Gun (2010)

An ex-con joins up with an ambitious inner-city gun runner.  Written by and starring the charismatic 50 Cent and co-starring a pudgy and intense Val Kilmer.  2 good reasons to watch this.  Another is the great inner-city visuals and intimate nature of this flick.  Yet another is James Remar as the flustered detective, and of course, AnnaLynne McCord; smoking hot in this one. In a couple of scenes, she actually out-CharlizeTheron's Charlize Theron! (watch it, you'll get my drift).   Simple plot, nothing too crazy here. But a warning: the movie does idolize guns, especially with 50 Cent toting the mighty .500 Smith and Wesson Magnum, the most powerful handgun on earth, used mainly by Alaskan bush pilots to kill giant grizzlies. Every gangbanger in North America will be drooling and camping out in line for one of these babies once they've seen the movie. (hey man, it is what it is....).  Very capable attempt by 50 Cent, and fun to watch.

Quickie Synopsis
Slick
Bang
Boomhttp://earlsmoviepicks.blogspot.com/

Slap Shot (1977)

A failing minor-league hockey team resorts to violence and shenanigans to increase their popularity.  Wild bloody fun on the ice-- great hockey characters like ice-maniac Ogie Ogilthorpe and Clarence 'Screaming Buffalo' Swamptown.  Many of the actors in this film were professional hockey players, so this is considered by many to be kind of an inside-joke of the hockey world.  Hugely entertaining.  The childlike and ultra-violent Hanson Brothers are not to be missed. 

Quickie Synopsis
Can't skate
Then
Fight

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Komome Diner (2006)

A Japanese woman opens a diner in Finland specializing in rice balls.  Ok, sounds like a Kanye tweet, but in fact, this is a gentle little movie focusing on our hero Sachie, her wish to make her eatery successful, and relationships along the way.  Not so much a foodie movie, although there is some of that; more like a nice little place to hang out for a while.  Perfect movie for your nonviolent mother-in-law.  Don't expect Bruce Willis jumping away from explosions in slow motion--ain't gonna happen here.   If I was bouncing around Finland and saw this place I would totally bop in for a cup of joe.  So enjoy.

Quickie Synopsis
Riceballs
Win Over
Fins?

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The Fifth Element (1997)

Ex-military cab driver Corben Dallas must save the world by teaming up with sexy redhead "supreme being".  Luc Besson went deliciously overboard on characters, aliens, special effects on this one.  Pure fun from start to finish.  I could watch Milla Jovovich speaking alien gibberish all day.  Chris Tucker steals it downright as Ruby Rhod, a zany futuristic DJ.  Fantastic casting, with Ian Holm as wry Father Cornelius the priest, and Gary Oldman as the evil ZORG.  When folks get real nervous in the future, chocolate syrup drips from their heads.  How can that be wrong? 

Quickie Synopsis
Big
Bada
Boom


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District B13 (Banlieue 13) 2004

A cop and ex-thug try to find and diffuse a neutron bomb in a futuristic Paris ghetto.  High-action flick, made very special by the 2 leading stars Cyril Raffaelli, and David Belle.  Both men are highly trained, master stuntmen, very skilled martial artists and specialize in "parkour", which is the insanely groovy art of leaping off walls, balconies, staircases, over cars, and through small bathroom windows.  Which of course makes for fantastic fight and chase scenes.  Expertly filmed with grit, precision timing and pacing. Want real deal action instead of tired, aging Hollywood stars and CGI?  See this one then.

Quickie Synopsis
French
Buddy
Gymnasts

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Ali G Indahouse (2002)

Ok, there are 2 schools of thought on this movie.  1 that it's completely stupid and sophomoric.  2, that it's piss-in-your pants funny. I agree with both.  This rompy flick features the outrageous shenanigans of Sacha Baron Cohen's character Ali G, as he attempts to save his local community center. (btw, he's not ripping on civilians ala Borat or Bruno.  This movie has an actual plot, if you can call it that)   In case you don't know, Ali G is a white suburban-born rapper who thinks he's black.  The gags keep a-coming, and Sacha serves up plenty of laughs.  Don't expect intelligence.  Just enjoy.  Hairy muff?

Quickie Synopsis
White
Rapper
Spazzes

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