Month: June 2018

Today’s quick review: Out of Time. To pay for his lover Ann’s (Sanaa Lathan) cancer treatment, Matt Whitlock (Denzel Washington), a police chief in a small Florida town, steals thousands of dollars in drug money seized as evidence. But when Ann and her husband turn up dead, Matt realizes that all the clues point to him. As he searches for the killer and the missing money, Matt must hide his involvement from his ex-wife Alex (Eva Mendes), the detective on the case.

Out of Time is a crime thriller with a decent mystery and an unusual source of tension. Matt’s greatest challenge is not his own investigation but slowing down the official one long enough to clear his name. With quick thinking and a bit of luck, he manages to avoid early suspicion, but he can only cover his tracks for so long. As such, Out of Time’s tension is at its highest during its most mundane moments, when a fax or phone call could destroy Matt’s ruse.

Unfortunately, Out of Time suffers from severe pacing issues. The first half-hour of the film is spent on setup, a doomed romance, and a dour cancer story. Most of the setup is extraneous, and the few key plot points could have fit into half the time. Once the thriller plot gets going, the movie gets more interesting. The movie skimps a little on its criminal side, but Matt’s maneuvers within the police department and the overarching mystery are both solid.

Watch Out of Time if you feel like a thriller and have the patience to sit through an unexciting setup. Out of Time’s plot and lead actors are good enough to make it a fine watch, but its inconsistent pacing and lack of villains keep it from being noteworthy. Skip it if you are looking for a fast-paced film or one with a lot of action.

6.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for a passable mystery held back by poor early pacing.

Today’s quick review: Skiptrace. To take down drug kingpin Victor Wong (Winston Chao) and save his goddaughter Samantha (Fan Bingbing), Hong Kong cop Bennie Chan (Jackie Chan) must travel to Russia and bring back Connor Watts (Johnny Knoxville), a talkative American who witnessed Wong commit a murder. But Connor has no intention of going quietly, so Bennie must drag his reluctant prisoner halfway across Asia while trying to avoid Wong’s men.

Skiptrace is a buddy action comedy that pairs a serious Chinese cop with a crafty American scoundrel. Skiptrace features good action, a decent plot, and cheap but reasonably effective humor. Skiptrace lacks the quality to be a memorable film, but it gets enough right to work as a serviceable popcorn flick. However, those who dislike the buddy dynamic or the forced style won’t get enough out of it to make the movie worthwhile.

Skiptrace’s action follows a different pattern than Jackie Chan’s usual work. His chaotic, acrobatic style still influences the action scenes, but it is no longer the main focus. Instead, the movie relies on peculiar environments and prop-based humor to carry its action, with only a splash of martial arts. The action is consistently entertaining but rarely impressive, good enough for the movie but a step down from Jackie Chan’s typical quality.

Skiptrace has an energetic tone that serves it well. The plot moves along at a rapid clip, a few stylistic quirks give the film some punch, and the soundtrack helps fill in the lulls. However, none of these affectations are entirely natural, and Skiptrace has to work to maintain the tone it sets for itself. These flaws will be minor for anyone who likes what the film is going for, but they will grate on anyone who isn’t already sold.

Watch Skiptrace if you are in the mood for a light and somewhat amusing action comedy. Skiptrace lacks the standout action and humor of Jackie Chan’s other films, but it makes up for part of this deficiency with a fun tone and a decent script. Skip it if you are looking for a martial arts film or a dedicated comedy. For a Jackie Chan movie with better martial arts and more comedy, check out Rush Hour.

5.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for decent entertainment missing the spark of Jackie Chan at his best.

“Now I’m rooting for this guy.” —Ryuk

Today’s quick review: Death Note. One day, Light Turner (Nat Wolff), a troubled high school student, finds the Death Note, a mysterious notebook that kills anyone whose name is written in it. Prodded by Ryuk (Willem Dafoe), a demon connected to the Death Note, Light uses his newfound power to rid the world of its worst criminals. But his actions soon draw the attention of L (Lakeith Stanfield), an eccentric detective with the brains to catch Light.

Death Note is a dark fantasy thriller based on the manga of the same name. Death Note examines a simple premise: what happens when you give one person the power to kill without repercussion? The movie offers interesting moral themes and an unusual cat-and-mouse game between L and Light. Unfortunately, its lackluster execution and a handful of poor decisions keep it from living up to its full potential.

Death Note has a few good twists, but ultimately it is missing the tense battle of wits that defines the source material. Rather than a teen prodigy with boundless ambition, Light is an ordinary high school student in over his head. That one change robs the movie of several key dynamics, including Light’s complex schemes to avoid detection and the borderline validity of his claims to be a god. The result is a weaker, more conventional story.

The cast of Death Note is a mixed bag. Nat Wolff makes for an unconvincing Light, lacking the intelligence and the ambition of his Japanese counterpart. Lakeith Stanfield’s take on L actually works fairly well. He is less impressive of a detective than L should be, but his quirky mannerisms are spot-on. Willem Dafoe’s portrayal of Ryuk is the standout of the film: menacing, mysterious, and close enough to the source material to satisfy.

Watch Death Note if you are in the mood for a dark thriller with a unique premise. Fans of the original will likely be disappointed, while newcomers will still find the execution to be poor, although the plot is different enough to avoid spoilers. Those with the patience would be better off checking out the anime adaptation instead. For a better look at similar themes, take a look at Chronicle.

4.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for an interesting premise and a few clever moments let down by a weak lead and mediocre writing.

Today’s quick review: Be Kind Rewind. Mike (Mos Def), an employee at a struggling video store, is left in charge of the store while its owner (Danny Glover) is away. But when his friend Jerry (Jack Black) accidentally wipes the store’s entire collection of VHS tapes, Mike and Jerry have to fix the situation in the only way they can: by recording their own ultra-low-budget versions of the erased films.

Be Kind Rewind is a heartfelt comedy that celebrates small businesses, community, and the way people interact with movies. Be Kind Rewind revolves around Mike and Jerry’s attempts to recreate Hollywood classics to keep their customers satisfied. Their homemade movies are an unexpected hit and offer a way to keep the store from going under, but only if Mike and Jerry can turn their slapdash new business into something more.

Be Kind Rewind’s main strengths are its likable characters, its inventive premise, and its sense of heart. Jack Black and Mos Def make for a fairly good comedic duo and are just clever enough to get themselves into new kinds of trouble. The phony movies lead to some fun montages and are a steady source of humor for the film. Be Kind Rewind also has a few touching moments as Mike and Jerry’s homemade movies bring the community together.

Where Be Kind Rewind falls short is in its overt comedy. The jokes have the stumbling imperfection of real life, but in return, the movie gives up the use of real punchlines. The same tradeoff applies to the emotional side of the film: the haphazard writing helps give the film its earthy charm, but it misses out on the chances to flesh out the characters or deepen the emotional payoff that tighter scripting would have provided.

Watch Be Kind Rewind if you are looking for a light and creative comedy with a unique premise. The humor is one or two notches shy of hilarious, and the writing is far from perfect, but Be Kind Rewind does have its moments. Check it out when you are in the mood to relax in front of an easy, pleasant comedy. Skip it if you are looking for punchier humor or tighter writing.

6.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for good heart and amusing humor.

Today’s quick review: Fearless. Huo Yuanjia (Jet Li), the son of a wushu teacher, follows in his father’s footsteps and becomes an undefeated martial arts champion. But his arrogance causes him to make mistakes that cost him the life he had built. To redeem himself and make amends for his past, Huo must learn to fight for something greater than himself: the national pride of a weakened China.

Fearless is a martial arts drama set in early 20th century China. Fearless tells the true story of Huo Yuanjia, a martial artist known for the school he founded and his fights with several foreign champions. The movie focuses on Huo’s rocky path from cocky young champion to the mature warrior he would one day become. Between its excellent action and its capable writing, Fearless is an unusually well-rounded entry into the martial arts genre.

Fearless features an impressive display of martial arts. Jet Li’s skills make the fight scenes crisp and fast-paced. The variety of weapons he uses helps to keep the combat fresh without resorting to group fights or gimmicks. The stunts exaggerate the occasional jump or feat of strength, but on the whole the fighting is much more plausible than the typical martial arts film.

As far as the story goes, Fearless manages to be a fairly credible drama. Huo Yuanjia’s nuanced character shines through in Jet Li’s acting: playful, brash, and unable to see trouble until it is too late. The film’s tragic moments do make it a heavy watch, but the tragedy is offset somewhat by an undercurrent of optimism. The story’s main flaw is that it is too short to fully capitalize on its setup; a little more plot could have brought more out of its characters.

Watch Fearless if you are a fan of martial arts, Chinese history, or biographical dramas. Although the story leaves a little bit of emotional impact on the table, the action and the drama are both handled well, making Fearless a worthwhile watch. Skip it if you are looking for pure action, light escapism, or note-perfect drama. For a martial arts movie with a similar plot, check out Ip Man.

7.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for fast-paced martial arts action and a well-structured dramatic story.

Today’s quick review: Season of the Witch. Behmen (Nicolas Cage) and Felson (Ron Perlman), a pair of knights in the Crusades, desert from the army when they are ordered to kill innocents. On their way back home, they pass through a region suffering from a plague. There the two knights are pressed into a dangerous mission: transporting a witch (Claire Foy) who is believed to be the cause of the plague to an abbey where her power can be driven from her.

Season of the Witch is a medieval fantasy movie that explores the supernatural side of the Middle Ages. Season of the Witch has a decent premise, two fine leads, and a setting with plenty of potential. However, the movie fails to capitalize on its strengths. Uninspired writing keeps it from exploring what could be interesting themes, while weak action limits the impact its fantasy elements. The result is a watchable but unexciting fantasy action film.

Season of the Witch takes an unusual approach to the fantasy genre. The movie features a historical setting and real-world conflicts such as plague, witch hunts, and the Crusades. Sprinkled into this slice of history is a taste of the supernatural, mostly involving witches and their powers. The blend of a grounded setting with a touch of well-justified fantasy could be quite interesting, but the writing does not take full advantage of the setup.

Season of the Witch’s failings are basic problems of execution. The story is linear and feels short. The crux of the drama is whether to trust the accused witch, but the tension is mishandled and the question leads nowhere rewarding. The characters are halfway developed, given the motivations they need but missing the embellishment. The action is mediocre and back-loaded, only ramping up in the last third of the movie.

Watch Season of the Witch if you are in the mood for fantasy and don’t mind a hit in quality. Season of the Witch does enough right to be a watchable and even moderately satisfying movie. But its bleak tone keeps it from being a good popcorn flick, and its flawed execution cripples the good ideas it has. For a similar caliber of medieval fantasy with more action, check out Solomon Kane. For a poorer but more amusing fantasy film, check out In the Name of the King.

5.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 for passable execution that falls well short of its potential.

Today’s quick review: Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior. When the head of a sacred Buddha statue is stolen from a small Thai village, Ting (Tony Jaa), a powerful muay thai fighter, volunteers to recover it. Venturing to Bangkok in search of the head, Ting tries to convince Humlae (Mum Jokemok), a grifter who grew up in the village, to help him. But the only way for Ting to get the head is to fight his way through the criminals who stole it.

Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior is a martial arts movie with a simple plot and strong stunt work. Tony Jaa stars as Ting, a devoted young man from the country who is forced to use his fearsome martial arts prowess to recover his village’s stolen idol. Mum Jokemok plays opposite him as Humlae, a grifter, gambler, and chronic debtor who tries to use Ting for profit. The plot is just a straightforward search for the head with plenty of fighting along the way.

Naturally enough, Ong-Bak’s main draw is Tony Jaa’s incredible stunts. His flying strikes, remarkable dodges, and street chases are among the best in the industry. The sharp, brutal nature of muay thai also provides a nice change of pace for fans who are accustomed to Chinese martial arts. The fights themselves are just wild enough to be interesting without getting too fanciful: the focus is on raw muay thai, with only a few gimmick fights thrown in.

Watch Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior if you are in the mood for pure martial arts action. The level of innovation is not as high as in some martial arts movies, but the fight scenes are diverse enough to keep the action fresh, and the sheer skill level shown is enough to make the movie a solid watch. For another Tony Jaa film with similarly strong stunt work, check out The Protector.

7.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for very impressive stunts and an acceptable plot.

Today’s quick review: The Phantom. The Phantom (Billy Zane), a masked crimefighter with a reputation for immortality, has protected the jungles of Bengalla for centuries. When the henchmen of Xander Drax (Treat Williams), a wealthy crime boss, steal a silver skull, the Phantom and Diana Palmer (Kristy Swanson), an adventurous newspaper heiress on Drax’s trail, travel to New York to stop him from claiming the skull’s untold power.

The Phantom is a superhero adventure movie based on the classic comics character. The Phantom is a throwback to old-school pulp adventures and the early days of the superhero genre. Featuring fiendish villains, exotic locations, and a dash of mysticism, The Phantom attempts to recapture the excitement and innocence of the genre’s roots. In this it is only partially successful, hitting most of the right beats but lacking the quality to make them work.

The Phantom suffers from a few related problems. The action is adequate but not impressive. The writing covers the basics well enough, but there are no surprises or memorable moments. The 1930s setting should help distinguish The Phantom, but the movie lacks the style to make the most of it. On the whole, The Phantom apes the adventure genre without tapping into the sense of wonder at the genre’s heart.

Watch The Phantom only if you are interested enough in pulp-era adventure to overlook the movie’s flaws. The Phantom provides a basic take on a historically important character, but it’s missing the spark needed to make the premise work. For a stylized take on a similar era of adventure, check out Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. For adventure movies with better execution, check out the Indiana Jones or Librarian series.

4.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 for a pleasant tone and mediocre execution.

Today’s quick review: Elektra. Elektra (Jennifer Garner), a skilled assassin, is hired to kill Abby (Kirsten Prout), a troubled teenage girl, and her father Mark (Goran Visnjic). Wrestling between her job and her conscience, Elektra decides to help the two of them escape their pursuers, an ancient order of ninjas known as the Hand. As the trio flee the Hand’s dangerous magic, Elektra uncovers the story of why the Hand has taken such an interest in Abby.

Elektra is a fantasy action movie based on the Marvel superhero. Elektra continues the story of Elektra Natchios after the events of Daredevil, introducing a world of ninjas, ancient conflicts, and supernatural powers that intersects only tangentially with the crime-focused world of the first film. Elektra aims to be a midrate action movie with a fantasy twist, but flawed execution keeps it from living up to that promise.

Elektra has a decent setup but struggles as the movie goes on. The first half hews to a common storyline: an assassin grows too close to her target and begins to doubt her mission. The action here is fine but not particularly impressive, a passable collection of ninja performed using the usual Hollywood shortcuts. The characters are shallow but not unlikable, suitable participants in a simple, action-oriented story.

But as the fights get more involved and the supernatural elements come to the fore, Elektra loses its grounding. The rules of magic become arbitrary and unsatisfying. Mediocre fight choreography and dated CGI hamstring the action. The villains who emerge from the shadows have thin characterization and powers that work better on paper. To top it all off, the last stage of the plot just goes through the motions without offering any surprises.

Watch Elektra only if you are an action fan who doesn’t mind botched execution. Those who go in with low expectations will find the film fairly watchable, with a few glimmers of potential. Those who go in expecting a superhero movie or even a solid action movie will be disappointed. For a better adaptation of the character, check out the Daredevil TV series. For a better supernatural-tinged action movie, check out Underworld.

4.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 for the makings of a decent action movie hampered by a disappointing second half.

Today’s quick review: Children of Men. Eighteen years after the birth of the last child on Earth, Britain has become a police state. Theo’s (Clive Owen) bleak life is disrupted when his ex Julian (Julianne Moore), now the leader of a terrorist group, asks him to escort a young woman named Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey) across the country to safety. The reason for her flight soon becomes clear: Kee’s is the first pregnancy in nearly two decades.

Children of Men is a dystopian science fiction movie based on the novel by P.D. James. Children of Men posits a future where the human race has been rendered infertile for an unknown reason. Kee’s pregnancy offers humanity its first ray of hope, but only if she can be delivered into the right hands. Complicating matters is the Fishes, a fractious group of rebels who have split opinions about how to best use Kee.

Children of Men features a strong plot, incisive political themes, and capable direction. The story takes an effective premise and plays it out well, following Theo and Kee’s flight across Britain. The writing throws a few well-delivered sucker punches, while the direction does a good job of contrasting the fraying normalcy of British life with the violence and chaos lurking underneath.

However, Children of Men has a few issues that narrow its appeal. The dystopian tone skirts the line between hope and despair, making the movie a suitably heavy watch. The characters can come across as pushy and unsympathetic, making it harder to connect with them and limiting the movie’s emotional impact. The setting also relies on political speculation that may not resonate with all viewers.

These issues ultimately come down to taste. Those who can embrace the dark setting and the flawed characters will be treated to a solidly constructed plot, skillful cinematography, and a couple of resourceful moments from Theo. Those who are already on the fence about the genre may not appreciate the tradeoffs the movie makes: Children of Men sacrifices immediate appeal for the sake of better drama.

Watch Children of Men if you are in the mood for a competently executed dystopian thriller. Fans of the genre will appreciate the movie’s strong craftsmanship. Those looking to dabble in the genre should also check it out, with the caveat that the movie’s particular flavor of dystopia may or may not match their tastes. For other stories in the same vein, check out The Book of Eli, The Road, or the video game The Last of Us.

7.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for a strong plot and high overall quality, compromised some by its characters and themes; your score will be higher if you are a fan of dystopian fiction or the movie’s characters and themes click for you.