Although it doesn't exactly give much away from the short CGI (with mixed live-aciton, by the looks of it) trailer we've seen so far, I'm looking forward to seeing what the new title from PlatinumGames is all about - Vanquish. I know the genre has been done to death recently, but seeing as Mikami-san is heading the project, I would love it to be an over-the-shoulder third-person action game. It could be downright epic.

That's what was lacking in Resident Evil 5 I felt, a Mikami-type figure for all those special little touches and bits of magic that punctate his games. I loved RE5, but it was just lacking something. Something which made Resident Evil 4 a proper classic. I absolutely loved Bayonetta, and it's so good to see all that talent at PG isn't going to waste. I'll definitely be keeping a close eye on Vanquish.

Black Dynamite (2009)

Well, what can I say about Black Dynamite? How about, Tarantino and Spike Lee, eat your hearts out?! Fantastic take on the Blaxploitation genre. Stylish, ludicrous, cheesy, melodramatic and above all else funny.

I did not expect to see Michael Jai White in a film like this, ever. He's usually so serious in his roles, but he plays his Shaft-type character extremely well. MJW is actually... funny. It's great seeing another side to his acting. He plays a righteous brother who is out for revenge when the mob kills his brother (blood brother). He's super cool and he knows kung-fu. Drives a $5000 car and wears a $100 suit. So many laugh out loud moments, I couldn't count. He uses a massive revolver, too.

So so refreshing to see a film like this that isn't trying way too hard while coming across as pretentious. Every detail is there, from the on-the-fly production where Boom mics get in shot distracting the actors, to the sudden cutting of scenes and continuity errors (all done very well, may I stress). With MJW, you know you're going to get some decent moves where the fighting is concerned. Complete with comedy grunts also.

This film is pure under-the-radar comedy gold. I urge everyone to watch it.

Black Dynamite - 9/10.

Blood and Bone (2009)

Very good underground street fighting movie set in the hood (though don't let your prejudices put you off from watching it). Good cast of actors for the most part - Michael Jai White, Eamonn Walker (who I loved as Kareem in OZ and is generally underrated I feel), Julian Sands, Nona Gaye and... Bob Sapp.

For once, Michael Jai White isn't underused and performs his fight scenes extremely well. As with all good fight films, the fighting should be of a high quality throughout with the acting usually playing second fiddle. I say that, but the acting is solid enough for the most part. For such a big muscular bloke, MJW is quite nimble on his feet and bouncy. His kicks are of a really high quality, along with locks and snaps punctuated here and there.

The story isn't exactly going to win any scriptwriting awards, but it isn't too shabby and is easy to follow, while not being convoluted like a lot of these type of films can be. It's good to see the West making strides in the fighting film genre. They're slowly moving away from the rigid, and now tame and boring, structure of Seagal, Van Damme and even Wesley Snipes. I hope these new crop of fighters keep up the high quality.

For anyone who likes a good all-around martial art movie with a decent story, I can certainly recommend it.

Blood and Bone - 8/10