FlickDirect Movie Reviews

Movie / Film Reviews by Marco Chacon

Browse reviews written by Marco Chacon, including critical takes on films, home entertainment releases, and television series.

All Reviews Theatrical 4K / Blu-ray TV / Streaming

Exposed to radioactive films early on, Marco Chacon has gained proportional strength and agility, though it hasn't been useful. On the internet, opinions hold sway over facts, and Marco is no exception, often possessing multiple, conflicting views. Marco is also the author of the JAGS Roleplaying Gaming System.

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

Jan 26, 2009

The idea of vampires vs. werewolves isn't exactly new, but the Underworld franchise does the cinematic vision of it pretty well. The vampires dress in black leather, the Lycan(thropes) wolf-out...

Full Review | Grade: B

Gran Torino

Jan 12, 2009

Eastwood, at 78, is a living-film legend. He personifies power, manliness, determination, and grit. He is a rare breed of star who proves as comfortable behind a camera as in front o...

Full Review | Grade: A

The Day the Earth Stood Still

Dec 21, 2008

When making a remake there are usually a few options. From what I understand, Gus Van Sant's, Psycho, was almost shot-for-shot. We have also seen general updates (Ocean's 11 or The Italian...

Full Review | Grade: C

Transporter 3

Dec 04, 2008

Although you have to judge a movie by its pedigree, there also has to be a line at which you stop. Thrillers need to at least have moderately smart plots; action needs to actually be exciting, and so...

Full Review | Grade: C

Bolt

Dec 01, 2008

Kid's movies walk a fine line; they have to keep children entertained, so they require a story that is very basic, drama that is extremely explicit and "universal" (and not 'adult'), and the...

Full Review | Grade: B

Quantum of Solace

Nov 28, 2008

EON Productions is methodically remaking the Bond franchise. Starting with Casino Royale, they moved it more along the Bourne axis into gritty action and away from the suave super-spy that Roger...

Full Review | Grade: B

Twilight

Nov 23, 2008

In judging a movie, you have to make allownaces for the type of movie it is. If it is derived from a much beloved book, that is one thing. If it's a high school flick, that is anothe...

Full Review | Grade: B

Pride and Glory

Oct 31, 2008

The police-drama, as an art-form, usually centers on family and betrayal. The world of a police officer is a pressure cooker of low wages, an absolute code of honor, and danger. The occupa...

Full Review | Grade: B

Max Payne

Oct 20, 2008

I fall in the dead-center category of the target market for this film. I was a huge fan of the two video games (Max Payne and Max Payne 2: the Fall of Max Payne). I liked them not only for...

Full Review | Grade: D

Quarantine

Oct 15, 2008

The story behind Quarantine is brutally simple: something--some disease--breaks out in a low-rent building in Los Angeles. It just so happens that a film crew shadowing a fire department t...

Full Review | Grade: B