THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ALICE CREED: HANG ON!

What on the surface appears to be a low budget silly B movie turns quickly into something along the lines of Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. A pair of uber slick, but still low rent criminals prepare for something dubious which leads up to the abduction of our heroine Alice Creed (Gemma Arterton). Soon we discover she was targeted for this crime in efforts to gather a ransome from her rich father. What we come to discover is the 6 degrees of separation between the criminals and the victim and oh, what a delightful discovery it is. These are wicked twists and turns that just can't be predicted. Considering there are only three actors in this film, it is a wonder and fun to watch. Not much else to share without giving away the unseen surprises. Be sure to watch the rarely provided bonus gag reel on this type of film. Well done!

THE BOX

THE BOX: HELL IS OTHER PEOPLE

Arlington Steward: I have an offer to make. If you push the button, two things will happen. First, someone, somewhere in the world, whom you don't know, will die. Second, you will receive a payment of one million dollars. You have 24 hours.

Somebody get me a cigarette fast because I have just been thoroughly mind f#&*ed! Maybe if had more Tang and sat through more Twilight Zone episodes in the '70's I could have made better sense of this film. I won't go into much detail except the year is 1976 and this nice Virginia suburban family is having money troubles. However, that's about to change.

THE LODGER

THE LODGER: WHAT A THRILLING MOVING DAY                  Nothing like a good old fashioned murder mystery. This one involves a Jack the Ripper copy cat in West Hollywood which is the same size area as where the Ripper murdered in London. Alfred Molina is Detective Manning who has made it his priority to solve a string of murders that were once attributed to a man who was sentenced to death on his watch. At the same time a mysterious lodger (Simon Baker) pays a generous amount of cash to rent out the cottage from a young couple, particularly exciting the odd woman (Hope Davis) who holds some sort of eccentric secret. The question is do these two events act independently from one another or is there some sort of connection between them?

NEW RELEASES QUICK GUIDE: WHAT TO SEE

A MIGHTY HEART IS JUST THAT
The movie is based on Mariane Pearl's (Angelina Jolie) heartbreaking story surrounding her husband, reporter Danny Pearl's (Dan Futterman) life and untimely death. While in Pakistan investigating a story, Danny is taken, plucked from the busy streets. It takes a few days for the reality to sink in, but Mariane keeps focused and strong. She is, by the way, also very pregnant. Their friends, cohorts and authorities gather around to form a team to investigate and find Danny. It is a complicated story to follow, as they also must keep track on a white board as to who is linked to who, where and how. After giving a television interview about her husband, she remains calm and composed. It is only when she is home and alone that we see and feel how heartbreaking and traumatic this ordeal was.
Rating: A well done film.



OCEAN'S 13 ENTERTAINING, BUT NOT THE LUCKY NUMBER
The old crew has reunited again, this time to help their pal Reuben (Elliot Gould) and the theme of the job is just desserts. The target is Willie Bank (Al Pacino) the new kids in town who is planning to make a big splash. Opening night is of course the perfect time to teach this very bad man a lesson. Much of the planning we have seen before in Ocean's 11 and 12. George and Brad are handsome as ever and Don Cheadle gets to bring my favorite, Petey Greene from Talk to Me, in for a few wild minutes with Willie. I loved the role Oprah Winfrey plays (as herself) as both George and Brad are pulled to watching her show. These two banter like an old married couple, finishing each other's sentences and it's cute, but just not enough. Funny parting lines between the two commenting on each other's real lives (George gained weight for a role and Brad's family with Angelina).
Rating: Entertaining to watch and some clever scenes and dialogue, but not as sharp.




THE REAPING: NOT YOUR AVERAGE THRILLER
Hillary Swank surprised me by taking the role of Professor Katherine Winter, a skeptical hard-nosed explainer of all that seems biblical. So, she is approached to visit a small town in Louisiana to try to help explain the phenomena that has been happening as of late. If anything, this movie is not your typical slasher film. As the movie (and the unexplainable keeps happening) we find the back story on our heroine and see why and how she became a skeptic. Lots of information on the biblical plagues, also an extra on the DVD, made everything seem realistic. However, once at the end of the picture it gets just a bit too melodramatic for me. Rating: Interesting film, entertaining and just spooky enough to make you squirm.



LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD: YIPPEE KI YAY...
He's BAAACCK!!! What good would a sizzling summer be, in a cool theater with Detective John McClane sticking his nose into something dangerous? And what good would the approaching cold weather be without being able to sit next to a roaring fire, drinking a nice Chardonnay and freeze frame on every drop of sweat he... sorry. He's back, he's dirty, sweaty and one tough MF! So why not save the world one more time. Full of one liner's, some very funny, as well as the same recycled ones, a decent plot line and a fun supporting cast. Loved seeing it on the big screen, even though it wasn't his best (#1), it certainly worth watching!
Rating: Not as good as the first, but so what? Fun to watch and clever.





REIGN OVER ME: MUST SEE
"Chick flicks" abound and the only men we tend to see in friendship-movies are in the mob, a gang, the war or "working a case" together. This is a movie about friendship and the difference it can make in someone's life. It is the most tender and sensitive movie, both in performances and in writing I have seen in a long time. Dynamic performances by Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle. One story post 9/11 that we have never seen before. Rating: A must see. Maybe a little long, but you make up for that in quality.




1408: ENTERTAINING
Typical skeptic/writer/loner researches supposed haunting and then writes about them (IF there are any). Mike Enslin (John Cusak) discovers an intriguing paranormal-invitation to visit a hotel in NY where ghastly events have taken place. Despite the hotel manager's (Samuel Jackson) offers and bribes, he can not convince Enslin to stay away. Based on a short story by Steve King, he is subtly credited throughout the movie. It is well written and goes further into the psyche than most thrillers. (and what does 1408 add up to???)
Rating: Fun to watch and scary enough to follow. I love John Cusak!

BREECH: MUST SEE
Inspired by a true life story of one man, Robert Hanssen (Chris Cooper) who leaked top secret materials to the Soviet Union. Edge-of-your-seat suspense with Eric O'Neill (Ryan Phillippe) as an under-cover agent put in place to assist in gathering of evidence to help build a case against Hanssen. Outstanding performances by all. I really forgot to breathe in some moments, very close calls and very well done movie.
Rating: A must see... wow!







HOT FUZZ: ENTERTAINING
It just ended up in my lap one day and I had nothing better to do... but for all of you who like the "spoof" movies, this was a a good one as the spoof is very dry and sharp witted. I actually laughed out loud (which is rare). Hot shot detective gets sent to a small town. Looks very boring and hum drum until the crazy meter goes way up. They spoof many things while also carrying a movie that makes sense. Some english humor, some slapstick, but funny facination with movie detectives. Before you rent it, be sure to watch Bad Boyz and Point Break. This is one very funny movie. Rating: Very quirky humor and well done.






LA VIE EN ROSE: MUST SEE
This may seem like the typical starlet who lives an impovershed life and then achieves fame and dies young. It's not. In fact, some of Edith Piaf's performances were given when she was much older than when she was first discovered. She had a hard life, no doubt, but when she sang, everything melted away and she was the song, not the singer. Actress Marion Cotillard became Piaf and when she felt pain, we did too. It is hard and painful, and beautiful and amazing all in one. And for once, the starlet aged and kept signing all the way to her death.
Rating: Although very sad at times, this is an amazing film. Tres' bien!

NEW RELEASES QUICK GUIDE: WHAT NOT TO SEE

BUG: SEE AT YOUR OWN PSYCHOLOGICAL RISK
I can't be much help to you here... at first, it looks like a typical small town with Ashley Judd playing a typical small town girl who has seen way too much for her short life. We meet new characters, including her ex-husband (Harry Connick playing a great bad guy!) Enter Peter Evans who seems like the shy quiet type; a good man. From there, it's anybody's guess. What is ture and what isn't? Is it drug related paranoia or mental illness? There may have been a great story here, but the plot does not flush out enough facts to help the view who sits, head in hands saying "huh?" Not a big loss if you don't see it.


VACANCY: IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE
Thrillers are great to watch; lower body count, if not less blood and guts. I was hoping this would be one. I mean, with two known and gifted actors, Kate Beckinsale and Luke Wilson, I don't know what went wrong. Yes, there were scary parts when I felt my heart beating a bit faster, but the rest was so ludicrous that it made it funny. The set up was great and believable. My favorite was Frank Whaley as Mason, the desk clerk. After a while, the chasing became laughable and I fast forwarded through a lot. In the end, it again, lost all it's spookiness and after that, it lost me. Save your time, read a Steven King book.


PREMONITION: I WISH I SAW THIS ONE COMING
The idea started out with good intentions. Sandra Bullock is Linda Quinn Hanson, wife of Jim (Julian McMahon) and some children. Her world is turned upside down once she is told her husband died in a car accident. Little by little her world is divided in two, one of grief and sorrow and the other of fantasy. In her fantasy world her husband is alive and she is thrilled. Unfortunately this comes off a bit like Groundhog's Day where each day repeats itself until... until you don't care anymore. Bullock did a great job with that she had, but heartbreakingly McMahon slept-walked through his role. However, not being married, maybe that's how it really is. I had hoped for more, being a fan of Nip/Tuck, his FX show, but he was not appealing at all, as was this movie. It was something to do, but too tiring to go back and forth between the two worlds. I think I'll take a nap. Maybe when I wake, McMahon will be in my fantasy world!


KICKIN' IT OLD SKOOL FLUNKS

Let me say this; Jamie Kennedy is a/was a talented actor. I liked Malibu's Most Wanted. Yes, it was goofy, but sometimes we need those things so I thought maybe it would be just that. A story about a young boy who gets in an accident while breakdancing and stays in a coma for 20-odd years. So, of course once we wakes up he has to adjust to the new world around him. Right there; that's a story, but alas it goes on and it isn't pretty. D-