Action, Action

Not sure why, but this week we watched Transformers (2007) The fate of humanity is at stake when two races of robots, the good Autobots and the villainous Decepticons, bring their war to Earth. The robots have the ability to change into different mechanical objects as they seek the key to ultimate power. Only a human youth, Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) can save the world from total destruction. Release date: July 2, 2007 (Canada) Director: Michael Bay Budget: 147 million USD Sequel: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Distributed by: Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks

When architect-turned-vigilante Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson) returns to New York City, he discovers that one of his friends has been murdered by gang members. After the cops bring Paul in for questioning, he receives a tempting offer from the police chief (Ed Lauter) : Paul can have free rein to eliminate the gangsters, as long as the police get the credit. Paul agrees and goes to war against Manny Fraker (Gavan O'Herlihy) and his vicious gang of thugs. Initial release: November 1, 1985 Director: Michael Winner Box office: 16.1 million USD Distributed by: The Cannon Group, Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Based on: Characters; by Brian Garfield Music by: Jimmy Page

This week we get a little 90s Goth with Brandon Lee's "The Crow"  The night before his wedding, musician Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) and his fiancée are brutally murdered by members of a violent inner-city gang. On the anniversary of their death, Eric rises from the grave and assumes the gothic mantle of the Crow, a supernatural avenger. Tracking down the thugs responsible for the crimes and mercilessly murdering them, Eric eventually confronts head gangster Top Dollar (Michael Wincott) to complete his macabre mission. Release date: May 11, 1994 (USA) Director: Alex Proyas Distributed by: Miramax, Dimension Films Adapted from: The Crow Box office: $94 million Cinematography: Dariusz Wolski

This week we visit our old friend Bruce in "Last Man Standing" Loyal to nobody but himself, John Smith (Bruce Willis) hires his services out to Fredo Strozzi (Ned Eisenberg), a bootlegging gangster who operates in a drab Texas town. However, he is quick to trade information to Strozzi's rival, Doyle (David Patrick Kelly). Then, having learned about Doyle's infatuation with beautiful Felina (Karina Lombard), Smith uses her to push both bosses into full-scale bloodshed. The only one who suspects anything is Hickey (Christopher Walken), Doyle's lieutenant. Release date: September 20, 1996 (USA) Director: Walter Hill Box office: 47.3 million USD Distributed by: New Line Cinema Adapted from: Yojimbo Cinematography: Lloyd Ahern

This week we go all out in this adrenaline filled Action flick! Chev Chelios (Jason Statham), a hit man wanting to go straight, lets his latest target slip away, then he awakes the next morning to a phone call that informs him he has been poisoned and has only an hour to live unless he keeps adrenaline coursing through his body while he searches for an antidote. Release date: September 1, 2006 (USA) Directors: Brian Taylor, Mark Neveldine Budget: 12 million USD Box office: 42.9 million USD Sequel: Crank: High Voltage Screenplay: Brian Taylor, Mark Neveldine

This week we have a double feature: Tiger Cage 1&2 Tiger Cage (1988) Two drug agents find that members of the police force work for a narcotics kingpin. Initial release: July 28, 1988 Director: Vien Hoa Binh Language: Cantonese Simplified Chinese: 特警屠龙   Tiger Cage 2 (1990) Gangsters pursue a Hong Kong lawman (Donnie Yen) framed for murder and a lawyer (Rosamund Kwan) they believe is linked to laundered money. Initial release: August 11, 1990 Director: Vien Hoa Binh Film series: Tiger Cage Box office: HK $6,395,102 Language: Cantonese Simplified Chinese: 洗黑钱

This week we cover 1984's Red Dawn.   In an alternate 1980s, the United States stands alone as communism grows stronger. When Soviet soldiers invade a small Colorado town, brothers Jed (Patrick Swayze) and Matt Eckert (Charlie Sheen) escape with friends to the forest. With their father, Tom (Harry Dean Stanton), a prisoner of the invading army, the children decide to fight against the Soviets. As the country comes under increasing attack, the group teams up with Lt. Col. Andrew Tanner (Powers Boothe) to take back their town. Release date: August 10, 1984 (USA) Director: John Milius Story by: Kevin Reynolds Distributed by: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Budget: $17 million Produced by: Buzz Feitshans; Barry Beckerman; Sidney Beckerman

Dustin and James look back at the year that was 2023 and look forward to what Action movies they are excited to see in the new year. Happy New Year!

This week we check in on our old friend John Woo and see what he's been up to.   On Christmas Eve, a man witnesses the death of his young son when the boy gets caught in crossfire between warring gangs. Recovering from a wound that cost him his voice, he soon embarks on a bloody and grueling quest to punish those responsible. Release date: December 1, 2023 (Canada) Director: John Woo Distributed by: Lionsgate Films Box office: $8.7 million Music by: Marco Beltrami Production companies: Thunder Road Films; Capstone Studios; A Better Tomorrow Films

Armed with every weapon they can get their hands on, the Expendables are the world's last line of defense and the team that gets called when all other options are off the table.   4.8/10 IMDb 14% Rotten Tomatoes 79% of Google users liked this movie Directed by Scott Waugh Screenplay by Kurt Wimmer Tad Daggerhart Max Adams Story by Spenser Cohen Kurt Wimmer Tad Daggerhart Based onCharacters  by David Callaham Produced by Kevin King-Templeton Les Weldon Yariv Lerner Jason Statham Starring Jason Statham Sylvester Stallone Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson Megan Fox Dolph Lundgren Tony Jaa Iko Uwais Randy Couture Andy García   September 15, 2023 (China) September 22, 2023 (United States) Running time 104 minutes[

Interwoven stories demonstrate that some traditions are best not forgotten as the residents (Anna Paquin, Brian Cox, Dylan Baker) of a small town face real ghosts and goblins on Halloween. Tales of terror reveal the consequences of extinguishing a Jack-o-Lantern before midnight and a grumpy hermit's encounter with a sinister trick-or-treater. Directed by Michael Dougherty Written by Michael Dougherty Produced by Bryan Singer Starring Dylan Baker Rochelle Aytes Anna Paquin Brian Cox Cinematography Glen MacPherson Edited by Robert IvisonMusic by Douglas Pipes Production companies Warner Premiere Legendary Pictures Bad Hat Harry Productions Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures Release dates December 9, 2007 (Butt-Numb-A-Thon) October 6, 2009 (United States) Running time 82 minutes Budget $12 million

Simon (Tyron Leitso) and Greg (Will Sanderson) meet a group of friends and set out to attend a rave on a remote island. When they miss the ferry, they decide to ride with Kirk (Jürgen Prochnow), a smuggler. They find the island deserted and discover that the partygoers have been killed by zombies. Now, the group must evade the deadly creatures and try to find safety. However, the only means of escape -- Kirk's boat -- has been overrun, forcing the survivors to ward off the undead. Directed by Uwe Boll Screenplay by Dave Parker Mark Altman Story by Mark Altman Dan Bates Based on The House of the Dead by Sega Corporation Wow Entertainment, Inc. Produced by Uwe Boll Wolfgang Herold Shawn Williamson Starring Jonathan Cherry Tyron Leitso Clint Howard Ona Grauer Ellie Cornell Jürgen Prochnow Cinematography Matias Neumann Edited by David Richardson Music by Reinhard Besser Production Companies Boll KG Productions Mindfire Entertainment Herold & Besser Studios Brightlight Pictures Distributed by Artisan Ent

Alien brain parasites that enter humans through their mouths are turning their hosts into killer zombie-like slug creatures, running amok on a university campus during pledge week. 6.7/10 IMDb    73% Rotten Tomatoes 4.7/5 Amazon.ca 93% Google users liked this movie Directed by Fred Dekker Written by  Fred Dekker Produced by Charles Gordon Starring Jason Lively Tom Atkins Steve Marshall Jill Whitlow Cinematography Robert C. New  Edited by  Michael N. Knue Music by Barry De Vorzon Distributed by  Tri-Star Pictures Release date August 22, 1986 Running time 88 minutes

6.6/10 IMDb 3.7/5 Letterboxd 83% liked this movie Google users A young cop tries to rescue a beautiful woman before she is sacrificed by a tribe Directed by Lam Ngai Kai Screenplay by Wong Jing. Yuen Gai-chi Based on Dr. Yuen Series by Ni Kuang Produced  by Wong Jing, Chua Lam Starring Chow Yun-fat Chin Siu-ho Dick Wei Maggie Cheung Sibelle Hu Production company Paragon Films Distributed by Golden Harvest Release date 17 October 1986 Running time 81 minutes

7.2/10 IMDb 94% Rotten Tomatoes 71% Google Users   Description When a group of friends discover how to conjure spirits with an embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill and high-stakes party game -- until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces. Directed by Danny Philippou Michael Philippou Written by Danny Philippou Bill Hinzman Based onConcept by Daley Pearson Produced by Samantha Jennings Kristina Ceyton Starring Sophie Wilde Alexandra Jensen Joe Bird Otis Dhanji Miranda Otto Zoe Terakes Chris Alosio Marcus Johnson Alexandria Steffensen Cinematography Aaron McLisky Edited by Geoff Lamb Music by Cornel Wilczek Production companies Screen Australia South Australian Film Corporation Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund Head Gear Films Metrol Technology Causeway Films Distributed by Maslow Entertainment Umbrella Entertainment Ahi Films Release dates 30 October 2022 (Adelaide) 27 July 2023 (Australia) Running ti

Directed by Gary Sherman Written by Michael Patrick Goodman Brian Taggert Gary Sherman Produced by Robert C. Peters Starring Rutger Hauer Gene Simmons Robert Guillaume Cinematography Alex Nepomniaschy Edited by Ross Albert Music by Joe Renzetti Production Companies New World Pictures Balcor Film Investors Arthur M. Sarkissian Productions Distributed by  New World Pictures Release dates November 21, 1986 (Florida) January 16, 1987 (United States) Running time 104 minutes

Directed by Renny Harlin Screenplay by Michael France Sylvester Stallone Story byMichael France  Based on A premise by John Long Produced by Alan Marshall Renny Harlin Mario Kassar Starring Sylvester Stallone John Lithgow Michael Rooker Janine Turner Leon Robinson Paul Winfield Ralph Waite Cinematography Alex Thomson Edited by Frank J. Urioste Music by Trevor Jones Production companies Carolco Pictures Le Studio Canal+ Pioneer Corporation RCS Video Distributed by TriStar Pictures Release dates May 20, 1993 (Cannes) May 28, 1993 (United States) Running time 113 minutes

7.3/10 IMDb 100% Rotten Tomatoes 88% liked this movie Google users A gunfighter heading for New Orleans to board a ship and retire peacefully to Europe is prevented from hanging up his pistols by the persistent admiration of a young gunman called Nobody. Initially hired to kill the veteran fighter, Nobody becomes his friend and insists that the great man's career should end with a glorious climax.Description   Directed by Tonino Valerii Screenplay by Ernesto Gastaldi  Story by Fulvio Morsella Ernesto Gastaldi Based on An idea by Sergio Leone  Produced by Fulvio Morsella Starring Terence Hill Henry Fonda Jean Martin Cinematography Giuseppe Ruzzolini Armando Nannuzzi Sergio Salvati Edited by Nino Baragli Music by Ennio Morricone Production companies Rafran Cinematografica Les Filmes Jacques Leitienne La Societe Im. Ex. Ci. La Societe Alcinter Rialto Film Preben Philpsen[2] Distributed by Titanus Release dates 13 December 1973 (West Germany) 14 December 1973 (France) 21 December 1973 (Italy) Running time 11

2.9/ 10 IMDb 40% Rotten Tomatoes 77% liked this movie   A Los Angeles helicopter pilot (Anna Nicole Smith) finds herself caught in a hostage drama atop an 86-story building.Description Directed by Raymond Martino Written by  William Applegate Jr. John Larrabee Starring Anna Nicole Smith Richard Steinmetz Branko Cikatić Release date July 24, 1996 Running time 96 min.

Directed by Kenji Misumi Robert Houston Screenplay by Robert Houston David Weisman Kazuo Koike[1] Based on Lone Wolf and Cub by Kazuo Koike Goseki Kojima  Produced by Shintaro Katsu Hisaharu Matsubara David Weisman Starring Tomisaburo Wakayama Kayo Mautso Akiji Kobayashi Cinematography Chishi Makiura  Edited by Lee Percy Music by W. Michael Lewis Mark Lindsay Production companies Toho Katsu Baby-Cart Productions Distributed by New World Pictures Release date November 11, 1980 (United States) Running time 90 minutes Countries Japan United States Language English