If you have a taste for mindless violence, you’ll love THE PURGE (2013) starring Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, and Max Burkholder. One of those rare movies with a premise ripe with potential, we unfortunately are left with little more than just another home-invasion movie.

The year is 2022 and the United States of America, now governed by The Founding Fathers of America, have devised a policy that supposedly eradicates nearly every case of unsanctioned violence in daily society. THE PURGE, an annual 12-hour event in which all criminal activities, up to and including murder, are temporarily legalized appears to be the answer. We join James Sandin, an affluent businessman fighting to protect his family when an unwanted stranger gains access to his home and begs for protection from the mob vying for his throat right outside his front door.

Of course high ranking military and political officials are exempt in the country’s annual cleansing, so we immediately realize that THE PURGE becomes an annual class-war fought on the residential streets of local neighbourhoods. With so many chances to explore the psychological choice to purge or to barricade and hide during the annual event, audiences instead find themselves only assaulted with anger and the subsequent violence. Never do we experience the true horror of a society turning on its most vulnerable members past the obligatory bloodshed.

Directed by James Demonaco, what could have been a classic case of society examining its primal urge for retribution has instead devalued itself to the level of just another slasher-movie. But then what should we expect from the producers who brought us PARANORMAL ACTIVITIES, INSIDIOUS, and SINISTER. Rated R, 85 minutes, Horror, Sci-fi, Thriller, ** 2 stars out of 5. ‘Safe Night’ everyone.’

Man of Steel sure to be summer hit

MAN OF STEEL (2013) starring Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, and Michael Shannon will be a summer hit with super hero fans all around the world. The action sequences are awe-inspiring; however, fans of Christopher Reeve need not despair. He still holds the title as the best Superman ever to be lifted off the pages of a comic book and presented on the silver screen.

Desperate to save their newborn son after realizing that their home plant is facing complete and utter destruction, Jor-El and Lara make the painful decision to launch their infant son Kal-El into space. Shot from the planet of Krypton minutes before its core implodes, the baby Kal-El also carries the cordex—a device capable of preserving the entire Kryptonian race. Adopted on Earth by human parents Jonathan and Martha Kent, a young Clark Kent struggles to discover his own origins while fighting to save his adopted planet from its own imminent destruction at the hands of General Zod.

Filmed in a non-linear style of storytelling, this latest instalment of Superman’s origins unfolds in a somewhat confusing manner. Jumping back and forth between the past, the present, and the future, audiences unfamiliar with the specifics of superman’s history might find themselves struggling to keep it all in perspective. Definitely filmed with a darker tone, more than just Superman’s costume has changed. This MAN OF STEEL displays very little levity, and no iconic red trunks.

Director Zack Snyder has presented us with a very likeable version of Lois Lane, and although Amy Adams may not employ any of Margot Kidder’s beloved quirkiness, she quickly becomes an integral part of the story. Sadly, supporting characters Russell Crowe and Laurence Fishburne are disappointingly underused.  Rated PG-13, 143 mins, Action, Adventure, Sci-fi, Fantasy.  **** 4 stars out of 5.

– Lynne Martin is an avid movie collector and a staunch supporter of sexual education. She currently resides in Alberta, Canada with her husband and their large extended family. For a complete list of her reviews and other works, or to leave a comment, please go to: www.lynnemartinbooks.com.

Article Share