Real Steel: Transformers meets Cinderella Man

What's on now: The Fifth Element now streaming on Netflix. Utterly bizarre, but it's a cult favorite for good reason.

I've decided to have a special thing on Saturdays where I find trailers and information about up-and-coming movies and give you my preliminary impressions. This week's feature is Real Steel, a futuristic film about robot boxing. Is anyone else heavily reminded of Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots?

The film is set to hit theatres on Oct. 7, 2011 and stars the deliciously hunky Hugh Jackman and the delightfully spunky Evangeline Lilly of Lost fame. Plot details are few to be had for now, but it looks like it might follow at least the basics of the conventional sports movie plotline.

"The human body can only take so much. But the steel... never stops."

Jackman's character is probably an ex-fighter, one who probably took quite a beating and was robbed of his career is some way, whether by injury or foul play. Now he makes his living operating the humanoid robots that do all the fighting. Lilly will undoubtedly be his love interest, the beautiful woman cheering for him ringside as he does battle with an intimidating foe.

I'm certain we can count on some pretty cool special effects, if the trailer is any clue. At some point, undoubtedly near the end, our hero will probably be in a high-stakes fight for his life in which he is the underdog. And even though at this point it looks like it'll be a little predictable, I actually like the looks of it. I've never been averse to some mindless entertainment, in fact it tends to be one of my favorite forms of entertainment. After all, isn't one of the main reason we go to the movies to avoid thinking?

One question I'm interested in is: Are the robots just really high-tech video games, or do they actually have some sort of self-awareness a la Asimov? From the looks of the trailer, they're just pieces of machinery that a human has to drive, for lack of a better word. But how cool would it be if these robot boxers had some sort of spirit? With Real Steel, we could have a robot Rocky on our hands.

Or Steely.



Starring: Hugh Jackman and Evangeline Lilly
Directed by: Shawn Levy
Rated NYR
2011

Shutter Island: Definitely NOT a vacation spot

Unless of course you enjoy being trapped with 66 - or is it 67? - criminally insane folks. Hey, to each his (or her) own.

If you're up for a twisty psychological thriller, look no further than "Shutter Island." The dark tale follows U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (played by Leo D) as he investigates the bizarre disappearance of a woman. From a mental institution. On an island. During a hurricane. You'd think he would've taken the hint.

I honestly saw the ending coming somewhere in the middle, but I thoroughly enjoyed this film nevertheless. It was suspenseful, exciting and kept me questioning everyone and everything. I particularly loved the final line, which I will unfortunately refrain from quoting just for spoiler reasons.

It wasn't particularly scary, at least not in the monster-jumping-out-of-the-dark kind of way. It was more the creepy kind of scary. I was never scared, and I'm kind of a wuss, if that gives you some idea. There were a few moments of brief gore, a couple of which were Teddy's wartime flashbacks.

The only thing I sort of regret about this movie is that after watching, I don't feel the desire to buy it. I could see myself wanting to watch it again maybe once or twice to catch the clues you'd only get after seeing the ending. But sadly, one of the best things about this movie is the suspense, and it definitely loses some of that when you know what's going to happen.

All in all, "Shutter Island" is certainly worth the watch.



Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo and Ben Kingsley
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Rated R
2010

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What's on now: Catching up on Glee with 2x10 "A Very Glee Christmas."