DIE HARD (1988)

Featuring: Bruce Willis; Alan Rickman; Bonnie Bedelia

Director: John McTierman

For every movie genre there is a standard against which all other films of that genre is measured. And for years this was it for the action genre.

John McClane (Bruce Willis) is a New York City cop. Shortly before Christmas he flies out to LA to visit with his estranged wife and children. But when the building where she works is taken over during the company's annual Christmas party by what seems to be a bunch of international terrorists, he is the only thing that stands between the villains and the ultimate demise of their hostages. However, it soon becomes clear that everything is not as it seems and, especially, that John McClane is not just another ordinary 'flatfoot' cop...

This Oscar nominated movie still remains one of the best action movies ever made. Although the world of film has moved on and undergone huge changes since it was made back in the 80's, it is one of those films that never seems to age. And its freshness flows from an excellent plot (based on a novel by Roderick Thorpe) with all the twists, turns and action you can wish for combined with quirky humor and equally excellent performances by the entire cast.

I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIOX44m8ktc

Bruce Willis and some of the cast members...

... and some of the humor

GHOST RIDER - SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE (2011)

Featuring: Nicolas Cage; Edris Elba; Fergus Riordan

Directors: Mark Neveldine; Brian Taylor

Sill struggling with the curse of bounty hunting for the devil, Johnny Blaze (Nicolas Cage) is hiding out in a remote part of Europe. When asked to protect a special boy, Danny (Fergus Riordan) from the devil, he is at first reluctant to get involved: "I don't save people". But then he is made an offer he can't refuse: if he does this, he can have the curse lifted forever.

This time there is more of a story (see my review on Ghost Rider). So, it is not just fire and brimstone action. The plot makes for an element of real suspense too.

Therefor, I give it 3 out of 5 stars as well.

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUObgxCoUgA

Fergus Riordan and Nicolas Cage

GHOST RIDER (2007)

Featuring: Nicolas Cage; Eva Mendes; Peter Fonda

Director: Mark Steven Johnson

This is yet another Marvel Comic film derivative. But unlike so many others one was less of a box-office success: only one sequel!

When a young man learns that his stunt driver dad is dying from cancer he makes a deal with the devil in order to save his father's life. It is only years later, after becoming a successful and famous daredevil (pun intended) motorcycle stunt driver himself, that Johnny Blaze (Nicolas Cage) starts to comprehend the real price of selling his soul...

The blazing (pun intended again) special effects of this movie is nothing short of spectacular. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the rather thin story line. However, if all you are looking for is mind-blowing action fun, look no further. And it is for this reason that I am rating it 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMM1KRDM22k

 

...in action!!   

FAST & FURIOUS 7 (2015)

Featuring: Vin Diesel; Dwayne Johnson; Paul Walker

Director: James Wan

Hope you all enjoyed the holidays and will have a prosperous 2017!

We kick off this year with the last in the current series of the F & F franchise. This is also the last film that starred Paul Walker who tragically died shortly before end of production.

One knows that a movie franchise hits it big time when the filming locations go global. Therefore some of what we already saw is 6 continues in 7. After Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) with the assistance of Dom (Vin Diesel) and his crew caught and neutralized international terrorist Owen Shaw (played by Luke Evans in 6) the latter's brother Dechard Shaw (chillingly played by Jason Statham in 7) seeks revenge. What follows has been described as "their most gravity-defying and emotional adventure yet" (just watch the trailer to get a taste). And to say anything more will give the plot away.

What I will say though is that I cannot wait for 8 to be released sometime early this year. Again, I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yISKeT6sDOg

 ...enough said...