Weekend Movie Reviews: Total Recall (1990), Safe House (2012)

This weekend i was able to spare time for 2 movies. Watched Sci Fi | Thriller “Total Recall” (1990) starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rachel Ticotin and sexy Sharon Stone and another film a completely different genre movie Crime| Action| Mystery “Safe House” (2012) starring Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds and Vera Farmiga. I watched both the flicks in Blue Ray’s as I missed their screening in theaters.

Let’s start with Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s Total Recall (1990), there’s even a remake coming soon with the same title Starring Colin Farrell and Jessica Biel, which might release this August, 2012.  This is not the first time I’m watching Total Recall, but it’s the first time I’m sharing my prospective.

Total Recall is a fast paced sci-fi action movie. Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a 21st-century construction worker who discovers that his entire memory of the past derives from a memory chip implanted in his brain. Schwarzenegger learns that he’s actually a secret agent who had become a threat to the government, so those in power planted the chip and invented a domestic lifestyle for him. Once he has realized his true identity, he travels to Mars to piece together the rest of his identity, as well as to find the man responsible for his implanted memory. That keeps you on the edge of your seat all the way from beginning to end.

Arnold puts forth his best performance as an actor, Sharon Stone was never sexier, Michael Ironsides he was fabulous and Ronny Cox plays a great bad girl. For a movie released in the early 1990’s, it has some very prominent make-up effects, visual effects and special effects. This movie is sort of similar to Paul Verhoeven’s other films. It is violent, bloody; it has some nudeness. Total Recall is one of the first major Hollywood blockbusters to use miniature CGI. Story is awesome and very interesting. The ending makes you think. On the whole, Total Recall recommended film for SCI-FI fans.

Total Recall was nominated the Oscars for Best Sound Effects Editing, Best Sound and a Special Achievement Award (for Visual Effects), and it was nominated the BAFTA for Best Special Visual Effects.

Survi Review: 3.5/5

Theatrical Trailer: Click Here

Let’s continue with the second movie I watched this weekend Denzel Washington – Ryan Reynolds’s “Safe House” (2012). When a rogue and wanted ex-CIA agent (Denzel Washington), is brought in as a detainee to a safe house handled by a rookie CIA agent (Ryan Reynolds), the latter’s professional and personal life change forever.

SAFE HOUSE a CIA vs. CIA thriller that copycats the attention deficit disorder feel of Tony Scott, shot in a gritty style of THE BOURNE SERIES. With two perfect leads Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds, it’s easy to expect that SAFE HOUSE edge of the seat entertainer at least for its tensed first 30 minutes. But the movie gradually loses its momentum, with hit-or-miss pacing and too long run time.  It’s the fault of Screenwriter David Guggenheim who doesn’t offer anything new or surprising to his generic screenplay. Action sequences were perfectly shot and the direction by Daniel Espinosa is acceptable. Vera Farmiga. Brendan Gleeson and Harlan Whitford, as the CIA bosses, do fine jobs. Ramin Djawadi’s background score is fine. Oliver Wood’s cinematography is first rate. On the whole, SAFE HOUSE worth a watch movie for Denzel fan or an action lover.

Survi Review: 3/5

Theatrical Trailer: