Not As Painful As It Sounds..."Kill Me Three Times"

Kill Me Three Times (2014)

Rated R

Starring Simon Pegg, Alice Braga, Teresa Palmer, Sullivan Stapleton, Luke Hemsworth, Callan Mulvey, Bryan Brown

Directed by Kriv Stenders

The Story:

Charlie Wolfe (Pegg) is a hitman on the job in Australia when he gets his next assignment. It seems that Alice (Braga) has a price on her head, but when Charlie arrives to take care of matters, he discovers that a local dentist and his wife (Stapleton & Palmer) are attempting to take care of his problem for him. So Charlies sits back and watches the mayhem unfold.

To try and describe the further what is going to happen would ruin much of the charm and storyline of the film.

I think they were going for a Tarantino-esque Australian caper, and I'd say they pretty much hit the nail on the head.

Action, humor, oddball characters, they're all added into the mix with twist and turn and betrayals lying around every corner.

The glue that holds the whole narrative together is Wolfe, who may not be the best hitman in the world, but he's the only one available in this corner of the world, so he apparently keeps a steady income.

It's a perfect fit for Pegg, and he makes the best of it whether it's through dialogue or just reaction shots.

The rest of the cast fills their roles nicely with some familiar and not too familiar faces providing Pegg different characters to work with.

All in all, an enjoyable caper from beginning to end.

Currently streaming on Netflix if you're in the mood to give it a try.

Final Grade: C+ / B- range

War Is Hell... "Hacksaw Ridge"

Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

Rated R

Starring Andrew Garfield, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, Teresa Palmer, Vince Vaughn, Sam Worthington,

Directed by Mel Gibson

The Story:

Desmond Doss (Garfield) is a conscientious objector who still feels the need to serve his country during World War II. He enlists but refuses to carry a weapon. He simply wants to be a medic and do his part by saving people.

This is his true story.

The actions and decisions by Doss at an early age shape his beliefs as he grows older. He makes a fateful mistake one day that has nearly tragic consequences.

His parents (Weaving and Griffiths) are of course a huge influence on the man he would become. His father served in The Great War, and Desmond watches as everyone around him grows up and goes off to war.

He feels the need to make the sacrifice as well, even if it means losing the love of his life (Palmer) while in combat.

Of course the second half of the movie details Doss' training and the fact that the Army really didn't care to have someone unwilling to pick up a rifle take up their time and energy during basic training.

The movie establishes the rest of the characters at this point that will be a part of Doss' life until the fateful day on Hacksaw Ridge.

The horrors of war that Gibson portrays on film are just as effective as Spielberg's D-Day Invasion for Saving Private Ryan.

What Doss does once he gets to the top of Hacksaw Ridge is nothing short of miraculous.

It's an inspirational story, more than worth your time.

Final Grade: A-

If You Only Watch One Zombie Love Story...Make Sure It's "Warm Bodies"!!

All you need is love.

The Story:

In America when a zombie outbreak has claimed most of humanity, a walled city of survivors led by Grigio (John Malkovich) try and survive by keeping out the undead, and making dangerous journeys outside of their walls to resupply their city.  His daughter, Julie (Teresa Palmer) goes on the latest foray, and their group is attacked by zombies, and nearly all of them killed.  However, one zombie, R (Nicholas Hoult) finds himself drawn to Julie...especially after consuming the brains of her boyfriend.  He saves her, and takes her back home with him.  As they bond, he keeps her safe from the other zombies, and then something mysterious and magical begins to happen.

Perhaps the most family-friendly zombie story you could ever want to watch.

But don't let that dissuade you, Warm Bodies is actually quite the charming movie with, all pun intended, a lot of heart.

It's simply not bathed in gore.  And that, in and of itself, is not necessarily a bad thing.

R narrates the movie, and it's a hoot to listen to a zombie's thoughts as he goes through his day.

The movie also wisely adds a second layer of zombies with the Bones, so that when the final act rolls, the conflicts and resolution all pay off correctly.

Chalk this one up as a win in the horror, comedy, romantic comedy, romantic zombie comedy, pretty much genre smashing entry into film lore.


All of the kids watched it and enjoyed it.  Even momma didn't run away from the film, though her interest level was probably lower than everyone else.  She's a trooper though and stayed till the end.

Then she mocked my choice of movies.  : )

This adds to the list of recent, fun horror movies like Detention, Cabin in the Woods and John Dies at the End.  It's a trend I hope continues!

Final Grade: B+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Yes to both!