Predators

2010, Rated R, 106 minutes, Directed by Nimrod Antal, Written by Alex Litvak and Michael Finch, Produced by Robert Rodriguez, Cinematography by Gyula Pados, Original Music by John Debney

With: Adrien Brody (Royce), Topher Grace (Edwin), Alice Braga (Isabelle), Walton Goggins (Stans), Oleg Taktarov (Nikolai), Laurence Fishbourne (Noland), Danny Trejo (Cuchillo), Louis Changchien (Hanzo), Mahershalalhashbaz Ali (Mombasa)

At the end of a particular battle scene in Predators, I felt like the triumphant Predator was screaming at his audience “Are you not entertained!” This was the tone of the entire movie as it jumped right into the action and did not slow down until the closing credits. It was an excellent action piece that harkened back to the days when the movie schedule was packed to the gills with pure, unadulterated action flicks.  The film was good because it made no pretense at being a complex and cerebral film, but focused instead on gripping action and suspense.

Splice

2010, Rated R, 104 minutes, Directed by Vincenzo Natali, Written by Vincenzon Natali, Antoinette Terry Bryand & Doug Taylor, Produced by Steven Hoban, Cinematography by Tetsuo Nagata, Original Music by Cyrille Aufort

With: Adrien Brody (Clive Nicoli), Sarah Polley (Elsa Kast), Delphine Chaneac (Dren), Brandon McGibbon (Gavin Nicoli), Simona Maicanescu (Joan Chorot), David Hewlett (William Barlow), Abigail Chu (Child Dren)

I believe that we are seeing a great resurgence of the science fiction genre. In 2009 we had many great sci-fi films: Star Trek, Moon, and District 9. The genre continues to be redefined by many of these movies. Splice is another wonderful addition to the genre and demonstrates continuing strength and originality. Splice manages to address issues of morality, science, family and commitment in a deep and intense way, and at the same time is an shockingly entertaining film.