My Movies: Blood Diamond

Solomon Vendi is a mere fisherman in the African country of Searra Leonne, But when the RUF rebels attack his hometown dispersing his family and landing him in an illegal diamond mining operation, he is forced to enlist the help of a diamond smuggler in order to find his family.

A truly excelent film, which takes on issues such as the highly lucrative conflict diamond issue, as well as the use of children as soldiers. The film is set in 1999, at the height of the Searra Leonne civil war, which, and there are many, many high action scenes reflecting that. Some of it though is quite brutal, particularly an opening scene where rebels line up villagers to cut off their hands so they cannot vote.

A highly recommended film, although not for the faint hearted.

Blood Diamond on IMDB

My Movies: Blade Runner

It’s the year 2019, and four “replicants,” beings created to appear and act human, are at large.  The authorities call in Blade Runner (Replicant bounty hunter) Rick Decard to find and kill them.

Like the Riddley Scott directed Alien, this takes a good while to get going.  It is still worth a watch though, for it’s spectacular, (for it’s time) special effects and action towards the end of the film.

Blade Runner on IMDB 

My Movies: Beverly Hills Cop

Detroit detective Axel Foley travels to Beverly Hills in pursuit of the man who killed his best friend, but receives less than a warm welcome from the local police.

There was a time in the 1980s when Eddie Murphy starred in some very funny films, and theBeverly Hills Cop series were no exception. The first of three films

Great for a laugh.

Beverly Hills Cop on IMDB

Beverly Hills Cop II

Since events of the first film, Axel Foley and Sargent Bogomil have become friends. When a group of international criminls try to kill Bogomil, Foley travels to Beverly Hills to find out their identity.

More of the same, still the high quality humour and action as in the first movie.

Beverly Hills Cop II on IMDB

Beverly Hills Cop III

Foley’s superior officer is shot dead when a raid on a warehouse goes wrong. An investigation into the crimina mastermind responsible leads Foley back to Beverly Hills to a childerens theme park.

The jokes were getting a little old by the time the third film was made. While laughs were a little thinner on the ground, it has it’s fair share of action to make up for it, with a big car chase in the opening minutes.

Beverly Hills Cop III on IMDB

My Movies: Bad Boys

Miami detectives Lowry and Burnet are investigating a $100 million heroin heist from their police station, but the only way they can get a witness to identify those involved, they must switch identities.

Your average everyday narcotics cop story with loads of shooting, and the odd car chase thrown in for good measure.

Plenty of comic relief in between all the action as Murnel must convince his witness that he is Lowry, and convince his wife he is not having an affair.

Part of a duology, it is not one I would watch that often.

Bad Boys at IMDB

Bad Boys II

Loury and Burnel are on the trail of a massive ecstasy dealer.  Their “investigation” however sees them travel to Cuba where their man has his hide-out.

With faster car chases, more shootouts, and a slightly unrealistic police operation in Cuba, this continues the action/comedy mix of the first film.

Definitely one for suspending your disbelief, particularly when our two black heroes manage to infiltrate a white supremacist gathering at the start.

Bad Boys II on IMDB

My Movies: Apocolypto

Jaguar Paw and his fellow villagers have been captured and are to be taken to the great Mayan City. He must now save his family from certain death.

Mel Gibson’s epic about the Mayan people set at the dawn of the 16th century is one that comes highly recommended.

If you have poor vision then don’t bother though, there is no English audio on the DVD, (at least not the one I have anyway) and keeping up with the subtitles can be difficult.

This becomes less important as the film progresses as the amount of action increases with the amount of talk decreasing.

From the start there is action, so if you like the adrenalin rush, the buy this one.

 Apocolypto on IMDB