The Wolverine (2013)

Well, what was the point of that? I’m not really versed in Wolverine lore, and perhaps Logan does go to Japan to say goodbye to an old friend, but the film has nothing to recommend it.  In fact, if it didn’t have Wolverine in it, this would just be some random lame thriller that nobody would pay any attention to, probably starring Sam Worthington or Mark Wahlberg or someone equally vacuous.

At least X-men Origins (2009) had a bunch of mutants in it and the “Logan through time” intro.  Seeing him grow up through history with Sabretooth was really cool (great tune by Harry Gregson-Williams) and nicely realised by director Gavin Hood.  OK, so most the the rest of the film is terrible, but at least it had something to recommend it.

I really struggled through The Wolverine (my wife did fall asleep) as the plot wasn’t engaging and I had no investment with any of the characters; no emotion content.

“What was that?  An Exhibition? We need emotional content. Now try again!” – Bruce Lee, Enter the Dragon (1973).

He must have been talking about The Wolverine!  But, you know, that’s just, like, my opinion man.

The Hateful Eight (2015)

Quentin Tarantino’s eighth film (not just setting the historical context, it actually announces it at the beginning of the film) continues his love for the Western.  Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, in a similar way to The Good, The Bad and the Ugly; but rather than depicting the dynamic between three main characters, The Hateful Eight tries it with, well, eight.  Not as successfully IMO.

A further link with Sergio Leone’s masterpiece is the Ennio Morricone score, which incidentally also links it with The Thing (1982).  That’s not all; let’s face it OB’s character is essentially MacReady (Kurt Russell’s character in The Thing) complete with corks hanging from his hat and snow glare sunglasses. Morricone score is generally excellent, but occasionally strays into odd Hammer Horror territory, particularly in the very first shot.

Kill List (2011)

Director Ben Wheatley’s first feature-length film is all about the perils of being unemployed and  bored.  Couple that to a dysfunctional family and add a bit of the old ultra-violence and we have Kill List.