone in their lives—and usually by the ones that supposedly care for them the most.  Let’s not even talk about the real predators out there.  But, as the film wore on, I changed my mind, and decided that it actually serves as more of a warning for the poor souls who may be drawn to these self-destructive girls.  And it comes in the form of a huge, blinking, red, “Danger” sign.  Sometimes a girl can work though her insecurities and become a happy, healthy adult.  But other times, the crazy’s got its roots in far too deep to be safely removed.  When you meet a girl like this, back away slowly, and try not to make any eye contact.  She may make great arm candy, but try to resist this gorgeous creature’s siren song, because she’s pure poison.  And, I’m just trying to help you avoid making decisions you’ll regret.

Tomfoolery

Movie: Gentlemen Broncos
My Rating: 4 stars

Either you have a finely-tuned appreciation for the absurd, or you don't.  There's no half-way with this film.  You'll either find this movie to be some of the purest, rawest humor you've ever seen, or you'll want to break up with the hapless friend who foisted this one on you.  I, naturally, fall into the first camp.  I almost died laughing while watching this movie.  There are a few lethal comedic combos out there--for example little girls in pretty-princess dresses with semi-automatic weapons, or old grannies with mouths like sailors (feel free to mix and match).  And apparently, home-schooled mormons with a love for pulp, sci-fi, adventure novels is one of them.  I don't know what it is.  Somehow these kids' earnestness and naivety creates a chemical reaction when it comes into contact with this already cheesy genre of literature.  It's pretty magical.  Oh, and having an unnatural love for Jemaine Clement will also enhance your enjoyment of this film, even though he really is just a supporting character here.

Michael Angarano plays our bright-eyed and bushy-tailed sci-fi fan.  And he fancies himself a bit of a writer of this genre too, so he attends a fantasy-writing conference for other home-schooled kids.  These events allow these kids to hone their crafts, while hopefully socializing a bit with some other, similarly isolated youths.  This is probably some of the funniest material in the movie.  Because I see these kids as a bit like marsupials.  Growing up in the little islands of culture that are their homes, every little quirk or idiosyncrasy in their personalities is allowed to flourish.  So when these strange children are artificially thrust together in these social gatherings, the results are pretty hilarious.

But, the main story line in this film begins when Clement, the teacher of one of these writing workshops, steals Angarano's manuscript and publishes it as his own after a crippling bout of writer's block threatens to end his illustrious writing career.  But Angarano is a pretty resourceful lad, and he isn't going to let his precious story go without a fight.  I love directors who are willing to just go for it, and bring to life these totally ludicrous stories.  My sense of humor definitely tends toward the absurd/ironic/deadpan.  So, I really enjoy stumbling across the work of similar souls--especially when I really wasn't expecting it.  What crazy films do you guys like?

Insanity

Movie: Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
My Rating: 3 stars

So, it looks like Nicholas Cage has finally gone insane.  He's had a couple of close calls through the years, but this movie really seals the deal.  Although, to be fair, with this film, I really can't tell whether he's legitimately gone off the deep end, or whether Nick's having a little fun with us.  But, if news from the tabloids gives us anything to go on, I'd put my money on the former.  But, this movie is definitely designed to be over the top.  Every character is riddled with the most dramatic flaws imaginable, and every scene is self-counsciously (I hope) straight out of a pulp crime novel.  So, Nicholas Cage plays the corrupt, crack-addicted police lieutenant, and Eva Mendes is his alcoholic, addict, prostitute wife.  And these two have built quite a comfortable, little life for themselves, shaking down all the petty criminals and drug dealers New Orleans has to offer.  But, of course, a business model like this one comes with its fair share of enemies.

As washed up as I think Nicholas Cage has become, I do have to admit that he was perfectly cast in this role.  He's got that cracked-out, crazy eyed, maniacal laugh down cold.  He's almost too good at it.  I think this guy may be legitimately insane.  But then, this character has also started to go to pieces, so these reckless, nihilistic antics play perfectly.  I hate to say it, but I kinda loved this movie.  It's the kind of train wreck that has you shaking your head, gesturing at the TV screen, and wondering aloud what the heck is going on every fifteen minutes.  But, the sheer madness of it all is pretty entertaining.  And, I think that's because Werner Herzog just embraced the lunacy and tried to see how much fun he could have directing this farce.  And, if you do the same while watching this movie, I think you'll get a kick out of it too.

Like Shooting Fish in a Barrel

Movie: Jennifer's Body
My Rating: 4 stars

Everything I've learned about vampires from pop culture has taught me that these are tricky creatures--quick to adapt to their surroundings, and able to hone in on the most vulnerable prey available.  And that's why Diablo Cody's take on this tried-and-true theme is so shrewdly funny.  Because who could be easier prey than a high school boy in the presence of a smoking-hot chick?  (Megan Fox, to be precise).  Especially when  she's expressing keen interest in his pasty, scrawny, little butt?  Those poor, little guys would follow her anywhere.  And they're so inexperienced that they'd jump on even the most ill-advised opportunity to get sexy with a real-live girl.  "Meet you at the old, abandoned quarry tonight, Jennifer?  For sexual relations, you say?  Oh, and don't tell anyone where I'm going?  See you there!"  It's just too easy.  These simple boys just think that their new body spray is finally starting to work.  So, when that lovely, lithe, cheerleader finally leans in to rip out his throat with her teeth, the kid'd probably never see it coming--but he probably wouldn't really care either.  If you have to be dragged to hell by a she-demon, being escorted there by a semi-nude Megan Fox is the way to go, right guys?  Cody's got an eye for human nature, and she's really got knack for drawing out the absurdity in any social situation.  Some people are a little put off by her snark--or they don't understand her use of irony--but there's no denying that this chick is a genius.  That being said, Diablo Cody's movies are really designed mostly for a female audience.  I'm not saying that guys won't get anything out of watching her films.  I think people can always benefit from immersing themselves in other cultures for a little while.  And, there are probably even a few men who thought this movie was pretty hilarious.  But, the humor here is really targeted toward the ladies, and they're the ones that are probably going to appreciate it most.  I'd be interested in hearing from any of my male readers.  What did you guys think of this film?

The Trilogy That Wasn't Meant to Be

Film: Ong Bak 1, 2, and 3
My Rating: 3, 3, and 2

There’s no denying that Tony Jaa is awesome.  He really has become this generation’s martial arts star, with his amazing agility, skilled choreography, and seemingly endless energy.  But, martial arts films sometimes can’t help being a little goofy, with all their requisite tests of wits and bravery, and spiritual quests.  But, I have to hand it to the Thai filmmakers.  They really seem to be willing to take their movies into new territory by  featuring elements that would never appear in Western (or even other Asian) films.  I’m talking about elements like throwing children right into the thick of intense, violent fight scenes.  Of course, I’ve seen plenty of movies about kids fighting, but you never really see an adult actually harming a child like you do in the Ong Bak films.  And, then Tony Jaa takes it to the next level by going ahead and beating the crap of an old lady too, just for good measure.  It’s ok.  She was totally asking for it.  But I really appreciate all three films in this trilogy for bringing some new material to the table.

That being said, not all stories deserve to be turned into trilogies.  In this case, installment one and two are pretty good, but Tony Jaa really phoned it in for number three.  He really should have left well alone.  I think it’s pretty telling that the first two were collaborative efforts, but that Jaa directs the third film by himself—like he had a hard time rounding up any supporters for this uninspired, hastily edited, and entirely unnecessary finale.  As you remember, number one has Jaa navigating the mean streets of Bangkok, fighting all kinds of thugs to retrieve a sacred statue stolen from his village’s temple.  And, number two takes us back to the origins of Thai fighting, casting Jaa as an orphaned prince, who joins up with a band of outlaws.  He must learn how to fight to avenge his father’s death (and just to survive, really).  It replaces the illegal, underground Muay Thai tournaments with exciting raids on villages and slave markets, and introduces all new gimmicks to display Jaa’s acrobatic range.  Now, I do appreciate witnessing spectacles I haven’t ever seen before, but I just can’t get behind all the new exhibitions.  Mostly, this is because I kinda object to Tony’s wanton mistreatment of his elephant cast-mates.  He treats these poor pachyderms as mere, elaborate, jungle gyms, designed to display some of his more impressive moves.  It is actually one of coolest scenes in the film when Tony kick-flips off that poor elephant’s forehead, but I really couldn’t help but cringe as well.  Seems a little disrespectful, no?  But, to tell you the truth, this minor disrespect was infinitely preferable to the sorry CGI elephants that made a mercifully brief appearance in installment number three.  Now, those were just embarrassing.

All in all, the final installment is pretty awful.  It steals half its footage from the second film, by unnecessarily recapping the story.  The film starts off where the middle film left off, but it doesn’t trust the audience to remember what happened in that one, so the movie wastes a good half hour reminding us who’s who, and just why Jaa is so mad at the evil lords who have taken control of Thailand.  It does get a little touchy-feely in the middle with Tony getting in touch with his spiritual side, with the help of a beautiful lady.  But the story quickly returns to ridiculousness, and ends in the ultimate act of narcissism: having Tony Jaa fight the ultimate martial arts battle against his evil, dark, doppelganger.  This guy does have the right to be pretty proud of himself, but come on!  You know that scene only made it into the film because Jaa was directing this one all by his lonesome.  I stand by my opinion that this franchise would have been better off if it’d been left as a duo.  I know trilogies have a little more legitimacy than just a film with a sequel.  And I’m pretty sure that’s what Tony Jaa was going for.  But if a director isn’t going to put much effort into the third installment, he’s almost doing the series more harm than good.  I’d say, if you want to retain warm feelings about the Ong Bak films, and about Tony Jaa’s talent as an actor and director, just stop after number two.  

Dating Advice From Movies: 500 Days of Summer

Movie: (500) Days of Summer
My Rating: 3 stars

Nice guys should use this movie as an example of how not to win the heart of that special lady they've been pining after.  Because if this film can make Joseph Gordon-Levitt look unappealing, it's pretty clear he's doing something wrong.  And, that thing, specifically, would be trailing after this blue-eyed beauty (Zooey Deschanel) like a certain clinically depressed puppy-dog I know.  Tom has found the girl of his dreams, Summer.  But, she's a feisty, independent woman, and Tom's having a hard time making her his.  They've gone out of a few dates, but he just can't get her to commit to anything more serious.  So, Tom fawns over Summer, buying her gifts, and doing things he's sure she'll find adorable.  Passive things.  All this can be charming for a little while, but as a woman, I can confirm that the novelty of having a personal valet wears off really fast.

But, unfortunately, these poor guys think they're giving us gals what we want.  If it doesn't seem to be working, they think they're just not being accommodating enough to all our whims, and redouble their efforts.  When the relationship inevitably fails, these fellows hit the internet and wail to all the advice columnists about how nice guys always finish last.  And, as long as these gentlemen insist on behaving so pathetically, they always will--but it doesn't have to be this way.  Men don't have to act like a total jerks to keep a lady's attention (although, regrettably, that does seem to work when dealing with a girl with low self esteem).  They just need to have a little self respect, and understand that they're people with valid opinions.  Confidence is sexy, and girls pick up on it when a man carries himself like he's a catch.  The reason why it seems like jerks always win the love game is because they're usually the only ones who don't apologize for their opinions and preferences.  But there's nothing that says that good guys can't live this way too.

But Tom doesn't understand any of this, and as the title of this film suggests, this relationship's days are numbered.  Light tragedies like this story are never the most pleasant things to watch.  It's like watching a traffic pile-up in slow motion and being powerless to stop it.  But, these stories are always good for teaching a quick lesson.  And the lesson of this story is, don't be like Tom.  So, fellas, go ahead and see this film.  Don't see it with a date.  I know a lot of guys who've made that mistake, and they've paid for it.  Use this as an instructional video, and use what you've learned in the field.  I'd be interested in hearing your stories.

Not Your Kind of Movie

Movie: Martyrs
My Rating: 4 stars

Hmmm.  It's always a bad sign when a filmmaker apologizes for what you're just about to watch in his introduction to his film.  In this case, Pascal Lauiger politely thanks viewers for renting his movie, then tells us that this might have been a mistake, and humbly asks our forgiveness.  Yay!  This movie is pretty well-known on the internet, and it has a reputation for being pretty hard to watch--one of the goriest horror films on the market today.  This is a torture movie and it goes from being pretty disturbing at the beginning, to being almost intolerably graphic by the end.  It's not quite as grotesque as the Saw or Hostel movies, but it's more real, which makes it ultimately more terrifying in my book.  Lucie and Anna grew up in an orphanage together.  Only, while Anna was merely taken away from an abusive mother, Lucie was a child who managed to escape from some demented soul's torture chamber.  The two girls share a special bond, and through the years Anna tries to nurse Lucie through her periodic bouts of crippling mental illness.  Years later, Lucie thinks she recognizes her captors in a newspaper photo, and decides the two of them should pay her tormentors a little visit to seek revenge.  But, the two girls find a little more than they bargained for.  Or, at least Anna does.  And this is where the standard horror story ends, and the real madness begins.  And it's where the story goes from being merely scary to being outright shocking to the conscience.  I'm talking really messed up stuff.  But, as I insist when I describe this film to everyone, none of this butchery is in vain.  Every bit of it advances the impeccably written, and extremely chilling story.  I even found myself telling people that since I really wasn't that phased by all the blood and pus and violence, I was able to really appreciate the unique, air-tight plot.  And it's pretty rare these days to come across a new idea in filmmaking.  So, it's just a shame that more people won't be watching this movie because of all the gore.  And believe me when I say it's upsetting.  I'm really not encouraging too many people to go out and see this film.  Only tried and true horror aficionados.  Not because those are the only people who will appreciate the writing.  It's just that those are the only people who will be able to see beyond all the torture to enjoy a really well-written, incredibly dark story about how twisted and demented humanity can sometimes become.

Nice Job, Mr. Brody

Movie: Predators
My Rating: 3 stars

So, I guess Adrien Brody can play an action star after all.  I was a little bit worried there for a moment.  I mean, he's always seemed to play very sensitive, delicate characters.  And he's such a slender gentleman.  But, I guess he put in a few hours at the gym, because he managed to fill out his slim frame quite nicely for this role.  And he actually does a pretty convincing job of transforming himself into a cold-blooded mercenary for this film.  This is a pretty sweet movie.  I was expecting it to be absolutely ridiculous after how absolutely laughable Alien vs. Predator: Requiem turned out to be.  But I realize now that that was a totally different franchise.  The cast is made up of some of the roughest bad-asses around, and they waste no time whipping out their huge knives and fancy guns.  One thing I was particularly pleased to note, was that apparently yakuza gangsters have been officially added to the ranks of really cool, tough guys.  This list has always included rogue Special Forces soldiers, South American guerilla fighters, Russian gangsters, serial killers, and then, your generic tough bitches in tight pants with big guns.  But I'm happy to welcome the Japanese to this merry band of miscreants.  All this fun is just a little twist on the classic Predator story line.  This installment brings our heroes to the Predators' world this time, but the movie has got all the elements you've come to love and expect from this franchise.  Yes, there's some spine-pulling.  And we have some good laser sight action.  And booby traps.  Lots of booby traps.  But all the new characters, and the disorienting new setting, are just cool enough to keep these old elements interesting.  I enjoyed the film thoroughly, and if you liked all the previous predator movies, you definitely will too.  All that being said, this film does trade in only the most bold, brazen, and absolutely ludicrous stereotypes.  It'd be a little bit silly if the movie weren't so exciting and action-packed.  So, make sure you pick this one up when you're in the mood for some awesome, slightly gory, cheesy fun.