Samir Horn is an arms dealer that is arrested and thrown into prison. While there he is befriended by members of the Jihad at the same time he is being followed by the FBI, whom are convinced that he is entangled in a covert operation.
This movie has been compared to the Bourne films....that is kind of a stretch. This movie actually has such a great twisted story but the pacing is so completely off that the audience loses interest.
I would blame most of this on the editing...something was just off. It was as though the camera was moving fast, the music was intense, but what was actually happening on screen couldn't keep up and totally fell flat. In fact the pacing is so slow that the audience is always one step (if not more) ahead of the story. This was a well thought out espionage story that was told so slow it becomes pitifully predictable.
This was a huge disappointment, because again the story was there--Post just didn't hold up their end.
** Rentable
Rated PG-13 (for language and violence)
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Tropic Thunder
A group of high profile, self absorbed actors go to Vietnam to film a war-epic. While there, they're thrown into a real war with Vietnamese guerillas, thinking it's all part of the show, they soon realize it's all too real.
This movie is hilarious, it's directed by Ben Stiller, who also stars in it. Robert Downey Jr. steals the show by far. He plays a white, Australian actor, very much inspired by Russel Crowe, who has an operation to make himself black. He totally becomes black, complete with accent and all, and never breaks character, on or off camera. If you didn't know it was Robert Downey Jr., you would think it's some unkown actor. It's pretty amazing. Oh and not advertised at all for some reason is the roll of Tom Cruise as the heartless and impatient producer and he is quite funny as well. It gets pretty crass at some points, particularly Jack Black. And it kind of loses momentum about 3/4th's of the way through. But as Mandy said, it's a great jab at the movie industry and overall it's very funny and entertaining. Rated R for language violence.
*** out of 4
This movie is hilarious, it's directed by Ben Stiller, who also stars in it. Robert Downey Jr. steals the show by far. He plays a white, Australian actor, very much inspired by Russel Crowe, who has an operation to make himself black. He totally becomes black, complete with accent and all, and never breaks character, on or off camera. If you didn't know it was Robert Downey Jr., you would think it's some unkown actor. It's pretty amazing. Oh and not advertised at all for some reason is the roll of Tom Cruise as the heartless and impatient producer and he is quite funny as well. It gets pretty crass at some points, particularly Jack Black. And it kind of loses momentum about 3/4th's of the way through. But as Mandy said, it's a great jab at the movie industry and overall it's very funny and entertaining. Rated R for language violence.
*** out of 4
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Tropic Thunder
While filming the over budget war movie, "Tropic Thunder" the five feuding action stars are thrown into a guerrilla style shoot within the Vietnam Jungle--so they think.
If you know anything about Hollywood and how it works with the multi millions of dollars that are thrown around, the insane producers, the ruthless agents, the weaselly assistants, the pampered actors, and never ending media coverage --this movie has it all and shamelessly makes fun of every aspect of it--Hilarious!
There are a bunch of really funny cameos and unexpected actors that turn up in this satire. Robert Downey Jr. is brilliantly funny as the "black man". Jack Black is perfectly cast as the coked out comedian and Ben Stiller who has recently been in nothing but flops seems to play himself--perfectly.
Perhaps my affinity for film and movies in general makes me like this movie more than I should. I found it to be extremely funny despite its crass nature. One warning, this movie is not for the weak--it is rated R and for good reason--there is a little bit of violence and gore and a whole hell of a lot of profanity.
***
Rated R (for pervasive language, violence, drugs and sexual references)
If you know anything about Hollywood and how it works with the multi millions of dollars that are thrown around, the insane producers, the ruthless agents, the weaselly assistants, the pampered actors, and never ending media coverage --this movie has it all and shamelessly makes fun of every aspect of it--Hilarious!
There are a bunch of really funny cameos and unexpected actors that turn up in this satire. Robert Downey Jr. is brilliantly funny as the "black man". Jack Black is perfectly cast as the coked out comedian and Ben Stiller who has recently been in nothing but flops seems to play himself--perfectly.
Perhaps my affinity for film and movies in general makes me like this movie more than I should. I found it to be extremely funny despite its crass nature. One warning, this movie is not for the weak--it is rated R and for good reason--there is a little bit of violence and gore and a whole hell of a lot of profanity.
***
Rated R (for pervasive language, violence, drugs and sexual references)
Sunday, August 3, 2008
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Rick O'Connell and his wife, Evelyn have retired from adventure only to find their lives dull and boring. When the British government comes to them for help in returning a stolen Chinese artifact, they can't resist and are off to Shanghai where unbeknownst to them their son, Alex, is heading up an archaeological dig that is about to change the world.
No, no, no, no, NO!! Don't do it! OK first of all, this movie got made--for reals! I have always been somewhat critical of the Mummy, The original was such a great idea. It was reminiscent to Raiders of the Lost Ark, it had a believable cast, it was the perfect setting...and then the dialogue! Oh the painful, awful, scratch your nails on a chalk board dialogue. Mind you, this third installment makes the original look good--nay! Look very good.
First of all, they couldn't even get the whole cast back. Rachel Wiest is replaced by Maria Bello who goes in and out of her pitiful English accent and looks to be much older than her husband. Speaking of age, their son Alex (Luke Ford), he looks like he is the same age if not older than his dad--Brendan Fraser, who has a relatively minor role throughout the whole movie--he pops in now and again to deliver the brow beaten dialogue. The whole storyline of the prodigal son is completely and totally unnecessary--much like the whole movie. (Why don't people consult with me???!)
The story itself is totally boring and if you submit oneself to this torture, you will find yourself wanting to nod off from time to time. To all you sadists, spare yourselves this agony, watch the original one instead...at least it had potential.
*1/2 Not-a-chance
Rated PG-13 (violence)
No, no, no, no, NO!! Don't do it! OK first of all, this movie got made--for reals! I have always been somewhat critical of the Mummy, The original was such a great idea. It was reminiscent to Raiders of the Lost Ark, it had a believable cast, it was the perfect setting...and then the dialogue! Oh the painful, awful, scratch your nails on a chalk board dialogue. Mind you, this third installment makes the original look good--nay! Look very good.
First of all, they couldn't even get the whole cast back. Rachel Wiest is replaced by Maria Bello who goes in and out of her pitiful English accent and looks to be much older than her husband. Speaking of age, their son Alex (Luke Ford), he looks like he is the same age if not older than his dad--Brendan Fraser, who has a relatively minor role throughout the whole movie--he pops in now and again to deliver the brow beaten dialogue. The whole storyline of the prodigal son is completely and totally unnecessary--much like the whole movie. (Why don't people consult with me???!)
The story itself is totally boring and if you submit oneself to this torture, you will find yourself wanting to nod off from time to time. To all you sadists, spare yourselves this agony, watch the original one instead...at least it had potential.
*1/2 Not-a-chance
Rated PG-13 (violence)
Swing Vote
When the Presidential race all comes down to one mans vote, both political parties begin to campaign...to him. Bud Johnson an out of work, single parent that spends most of his time getting drunk and fishing is about to choose the next President of the United States.
Although totally far fetched, I believe this sleeper will catch on. It is clever and fun and seems to enjoy making fun of itself and our political machine. The set up is a tad long, but it picks up and is actually quite cute--despite its desperate attempt to raise social awareness and political conscience it kind of chickened out with the very "PC" ending. Nevertheless it was still entertaining.
***
Rated PG-13 (language)
Although totally far fetched, I believe this sleeper will catch on. It is clever and fun and seems to enjoy making fun of itself and our political machine. The set up is a tad long, but it picks up and is actually quite cute--despite its desperate attempt to raise social awareness and political conscience it kind of chickened out with the very "PC" ending. Nevertheless it was still entertaining.
***
Rated PG-13 (language)
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