TITLE
Away From Her
STARRING
Julie Christie, Olympia Dukakis, Gordon Pinsent, Deanna Dezmari, Wendy Crewson,
THIS MOVIE IS LIKE
Wit, My Life, Cocoon, My Life Without Me
WOULD YOU SUGGEST IT TO A FRIEND
Once married, a movie like this has infinitely more currency. I've long been a fan of Sarah Polley, but American audiences have to look hard for her work. She adapted the screenplay from a popular short story and then directed the film, on what I imagine was a decent Canadian budget and a non-existent American budget. I loved the film. I'd like others to see it, but you have to be a certain kind of person to see and feel your way through this movie. Of all the faculties I'd like to loose least, it is the mind and memory. Away From Her reminds us all of the human potential to grow, love, and adapt.
PROTAGONIST
Gordon Pinsent gives a breathy, tired, old man losing his life's love and stability a human face as Grant Anderson. We don't dislike him initially, but we don't especially want to root for him. He's had an easy go of it. Early in his marriage, he wasn't the best husband. In the present, he's not exactly dealing with the diagnosis of Alzheimer's in his vibrant wife, Fiona, played by Julie Christie, with the delicacy and ultimately, realism it deserves.
FIRST 10 PAGES
Fiona Anderson's memory is fleeting quickly. She sticks a pan in the freezer, her husband returns it to its proper place. She goes cross-country skiing and cannot remember how to get home, her husband comes as gets her. All the while knowing something must be done, but not doing it Grant insists on sparing her feelings and maintaining the status quo.
SITUATION CHANGES (PAGE 15)
Grant can no longer ignore that Fiona has become more than he can care for and researches a home for Alzheimer's patients. The home requires an initial 30 day period without contact and Fiona agrees its for the best. They make love, he leaves, and soon learns what it is like to be on his own with only the memories of their life together surrounding him.
COMMIT TO THE QUEST (PAGE 30)
On day 30, Grant promptly returns to the center for a visit to his beloved, only to find his wife has taken to Aubrey, a patient unable to communicate verbally, but clear in his devotion and appreciation of Fiona. This upsets Grant as he must acquiesce daily to her doting on Aubrey, and cold reception of his affections. He soon becomes a fixture at the center and creates new friendships with staff and patients alike, but never manages to win Fiona over or deal with his resentment for the situation.
CHANGE IS FORESHADOWED (PAGE 45)
Grant watches as his wife celebrates with Aubrey. A savvy teenage grandchild of another patient joins him on the couch and soon learns of his patience with the transition. When she inquires as to why he is not with her, she is touched to learn it is out of genuine love for his wife's well-being that he does not interrupt.
THERE'S NO GOING BACK (PAGE 60)
Aubrey must leave the center because his wife has returned for him and cannot afford to keep him there. This tears his wife's thriving network of fellowship and love apart as he stands by to watch. Though he is there to sweep up the pieces in the aftermath, she is inconsolable. Unexpectedly, the toll of Aubrey and Fiona's separation has negative physical and mental consequences and the center must move Fiona to the second floor where terminal patients reside.
A SECRET IS REVEALED (PAGE 75)
Grant goes to visit Aubrey's spirited, but disgruntled wife Marian, played by Olympia Dukakis. He plots to have Aubrey returned to the center, but discovers that Marian will have to sell her home to accomplish this feat.
ALL BETS ARE OFF (PAGE 90)
Devotion to his wife has never been Grant's strong suit, but rather than risking her life prematurely, he courts Marian, in a last ditch, and eventually successful effort to get her to return Aubrey to the center.
THE END
A touching ending, one of the finest written lately. Grant and Fiona reconnect as if she had never been away from him, but when he asks her of Aubrey, he can see that she remembers hims and longs for him. So he carries out the plan to return him to her. She seems to acknowledge his growth and her gratitude for standing by her. Grant is redeemed.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
SHOOT 'EM UP (2007)
TITLE
Shoot 'Em Up
STARRING
Clive Owen, Paul Giamatti, Monica Bellucci, Stephen McHattie
PROTAGONIST
Completely out of character but well cast, Clive Owen portrays Smith, a man generally great at flying under the radar, perhaps because of his troubled past, but in all likelihood, because nothing has moved him to take a stand.
THIS MOVIE IS LIKE
Crank, My Fellow Americans, The Professional, Terminator 2
WOULD YOU SUGGEST IT TO A FRIEND
One of only a handful I've rented in this new year, Shoot' Em Up was an instant classic. I cannot wait to buy it on previously viewed DVD sales, which is about as sexy a shopping spree as one can offer me. Yes, it's true, some of the CGI is not advanced, but the action is great. An original take on a story that's been done more than 100 or so times is refreshing, as is seeing an age-appropriate match between Monica Bellucci's character Donna Quintano and Smith.
FIRST 10 PAGES
A very pregnant woman on the lam from some dangerous and well-armed hitmen happens by Smith in a comedic fashion. Oblivious to her peril, Smith minds his own, until the hitmen appear to be pursing her into a vacant warehouse - definitely intending to cause her and the unborn some fatal harm.
SITUATION CHANGES (PAGE 15)
Not a fan of getting involved, Smith quickly realizes that not only will she need protection, but he will have to deliver her baby. Doing so is no small feat as he ushers the child into its new world between the never-ending team of killers operating an arsenal to match a small country. The foes are cleverly-led by Paul Giamatti's Hertz. Unfortunately, during the pursuit, the woman is killed and the baby is now in the exclusive care of Smith.
COMMIT TO THE QUEST (PAGE 30)
Smith evades with great success Hertz and his goons. He brings the baby to Donna Quintano, a woman scorned by him and the death of her own baby. She also just happens to be a prostitute, but not in the traditional sense. No, Donna is paid for her abilities as a wet nurse for men engaged in infantillism. Her refusal to help him the baby makes her a target for Hertz, who would likely have killed her if not for Smith's timely return.
CHANGE IS FORESHADOWED (PAGE 45)
We know Smith is going to see things through when he goes back to his super-secret pad and bonds with both baby and Donna, but their trip home did not go unnoticed. Hertz's crew soon invades. In all the glamorized gun action that is possible, Smith, baby and Donna manage to live and escape again, all without harm.
THERE'S NO GOING BACK (PAGE 60)
A plan is hatched to get out of town; specifics are not revealed. Smith and Donna have the most exciting of scenes and the three return back to the origins of where the mom-to-be lived.
A SECRET IS REVEALED (PAGE 75)
Super-duper spoiler alert, there are two really great secrets revealed: first, the baby was part of an experiment to save the life of a sitting senator who coincidentally is running for office. His run and eventual win will secure Hertz's boss's business (guns and ammo - I know you are shocked) does not succumb to further restrictions and legislation. As for the second big reveal, you'll have to see the movie, but it fully encompasses Smith's reverence for firearms and his choice to save the baby and Donna from peril.
ALL BETS ARE OFF (PAGE 90)
Smith sees that Donna and baby execute their plans to get out of town. Once safely away, he pursues Hertz and the bosses that be. Of course he gets caught, and with miraculous intervention he gets the upper hand - a couple of times. In the end, Smith has to decide whether or not to actually do Hertz in....
THE END
There are some great final scenes that will please the audience. Though the movie doesn't end where it begins, it shows the growth of Smith's character and has special meaning to his past. Great action, no real blood and guts, more hokey than horror, Shoot 'Em Up is very much a throwback to a different, yet entertaining style of filmmaking.
Shoot 'Em Up
STARRING
Clive Owen, Paul Giamatti, Monica Bellucci, Stephen McHattie
PROTAGONIST
Completely out of character but well cast, Clive Owen portrays Smith, a man generally great at flying under the radar, perhaps because of his troubled past, but in all likelihood, because nothing has moved him to take a stand.
THIS MOVIE IS LIKE
Crank, My Fellow Americans, The Professional, Terminator 2
WOULD YOU SUGGEST IT TO A FRIEND
One of only a handful I've rented in this new year, Shoot' Em Up was an instant classic. I cannot wait to buy it on previously viewed DVD sales, which is about as sexy a shopping spree as one can offer me. Yes, it's true, some of the CGI is not advanced, but the action is great. An original take on a story that's been done more than 100 or so times is refreshing, as is seeing an age-appropriate match between Monica Bellucci's character Donna Quintano and Smith.
FIRST 10 PAGES
A very pregnant woman on the lam from some dangerous and well-armed hitmen happens by Smith in a comedic fashion. Oblivious to her peril, Smith minds his own, until the hitmen appear to be pursing her into a vacant warehouse - definitely intending to cause her and the unborn some fatal harm.
SITUATION CHANGES (PAGE 15)
Not a fan of getting involved, Smith quickly realizes that not only will she need protection, but he will have to deliver her baby. Doing so is no small feat as he ushers the child into its new world between the never-ending team of killers operating an arsenal to match a small country. The foes are cleverly-led by Paul Giamatti's Hertz. Unfortunately, during the pursuit, the woman is killed and the baby is now in the exclusive care of Smith.
COMMIT TO THE QUEST (PAGE 30)
Smith evades with great success Hertz and his goons. He brings the baby to Donna Quintano, a woman scorned by him and the death of her own baby. She also just happens to be a prostitute, but not in the traditional sense. No, Donna is paid for her abilities as a wet nurse for men engaged in infantillism. Her refusal to help him the baby makes her a target for Hertz, who would likely have killed her if not for Smith's timely return.
CHANGE IS FORESHADOWED (PAGE 45)
We know Smith is going to see things through when he goes back to his super-secret pad and bonds with both baby and Donna, but their trip home did not go unnoticed. Hertz's crew soon invades. In all the glamorized gun action that is possible, Smith, baby and Donna manage to live and escape again, all without harm.
THERE'S NO GOING BACK (PAGE 60)
A plan is hatched to get out of town; specifics are not revealed. Smith and Donna have the most exciting of scenes and the three return back to the origins of where the mom-to-be lived.
A SECRET IS REVEALED (PAGE 75)
Super-duper spoiler alert, there are two really great secrets revealed: first, the baby was part of an experiment to save the life of a sitting senator who coincidentally is running for office. His run and eventual win will secure Hertz's boss's business (guns and ammo - I know you are shocked) does not succumb to further restrictions and legislation. As for the second big reveal, you'll have to see the movie, but it fully encompasses Smith's reverence for firearms and his choice to save the baby and Donna from peril.
ALL BETS ARE OFF (PAGE 90)
Smith sees that Donna and baby execute their plans to get out of town. Once safely away, he pursues Hertz and the bosses that be. Of course he gets caught, and with miraculous intervention he gets the upper hand - a couple of times. In the end, Smith has to decide whether or not to actually do Hertz in....
THE END
There are some great final scenes that will please the audience. Though the movie doesn't end where it begins, it shows the growth of Smith's character and has special meaning to his past. Great action, no real blood and guts, more hokey than horror, Shoot 'Em Up is very much a throwback to a different, yet entertaining style of filmmaking.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
SUNSHINE (2007)
TITLE
Sunshine
STARRING
Cillian Murphy, Rose Byrne, Chris Evans, Michelle Yeoh, Hiroyuki Sanada, Cliff Curtis
THIS MOVIE IS LIKE
Event Horizon, Aliens, the most important comparison is that this movie is not like other Alex Garland and Danny Boyle collaborations, including The Beach and 28 Days Later, which is sad because those films are great, wonderful and original cinematic pieces.
WOULD YOU SUGGEST IT TO A FRIEND
I want to say yes, believe me, more than anything I want to say yes, but this film was almost as disappointing to me as 28 Weeks After. I like apocalyptic films. I love the unknown. British films are as near to Nirvana as I get. I especially enjoy Garland/Boyle/Murphy as a set of peers in the filmmaking process. Still, with all of this going for Sunshine, the lack of character development and total miss on epic or effectual story telling resonated with me in a most lukewarm way. I think overall we have a film that was very unremarkable, yet capable of being so much more.
Our sun dying in the next 50 years is probably the *least* likely reason humanity would face extinction. At the rate we are warming the Earth from less than natural causes, we would be lucky to have cooling, and again, we are not advanced enough to plan a trip to the sun that will take eight years.
PROTAGONIST
He's not a great protagonist, but Capa, played by the usually spectacular Cillian Murphy, does manage to embody some essential human qualities as he prepares for the fate of an international space team's mission to nuke the sun with a high yield weapon in order to revive the sun, and in turn, our planet. Capa is a by the numbers kind of guy, but definitely unsure of his decisions. He's not keen on the dreams he's started having since death is become more of an eventuality.
FIRST 10 PAGES
Our Earth is nearly frozen because the sun is dying. The team whom we are introduced to in typical Boyle-fashion are facing mounting interpersonal tensions, lack of oxygen reserves (for the alleged trip home), and the dwindling ability to communicate with Earth. The high points are that the crew seems to enjoy their assignments and being this close to the sun allows them the privilege of feeling its rays in a specially designed observation room at about 2-4% of full capacity, almost 50 times the amount people on Earth experience. Capa and Mace, played by Chris Evans of Fantastic Four fame, are at the center of the conflict. This quest is not his own, but the crew's.
SITUATION CHANGES (PAGE 15)
Logistical coordination have plotted a course that gives the crew a singular opportunity on Icarus 2 for completing the mission of reviving the sun. It is discovered that Icarus 1, is still in existence, caught orbiting Mercury, and is beaming its distress beacon, a possible indication of survivors. Captain Kaneda consults with the crew, and later with Capa alone. Capa concludes that two weapons are better than one, regardless of survivors, intercepting Icarus 1 may give them a second opportunity to complete the mission and save humanity.
COMMIT TO THE QUEST (PAGE 30)
In the process of recalculating the route to intercept Icarus 1, the adjustment of the shield to block the still powerful heat of the sun is omitted and damage is caused that can only be repaired by accessing the exterior of the ship. Captain Kaneda and a second person must venture out; as second in command and in a fit of vengeance, Mace volunteers Capa to go, meaning both men who can operate the payload (nuclear weapon) are now outside the ship. Unfortunately, the excursion does not go well and Capa must return to the ship in order to ensure the mission can be completed while Captain Kaneda stays behind to finish some of the work and meets an instantaneous death. In order to save Capa, Cassie, must reposition Icarus 2 via override. This cause the loss of both communications towers and the garden.
CHANGE IS FORESHADOWED (PAGE 45)
The rendezvous with Icarus 1 is successful and while docked the four members of the crew who boarded make a grizzly discovering regarding the I1 crew who chose to burn alive in their observatory area. Other discoveries include a thriving garden, capable of producing their needed oxygen and the dismantling of the cooling system, which appears to be intentional. Several minutes into their sweep of the ship the two Icarus ships break away and Icarus 1 appears to be leaking atmosphere. While it is Mace who comes up with a plan to save three of the men, it is Capa who must be relied upon to execute it, once again forcing him to suit up. The fourth man, must stay behind and sacrifice his life. Capa is able to save himself, and Mace.
THERE'S NO GOING BACK (PAGE 60)
With Icarus 1 out of play, Corazon has run the numbers several times and they do not have enough oxygen to make the payload delivery. It is decided, due in large part to Capa and Mace, that Trey will be killed in order to save enough oxygen to complete the mission. En route to do away with Trey, the team discovers he has already committed suicide, leaving the four remaining crew to carryout the mission.
A SECRET IS REVEALED (PAGE 75)
Tinkering away on repairs to the payload, Capa begins to converse with Icarus 2 who informs him there is not enough air to complete the mission, let alone begin the return trip. The reason - there are now five people aboard the ship. When Capa inquires as to the whereabouts of the fourth person, he is told the person is in the observatory room. The person is a severely radiated Captain Pinbacker who has managed to survive aboard Icarus 1, allegedly to do God's work, and that if man were meant to live, God would not have killed the sun.
ALL BETS ARE OFF (PAGE 90)
A fight ensues and Capa narrowly escapes. Captain Pinbacker disables the cooling unit, and Icarus 2 shuts down. Upon investigating Mace finds Capa who tells him that it was Pinbacker. Mace goes to fix the unit and reinstate Icarus 2 while Captain Pinbacker pursues Corazon and Cassie. Several full body submersions into the coolant cause Mace to freeze, his leg is trapped and he soon perishes. Pursuit of Cassie leads Captain Pinbacker to the payload area, Capa remains as the only person who has the ability to complete the mission. He straps on the suit one last time and blows out the living quarters of the ship when he discovers Corazon has also been killed. Capa makes it to the payload and fends off Captain Pinbacker one last time. In order to see the mission succeed, he deploys the payload with himself, Cassie, and Pinbacker into the sun.
THE END
The movie begins somewhat as it ends with Capa's sister and her family receiving his message from a snow-covered Sydney, Australia, instructing them that if they wake up and it is a particularly beautiful day, then they will know the mission has succeeded. Just then, the sun brightens.
Sunshine
STARRING
Cillian Murphy, Rose Byrne, Chris Evans, Michelle Yeoh, Hiroyuki Sanada, Cliff Curtis
THIS MOVIE IS LIKE
Event Horizon, Aliens, the most important comparison is that this movie is not like other Alex Garland and Danny Boyle collaborations, including The Beach and 28 Days Later, which is sad because those films are great, wonderful and original cinematic pieces.
WOULD YOU SUGGEST IT TO A FRIEND
I want to say yes, believe me, more than anything I want to say yes, but this film was almost as disappointing to me as 28 Weeks After. I like apocalyptic films. I love the unknown. British films are as near to Nirvana as I get. I especially enjoy Garland/Boyle/Murphy as a set of peers in the filmmaking process. Still, with all of this going for Sunshine, the lack of character development and total miss on epic or effectual story telling resonated with me in a most lukewarm way. I think overall we have a film that was very unremarkable, yet capable of being so much more.
Our sun dying in the next 50 years is probably the *least* likely reason humanity would face extinction. At the rate we are warming the Earth from less than natural causes, we would be lucky to have cooling, and again, we are not advanced enough to plan a trip to the sun that will take eight years.
PROTAGONIST
He's not a great protagonist, but Capa, played by the usually spectacular Cillian Murphy, does manage to embody some essential human qualities as he prepares for the fate of an international space team's mission to nuke the sun with a high yield weapon in order to revive the sun, and in turn, our planet. Capa is a by the numbers kind of guy, but definitely unsure of his decisions. He's not keen on the dreams he's started having since death is become more of an eventuality.
FIRST 10 PAGES
Our Earth is nearly frozen because the sun is dying. The team whom we are introduced to in typical Boyle-fashion are facing mounting interpersonal tensions, lack of oxygen reserves (for the alleged trip home), and the dwindling ability to communicate with Earth. The high points are that the crew seems to enjoy their assignments and being this close to the sun allows them the privilege of feeling its rays in a specially designed observation room at about 2-4% of full capacity, almost 50 times the amount people on Earth experience. Capa and Mace, played by Chris Evans of Fantastic Four fame, are at the center of the conflict. This quest is not his own, but the crew's.
SITUATION CHANGES (PAGE 15)
Logistical coordination have plotted a course that gives the crew a singular opportunity on Icarus 2 for completing the mission of reviving the sun. It is discovered that Icarus 1, is still in existence, caught orbiting Mercury, and is beaming its distress beacon, a possible indication of survivors. Captain Kaneda consults with the crew, and later with Capa alone. Capa concludes that two weapons are better than one, regardless of survivors, intercepting Icarus 1 may give them a second opportunity to complete the mission and save humanity.
COMMIT TO THE QUEST (PAGE 30)
In the process of recalculating the route to intercept Icarus 1, the adjustment of the shield to block the still powerful heat of the sun is omitted and damage is caused that can only be repaired by accessing the exterior of the ship. Captain Kaneda and a second person must venture out; as second in command and in a fit of vengeance, Mace volunteers Capa to go, meaning both men who can operate the payload (nuclear weapon) are now outside the ship. Unfortunately, the excursion does not go well and Capa must return to the ship in order to ensure the mission can be completed while Captain Kaneda stays behind to finish some of the work and meets an instantaneous death. In order to save Capa, Cassie, must reposition Icarus 2 via override. This cause the loss of both communications towers and the garden.
CHANGE IS FORESHADOWED (PAGE 45)
The rendezvous with Icarus 1 is successful and while docked the four members of the crew who boarded make a grizzly discovering regarding the I1 crew who chose to burn alive in their observatory area. Other discoveries include a thriving garden, capable of producing their needed oxygen and the dismantling of the cooling system, which appears to be intentional. Several minutes into their sweep of the ship the two Icarus ships break away and Icarus 1 appears to be leaking atmosphere. While it is Mace who comes up with a plan to save three of the men, it is Capa who must be relied upon to execute it, once again forcing him to suit up. The fourth man, must stay behind and sacrifice his life. Capa is able to save himself, and Mace.
THERE'S NO GOING BACK (PAGE 60)
With Icarus 1 out of play, Corazon has run the numbers several times and they do not have enough oxygen to make the payload delivery. It is decided, due in large part to Capa and Mace, that Trey will be killed in order to save enough oxygen to complete the mission. En route to do away with Trey, the team discovers he has already committed suicide, leaving the four remaining crew to carryout the mission.
A SECRET IS REVEALED (PAGE 75)
Tinkering away on repairs to the payload, Capa begins to converse with Icarus 2 who informs him there is not enough air to complete the mission, let alone begin the return trip. The reason - there are now five people aboard the ship. When Capa inquires as to the whereabouts of the fourth person, he is told the person is in the observatory room. The person is a severely radiated Captain Pinbacker who has managed to survive aboard Icarus 1, allegedly to do God's work, and that if man were meant to live, God would not have killed the sun.
ALL BETS ARE OFF (PAGE 90)
A fight ensues and Capa narrowly escapes. Captain Pinbacker disables the cooling unit, and Icarus 2 shuts down. Upon investigating Mace finds Capa who tells him that it was Pinbacker. Mace goes to fix the unit and reinstate Icarus 2 while Captain Pinbacker pursues Corazon and Cassie. Several full body submersions into the coolant cause Mace to freeze, his leg is trapped and he soon perishes. Pursuit of Cassie leads Captain Pinbacker to the payload area, Capa remains as the only person who has the ability to complete the mission. He straps on the suit one last time and blows out the living quarters of the ship when he discovers Corazon has also been killed. Capa makes it to the payload and fends off Captain Pinbacker one last time. In order to see the mission succeed, he deploys the payload with himself, Cassie, and Pinbacker into the sun.
THE END
The movie begins somewhat as it ends with Capa's sister and her family receiving his message from a snow-covered Sydney, Australia, instructing them that if they wake up and it is a particularly beautiful day, then they will know the mission has succeeded. Just then, the sun brightens.
Monday, January 7, 2008
THE KINGDOM (2007)
TITLE
The Kingdom
STARRING
Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Ashraf Barhom, and Jeremy Piven
THIS MOVIE IS LIKE
Munich, Syriana, Traffic, Lions For Lambs, Rendition
WOULD YOU SUGGEST IT TO A FRIEND
No. I'm not a fan of how Peter Berg shot this movie (similar to Traffic and Syriana) and quite frankly the characters were tired, (as was I after watching it). The one bright ray of hope was watching Jason Bateman take on such a dramatic role. The rest of the casting seemed to be off and the message just further exploited America's commonly held misconceptions about Islamic nations and their people.
PROTAGONIST
This is an ensemble piece featuring Ronald Fleury (Foxx), Grant Sykes (Cooper), Janet Mayes (Garner) and Adam Leavitt (Bateman) as a forensic team of four FBI Agents sent to Saudi Arabia to investigate an act of terrorism at a facility, which housed American families working for an oil company. A nearly primary protagonist can be identified in Agent Fleury.
FIRST 10 PAGES
American families working for an oil company are busy enjoying their day off pinicing and playing baseball on the closed campus in Saudi Arabia. Armed guards protect the entry and several yards away, a man and his grandson watch through binoculars. Quickly and predictably, a militant sect of Islamic separatists attack the complex. Bombs go off people are shot, the assault is brutal and escalating. Well into the evening, FBI Investigators and first responders are busy assisting the survivors while the guards are questioned for numbers of uniforms and their inability to stop the attackers and avert the crisis.
SITUATION CHANGES (PAGE 15)
In the midst of a call placed by the lead FBI Investigator on ground in Saudi Arabia to a Agent Fleury, a large explosive is detonated, killing the investigator and most of the people in the surrounding area. Fleury and his team are mobilized because of the extreme nature of the events, but are only given five days to conduct their investigation and apprehend anyone responsible. Agent Fleury visits the children of his fallen colleague to assure them.
COMMIT TO THE QUEST (PAGE 30)
The team watches as the casket of their colleague is loaded on the plane they just deboarded.
CHANGE IS FORESHADOWED (PAGE 45)
Bad job here. The clearest change foreshadowed is that of Colonel Faris al Ghazi as he becomes the preferred choice of Fleury and his team to lead the investigation on behalf of the Saudi's, but for the sake of keeping with the protagonist's change being foreshadowed, Agent Fleury has developed a respect for the investigative talents of Colonel al Ghazi and their perseverance for finding the truth is both heightened and mutual.
THERE'S NO GOING BACK (PAGE 60)
Zzzz.....oh wait, let me wipe the drool from my face, yes I am back. This point in the film was muddled with interplay among the team (that didn't make much sense) and the relationships of Agent Fleury and Colonel al Ghazi with Damon Schmidt, played by Jeremy Piven, being distressed when he orders the team to return to the states after several discoveries lead to the death of two of the terrorists.
A SECRET IS REVEALED (PAGE 75)
Military personnel, under the leadership of the terrorist's separatist sect, who work for the Saudi Government have set the Americans up. The team can no longer decide who to trust, necessitating the desire to leave on time and without the arrest of the leader who plotted the attack.
ALL BETS ARE OFF (PAGE 90)
Action levels are up in the only exciting turn of events throughout the movie. A roadside hijacking of the team's SUV, that Agent Fleury gets wind of enroute when he notices the last car in the caravan stopped and averts and oncoming attacker still ensures the successful capture of Agent Leavitt. Leavitt is taken to a nearby location, where it is the separatists intent to videotape his murder. The team, and several guards pursue Leavitt and his captors leading them to a tense standoff with heavily armed, but disorganized terrorists in a populated apartment building.
THE END
Colonel al Ghazi and the team find Agent Leavitt, who before the whole of the action is over, gets his own moments of glory in bravery and aversion (a nice character arch for him and possibly the only glimmer of "great" writing). Before Colonel al Ghazi can apprehend the separatist leader, Abu Hamza, Hamza's grandson shoots him several times and is in turn killed. Agent Fleury then goes to the home of Colonel al Ghazi's family and visits with them assuring his son of the bravery his father has shown.
The Kingdom
STARRING
Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Ashraf Barhom, and Jeremy Piven
THIS MOVIE IS LIKE
Munich, Syriana, Traffic, Lions For Lambs, Rendition
WOULD YOU SUGGEST IT TO A FRIEND
No. I'm not a fan of how Peter Berg shot this movie (similar to Traffic and Syriana) and quite frankly the characters were tired, (as was I after watching it). The one bright ray of hope was watching Jason Bateman take on such a dramatic role. The rest of the casting seemed to be off and the message just further exploited America's commonly held misconceptions about Islamic nations and their people.
PROTAGONIST
This is an ensemble piece featuring Ronald Fleury (Foxx), Grant Sykes (Cooper), Janet Mayes (Garner) and Adam Leavitt (Bateman) as a forensic team of four FBI Agents sent to Saudi Arabia to investigate an act of terrorism at a facility, which housed American families working for an oil company. A nearly primary protagonist can be identified in Agent Fleury.
FIRST 10 PAGES
American families working for an oil company are busy enjoying their day off pinicing and playing baseball on the closed campus in Saudi Arabia. Armed guards protect the entry and several yards away, a man and his grandson watch through binoculars. Quickly and predictably, a militant sect of Islamic separatists attack the complex. Bombs go off people are shot, the assault is brutal and escalating. Well into the evening, FBI Investigators and first responders are busy assisting the survivors while the guards are questioned for numbers of uniforms and their inability to stop the attackers and avert the crisis.
SITUATION CHANGES (PAGE 15)
In the midst of a call placed by the lead FBI Investigator on ground in Saudi Arabia to a Agent Fleury, a large explosive is detonated, killing the investigator and most of the people in the surrounding area. Fleury and his team are mobilized because of the extreme nature of the events, but are only given five days to conduct their investigation and apprehend anyone responsible. Agent Fleury visits the children of his fallen colleague to assure them.
COMMIT TO THE QUEST (PAGE 30)
The team watches as the casket of their colleague is loaded on the plane they just deboarded.
CHANGE IS FORESHADOWED (PAGE 45)
Bad job here. The clearest change foreshadowed is that of Colonel Faris al Ghazi as he becomes the preferred choice of Fleury and his team to lead the investigation on behalf of the Saudi's, but for the sake of keeping with the protagonist's change being foreshadowed, Agent Fleury has developed a respect for the investigative talents of Colonel al Ghazi and their perseverance for finding the truth is both heightened and mutual.
THERE'S NO GOING BACK (PAGE 60)
Zzzz.....oh wait, let me wipe the drool from my face, yes I am back. This point in the film was muddled with interplay among the team (that didn't make much sense) and the relationships of Agent Fleury and Colonel al Ghazi with Damon Schmidt, played by Jeremy Piven, being distressed when he orders the team to return to the states after several discoveries lead to the death of two of the terrorists.
A SECRET IS REVEALED (PAGE 75)
Military personnel, under the leadership of the terrorist's separatist sect, who work for the Saudi Government have set the Americans up. The team can no longer decide who to trust, necessitating the desire to leave on time and without the arrest of the leader who plotted the attack.
ALL BETS ARE OFF (PAGE 90)
Action levels are up in the only exciting turn of events throughout the movie. A roadside hijacking of the team's SUV, that Agent Fleury gets wind of enroute when he notices the last car in the caravan stopped and averts and oncoming attacker still ensures the successful capture of Agent Leavitt. Leavitt is taken to a nearby location, where it is the separatists intent to videotape his murder. The team, and several guards pursue Leavitt and his captors leading them to a tense standoff with heavily armed, but disorganized terrorists in a populated apartment building.
THE END
Colonel al Ghazi and the team find Agent Leavitt, who before the whole of the action is over, gets his own moments of glory in bravery and aversion (a nice character arch for him and possibly the only glimmer of "great" writing). Before Colonel al Ghazi can apprehend the separatist leader, Abu Hamza, Hamza's grandson shoots him several times and is in turn killed. Agent Fleury then goes to the home of Colonel al Ghazi's family and visits with them assuring his son of the bravery his father has shown.
Friday, January 4, 2008
WAR (2007)
TITLE
War
STARRING
Jason Statham, Jet Li, Luis Guzman, Matthew St. Patrick
THIS MOVIE IS LIKE
Face Off, Transporter
PROTAGONIST
This is a law enforcement centered (FBI) film, so the rules don't necessarily apply the same way to protagonists, antagonists, and conflict in general. Let's just say that the writing in this film is not what it should be and the protagonist is supposed to make things happen. Unfortunately, they give that duty to two people, Jack Crawford, played by Jason Statham and Tom Wynne, played at first by Terry Chen.
WOULD YOU SUGGEST IT TO A FRIEND
Sure, but with the hopes that the friend is not expecting the best work from either Jet Li or Jason Statham. The writing is loose, the translation looser, but this film sets no expectations that either will be something worthy of notice. It is simply an action flick which gained wide release either because of the talent (both of whom are still bankable) or the producers (who knew internationally they could profit from theirn investment if it flopped domestically.)
FIRST 10 PAGES
Partners, Agents Crawford and Wynne are successful in bringing down the bad guys during your average opening scene on a dimly lit dock. Both safely return to their families where later in the evening Agent Wynne watches the torture and killing of his family.
SITUATION CHANGES (PAGE 15)
Agent Crawford arrives at the Wynne family home the next day to learn that his partner and family have been slain by the notorious Rogue, played by Jet Li, acting on behalf of his Yakuza boss. With vengeance top on his list of priorities, Agent Crawford dedicates himself to hunting down Rogue and making him pay for what he's done.
COMMIT TO THE QUEST (PAGE 30)
Beggining of the bad writing: while we have Agent Crawford committing to his quest by securing a new team and partner, Special Agent Wick, played by Matthew St. Patrick to bring about a war between the two top Yakuza Bosses Chang and Yanagawa, both angling for each other, Rogue is also setting about on his own bidding that involves decimating foes.
CHANGE IS FORESHADOWED (PAGE 45)
Agent Crawford once again loses a partner in a conflict that forces a face-off between him and Rogue, which oddly enough never seem to result in the death of either man. Rogue also becomes very attached to the family of the Boss Chang.
THERE'S NO GOING BACK (PAGE 60)
Agent Crawford is pressed to decide between his disintegrated family and the committment he made to seeking out Rogue. He makes a decision to chase after Rogue abandoning his sensibilities for a trip into lawlessness. Rogue is ordered to kill Boss Chang and his family by Boss Yaganawa's daughter. He is instructed to bring the heads of his victims to her as a sign of his devotion to the family.
A SECRET IS REVEALED (PAGE 75)
Agent Crawford learns that Rogue has changed his identity several times over the years from a plastic surgeon hired by the FBI to create new facades for his protection and allow him to gain access into the underground of the Yakuza.
ALL BETS ARE OFF (PAGE 90)
Agent Crawford acts as an informant to Shiro Yanagawa letting him know of Rogue's betrayl and disobedience during a hit on a rival Yakuza boss where he spared the life of the boss's wife and child in the hopes that it will flush Rogue out from his hiding place. Rogue is summoned by Boss Yanagawa and a duel to the death commences.
THE END
The twist, a final confrontation is staged between Rogue and Agent Crawford, just after Crawford has surmised that it may be his former partner, Agent Wynne acting as Rogue. Thier meeting takes place on the dimly lit docks again and the backup for Agent Crawford is having a difficult time getting a fix on Rogue. Rogue reveals that he is in fact Agent Wynne and both men conclude they have been lied to and must now protect each other. Look for the ends of the Chang Family and Yawagaw Family to be tied up nicely by Agent Wynne/Rogue.
War
STARRING
Jason Statham, Jet Li, Luis Guzman, Matthew St. Patrick
THIS MOVIE IS LIKE
Face Off, Transporter
PROTAGONIST
This is a law enforcement centered (FBI) film, so the rules don't necessarily apply the same way to protagonists, antagonists, and conflict in general. Let's just say that the writing in this film is not what it should be and the protagonist is supposed to make things happen. Unfortunately, they give that duty to two people, Jack Crawford, played by Jason Statham and Tom Wynne, played at first by Terry Chen.
WOULD YOU SUGGEST IT TO A FRIEND
Sure, but with the hopes that the friend is not expecting the best work from either Jet Li or Jason Statham. The writing is loose, the translation looser, but this film sets no expectations that either will be something worthy of notice. It is simply an action flick which gained wide release either because of the talent (both of whom are still bankable) or the producers (who knew internationally they could profit from theirn investment if it flopped domestically.)
FIRST 10 PAGES
Partners, Agents Crawford and Wynne are successful in bringing down the bad guys during your average opening scene on a dimly lit dock. Both safely return to their families where later in the evening Agent Wynne watches the torture and killing of his family.
SITUATION CHANGES (PAGE 15)
Agent Crawford arrives at the Wynne family home the next day to learn that his partner and family have been slain by the notorious Rogue, played by Jet Li, acting on behalf of his Yakuza boss. With vengeance top on his list of priorities, Agent Crawford dedicates himself to hunting down Rogue and making him pay for what he's done.
COMMIT TO THE QUEST (PAGE 30)
Beggining of the bad writing: while we have Agent Crawford committing to his quest by securing a new team and partner, Special Agent Wick, played by Matthew St. Patrick to bring about a war between the two top Yakuza Bosses Chang and Yanagawa, both angling for each other, Rogue is also setting about on his own bidding that involves decimating foes.
CHANGE IS FORESHADOWED (PAGE 45)
Agent Crawford once again loses a partner in a conflict that forces a face-off between him and Rogue, which oddly enough never seem to result in the death of either man. Rogue also becomes very attached to the family of the Boss Chang.
THERE'S NO GOING BACK (PAGE 60)
Agent Crawford is pressed to decide between his disintegrated family and the committment he made to seeking out Rogue. He makes a decision to chase after Rogue abandoning his sensibilities for a trip into lawlessness. Rogue is ordered to kill Boss Chang and his family by Boss Yaganawa's daughter. He is instructed to bring the heads of his victims to her as a sign of his devotion to the family.
A SECRET IS REVEALED (PAGE 75)
Agent Crawford learns that Rogue has changed his identity several times over the years from a plastic surgeon hired by the FBI to create new facades for his protection and allow him to gain access into the underground of the Yakuza.
ALL BETS ARE OFF (PAGE 90)
Agent Crawford acts as an informant to Shiro Yanagawa letting him know of Rogue's betrayl and disobedience during a hit on a rival Yakuza boss where he spared the life of the boss's wife and child in the hopes that it will flush Rogue out from his hiding place. Rogue is summoned by Boss Yanagawa and a duel to the death commences.
THE END
The twist, a final confrontation is staged between Rogue and Agent Crawford, just after Crawford has surmised that it may be his former partner, Agent Wynne acting as Rogue. Thier meeting takes place on the dimly lit docks again and the backup for Agent Crawford is having a difficult time getting a fix on Rogue. Rogue reveals that he is in fact Agent Wynne and both men conclude they have been lied to and must now protect each other. Look for the ends of the Chang Family and Yawagaw Family to be tied up nicely by Agent Wynne/Rogue.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
SHATTERED (2007)
TITLE
Shattered, (aka. Butterfly on a Wheel)
STARRING
Pierce Brosnan, Maria Bello, Gerard Butler
THIS MOVIE IS LIKE...
Ransom, Trapped, Firewall
WOULD YOU SUGGEST IT TO A FRIEND
Yes, but with reservations. Actors aren't at their best (think Brosnan in the Matador) and there are some weak points, but the story is very good and though the execution is flawed, the film can contend within the action genre in the vain of the above films.
PROTAGONIST
Neil Randall, played by Gerard Butler. A rehabilitated cad of sorts, he's popular with his boss and family. More importantly, he's come into his own as an unstoppable young force in the ad world which has allowed him to achieve a lifestyle he's only dreamt about.
FIRST 10 PAGES
A seemingly normal family on the surface, Neil Randall has it all; a stylish suburban Chicago home, job to die for, attractive wife, played by Maria Bello, and an adoring daughter. Beyond this, we see: a wife who longs for the career she left behind as a successful photographer to raise a family, the ultra attractive secretary that can hardly go unnoticed, and the envious, if not a bit jealous, teammates that are displeased with Randall's posturing.
SITUATION CHANGES (PAGE 15)
While en route to a meeting with his boss, Neil and his wife, whom he was set to drop off so she could spend the day with a friend are taken hostage by a malicious, yet well-equipped kidnapper, Tom Ryan, played by Pierce Brosnan. Threatening the life of the child they left at home with an unknown sitter, he commands Neil's attention almost immediately. Neil must now decide how far he is willing to go to save his daughter's life.
COMMIT TO THE QUEST (PAGE 30)
Neil commits to the increasingly more difficult charades only after a series of unavoidable torment by Tom, including the burning of his life savings, cruel treatment of his wife, reckless damage to his vehicle, and implied sabotage of his career that turns out to be built on a lot of bribery, leading Neil to the conclusion that his daughter's life really is in danger.
CHANGE IS FORESHADOWED (PAGE 45)
Convinced of the threat against his daughter's life, Neil in a bold, oddly uncharacteristic move sets off with is wife, not on the task they were given, but off to a nearby hotel where he believes the sitter is holding his daughter.
THERE'S NO GOING BACK (PAGE 60)
Fearing he's lost his wife and child forever after watching Tom make off with his wife in his SUV, Neil seeks out the nearest police station as a last resort. An ill-fated attempt, Tom has already cajoled Neil's wife into telling the detective on duty that her desperate husband would come to them with stories, exactly like the one Neil just laid out, because of a bitter breakup. Shattered, he leaves the station and and begins to crumble outside the building (in some over the top rainy theatrics). Just then, headlights from across the street flash and he is reunited with his wife who urges him to do everything Tom asks in order to prevent the death of their daughter and a more permanent separation.
A SECRET IS REVEALED (PAGE 75)
Taken to the alleged home of his boss, it is here we discover that he was never intending to rendezvous for business, but rather with his secretary to carryout ongoing indiscretions. The blow to Neil comes when he sees a picture of his tormentor on the mantle of his secretary's home. Who is he? He's her husband of course. Neil, shocked inquires as to what her husband would do if he found out she was cheating, the answer can only be....
ALL BETS ARE OFF (PAGE 90)
All hell would break loose, and so it does. Tom demands Neil kill his wife, which Neil cannot do. After some well-deserved ass-kicking and pleas from his desperate wife, Tom sends Neil off to be with his family, when he shares that his daughter was never in danger. Inquiring as to what happened, when she saw Neil's secretary inside, Neil chooses to lie.
THE END
Is decent....and perhaps because it contains the biggest reveal when the Randall Family is reunited and in a moment of honest intimacy, Neil's wife grabs him closely and whispers that it was her who set him up. The good news: his career, child, and life are no longer in danger, but his marriage is over.
Shattered, (aka. Butterfly on a Wheel)
STARRING
Pierce Brosnan, Maria Bello, Gerard Butler
THIS MOVIE IS LIKE...
Ransom, Trapped, Firewall
WOULD YOU SUGGEST IT TO A FRIEND
Yes, but with reservations. Actors aren't at their best (think Brosnan in the Matador) and there are some weak points, but the story is very good and though the execution is flawed, the film can contend within the action genre in the vain of the above films.
PROTAGONIST
Neil Randall, played by Gerard Butler. A rehabilitated cad of sorts, he's popular with his boss and family. More importantly, he's come into his own as an unstoppable young force in the ad world which has allowed him to achieve a lifestyle he's only dreamt about.
FIRST 10 PAGES
A seemingly normal family on the surface, Neil Randall has it all; a stylish suburban Chicago home, job to die for, attractive wife, played by Maria Bello, and an adoring daughter. Beyond this, we see: a wife who longs for the career she left behind as a successful photographer to raise a family, the ultra attractive secretary that can hardly go unnoticed, and the envious, if not a bit jealous, teammates that are displeased with Randall's posturing.
SITUATION CHANGES (PAGE 15)
While en route to a meeting with his boss, Neil and his wife, whom he was set to drop off so she could spend the day with a friend are taken hostage by a malicious, yet well-equipped kidnapper, Tom Ryan, played by Pierce Brosnan. Threatening the life of the child they left at home with an unknown sitter, he commands Neil's attention almost immediately. Neil must now decide how far he is willing to go to save his daughter's life.
COMMIT TO THE QUEST (PAGE 30)
Neil commits to the increasingly more difficult charades only after a series of unavoidable torment by Tom, including the burning of his life savings, cruel treatment of his wife, reckless damage to his vehicle, and implied sabotage of his career that turns out to be built on a lot of bribery, leading Neil to the conclusion that his daughter's life really is in danger.
CHANGE IS FORESHADOWED (PAGE 45)
Convinced of the threat against his daughter's life, Neil in a bold, oddly uncharacteristic move sets off with is wife, not on the task they were given, but off to a nearby hotel where he believes the sitter is holding his daughter.
THERE'S NO GOING BACK (PAGE 60)
Fearing he's lost his wife and child forever after watching Tom make off with his wife in his SUV, Neil seeks out the nearest police station as a last resort. An ill-fated attempt, Tom has already cajoled Neil's wife into telling the detective on duty that her desperate husband would come to them with stories, exactly like the one Neil just laid out, because of a bitter breakup. Shattered, he leaves the station and and begins to crumble outside the building (in some over the top rainy theatrics). Just then, headlights from across the street flash and he is reunited with his wife who urges him to do everything Tom asks in order to prevent the death of their daughter and a more permanent separation.
A SECRET IS REVEALED (PAGE 75)
Taken to the alleged home of his boss, it is here we discover that he was never intending to rendezvous for business, but rather with his secretary to carryout ongoing indiscretions. The blow to Neil comes when he sees a picture of his tormentor on the mantle of his secretary's home. Who is he? He's her husband of course. Neil, shocked inquires as to what her husband would do if he found out she was cheating, the answer can only be....
ALL BETS ARE OFF (PAGE 90)
All hell would break loose, and so it does. Tom demands Neil kill his wife, which Neil cannot do. After some well-deserved ass-kicking and pleas from his desperate wife, Tom sends Neil off to be with his family, when he shares that his daughter was never in danger. Inquiring as to what happened, when she saw Neil's secretary inside, Neil chooses to lie.
THE END
Is decent....and perhaps because it contains the biggest reveal when the Randall Family is reunited and in a moment of honest intimacy, Neil's wife grabs him closely and whispers that it was her who set him up. The good news: his career, child, and life are no longer in danger, but his marriage is over.
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