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Casey-Ryback
He also worked as a chef at the Mile High Cafe in Denver, Colorado. According to his Colorado driving licence, he is 198 cm (6 ft 5 in) tall and weighs around 99 kilograms (220 lb).
As a SEAL, Ryback has been awarded various U.S. military honors. His niece Sarah lists them as the Navy Cross, Silver Star and Purple Heart with clusters. Ryback has also earned the Special Warfare insignia and other decorations during his 20 years of service including the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for operations in Panama, and the Navy's Marksmanship Medals. The gold chief's stripes also indicate multiple awards of the Navy's Good Conduct Medal and he is the only man in history to have saved the world not once but twice. If Casey Ryback is on your boat you got a chance.
Reviews
Lock Up (1989)
Name and number....
Lock up features a sizeable cast including Donald Sutherland, John Amos, Tom Sizemore, Sonny Landham, Dani Trejo and more alongside Sylvester Stallone as our lead character 'Leone'. This is a heavily clichéd prison flick with all the usual associations you might expect from other films about incarceration such as Shawshank, Papillon and Brubaker but this film is nowhere near as strong as any of those movies. Lock up has a lot of heart and endeavour but it lacks any real substance or quality and it's certainly nothing new. Stallone puts a lot of huff and puff into this film but it's far from an acting exhibition, either from him, or any of the other actors, which is probably why so many of them were up for Razzie awards shortly after its release. This is a paint by numbers action film set inside a prison with minimal creativity and limited acting ability and the 'storyline' and plot are both rather silly. Having said that it does however feature plenty of action throughout. It passes the time, but it's no blockbuster. 5/10.
Claimed and Shamed (2012)
Unclaimed shame....
A mindless and characterless TV production, fronted by Naga Munchetty (who you would expect better from), which appeals to the lowest common denominator in society. Generic stories of insurance fraud are recounted through poor reconstructions and most of the key details are glazed over and there's never any input from the defendant. Indeed the whole story could be an invention for all we know. It's the same format everytime, insurance company x says y happened and take our word for it this was terrible, then a cutaway to a ridiculous reconstruction and then we get told an outcome. We never see the unsuccessful prosecutions or any other variation. It's a depressingly unentertaining TV show.
Misbehaviour (2020)
Missing the mark....
Misbehaviour features a relatively heavyweight acting cast including the likes of Keira Knightley, Rhys Ifans, Greg Kinnear and Jessie Buckley. It's a film centred solely on the 1970 miss world competition and the gender and race politics that surrounded it. It is however an incredibly light film which doesn't really explore any of the issues in any depth instead seeking to remain firmly within the realms of light entertainment. The acting is decent and the storyline is easy enough to follow and well paced but it doesn't really say anything, nor is it very entertaining, as quite frankly nothing really happens. It's a very one dimensional and somewhat dilute take on the 1970 miss world competition that is unlikely to leave feminists or those interested in the race politics of the time terribly satisfied. Equally those seeking entertainment may well feel short changed by the lack of any real comedy or action. It's not a badly made film by any means but it's something of a diet, decaffeinated take on the subject matter from start to finish. Knightley plays the lead role well and works with the script she's been given to the best of her ability but without any real backstory and little empathy or understanding for her character do we really care what happens to her in the end? I suspect the answer for many will be no and therein lies it's problem, it's not at all engaging. In the end what we are left with is a paint by numbers exercise from one scene to the next with no twists or turns in a somewhat predictable and at times rather dull experience that we are never truly invested in. 5/10.
Mile 22 (2018)
Average action flick pretending to be something more...
This is a straight up action flick starring Mark Wahlberg and Iko Uwais with something of a wasted cameo from John Malkovich (who looks like he doesn't know why he has been cast in this movie himself to be honest). The basic premise of the film is that of an extraction of a foreign asset in the shape of Uwais from a hostile environment by Wahlberg and his team guided by their 'mother' lead by Malkovich. The film tries in many ways to be more than a simple popcorn flick but fails in this respect with average acting at best and no depth to the characters or plot. Never the less the action sequences are crisp and the body count is high with numerous punch ups and gunfights from start to finish. That being said it's certainly nothing new or revolutionary, and there are far better action movies out there. I think average is a good word to use for this film and whilst it may keep you entertained for a couple of hours on an otherwise uneventful day it's not one to seek out nor one to remember. 5/10.
The Favourite (2018)
A journey without destination...
The Favourite is an unusual film for sure but coming from the director of The Lobster you would certainly expect no less. This then leads on to why I feel this film will be something akin to marmite on the review scores. Those who are fans of the director or know what to expect having seen the likes of The Lobster or The killing of a sacred deer will no doubt enjoy this one but your first time viewer may well be a bit lost and possibly even shocked. I think on reflection enjoyment of this film is probably centred on whether you can enjoy a journey without it having a clear destination. Those of you who have to have a prescribed beginning, middle and ending to a story may well dislike this one but lets talk about the movie itself. It's a story centred on the British court of great Queen Anne and it tells the story of a young ambitious woman fallen from favour who then clambers over and under all comers (both male and female) to depose her cousins place as the queen's favourite. This is a dark, moody and somewhat immoral tale, often without comfort and yet the acting is superb, the visuals are stunning and the end product is high quality. You may not like the story or how it makes you feel but there's no denying the impact it has or the quality on show. Being critical I think the pacing is somewhat slow and whilst I have no doubt it was deliberate it doesn't always add value. The soundtrack is also very stark. Often single notes held for far too long which adds something but I'm not sure it's necessarily a good something. Never the less this one is worth a watch simply for the interplay and acting between the three leading ladies who more than carry this one home. Great acting, great cinema, superb visuals, some dark comedy and lots of originality make this one well worth a watch but don't expect a popcorn flick nor a Jane Austen. 7/10.
The Mother (2023)
The mother of all flops....
The mother features Jenny from the block as it's lead character and for that I give it one star alone for getting her out the house but in reality they needn't have bothered. Nothing was going to save this film from the moment it was first struck and that's the stone cold truth of it. Terrible plot, bad script, wooden acting and no real attempt at any explanation for what we watch means this film is completely pointless. It's bad even as a casual popcorn flick because none of it is enjoyable. The pacing is far too slow for an action movie and if it was ever shooting for something more meaningful it missed by a country mile being barely cosmetic deep let alone skin deep in it's approach. Its incredibly predictable, takes way too long to get there, says nothing in the process and you feel nothing as a result. If this movie were an ice cream flavour it would be milk let alone vanilla. Dull as dishwater and with no entertainment value other than to laugh at how bad it is you should really steer clear of this one. It's a waste of your life. 2/10.
Planet Terror (2007)
Maximum G!
Planet Terror, in my humble opinion, as a homage to early grindhouse actually exceeds it's subject matter. I do not think I've seen a better grindhouse movie before or after this one and I've seen a few. Exploitative, violent, highly sexualised, full of gore, this one ticks off every requirement and leaves plenty more in excess. Rose Mcgowan absolutely scorches the screen as Cherry Darling whilst veteran actor Bruce Willis brings in some heavyweight star power to the role of Lt Muldoon. The basic premise is far from hard to follow with a government gas spill turning a town into flesh eating zombies and it's local characters fighting their way out but boy does it deliver on the dotted line when it comes to the action scenes, the gore and the sheer balls out and in your face excess in virtually every single scene. If you like grindhouse (and I am sure that you do!) you have to watch this one. It's so good it's totemic for the entire genre and this from a film that was meant to be a homage? I think it's safe to say this is one of those rare movies that came out better than anyone could have expected. It's ludicrous in the extreme of course but it's all the more phenomenol for it. This is what we now measure grindhouse by. 10/10.
The People Under the Stairs (1991)
I pity the fool...
The people under the stairs is a an early 90's cult classic of a gore fest that spans the horror, action and possibly also grindhouse divide. This film is a decadent and indulgent blend of ultra violence, gore and exploitation on the big screen and it is done extremely well. Excessive, brutal, camp and at times comical this is a celebration of the weird and the wonderful. The basic premise of the film is that a young black boy named fool is sent out alongside his brother to seek out a little restorative justice by way of burglary from the rich white folk down the way except this burglary doesn't quite go to plan. A masterpiece from Wes Craven that was a throwback to some of the 70's grindhouse in many ways and a stark contrast to the largely cardboard cut out action movies being produced at the time. This movie is far from timeless and it could be said that it hasn't aged particularly well, indeed, I expect new viewers will be underwhelmed but for those who saw this the first time around there will always be something of an extra rose tint to this one. I am one of those people. 8/10.
Hobo with a Shotgun (2011)
Now that's some high quality grindhouse!
Hobo with a shotgun features something of an acting triumph from Rutger Hauer as the lead character and virtuous hobo hell bent on cleaning up the streets one dirtbag at a time. If you like grindhouse you are going to love this. It's packed full of highly sexualised, ultra violent and thoroughly exploitative scenes from start to finish and they are unusually polished and glossy for a grindhouse production which almost makes this one cross over into the realms of arthouse at times. There's certainly a warhol esque theme to some of the visuals but it's not simply a vapid production of loose artistic themes. This one has more than a fair bit of substance and you'll be cheering on our adventurous hobo from the get go. Don't watch this one expecting any major plot changes or twists but then why would you be watching grindhouse if you were? This one is right up there folks with the likes of planet terror, death proof, machete and even some of the classics such as Coffy. Get your popcorn, sit back and enjoy this roller coaster ride of inappropriateness. It's loud, brash and unapologetically grubby and I absolutely love it.
What Happened to Monday (2017)
Big concept, small cast.
What happened to Monday is set in a dystopian future and through a familiar mixture of concepts and ideas (which do at times feel borrowed from other films such as The Matrix, Running Man, Logans Run and more) it weaves them into a unique story which seeks to discuss our society, our role and our motivation as an individual, a group and a species. The acting from the lead character is superb and Glenn Close enjoys a nice cameo as one of the supporting characters. Thought provoking, intelligent and moving at a reasonable pace this film is packed full of action and whilst there are some plot holes and questions which can be raised of a film such as this I feel it would be overly analytical to do so when the overall product is so very good. It's an excellent story which promotes a lot of thought and reflection with great acting, great pacing, a good script and lot's and lot's to offer. 9/10.
Commando (1985)
Big guns in every sense of the word.
80's classic starring Arnold Schwarzenegger at the height of his powers. Muscles, guns and lots and lots of destruction? What is there not to like here? Don't watch this expecting a plot, you've come to the wrong place, but as a nonstop action bonanza it's tough to beat. Lot's of one liners, cheesy quips and macho smack talk also make this a veritable comedy that will make you laugh and cheer throughout with equal measure. As with many 80's movies theres an air of nostalgia about this film that will take you back to those much simpler times and provides it with a layer of charm that will comfort you like a warm blanket. Back when men were men and women were women this film doesn't try to be anything more than a statement of it's time and it does so brilliantly. 8/10.
Alien: Covenant (2017)
In space they've run out of custard creams...
Alien Covenant is an immensely frustrating film. It had all of the ingredients to be a better film than Prometheus but sadly it fails to achieve. Michael Fassbender as David is probably the strongest element in the film but the remaining characters to an individual are shallow, repugnant, act without thought and are on the whole thoroughly unlikeable. As a consequence you couldn't really care less when they die, and quite perversely, you may indeed find yourself cheering when the inevitable happens. The overall storyline has huge promise but fails to deliver due to obvious plot holes and poor execution. I can't help but feel writing Elizabeth Shaw out of the script after the trials of the previous adventure was a huge missed opportunity, especially when having done so none of the replacement characters had any real depth at all. The effects are good, the tech is congruent with the Aliens franchise and it all looks the part but there's no escaping the somewhat empty feeling overall. I did not feel satisfied by this film and yet it had so much potential.
The Harder They Fall (2021)
The Harder They Fail
Average acting, questionable casting and a lacklustre storyline was never likely to produce much of any note and so it proved to be. This film is a triumph of style over substance with lots of gore and effects and perhaps some shock value unable to paper over the obvious cracks. It feels dull and it isn't executed to a high enough standard even for what it is.
The Goonies (1985)
Sublime story, great acting, feel good content.
The Goonies is possibly the finest of all the great 80's movies made for kids. It harks back to simpler times and holds a charm that few other films can match. Many decades after this film was made many of the lines from this film are still quoted in everyday life by those who were fortunate enough to watch it the first time around. I suspect a minority may complain that there are some inappropriate references in this film for children but in a way that is what made this film great. It's a very real film, it's not set in a fantasy environment and all of the characters good and bad are real people rather than fantasy characters. This film has lots of rough and tumble and could be described as somewhat rambunctious but isn't that what being a kid is all about?
Crocodile Dundee (1986)
When Women were Women and Australians were Australians...
Ludicrously unacceptable in today's world and exploitative of nearly every stereotype in the book this is a film only the 80's could have produced. Despite all of this it represents a much simpler time and much like romancing the stone or even jewel of the nile its an entertaining rom com/action thriller with something to offer for both him and her that passes the time nicely on an otherwise boring afternoon. Paul Hogan is superb as Mick Dundee offering enough one liners and comical quotes to rival even prime Roger Moore and despite the fact that there are no other performances of note (other than a few choice lines from Leroy) it's more than enough to carry this movie through to victory. Cheap gags, memorable one liners, plenty of action and some cheesy romance. It's what the 80's did best and this is a very fine example of it.
The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018)
Idiots Assemble
Imagine a really bad James Bond spoof mated with dumb and dumberer (yes, the sequel). Only complete idiots will enjoy this movie and anyone else will feel insulted by it. The gags aren't funny but they are ten a penny, which sums this one up nicely. Cheap like the budgie.
Us (2019)
Nothing to see here folks. Move along.
I expected great things from this movie following on from the superb Get Out and visually there are many similarities in style. Unfortunately however that is where the similarities end as this movie falls far short in nearly every other department. I do not like this film and thats not because of the subject matter or content but because quite simply its not very enjoyable. I spent large parts of this movie confused as to whether I was bored or not interested but either way it was a slog to remain focused throughout the duration of this film. It feels slow. Nothing makes sense. Its incredibly illogical. These are not unique qualities of course but neither is it entertaining. Nor scary. Nor thought provoking. The entire premise is as pointless as it is ludicrous and therein lies its problem. It doesn't give the viewer anything. There is nothing likeable about this movie. I didn't give it any less stars because the acting is reasonable and its has some original ideas which are in short supply these days. A disappointment overall though and easily forgotten.
Brightburn (2019)
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No. Its an unhinged supervillain!
This film is very good at what it does which is to totally scare the living daylights out of you and make you never wish to have children. Those two factors alone make it a must watch movie for the modern audience but the actor who played the kid absolutely nailed the role. Lets be fair most child actors are nauseating (war of the worlds, the day the earth stood still etc) but this chap is superb as the villain without remorse. I've seen lots of reviews on here marking this film down for lacking backstory of how he turned evil. In my opinion this is to completely misunderstand the premise. An omnipotent being (superman, man of steel, call him what you will) without empathy or feeling was guaranteed to be as we see him evil. He is superior. Good or evil doesn't really come into it. He would see us like we see a bug. There really was no need for that backstory if you think about it. He lacked any feeling or empathy towards mankind and the rest was inevitable. Well worth the watch folks but don't expect a superhero movie nor compare it to one.
Mandy (2018)
Not a grindhouse classic. Wasted potential
This film is ok if you like the genre but it is no deathproof nor planet terror nor hobo with a shotgun. Its not I spit on your grave. It's not house of a thousand corpses. This just doesnt have the right 'stuff' about it. So much potential but it just doesn't come together right. I feel nick cage doesn't really add anything for all his cult star power and whilst there's some nice cinema in places there's just far better grindhouse out there.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Artsy, ludicrous and absolutely delightful!
If ever there was a film that was difficult to pigeon hole this is it. It moves from the ludicrous to the sublime in the blink of an eye and left me thoroughly entertained in the process. Mr Gustav is superb, Zero is superb, this film is superb. It truly is a masterpiece and quite unlike anything else. Wes Anderson does what he does best in creating an image so rich and vibrant its impossible not to fall in love with it. In my opinion this is his best work.
The Wind and the Lion (1975)
Troy meets African Queen
Its entertaining enough in the same way those old cowboy films on a Sunday always were. Its a much played out story nearly as old as methusalah. A stubborn old bird thats easy on the eye gets kidnapped by a rough diamond of a rogue and much like the tale of Troy the war drums then sound out. This time around she falls in love with her captor (its ok, its pre stockholm syndrome so it was acceptable back then) and decides to save him. Unfortunately lots of others die or are injured in the process as US, German and Arab factions go toe to toe in the Moroccan desert. Miraculously at the end of it all and with her new man and kids in tow she marches off triumphantly into the desert sunset, presumably to live happily ever after.
Aliens (1986)
In space there is no need to scream
This is the absolute zenith of not just science fiction action movies but perhaps all action movies in my humble opinion and it may be just about the only example of a sequel equalling or perhaps even exceeding the original. Ripley played by the amazingly talented heavyweight titan of an actress Sigourney Weaver dominates all comers in a slick, well paced and thoroughly immersive action movie which ticks all your boxes and more when it comes to entertainment. James Cameron takes Ridley Scott's tense sci fi horror and turns it into a blockbuster of an action movie which will leave you feeling thoroughly content. An absolute masterpiece
Project Power (2020)
Mindless mediocrity
This film offers nothing new. Its not remotely plausible but then those viewing such a film are unlikely to care. Is it entertaining? I suppose it passes the time if you are on a flight somewhere but its not one to seek out in my humble opinion. It felt a little bit long in places and you won't care for any of the characters but on that note it does feature a young black female actress as one of its lead character's which is something to be commended. Having said that it does play out many traditional stereotypes amongst its characters (limited as they may be) and the plot is poorly explained and ultimately underwhelming.
The First Purge (2018)
Anyone who watches this film deserves a medal
Obviously nobody expects a plot or anything remotely believable from a film such as this but the action scenes are poor and the acting awful. None of the characters in this film are particularly likeable and you'll do well to get all the way through it. There really isn't much more to say. Look elsewhere for your cheap thrills. This one fails to deliver.
Get Out (2017)
Surprisingly good
I'll keep it short. This film has lots of surprises with some great acting and it'll make you think (well, it should do). The ending perhaps (and it is only a perhaps) could've been stronger, but it was in no way a let down. Not really a horror movie imo. A chiller for sure. This film is creepy but brilliant and well worth a watch.