As I slowly try to catch up with my book and movie reviews, I have worked up to the month of August. I know I'm still a couple of months behind, but at least I'm writing. I hope to be caught up by the end of this month. Nothing special to really recommend this month. I was just taking advantage of my rental DVD shop's "Rent 4 for 1000yen" campaign. I've been taking a break from watching the Japanese '70s hero programs as well. And so it goes:
THE MARINE 2 (2009) – As this is Part 2, I thought it was a sequel to the first one, wouldn’t you? However, this particular film has nothing whatsoever do with the first one. It’s just another excuse for the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) to feature another one of their members in their stable to become an action star. Then again it’s a DTV movie, that would “Direct to Video” so they could be forgiven. At least they can be forgiven when compared to all the rap stars that try to make it as an action hero. Anyway, in this generic but fairly entertaining and predictable action romp, Joe (Ted DiBiase) joins his wife who is working for some developer and is opening a resort hotel on a beautiful island. Joe isn’t particularly interested in mingling so he goes off to the beach on his own. And wouldn’t you know it, some local rebels take over the hotel and take all the hotel personnel hostage. As Joe’s wife is one among them, it’s up to Joe and his training as a Marine to save the day!
THE ART OF WAR 3 : RETRIBUTION (2009) – I will be honest, I just popped this in and let the film run its course while I either worked on my blog or surfed the net or whatever. As I mentioned above, rap stars just shouldn’t try to be action heroes, but does Hollywood listen to their viewers? Nope, so instead of Wesley Snipes, we get Treach. And the current baddie in any action flick in today’s environment is of course North Korea. I don’t even know what the plot was about, was there a plot? Oh yeah, secret agent tries to stop a North Korean terrorist (played by Sung Hi Lee) from getting their hands on a nuclear device. As this is an another Direct to Video flick, you’re better off just watching Parts 1 and 2. 
PREMONITION (2007) – Kind of a strange movie that stars Sandra Bullock who plays a housewife who has a very strange experience. The previous day she is told by the police that her husband was in an accident and died. But the next day when she wakes up, her hubby is by her side healthy and alive as can be. But then the following morning, he is dead once again. And so it goes for who knows how many days. She realizes she’s living her days out of sequence. Can she save her husband from the fate that awaits him? Well, this wasn’t a bad flick and I know at least one friend of mine really enjoyed it, but I don’t think I can recommend it as a must see. You will have to decide for yourself on this one. 
ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO (2008) – I have yet to be disappointed by a Kevin Smith film and this one is no exception. And since it stars Seth Rogan, that’s an added bonus. Zack and Miri have been friends since junior high or high school. Their relationship has always been platonic and as adults, they share an apartment as well. But as they are having a hard time paying their bills, they’re being threatened with eviction. How are they going to make money and save themselves from getting kicked out? Why, by making and starring in a porno movie of course. As they get their friends involved and the film rolls along, they discover that maybe they have even deeper feelings for each other. Will the film ruin their relationship? What’s going to happen. Nerds and shy guys will love this, because Zack isn’t the most handsome of dudes, is living with a hot babe (and don’t read the next line if you plan on renting this)…and gets the babe in the end!
DUPLICITY (2009) – I’m sorry but this is just awful. The fact that it stars Julia Roberts and Clive Owen is no help at all. And since I really hated this film, I’m just going to borrow the reviewer from the Internet Movie Database by one: Ray works for MI6, Claire for the CIA. She burns him in Dubai. Jump ahead five years: he sees her in Grand Central and confronts her. Both now work in industrial security for corporate giants whose CEOs hate each other. Flashbacks fill us in: is it coincidence that he sees her in Grand Central? In about a week, one of the firms is going to announce a revolutionary product. Under the guise of helping that corporation's rival, can Ray and Claire work their own theft and find an independent buyer? To work together, using the corporate rivalry to their advantage, they would have to trust one another - difficult, if not impossible. Or, is one playing the other?] The characters were just annoying as one trying to outwit the other. It reminds me of that remake of “The Thomas Crown Affair” which I also thought was awful. Roberts doesn’t seem to have a decent film since “Erin Brokovich” which came out in 2000. Of course I have yet to see “Eat, Pray, Love” which seems to be getting fairly decent reviews. Of course when you learn that her character’s publisher paid for the entire year, it doesn’t make sound quite so exciting. 
アイ・アム [I Am] (2010) – A Japanese film I doubt that you will find this in any of your foreign film sections at your local DVD rental store but that’s okay. It isn’t something I would recommend anyway. I only checked it out because it stars Asami Mizukawa, a young actress who is very cute that I like. The story isn’t that original either. Another “Bicentennial Man” or “AI”. Mizukawa is a Nurse Robot who begins to question her existence and wonders if she is real or not. There is the usual, “she’s not human, don’t let her touch me!” etc. Still, not bad as this is Mizukawa’s first starring role in a movie. She’s mostly known as a television actress. But she’s also quite entertaining when on variety shows.
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