Death Race - mixing old and new with a kick

I may have missed what will become the underground hit film of the summer season in all my reviews of 2008 movies. Now by no means will this be an Oscar Award winning film (which means someone in America will see it). This is a simple action driven, fast paced, plot as an excuse for explosions kind of film.

The film is called Death Race and it will star Jason Statham. Now obviously the man can drive (or at least look cool acting like he can) as seen in his Transporter films (the 3rd coming out shortly). He’s definitely one of the better action stars able to do his own stunts.

Death Race is a simple movie, the brainchild of someone who grew up in the late-70’s to early-80's. I say this because there are a few things that seem to be the inspiration of this film. And each of them are things that I personally enjoy.

It may be a bit esoteric but Car Wars, by Steve Jackson Games, seems to be one influence. The game is a simple map, with each player selecting a car, motorcycle or truck cardboard piece. On a piece of paper various armaments for the car are written down. The players then proceed to destroy each other until only one is left. Simple and fun.

Another influence is Mad Max. The film that made Mel Gibson a star, its best seen in the original Australian accents (then you will understand why Fifi has his name). Cars are the weapons and speed is a function of exposition. There are no good guys in white, and everything crosses some line at some point.

Lastly is perhaps the biggest influence. Death Race 2000.



The film clip explains it all, almost. It’s a cross-country race, with no rules beyond winning and points for killing people along the way. Devised as a means of population control, you can see why the elderly are the highest points. David Carradine is the star, Dr. Frankenstein, and Sylvester Stallone is in there too. It’s a fun movie.

This film coming out shortly has much of the elements above. But unlike most retreaded ideas (that I hate) where the whole point of the movie is thrown out the window, this one keeps focus, from what I can see. Our hero is a famous NASCAR driver (of course) that gets framed. He’s thrown into a jail where the inmates compete in a race to the death, similar to Running Man now that I think about it. People watch and the winner goes free – supposedly. The cars are souped up, decked out, and raw – much like the various drivers.

Now I don’t know but I guess Jason Statham’s character will win the race and live at the end. No doubt this will be the cause of a Death Race 2, just as there will be a Cranked 2.

But enough of my analysis, here is the video. (If the film gets a wide release I will get a review as soon as possible).

Beware Hanoi Jane Fonda - 4.19.2007.1

Well the summer season of movies is nearly upon us and there is good news and bad news. Let me deal with the bad news first. I’m sad to say, and frustrated as well, that Hanoi Jane Fonda has another movie coming out shortly. It is my absolute desire that no one ever go to this movie, Georgia Rules.

Due to open May 11th, the film co-stars Mrs. Felicity Huffman, Ms. Lindsey Lohan, Mr. Dermot Mulroney as well as the despicable Hanoi Jane. I have nothing against any of the other actors, in fact I think Mr. Mulroney and Mrs. Huffman are quite good. I have a lot against Hanoi Jane. I don’t know her personally and hope to never meet her. I will not watch anything she is in, and hope every endeavor she takes part in fails. While I would not wish ill to any person, this is one that gives such a thought pause.

I have mentioned before that I dislike this woman. I feel she is a traitor and has the worst interests of the nation in her heart, whether she acknowledges it or not. Let me be clear, I don’t mind leftist political views or the people that have them. I don’t agree, but I respect that they have these views. It helps to keep the nation balanced, and ideally creates an atmosphere where the best for the nation is possible. Even the extreme left, as whacky as they can be (and yes I realize the extreme right can be just as whacky). I draw the line at traitors.

I think I summed up my thoughts best here,

“As for Hanoi Jane, I agree with Mr. Danny Bonaduce in that I would be happy to have seen her shot for treason years ago. Protest all you want, but aiding the enemy of our nation and our troops is treason. I have no respect for the woman. Her (what I feel are) false and half-hearted apologies do not sway me. Some 30+ years later she has admitted remorse. Am I stupid? That is a political and economic response, timed perfectly to match a book and a movie release. I do not forget, nor will I forgive her. She had decades to apologize, or explain her thoughts. She was a grown woman, aware of her actions and their impact when she made them in the 70’s. Her hope, I feel, that the youth of the nation would not remember and thus forgive does not work with me. I am repulsed by violence against women, but I would pay to have a woman give Jane ‘Hanoi’ Fonda a beat down. I feel that strongly about her actions.”

So again I state, when Georgia Rules comes out go see anything else.

As for other news which is good, the upcoming movie by Mr. Nicholas Cage seems interesting. It’s been an interesting year so far for him. The Ghost Rider film has made 153 million so far, had decent reviews, and was another hit for Marvel. This movie, NEXT, looks to do similarly well.

The storyline appears direct enough. A man can see all probabilities he is involved with before they happen, a limited amount of time into the future. This has caused him a great deal of difficulty in his early years and he avoids situations that could draw attention to him. But there is a terrorist plot that causes the government to seek him out and so goes the story. There is a lot that can be done with this storyline and the effects look decent. I just they paid attention to the plot along with the special effects. There is one point I don’t understand and needs to be explained well, how do they catch someone that will see everything they might do to catch him? The only other possible problem the movie might have is a lame ending where after a lifetime of having this ability it suddenly goes away and Mr. Cage’s character can finally be as oblivious as the rest of us about the future. That would be lame and weak.

This is what I think, what do you think?