To answer the question you’re probably asking, yes – action fans should be pleased with Killer Elite. It’s got more story to it than many other selections in the genre, but just because it has more plot doesn’t mean it actually has anything to say. For me, the best action films either offer something interesting to think about (Inception, the Bourne films) or are paper-thin excuses to jump from one action sequence to the next (see: every Tony Jaa movie ever made). In terms of Jason Statham movies, Killer Elite falls squarely in the middle of these extremes, more akin to The Bank Job than The Transporter.

There’s an interesting line of dialogue that comes late in the film, when a government agent seemingly captures Jason Statham and Clive Owen and says, “That’s what we love about you lot – you only care about the action.” I’m guessing this line spoke directly to much (if not all) of the audience for Killer Elite. Personally, I judge most action films on whether or not they meet one strict criterion: does it show me something I’ve never seen before? Here’s a sweeping generalization: oftentimes the plot, characters, and visual effects are interchangeable in this genre, so, for me, the devil is in the details. One fight scene, car chase, or unexpected reveal can separate these movies from their brethren; in short, give me something memorable or GTFO. Killer Elite has two things I’ve never seen: Jason Statham’s character uses a loaf of bread as a silencer for his gun at one point, and there is a sequence (shown in the trailer) in which Statham fights a guy while strapped to a chair. So, on some level, I’d consider this movie a success.

So there’s no confusion, I’ll sum up my feelings with a phrase I’ve come to despise: I liked this movie for what it was. Normally, I think that assessment is taking the lazy way out, trivializing the filmmaker by implying he/she set the bar lower than a “normal” movie. But when a film like this is so clearly trying to be a certain thing, there’s nothing wrong with judging it as such. Action scenes aside, the rest of the movie was far from the failure I anticipated. Unlike something like The Expendables, which is loud, over the top, and just plain stupid, Killer Elite operates in a far more realistic world (as it should, considering it’s based on true events). This is espionage, not a Stallone-era shoot-em-up where the person with the biggest gun wins. In fact, I’d argue there’s almost too much story told here; so much happens, the movie feels a lot longer than its runtime suggests.

The leads were all enjoyable to watch, though they didn’t share much screen time together. Statham turns in one of his better performances; the man’s not known for his great dramatic work, but he pulls that off just as well as the action beats here. It’s reassuring to see De Niro in a part like this again after his stretch attempting comedy in the Focker movies. Clive Owen is fine – he plays a guy named Spike, so of course he wears a leather jacket to secret society meetings. He and Statham have an impressive brawl in the middle of the film that wasn’t quite as memorable as some other points in the movie, due mostly to director Gary McKendry’s over-reliance on shaky cam. Yvonne Strahovski (NBC’s “Chuck”) shows up as a love interest for Statham, but ultimately doesn’t have a lot to do. Though her backstory is expectedly cliched, she shows a lot more charm than typical action movie eye candy, and I’d like to see her spread her wings a bit with some larger roles. Try as any of these actors may, they’re still slaves to this film’s script, which offers its share of terrible dialogue. Some of my favorites:

“I’m done with killing.” “Maybe killing ain’t done with you.”
“That’s why we’re called The Feathermen – because our touch…is light.”
“B-I-N-G-f*ckin’-O.”
“Killing’s easy. Living with it is the hard part.”
“Everybody knows the rules: there are no rules!”

Killer Elite has its moments, but ultimately it’s a pretty forgettable outing in which the tight and economical action sequences play second fiddle to a story that drags a bit before reaching its easily predictable conclusion. Until next time…

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Clive Owen and Jason Statham have made careers for themselves kicking ass in a number of different action-thrillers over the years, but now some genius has decided to put both actors in the same movie.

In The Killer Elite not only do we have Clive Owen (+ mustache) and Jason Statham trying to kill each other, we also get to see Robert De Niro taking some names.

Watch the trailer below:

Based on a true story, the film races across the globe from Australia to Paris, London and the Middle East in the action-packed account of an ex-special ops agent (Jason Statham) who is lured out of retirement to rescue his mentor (Robert De Niro). To make the rescue, he must complete a near-impossible mission of killing three tough-as-nails assassins with a cunning leader (Clive Owen).

Directed by Gary McKendry, the film also stars Yvonne Strahovski, Dominic Purcell, Aden Young, Ben Mendelsohn, Lachy Hulme, Firass Dirani, Grant Bowler and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and will be released September 23rd.

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Limitless is just like the super-drug in question, for which this 105 minute feature revolves around. Actually, it parallels how most people get introduced to drugs.

Initially, they’re interesting and the act of doing something new that provides a unique feeling, is always welcomed in society (1^st act). However, it can become old, and one will feel like they’re just going through the motions. It becomes a necessity rather than pure pleasure. And when this occurs, nobody will want to be around the user (2^nd act). When the subject learns how to harness the addiction, friends start to come around once again, and some say the said user is now more enjoyable prior to hitting rock-bottom (3^rd act).

This is the pattern the viewing audience will notice when watching this intriguing concept play out on-screen. But like all tempting drugs, there could be harmful side-effects.

Eddie Morra (Bradley Cooper) is on the fast-track to worthlessness. He carries himself as if he’s homeless and the once likeable guy oozes depression. Somehow he managed to get a publishing company to pay him an advance on a book idea. Yet the scraggly looking writer can’t even form the first sentence. Add to the fact that his girlfriend Lindy (Abby Cornish) just dumped him, and things are really heading down the toilet for the thirty-something guy. That is until his former brother-in-law Vernon (Johnny Whitworth) randomly bumps into him and says he could change his life. Simply by swallowing a little pharmaceutical pill that has yet to hit the market.

Since everything is going to hell, Eddie figures why not try drugs for the first time. Within thirty seconds, his eyes – more specifically his brain – opens up and he instantly gets a handle on his life. Which then leads him to wanting to get control of his career. But his four-digit IQ isn’t just satisfied with finishing his novel in three days. He needs more challenges. After testing out his new found brain-power via around-the-world adventures, he targets Wall Street. Not cause he’s greedy, but just because he now has the ability to make it happen. And by doing so, he attracts the attention of one of the biggest players in the business in Carl Van Loon (Robert De Niro).

While De Niro believe he’s found his golden goose, Eddie continues to indulge on the drug in reckless fashion. Leading him to forget hours of his life. He literally seems to warp in time and can barely recall anything. Eddie also learns that he may not be the only one who has access to this mental Viagra. For shady characters begin to follow his every move and eventually, this little clear pill puts his life in multiple dangers.

This flick fluctuates between intelligence and a touch of laziness. Ironic that a movie about enhanced brain-power actually sees its IQ drop about halfway through. But much like the frequent use of the drug we see our lead character partake in, the effect kicks back in, and the rest of the story rides high all the way to the credits.

Personally, this flick could have ventured into more areas with this particular concept. When the “Eddie” character is on the drug, this flick is running on all cylinders. Cooper’s performance is addicting during these sequences. The only time he suffers is when he has to narrate the story. He speaks to the viewer in the attempt to add another dimension on why his character did certain things. Problem that arises here is that Cooper doesn’t really have a charismatic vocal delivery. Narration was a necessary element based on the set-up of the script, but the narrative failed to bring anything note worthy as far as entertainment value was concerned. It’s just a minor side-effect though.

The script did a few things right while other aspects were just mediocre. The nice thing is none of the creative quirks derailed the product as a whole. Audiences will enjoy how the character is self-aware when he is on the drug. It’s not a Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde scenario, despite the lapses of memory every now and then. Plus, the variety of activities the character jumps into all makes sense if any regular person came across this magic pill. Except for the glossed over superpowers. Diving off cliffs unscathed and fighting seven thugs in a subway, stretch this past its respective limits. When it keeps the tone of an American Psycho for example, it’s on point. Venturing beyond the revved up brainpower, is pushing the boundaries where this story should play in.

Overall, Limitless is an above-average student, but isn’t as smart as it thinks it is. Trying to add in a spy-chase subplot was a nice way to balance out the wordy dialogue between Cooper and his co-stars. The narration was hit-and-miss, but the scenarios – the realistic ones – the script inserted the lead into will have the audience involved for the most part. Hey, at least someone in Hollywood went for something new, even though the story never quite reached its full potential.

RATING: 3.5 out of 5

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Oh dear. In an interview with MTV, Mark Wahlberg has revealed that he’ll be playing lead character Nathan Drake in David O. Russell’s film adaption of PS3 game Uncharted. Fortunately though, he also confirmed earlier rumors that Russell is writing roles in the film for Joe Pesci and Robert de Niro.

Speaking of Russell (who has previously directed Three Kings, I Heart Huckabees and The Fighter, among others) and his work on the film, Wahlberg said that:

“The idea that he has is just insane. So hopefully we’ll be making that movie this summer.”

And with regards to his potential co-stars:

“That’s who [Russell] wants to write the parts for. I talked to Pesci about it and I know David’s people have talked to [Robert De Niro].”

While Wahlberg’s character is known to be the lead role, it wasn’t previously guessed as to who exactly Pesci and de Niro would be playing, but Mark spilled the beans on this too:

“I’m obviously in whatever David wants to do but the idea of it is so off the charts: De Niro being my father, Pesci being my uncle. It’s not going to be the watered-down version, that’s for sure.”

He means the characters, of course. Seeing as Nathan Drake’s family weren’t featured in either Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune or Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, it seems safe to assume that the movie will feature a brand new story, which is not directly adapted from either of the current games. That’s not to say that Nathan’s uncle and father won’t appear in the third game, mind…

I don’t have anything against Mark Wahlberg. In fact, I really enjoyed his angry, straight man role in The Other Guys this summer. It was a great counter to Will Ferrell’s usual zaniness. But Nathan Drake is a jokey, charismatic character, and I think Wahlberg is completely wrong for the role. I just don’t think he’s got the right type of animated humor about him.

Of course I’ll give Wahlberg a chance, but this is especially annoying considering Nathan Fillion actively campaigned to play Nathan Drake. That would’ve been perfect.

I hope if Elena Fisher features in the film, the casting is better.

Here’s Marky Mark in his best role yet:

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Last week, Matthias Schweighöfer (actor in Valkyrie) spoke to German GQ about his audition to be in Marvel’s Thor movie starring Chris Hemsworth (Kirk’s father in this year’s Star Trek) and Natalie Portman. In the interview he mentioned that Robert DeNiro and Jude Law were attached to the project.

Needless to say, this was a surprising dose of A-List caliber acting for Thor. Kenneth Branagh will be directing and brings a Shakespearean level of credibility to the mythological character, but Robert DeNiro signing on to a Marvel movie would be quite the shock (If you’re mentioning Rocky and Bullwinkle in your head right now, you can just shut it, mister).

You’d think we would have heard some rumblings.

Well, there ended up being a good reason that these two huge castings came out of the blue: it’s just a rumor.

To Gossip Cop!:

Dozens of major industry gossip sites, including Ain’t It Cool News, are picking up the story and wondering who De Niro and Law will play.

Well, they can stop wondering. A rep for Law tells Gossip Cop rumors of the actor joining the film are “not true.”

Gossip Cop checked around, and as far as we can tell, De Niro won’t be doing “Thor” either.

Gotcha! wording aside, the Cop-O-Gossip rings true to me. I wouldn’t hold my breath for news of DeNiro or Law getting attached to a Marvel property until after The Avengers.

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Here’s a bit of interesting casting news. According to AICN Jude Law and Robert De Niro have joined the cast of Marvel’s Thor. There’s no word on who they are playing, however as Thor will apparently take place on both Earth and Asgard they could be playing one of the Gods, or they could be a human character.

According to actor, Matthias Schweighöfer, who you may have seen in VALKYRIE or RED BARON – in an article in the German edition of Gentlemen’s Quarterly aka GQ, he states that he’s in the running for a role in Branagh’s THOR, but he also mentions that Jude Law and Robert DeNiro have joined the cast.

If this turns out to be true it will add a bit of ‘star power’ to the film as so far the cast is mainly made up of relative unknowns, apart from Natalie Portman. Thor will start filming early next year for a May 2011 release.

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The trailer for What Just Happened? starring Robert De Niro, John Turturro, Stanley Tucci, Catherine Keener, Moon Bloodgood, Kristen Stewart and Bruce Willis is now online.

It looks okay, nothing special. The best part is that Bruce Willis plays a fat, bearded version of himself.

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