Contraband 2012

A remake of a 2009 Icelandic film of which I can't begin to pronounce. It stars Mark Wahlberg (Chris Faraday), who is becoming the kind of actor that you only expect hits, Kate Beckinsale (Kate Faraday) who I haven't seen out of spandex in a while, Giovanni Ribisi (Tim Briggs) who only seems to play white trash, or a small time hood anymore, and Ben Foster (Sebastian Abney) who seems to only play the friend you not quite sure you can trust. This story shows the tale of a ex-smuggler who gave up the life for the good life of a white picket fence, wife and kids, and normal job. Only you guessed it, he gets pulled back in and has to make one final run to save his whole clan when his wife’s brother(Caleb Andy Jones as Andy) pulls a bone head move and gets in deep after dumping the package on a run. A story like this can get a little predictable, but director Baltasar Kormakur does a adequate job of keeping the action up, and throwing in a little twist now and then to keep it entertaining enough. But overall a seasoned film-goer will see some thing’s coming. A strong performance by Wahlberg helps keep this from being just another run of the mill getting out of trouble with gangsters flick. This movie is for the man of the house who loves to watch them get away with it, and keep his family safe at the same time. Oh and really come out ahead if the plan works out right 7 out of 10

Troll Hunter (2010)

This is another movie that kind of surprised me at being a lot better than anticipate. You know what I’m talking about you hear about a movie from a friend that sounds like its going to be awful and its not. Not only that its very entertaining. That the case with Troll Hunter. Warning though if you can’t find a copy that isn’t dubbed, you will have to settle for subtitled as this is a movie made in Norway. The basic story shows a group of Norwegian college students who begin to follow what they believe is a poacher around. Then they find out that he is actually a government sanctioned Troll hunter. Who’s job is to keep the Trolls in line and hunt and kill those who stray out of their zones, or too close to humans. The rest of the movie follows the students and they film the hunter. Who has grown tired of the job, large risk, low pay and no respect and he wants to expose the truth. One of the constants in the film is how the director truly captures the beauty and scenery of Norway. From the waterfalls, beautiful lakes and streams to the extreme frozen wasteland in which the film ends.The Trolls themselves are shockingly well done and very believable. They are also very funny at times, mixed in with a savage brutality that you should expect as if seeing them for real. I recommend this to the most rabid of horror fans, and to the ordinary fans who are just looking for a good tale to pass the time. 7 out of 10

Attack the Block (2011)

I'm a sure that just about all of reading this have not heard of the movie. There are many reasons for this, mainly its British. I heard about this movie from a friend of a friend, of a friend who once knew my sister, etc. When i first started to watch this i wasn't sure if it was going to be one of those B-Movies that turns into a C, or D, or worse. The more i watched the more it began to grow on me and one of the more entertaining horror movies i've seen in a while. The hero's or should i say anti-hero's of this flick are a bunch of hoodlums in South London that spend their nights mugging people and generally stealing anything not nailed down. You start the movie waiting for them to get their due, like most horror movies until you realize that they are the main characters. The main body of the story is a bunch of kids versus an alien invasion. The more i watched the more it felt like an up to date Goonies told from the point of view of just ordinary teens who are just trying to survive in a tough neighborhood. Director Joe Cornish pulled of a thrilling tale using mostly unknown actors. The dark humor mixed with thrilling chase scenes, and a general feeling of anyone could die at any moment left me wanting more. I can whole heartily recommend this film for rapid horror buffs, and for a couple looking for a good movie to watch as they enjoy dinner. 8 out of 10