What at first seems like a new edition ‘Young Guns‘, turns out to be a decent ‘Heat‘ rip-off with a young attractive cast. Rap star T.I. has a deliciously slimy screen presence as ‘Ghost’ a recent parolee looking to pull off a big armored car heist. He seeks the help of the partners he left behind while in prison. However his ex-cohorts aren’t exactly pleased at his recent arrival. Some feel he is setting them up, others that his plan is legit. Paul Walker and Idris Elba are standouts amongst a racially and demographically diverse cast. Matt Dillion does a solid job as the possibly dirty cop on the gang’s trail.

The action is handled efficiently and the central heist does produce a certain level of excitement. Director John Lussenhop keeps the film moving at a fast clip; and its a good thing. The less time to analysis the plot holes, the better. It looks as if the production team studied the films of Michael Mann, all surfaces are gleaming and the actors are shot in a cold blue hue for close-ups. The high-point of the film is a climactic shoot-out in a hotel suite that actually out does a similar scene in Tony Scott’s 1993 film ‘True Romance‘.

Unfortunately cliches abound in a paint by the numbers script credited to Lussenhop and four others. However there is enough style and solid craftsmanship on the screen to distract you from the fact you’ve seen this all done before, and better.

Director: John Luessenhop
Stars: Paul Walker, Idris Elba, Matt Dillion

The fifth film in the James Bond series, finds 007 in Japan battling the SPECTRE Organization. This rather dull entry is most notoriously know for the first onscreen appearance of arch nemesis Ernst Stavro Blofeld. Late screen veteran Donald Pleasence, is excellent as the mad mastermind behind a scheme to steal space-crafts from the east and west; in the hopes of instigating a nuclear war between the two superpowers. The screenplay written by famed author Ronald Dahl is sub-par compared to other installments in the series, at one point Bond becomes Japanese and transforms himself into a Ninja within two days training time. Even the locations, title song and ‘Bond’ girls are unimpressive in this outing, the saving grace is Sean Connery’s sardonic performance as her majesty’s best spy and John Barry’s OSCAR worthy score. An inauspicious debut for director Lewis Gilbert

Director: Lewis Gilbert
Stars: Sean Connery,Donald Pleasence

Aleandre Aja homage to the Roger Corman B movie and 80’s underwater ‘Creature Feature’ is a cheerfully distasteful and pitch perfect horror comedy. With some of the best use of 3D this side of ‘Avatar’. Pic starts out with an attack on a lonely fisherman, played by Richard Dreyfuss in a knowing nod to Spielberg’s classic. In fact the basic plot is very similar to the Original ‘Jaws’, sea creatures attack horny teenagers during spring-break at sleepy lake town in Arizona. Elisabeth Shue is the town sheriff who discovers the washed up bodies of early victims and attempts to warn the masses of the dangers awaiting them in the water.

Adam Scott makes an effective scientist/ action hero and his everyman qualities work in his favor when dealing with the absurdities of the story. Ving Rhames is essential wasted as the tough Policeman, although he is given one scene in which he lays waste to many piranhas using an engine’s propeller. Jerry O’Connell seems to be having the most fun; playing a sleazy porn director intent on capturing all the debauchery spring break has to offer. O’Connell’s character has the films single best line of dialogue, you’ll know it when you here it.

The Special effects are adequate given the material and director Aja keeps the tone light with a number of solid jolts to remind you this is a horror film. Whats most impressive about the film is the excellent use of 3D. This doesn’t have the stench of a retrofitted film being changed after the fact, quite the opposite. The 3D looks sharp and is used to effectively transport the viewer into an underwater world. Surprisingly one of the most enjoyable movies I’ve seen all summer. Definitely not for all tastes.

Director: Alexandre Aja
Stars: Elisabeth Shue, Adam Scott, Jerry O’Connell

The third incarnation of the venerable Marvel Comics character is the best yet. Beautiful cinematography and a stunning color palette give the pic an exaggerated comicbook feel. Ray Stevenson is convincing as the titular character; comfortably filling the shoes of Dolph Lundgren and Thomas Jane. Both of whom appeared as Frank Castle to varying degrees of success. Unlike the gruesome 2004 film ‘The Punisher’, this pic wastes no time in getting to the action. An early sequence in which our vigilante hero lays waste to a room full of mobsters is as visually exciting as anything in the ‘Bourne’ films.

Dominic West is outstanding as the vain gangster whose dropped into a grinder full of shattered glass; only to re-emerge as the severely disfigured criminal mastermind ‘Jigsaw’. His mental patient brother ‘Looney Bin Jim’ is played by Doug Hutchinson and comes off as a ‘Hannibal’-knock off, the film lags when this character is on-screen. Maybe it’s not Hutchinson fault. It’s just that West is so magnetic as the lead villain that you wish the screenplay had given him more to do.

The story is centered around the sale of a biological weapon being shipped into New York, to be used against the city’s population. A messy subplot revolves around the family of a man ‘The Punisher’ killed while undercover. Julie Benz whom is a skilled actress is required to only portray two emotions; sad and angry. Director Lexi Alexander knows how to film and stage an action sequence, and on the basis of this film she deserves a big studio picture. A dark, nihilistic alternative to the joyful ‘Iron Man’ franchise. A superhero film for the terrorist age.

Director: Lexi Alexander
Stars: Ray Stevenson , Julie Benz,Dominic West

1970’s

1976-Rocky- Due to very poor boxoffice tracking its hard to find specific opening numbers for this classic.
1979 – Rocky 2 – Opened to $6,390,537 at 780 theaters on its way to an eventual 85million Gross.

1980’s

1982 -ROCKY 3- Opened with $12,431,486 an unusually strong Opening Weekend at the time. $125,049,125 total gross
1982 -FIRST BLOOD- The first Rambo film opened with $6,642,005, with a final domestic gross of 47million against a 15mill budget.
1985-RAMBO 2- Debuting in the summer of ‘85 the second Rambo adventure opened with a muscular $20,176,217 leading to a $150,415,432 total.
1985- ROCKY 4- The 2nd blockbuster of ‘85 opened in November to a $19,991,537 first weekend and a $127,873716 total.
1986 -COBRA- Opening at $12,653,032 this was the largest opening weekend In Warner Bros. history up to that point.

1990’s

1991-OSCAR- Hard to believe but this slight comedy opened with $5,091,027 on a slow April weekend a $23,562,716 total followed.
1993 -CLIFFHANGER- Stallone’s return to the action genre opened to $16,176,967 leading to an eventual 84million gross.
1993 -DEMOLITION MAN- The second #1 opening of the year for Sly resulted in a $14,262,432 weekend and $58mill total.
1994 -THE SPECIALIST- The Stallone/Stone Action thriller debuted with $14,317,765 leading to a $57million gross.
1997 -COPLAND- A rare dramatic turn for the Action Star opened to $13,510,482 yet faded quickly with a $44million total.

2000’s

2001- DRIVEN- The Race Car Pic opened on top with $12,174,504 but had no legs and closed with $32million final gross.

2010’s

2010 -The EXPENDABLES- An estimated 35million opening cements the legacy. 5 decades in a row with #1 hits.

Whatever you may feel about the man or his movies. There is no denying that this feat has never been accomplished by another actor in the history of cinema. Very Impressive Sly!

New Estimates as of 8/8:
New Guys: $35.6M
Inception: $18.6M
Step Up 3D: $15.5M
Salt: $11.1M
Schmucks: $10.5M