August 4, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES II, III & IV • Page 17
New releases include witty spin on superhero genre
by Dennis Seuling “Kick-Ass” (Lionsgate) is a funny, action-packed spoof of the superhero movies that have proliferated in multiplexes during the last decade. The film features average high school kid and comic book geek Dave Lizewski (Aaron Johnson) who wonders why, in real life, folks don’t emerge from the masses to act heroically. He buys a green and yellow jump suit that looks like an artifact from an Ed Wood sci-fi flick, and soon steps in to confront a group of muggers. This doesn’t go well. When Dave’s exploits are recorded on the cell phones of assorted bystanders and posted online, his efforts come to the attention of Damon Macready (Nicolas Cage) and his 11-year-old daughter Mindy (Chloe Grace Moretz), who are planning their own vendetta against crime boss Frank D’Amico (Mark Strong). Christopher Mintz-Plasse (McLovin in “Superbad”) plays Red Mist, yet another superhero wannabe who turns up about halfway through the film with an agenda all his own. The violence in “Kick-Ass” is pretty strong stuff, and even Moretz isn’t spared her share of pummeling. What makes the film click, however, are its energy, over-thetop action sequences, and performances. Moretz, who is especially impressive because of her tender age, shoulders a good chunk of the movie. It is somewhat unsettling to see one so young spout profanity and dispatch bad guys with the skill of a ninja warrior, but that is part of the odd tone of this R-rated movie. “Kick-Ass” is an original, a refreshing dusting-off and rethinking of a genre that has become overly familiar and often takes itself too seriously. The Blu-ray edition contains a digital copy, director’s audio commentary, making-of documentary, and featurettes on the comic book origins of “Kick-Ass” and its production design. “Kick-Ass” is also available in the DVD format. “Errol Flynn Adventures” (Warner Home Video) is a five-disc box set containing movies from the mid-1940s starring Warner Brothers’ action star of the period. All five movies take place during World War II. In “Desperate Journey” (1942), Flight Lt. Forbes (Flynn) and his crew are shot down after bombing their target. When they discover important information about a hidden German aircraft factory, they must get back to England. Along the way, they attempt to cause as much damage as possible. As the Germans close in, they must come up with a plan to escape. Ronald Reagan, Raymond Massey, and Arthur Kennedy co-star. Raoul Walsh directed. “Uncertain Glory” (1944) takes place in France. Jean Picard (Flynn) is a criminal about to be executed when an air raid offers him the opportunity to escape. Inspector Bonet (Paul Lukas) tracks down and recaptures him. On their way back, they hear that a railway bridge vital to the Germans has been destroyed, supposedly by allied agents. The Germans round up 100 Frenchmen and threaten to execute them unless the saboteurs come forward. Picard, who would rather face a firing squad than the guillotine, offers to go to the Germans and say that he is the saboteur. The other films in the set include
Aaron Johnson and Chloe Grace Moretz star as self-anointed superheroes in ‘Kick-Ass.’
“Northern Pursuit” (1943), in which a Canadian officer (Flynn) infiltrates a group of Nazi saboteurs, pretending to guide them toward their destination while sabotaging the saboteurs’ plans. “Edge of Darkness” (1943), directed by Lewis Milestone, is
about resistance fighters battling the Nazis in occupied Norway. “Objective Burma!” (1945) focuses on an American platoon that parachutes into Burma to take out a strategic Japanese radar outpost and then must (continued on Crossword page)
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