Fortress Movie Review

It has been a long while since I have witnessed a decent World War II film. Fortress follows a story based on true events of a squadron of B-17 bombers making strafing runs in Italy from Northern Africa.

Fortress opens with a fantastic air assault including several formations of planes making the bombing run, while axis forces, make machine gun passes across the formation in small planes. The focal plane is called the Lucky Lass and is hit with small arms fire, loses an engine and a couple of guys die inside, but the plane is landed safely.

For a low budget film I thought the aerial combat and filming were fantastic. I liked the sets, and it is obvious that some time was taken on the outfits, and items used during this time period. The attempt at the softer moments seemed a bit forced, but this was about the action. The story development, and humor was a decent try to establish the characters, but leaves one yearning for the flight sequences. The middle of the film drags a bit. There is some tension between the mechanics and airmen which is the highlight of the downtime between flying.

The final 15 minutes is a full on assault on the senses, a tense melodramatic ballet of bullets and bombs in mid-air. The action is tight and tense, and includes spinning and diving action. The inter-splicing of wide shots and close-ups added to the action by placing the viewer into all angles and stages of the combat.

The acting was consistent, no one person stealing the film, but no one detracting from it. Director Mike Phillips and writer Adam Klein obviously took their time to create this and I hope to see more of their work in the near future.

This film works on many levels, and shows how a lower budget production can be as good quality as a big budget theatrically released film. I rate this film a definite rent and a buy if you like war films. Fortress rates a 6.5 out of 10.

Ross Boyask Director Spotlight

Above photo: Ross from his Facebook page.

Hailing from the UK Ross Boyask has made his bloody mark on the action film world. He has several films to his credit including Left For Dead, FIXers, and Ten Dead Men. In 2001 he directed the short film Pure Vengeance, an early film in Scott Adkin's career.

IMDB links to a few of his earlier films:

10 Dead Men http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0854679/

FIXers http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0479214/

Left For Dead http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0378238/

In addition to directing Ross a screenwriter, producer, writer. He has a couple of other guys working with him on several projects. The very talented Chris Regan wrote Ten Dead Men and Manor Hunt Ball. Left For Dead was written by a gifted chap named Adrian Foiadelli. Ross knows how to be a man of all trades, but also allows people who work for him and with him the creativity to make the project work.

2012 is set to be a banner year for Ross as he has several films in various stages of Development. First on the agenda is Warrioress, which is set to be ready for screening January 31st. Warrioress is the story of female warriors on a quest. He has completed the script for See You in Hell, he states that the film is "a high octane action horror - Die Hard meets Dawn Of The Dead". Ross is also in the early stages of pre-production of Manor Hunt Ball a film where the high class society folk hunt down the average Joe's for sport. Check IMDB link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1733218/ The film is expecting a 2012 release.

Ross's IMDB page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1410110/

Ross has a couple of other films in the very early stages of development. Keep reading Dan's Movie Report in 2012 for additional info!

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa Actor Spolight

Above pic: Myself, Master Cary-Hiroyuki, and actress Stephanie Cheeva at H.I.M.A.S Banquet in 2003 Photo credit: Kelsey McNeal

Master Tagawa is a multi-faceted actor who has been in dozens of movies and TV shows. Perhaps his most widely recognized role is Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat. Most recently he can be seen on the hit TV series Hawaii 5-0 on CBS. In 2012 he will be featured in a few exciting new films.

Dual of Legends http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0849437/

Dual Of Legends film follows the story of a young boy, whose parents are killed,and was raised by a monk. He must fight to survive and find out who is behind the trafficking of young girls.

Mr. Tagawa is also starring in an epic 18th Century Samurai film called 47 Ronin. In this film a roving band of samurai set out on a quest to avenge the death of their master. Keanu Reeves also stars check IMDB for now, I will post official photos soon as the arrive.

IMDB Link for 47 Ronin: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1335975/

Watch Dan's Movie Report for future news, photos, and interview with Mr. Tagawa in 2012, in the meantime check out his cool official site @ http://www.caryhiroyukitagawa.com/

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol Movie Review

Just got back from the 9:01 Pm IMAX showing of Ghost Protocol. My ears are still ringing from the Batman trailer attached at the beginning. Be ready for a new more ominous villain, and some damn loud stunts and action.

Ghost Protocol is a thrill ride that rarely slows down, but the fact that this Mission has a true team effort makes the film thoroughly enjoyable to watch. After the pre-title sequence the film opens with Ethan Hunt (Cruise) in a Russian prison, with the aid of his cohorts he escapes, the very hard way out.


The team is formally introduced and includes Simon Pegg as Benji, Jeremy Renner as Brandt and a very ravishing excruciatingly lethal Paula Patton as Jane. We later find out the connection between team members, but as soon as the action shifts to Dubai, there is no time for pleasantries save for some wisecracks between the team members.

The stunts are jaw dropping in IMAX. The Burg tower is so tall it dwarfs the other structures around it makes for a fitting series of action sequences.

Paula Patton is fun to watch and she matched Mr. Cruise in intensity and intrepidity. Her fight training made it look like she could mix it up with the boys. Her sexiness also became a weapon, the dresses she wears covers several nice non-electronic pieces of equipment haha.

Why should they guys have all the fun! Photo by David James – © 2011 Paramount Pictures.

The film's final act takes place in India, more exotic locations, maniacal action, and a two million dollar prototype BMW. Quite often it was hard to catch my breath, but there was enough talking parts, and futuristic gadgets malfunctioning to keep the story moving even if the plot at times got lost in the action.

The cast all did a solid job with their characters, coming off as natural, not forced. The interplay between the team, the humor, and intensity kept the film flowing. It was nice to see Michael Nyqvist as Hendricks. He is a fantastic actor, and deserves roles in big budget films.

The IMAX production was interesting in that only portions of the film were filmed in the IMAX format, the screen altered in size when IMAX was being used and back to standard size when not. This was very subtle, and did not detract from the continuity and presentation of Ghost Protocol.

Overall I liked it. I think the IMAX format suits an action movie of this magnitude and am glad they chose NOT to do it in 3D. I rate Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol an 8 out of 10. I recommend this in a theater. The film opens December 21st, but is already playing at selected IMAX theaters.

Hostel : Part III Movie Review

All I can say is wow. I had rather low expectations for this direct to video feature of Hostel. This is the first film in the series not directed by Eli Roth, and although it had a much lower budget it really delivered, on the intensity.

The movie opens innocently enough with a nerdy college type kid wandering into a hotel room that was rented by a couple. I won't spoil it but lets just say things are never what they seem in Hostel III.

The main story begins with four friends meeting up in Las Vegas for the bachelor party to end all bachelor parties. The guys are partying, gambling drinking etc. The atmosphere, mood, and settings are all typical. Things start to turn south in a hurry when they are escorted to a place way off the strip.

Hostel III is one of those films you do not want to spoil even a bit, as one thing leads to another, all building to a crescendo at the conclusion. The actors and actresses move through the scenes and their actions have direct correlation to what happens next.

Not all of the girls in Hostel have good intentions!

I will say that this film focuses more on relationship and betrayal rather than the torture, there is some truly terrible slicing and dicing, going on but that is not the main focus of Hostel III. That is what makes this film provocative and fresh.

As a side comment kudos go to the filmmakers for finding the hottest ladies to be in this film. Not to sound sexist here, but there is something for everyone, and some of them even are garment challenged haha. Ladies, don't worry lots of big burly scary men are there as well.

Evelina Oboza as Anka, she does a great job in Hostel III, and is pleasant to look at.

We learn about the characters on the fly but that is fine as the story unfolds. This film had such a well thought out story and the concept behind the torture makes Hostel III stand out in the series.

This film is a must watch. I give Hostel III a 7 out of 10. It is available on DVD Amazon for pre-order and ships Dec 27th.