When I was a kid growing up, I was a huge fan of Jean Claude Van Damme and all of his films. I have been becoming a huge fan of Scott Adkins (Ninja: Shadow Of A Tear) as of late so when I saw that he was starring in Hard Target 2 which is the sequel to Van Damme’s film, I decided to watch it for Ass Whoopin Wednesdays. Wes Baylor (Adkins) is one of the best in Mixed Martial Arts, but when he kills his best friend in the ring during a match, he can’t handle the guilt so he quits. After disappearing and taking underground fights in Thailand, he is contacted by a business man offering him a big payday. There’s only one catch, he is to be hunted by a group of rich hunters. If he can make it to the border he lives, but if he doesn’t he dies. The film also stars Robert Knepper (Hitman) as Aldrich, Rhona Mitra (The Number 23) as Sofia, Temuera Morrison (Star Wars: Episode III-Revenge Of The Sith) as Madden, Ann Truong (Hunters) as Tha, Adam Saunders (Blue Water High) as Esparto, Peter Hardy (Chopper) as Jacob Zimling, Sean Keenan (Strangerland) as Tobias Zimling, and the film was directed by Roel Reiné (Death Race 2). To the see the rest of the review and all of the states, please click here to go to Moshpits and Movies.
Shark Week has finally come to an end or at least on my blog it has come to an indefinite end. So, for the last day, I wanted to once again check out a film that I hadn’t seen and so I chose the Australian film Bait for today’s film. Everything seems to be going as usual in a coastal Australian supermarket, but in reality it’s far from the truth. During a hold up in the supermarket, something terrible in the form of a tsunami is about to hit the coast and it floods the supermarket trapping everyone inside. That however isn’t the only problem that these people are about to face today. They are apparently trapped in the store with great white sharks and now they’ll have to fight for their lives if they want to live to see another day. The film stars Richard Brancatisano (Power Rangers Mystic Force) as Rory, Xavier Samuel (The Loved Ones) as Josh, Sharni Vinson (You’re Next) as Tina, Julian McMahon (Fantastic Four) as Doyle, Phoebe Tonkin (The Originals) as Jamie, Alice Parkinson (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) as Naomi, Daniel Wyllie (Chopper) as Kirby, Damien Garvey (Daybreakers) as Collins, and the film was directed by Kimble Rendall (Cut).
You are probably going to surprised by what I’m about to say when it comes to the film, but it’s how I felt. I thought that this was actually a very good film despite a little confusion in the beginning, but after that it was smooth sailing for the most part. The story was actually a very well structured and the acting was superb from almost everyone. I was very surprised to see the better Victor Doom (McMahon) in the film who plays a robber with a conscious who realizes that he has done wrong, but he had a good reason for it. The film had plenty of suspense with the sharks (yes plural), but don’t mistake it for scary. The film wasn’t scary per say, but it had its moments. Usually these films prey on your fear of shaark attacks since we all pretty much are afraid of these gigantic beasts. The only thing that was typical and predictable to see was the love story aspect. You know the kind, guy was in love with girl, something tragic happens, they don’t see each other for years, she moves on, and they run into each other again. Running into each other strikes up the emotions again and they end up failing in love again. That was the only part that was so predictable about the film, but you have to expect it because it’s a good subplot. Alright with all of that being said, I am going to give the film an B-/C+ for a final grade.
365moviesin365dayschallenge 