A man sits on a bench drinking coffee and eating a carrot, a pregnant screaming woman runs by. As does a man wielding a gun prepared to shoot her. Mr. Smith is now involved. Thus begins a sudden mission to protect a newly born child from a massive conglomerate and a surprisingly interesting reason why this child is wanted. I theorized all throughout Davis’s raucous action comedy and really wasn’t prepared to find a devious plot as complicated and absurd as the one explored here. “Shoot ‘Em Up is yet another variation on “Lone Wolf and Cub” with a mysterious warrior leaving a body count in the triple digits to protect a child, and though Davis derives from the concept, “Shoot ‘Em Up” is its own twisted animal. There’s really no point in hating “Shoot ‘Em Up”; it’s a ridiculous, idiotic and fantastical cartoon mixed with a formula video game, and it makes no presumption to pretend otherwise.
Tag Archives: S
Square Pegs (2007)
There’s not much to say about “Square Pegs” other than it’s probably one of the most surreal, and yet most powerful short films I’ve ever seen. Not only does the imagery spark a head trip of pure acidic proportions, but it’s such a fantastic statement about faith, and the ongoing war of good and evil and the religious belief of the human soul being wrestled with even after we die. Though I’m not sure I agree with the overall statement Ben Hicks makes about the atheists role in the “war” that ensues for our state of being after our death, “Square Pegs” is nonetheless a powerful little film that makes the best of its low resources.
Superbad (2007)
More of the same buddy comedies running rampant in theaters, “Superbad” is less a comedy about teens trying to get some, and more a story about coming of age and realizing that with age means shedding childish things and sadly having to part with some of your best friends who will likely disconnect from you once life comes into play. Rogen’s comedy is very much in the tradition of great films like “American Graffiti,” and “Dazed and Confused,” in which we follow one night in the lives of three soon to be college freshmen enjoying antics and hilarity in their town as they prepare to part ways. “Superbad” is hysterical, but it’s also touching in its own ways, accurately depicting friendship at such a young age.
Spider Baby or, The Maddest Story Ever Told: Director's Cut (1968) (DVD)
“Spider-Baby” is without a doubt one of the oddest cannibal movies I’ve ever come across. And it’s not because it’s old, but because the cannibalism ends up becoming much more implied than explored in the end. There isn’t exactly anyone eating other folks here, but there are often the signs. Young Virginia collects ears, and eats bugs, while Elizabeth attempts to guilt her into her natural urges, even though she’s experiencing the same cravings to give in.
Superman: Doomsday (2007) (DVD)
To this day, “Superman: Doomsday” is still one of the most gut wrenching graphic novels I’ve ever read. As a hardcore Superman geek since the age of five, Superman has been one of my recurring beacons of heroism and courage, and something that’s still very representative of what man is capable of. Superman is possibilities, and that’s why I still stick by this character for better or for worse. And as you can imagine, reading the entire graphic novel as a young boy, seeing Superman’s lifeless body in Lois’ arms as he faded away from the vicious attack from Doomsday really bummed me out. And quite frankly, it left a pure lump in my throat. “Superman: Doomsday” truncates everything about the graphic novel into a movie that’s a little over an hour. And I accept that. Due to DC’s issues with superheroes in multiple formats, we couldn’t have had all the guest stars and the Reign of the Superman in this movie. Instead, Timm and co. focus on the meat and bones of the story: Superman vs. Doomsday, and then Superman’s death.
The Simpsons Movie (2007)
For my money, “The Simpsons” is quite possibly one of the best television series ever created, with “Seinfeld” a very close second. “The Simpsons” and I have a long history together. I’ve been a hardcore fan since the Christmas premiere on FOX so many years ago, and I followed the series religiously up until its dissension into sheer mediocrity so many years ago. There’s only so much I can take in terms of being a hardcore fan, and it’s not a secret that “The Simpsons” have fallen in terms of wit and brilliance that spawned such a revered classic.
Street Thief (2006)
In the tradition of films like “Man Bite Dog,” and “Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon,” Malik Bader is a film that constantly has you questioning what’s reality and what’s fantasy. Is this all one big ruse? Are the filmmakers putting us on from minute one? Or is this an actual thief we’re watching? Most of all, does this make the film worth watching if we can never be sure one way or the other? “Street Thief” is one of the many films in the modern era that’s demonstrated the audience’s ability to become voyeurs. As a mass that constantly feel we have to watch people at their worst and most embarrassing, films like “Street Thief” will challenge the audience and keep us guessing.