Action

In reimagining Philip K. Dick’s story “We Can Remember It for You Wholesale” for the 2012 update of Total Recall — the film was first rendered onscreen in 1990 and starred Arnold Schwarzenegger — director Len Wiseman and the other filmmakers did something a little devilish, if a little delicious as well: They cast Wiseman’s wife, Kate Beckinsale, as Douglas Quaid’s (Colin Farrell) seemingly loving wife, who of course turns out to be a savage killer. It was a turn that Beckinsale relished. “I’ve never played a bad guy before. I’ve always been on the side of truth and justice,” […]

How many good Part 4’s can you remember? Between that, and knowing that the lead star isn’t taking part, you could be excused for thinking that The Bourne Legacy seems like a clunker from the outset. Words like “cash grab” and “desperation” come to mind. So it’s nice to settle in and realize the filmmakers have actually put some thought into this installment of the reliable spy franchise. Jason Bourne, the amnesiac hero of the first three films, is only seen in photographs, though his presence is the catalyst for much of the action. The same black ops government program […]

With The Dark Knight Rises, the story arc that began with 2005’s Batman Begins comes full circle. At the start of this last chapter, the character Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) has been away from his role as Batman for eight years, his crime-fighting purpose having been largely fulfilled — as well as Batman’s status as a fugitive after having assumed responsibility for the death of Gotham City D.A. Harvey Dent. The long hiatus in hiding has had a dramatic effect on the mindset of both Bruce and Batman. “In Batman Begins, you see the tragedy and the pain that motivates […]

It was a long time coming, but somehow it seemed inevitable that Agents J (Will Smith) and K (Tommy Lee Jones) would be back for another caper. This time out, Josh Brolin was required to come along for the ride, as the plot called for a young Agent K — because they’re headed back in time. In Men in Black 3, Agent J is forced to travel into the past when Agent K’s life as well as the fate of the planet is in danger. In teaming up with Agent K the younger, J finds out secrets of the universe […]