Funny how Jason Statham has become the late millennium Vin Diesel. Reprising his role as high octane hitman, Chev Chelios, our hero is in pursuit of a Chinese mobster who just so happens to have snatched the marksman’s indestructible heart. Replaced with an artificial heart, Chelios must make his way across the landscape of Los Angeles, feeding himself adrenaline rushes by any means necessary in order to stay alive, murder his nemesis and reclaim his property. Crank 2 goes a little beyond absurdity, but its execution is ingenious and manages to produce more overdosing chase scenes that’ll send goosebumps down your spine.
One of New Line Cinema’s latest Blu-ray Deluxe Editions releasing this week, who doesn’t love revisiting Craig and Smokey’s adventurous start to the weekend. Comic relief in the form of stupidity, chronic smoke and inner city quarrels, Ice Cube’s hilarious gem stands out as one of his most creative and entertaining films of his acting career. Chris Tucker’s coming out party and John Witherspoon’s most underrated film role, here’s the perfect film to roll a fat one too, as you inhale hilarity that’ll leave you half baked.
Another New Line Cinema classic hits Blu-ray with the gritty South Central classic, Menace II Society. Growing up in the slums of Watts, Los Angeles, Caine and Kevin (AKA O’Dog) embrace the streets as they’re parental figure. Pushing weight, sleeping with neighborhood trollops and smoking the competition is all they know, until a grocery store murder places them in a sticky situation that could lead to their incarceration. After a clean slate, the duo continue their chaotic behavior on their search for the American Dream. A more graphic film than Boyz n the Hood, the Hughes brothers keep it 100% gangster and depict the violent nature of the ghetto in California like no other 90’s film.
