City by the Sea draws its inspiration from a 1997 Esquire magazine article by Pulitzer-prize winning journalist, Mike McAlary. The article was entitled “Mark of a Murderer,” and detailed the tale of a real-life cop who begins...
Insomnia is probably made for those viewers who are unfamiliar with the 1997 original by Norway’s Erik Skjoldbjaerg. Those who have seen it may see this incarnation as redundant in theme, while the new...
You’d have thought I would have learned my lesson to stay away from any more “extreme sports” movies after suffering through XXX and Extreme Ops earlier this year. I guess I figured that without an “x” in...
After some over-stylized attempts at making action movies with mixed results, Training Day heralds director Antoine Fuqua’s maturity in the field. The former music video director has always seemed to have a flair for visual...
2000s / Action / Science Fiction
by Vincent Leo · Published August 31, 2001 · Last modified April 15, 2019
The new rule of thumb for this millennium is that if a film takes place on Mars, stay the hell away at all costs. Not since Total Recall has there been a Hollywood expedition there with...
2000s / Action / Comedy / Martial Arts / Thriller
by Vincent Leo · Published August 7, 2001 · Last modified April 29, 2019
I’ve heard that sometimes in comedy it’s not what you say but the way you say it that will inspire laughs. After watching Rush Hour 2, you’d think the makers took this philosophy as the...
I have mixed feelings about the Hong Kong stars that leave to make bigger budget films once they have make a name for themselves. Perhaps the producers and directors of the American/European films just...
It’s ironic that the reason many people may be drawn to see this movie will also be the biggest reason they may be disappointed. Jennifer Lopez can be fun to watch, especially in gutsy but...
This is, of course, a remake of the classic film from the 70s that kicked off the beginning of the blaxploitation craze that followed for the next few years. Updated to the 90s with...
Victim marks a return of sorts back to Hong Kong for director Ringo Lam that can be viewed either as a success or a failure, depending on your point of view. It’s a success because...
Reviews from film writer Vince Leo, covering all eras and genres of films from classics to the latest releases.
Film reviews from Vince Leo, from classics to new releases, since 1996.
