Category Archives: Thriller
Thriller
Flash Movie Review: Fracture
I am not one of those individuals who can figure out a movie’s story early on. It is not in me to think about what is coming up ahead in the story. For some of you, even if you can solve the ending to this thrilling film early on, I do not think you will be disappointed. The reason being, the exciting battle of wits on display between the two leading actors, Anthony Hopkins (Thor, All The King’s Men) and Ryan Gosling (Crazy, Stupid, Love; Drive). Playing the meticulous and cunning self-confessed killer Ted Crawford, Sir Anthony’s performance was a smoldering, steely tour de force–think a vegan Hannibal Lecter. Watch the determined prosecutor Willy Beachum, a younger Ryan Gosling, not only hold his own in the acting department with the experienced Anthony Hopkins, but listen to the wittiness and sly humor that was sprinkled into the script. For the most part I was riveted to my television screen, though I thought the love interest for Ryan was not believable. In the scheme of things, it was the acting that was the centerpiece of this crime drama; the little flaws here and there were easily forgiven.
3 1/4 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Act of Valor
One would think, with live bullets and real U.S. Navy SEALS, this movie would be a safe bet for excitement. Alas, that was not the case for me. The conflict scenes were well done and had a good amount of building tension with intense action. However, the in between scenes were simply dreadful. I knew going into this film that the military men were actual special force fighters not actors. And I was okay with that, realizing this story was not going to be actor driven. However, I do not care if military people talk like that in real life; it was absolutely corny and cliched. If you are making a movie, then you need a good script writer. For me, I felt I was viewing an extended ad campaign. It was a real shame, because with a decent script, this film would have had a steady balance of drama and excitement. Instead, I quickly became bored with the non fighting scenes. One thing I found very curious was the crowd’s reaction to a woman being tortured. I believe it made everyone more squeamish than if it was a man getting abused. If I were you, I would wait for this film on DVD, so you can fast forward through parts of it.
1 3/4 stars
Flash Movie Review: The Woman in Black
How scary could a movie be when, at a crucial moment, a group of teenage girls yelled out, “Use your magic wand, Harry Potter!” At another scene, where we were supposed to gasp, it was only met with laughter. If you have never seen a horror movie in your life, maybe you would get scared watching this film. For the majority of audience members, they felt the same way I did–this was a weak horror movie. I give Daniel Radcliffe credit for trying to make us not think of him as Harry Potter (could we ever?). He played the lead character of Arthur Kipps, a young lawyer. And to help in pushing away the image of a wand toting magician, Arthur was a widower with a young child. Daniel was okay in this role; unfortunately, he was sadly stuck with a poor script. Being assigned the task to go through the paperwork of a deceased woman’s estate, in a remote village away from London, he encounters strange and deadly happenings. Cliches were in abundance, especially the soundtrack with sudden knocks and bangs, trying to make us jump out of our seats. It only left me bored. On a visual level, the movie was stylish and created a somewhat creepy atmosphere. If I only had a magic wand with me, I would have had a better time.
2 1/4 stars
Flash Movie Review: Anonymous
To be or not to be Shakespeare’s own words, that is the question in this political thriller. It was an interesting premise that completed the story line trio with the Essex rebellion and the succession of Queen Elizabeth I, played by Vanessa Redgrave (The Whistle Blower, Letter to Juliet). The idea that the Earl of Oxford, played by Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill, Hannibal Rising), was the real author of the famous works we know today, was a curious concept. In a brilliant casting move, Vanessa’s own daughter, Joely Richardson (The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo, Event Horizon) was given the role of playing the queen at a younger age. I had a hard time following the story as it jumped back and forth through time. It took me some time to figure out who was the younger version of the older character. Once I did figure it out, the movie was fun to watch with its steady pace and great look. The action was worthy of a daytime soap opera. By the time you are done watching this movie, I cannot say parting will be such sweet sorrow. Maybe a slightly confused piece of entertainment.
2 2/3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Safe House
The biggest surprise for me was figuring out who the bad guys were in this movie early on; I rarely do. Did it make a difference watching this film? The answer is not at all. There was nothing new story wise about this movie: untested CIA agent Matt Weston, played by Ryan Reynolds (Buried, The Proposal), the innkeeper of a safe house in South Africa, gets the agency’s most wanted fugitive, Tobin Frost played by Denzel Washington (Man on Fire, The Book of Eli). I probably do not have to mention what happens next; however, just in case you cannot see where this story is going, the safe house was compromised and young Matt had to keep wily Tobin alive until they could reach another safe house. What I liked about this film was Denzel’s and Ryan’s performance. In the past, I have felt Denzel playing “Denzel” playing a character with each having the same mannerisms and delivery of lines. Here as Tobin he was more believable. For Ryan, I was impressed that his usual, slightly arrogant confidence was literally taking a beating. If nothing else, it certainly did not look like he was using a stunt double in the fight scenes. Where this movie let me down was the chaotic fight and chase scenes. Some scenes blazed across the screen in full throttle thrills; but then, other scenes were the same ones you have seen 100 times before in other movies. Also, I am not a fan of the jerky camera moves, jumping in for close ups before switching briefly to wide frame and back into close up mode. If you can shut down your common sense and want to see Ryan get the crap kicked out of him, then this is the movie for you.
2 1/2 stars
Flash Movie Review: The Grey
First there was “Dancing With Wolves;” now you can say we have “Dinner With Wolves.” As if it were not bad enough to go down in a plane crash, in a remote area of Alaska, those that survived were being viewed as intruders by a wolf pack. This was a great setup for the story and the harshness of the climate only added to a rising tension. Liam Neeson (Taken, Schindler’s List) played Ottway, a hired sharpshooter to protect the oil rig team of men from stray wolves. As an older action type hero, Liam was solid in this role and seemed to be the only one in the group with any survival skills. The first half of the film kept an expanding pace of desparation as the men had to battle the elements and the threatening animals. Some scenes seemed far fetched, some were gory, but it really did not matter. The last half of the movie, for me, became repetitive as one crisis after another unfolded. By the end of the movie I did not care who survived or who perished; I just wanted to get in from out of the cold.
2 2/3 stars
Flash Movie Review: Red Tails
Should a movie inspired by true events inspire us? Already in place was a wonderful piece of history that just needed to be told. A crew of African American pilots have endured prejudice, segregation and the lowest priority missions during World War II. They never backed down, hoping that one day they would do what they were trained to do–fly an important mission. How in the world did they come up with this lifeless script is beyond me. What could have been a powerful movie with outstanding characters, sounded so melodramatic and one dimensional; I was bored. It is an utter shame that George Lucas, who bankrolled this movie with his own personal money, could not have hired proper writers. His reason for using his own funds, he has said, was due to the banks fearful to back a movie with a black cast. Is he kidding? I assume they did not want to throw money at a poorly made movie. Now I get it, that actors wanted to be part of this movie, hoping to tell the story of the pilots from the Tuskegee training program. However, in my opinion, Terrence Howard (Iron Man, Hustle & Flow) playing Colonel A.J. Bullard and Nate Parker (The Secret Life of Bees, The Great Debaters) playing Marty “Easy” Julian should get new managers. This movie had no excitement, no strong action scenes and idiotic dialogue. What a shame.
1 1/2 stars
Flash Movie Review: Haywire
There is a new addition to the tough, female action hero genre; joining the likes of Emma Peel, Xena, Honey West and Lara Croft. Her name is Gina Carano (Blood and Bone, American Gladiators-TV) and she is unbelievable to watch. It is worth seeing this film, simply to watch her fight Michael Fassbender (Shame, Jane Eyre); one of the best male/female fight scenes I have ever seen. Gina plays Mallory Kane, a covert operative, working for a private contractor. Her handler, Kenneth played by Ewan McGregor (Beginners, Amelia) has one more job for her, before she can take a well deserved break; however, Mallory discovers she was being set up. What follows is an international chase as she tries to stay alive, while finding out the reasons why she was double crossed. The story was a bit fuzzy and the acting is only okay. What I liked about this film, was having less gun battle scenes, usually found in a film of this nature. Instead, the focus was on Gina Carano’s considerable skills as a mixed martial arts fighter. For those who want to get a bit of aggression out of their system, this is the movie you want to see: fight scenes, even paced, with a steady dose of tension.
2 2/3 stars
Flash Movie Review: Contraband
Many have heard the line, “Do it because he/she is your family.” And even if we really do not want to do it, we do to keep the peace. What if the relative did something that had dire consequences, if you did not participate? Chris Farraday, played by Mark Wahlberg (The Fighter, Boogie Nights), found himself in such a situation. His brother-in-law became involved in a drug deal that went bad and if Chris does not make good on the deal with the brutal drug boss, Tim Briggs played by Giovanni Ribisi (Avatar, The Rum Diary), the brother-in-law would be killed. Farraday left that type of life behind, now married with two children. The story was set up to provide us with conflict, time limits, action and thrills. The issue was the execution of it. Wahlberg is not a great actor and tends to be the same character in each of his movies. With lifeless eyes and monotone diction, he does not have screen presence that pops out at the viewer. This movie had some exciting scenes and is fine for those who just want to sit and see some action. Nothing great, nothing horrible; it is like settling for a fast food burger when you really wanted filet mignon.
2 stars
Flash Movie Review: Shoot ‘Em Up
With the feel of a cartoon rivalry like the Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote or Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd, this movie was an over the top thriller. From the imaginative fight scenes–delivering a baby in the middle of a gun fight–I was buzzed from this film. Clive Owen (Children of Men, The Bourne Identity), as the cool Mr. Smith, becomes involved with a gang of thugs, when they cross his path, chasing a pregnant woman. From a single act of kindness to protect the woman, a battle of wits ensues between Smith and Hertz, the leader of the gang, played by Paul Giamatti (Sideways, The Illusionist). Hellbent on stealing the baby, Paul does such a good job with his character, having been given some of the best lines from the writers. Now I have to tell you, check out your logic and common sense before viewing this crazy thriller. This film knows it is displaying everything to the max, including blood and violence, but not taking itself to seriously. Simply enjoy the rush as the story reveals more than you might have thought there would be, with such a movie title.
2 2/3 stars — DVD
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