Murphy's Law

The new Rambo is the most violent movie I've ever seen. And I've seen a lot of movies. I can't believe how brutal it is. If a movie ever inched close to an X-rating for mayhem, this is it. Hundreds of people, including women and children, are blown up, burned, stabbed, gutted, beheaded, hanged, gunned down, and in one case, killed by throat-ripping. The action is tense, the storyline compelling, and the character, Rambo, interesting, but my goodness, it's hard to watch. I really liked First Blood, and thought the sequels were silly but entertaining, but I didn't have the stomach for Rambo. I'm still trying to shake it. I'll grade it a C.

To my surprise, I actually enjoyed The Devils Wears Prada more than Rambo. I rented this for Jenny because Shawn Terrell made it sound like a chick flick a guy could tolerate. (Actually, I think Shawn watched it by himself, but that's beside the point). Devil has a Pretty Woman vibe, minus the prostitution. Meryl Streep, as always, is phenomenal. B+

I didn't like The Brave One as much as I expected, but the mild-mannered woman turned vigilante movie is worth seeing for Jodie Foster and Terrence Howard. They're both better than the mixed message of the story. B

I watched 3:10 to Yuma again. If you love Westerns, and even if you don't, make sure you see this. Russell Crowe and Christian Bale are top notch. (How is it possible Bale has 0 Academy Award nominations?). I'll upgrade this from A- to A upon a third viewing.

That concludes tonight's Murph at the Movies. (the title forced me to refer to myself in the third person. Don't worry, Keith Murphy will not refer to himself as Keith Murphy).