Resolving Family Trouble With A Gun. October 5, 2018

This movie might just be a comedy about a pair of onery and old siblings who decide to resort to using guns to intimidate one another in order to get what they want in disposing their inherited real estate.  I think the point of the movie is not so much about violence than about a stubborn refusal to compromise. But still, the poster resorts to the picture of Anjelica Huston using a gun to emphasize the point, emphasizing how people nowadays solve problems  with guns when guns are so accessible.

But, you know that since this is a comedy, the ending will not result in death, but in a big lesson learned by all.

Maximum Impact: Potential For Maximum Violence. September 28, 2018

This is obviously slapped together quickly to take advantage of the fans of violence, sexy Asian girl and Kung Fu taking place in Russia. So Russian spies are probably involved too. Looks like it aims to promise a mish mash of gratuitous sex, bad men, a heist, lots of gun violence and  crazy martial arts in the midst.

September 21, 2018. No Movie Posters With Guns.

Yay! I don't see a movie poster with guns depicted. So that's good. Of all the movie openings this weekend, I think I'd like to see The House With a Clock In It's Walls. Seems like a fun creepy fantasy.

Gun Movies Post: Final Score, September 14, 2018

It's been exactly three years since I updated this site.  I decided to check the status of movie posters of films that came out just this week to see if things have changed.  This week, there are a few new movies that came out that seem interesting and with no signs of gun violence, and one that does.  I am interested in the movie "A Simple Favor" with Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively. To be honest, I saw a preview of the movie a couple of weeks ago first before I ever saw the poster. The movie seems to be a smart thriller more than one based on mindless gun violence cliches featuring men and their weapons.  So, it might be interesting.

The one movie out this week with the "man with gun" poster is Final Score, featuring the mugs of a trio of toughies: Pierce Brosnan, Ray Stevenson and Dave Bautista.  (I don't know who the latter two are. Maybe new faces to watch). The movie is about "35,000 people held hostage in a stadium. The clock is ticking." Okay, the poster says it all and leave nothing to the imagination.  Our hero must save the hostages from certain bombing death. I just am not sure which one is the hero. Pierce, or Dave. Ray Stevenson looks like the bad guy.

The fact that I haven't heard anything about the movie probably indicates that it's going straight to video (or DVD, or Netflix, whatever the graveyard of the low box office is known as these days).

Exporting Gun Violence To Foreign Movies.: September 7, 2018

While this week there doesn't seem to be any domestic U.S. release of new movies featuring posters with gun, it was not the case for foreign movies that came out.

Five Fingers For Marseilles, a South African film that showed to critical success at international film festivals in London, Palm Springs, Toronto and Korea. The story about violence in modern day  South Africa seems somewhat interesting, but it's hard to say whether I'll ever go see it.  It sounds like using guns and violence to entice a new generation of movie goers from an African country to see movies based on violence and chaos. Thugs shoot thugs movie. We are exporting movies that aggrandize gun violence.

Is there some social commentary about modern day South Africa? Maybe.

Kin, with James Franco. Gun Violence and a Mysterious Otherworldly Weapon. August 31, 2018

Official storyline: "Chased by a vengeful criminal (James Franco), the feds and a gang of otherworldly soldiers, a recently released ex-con (Jack Reynor) and his adopted younger brother (Myles Truitt) are forced to go on the run with a weapon of mysterious origin as their only protection. "

So, apparently, to give our "gun violence featuring man and innocent bicycle-riding younger brother in danger"  trope a twist, this poster seems to indicate that the good guys are on the run from one vengeful bad guy, and must rely on, of all things, aliens to help. "Kin," in this case, might not be just about the relationship between guy and his little bro.  It might be about how humans have a mysterious kinship with aliens too. What the?.....

Sometimes, even big name actors and college professors must take just any job to make ends meet, I guess.

Beautifully Broken: August 24, 2018

Description of this movie is: A refugee’s escape, a prisoner’s promise, and a daughter’s painful secret converge in this inspiring true story of hope. As three fathers fight to save their families, their lives become intertwined.

Sounds like this might be an uplifting and inspiration story about white family and black family encountering and learning from each other amidst the turmoil of African social turmoil and violence. 

Might be interesting, but I can't seem to find much about the movie. Interesting enough, for this week, there aren't any domestic movie releases featuring posters and gratuitous gun toting guys.
Some movies of note coming out: 
Papillon
A.X.L
The Happytime Murders
Searching (Featuring John Cho and Debra Messing). This is a good one. Quite original and gripping.

Mile 22.with Mark Wahlberg: August 17, 2018

Sounds too familiar: American law enforcement officer and foreign law enforcement officer forced to work together to combat the baddies. The poster depicts only the American police, Mark Wahlberg of course, single handedly defeating the enemies with his big gun. Very tough guy with a very big gun.

I will pass on this one.

Gun Movie Posters Jackpot: Sicario, Black Mass, Captive, September 18, 2015

This week's new movie releases hit a jackpot with three posters featuring guns: Sicario, directed by Denis Villeneuve, featuring heavy weights Emily Blunt, Benicio Del Toro, Josh Brolin.  I hear that this is a gritty movie, dealing with the drug wars, task forces to disable drug cartels in Mexico.  My husband was stoked to watch this movie: it's a genre film that appeals to certain male types. The guns in the poster makes sense in the context of violent drug gangs.

Update: I saw a screener copy of Sicario. It is an excellent movie. Violent, but not gratuitous. Gun in movie made sense.

And then we have Black Mass, with another heavy weight, Johnny Depp, playing the real life Boston Irish gangster Whitey Bulger who was finally arrested in California.  Being the murderous thug that he is, I guess the poster featuring Whitey with a gun makes sense. Depp is a good actor and I hope he broke out of his Captain Jack mode from Pirates of the Caribbeans to play this role. Movie could be good just for his acting.

Finally, the movie Captive.  I like the fact that this is an uplifting and inspirational movie, again based on a real life story of a woman (played by Rooney Mara) who was held captive by a black man.  She was able to talk him out of violence by reading the good book "A Purpose Driven Life" by famed pastor Rick Warren. Okay, why don't I like this movie poster? It's a bit offensive showing the pious looking white woman converting a criminal black man with a gun in his hand as if only she can change the evil tendencies of the black man.  Also, the movie smacks of major promotion of Rick Warren's Christian flavored book by the religious right.  Since I don't like being preached to, I'll pass on this one.

Transporter Refueled: Lone Man With Gun: September 4, 2015

Sadly, even when refueled, this franchise seems to be running out of gas.  The original movie poster was understated, featuring Frank Martin played by new comer Ed Skrein in a lone gunman pose but without any weapons.  So, I bet when the movie didn't do well, the producers decided to add some guns to the DVD cover to spice up some expectation. I liked the first "Transporter", but by the second one, I was already burned out with this story. Then made a third, and now the 4th. Pass.

How ridiculous can this DVD cover be?

Original movie poster without guns. The product placement car is an Audi.

Hitman: Agent 47, American Ultra: Lone Man With A Gun. Week of August 21, 2015

One movie about contract killers and another that touts the uniqueness of the "American" culture.  I suppose American Ultra is about wild and crazy things that only American youth stoners can get involved in. No youths in any other country comes close, hence the "American" in the title.

 Zachary Quinto of Star Trek fame is in this one. I like him, but I'm not sure I'd bring myself to see it though.

Fantasy of Kristen Stewart and Jesse Eisenberg as those wild and crazy self entitled American kids with can do spirit. I'll pass.

No Escape: Lone Man With A Gun, Week of August 16, 2015

Rounding off the month of August 2015 is "No Escape," following an American family living in Southeast Asia who get caught in the middle of a violent revolution. They must flee to safety while being hunted by a murderous rebel leader."  Sounds like one of those white people in exotic country using their superior wits and "can do" spirit to escape bodily harm threatened by the murderous locals. Somehow, against the local army with a full array of weapons, our white heroes happen to acquire guns which give them a level playing field to escape. Tired of this shit. Will pass. Besides, I can't take Owen Wilson seriously as a action hero, and I still think of Pierce Brosnan as 007.

Lone Man With a Gun: The Man From U.N.C.L.E: August 14, 2015

Super stylized poster harken back to the 60's where those Brits make spies oh so slick and cool with only a hint of gun violence that is done so ummm stylishly.

What I am afraid of is that it's all style and no content. Guess I will pass.

Lone Man With Gun: Cop Car, August 8, 2015

I'm guessing: Two innocent kids running into a bad cop, and viiolence and tragedy ensues. Everyone learns a lesson.  I respect Kevin Bacon, and he sure looks badass, but I'm not sure I want to watch the movie.

Lone Man With Gun: July 31, 2015: Six Ways to Die

I wouldn't touch this with a ten foot pole.  First, I don't like Tom Sizemore, and featuring a man holding a gun and a fast car does nothing for me besides signaling that this is a mediocre action movie. The tag line "Six Way to Day and One Death Isn't Enough" What does it even mean! Will pass.

Lone Man With Gun: July 24, 2015: American Heist: Won't See It.

This posters is a double whammy for me.  First, it's got guns up the wazoo featured in the most ridiculous, cartoonish and buffoonish way. Second, I kind of hate movie titles with the adjective "American" in it as if somehow it makes the subject matter more unique, but in fact makes it seem more self important and provincial in an ignorant way. "American Heist", as if the heist is more unique because it's perpetrated by an American. "American Sniper", as if the sniper is bigger than life because he is American. "American Beauty" as if there is a special brand of beautiful due to the subject matter's Americaness. "The American President", as if he is more human than most other presidents. "American Psycho" as if the psycho is somehow more deranged because of his Americaness. "American Hustle" as if the scam artists are better and more wiley because they are Americans. "American History X", "American Gangster"  . . . and the list goes on.

Just because this movie embodies two of my pet peeves, I don't think I can bring myself to even recommend it.  Too bad it seems to star some of the more respectable actors like Academy Award Adrien Brody (what happened to you, Adrien?), Hayden Christensen, Jordana Brewster.

Lone Man With Gun: July 17, 2015: Korean Movie: A Hard Day

Foreign Movies are also in on the gun action. This Korean movie about a detective down on his luck finding that someone has been following him all along. The premise is intriguing, and the fact that it won a award at the Cannes Film Festival and glowingly mentioned by Hollywood Reporter suggests that it is pretty good. I'm not sure I will make a special effort to go see it. But you should check it out.

Lone Man With a Gun: Weekend of June 5, 2015. Spy, Starring Melissa McCarthy

 

The movie is most likely a parody of the traditional international spy movies a la James Bond, starring a non-traditional Melissa McCarthy.  The heavy dosage of guns in this poster signals exactly that: traditional poses with guns from traditional spy movies to make fun of them via the action pose by the heavy set funny McCarthy, as well as the stupid traditional gun poses by Jude Law, Jason Stathem and Rose Byrne.  This is a clever use of guns on a movie's poster for comedic effect, and not just a lame attempt to boost ratings with nonsense macho gun images. Spy just might be silly fun.

Lone Girl With a Gun: Barely Lethal: Barely of Interest: Weekend of May 29

My theory is, when a movie is about to tank, producers throw in a few guns to make the posters project the idea that the movie might have some potential excitement. Most likely, none exists. In Barely Lethal, directed by Kyle Newman, Samuel L. Jackson is appearing in one too many movies, most of them questionable. As for Jessica Alba, what is a pretty face carrying a gun trying to project? Nothing worth writing home about, I'm sure.

Weekend of May 22, 2015: Good Kill. Worth Checking Out

With a title like "Good Kill", and focusing on a lone man wearing sun glasses in military attire, you'd assume that a gun will be randomly inserted in the poster to show that this is a movie about killing, shooting, etc. But this poster is definitely counter advertising: not a single gun is present to spice up the poster. The poster, an image of a fighter plane, and Ethan Hawke stand alone, as if trying to say this is not your typical shoot them up movie.  There is something else going on inside the man: a struggle, a dilemma, a memory, who knows. I respect Ethan Hawke as an actor who chooses movies carefully, therefore I think "Good Kill" is worth checking out. The same goes for Bruce Greenwood, and January Jones. Directed by Andrew Niccol.