Micro Review: The Mechanic

Jason Statham is the man. He's the only actor working today who is a true action star. Unlike Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Vin Diesel, or Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger before them, he's never made a comedy or played a role that's made light of his image. He's just made movies where he's kicked ass. Movies like The Mechanic. Yes this has more substance than most of Statham's movies, and gives him a chance to use his acting chops, but it's a straight-up action picture and a really good one. Ben Foster is also decent as Statham's hitman in training, and the last 20 minutes really deliver. A Good for me!

Plot details for The Expendables 2

That's right, The Expendables 2 might not have a director yet but some of the plot details have leaked at Cannes and we've got 'em for you. And it sounds like Sly Stallone's follow up is going to be just as mantastic as the first film.

But first . . . SPOILER ALERT! Don't say we didn't warn you:

The Expendables are back and this time it's personal! After Tool (Mickey Rourke), the heart and soul of the Expendables, is brutally murdered on a mission, his comrades swear to avenge him. They're not the only ones who want blood. Tool’s beautiful young and wild daughter Fiona embarks on her own revenge mission, complicating matters when she is captured and ransomed by a ruthless dictator plotting to destroy a resistance movement. Now Barney and the Expendables must risk everything to save her and humanity.

So what do yah think? Sound decent? Rumour has it Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger will be back. As the villains perhaps? We'll find out some time between now and movie's release next summer. Stick with us!

Will Stallone direct Expendables 2?

It's not sounding like it, at least for now.

The LA Times’ 24 Frames blog has heard from an unnamed source that Sylvester Stallone is still "very much involved" with The Expendables 2, which is in development at Millennium Films, but doesn’t intend to direct action sequel. The Italian Stallion is on the hunt for someone to take over those chores on the film, but no one has been selected yet.

As for the script, Stallone has turned the reigns over to David Agosto and Ken Kaufman. Remember, Sly wrote and directed the first film, which became a surprise hit last summer. Because it kicked ass.

One can't blame the man for wanting to spend more time in front of the camera than behind. Stallone has written, directed and starred in every film during his latest comeback.

Word also has it that former Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger is looking to play a bigger role in the sequel, and Stallone wants The Bruce back as well, this time to play the villain. Sounds like a plan to me.

Micro Review: RED

Bruce Willis hasn't made a movie this much fun or action packed since he dusted off John McClane. Sure it's lightweight and fluffy, but it's also one of the best examples of pure entertainment Hollywood has produced in some time. If you're going to make a slick, glossy product, then make it fun. And give your superstar a talented supporting cast to work off of. Mary-Louise Parker, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren and especially John Malkovich are all a hoot to watch. The throwdown between Willis and Karl Urban is one for the books.A Good time at the movies for the wife and I, and we'll be watching it again.

Another Inception star could join The Dark Knight Rises

My hands down favourite working actor is Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He was brilliant in Brick, the best part of Killshot and The Lookout, and got a much deserved bit of public exposure as Arthur in Inception.

Now Deadline has it that Gordon-Levitt could be re-teaming with writer/director Christopher Nolan for The Dark Knight Rises. No word yet on who he will play or how large the part. Knowing Nolan, it will be something interesting.

In addition to the returning cast of Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman, Nolan has added two stars to his final Batman film: Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle (Catwoman) and Gordon-Levitt's Inception co-star Tom Hardy as villain Bane. That's a great cast and up them to anyone who thinks otherwise.

Gordon-Levitt is currently finishing work on the sci-fi thriller Looper with Bruce Willis and Emily Blunt. 

Unbreakable 2 Coming? Kinda.

Unbreakable is one of my favourite comic book movies, even though it's not based on an actual comic book. But it is a realistic representation of someone who realizes he is a super hero. Not a super-man type, but a hero with powers who fits into our real world.

Still with me? Good.

M. Night Shyamalan has been teasing us with the idea of a sequel to Unbreakable since the film was released.  As it turns out, Shyamalan realizes that the film, for whatever reason, is not going to happen, so he's adapting his ideas for the sequel into a standalone film sans Bruce Willis' character.

Still with me? No? I don't blame you.

Shyamalan says he had "such a cool idea for a villain" for Unbreakable 2 that he began writing ideas around it. When the projct became less likely, he cannibalized that idea for his upcoming Night Chronicles series. The first of those films, Devil, hits theaters on Sept. 17.

With Shyamalan's name producing diminishing returns, if Devil and its follow-up fail at the box office, it's possible the Unbreakable non-sequel will never see the big screen anyway. If it's not a direct sequel then I say who cares, even though I am curious about what could have been. 

Sly Tweets For Expendables 2 Ideas

Sylvester Stallone, writer and director of the incredibly awesome box-office hit The Expendables, is on Twitter and looking for you ideas for the eventual follow up.

He said he's had dinner with Bruce Willis and was thinking about making him the villain of the next film. Apparently Willis suggested Stallone bring Stone Cold Steve Austin back to life as Willis' twin bald brother. His response: "Do I have to battle that monster again!!!!!!!?????"

Sly's also soliciting ideas as to where the film should take place, asking fellow Tweeters what the "most dangerous places in the world" are. Responses have included North Korea, South Africa and Thailand, Iran, Afghanistan and Milan.

All I know is I want the sequel to arrive sooner rather than later! If you haven't watched it, get your ass into a theatre seat now!

Micro Review: Cop Out

Not the crapfest many critics and filmgoers have claimed it to be, but nothing to write home about either. The film is saved by the presence of The Bruce and a welcome supporting role played by Sean William Scott. Tracy Morgan's performance becomes tolerable as the film rolls along, and his fight with a foul-mouthed 10-year-old car thief is hilarious. The rest of the film is uninspired and there are too many gaps between laughs. Director Kevin Smith really doesn't know how to shoot an action scene either. They aren't poorly staged, but the gunfire fails to generate excitement. A Bad review from The Basement on this, at least as far as Jay is concerned.

The Expendables Theme

Watched the trailer? Heard that cool tune from Shinedown? Well, we've got the song in all its rockin' glory for you right here in The Basement! Just click on the link below on enjoy. The song is called Diamond Eyes.

The Expendables, with Stallone, Willis, Statham, Li, Lundgren and Schwarzenegger opens August 13 at a theatre near you.

Bruce Willis + Action + Comedy = So There!

Below is a link to the trailer for RED, the new action/comedy about a retired CIA agent who finds himself wearing a bullseye because of the secrets still in his head. The comic book series is supposed to be more straight espionage, but I never read it and, therefore, don't care if the movie changes the tone of the story. All I see is Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Helen Mirran kicking some ass and having some fun. I am so there come October.

Check the trailer out at Yahoo!