Movie Review: Jack Hunter and the Star of Heaven

Jack Hunter and the Star of Heaven 

American Cinema International, Oasis Entertainment, Anka Film, USA, Turkey, 2009. 

Final part of the "Jack Hunter" trilogy. 

The visit to the Pharaoh's tomb gave the heroes little more than blisters, bruins and some bad memories. The ancient energy weapon Star of Heaven was stolen by ancient Romans and it is hidden in Turkey. Jack (Ivan Sergei) and NSA-operative Liz (Susan Ward) are chasing naughty rogue treasure hunter Littmann (Thure Riefenstein) who has one part of the weapon Iris of the Heaven. The operation toa arrest him is a catastrophe and Liz vents his frustration on Jack.

Jack Hunter

Liz

A random note: Thure Riefenstein sounds a lot like Vincent Price.

Jack, Tariq (Mario Naim Bassil) and Nadia (Joanne M. Kelly) go to interview antique dealer Armen Antaki (Michael Halphie) for the location of the box containing the part Eye of the Heaven. Unfortunately also Littmann gets the same idea. The Russian mobsters want the ancient laser weapon at any cost. The teamship of Jack and Nadia gets tense because Nadia was Antaki's son's Fuad's (Mert Yavuzcan) old girlfriend. Jack is jealous and Nadia is still not sure if he can trust Jack. Fuad joins the adventurers much to Jack's displeasure.

The relations between Jack and Nadia get tense

Whirling dervishes!

Fuad Antaki

This time there is less tomb raiding and more of hunting for antiques, fighting Russian mafia and seeing how the possible romance of Jack and Nadia will go. There is also Tariq's Oscar bait scene where he gives an inspirational speech to Jack. Tariq you goofy Cupido, you! We also get to see Tariq's wife at last. Like the previous parts (one and two) this made for TV movie has adventure, some comedy and romance. Although it brings little new to the adventure genre, it was generally an entertaining watch. Of course it is be clichéd at times but at least the story arc of Jack and his friends comes to a satisfying conclusion.

Tariq

The final battle of Jack and Littmann is near

Littmann levels up his jedi skills

Rating: Good

Starring: Ivan Sergei, Joanne M. Kelly, Thure Riefenstein, Susan Ward, Nihat Alptekin, Murat Garipagaoglu, Asal Toktamis, Steve Taynton, Mario Naim Bassil, Birol Tarkan Yildiz, Mehmet Polat, Alaina Huffman, Sean Lawlor, Mert Yavuzcan, Muhammed Cangören, Tuncel Kurtiz, Teoman Kumbaracibasi, Sinan Tuzcu, Fatih Haciosmanoglu, Hakan Silahsizoglu, Savas Özdemir, Alper Kul, Michael Halphie, Esin Eden, Orbay Sayu, Tansu Biçer, Volga Sorgu, Silay Ünal, Emre Cosar, Lilie Lossen, Eda Özerkan, Eric Graham, Sinan Mortan, Erden Alkan, Mehmet Can Kilic

Director: Terry Cunningham

Movie Review: Jack Hunter and the Quest for Akhenaten's Tomb

Jack Hunter and the Quest for Akhenaten's Tomb

American Cinema International, Oasis Entertainment, Anka Film, USA, Turkey, 2008.

Second part of the Jack Hunter TV-movie trilogy that continues where the first movie ended.

Part of the ancient energy weapon Star of Heaven is hidden in Egypt. Jack Hunter's (Ivan Sergei) old flame Lena Halstrom Alaina Huffman) and museum boss Said Shaheen (Tuncel Kurtiz) find an Ugarit obelisk in Egypt. The obelisk is a tool for finding Pharaoh Akhenaten's tomb. Mystical fire-jugglers burn their camp. 

Jack Hunter

Said Shaheen

Lena Halstrom

Jack's friend Liz (Susan Ward) is revealed to be an NSA-agent. She sends Jack and Nadia (Joanne Kelly) to search the hidden  weapon. Tariq (Mario Naim Bassil) the Falafel-expert comes along. The trio joins forces with Lena and her assistant Eyhab (Alper Kul). Soon traitors attack and the heroes become fugitives. New opponents appear, a ferocious Midian cult leader Riyad (Savas Özdemir) and ambitious Colonel (Sinan Tuzcu). Of course the old nemesis Albert Littmann (Thure Riefenstein) is still around. 

Nadia

Littmann

Cult leader Riyad

Continuing the story of the first film this is about as good as the previous, an entertaining mix of tomb raiding and action with comic relief from Tariq. The TV-movie is bit too light for a direct comparison with "Indiana Jones" but more in the vein of "The Librarian" or special episodes of "MacGyver." This time things get complicated by appearance of Jack's old girlfriend who is a snake in the grass. The filming locations (in Egypt or Turkey) look again nice.

Colonel

Riyad playing a jedi

Jack Hunter's adventures continue in "Jack Hunter and the Star of Heaven."

Rating: Good

Starring: Ivan Sergei, Joanne Kelly, Thure Riefenstein, Susan Ward, Nihat Alptekin, Murat Garipagaoglu, Asal Toktamis, Steve Taynton, Mario Naim Bassil, Birol Tarkan Yildiz, Mehmet Polat, Alaina Huffman, Sean Lawlor, Mert Yavuzcan, Muhammed Cangören, Tuncel Kurtiz, Teoman Kumbaracibasi, Sinan Tuzcu, Fatih Haciosmanoglu, Hakan Silahsizoglu, Savas Özdemir, Alper Kul, Michael Halphie, Esin Eden, Orbay Sayu, Tansu Biçer, Volga Sorgu, Silay Ünal, Emre Cosar, Lilie Lossen, Eda Özerkan

Director: Terry Cunningham

Movie Review: Jack Hunter and the Lost Treasure of Ugarit

Jack Hunter and the Lost Treasure of Ugarit
American Cinema International, Oasis Entertainment, Anka Film, USA, Turkey, 2008.

Adventure man Jack Hunter (Ivan Sergei) steals a stone tablet from museum. Meanwhile wicked archaeologist Albert Littmann (Thure Riefenstein) tries to find lost city in Palmyra. The Ugarit people had invented some kind of energy weapon. Jack's teacher Professor Shaffer (Sean Lawlor) suggests that Ugarit treasure is hidden in Pharaoh Akhenaten's tomb and the stone tablet holds a clue. Jack is not interested in running after vague clues. When the Professor is murdered Jack travels to Syria to find the killer. Friend Liz (Susan Ward) stays behind to offer technical back up. 

Jack Hunter

Professor Shaffer

Liz

In Syria Jack meets comical sidekick driver Tariq (Mario Naim Bassil) and has a rough start with archaeologist Nadia Ramadan (Joanne Kelly). Nadia does not like foreigners stealing Syrian antiques. They get a scroll from Professor's colleague Ali (Muhammed Cangören) and get targeted by mooks. Hashashins, sandstorms and traps await the adventurers. They meet also hospitable nomad Hasef (Murat Garipagaoglu).

Albert Littmann

Nadia and Ali

Tariq and Jack

This is the first movie of light "Indiana Jones" style trilogy of TV-movies that have continuous story and can not be viewed separately without losing the plot. Plenty of fistfights, gunfights and chases, rogue archaeologists and Russian mobsters. On the Syfy Channel scale this is one of the better efforts. Not in any way the most original story but the filmy keeps a good pace and filming locations in Turkey look fresh. If you liked "The Librarian" series you'll probably like this also. 

Jack Hunter's adventures continue in "Jack Hunter and the Quest for Akhenaten's Tomb."

Rating: Good

Starring: Ivan Sergei, Joanne Kelly, Thure Riefenstein, Susan Ward, Nihat Alptekin, Murat Garipagaoglu, Asal Toktamis, Steve Taynton, Mario Naim Bassil, Birol Tarkan Yildiz, Mehmet Polat, Alaina Huffman, Sean Lawlor, Mert Yavuzcan, Muhammed Cangören, Tuncel Kurtiz, Teoman Kumbaracibasi, Sinan Tuzcu, Fatih Haciosmanoglu, Hakan Silahsizoglu, Savas Özdemir, Alper Kul, Michael Halphie, Esin Eden, Orbay Sayu, Tansu Biçer, Volga Sorgu, Silay Ünal, Emre Cosar, Lilie Lossen, Eda Özerkan 

Director: Terry Cunningham

Movie Review: Flipper (1996)

Flipper (1996)
Universal Pictures, American Films, The Bubble Factory, USA, 1996.

Remake of the 1960s movie that inspired a TV-series.

Rebellious kid Sandy Ricks (Elijah Wood) arrives in Coral Key to spend summer with his fun-loving fisherman Uncle Porter (Paul Hogan). (Note: in the 1960s series Sandy was Porter's son). Porter lives in his house with Pete the Pelican. Porter's messy lifestyle does not appeal to Sandy and he would rather go to Red Hot Chili Peppers concert. Porter's rival Dirk Moran (Jonathan Banks) hates dolphins and kills Flipper the Dolphin's mother. Another danger lurking in the sea is a ferocious hammerhead shark Scar. 

Uncle Porter

Sandy

Dirk Moran

Sandy meets shopkeeper and Porter's love interest Cathy (Chelsea Field) and her geeky kid Marvin (Jason Fuchs). Cathy tells that the fishing business suffers because the fish die from dioxin poisoning. Flipper follows Sandy and slowly Sandy begins to adjust to the island life. Especially when he meets pretty girl Kim (Jessica Wesson). However Porter must teach the reckless boy some discipline. Sheriff Buck Cowan (Isaac Hayes) says that the Ricks can not keep Flipper and he has to be freed. However Flipper returns and has gotten sick because of toxic waste.

Cathy and Marvin

Kim

Sheriff Buck Cowan

Sandy and his friends decide to stop the pollution and arrest the culprit with help from Flipper. Adventure follows and Sandy has the best summer vacation ever!

Flipper

Nice film for the whole family although the plot treads the well known tracks. The story does not offer many surprises but like any remakes of Lassie, the film is hard to dislike. As feel-good family entertainment it has its place. The dolphin is cute and Paul "Crocodile Dundee" Hogan's presence is a big plus.

Here's theme song of the 1960s series.

Rating: Good

Starring: Elijah Wood, Paul Hogan, Jonathan Banks, Robert Deacon, Ann Carey, Mark Casella, Luke Halpin, Bill Kelley, Chelsea Field, Jason Fuchs, Lindsay Treco, Jessica Wesson, Mal Jones, Louis Seeger Crume, Bill Nolan, Isaac Hayes, Mary Jo Faraci, Allison Bertolino, Kourtney Brown, Danielle Mulholland, Bryon Williams
Director: Alan Shapiro

Movie Review: The 'Burbs

The 'Burbs 

Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment, USA, 1989. 

Ray Peterson (Tom Hanks) suspects that there is something wrong in the house next door. A weird European family the Klopeks have moved into the house! Not that the neighborhood isn't wacky already with war veteran Lt. Rumsfield (Bruce Dern), nosy gun nut Art (Rick Ducommun) and dog owner Walter (Gale Gordon) causing ruckus and teen dude Ricky (Corey Feldman) just enjoying the show. Pragmatic wife Carol (Carrie Fisher) thinks that Ray is only stressed.

Ray and Art

Carol

It does not seem normal when Klopeks start digging holes to backyard and dragging suspicious garbage bags in the middle of the night. Then Walter vanishes and dog finds a suspicious bone. Are the Klopeks Satan worshipping cannibals? Carol and Mrs. Bonnie Rumsfield (Wendy Schaal) think that it is all misunderstanding and decide to welcome the Klopeks (Henry Gibson, Brother Theodore and Courtney Gains). Meeting them only makes them seem more suspicious. Ray, Art and Lt. Runsfield decide to infiltrate the house when the Klopeks are away. Do not mess with the Suburbanites!

Walter and Darla the Poodle

Bonnie and Lt. Rumsfield

Ricky

In the 1980s many movies about something horrible going on in the suburban residential areas were made. "Fright Night", "Lost Boys", "The Gate", "Elm Street" series and many more. Joe Dante had darkly comedic approach to the genre with "Gremlins" and "The 'Burbs." Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern and Rick Ducommun going overboard spying on the neighbours is wickedly funny to watch. Dante combines the absurd paranoia with a creepy feeling that maybe the Klopeks are evil after all. There are some spoofs to horror films of the era and lots of goofy 1980s slapstick. The script is full of hilarious dialogue and one liners especially coming from Bruce Dern. Nice gem from Tom Hanks' comedic era.

The Klopeks

The line "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Who started it, tuna neck!" somehow made me think of classic "Maniac Mansion" game (1987), that included also a similar insult involving tuna.

Rating: Very good

Starring: Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern, Carrie Fisher, Rick Ducommun, Corey Feldman, Wendy Schaal, Henry Gibson, Brother Theodore, Courtney Gains, Gale Gordon, Dick Miller, Robert Picardo, Cory Danziger, Franklyn Ajaye, Rance Howard, Heather Haase, Nicky Katt, Billy Stevenson, Gary Hays, Kevin Gage, Dana Olsen, Brenda Benner, Patrika Darbo, Sonny Carl Davis, Moosie Drier, Leigh French, Archie Hahn, Billy Jayne, Phyllis Katz, Jeffrey Kramer, Tracy Newman, Lynne Marie Stewart, Arnold F. Turner, Gigi Vorgan, Darla the Poodle, Carey Scott 

Director: Joe Dante

Movie Review: Begin Again (2013)

Begin Again (2013)
Exclusive Media Group, Sycamore Pictures, Apatow Productions, Likely Story, USA, 2013.

Alcoholic music mogul Dan Mulligan (Mark Ruffalo) is frustrated because finding new talents is more difficult every year. He gets fired from his record company and decides to spend some time with with his estranged daughter Violet (Hailee Steinfeld). It does not go well and Dan continues boozing.

Dan

In a bar he hears indie singer Gretta (Keira Knightley) performing her song. Gretta has just separated from his boyfriend Dave (Adam Levine) who became a famous artist. Now homeless Gretta has temporarily moved to his old friend Steve (James Corden). Dan begins to arrange a recording deal for Gretta. He needs to find musicians for her band and there his contacts and professionalism come in handy. Also one of Dan's talents Troublegum (Ceelo Green) promises to fund the project. At the same time Gretta and Dan try to help each other pull their lives back together.

Gretta and Dave

Steve

Troublegum

"Begin Again" is a nice feel-good music drama that surprises positively. The production of Gretta's album utilizes nicely locations in New York. Ruffalo and Knightley have good chemistry as two different generation music enthusiastics with different backgrounds and problems. Also the production of the album looks fun and creative. The story is quite simple but sympathetic and Knightley has credibility as indie musician.

Rating: Very good

Starring: James Corden, Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Hailee Steinfeld, Yasiin Bey, Karen Pittman, Paul Romero, Catherine Keener, Andrew Sellon, Ed Renninger, Adam Levine, Marco Assante, Mary Catherine Garrison, Jen Jacob, Rob Morrow, Jennifer Li Jackson, Ian Brodsky, Shannon Walsh, David Abeles, Ann McGowan, Ron Voz, CeeLo Green, Kena Onyenjekwe, Harvey Morris, Terry Lewis, Colin Love, Jimmy Palumbo, Simon Delaney, Danielle Brisebois, Keen Ruffalo, Melissa Maria Gonzalez, Nicholas Daniel Gonzalez, Maddie Corman, Aya Cash, David Pendleton, Joanna Mauer, Erik Detusch, Rich Mercurio, Emilie Cardinaux, Curtis Fowlkes, Emily Yarbourgh, Erin Benin, Alexis Sykes, Julia Bruskin, Justin Chauncey

Director: John Carney