Wrong Side of Town (2010) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Wrong Side of Town is your typical straight to DVD action flick, with a handful of people cast just to appeal to different audiences.
The plot is predictable, and almost identical to the 1985 Schwarzenegger film Commando. Ex-military toughguy leaves the service, gets into it with the wrong guys, and has to rescue his kidnapped daughter. The movie's dialogue is awkward and tries too hard to be funny, and too many aspects of the plot don't make any sense.
Rob Van Damn, cast as Navy Seal turned landscape architect Bobby Kalinowsky, does a sub-par acting job. Fellow wrestler Dave Batista easily steals the show as Big Ronnie, Kalinowsky's former war buddy. Batista's screen presence is simply much better, had he been cast in the lead role instead, I'd be giving this movie a much higher rating. Despite being front and center on the DVD cover, Batista really doesn't get much screen time, which is a shame since he's easily a more natural actor than most professional wrestlers. Ja Rule and Omarion both landed "blink and you missed them" roles in the movie, so if you're a fan of either, don't bother watching it just for them.
The fight choreagraphy isn't anything special, although the rock score for the film is solid. The only standout fight in the movie is the showdown between Batista's character and Markus, right-hand man to the film's bad guy. Markus was played by legit martial artist Marrese Crump, who coincidentally trains Batista in real life (The hit "Batista Crump Workout" is on Youtube).
Overall, I was disappointed by the story, the dialogue, and by Rob Van Dam's weak acting. Cast Batista as the lead, cook up an original story with Marrese Crump thrown in the mix, and I'll gladly review it four or five stars.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Wrong Side of Town (2010)

Bobby (Rob Van Dam), a former Navy Seal, seeks revenge by killing a crooked nightclub owner who attacked his wife. The owner’s brother comes after Bobby by placing a massive bounty on his head. Bobby’s only hope will be to enlist his old friend Ronnie (David Bautista) in retaliation efforts. But first he’ll have to repair the falling-out they had years ago. With Ronnie’s help he’ll stand a chance, but ultimately it will be up to him to save his family and escape his death sentence.

Get 33% OFF

Click here for more information about Wrong Side of Town (2010)

The Karate Kid Collection (Four Film Set) (1994) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Part I (5 stars): Funny, I'm just not a big "karate buff", in fact, this probably is the only set of movies like this I own, or may ever own. When I tell people this is one of my favorite movies *ever*, they laugh. Then they say, "Are you serious?" And my words to explain why always fall short. Beyond the karate, beyond the underdog nature, there lie two characters that seem to compliment each other so perfectly it really makes the movie what it is regardless of the subject matter. Something about the chemistry between Pat Morita and Ralph Macchio simply defies convention and thrives on it. The casting by all involved was surely just one part luck, one part fortune, the DVD extras merely icing. My only complaint is this not being mastered to 5.1 DD sound.
*edit* I watched the commentary last night and I must say I was disappointed. Pat Morita's input was intrusive, and many comments made by the group were simply uncalled for. When Elizabeth Shue would walk away from the camera they would comment about her rear end and totally ruined a part of my respect for them. They went on to ridicule an "extra" who became a greeter of some sort. They laughed and carried on through the whole thing. At the beginning I thought, well they are a lively group, but after 45 minutes it wore thin and I wished then I would have turned it off. There were a few bits here and there I learned, but what I really learned is why companies have the disclaimer at the beginning of the movies.
Part II (4 stars): I'm kind of ashamed of avoiding this movie now. As much as I loved the first I never bothered with the second. I've just never been fond of sequels. Be it Back to the Future Two, the Lost World, or the hundred other sub par sequels, they just seem to mar the original product. However, here at Amazon I read that this story picks up 5 minutes after the first and that peaked my interest. Previously, I just assumed it would be directionless swill. So wrong. The score, the heart, the soul, and even the casting practically live up to the first, and I'm shocked at that. In fact Daniels love interest in this even out does the first!! Having the impact on me this film had 19 years after it was made is quite remarkable. It's not without it's flaws though, the last 15-20 minutes really just seemed to lose steam, the "storm" sequence being almost painful. Sad that there are no extra's to speak of, this movie may have been even more interesting to hear about.
Part III (3 stars): Definitely the weakest of the three, still a must see for the simple fact that Pat and Ralph still have that spark. Sadly, the casting choices for the villains are overwrought and the story just seems forced. I suppose the concept was losing its impact but regardless, the script just wasn't well thought out. Again, this picks up right after Part II and there is just something about this continuity that makes me think John Avildsen has courage and vision. The weakest part of the script easily being the "sign the paper" portions that defied common sense, still like Part II I'm simply shocked these movies are not disastrous "1 out of 5's" (as some here at Amazon alluded to) although having the original director onboard surely meant these movies had the stability they needed... and deserved. Having viewed Parts II and III has forever altered the way I will view Part I, and I'm relieved to report it's all for the better. They only enhanced what I knew and make me appreciate it that much more. Why not have commentary on all three movies?
---
The Next Karate Kid (2 stars): I'm trying to view this as a sort of "bonus movie" within the packaged set. While 2 stars may seem low I think this movie does contain some decent performances by Hillary and Pat. The problem again is the script, hell, even the premise. So, a middle aged woman lets a friend of her fathers move in with her teenage daughter while she goes and stays at his home California? Please. A big problem are the overzealous sadistic "TV Movie" quality of just about everyone except the two leads. Even the love interest in this is so utterly flat it is totally deflated. Most of what should have had an impact (like the Hawk) didn't and a certain parts (like "Zen" bowling) seemed like embarrassing filler.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Karate Kid Collection (Four Film Set) (1994)

KARATE KID COLLECTION - DVD Movie

Get 28% OFF

Click here for more information about The Karate Kid Collection (Four Film Set) (1994)