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John Rambo (2008) --> Stallone brings it up a level for the fourth film of the First Blood franchise. More blood, severed limbs, explosions, and brutality than the previous three films, John Rambo is a successful action movie even if Stallone is in his later years. With last year's Rocky film and this year's Rambo film, Stallone has shown he is the exception when bringing an old man into a role best fit for someone in their twenties or thirties.


Scott D. Brown

The Bucket List (2007) --> If not taken too seriously, this Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson vehicle, directed by Rob Reiner, is a fun watch. Freeman and Nicholson play cancer victims who use the time they have left to fulfill all the thrills and excitement they failed to achieve before being diagnosed. Both actors play off each other well, which isn't surprising considering te years they have been in the industry, but a feel good story about two walking dead men doesn't make for riveting drama.


Full Spectrum Staff

Charlie Wilson's War (2007) -->A fictional account explaining how Afghanistan went from being occupied by the Soviets to being taken over by the Taliban with Tom Hanks, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Julia Roberts taking the starring roles, Charlie Wilson's War is a film that appeals more to American patriotism than anything else. Although the film ends as a criticism of the American tendency (at least according to Aaron Sorkin) to invade sovereign nations to great success only to drop the ball when in the aftermath they fail to have the political and financial will to help recreate the institutions needed to lead the conquered country out of war into a lasting peace, the film gives a Senator (Hanks) and southern socialite (Roberts) too much credit for the expulsion of the Reds.

The lack of sustained support is the film's main argument for why Americans are hated by many countries around the world, but although a somewhat compelling reason, it is incorrect. The Ameri-centric nature of the film, giving Senator Charlie Wilson way too much credit (and a medal no less) in the defeat of the Soviets, reveals an arrogance that is at the heart of the world's hatred It's not like the Afghans themselves had anything to do with the expulsion. But Americans have an egotism (including many of their film makers) that has no equal which is the true reason for the hatred. The invasions are just a consequence of their self-aggrandizement.


Full Spectrum Staff

The Game Plan (2007) --> Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has a certain charm and vulnerability when he isn't being an action star (remember Elliot Wilhelm in Be Cool). But in this case, it's not enough to carry a film that has been seen numerous times, in various forms, for decades. A family comedy that doesn't offer anything new, The Game Plan can be avoided.


Scott D. Brown

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