Mechanic: Resurrection

I don't know why this film is billed as a sequel to "The Mechanic", as it bears very little resemblance to the first film. "Mechanic" was a great action film because it was grounded in a reality you could believe and feel yourself in. The characters were rich and well rounded, and Ben Foster brought his always incredible presence to life perfectly in it. This sequel is far more like a bad chapter of the "Mission: Impossible" franchise. It's dull, there are no decent characters to speak of, the logic of the world makes no sense, and the globe trotting never allowed the viewer to settle into the story. I'm very disappointed in this, it could have been so much more. 2.5/5

Mechanic: Resurrection on Netflix

13

This taut thriller was stylish & intriguing with a totally awesome score, it just needed a stronger lead. Good, not great. 3.5/5

13 on Netflix

The Expendables

Insultingly bad. I've literally never heard such poorly written dialogue in a professional movie w/a budget. 2 stars

Follow-up: The only reasons it gets two stars are:

• There were some epic action sequences
• The cinematography was nice
• Jason Statham was, well, Statham-y.
• Mickey Rourke had a nice emotive scene

Whatever the situation, there are only so many things you can have a character say in a movie like this. At every opportunity, without fail, if there was an awkward, lame or overly-expository way to say something, that is what they did. I wasn't aware that Stallone was such a hack, so I place the blame on the writer that I know is a hack, David Callaham. Also? Jet Li was wasted, Sly and Eric Roberts should have traded roles and there were plot holes you could fly a Grumman Albatross through. It was shit. Insulting, nonsensical shit. Best part of the experience was the gag reel on the DVD.

The Expendables at Netflix

Revolver

Holy shit, someone paid a lot of money for Guy Ritchie's marriage therapy session. Some cool stuff, mostly a mess. 2.5 stars.

Follow-up: I keep saying that Guy Ritchie should not be allowed to write. It's true. He should only ever be allowed to direct other people's stories. He just tries so hard, but makes such a muddled mess of things, and for some reason people keep giving him money to write. STOP DOING THAT. Just let him lay his visual style on your existing script, and when he says "No, I want to write it" tell him that he's perceiving the idea of not writing the film as a threat to his ego, and that if he doesn't understand that, watch Revolver a couple more times. Also tell him that David Lynch might have a bone to pick with him....

Revolver at Netflix