STACK #158 Dec 2017

DVD&BD REVIEWS

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In a world of superheroes, there is only one gunslinger. THE DARK TOWER

The sky is never the limit. AMERICAN MADE

Release Date: 29/11/17

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Release Date: 06/12/17

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After ten years in development, Stephen King’s fantasy- western epic has finally made it to the screen. Rather than a straight adaptation of the first book (there are eight), The Dark Tower mixes concepts, characters and key moments from the series into a world-hopping, genre-blending adventure. Idris Elba is well cast as gunslinger Roland, who together with young Jake Chambers (Tom Taylor) must prevent the Man in Black (Matthew McConaughey) from destroying the titular structure, which is the junction of all universes. If the

Tom Cruise is back in the cockpit as Barry Seal, the real-life TWA pilot whose reputation for smuggling contraband leads to clandestine CIA work supplying arms to Central American freedom fighters – and cocaine to the US for the Medellin cartel during the 1980s. Operating on both sides of the law with apparent impunity, he’s “the gringo who always delivers.” With his aviator sunnies, thousand watt smile and cocksure attitude, Cruise turns Seal into an all-American antihero – think Top Gun ‘s Maverick under a layer of grime, sweat

Tower falls, demons will overrun every reality. Although unlikely to satisfy diehard fans of the novels (who should at least be grateful it exists at all), this streamlined take on King's mammoth saga offers a briskly-paced introduction to Roland's world. AC (See page 40)

and sleaze. Channelling the period vibe of The Nice Guys , director Doug Liman presents Seal’s incredible-but-true story as a briskly paced and self-consciously cool comedic jaunt that's tailor-made for Cruise's considerable charisma, unlike the The Mummy . SH

Everyone's out to get them... If they don't kill each other first. THE HITMAN'S BODYGUARD

Find your inner piece. THE LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE

Release Date: 29/11/17

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Release Date: 20/12/17

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Essentially a buddy cop movie in disguise, this by the book action-comedy throws Samuel L. Jackson and Ryan Reynolds (still in Deadpool mode) together as the perfect mismatch and lets the sparks fly. As hitman and bodyguard respectively, the pair must set aside their mutual distrust (yes, they have a history) and avoid being rubbed out by Belarusian mobsters while en route to the Hague, where SLJ is to testify against a ruthless dictator (a hammy Gary Oldman). The repartee flies as fast as the bullets in this throwback

Six young ninjas fight to defend their island home of Ninjago from the evil Lord Garmadon, and in true LEGO Movie tradition, learn a few life lessons along the way. Based on an original LEGO property that also inspired the TV show Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu , the story oozes with ’80s movie stylings from the likes of Gremlins , The Princess Bride and The Karate Kid , colliding with pretty much every martial arts movie ever made. The fight moves were even animated from stunts performed by Jackie Chan’s legendary crew!

to the kind of star-powered action films they used to make in the eighties (i.e. Midnight Run ). Salma Hayek is good value as Jackson's vulgar wife, and Expendables 3 director Patrick Hughes ensures the action is totally over the top. SH

The action, gags and great visuals (including, appropriately, real world elements) see The LEGO Ninjago Movie making it a hat-trick for the big LEGO flicks. If you were into the first two but have your doubts here, don’t. Go ninja, go Ninjago! AF

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DECEMBER 2017

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