Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance - 惡靈戰警:復仇時刻

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (惡靈戰警:復仇時刻) is an 2012 film. The movie stars Nicholas Cage. The supporting cast include Violante Placido, Johnny Whitworth, and Fergus Riordan. The movie is primarily based in Europe.

Based eight years after the events of the first Ghost Rider movie, Johnny Blaze is now in Europe. Blaze is approached to guard an boy that is of special interest to Roarke, the demon that Blaze made a deal with. In the event to help protect this boy, the Ghost Rider takes out many a bad guys. However, Roarke gives special powers to another who becomes Blackout and they chase eat other and the boy trust is wishy washy at best with the mother's involvement. There's a big climatic battle at the end!

This movie is not good. But it is enjoyable fantasy based comic book movie. Lots of special effects and a protect the chosen one concept. If you liked the first one, this one was twice what the first movie was in terms of CG and explosions. Yes, lots of guns and explosions.

The American - 完美狙擊

The American (完美狙擊) is a 2010 film. The movie stars George Clooney and Violante Placido. The movie is based on a 1990 novel by Martin Booth called A Very Private Gentleman.

The movie starts in a very snowy Sweden in a log cabin with a scantly clad Ingrid and our main man Jack. On a walk around the area, Jack notices foot prints in the snow. Jack quickly looks for shelter and is shot at. Jack than kills the sniper, Ingrid, and another man on a nearby road. Jack heads to Rome now to meet up with his handler, Pavel. Pavel gives Jack an hide out place in another part of Italy and than another assignment. From that point on, you're brought into the life that Jack leads as an assassin for hire. Jack finds an love interest with a brothel worker, Clara. In the end, Jack wants out, but has an heavy price to pay for it.

The movie was quite a slow mover. Lots of Clooney looking here and there. The only real spark was when Clara was around and when there was muted action. Besides that, I was quite bored and trying to figure out the visual aspects of a beautifully present Italian lifestyle. A well made film, but a little boring too.