Seraphim Falls

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: January 26, 2007

DVD Release Date: May 15, 2007

Plot 411: A hired posse track and hunt down a man from the mountains to the plains in search for revenge.

Review: I'm not a huge western fan, especially if it's slow going. Fortunately, most movies of this genre have some sort of gun slinger or bandit to make it exciting. This movie was more of a chase movie though - one man hunting down another. It sounds exciting, but it took a while for the plot to unfold, and I almost lost my patience. Why is one guy chasing the other? Why is he so angry? What's his deal? There were so many questions. In the end, it all comes together though. Interestingly, the leads are both Irish - Pierce Brosnan and Liam Neeson. As in most westerns, the landscape was stunning. From the snowy mountains to the arid desert, the panoramic shots were amazing.

Watch It: To see one of the few western films around these days.

Skip It: If you could do without the horses and dust.

Trailer:

Jellyfish

Rating: Not Rated

Movie Release Date: May 22, 2007 (France) / April 4, 2008 (USA)

DVD Release Date: September 30, 2008

Plot 411: A taste of Israeli life through the eyes of three different women.

Review: I've gotta say that I'm at a loss for words about this one. For me, the journey of these three women were pretty random and pointless. A waitress at weddings finds a lost child near the sea. She takes the mute girl in for the weekend until social services re-opens but loses the girl in less than a day. While riding her bike, the waitress knocks over a Filipino woman. This woman is a caregiver working in Israel and sends money back home to her son. A brat of a new bride ends up breaking her leg at the reception, at which the first woman worked, and nagged her husband on their honeymoon. Singularly and together I just couldn't understand the meaning of this one. It was just way to abstract for me.

Watch It: If you're Israeli and want a slice of home as I assume the point to this one was giving the audience a look at the real Israel.

Skip It: If you're more of a to-the-point movie watcher and hate trying to decipher a flick.

Trailer:

The Protector / Tom yum goong

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: August 11, 2005 (Hong Kong & Thailand) / September 8, 2006 (USA)

DVD Release Date: January 16, 2007

Plot 411: When his way of life is threatened, Kham must go to Australia a get back his stolen elepahnt.

Review: All action, all the time. This was one butt kicking after another, and you'll especially love the movie if you're into martial arts. Americans, and the western world in general, don't often get to see this type of martial arts - Thai martial arts. It just looks so different from the kung fu, karate and judo we've grown up with. This stuff is faster and uses unusual parts of the body as weapons. What was inovated about this movie is that they used every possible weapon against Tony Jaa (Kahm) and he still managed to whoop ass. My favorite enemy was the gang of X Games wanna-bes. Yes, you got that right! They used motorcross bikes against the guy. The plot was ok but really, who needs a plot if you've got Jaa constantly flying across the screen?

Watch It: For a dive into the deep end of muay thai. Your heart will be racing with excitement.

Skip It: If you're a stickler for the classic kung fu flicks. The action in this film is all about innovation and the modern world, despite the fact that the main character is actually fighting to save his culture and history.

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