Tombraider (2018)

One solid treasure hunting, cave raiding - ride...

Ok.

Full disclosure. I love me the tombraider games... some of you will get the following statement/story... some of you will shake your head and say but you could spend all that time that u spend on video games doing something productive - like knitting... I understand. And you're right... I can always use a new toque... that said. I remember playing the tombraider games as a young teen, to young adult... and loving them. One scene in particular where at the end of the game... the game slides through the halls of Lara Crofts mansion... towards the shower... and she's in the shower... and I remember thirteen year old me... 13... 14... I don't know some thing teen - thinking - OMG - game boobs?! But then she steps out with her gun pointed at the camera ... gives me crap for being a perv... and blast the camera... and that folks is probably one of the most memorable scenes for my younger gaming days... I seriously stared at that little bedroom TV and fell the fourth wall crumble...

And then TOMBRAIDER came back and it was awesome and R rated... and ya. All was right with the world. AND DEN... they announce a huge big budget movie staring Alicia Vikander (that I just spelt correctly on my first try - officially in the zone) as our heroine Lara Croft... directed by the guy that did a nifty little foreign horror flick called COLD PREY. 

Did it live up to the depths of Croft-ian love... 

Your story: Lara croft, young, relatively pissed at the world... with a dead famous explorer for a dad, must learn to embrace her awesomeness and conquer the crazy big treasure hunting adventure she finds herself caught up in. Along the way she'll shoot people, fight people, and figure out old puzzles...

But... do they go with the earrings... 

Listen if no part of that sentence... sentences... interest you. You're probably not going to enjoy this movie. I actually read a review where they complained that the lighting - yes the lighting - was too dark - during a couple of the major scenes. One a ship on the midnight waters, another taking place far underground... in a cave. So they were complaining about the light... in a cave.

Come on people.

Just come on.

I actually remember sitting in theatre and thinking... you know... considering they have to shoot this in a pretty dark setting it looks great! But you know. Glass half full over here. I was busy saying things in my brain like - wow she kicks the ass good. Oh, that was just like the game... Speaking of. I read another review where a guy legit complained that they put too much in the movie for the people that played the game....

The same people that will say things like - I swear its like the writers of this movie never even played one of the freaking games...  are the same people going wow, that was totally just a quick scene that was only for people that played the game... You damn fence riders.

Well not you. You are Booniacs... Fans of Reel reviews for Real People... you are the besets humans. Possibly ever.

I digress.

I think this film kind of nicely summarizes how spoiled movie goers are these days, and net nerds. Yes you know who you are. The people that complain about, this, and that, and preach about the old school, and blah blah. This here is a well acted, well written, pure fun big budget action flick... featuring two stellar action set pieces... and if you are a fan of the game, well this is actually almost bang on with huge parts of the first two (rebooted) entries into the franchise.

Guess i'll... "Dust off" those killing skills....

Alicia Vikander places the role with a real venerable viciousness that is essential... I mean hero or not, Lara Croft is one crazy dangerous woman. #GirlPower. The Angelina Jolie films were camp... and my sweet mary do they not hold up (I tried to rematch the first film before I saw this one in theatre... and I couldn't make it through...). The villain I thought was a rather refreshing entry into the evil-guy-forcing-a-bunch-of-locals-to-dig-crap-up role. Mostly because he is not a "Believer" he just wants to get paid and go the hell home.

Overall one of my fav action films of the last couple of years. And something that with the system turned up at home, and in living room 4K, really makes for a great bit of couching and snacking with the peeps.

Do not fear the remakes, and the video game movies... I understand... for every half decent one (Prince of Persia) we get a horrible one (Mortal Kombat 2) but a big budget entry that lives up to the game is a rarity and gives my gaming side hope for the future... maybe an UNCHARTED film? Maybe a GOD OF WAR film? Please...

Let to the times sides of my entertainment loving soul be one! lol

Like I said, I'm not sure where the negativity came from with this film or the overwhelming sense of "MEH". The only way you get the things you want is to support them. Not every film is going to be oscar worthy... not every film is going to have taratino words... etc... some film should just be celebrated for being big, and loud, and fun... and not just being... you know... big and loud. And to everyone chirping the need for stronger female leads... and more female action stars... well... People seem to have some real problems showing the love to a film that seems to over up both.

I know the film made a decent amount over seas... I for one am really hoping we see another chapter now that the "Back story" has been flushed out, and the future baddies are set. Whoop whoop... whats that... a tomb... that needs raiding... where do I buy my ticket....

movie scale: 3 out of 5 stars
Action scale: 3.5 out of 5 stars

ONE LINE MOVIE REVIEW: RAIDED, AND LIKED IT. 

A NOTE FROM CHARLES B. BOONSWEET
I love you guys for the support. Thank you all you Booniacs for your continued support... I apologize for the time off... going to try to get back in this shizzie all proper like. Been making music... check out ASTROLOGER on your streaming service if you interested in what I been making with some rock folks... and currently in the stages of setting up a video podcast with another grand reviewer... in fact a former Bucklesworth on this very site...

WHOOP WHOOP. Boonsweet is out this peace y'all.

#tombraider2018
#tombraidermovie
#LaraCroft

Paradox (2017)

Some serious foot to face chaos... with more than a little heart...

So really it was only a matter of time till action directors around the world but their own spin on the TAKEN films. Really, I think pretty much everyone has seen it or at the least knows of it - Liam Neeson's daughter is kidnapped and he brings the pain to the evil doers while tracking her down. Great set up. So why not inject it with some Thailand/HongKong type violence and see what happens.

What we have here folks is a Grade A bonified action good time. I don't want to use masterpiece, because well there are definitely a few missed notes... But... over all...

Here we go. You're story. Thai bad guys kidnap a hong Kong cops daughter. He comes to town teams up with a local cop and together they start tearing through action set pieces to find out what happened. It seems she has been kidnapped by organ dealers... and time is running out.

I promise you if you read that and think you know where this story goes - you are dead wrong. As was I. This film takes itself way more seriously than I expected, and this plot folks - man it goes full dark. The violence is up to any standard you wish to hold it too... I would say at least to John Wick levels from North American reference.

Tony Jaa (of ONG-BAK) is all over this poster... and gets top billing, but really he is not in any way shape or form the focus. When I realized this I felt a little sad, but thankfully the other two leads are equal to the ass kicking requirements. The fights are a blast... a little unfortunate wire work... but for the most part its all face paced and well shot. The main set piece near the end is just a blast. The main villain is more or less the typical over the top "Foreigner" and that's fine he can hold his own in a fight and that's what matters.

It's just - damn this movie goes dark. And I think I really appreciated it. There is some actual real heart felt rage here. This father, you are gunna feel for him in ways mister Neeson just didn't really worry about during taken.

I would say over all PARADOX (which by the way, I can not understand that title - maybe because Tony Jaa had a vision at one point?) is a top tier action surprise. A few minor and i do mean minor moments might deny it masterpiece status - but it is dang close. If you like your action bloody and in bulk this is for you. Just, expect to feel a little stir in your cold heart... it'll happen I tell ya!

ONE LINE REVIEW: A swift roundhouse to the feels. 

Finding awesome films like this is part of the reason I love cinema... and the thai action seen - Ong-bak, Chocolate, this girl is badass, bangkok Knockout, etc, is bumping folks. They don't show any sign of slowing down!

Movie review: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Action movie scale: 4 out of 5 stars

#Paradoxthemovie
#Paradox2017
#TonyJaa
#KungFU

Till next Booniacs!!!

-Boonsweet out!