Review: RAMBO

So it was a very eventful weekend, movie wise, for me…I finally broke out of my shell and went to TWO count them two movies.

Not that it really counts since the first movie I took in was a second viewing of Cloverfield ….which only got better the second time around. I didn’t even really mind all the set up work. But, that’s not the movie I was really excited about seeing this weekend I was looking forward to a little Opus known as RAMBO (Rambo #4 for those scoring at home).

Going into the movie here were the areas of concern for me:
1) It was starring Sylvester Stallone
2) it was written by Sylvester Stallone
3) it was produced by Sylvester Stallone
4) it was directed by Sylvester Stallone
5) SYLVESTER STALLONE IS 61 YEARS OLD

But, I am a twenty something male who owns and loves the other three movies so it was really a given that I would show up to the theatre for this one too. Plus, it has one of my favorite actresses in the form of Julie Benz (Old school Angel Alum, and current Dexter hottie).

Stallone has said in interviews that the violence in this movie is ramped up to bring attention to the plight of people in Burma….since day in and day out these are the situation that they have to actually deal with!

As for said violence...Carrie Rickey of the Philadelphia Enquirer referred to it as “a slab of action Porn”. Not really sure what that means? Maybe it has something to do with the fact that we all love it but hate to have other people know we love it!! Or, I could be way off base.

From an acting perspective….Stallone knows his range and stays there…and for a character who really has no true emotions left…it works well. I was actually pleasantly surprised to see a senior citizen move as well as he did in his return to the role. I was also happy to see that when the final climactic battle gets underway….Rambo shows his age a little…enough said.

I also thought that Julie Benz played the damsel in distress roll well. She was the obvious moral compass of the movie. I would have loved more screen time for her. I thought that maybe she would get John Rambo to open up a little bit…could have been interesting.

But, overall I would say that if you are looking for a good action movie (and Stallone still knows action) with a ton of shooting, killing, exploding heads (thought I was watching a George Romero zombie flick there for a second!) this movie is the guilty pleasure you have been waiting for.

No motion sickness issues like with Cloverfield, no indepth emotional storyline to worry about…no distracting best acting award winners to make you think…just John Rambo, a bow and arrow, some guns and a lot of pissed off Burmese soldiers!!

"Killer" Show Coming to CBS

Dexter, the Showtime show about the serial killer, with a heart of gold....well maybe not a heart of gold, but atleast a good solid moral system, is coming to CBS.

With the writer's strike moving into its ninth week networks are struggling to find "new" content for their viewers.

NBC has unleashed the beast that is American Gladiators, and I for one am in LOVE! Also, NBC will start showing new episodes of Monk, Psych and former NBC regular Law an Order: Criminal Intent.

Now CBS will roll the dice and bring Dexter to the masses. Personally, I think it is an amazing show. But, I have to admit that I am a bit skeptical about how the move to network will work.

It's kind of like watching reruns of the Soprano's on A & E. Still great stories, but something is just missing.

Granted there are some sex scenes that will have to be dealt with, but they can be edited down and not really lose the character insight (in Dexter's case) of the scene. The funny part will be listening to how they re-edit some of the dialoge....especially when it comes to Deborah, Dexter's half sister. I am not saying she has a mouth on here...but Fu*K me!!

All in all, I would say that if you want the full Dexter Experience, buy the first season and subscribe to Showtime to catch up on the second season (just finished) and future seasons.