Friday Archives... "Push"

Push (2009)

Rated PG-13

Starring Dakota Fanning, Chris Evans, Camilla Belle, Corey Stoll, Cliff Curtis, Ming-Na Wen, Djimon Hounsou

Directed by Paul McGuigan

The Story:

In a world where people with abilities are utilized as weapons, The Division is looking to create a drug that will enhance these abilities. Until today, all test subjects died when they received the drug. However, Kira (Belle) is the first patient to survive, and she has escaped. Now being tracked by Henry Carver (Hounsou) and his cohorts, her only hope seems to be a young girl (Fanning) who can see the future and Nick (Evans), a telekinetic who she can't remember.

I think I last this film in 2009, so watching it again was almost like watching it again for the first time.

I remembered little bits and pieces, but that's like watching a trailer for a movie, and then seeing that part played out in the movie itself. A little deja vu, but nothing that ruins the experience overall.

Had this movie starred anyone other than Chris Evans, I likely would not have watched it the first time, and since I own it, apparently I liked it enough to pick it up from Blockbuster in the previously viewed movie sale.

Sidenote: I miss being able to pick up used DVDs at Blockbuster for a good deal.  ::sigh::

So this takes place back when Evans had already been Johnny Storm, wasn't yet Captain America and seemed to be taking parts in movies that had a superhero feel to it.

The man has been typecast, but I'm grateful for it, because he plays the parts very well.

Amusingly as we watched the film last night, it was fun to see how many actors would go on to the Marvel Universe in the future.  Apparently, they were just testing the waters for it on this film.

Taking place in Hong Kong, the city itself gives the movie a gritty, crazy comic book feel.

The special effects themselves aren't too bad, and really for a modest budget B movie, this film succeeds on that level.

Worth a look if you missed it the first go-round, or if you vaguely remember it from 7 years ago.

Final Grade: B-/C+ range

Neanderthal Love... "Cavemen"

Cavemen (2013)

Rated R

Starring Skylar Astin, Camilla Belle, Chad Michael Murray

Written and Directed by Herschel Faber

The Story:

Dean (Astin) and his buddies all like to party in their loft. Facing eviction, they are going to go out in style. Dean's romantic life is not coming together like all of his pals, and his best friend Tess (Belle) is that perfect girl right under his nose.

I bet you can't guess where this is heading, can you?

So, for those of you who read yesterday's review, this is falls into the same category.

Thankfully there are a few differences:

1) The running time: under 90 minutes.
2) The humor is a bit more romantic comedy friendly even though the movie is trying for an R rated comedy.

Not to say that it's perfect, far from it.

There's some scenes that don't really work. Not funny enough. Kind of dragging the storyline at other times.

Most of it is saved by the chemistry between Astin and Belle. He helped make the chemistry in Pitch Perfect, and he brings the charming everyman appeal to this one as well.


Final Grade: C

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Nothing in here worth coming back for seconds.  It was barely tolerable enough for one full viewing.