awsom50's Xanga

Awsom 50 - The Return ;)

Wed, 09 May 2007 19:49:47 GMT

Well, may I just apologise to everyone who has been checking on the site and this blog for the last month or so, as I am fully aware how I have failed to keep either updated. This has been down to personal issues, and the fact that I'm desperately trying to find work at the moment. The good news is that this is slowly improving, and rest assured that I don't intend to let Awsom 50 just die.

I have a number of articles and reviews waiting to be included, so please bear with me and I will start work again on the site during next week. I am still having to put most of my efforts into applying for jobs however, so the ressurrection process will be hampered slightly by this.

I really appreciate your support during this time. My sincere apologies to everyone who has written articles and such, but I didn't see this coming and it's been an intensely difficult time.

Keep it action!

James

All quiet for next two weeks...

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 09:50:02 GMT

Just a quick update to tell you all that there will be no updates on the main site for a couple of weeks, as I am having to move back to England from Norway. I am trying to set up an internet connection, but have been told it may well take 14 days to become live.

So, apologies to everyone, but I'll try and keep this blog updated when I can.

Many thanks and keep it action :)

James

Dolph's best...? THE MECHANIK review added.

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 00:23:28 GMT

Well, I certainly loved it, and Tom Jollifee seems to agree. Take a look at his review and see if you agree...

Tom's THE MECHANIK review

I was just so impressed with the directing style, and as for the Peckinpah style finale - just loved it.Next up for Dolph is MISSIONARY MAN which he's currently filming - it's a Western, and yes he's directing as well! Can't wait.

What with this and the GOJIRA review added in only a couple of days, the site has seen more action than it has in ages! I must be careful otherwise I might over do it... ahem. Anyway, there's plenty more to update to the site... just need to find the time.

Cheers
James

King of the Monsters... Gojira review added, and 300 builds...

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 22:34:34 GMT

The original Japanese Godzilla, or "GOJIRA" as it was originally called in Japan, has been a favourite of mine ever since I first saw it many years ago. However, this original version took a long time to surface for people outside Japan, as the "Americanised" version GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS was the staple release until recently. So, a big thank you to Ray Kelley for his review of the movie as it should be seen. Another fine piece Ray. :) Enjoy...

Gojira Review

Meanwhile, the anticipation for 300 continues to build. It's been released to rave box-office numbers in the States, and now I get to see it this coming weekend. I had a lot of time for Zack Synder's DAWN OF THE DEAD remake, so am intrigued to see what he's come up with for 300. Expect a review soon.

Keep it action

James

Awsom 50 - The Online Source for Action Movies

The waiting game... and a Host from the depths

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 11:20:09 GMT

You may have noticed that Awsom 50 has been quiet in its' updating of the site of late. I try and put up about one review a week, but the problem at the moment is that there is still a lot of behind the scenes work going on. Firefox browsers will still notice some pages do not look as they should (pictures out of alignment, text being the wrong colour on the review pages etc), but the painstaking work of going into every page within the site and updating pieces of code is progressing nicely.

It is frustrating, as believe it or not there are a lot of reviews/articles waiting in the wings. Aside from myself, Awsom 50 now has a handful of good solid writers (Daniel Auty, Ray Kelley, Tom Jolliffe, Vien Dammage and more to come), so the possibility for the site to continuing growing is now certainly there. We still need more contributors though, so please get in touch with any reviews or articles you may want Awsom 50 to use at the following address... awsom50action@hotmail.com

Meanwhile, on the movie front, I managed to catch the much talked about Korean monster movie, THE HOST on DVD the other night. There will be a review on the way soon, but for all the hype calling this the best monster movie in years, I was somewhat disappointed.

Anyway, thanks for your patience...

James

http://www.awsom50action.com

Dolph's The Mechanik proves DTV movies don't all stink...

Fri, 09 Mar 2007 23:21:53 GMT

Well, I've been meaning to see it for a while, and tonight I finally managed to sit down and give my full attention to Dolph Lundgren's THE MECHANIK (aka: THE RUSSIAN SPECIALIST). I'd been hearing good things about it (and Tom Jolliffe has just sent me an excellent review which I shall be uploading soon), and sure enough, this really is a very impressive piece of film making.

We all know DTV movies can suck big time. However, every now and then you can uncover some real gems. Some of Van Damme's output certainly fits into that bill (IN HELL, WAKE OF DEATH for example), but Dolph's second directing effort is hard to beat. There can be little doubt that he's a director of some talent. You would never expect a Nu Image movie to look this impressive. A simple story, but with a good cast and a fine script, THE MECHANIK is in truth all about Lundgren's direction. If you haven't seen it yet, please seek it out. I'll let you all know when Tom's review is up!

I for one can't wait to see Dolph's next directing effort.

Cheers
James

Awsom 50 - The Online Source for Action Movies

Seagal bored to tears, as Flight of Fury gets the once over.

Tue, 06 Mar 2007 16:53:08 GMT

It seems there's no stopping the "direct-to-video" juggernaut which Steven Seagal has been on for a few years now, and we give a warm welcome to Tom Jolliffe as he joins the Awsom 50 writing team by giving FLIGHT OF FURY the once over.

Personally speaking I can't comment on this one as I haven't seen it yet. However, I've never been the biggest Seagal fan - sure, he's made some good movies (UNDER SEIGE, NICO, ON DEADLY GROUND) but he's always felt like a poor man's Clint Eastwood to me.

Anyway, hope you enjoy Tom's review as much as I did...

Flight of Fury review

James

Displaced... British Independent action in good shape...

Tue, 27 Feb 2007 23:27:07 GMT

The state of independent action movies in Britain at the moment is, truth be told, pretty exciting. My interview with star in the making, Zara Phythian gave a good indication of what hidden talent is just waiting to invade the genre, and now Martin Holland's DISPLACED is just itching to make an impact as well. Six years in the making, have a look at Awsom 50 Trailer Central to find a link to the official trailer. Trust me, it's worth it. You'll also find details on how you can see the movie during a 2 week cinema run at St Annes-on-Sea in Lancashire, UK, by looking at the latest news on the Home page.

Yep, exciting times indeed, and I know from looking around MySpace, that there's loads more talent out there, just waiting to break through.

Give me some action!

James

"You Stop, you're dead!" - Crank review now on site.

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 22:54:31 GMT

Just a quick entry to the blog today - been a busy day, what with trying to get work related stuff sorted out etc etc (I won't bore you with the details), but I've uploaded a new review by yours truly, of CRANK. - Yep, the movie I went on about yesterday! Have a look see and let me know what you think. :)

Right, I'm off to get some shut eye.... Enjoy.

James

Cranking it up, and some cannibals which lack bite...

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 00:30:51 GMT

Well, hope you all had a good weekend. Inbetween trying to get more pages of
Awsom 50 to validate with XHTML and work with all browsers, I managed to see a couple of movies.

I've liked all the previous entries in the escapdes of one Hannibal Lector, but whilst I enjoyed watching HANNIBAL RISING, I have to admit that it's somewhat unneeded and does little to add anything valuable or substantial to the character. It's well made, but lacks that something to compare it to the other entries in the series. A thin story doesn't exactly help.

Today however, I sat down to watch CRANK, with Jason Statham. Never been a big fan of Jason, but I have to admit this was great fun. As crazy as the premise sounds (a man poisoned has to keep his heart rate racing in order to stay alive), it works a treat and is funny as hell. Highly recommend this one, and I completed a review tonight, so expect that to turn up on the site soon.

The coming week will see more work behind the scenes, as well as hopefully the addition of a review or two.

Keep it action ;)

James