The Running Man

Ah, 80s action movies. What can't you like about them? The cheesy one liners to the over the top villains. Big guys with big guns that never run out of bullets. However, Arnold Schwarzenegger is arguably one of the best action heroes of the 80s and 90s. And his role in The Running Man is no exception. So, turn on your TV and root for the stalkers, this is The Running Man!

The Plot:
Ben Richards, a cop, is covering a food riot and is ordered to fire on unarmed civilians. However, Richards is a good man and refuses to follow his orders and is detained and wrongfully arrested for the slaying of the unarmed people. Two years later, Richards is imprisoned in a labor camp and manages to escape with two people of a resistance who wants to end the totalitarian reign and bring back freedom. Richards wants to escape and leave the U.S. He kidnaps a woman, Amber, who is living in his brother's apartment, and he tries to flee the country. Amber ruins his plan and is captured once again. This time, the host of a popular TV show, The Running Man (Roll credits!) offers to have Richards participate in the sadistic show, and his resistance friends will live. On the night of the show, it turns out Killian (the host) has lied and sends Richards and company to the game grounds. The three must survive against the stalkers, killers who have different themes. Sub Zero is a hockey player with a deadly hockey stick, Buzz Saw likes chain saws, Fireball has a flame thrower, etc. Each stalker is no match for Richards who disposes of them easily. Amber, who no believes Richards is innocent, is added to the game. After finding the resistance's hidden base, they hatch a plan to end the evil TV show and bring back freedom to everyone.

The Good:
It's an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, how can you not like it? As I mentioned before, it has everything an 80s action flick needs, cheesy one liners, over the top bad guys and guns. What more do you need? Overall, the story's not that bad, even though this trope was used and is still used a lot. There are a few laughs to be had and Arnold even says "I'll be back." It's great.

The Bad:
Yeah, there's some bad stuff, but I feel like it'd be silly, considering the fact that 80s movies weren't gold. I mean, there's the fact that Richards is basically invincible, so you never feel like he's in danger. And there's a few dumb mistakes the stalkers make, which make them come off as newbie killers, instead of seasoned pros. Other than that, yeah. Not a bad movie.

Overall:
The Running Man is a fun movie to watch. Arnold is amusing and funny, even when it's unintentional, and the story's okay. Certainly a must see if you're a Schwarzenegger fan.

4 running men out of 5 

The Hateful Eight

Quentin Tarantino is probably one of my all time favorite directors. He doesn't just make movies, he makes experiences. Which, nowadays is a pretty rare thing. So when I heard he was making a Western, how could I not be pumped up? The Hateful Eight is Tarantino's 8th movie and he filmed it using 70mm film which is a thing of the past, since everything is digital so this makes it pretty cool. So, naturally, a couple of friends and I saw the 70mm version and had a wonderful experience. It played like the movies of old, no previews, a great story, an intermission and an epic finale. So, hop on the stage coach and let's review The Hateful Eight!

The Plot:
Two bounty hunters, a criminal, and a new Sheriff hop on a stage coach to head to Red Rock, but are forced to seek shelter due an incoming blizzard at a haberdashery with four others. However, one bounty hunter believes that someone isn't who they say they are and paranoia ensues.  The bounty hunters are Major Marquis Warren (played by Samuel L. Jackson) and John "The Hangman" Ruth (played by Kurt Russel). Ruth thinks that someone is out to free his bounty Daisy Domergue (played by Jennifer Jason Leigh). The tension builds and builds until tempers flare and all hell breaks loose. Is someone in cahoots with Daisy or is John "The Hangman" just paranoid? Is everyone telling the truth, or is there a liar or liars in the midst?

The Good:
Everything, to be honest. It was pretty cool to at least feel like a moviegoer in the golden age of film. The cast is great and there are laughs to be had. Even the bloody parts are fun to watch, though it's not for the squeamish. The scenery is stunning and is almost a character itself.

The Bad:
Like I mentioned above, this movie isn't for the squeamish. There's also some shock value, but it feels like Tarantino is trying to go as far as he can with the shock value. These parts of the movie are uncomfortable at best and don't really serve a purpose to the plot. It feels tacked on at times and it can be a bit distracting from the plot.

Overall:
The Hateful Eight is an entertaining movie to say the least. The shock value feels overdone and has no point other than to make you go "ew!".  Other than that, it's fun. The cast does well, and the story is pretty fun to watch. And if you get a chance to see it on 70mm film, you definitely should.

4 stage coaches out of 5.