Force of Nature (**1/2) rust never sleeps
The film is enjoyable for the most part. It loses steam anytime Gibson is not onscreen. If you don’t like Gibson, you can skip it.
Dragged Across Concrete (***1/2) is a symbol of a great faltering career
Dragged Across Concrete feels like an epitaph on the career of Mel Gibson. He’s done good work for so many years, only to be busted down to making movies that make their debut off the big screen.
From Braveheart to the Outlaw King
Outlaw King will not be considered an equal bookend to Braveheart’s first part of the story of the Scottish Rebellion, but it should not be considered a failure by Mackenzie. The history presented is debatable, but it’s close enough to warrant some nice scenes and a series of muddy battles.
Forgotten Gems: Tequila Sunrise (***1/2) is a Recurring Dream
As a fan of Russell, Walsh and Juliá, this film has plenty going for it beyond Hall. It’s debatable that people these days understand the gravitas of Gibson and Pfeiffer from this film alone. That’s okay though. The Oscar nominated cinematography by Hall is worth the price of admission, too. Most people don’t live on the beautiful California coast of the late 1980’s. It doesn’t get old from my seat here in the rains of November.
Hacksaw Ridge (*****) So many ways to serve
This is a great film, if you can stomach something as graphic as The Passion of the Christ. It’s done in an equally sacred manner, if you value life. To see lives so easily lost, you will be more heartened to find a man running all through the night, praying for the strength to save “just one more.”
Mad Max: Fury Road (****): Same glorious road, different driver
Of the films, this is the one I enjoyed more than any, outside of Thunderdome. For a series that is such complete and all out high octane, they keep going down the same road over and over. Unlike George Romero’s zombie films, or Scorsese’s real crime repeats, the craft is getting more refined with each trip. And unlike Spielberg tinkering with E.T. or Lucas messing around with the original Star Wars movies, these films feel more organic, instead of messed with. It’s like a painting that grows in one’s esteem as it ages. Don’t be fooled, though. This painting is closer to Dogs Playing Poker than it is to The Last Supper.
The Expendables 3 (***1/2) – Holy crap! It’s not bad!
The Expendables 3 – 2014 Director Patrick Hughes Starring Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Antonio Banderas, Jet Li, Wesley Snipes, Dolph Lundgren, Kelsey Grammer, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, Kellan Lutz, Ronda Rousey, Glen Powell, Victor Ortiz, Robert Davi, Mel Gibson, Harrison Ford, Arnold Schwarzenegger Screenplay by Creighton Rothenberger, Katrin Benedikt, Sylvester […]
Forgotten Gems: Once We Were Kings…The Lethal Weapon Series
Lethal Weapon Collection – 1987, 1989, 1992, 1998 Director Richard Donner Starring Martin Riggs Mel Gibson Roger Murtaugh Danny Glover Leo Getz Joe Pesci (2-4) Lorna Cole Rene Russo (3-4) Lee […]
Machete Kills (*): Garbage in…garbage out
Machete Kills – 2013 Director Robert Rodriguez Starring Danny Trejo, Michelle Rodriguez, Sofía Vergara, Amber Heard, Antonio Banderas, Lady Gaga, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Walt Goggins, William Sadler, Demián Bichir, Mel Gibson Screenplay Kyle Ward “I have high hopes for you, Mr. […]
Get the Gringo is an excellent film featuring an excellent filmmaker
Get the Gringo – 2012 Director Adrian Grunberg Starring Mel Gibson, Kevin Hernandez, Delores Heridia, Peter Stormare, Daniel Giménez Cacho, Dean Norris, Bob Gunton, Peter Gerety Screenplay Stacie Perskie, Grunberg and Gibson For those […]
The Beaver shows that nobody wants to be alone
The Beaver – 2011 Directed by Jodie Foster Starring Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, Anton Yelchin, Jennifer Lawrence Written by Kyle Killen I have never pretended to understand depression. Not many […]
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 