The Expendables 2 (2012) (Movie Review)

Director: Simon West

Screenwriter(s): Richard Wenk & Sylvester Stalone

Producer: Avi Lerner

Distributor: Lionsgate

In Theaters: August 17th, 2012

Run Time: 103 minutes

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Norris, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Liam Hemsworth, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis & Arnold Schwarzeneggar

Genre(s): action/adventure

Storyline: The Expendables are reunited when Mr. Church enlists them to take on a seemingly simple job. When things go wrong, the Expendables are compelled to seek revenge in hostile territory, where the odds are stacked against them. Hell-bent on payback, the crew cuts a swath of destruction through opposing forces, wreaking havoc and shutting down an unexpected threat in the nick of time - five tons of weapons-grade plutonium, more than enough to change the balance of power in the world. But that’s nothing compared to the justice they serve against the villainous adversary they seek revenge from. Written by Lionsgate

Movie Trailer:


My Review: Have you seen the first one? Stallone has truly outdone himself! More gory scenes, blood, and damn good fighting. The storyline isn’t half bad either. But honestly, whoever is going to see this movie for the story should just stay home. This movie is for someone looking for non-stop action. The fighting and bloodshed starts from the very beginning and never truly stops. If you love the heros who aren’t “super” by any means except for in the good deeds they’ve done in their own previous movies then you’ve come to the right place.

And for those select few who have never seen Terminator, Die Hard, Rocky, Rambo, or any movie with Jet Li or Chuck Norris in it, this movie will surely make you wish you had. There are classic one liners in it that not matter how many times you hear them said it never gets old. I was also glad to see Bruce and Arnold’s roles expanded in this movie.

My only disappointments came when Jet Li’s character only was in the first 15 minutes or so of the movie and the female character they introduced fell far short of what I was expecting. It would have been nice if that role were filled with an equally amazing star we all would have recognized. The only ones I could think of off the top of my head would be Angelina Jolie or even Milla Jovovich? Another good one would have been Michelle Rodriguez? Perhaps next time?

And a question I’m sure I’m not the only one asking (aside from who else can and will the get for the 3rd movie) is where was Mickey Rourke?

My Rating: ★★★★

Casablanca (1942) (Movie Review)

Title: Casablanca

Director: Michael Curtiz

Screenwriters: Julius J. & Philip G. Epstein, Howard Koch, Casey Robinson

Producer: Hal B. Wallis

Distributor: Warner Bros.

Production Company: Warner Bros.

In Theaters: November 26th, 1942

Run Time: 102 minutes

Color: Black and White

Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre, Claude Rains

Genre(s): drama/romance/war

Storyline: In World War II Casablanca, Rick Blaine, exiled American and former freedom fighter, runs the most popular nightspot in town. The cynical lone wolf Blaine comes into the possession of two valuable letters of transit. When Nazi Major Strasser arrives in Casablanca, the sycophantic police Captain Renault does what he can to please him, including detaining Czech underground leader Victor Laszlo. Much to Rick’s surprise, Lazslo arrives with Ilsa, Rick’s one time love. Rick is very bitter towards Ilsa, who ran out on him in Paris, but when he learns she had good reason to, they plan to run off together again using the letters of transit. Well, that was their original plan…. Written by Gary Jackson

Movie Trailer:



My Review: I have seen this movie dozens of times. But none of those times moved me to near tears and utter joy than when I got to watch this movie on the big screen. The best part was of course the movie but the added bonus was the special introduction from none other than Robert Osbourne. If you’ve EVER watched a movie on TCM (Turner Classic Movies) then you know exactly who that is. He is the be all and end all of interesting facts about all “older” movies. But back to Casablanca! If you’ve never seen this movie and saw it for the first time on the big screen just how amazed were you? And if you missed it, I highly recommend seeing it, even if it’s on your 1080p HDTV. On any size screen it will do the trick. If you’re not moved to watch more black & white movies, at the very least, more Humphrey Bogart movies (I recommend Key Largo!) then I throw up my hands in disbelief!

This movie has more “money-maker” lines than ANY movie I’ve ever seen and I’ve seen plenty! Some catchy phrases that I’m sure you’ve heard used in other movies or sitcoms would be:

“Here’s lookin’ at you kid.”
“Play it again Sam.”
“Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine.”
“Kiss me…kiss me as if it were the last time.”
“Round up the usual suspects.”
“Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

And one of my MANY favorites: “Who are you really, and what were you before? What did you do and what did you think?”

This movie appeals to both men and women. The men get the satisfaction of war, a “hot woman” (for that time period of course), and a leading man who was respected by men and helplessly fawned over by women. It’s obvious why women love this movie as well. It’s the quintessential romance movie. There is a real sense of love and loss from the main characters but also from the co-stars as well. I’d be so bold to say Humphrey Bogart’s portrayal of Rick is the smoothest, coolest, and yet right amount of weakness I’ve ever seen in a character. You don’t see acting like THIS anymore. Every character, every line (spoken and unspoken) were necessary and delivered with such dedication I’m amazed it did not sweep EVERY award it was nominated for. Best of all, although this movie takes place during WWII, a time when people were truly afraid for their lives and would do just about anything to escape to “the free world” (America), this movie is filled with a necessary humor. The balance of war, patriotism, romance, history and humor is amazingly executed.

The best part about watching this movie in the movie theater were those around me. We laughed together, we clapped together. Lines I heard dozens of times before came alive when I was in the company of strangers who felt the same way I did, in awe of this masterpiece. There were many moments of clapping before the movie started and when the movie finished, but the most memorable for us all would be when Rick was talking to Major Strasser:

Heinze: Can you imagine us in London?
Rick: When you get there, ask me.
Renault: Diplomatist.
Strasser: Well, how about New York?
Rick: Well, there are certain sections of New York, Major, that I wouldn’t advise you to try to invade.

My Rating: A+

Will you…Run And Tell That?