Guess Whose Baaaaack!!!! For All My Luther Fans...

So we got just a little something to wet our palette before the series finale of BBC's Luther...Embedded below is the first trailer:

 

And if you look real close you just might see Alice (she might be back :-)...yay). Just in case you need a little reminder of the show, we got the official synopsis for ya...

Idris Elba  returns in the title role of the acclaimed mini-series which won him a 2012 Golden Globe for “Best Actor” in this four-night television event in September - with two conflicting crimes to investigate and a ruthless ex-cop determined to bring him down. Luther’s life is his job, that is until love crosses his path and offers him a chance of happiness. Sienna Guillory (“Resident Evil,” “Love Actually”) joins the cast as Mary, a woman who works in a vintage clothing shop and meets Luther in a chance encounter. But is Mary ready to accept Luther’s past? And can Luther leave it behind? A self-destructive near-genius, John Luther might just be as dangerous as the depraved criminals he hunts. Luther shines a light into the hearts and minds of psychopaths and killers … and the shadowy spaces of his own soul.

For all my UK folks it returns to BBCOne in July and my fellow US we gotta wait just a little longer till September (September 3rd to be exact!!).

Oh Boy!!! This is going to be good!! Thoughts?!!?!

Fall 2011 Movie Line-up

Well we made it through the summer folks now its time to bring it down a couple of notches or maybe continue to go up!! Today's posts include the Fall Movie line-up! Plenty of action, drama, and a little comedy a perfect combo of films.

Contagion (September 9th) follows the rapid progress of a lethal airborne virus that kills within days. As the fast-moving epidemic grows, the worldwide medical community races to find a cure and control the panic that spreads faster than the virus itself. As the virus spreads around the world, ordinary people struggle to survive in a society coming apart.


Warrior (September 9th) A former boxer (Nick Nolte), whose alcoholism tore apart his family, welcomes back his youngest son (Tom Hardy) and trains him to compete in a mixed martial arts tournament – a path that puts the son on a collision course with his older brother (Joel Edgerton).


Drive (September 16th) A Hollywood stunt performer (Ryan Gosling) who moonlights as a wheelman discovers that a contract has been put on him after a heist gone wrong.


Straw Dogs (September 16th) L.A. screenwriter David Sumner relocates with his wife to her hometown in the deep South. There, while tensions build between them, a brewing conflict with locals becomes a threat to them both.


Moneyball (September 23rd) The story centers on Billy Beane and his arrival as Oakland's general manager. Through analysis and a new, non-traditional sabermetric approach to scouting players, Beane attempts to create a competitive baseball team at a fraction of the cost of the large market teams.


The Ides of March (October 7th) An idealistic staffer for a newbie presidential candidate gets a crash course on dirty politics during his stint on the campaign trail.


The Rum Diary (October 28th) Paul Kemp is a freelance journalist who finds himself at a critical turning point in his life while writing for a run-down newspaper in the Caribbean. Paul is challenged on many levels as he tries to carve out a more secure niche for himself amidst a group of lost souls all bent on self-destruction.


Anonymous (October 28th) A political thriller advancing the theory that it was in fact Edward De Vere, Earl of Oxford who penned Shakespeare's plays; set against the backdrop of the succession of Queen Elizabeth I, and the Essex Rebellion against her.

SALT...Just what the summer needed!!

Who is SALT?

This is just what this summer needed, a boost to shock the world!! Pure action from beginning to end, you don't want to miss a beat of what Ms. Jolie brings to the screen. After seeing the trailer of Salt last year I was hoping that this would not be classic failed action flick, but believe me when I say its more than just your "typical popcorn flick." Salt gives the audience the opportunity to go for a ride on a trip that is bound to be remembered. I guarantee you will sit on the edge of your seat in anticipation of what is to come next. This is the type of  action, that never stops, put it like this you're barely given enough time to breath!

Salt does not disappoint as it pertains to plot, characters, and of course action. Jolie was definitely a great fit for this role as she got a chance to really expand her skills as a woman of action. To be honest, there was really no other actress that could play this role as well as she did. (And to think this role was originally intended for Tom Cruise....good save!) In addition to a great portrayal from Jolie, we also get a chance to enjoy the showase of talent from actors Liev Schriber and Chiwetel Ejiofor who both do an excellent job. Both characters, force you to make the decision of whose side are you really on.

Now Phillip Noyce, who directed Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger, The Quiet American and Catch a Fire, (all pretty great films) among other pictures, does a fairly good job in setting up the plot and letting the action sweep you along and then hurl you towards a somewhat haphazard conclusion. Thankfully, Noyce did not feel the need to try and be falsely realistic by forcing lots of awkward swearing, pointless disturbing images, phony realism, and/or awkward swearing that numerous, typical modern films tend to do. By all means, this is NOT an art film, it is an action film, and a darn good one too. Right when you think you know what's going to happen, the film throws another twist at you.

Overall, Salt does what it needs to do and that is put on a good show and entertain its audience. (Thank You.) If you enjoyed "The Bourne" series then you will definitely appreciate and enjoy this movie! You know a movie is great when the audience claps, its almost as though they have given there signed, sealed approval. Now its hard to say if there will actually be a sequel, but I would welcome it with open arms!

In this case a little too much "salt" will actually do the trick!

Rating: 3 out of 4 stars

Taken (2009)

"The time for revenge has come..."


Taken is a film that may slip past you if you are not paying close attention to it. There is always that one movie that we are not sure about but somehow surprises us after watching it.

Taken is a film follows an ex-CIA agent faced with recovering his daughter after she is kidnapped by sex-traffickers in Paris, France. Even despite a strained relationship with his ex-wife Lenore played by Famke Janssen, Bryan (Liam Neeson) still manages to make it his business to be a part of his daughter's (Kim) life. He would do any and everything to make it so that his daughter comes back to him. It becomes the longest 96 hour rescue mission for his daughter and even his own life.

Throughout the film we are able to see old friendships and allies rekindled as well as past ones staying in the past. Bryan, an ex-CIA agent is brilliant in his methods and his actions with regards to what he has to do to get the job done. He definitely makes sure that we realize his whole purpose is to make sure of his daughter's safety. Its almost as though this is what drives him throughout this journey. All in all, upon Kim's return to the states she is able to satisfy a dream that she has had since she was 5 years old...to sing; as she is able to meet a song diva and begin her journey into the business.


I was very pleased with the selection of the actors they all seem to mesh very well to give a complete chemistry. It has been awhile since we have seen Neeson in a quality role (Batman Begins) so it was a pleasant surprise to see him in a little bit more of an action role. And it was definitely a twist to see Famke Janssen outside of her "Phoenix" role. The near perfect action is definitely one to keep you on the edge of your seat. The many twists and turns of this movie will have you guessing the next move. It sticks straight to the point, upfront, straightforward high speed action. There is no need to question or get clarification because the viewer already is on task. This is even a movie that even if you are not an action kind of person you would still enjoy it.




Grade: B+