Crime

Red 2 (2013)

/ Shawn / Leave a comment

mv5bmji2odq4ody3nl5bml5banbnxkftztcwntc2nze1oq-_v1_sy1000_cr006391000_al_

(Originally from Facebook – August 2, 2013)

Going to keep this one short. You know what you’re getting into with this one, especially if you’ve seen the first one. It’s not highbrow cinema, by any means. It’s frenetic, and often times unbelievable, but it’s also a lot of fun. I thought Parker and Malkovich were quite funny, and I have a bit of a man-crush on Willis, so any movie that he’s in, I’m going to watch. IMDB gives it a 7.2, which seems very high, especially when taking into account some of the critical reviews out there. I really enjoyed it, and I think if you liked the first one, you’ll like this one, too. I’m giving it a 6, or 6.5 if you’re a fan of any of the players. (running time 1:56)

Parker (2013)

/ Shawn / Leave a comment

mv5bmtk4mzm2ntq1nl5bml5banbnxkftztcwodiyody1oa-_v1_sy1000_sx675_al_

(Originally from Facebook – July 26, 2013)

Tonight’s fare: Yet another incarnation of Donald E. Westlake’s Parker character. Although this one is based on a different novel than Point Break and Payback, there isn’t much noticeable difference here. A standard revenge film. Parker gets screwed over and left for dead, but he doesn’t stay that way long. Continue reading →

Side Effects (2013)

/ Shawn / Leave a comment

mv5bmtc2mzy0ndawof5bml5banbnxkftztcwmte1mzc4oa-_v1_sy1000_cr006751000_al_

(Originally from Facebook – July 30, 2013)

I’ve been falling behind on my postings, but not on the movies. Got three for the last three days. Here’s #1
This got a 7.2 at IMDB. Maybe it’s because I’ve seen so many really good movies lately that I think that’s a little high. Not too much, though. Well acted all around, although Tatum stretches believability a little as the wealthy trader. It’s also a fairly smart film, so be sure to pay attention as you go. A good, old-fashioned psychological thriller. We’ve seen this sort of film before, but there’s enough new here, and the performances are interesting enough, that I’d give it a 6. Maybe even a 6.5. (running time 1:46)

The Girl on the Train (2016)

/ Shawn / Leave a comment

mv5bmjewndu4ntqwml5bml5banbnxkftztgwmzq2mjiwmdi-_v1_sy1000_cr006311000_al_

I guess I should start by saying that I didn’t care for the novel the film is based on. But it’s still a damn sight better than the film. The internal monologues present in the book at least give some measure of breath (and breadth) to the lives of these characters. Those who have read it will, no doubt, recognize the wisps of backstory left intact that made the novel readable, if somewhat predictable. They also should be able to follow the convoluted plot a lot better. The compression from novel to screenplay didn’t do this story any favors. Continue reading →

The Tribe (2014)

/ Shawn / Leave a comment

mv5bmzyxmti5mtgxn15bml5banbnxkftztgwmdm5nzawnje-_v1_sy1000_cr006871000_al_

When is a “talkie” not a “talkie”? When it’s done completely in Ukrainian Sign Language. And I mean completely. No talking. No translation. No subtitles. On the one hand, it feels like a gimmick, and keeps the audience from getting to know much about these characters, but on the other it forces us to become a much more active audience. Even paying attention, though, you’re still not going to get everything. Continue reading →

The Treatment (2014)

/ Shawn / Leave a comment

mv5bmjm2otexmjexmv5bml5banbnxkftztgwodi3njy5mde-_v1_sy1000_cr007061000_al_

A really solid police thriller from Belgium that borders on horror. It doesn’t quite have the atmosphere of a Se7en or Prisoners, but it reminds me a little of those films (especially the latter).  I won’t lie to you—the subject matter is dark, which makes it hard to watch, but it’s not overly gory. Think of it as something along the lines of some of the British three-episode dramas out there.

The story seems fairly simple: a detective investigates the abduction of a young boy, but there are a number of twists and turns along the way to keep it interesting, and to keep you guessing. And to complicate matters, the detective himself watched his brother abducted before his eyes as a child, so his judgment is questionable.

Geert Van Rampelberg does a decent job as the haunted investigator, and the villain—the “Troll”—is one of the most unhinged since John Doe. You may think you know where this one is going, but it will spin you a couple of times before you get there.

IMDB gives it a 7.5, but I’m inclined to bump it up to an 8.0, as I could see this one being a contender for my “best of” list. (running time 2:11)

Memories of Murder (2003)

/ Shawn / Leave a comment

mv5bnweymthjodktyjjjzc00yzuxltk1ymqtoguwnjm3mgmzztrhxkeyxkfqcgdeqxvymtqxnzmzndi-_v1_sy1000_cr007011000_al_

Thanks to my friend Lacey for the hat tip on this one. I thought I had seen it, but turns out I was thinking of a different film. Another South Korean film that really illustrates the level of talent they have. This one is a police thriller based on a real-life series of killings, although I’ve read that it can also be seen as a metaphor for the competing political parties in Korea during the period in which the film is set. I must admit to being ignorant of that connection, but I might have to watch it again after I read up on it a bit.

The film deals with a series of killings in a small Korean town (city?). The local police are uneducated thugs, who care more about prosecuting someone than whether or not that someone is the right one. Continue reading →

Rage (aka Tokarev) (2014)

/ Shawn / 1 Comment

mv5bmtg1odg4njuznf5bml5banbnxkftztgwotu5ndc3mte-_v1_sy1000_cr006741000_al_

I’ve been on a pretty good roll with my choices lately. But that ends here. Rage is not only the title of the film, it’s the predominant emotion I felt after realizing how much time I’d wasted watching it. I’ll admit that I’m not really sure about the point of the film, or a lot of the plot. Not that it was that hard to follow, mind you. I just a) didn’t care, and b) don’t think it really matters much anyway. Continue reading →

Gambit (2012)

/ Shawn / Leave a comment

mv5bmje3nzu5mduzmf5bml5banbnxkftztcwnjm4mdq0oa-_v1_

It’s amazing how much easier it is to see the flaws in a remake when you watch it back to back with the original. I just HAD to go out and watch the “modern” version of the film, with Cameron Diaz and Colin Firth in the roles originated by Shirley MacLaine and Michael Caine, respectively. That previous sentence should actually clue you in on the first flaw. Colin Firth is a good actor, but just not right for this role, at least the way it’s written. But whoever thought Cammy would be a viable substitute for Shirley should probably find a new way of making a living. Oh, I’ve seen her do some decent work, but again, not for what this role needs. But all the blame can’t be put on them. The Coens. Damn your spotty genius! They have a penchant for making those “quirky” films, and when they work, they work brilliantly (Barton Fink, Raising Arizona, Fargo). When they don’t….The Hudsucker Proxy.  (“You know…for kids!”) Continue reading →

Gambit (1966)

/ Shawn / Leave a comment

mv5bnjk0mjywotm2m15bml5banbnxkftztcwodazntazmq-_v1_

Okay, I was all set to write a review of this that completely contradicted my view on horror remakes (see my Poltergeist review). I hadn’t heard of this film until someone recommended it to me, and as I was watching it, I kept thinking “this is great, but you know, this is one of those films that might benefit from a remake.” There’s nothing wrong with it—it’s funny, got great performances (especially from MacLaine), and was fairly well directed. It even reminded me of one of my favorite episodes of “Laverne and Shirley” in its execution. But it felt a little dated, and some of the storyline seemed a little unbelievable for a modern viewer. Besides, it wouldn’t be like remaking a film after 20 or 30 years; this film is pushing 50. Continue reading →