Saw IV Updates...

Well the Saw IV bandwagon is moving right along, kids. We finally got a teaser trailer, which only created more questions instead of answering the old ones (who the hell is the person dressed as Jigsaw at the end of the trailer?). Then we get the clip of the trap involving two men chained together at the neck. Well, thanks to a brand new clip; we get a lot more insight as to what is in store for us come October 26th, 2007.

The recent clip sheds some light on how exactly Jigsaw appears at the beginning of the film. For those who have yet to see the clip, I will describe it. We open with Jigsaw’s body being wheeled into a Medical lab. He is laid out on a table where his brain is removed (more than likely to check for the tumor). Then his chest is cracked open and organs are removed. The surgeon then removes the stomach and cuts it open to reveal a tape. The surgeon then calls Detective Hoffman (who appeared at the beginning of Saw III) who plays the tape. We hear Jigsaw greeting Hoffman, followed by another big “fuck you” speech. “Are you there, Detective? I promise that my work will continue. You think it is over, but you are wrong. The games have just begun.” Then we see Hoffman discovering the body of Kerri (the rib cage trap from Saw III) and then a whole host of new traps (the razors around the head, the two men chained together, and a couple bound together). In true Saw fashion there are a lot of clips that are edited together with lightning quick speed, so it is easy to miss something important. Well, that editor didn’t count on this asshole having all the time in the world to obsess over this movie. I had a contact go through and pause the clips to see if anything was revealed that the average nerd would overlook. Jackpot, bitches. Remember the pic from below? Well I made some changes to accommodate my find. Look again.
Now who, besides Dr. Gordon, do we know to have anything wrong with his ankle? And yes, I realize that the picture is dark and that you probably can’t see jack shit as far as an ankle brace goes, but thanks to the high tech nerds at IMDB I have been able to confirm it. Now look below to find one frame from the autopsy trailer.
Looks like Detective Mathews (Donnie Wahlberg) is back for more. If you can remember the line from Saw III towards the end of the film after the Amanda/Mathews flashback, Jigsaw tells Amanda “you killed Detective Mathews.” She agrees, to which he replies, “No, that’s what you thought, but I know better. I cleaned up your mistakes.” Seeing as how this looks like Wahlberg, and the brace is on the same foot that he broke in Saw III, I’d say I am right on the money here. It has also been confirmed by the actor himself that he appears in the film.

So what does all of this mean (other than the fact that I have no life)? Well, in the official synopsis it stated that Rigg was playing Jigsaw's game to help an old friend (Rigg called Mathews "old buddy" in Saw II). It also means nothing other than Mathews being back. I'm still no closer to any answers as all this has done has created more questions. Fuck me.

MOVIE REVIEWS: 3:10 To Yuma & Shoot 'Em Up

Two new movies opened over the weekend that I would dare say offered the perfect close to all the summer fun (or lack there of. Fuck you Rush Hour 3). The remake of 3:10 To Yuma and the action/comedy Shoot ‘Em Up are some of the best movies that 2007 has to offer. Both films will be appearing in my Top Ten list of 2007, and both for very good reasons.
3:10 To Yuma is the story of Dan Evans (another impressive role for Christian Bale), a man who is both spiritually and physically broken (his foot was blown off in the Civil War). He is a simple rancher who is being forced off of his land to make way for the rail road. After his barn burns down, he and his son’s venture out to round up all of his cattle. It is at this time that Evans happens upon a stage coach robbery perpetrated by Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) and his gang, which also includes Charlie Prince (the always good Ben Foster). Wade lets Evans and his sons go free despite witnessing the slaughter of everyone aboard the stagecoach. So Wade and his gang make their way to town, where Wade is captured. A volunteer group is formed, including Evans, to escort Wade to the 3:10 to Yuma Prison train, which leaves in two days time. Evans volunteers because, as he puts it, “I’m tired of the way my sons look at me and I am tired of the way that you don’t.” It is on this trek that Evans and Wade form an almost unspoken understanding of one another. Wade comes to almost admire what drives Evans to do what he does. He wants nothing more than respect and admiration from his family, and the money he was offered to escort Wade.

The performances in this western are what the movie. Russell Crowe seems to walk through the movie effortlessly, and regardless of being a cold blooded killer, you come to like the man immensely. Christian Bale takes on another punishing physical role in this movie, and adds another film to his resume that will become a classic later on down the line. Not to mention after portraying Bruce Wayne/Batman, Bale seems to have such a presence on screen. Regardless of who shares the scene with him, it is Bale that commands our attention. It is what makes him one of the best actors working today.

Everyone keeps calling 3:10 To Yuma the best western since Unforgiven. I dare say that this movie is the best western since The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
Then we come to a different monster all together. Shoot ‘Em Up is an amalgam of every awesome action sequence you have ever seen in your life. It is as if director/writer Michael Davis turned the final 30 minutes of Hard Boiled into a full fledged action movie with guns, carrots, and a newborn baby.

The plot? Does it really matter? It is Clive Owen as “Mr. Smith” shooting his way through dozens of henchmen. He makes John McClane look like Eugene Levy from The Man. “Mr. Smith” lives in a world where every surface is slick enough to slide on, the good guys never miss and one liners are used like a bodily function. The fun of the movie lies in its absurdity. There are so many times where you sit there watching the film going, “Yeah right,” but it is done with a smile every single time. This is how every action movie needs to be. Unlimited ammo, a rock soundtrack (including Motley Crue, Motorhead and AC/DC) and a wise-cracking hero that would make Ash (Army of Darkness) proud.

This could potentially be the next big action franchise, and after this first entry, it could also be the next big sleeper hit of the year. Definitely one of the most fun movies to watch this year.