Empire (2002)

Posted on March 23, 2003 by Felix Vasquez

“Empire” is a fiasco for the record books, one that desperately tries to carve heroes out of thugs, gangsters, and deviants, and fails horribly. The movie, noticeably, takes much of its formula from better gangster flicks, including “Scarface” and rips apart the movies, taking each element, pasting it together in this. The entire narrative and pitiful attempts at character development are annoying, slow and so predictable it’s disgusting. Franc. Reyes directs this like a film student, never contributing anything new or different to talk about.

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The Opportunists (2000)

Posted on March 15, 2003 by Felix Vasquez

Victor Kelly (Christopher Walken Catch me if you can, Deer Hunter) is an ex – con from Queens who’s out of luck running an auto shop that basically being driven into the ground. One day a mysterious Irish relative appears claiming he’s related to him. However, he is soon lured back into crime by he and two other eager security and, left without any options, he decides to plan a heist to rob a low – security bank.

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Deuce’s Wild (2002)

Posted on March 12, 2003 by Felix Vasquez

Despite the slick and grim tone of “Deuce’s Wild,” Scott Kalvert’s attempt at a gangster picture is the worst film of 2002. And it’s likely one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen. We get a nonsensical, clichéd movie with a contrived plot and go-nowhere characters, all of whom are nothing but comical walking clichés with writers Paul Kimatian, and Christopher Gambale showing zero restraint in predictability. How do you waste such a dynamic cast on such a putrid waste of film?

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Knockaround Guys (2001) (DVD)

Posted on March 5, 2003 by Felix Vasquez

I went into this movie with generally low expectations, I mean with a movie that was shelved constantly for nearly four years and re-shot numerously, I had no doubt this would be a flop. Those expectations seemingly helped this movie, because I was pleasantly surprised. Probably the most intriguing part of the movie is Barry Pepper’s character that wants badly to be one of the guys in the mob but can’t find the strength to pull a trigger. He pulls the Brooklyn accent off well, and never goes over the top. He’s a regular guy who wants to work like everyone else but can’t quite get past the name. He tough and intimidating and very likeable as well. Seth Green is his usual self but is likeable all at the same time; he’s annoying and irritating but he serves his purpose as the character.

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Collateral Damage (2002)

Posted on February 24, 2003 by Felix Vasquez

Arnold Schwarzenegger plays firefighter Gordon Brewer, a family man who witnesses his wife and son get murdered in a terrorist bombing. When he sees a Colombian ambassador refer to their deaths as “Collateral Damage”, a term meaning that their death is all part of war, he get angered and vows revenge on the mercenary who committed the crime. With the help of his wits alone, he travels to Colombia to track down and kill the terrorist crime lord known as “El Lobo”. Arnold Schwarzenegger does his best with what he’s given with in this movie and doesn’t overact his part like in his frequent movies. He’s a likeable character in this movie, and for once is a relatable character.

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Daredevil (2003)

Posted on February 21, 2003 by Felix Vasquez

Now, first of all, I am a fan boy, for the record; and I love the Daredevil comic books; so when this came out in the theatres, I was foaming at the mouth. Daredevil is not a household name like Spider-Man or Superman, so it’s a challenge trying to make this appeal to a wide audience. Many people compare this to spider-man, and in a lot of ways, the marketing and advertising is almost identical, but it’s unfair to compare the two. Spider-man is a light fun action-packed romp, while Daredevil is more deep, complex, and incredible. I was rather upset at the casting choices for each of the characters, but I decided to give it a chance. I was breath taken by this movie. Ben Affleck is incredible as Matt Murdock. I’ll admit, I didn’t think he would do good to the role, but he was able to pull it off without flaw. Ben Affleck is great as the humble and often cold Matt Murdock.

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Sin (2003)

Posted on February 14, 2003 by Felix Vasquez

Ving Rhames is an ex-cop whose sister, who is a drug addict, was nearly killed by a drug lord (though its all assumption, we’re never told he is a drug lord because he’s so broadly developed), and now he’s on the quest for vengeance despite the warnings of his ex-partner and grizzled ex-boss played by the always great Brian Cox in a small thankless role. He shouldn’t even be considered a part of the cast because he is so wasted in this film it goes beyond unfunny. The somewhat talented Ving Rhames is terrible in this as the lead character Eddie. I’m not sure if it’s the hackneyed writing or his acting alone, but he’s bad.

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