Iron Man - 2008

Movie #163

4.5 Stars

After escaping from kidnappers using makeshift power armor, an ultrarich inventor and weapons maker (Robert Downey Jr.) turns his creation into a force for good by using it to fight crime. But his skills are stretched to the limit when he must face the evil Iron Monger. Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges and Terrence Howard also star in director Jon Favreau's tongue-in-cheek superhero tale based on the popular Marvel comic.

Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow, Leslie Bibb, Stan Lee, Shaun Toub, Bill Smitrovich, Faran Tahir

Director: Jon Favreau...you know...this guy...

What can I say?  It as very entertaining....and that's what summer blockbusters are all about.  I can't believe it took me so long to see it.

Robert Downey Jr. did a great job and so did Jeff Bridges.  I really like Bridges since watching The Big Lebowski.  Terrence Howard's performance was a little iffy...but not as bad as in Fighting...oh lord.

The only performance I didn't like was Gwyneth Paltrow's.  Was she supposed to be that pathetic...or was that her lack of acting skills coming through?  And that whol attraction thing between her and Downey...I just wasn't feeling that.

Overall Recommendation:  If you have waited too long to see this...just like I did...WATCH IT!

Budget: $140 million
Gross: $585 million (45% non-US)

The Contractor - 2007

Movie #117

2.5 Stars

Ace marksman James Dial (Wesley Snipes) comes out of retirement to eliminate a top terrorist he failed to kill years earlier. But when the mission goes awry, Dial realizes he's been framed, goes on the run and gets unexpected help from … a 12-year-old girl (Eliza Bennett). With the British police hot on their trail, the unlikely pair joins forces to prove Dial's innocence in this explosive action thriller from director Josef Rusnak.

Cast: Charles Dance, Lena Headey, Wesley Snipes, Ralph Brown, Eliza Bennett, Velizar Binev, S.J. Evans, Richard Harrington, Sousila Pillay

Director: Josef Rusnak


Filming Location: Bulgaria-- whaaa? It was supposed to take place in London.

Tagline: The world's greatest marksman is now a marked man... (hmmmm---- sounds like Shooter- Rhona Mitra would have been a nice addition to this movie)












Likes: There was no cheesy music. I guess I should have put "like"

Dislikes: The complete lack of storyline. I found myself saying, "Ok...lets get on with it." The twist came halfway through the movie and from there it was as if the film lolly gagged towards an ending.

Overall Recommendation: Avoid this...there is a reason this went straight to DVD

But look at these numbers:

DVD Units Sold: 823,010
Consumer Spending: $15,623,319

I feel sorry for those 823,010 people...and the waste of $15 million!