Search

Search only in certain items:

12 Monkeys (1995)
12 Monkeys (1995)
1995 | Drama, Sci-Fi
A modern classic!
I recently watched the Comedy Central Roast of Bruce Willis which wasn't very good, but did show clips of many Willis films. You forget how many very good films he was in back in the day (not so much now) including 12 Monkeys.

Any time travel film is always going to mess with your brain a little and become more confusing the more you think about it; however, this one still holds up.

Willis plays his again everyman sent back in time to try and discover details about a mysterious disease which ravages the entire world in the future he comes from. Enough twists and turns to keep you guessing and a hilarious supporting role for Brad Pitt.
  
40x40

BankofMarquis (1832 KP) Aug 2, 2018

Haven't seen this one in awhile, this review just prodded me to rewatch this DVD in my film library.

40x40

Andy K (10821 KP) Aug 2, 2018

Glad to hear it!

40x40

Daniel1980 (18 KP) created a post

Apr 17, 2018  
So I've just watched Death Wish, the new Bruce Willis movie. It's a very average action movie, read my review to learn more!

*This review is all my own work, please don't reproduce without my permission. Please visit my advertisers pages from the main page of my blog as they help keep the blog going thankyou.
https://howicksfilmreviews.blogspot.co.uk/2018/04/death-wish.html
     
The Fifth Element (1997)
The Fifth Element (1997)
1997 | Drama, Sci-Fi
Bonkers, fast paced and very colourful actionfest, Bruce Willis is at his peak here as the cab driver tasked with protecting the titular fifth element although he is completely unaware of it, Gary Oldman produces an out of this world performance as the thoroughly unlikable Zorg, but it's Chris Tucker's over the top Rhuby Rhod that almost ruins a good movie.
  
Deep Impact (1998)
Deep Impact (1998)
1998 | Action, Drama, Mystery
\summer, 1998.

There's two movies out about an asteroid hurtling towards earth, and the mission to stop them.

In one, (parts of) the Asteroid hits.

In the other, a vest-less Bruce Willis saves the day.

This is the first.

Perhaps lacking the star power of the second (Bruce Willis, Liv Tyler, Ben Affleck, Billy Bob Thornton), this one has Morgan Freeman as the President of the US in tenure as the asteroid hurtles towards earth, and Tea Leoni as the journalist who breaks the story. A pre-LOTR Elijah Woods also pops up to provide the 'everyman' view of the situation, as the high school kid who first discovers the comet hurtling our way.

A bit slow getting started, and definitely a more thoughtful approach to the impending end-of-the-world scenario than Armageddon
  
Death Wish (2018)
Death Wish (2018)
2018 | Action, Crime, Drama
Bruce Willis killing bad guys
5 minutes before DEATH WISH started there was just 2 of us in the movie theater (by the time the film started, there was probably around 20). I turned to the only gentleman sitting there (about 2 seats down) and asked him if he'd like break into a "discussion group" after the film. "I'm just here to see Bruce Willis kill bad guys.", he said.

He did not walk away disappointed.

Directed by Eli Roth, DEATH WISH is a remake of the early 1970's film starring Charles Bronson about a "normal, family man" who snaps after his wife and daughter are assaulted. The Police' hands are tied, so he decides to take matters in his own hands and starts committing "vigilante justice".

Bruce Willis stars in this remake - and he is perfectly fine as the Doctor turned vigilante. Joining him is Vincent D'Onofrio as his brother, Elisabth Shue as his wife and BREAKING BAD'S Dean Norris as the cop who is chasing him. All of these actors do a perfectly fine job with what they are given to work with, but (let's be honest), fine acting - or intricate plot developments - are not what you are looking for in this film.

As my new friend put it - "I'm just here to see Bruce Willis kill bad guys".

And "kill bad guys" he does. But...not as often as I though he would. And...not nearly as graphically as I was expecting. Director Roth is known as a Director of Horror "splatter" films, "torture porn" fare like the HOSTEL films and CABIN FEVER. I was pleasantly surprised by the restraint that Roth has shown in the graphic violence in this film - I was expecting it to be a lot worse, almost stomach churning - but it just wasn't (except for 1 torture seen involving a car). It was "basic" violent fare - and well done.

To be honest, I thought they spent too much time of the film setting up Willis' character turn to "the dark side", at one point wondering "get to killing the bad guys already". But, when the film gets there, it is entertaining, indeed.

As I walked past my "new friend" after the film was over, I asked him what he thought:

"I saw Bruce Willis killing bad guys, I'm good."

And that about sums it up.

Letter Grade B- (just know what you're getting into)

6 (out of 10) stars and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
  
Die Hard (1988)
Die Hard (1988)
1988 | Action
Could there be a better action movie? Don't think so...
When you first heard about Bruce Willis being in an action movie, your first thought had to be "Oh, no! Not the star of Moonlighting" and "Blind Date"! Kind of similar to Michael Keaton in Batman or Heath Ledger as The Joker.

The movie is one of a very few that helped define the modern action genre and propelled Bruce Willis to the complete dickhead he is today ?. He is very believable as John McClane, the everyman who happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The cat and mouse he eventually plays with the common thieves led by the menacing, perfect Alan Rickman has hardly been equaled.

The sequels eventually got a little (or a lot) stale, but the first film is an action classic and one of my faves!
  
40x40

The Marinated Meeple (1848 KP) May 24, 2018

you didn't mention that it's a Christmas film!

Die Hard (1988)
Die Hard (1988)
1988 | Action
Peak action
I am absolutely incapable of understanding why anyone wouldn't like Die Hard. It's level of adoration is there for a reason.

The plot is simple and brilliant - When New York cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) travels to meet his wife at her company Christmas party in Los Angeles, he is unwittingly caught in a hostage situation when the building is seized by terrorists, lead by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman). With the help of a police Sgt. on the outside (Reginald VelJohnson), McClane takes it upon himself to save his wife, and take down Gruber.

Die Hard takes a little while to set up, as we're intorduced to all the key characters, and it takes a while for everyone to catch on to what is happening. However, when the action starts, it's literally non stop. The practical effects, and fantastic stunt work make the action scenes a stand out of the genre, and they still stand up today.
The script is hugely corny at times, but is pulled off with aplomb by Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman. John McClane is one of the most likable protagonists in cinema history. He's calm, badass, and stands up for what is right. It's hard to imagine anyone else but Willis pulling off some of his one liners.
Equally, Hans Gruber is one of the most likable bad guys in cinema history. He's ruthless, yet charming, and gives John a proper hard time.

Most importantly, Die Hard is just stupidly entertaining. What was released initially as another action film of the decade, with a then relatively unknown Bruce Willis, quickly became a legitimate classic.
  
40x40

Andy K (10821 KP) Nov 30, 2019

Such an awesome movie!

Unbreakable (2000)
Unbreakable (2000)
2000 | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Weird comicbook type thriller and a creepy samuel jackson (0 more)
I like almost anything starring bruce willis
So i had seen this before but decided to watch again cuz i heard that right after i seen split that there was triogy .so watched again .not a bad movie im just not a fan of the director.anyway still not a bad movie and actaually i liked it better the 2nd time around
  
40x40

Andy K (10821 KP) created a post in Dear Smashbomb....

Sep 8, 2018  
Important question of the day. I have always been fortunate to have hair. I recently had a birthday. I'm now 47. The front of my hair has started to do that receding thing. I'm depressed about it.

The question is: do I keep leaving it alone assuming it will continue to look mike 50s Bill Murray hair or do I go full on Bruce Willis and get rid of it all?
  
Show all 20 comments.
40x40

Andy K (10821 KP) Sep 19, 2018

Thanks for all the great posts. Really appreciate it!

40x40

Dianne Robbins (1738 KP) Sep 19, 2018

Anytime!

Angel Has Fallen (2019)
Angel Has Fallen (2019)
2019 | Action, Drama, Thriller
Lots of explosions
To be honest I can’t remember the other two although I have watched them. This was good with some funny moments especially the very last scene. It was all very Die Hard and one wonders if he is the new Bruce Willis. As my son said they must have had great fun setting up the explosions because there are a lot. On the whole very enjoyable.