The secret lies within

The movie I am reviewing tonight is Identity, a thriller directed by James Mangold (Kate and Leopold). Caught in a savage rainstorm, ten travelers are forced to seek refuge at a strange desert motel. At first, it seems that it is mere coincidence that has brought them together, but when they start dying off, one at a time, it is clear that something darker is at work. Starring John Cusack (Serendipity), Ray Liotta (Narc), Amanda Peet (Igby Goes Down), Clea DuVall (The Laramie Project), John C. McGinley (Stealing Harvard), and more.

It is nice to finally find a thriller that makes you think. Throughout this film, I found myself making guesses as to what was going on, and not one of them was right. Michael Cooney (Jack Frost) wrote a great sceenplay with twists, turns, and lots of surprises. All performances were great. Noteworthy is Cusack, Liotta and McGinley. This film has it all, an innovative story, a great cast, and those moments where you are on the edge of your seat waiting for whatever is around that corner. I highly recommend this film.


From left to right: John Hawkes, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet and John Cusack

Rating: 4.75 (out of 5)

posted by Lisa at 7:48 p.m. |

 
Upcoming Movies

This is a list of movies that are coming out, and I'm looking forward to seeing:
April 25 - Identity (Looks cool. I think John Cusack is awesome)
May 2 - X-Men 2
May 9 - A Mighty Wind (An improvised script: 'Nuf said.)
May 15 - The Matrix Reloaded (I hope its worth the wait)
May 30 - The Italian Job (Looks good.)
June 20 - The Hulk
June 27 - Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
July 2 - Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde (I really enjoyed the first one.)
July 4 - Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
July 11 - The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
July 18 - Bad Boys II, Johnny English. (I'm not a big fan of Martin Lawrence, but I like Will Smith)
July 25 - Lara Croft and the Cradle of Life. (I don't care what you think, I kind of liked the first one.
December 17 - Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

posted by Lisa at 4:24 p.m. |

 
A power beyond measure requires a protector without equal

Today's movie is from director Paul Hunter: Bulletproof Monk. For 60 years a mysterious monk with no name (Chow Yun-Fat-Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) has zigzagged the globe to protect an ancient scroll - a scroll that holds the key to unlimited power. Now the Monk must look for a new scrollkeeper. Kar (Seann William Scott-Old School) is an unlikely candidate, a streetwise young man whose only interest is himself. But when he inadvertently saves the Bulletproof Monk from capture, the two become partners in a scheme to save the world from the scroll's most avid pursuer. With the help of a Russian mob princess (James King-Pearl Harbour) must struggle to find, face, and fight the ultimate enemy. *press release

Don't let the trailer fool you. It is not as awful as it looks. I admit, I went into the theater with low expections. Actually, my only expection was that it would be horrible. "Chow and Scott?" I thought, grimacing. It was worth a grimace. Chow grins foolishly throughout the film while Scott and King amazingly know martial arts. It did have some fun fight scenes though, and while the script left much to be desired, the plot wasn't too bad. If one wants a serious movie, go see something else. But, if you want something light hearted, this may a good choice.


Chow and Scott


King

Rating: 3 (out of 5)


posted by Lisa at 8:31 p.m. |

 
Your life is on the line.

Phone Booth: A thriller directed by Joel Schumacher (8MM), Phone Booth is about a man named Stu Shepard (Colin Farrell-Dare Devil) who goes into a phone booth to make a call. After he hangs up, it rings. He answers it only to be told that if he hangs up, he will be killed. Also starring Kiefer Sutherland (24[tv]), Forest Whitaker (Panic Room), Radha Mitchell (Johnny English), and Katie Holmes (Abandon).

It is rare to find a film today that has a strong dialogue and is good. It is even more rare to find one that is text driven, with little other action, and is good. Phone Booth for all intents and purposed is a conversation between Stu, who we see, and the Caller, whom we do not, but it is excellent. It doesn't take to long to let the audience know who Stu is, and what kind of person he is before getting to the good stuff. Farrell is wonderful. It is too bad that he is only know becoming well known because if this performance is any indication, we will see great things from him. Whitaker is an actor who doesn't get enough credit, much like Chicago's John C. Reilly. His performance is strong and believable. Mitchell, who I first saw in Pitch Black does a good job with a small role. Holmes was a disappointment, playing the same character she has played in everything else. It is a film that is over two hours long, but Schumacher did such a good job that the time flies. There is never a moment when one thinks "Is it over yet?", which so often happens in dialogue pieces. A must see!


Colin Farrell

Rating: 4.5 (out of 5)

Before you die, you see the ring.

I am also reviewing The Ring, a horror, thriller directed by Gore Verbinski (The Mexican). This film stars Naomi Watts (Mulholland Drive) as Rachel Keller, an investigative reporter who is looking into the origins of a tape. This tape alleged kills all those who watch it in seven days exactly. Also stars Martin Henderson (A Piece of My Heart), and David Dorfman (Bounce).

How often have you watched a "scary" movie and laughed through the whole thing? The Ring is not one of those scary movies. It is an honestly creepy film, and artfully rendered. Lightening, sound and location where all just as important in this film as the acting, coming together to scare the pants of you. Watts does a great job with her character, playing it strongly, with intelligence. Martin Henderson did well but paled in comparison to Watts. As for Dorfman; what is it about child stars lately putting their adult costars to shame? Dorfman did this in every scene the nine year old was in. Verbinski did a great job with this remake of an Asian thriller; I was really freaked out by the end. A special mention must also go to Daveigh Chase (Lilo & Stitch [voice]) for a fantastic performance. If you like scary movies, you'll love this one. But not right before bed.


Keller (Watts) watchs the deadly video

Rating: 4.5 (out of 5)

posted by Lisa at 8:26 p.m. |

 
Earth has a deadline.

The movie I am reviewing today is The Core. Directed by John Amiel (Entrapment) and stars Aaron Eckhart (Possession) as Dr. Josh Keyes, a geo-physicist who discovers that the Earth's core has stopped spinning. This will cause some of the most tremendous natural disasters the world has ever seen, finally resulting in the planet's distruction. Keyes leads a team of scientists to the center of the earth in an attempt to 'kick-start' the planet. Also starring Hilary Swank (Insomnia), Conrad Tucci (Maid in Manhattan), Delroy Lindo (The One), Bruce Greenwood (Below and Tcheky Karyo (The Good Thief). (trailer)

I went into this film expecting absolutely nothing, so it was better than that. To be honest, I actually really enjoyed it. This was the film that Armaggedon tried to be. Sure, it was a highly unlikely situation with a even more unlikely solution, but it was fun nonetheless. Some interesting effects, and cool scenes. Mind you, there were just as many corny one liners, and roll-your-eyes moments. The state-of-the-art ship that was to take the team through the earth was a little poorly thought out. It rather resembled a beaded dolphin (If you don't know what that is, I'm not telling you.) I thoroughly enjoyed Eckhart and Karyo right from the beginning. I was hoping that Tucci would be the first to die because he played such a jerk, a credit to her performance. The majority of the cast was so-so. Swank was less than stellar, and Greenwood was, well, the same as always. The Core is silly, melodramatic, over the top, and altogether fun. If you're looking for some fun, guilty pleasure entertainment, check this one out.


Clockwise from the left: Swank, Eckhart, Lindo, Tucci, Karyo, and Greenwood

Rating: 3.5 (out of 5)

posted by Lisa at 9:46 a.m. |