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Khaled Hosseini’s best selling-book, The Kite Runner tells the story of Afghanistan as seen through the eyes of Amir, a rich businessman’s son, and Hassan, his servant and friend.

Unsubtle, and told in broad strokes, The Kite Runner nonetheless manages to convey the decline of that country under the Soviet occupation and its savage rebirth under the Taliban after decades of civil war.

The principle story concerns the relationship between Amir and Hassan.  Although Amir is portrayed to be a good boy, he is often mean-spirited and uses his position of privilege and his educated wit to mock and challenge the doting Hassan. However, even through this Hassan loves Amir and would do anything for him.

Hassan and his father Ali live in a tiny hut adjoining the opulent home of Amir and his father, Baba.  Baba is a huge bear of a man (said to have wrestled a bear once himself) with a thick black beard and untamed hair.

Amir wants nothing but to impress his father and win his love – at all costs. He gets the opportunity when he wins a prestigious kite tournament, but that victory comes at a grave cost to Hassan and a deep betrayal by Amir.

Years later, after fleeing to America and becoming a successful author, Amir receives a call from his father’s closest friend Rahim Kahn, offering Amir the chance for redemption and a way to be good again.

That is how both the novel and Marc Forster’s 2007 film, The Kite Runner begin, but sadly they tell altogether different stories.
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I might be a little late on this one… But better late than never as they say.

Jean-Claude Van Damme is the quintessential over the hill has-been… While he was insanely successful during the ’90s heyday of over-the-top action movies, his attempt to outlive his welcome resulted in an slew of progressively poorer movies bearing his name.

Unlike his counterparts in the over-the-hill action superstar category (yes you Stephen Seagal…) Jean-Claude Van Damme seems quite aware of the rapid descent not only of his career, but of his life in general.

Which brings us to today’s trailer! JCVD is a comedy about a washed out action superstar returning to his homeland, being mistaken for a bank robber and being held hostage during a bank job.

P.S. I would like to personally apologise to Steven Seagal for that jibe up there. You might be an over-the-hill action superstar, but I am more than certain you could kill me without too much effort, and I respect that.