JamminRon Reviews

Furious 6 (2013)

Start Your Engines!

[10/10 · 19 May 2013]

I watched "Fast & Furious 6" earlier yesterday, and I must say that this movie is amazing! I didn't think Lin could top 2011s FAST FIVE but this sixth installment is bigger & better! With extensive, explosive & entertaining action sequences, big laughs & lots of drama - Furious 6 delivers everything you'd expect + more! the pacing is perfect, it's great to see the team working together again, and the story is very intriguing - if you're a fan of the previous movies than this one will mean even more to you.

Letty's presence is carefully scripted, and Shaw's ties to a former foe lead the team down some dark paths.. but thankfully they have Hobbs to help clear the way to take down this very dangerous gang.

Everything comes full circle, and while it is fulfilling - it's also very dramatic how everything ends. You can never really go home again, it's always a different experience.

Lin does a great job of balancing the characters, action pieces & story. Some really unexpected twists throughout - you won't see 'em coming!

Make sure you watch(ed) 2009s FAST & FURIOUS & FAST FIVE before this- otherwise you'll be quite confused. And just to clarify - this IS another PREQUEL to Tokyo Drift! I highly recommend this movie to all movie-goers, it's a gem. Congrats to Lin & team!

Comic Book Men (2012–2018)

From "Clerks" the movie to Clerks.. in real life!

[10/10 · 9 April 2012]

When Kevin Smith announced that he's soon retiring from the movie-making business, I didn't understand why, at first I thought he meant retiring from everything but in later interviews he made it clear that he's venturing into other genres of the entertainment business. From his twitter entries to podcasts, "Evening with" standup Q&A videos and more = "Comic Book Men" has yet again proved that Smith can change course without disappointing nor have to make 'adjustments' to his empire.

Okay, long story short - I was introduced to Smith's work back in 2001 with "Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back," an old friend wanted me to see the movie, and even though I hadn't seen the previous "Jersey" movie titles ie "Clerks," "Mallrats," I was definitely entertained. So if you're NOT familiar with any of Smith's previous work, then "Comic Book Men" could peek your interest because the stars of the show have lots of history with Smith & his work. These aren't 'actors' on a staged reality show, sure some have acted in Smith's movies but this is the real deal.

For me, it's great to see Walt & Brian again, be sure to check out the making of "Clerks" to see some more interviews featuring them. Who knew that Walt was such a character?!! and Ming, who designed Kevin's website all those years ago, who assured Smith that "you'll never be lonely again" because of the forum-based community online. Wasn't familiar with Michael but he seems like a great addition to this show.

I'm not a comic-book fan, I read various comics when I was younger but never got into them. You're probably asking yourself - 'so why do you watch + like this show?' Well, I also enjoy the show "American Chopper," which is another reality show that follows the lives of a motorbike-building family, I have no interest in bikes but it's really the passion these people have for what they do & they make me want to be more interested in what it is they're producing & selling! they're just interesting & entertaining people, simple as that.

Not a reality show that sets out to humiliate people, put people up on auction blocks, nor trying something stupid that results in ruined lives and the loss of money ie "No experience? no interest? here- we're gonna let you run this company for three months, it's gonna be on film. Good luck!" Whether you're a comic-book fan, a Kevin Smith fan or of his movies, a TRUE 'reality show' fan, a fan of interesting people, a fan of well-produced TV shows, a fan of commentary = "Comic Book Men" is just flat-out a good time! Smith & crew all partake in a podcast throughout the show, reviewing some of the merchandise customers have brought in, and sometimes talking about them too! What's great is that all of these guys know each other, they weren't a bunch of newcomers thrown together, they have history and it shows. And it makes for great TV, never a dull moment.

I'm hoping this show gets renewed for a 2nd season, I'm about to watch the 6th and final episode from the 1st season. Well done, Smith & team!