Movie Bytes: The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day (2009)

Directed By: Troy Duffy
Starring: Sean Patrick Flanery, Nroman Reedus, Clifton Collins Jr., Julie Benz

What It’s All About:

The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day picks up eight years after the first movie where after killing a prominent mob boss in the Boston Crime Underworld, the McManus brothers and their father fled back to their home country of Ireland to seek solitude. A priest is found murdered in a Boston church with the calling card of the saints, and when the brothers hear of this they seek revenge. A rampage against the Yakavetta mob is raging on the streets of Boston as the saints do what they do best – kill bad guys.

The Final Verdict:

It may have been a long time in the making, but Troy Duffy has provided a worthy sequel to the original cult classic. While the movie essentially lives out the same story arch as it’s predecessor, in-house jokes from the first movie, witty dialogue and new characters make All Saints Day feel fresh. This time round Duffy seems to have a firmer grasp of what he is trying to achieve, and that is to create a delightful piece of entertainment that manages to keep a smile on your face.

4.5/5

Movie Bytes: Edge of Darkness (2010)

Directed By: Martin Campbell
Starring: Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Hutson

What It’s All About:
Edge of Darkness follows the story of Thomas Craven (Gibson), a cop who’s daughter is killed in a drive by shooting which is assumed to be an attempt on his own life. After investigating his daughter’s personal life, Thomas quickly learns that not is all what it seems as he gets closer and closer to unravelling a much darker and sinister motive for his daughters death.

The Verdict
While it’s great to see Gibson back in front of the camera rather than behind it, Edge of Darkness fails to capture the imagination of the audience. Drab dialogue, sporadic action sequences and numerous plot twists that are highly predictable make this film one to miss. You sit there waiting for something to happen yet nothing ever really does, and it ends on a note that will leave a sour taste in your mouth. The movie going public deserve so much more.

1.5/5