Top 5 Jean-Claude Van Damme Movies

I watched a movie with Van Damme the other day and just decided to do this entry. I used to love Jean-Claude Van Damme movies when I was a kid. So here are what I think are the top 5 Van Damme movies.


1) Bloodsport  -  Van Damme enters a full contact tournament and kicks ass. Hell yes.

2) Street Fighter  -  Based off the Capcom video game, Van Damme plays Col. Guile and saves the world against General Bison. Great sarcastic lines from Van Damme and a fun performance from Raul Julia make this a corny, yet fun movie.

3) Sudden Death  -  Van Damme attempts to save the Vice President who is being held hostage by Powers Boothe. And this is all going on during a Pittsburgh Penguins playoff  hockey game. Van Damme kills a bad guy by stabbing him in the throat with a chicken bone. Awesome.

4) Timecop  -  Van Damme plays a cop who travels through time catching criminals. Good action, crappy special effects and more sarcasm from Van Damme.

5) Kickboxer  -  Van Damme attempts to avenge his brother's death when he is paralyzed by a vicious Thai kickboxer. And the final fight, you have your hands wrapped in burlap, dipped in wax and covered in glass. Bad ass!


Honorable Mentions:         The Quest  -  The Expendables 2  -  Double Impact  -  Universal Soldier



And there it is.  My top 5 Jean-Claude Van Damme movies. Just for fun Yes indeed.

Kick-Ass 2

I was really excited to see this movie. The first movie was awesome. The violence, the language and the amazing performance from Chloe Grace-Moretz. So needless to say I was more excited to see the sequel.

Kick-Ass 2 picks up almost right where the first movie left off. "Kick Ass" (Aaron Johnson) is getting trained by "Hit Girl" (Chloe Grace-Moretz) and are protecting the city from scum. All while the new super villain, "The MotherF*****", is out to extract revenge for "Kick Ass" killing his father. The plot is simple so it makes for easy watching. The extra fun thing about this movie is the fact that "Kick Ass" has to join other super heroes due to the fact that "Hit Girl" made a promise to her guardian. She promised that she wouldn't be "Hit Girl" anymore. She struggles with herself and has a constant battle between being a super hero, trying not to be a super hero and discovering new things about being a 15 year old girl. She still kills it in this movie. The stuff that comes out of her mouth is filthy but awesome. She is so good in this movie. So like I said, that leaves "Kick Ass" joining up with other super heroes and they all protect the city. Enter Jim Carrey. Carrey plays "Colonel Stars & Stripes". He is a bad ass who hates crime and those who break the law. His on screen time is short but awesome.

The whole movie is fun and entertaining. Right up to the end when you have approx. 50 super heroes in a rumble with approx. 50 super villains. Awesome, awesome, awesome. Make sure you watch the first movie before you watch this movie. You don't necessarily have to, but it makes for a better movie. actually, now that I think about it, sometimes when you watch a sequel first, it makes the first movie really neat cause you get to how everything came together. You can do either with this movie. So I would definitely recommend this movie. The first Kick-Ass is better than this one but the sequel is still awesome. So check it out. It kicks ass! (see what I did there?) Yes indeed.

Pacific Rim

 

Ok....so when people saw the preview for this movie, all they saw was giant robots vs. big monsters. And they're not wrong, but giant robots vs. big monsters on an HD screen? Hell yeah!

This movie is fun. Just plain old fun. Big action and some really fun moments make for a good time. I said it in my last entry and I'll say it again for this movie. It's entertaining. Let yourself go and enjoy some blockbuster action. Guillermo Del Toro makes fun movies. He's the same guy that did Hellboy 1 & 2. I'm a fan of Guillermo Del Toro movies. He has original stories and original characters. And I'm also a fan of Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy) and Idris Elba (Prometheus). They are a great caliber of actors and they give this film the drama factor that it needed. Without it, the movie would be extremely cheesy. There is a great speech from Idris Elba that might give you goose bumps.

I will admit that this movie that took me by surprise. I didn't think much of it when I saw the preview. But after I gave it a chance? I really enjoyed it! It's a good time. Check it out. But make sure you have an HD TV or a the graphics will go wasted o you. Blu-Ray also help. Pacific Rim!!! Yes indeed.

Fast & Furious 6

So I have a feeling that there are a majority of people that just see cheesy action flick written all over this movie. And the fact that this is the 6th movie in the franchise so they are just beating a dead horse. And they're right. However, that doesn't mean that this movie is not a great time.

So embrace the cheese, embrace the moments that make you say, "c'mon! There is no way that could happen!" So if you let go of that and just enjoy an action movie with fun 1 liners and big dudes beating the hell out of each other, then you will enjoy yourself. Now, I will admit, I was totally against the 4th installment in the series. And then when Fast Five came out, I was like.......seriously? But I forced myself to watch them and you know what? They're not half bad? They are fun. There is some serious action involved and I have a good time watching it. Fast & Furious 6 is not a movie about fast cars and street racing. Neither is Fast Five for that matter. It's more of a team of thieves trying to rob the rich or in this movie, trying to earn their freedom. Vin Diesel and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson have cemented themselves as huge action stars. And they definitely deliver. Not to mention, there is a great fight scene between ex MMA fighter Gina Carano and Michelle Rodiguez.  

Just watch this movie. And #'s 4 and 5. Just forget about seeing anything that will earn Oscar nominations and you'll remember why you watch movies. Because they are entertaining. Fast & Furious 6 does just that. Entertain you. I, personally am excited for # 7. Yes indeed.

Elysium

Loved it! Elysium is another original movie that kicks ass. And oh yeah, it another movie in which Matt Damon kicks ass. He rocked the shit in this one!



Elysium stars Matt Damon as a regular guy trying to making in the regular world. Except the regular world is in the year 2154 and the regular world has gone to shit. The wealthy and important live on Elysium. A man made space station that has it's own atmosphere and the ability and technology to cure disease. There is no poverty, no waste and no poor. Damon's character gets exposed to a deadly radiation by a work accident and has 5 days in order to get himself to Elysium to save himself. Along the way, he has to battle the Jodie Foster, the secretary of Elysium who is hell bent on maintaining the pristine order of things on Elysium by any means necessary. She enlists the help of a mercenary played by Sharlto Copley (District 9, The A-Team). Damon gets a little help from black market dealers and gets a fusion which offers network connections and super human strength.



This movie is highly entertaining. I was enthralled through every minute. It was captivating and had a great story. I didn't hear too much about it in theaters which is surprising because I thought it would have had much more of  buzz. The same guy who wrote and directed the Oscar nominated movie, District 9, wrote and directed this movie. Elysium is one hell of a ride with some awesome special effects and an original story. And like I said Matt Damon rocked the shit in this one.

Watch this movie. Yes indeed.

10 Years

This was a cool little movie. I didn't really know what to expect in all honesty. While I was watching it, I was kind of hating everything about it. It reminded me of high school but in a way that I wouldn't want to remember. In fact, my memories of high school didn't even register with this movie. But as you continue to watch, you get a sense of what would happen if you attended your own 10 year high school reunion.

This movie was a good watch for a few different reasons. It really does have a great cast. Channing Tatum, Rosario Dawson, Chris Pratt, Audrey Plaza, Oscar Isaac, Justin Long, Ari Graynor & Kate Mara among  several others. There is a captivating factor about this movie. About 30 or 40 minutes in, the character development really grabs you. My favorite thing about this movie is Oscar Isaac's character. He is the person that is now a famous musician and has some really great scenes with Kate Mara. Especially an original song that he sings at a bar. I got some goose bumps to be honest.

10 Years is good movie. It's not a great movie, but it's entertaining. Watch it if your looking for an original movie with some neat scenes. Yes indeed.

Gravity

This movie was awesome! Everything about it was visually stunning. The opening sequence, right to the end credits. The entire movie had me on the edge of my seat.

It's a quick movie, approximately 90 minutes or so. So about 15 minutes in.....it starts. Pieces of a satellite orbiting the earth and crashes into the space shuttle that Sandra Bullock & George Clooney are working on. From there, it's over an hour of Sandra Bullock hurling through space, trying not to die, and attempting to battle zero gravity in order to get back to earth. She challenges the impossible and it is thoroughly entertaining.

The really cool thing about this movie is that before the movie starts, there is an opening segment that states some facts about space. For instance, the fact that there is no sound. So that fact is carried out throughout the entire movie. Any crash, any bang, any knock, any hit is completely silent. So there are some terrifying moments that are made extra intense because there is no sound. Freaking awesome.

Gravity is nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture this year and it is well deserving. This is a good movie. Check it out and try to keep yourself on the ground. Yes indeed.

My Apologies

Ok, sorry I haven't posted anything in a while. My bad. The wife and I switched internet providers and for a while, we were without the internet. It was like living in the dark ages. It was liberating and annoying all at the same time.

I will be doing some new posts very shortly. That is, if anybody actually read this thing. Anyways, I watched a ton of movies, came up with some really bitchin entries. So some stuff will be coming soon.

That's what she said.

Yes indeed.

The Way Way Back

Loved this movie! Absolutely loved it! This movie did not get a lot of buzz. It is extremely underrated. Way Way Back was written by the same guys who wrote The Descendants. This is one of the most heart-felt, enjoyable, well written movies that I've seen all year.

The movie is centered around a 14 year old named Duncan. He is on a summer trip with his mom, his mom's boyfriend and his daughter. They are staying at the boyfriends summer house. The boyfriend is played by Steve Carell. His character is a complete jerk and Carell plays it so well. It was weird seeing Steve Carell in that type of role. But he did a really good job. It's a good transition for taking on more serious roles like his upcoming role in Foxcatcher. Duncan keeps finding himself in this awkward situations. Having to tag along with Carell's daughter to the beach. Getting stuck at dinner with his mom, the boyfriend and 2 other friends. He can't seem to win in any situation. That all changes however when he meets Owen. An outgoing guy that is the manager of a water park and he takes Duncan under his wing. Gives him a job, helps him make some friends and gives Duncan the confidence he needs to get through his life. Owen is played by Sam Rockwell and his character in this movie is just awesome. He has some amazing zingers and 1 liners and Rockwell gives one of the best performances of his career. After the movie was over, I said to myself that I want to be this character.

The reason the movie is called The Way Way Back is because of the top picture. It was written from one of the writer's own childhood experience and having to sit in of those old station wagon seats that face the other way. It's the seat that's in the way, way back.

This movie is really, really good. It leave you feeling good. Definitely deserves a watch. It is written extremely well. There are a lot of subtle things that get mentioned. And there are some real characters. Meaning, you can recognize or identify with these characters in your own life. I'm in love with this movie. You get a real satisfaction after you've watched it. Definitely give this one a watch. You will not regret it. The Way Way Back is way way good! Yes yes indeed!

Dave Song of the Month.....

Don't Drink The Water


Come out come out
No use in hiding
Come now come now
Can you not see?
There's no place here
What were you expecting
Not room for both
Just room for me
So you will lay your arms down
Yes I will call this home

Away away
You have been banished
Your land is gone
And given me
And here I will spread my wings
Yes I will call this home
What's this you say
You feel a right to remain
Then stay and I will bury you
What's that you say
Your father's spirit still lives in this place
I will silence you

Here's the hitch
Your horse is leaving
Don't miss your boat
It's leaving now
And as you go I will spread my wings
Yes I will call this home
I have no time to justify to you
Fool you're blind, move aside for me
All I can say to you my new neighbor
Is you must move on or I will bury you

Now as I rest my feet by this fire
Those hands once warmed here
I have retired them
I can breathe my own air
I can sleep more soundly
Upon these poor souls
I'll build heaven and call it home
'Cause you're all dead now

I live with my justice
I live with my greedy need
I live with no mercy
I live with my frenzied feeding
I live with my hatred
I live with my jealousy
I live with the notion
That I don't need anyone but me

Don't drink the water
Don't drink the water
There's blood in the water
Don't drink the water

Beer + Dreaming Tree Wine = KCCO

 

 

=

 

The Yes Indeed Papers Salute.....

Michael Keaton


Keaton is long overdue for a salute from me. I mean, the guy was the first legitimate Batman for crying out loud. He is such a versatile actor and doesn't get enough credit. I hope this generation knows who he is. In my opinion, he should have won an Oscar for best actor or best supporting for his role in Beetlejuice. He was awesome! Probably his best role. But like I said, he's such a versatile actor that he's good in  so many roles. Here are some of his more memorable roles.
(In chronological order)

• Mr. Mom   (1983)
• Johnny Dangerously   (1984)
• Beetlejuice   (1988) 
• The Dream Team   (1989)
• Batman   (1989)
• Batman Returns   (1992)
• My Life   (1993)
• The Paper   (1994)
• Multiplicity   (1996)
• Jackie Brown   (1998)
• Out of Sight   (1998)
• White Noise   (2005)
• Cars - voice   (2006)
• Toy Story 3  - voice   (2010)
• The other Guys   2010

Keaton definitely deserves more credit. The guy's awesome in my opinion. He was one of the better Batman's. Probably the best behind Christian Bale. And I think I speak for a lot of nerds, Keaton and Tim Burton fans out there and say please, please, please do a sequel to Beetlejuice with the original cast. Oh man, that would be amazing. Anyways, I digress. I feel that some people out there will agree with me in my entry for Keaton for an unappreciated actor. Some people might not, but those people are incorrect, Michael Keaton is the man and people need to take notice.

So from all of here at The Yes Indeed Papers (and by all of us I mean just me), Michael Keaton.....we salute you. Yes indeed.

Remember This?

Don Jon

I watched this one the other week and I was really excited to watch it. I am a big fan of Joseph Gordon-Levitt's work. And he wrote and directed this one so I had high expectations. I mean , he was awesome in Inception, 500 Days of Summer, 50/50 and the Dark Knight Rises. I wanted to love this movie. I really wanted to love it. And after watching it, I just wound up liking it.

So, this movie wasn't bad by any means. It was creative, an original story and actually had good acting. I just didn't get that "wow" moment that I was hoping for. Gordon-Levitt stars as Jon who everyone calls the "The Don" because of his good looks and his ability to bring home girls. His character his very vein, very conceded and very much addicted to porn. Which is the underlying theme of the movie, He actually enjoys porn more than actual sex with another person. He then meets Scarlett Johansen and is so taken back that he starts his pursuit. Be it know, there is  lot of porn in this movie. Almost to the point that I got a little uncomfortable watching it in the theater with other people. But, it's done tastefully. And does play an intricate part in the movie. The porn is almost like a character in the movie.

Without giving anything away, I'll just say that throughout the movie, he has "discoveries" and......well, you'll have to watch it. Gordon-Levitt and Scarlett Johansen both play really good New York/New Jersey-ians. The only casting choice I questioned is Julianne Moore. I get why he did it but I was maybe looking for something else.

Overall, this movie was good. But it wasn't great. This is one of those movies that you need to watch a second time because when you watched it the first time, you had something different in your head of how it was going to go. So the second time you watch it, your prepared and ready for it. So it will probably be better. But don't get me wrong, it was good and entertaining. But I just didn't love it. Sorry, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, your still the man. Yes indeed.

Runner Runner

So, this is going to be a quick one. (That's what she said) I saw this one last week. And......it was really uneventful. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great. It was, mediocre.

I wasn't expecting much from this movie, but I was definitely expecting more. Justin Timberlake is actually a really good actor. He was awesome in The Social Network and Friends With Benefits. But this one, wasn't his strong suit. He wasn't really believable. And Affleck was OK in this movie. I really was only intrigued when he was on the screen to be honest with you.

Timberlake plays a college student who gambles his college tuition away on an online poker site. However, he can prove that he was cheated. He goes to confront the site's owner (Affleck) and what happens? He gets offered a job. So the premise sounds like it would be good. But for whatever reason, the movie lacked any excitement. The chemistry between Timberlake and Affleck was non-existent. The story was written OK and the movie had an OK ending. But again, the movie was so uneventful. Overall, I give it a C-.  

This is the type of movie that you can skip watching in the theater and I wouldn't even recommend owing it because you would watch it once and that's it. So, my apologies to Justin and Ben. You guys are bad ass, but this movie was disappointing.

Top 5 Actors to Never Win an Oscar

There are a lot of actors out there who have never won an Academy Award. So in my opinion, here are the top 5 actors to never win an Oscar.

1) Leonardo DiCaprio - Hands down, one of the best actors in film and he never won an Oscar. How he has never won is beyond me. DiCaprio is the man.

Should have won for: Blood Diamond, Inception, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Titanic, The Departed

2) Johnny Depp - I think everyone can agree that he should be on this list. Just a matter of time.

Should have won for: Edward Scissorhands, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas, Blow, Finding Neverland

3) Brad Pitt -  Another one that I can't believe has never won an actor. He has so many good roles under his belt. I have 2 words for you, Fight Club. Need I say more?

Should have won for: Fight Club, Moneyball, Inglourious Basterds, Snatch

4) Will Smith: Will Smith is such an underrated actor. He was brilliant in Ali.

Should have won for: Ali, The Pursuit of Happyness, I Am Legend

5) Edward Norton - Another underrated actor. He was so damn good in American History X. What a performance!

Should have won for: American History X, Fight Club, Death to Smoochy




Honorable Mentions:

Tom Cruise
Should have won for: Tropic Thunder, A Few Good Men, Interview with the Vampire, Collateral

Harrison Ford
Should have won for: Star Wars: A New Hope, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, The Fugitive, Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade

John Malkovich
Should have won for: Of Mice and Men, Being John Malkovich, Dangerous Liaisons, In the Line of Fire

Gary Oldman
Should have won for: The Professional, Sid and Nancy, True Romance

John Goodman
Should have won for: The Big Lebowski, O Brother, Where Art Thou, Argo, Flight


So that's my list. Probably not going to match with other people's, but it's my blog, so my list. If you're reading this, let me know if have any others.

So, my Top 5 who have never won an Oscar, from all of us here at The Yes Indeed Papers (and by all of us I mean just me), we salute you.....yes indeed.

This Is The End

This movie was extremely funny. I didn't really know what to expect, but I knew it had to be good. Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, James Franco, Craig Robinson and Danny McBride are all stuck together in Franco's house during the apocalypse? Uh....yes please!

So the plot is just that. Those 6 guys are all stuck in James Franco's house while the end of the world is going on. They're all there for a party when the apocalypse happens. The funny thing about this movie is that everybody in it, play themselves. So the comedy that comes out is funny because they are basically making fun of themselves. It's pretty awesome. The best thing about the movie might possibly be the cameos. Jason Segal, Paul Rudd, Michael Cera, Mindy Kaling, Rihanna, Aziz Anzari, and Emma Watson are just some of the names that make an appearance in this movie. Emma Watson and Michael Cera having the best parts.

There are a lot of corny parts to this movie towards the end, but it's still funny. The only thing that might lose some people are the inside jokes that happen between all these guys. If you're not familiar with any of their movies, even some of their early stuff, then you might not find it funny. However, like I said, it's still funny and worth the watch.