HE WAS A QUIET MAN

HE WAS A QUIET MAN SPEAKS LOUDLY

This is a dark, unpredictable film. We have seen this behavior before (going postal) where the fed up, over worked and under paid worker bee decides to take out a few co-workers before shooting himself. Because we know this happens, it is hard to watch a film that brings light to this behavior, that being said, it was done in a very nice light. Bob (Christian Slater) is that worker bee and he takes a lot of crap from a lot of people. He isn't outgoing or good looking (and yes, they managed to make Christian Slater look terrible) and he is a bit of a loner. There is a shooting at the company where he works and he is involved, in one way or another. This is where things get complicated. There are three, yes, three alternate endings to this movie. Some things are explained while others just keep us guessing (while others sit through and watch it again with the director's comments trying to find meaning or intent). There is no way to predict this film's path because it pulls the rug out from under you and before you can sit up in your chair they do it again. The lines between reality and fantasy are so blurred that you can't even tell that there are any lines. Elisha Cuthbert and William H. Macy add to the star power of the movie and do a fantastic job. Slater is perfect as Bob not only in his appearance and the way he holds his body, but also with the subtle gestures that kept him from going too far over the top in this role. It is a very interesting movie and frustrating at the same time because there is no definitive answer. Like the real-life shootings, I guess there is no answer anywhere.

Pick: Well done film and interesting to watch, but slightly maddening to keep score.

SHOOT 'EM UP

SHOOT 'EM UP DOESN'T BLOW BLANKS

Toss out everything you know about action movies and hang on tight... SHOOT 'EM UP is an original, high octane, fast paced shoot out that will excite, delight and have you on the edge of your seat through the entire movie. Our hero Mr. Smith (Clive Owen) is one of the most clever, smart and sexy reluctant heroes out there. He likes carrots and dislikes if not hates, everything else, especially bad manners. He is literally minding his own business when he witnesses an injustice and can't sit back and let it happen. By doing so, he inadvertently finds himself on the wrong side of just about everybody with the exception of his on and off again paramour, who plays the Madonna/whore part, Donna Quintano (smokin' Monica Bellucci) and the baby he helped deliver and escape from the bad guys. Who doesn't like a man who saves babies?! Well, a lot of them and we don't know who or what they want, but there is a lot of chasing, fighting and running before we get any answers and LOTS of gunfire (hence the name). There is undeniable chemistry between DQ and Smith. Who knew strained peas could act as an aphrodisiac? The unassuming leader of the bad guys is played so well, by Paul Giamatti, Mr. Hertz. He is the most vile, sick, perverted, nasty creep that has been portrayed so well by a seemingly dorky guy. "Guns don't kill people! But they sure help." His "bad man" work is constantly interrupted by cell phone calls from his wife and he plays the "yes, dear" guy as well. All the characters are multidimensional; the movie ends with no character left changed or newly discovered in some way... or dead. The action is a mix of many different styles that I can not put a word on it except for thrilling. This was a fun movie, albeit graphic and bloody; but it was also sexy, bold, smart and funny. It could have gone overboard, but instead pulled back just a hair and the finished product is fantastic.

BIG Pick: Most unusual action movie, with multidimensional characters. Must see!