Rocky Balboa

I can't believe I'm going to say this: I want to see "Rocky Balboa."

For those of you who don't know, a sixth (yes, SIXTH) Rocky movie premieres this December, and the trailer is now available online. They wisely opted out of using "VI" in the title, electing instead to just call the movie "Rocky Balboa."

Now, before you judge, watch the trailer here.

Rocky looks old, outta shape, tired, and lost. In other words, he looks like he should look. Oh, and Adrian is dead, but Paulie is back.

The concept makes some sense: ESPN airs a computerized fight between the current champ and Rocky. Rocky wins. The buzz begins. Rocky, meanwhile, decides that he'd like to step back into the ring, just to fight in a few small-time fights. You can see where this is headed....

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

I don't have a lot of time to post a full review of "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang," but let me say this: Robert Downey, Jr. and Val Kilmer both deserve to get better movie offers after their performances in this movie. They were awesome. Very funny movie, but it also works as great film noir.

Without getting into great detail, the premise isn't all that new: Downey plays a small time NYC crook who ends up accidentally auditioning for a movie. He gets sent out to LA for a screen test for a role as a private investigator, and is placed under the tutelage of Gay Parry (played with hilarious glee by Val Kilmer), a real private investigator. Of course, they stumble onto a real crime.

The performances were wonderful across the board. Some actress named Michelle Monaghan stars as Harmony, a down-on-her-luck actress and mandatory romantic interest. And she's great. Not to mention damn hot... (That's her in the Christmas outfit ---->)

Great movie. I really can't recommend it enough. If you're looking for a good rental, and want a comedy, a mystery, an action thriller, film noir, and a touch of independent film edge, rent Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Really. It's that good. I'm buying it.

Superman Returns

I saw Superman Returns Saturday, and I've been struggling about how I was going to review it. You see, I liked this movie. I really did. The acting was decent, the direction solid, the effects serviceable. It was about 2 1/2 hours, and did not feel like it took that long. Hell, the little kid playing Lois's son didn't even annoy me. It was a good movie.

I did like Superman Returns. And yet, I can't help but be disappointed. Because, in spite of everything I liked about the movie, the long and short of it is that it wasn't the Superman movie I wanted to see. I didn't want to see Superman longing for Lois. I didn't want to see Superman all melancholy and shit. I wanted to see Superman kicking ass and taking names. And other than 2 (well, 2 1/2) solidly "super" scenes of the aforementioned ass-kicking, we mostly see Superman pining away for the life he left 5 years earlier.

The plot: Superman disappeared 5 years ago. In those 5 years, Lois Lane had a kid, got engaged, and won a Pulitzer for her article: "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman." (My, aren't those grapes sour?!?) Also, Lex Luthor is now free, because Superman was called as a witness in Lex's criminal trial, and Superman didn't show. Now, Superman has returned (and Clark Kent's returned too! What a coincidence!).

The movie was good. But it's a solidly romantic Superman movie. As an action movie, it needed some more action. Yes, the movie showed Superman using all his powers - heat vision, super breath, flying, strength, etc. And, in one great slow-motion shot, you get to see what happens when the Man of Steel takes a bullet point-blank range directly into his eyeball. (Answer: He doesn't even blink.) But the film remains solidly a chick flick with some action thrown in to make the men happy. I hope it does well, because I want to see another Superman movie. Brandon Routh channels Christopher Reeve to perfection. Director Bryan Singer wisely uses the same music and opening credits as the original. It truly is a wonderful homage to Superman, and Superman II. (Let's just pretend III and IV were never made, shall we?)

I just wanted to see a ballsier Superman movie, that's all.