Month: July 2019

Today’s quick review: Wheelman. To pay off his debt to the mob, an ex-con (Frank Grillo) works as a getaway driver, taking anonymous assignments through Clay (Garrett Dillahunt). On the night of a bank robbery, he receives a mysterious phone call from the man who hired him (Slaine), instructing him where to take the money. But the instructions seem like a setup, forcing the driver to take drastic action to survive long enough to figure out what’s going on.

Wheelman is a minimalistic crime thriller with an intriguing premise and tidy execution. The movie takes place almost entirely within the main character’s car. His only contact with the outside world is through his cell phone and the people he can drive to meet in person. Using only his handler’s instructions and Clay’s evasions, the driver must piece together who has been lying to him and how to escape with his life.

Wheelman spins this premise into a fairly engaging story. Each step of the plot follows logically from the last, and the film does a fine job of keeping its mystery alive. The answers are nothing too spectacular, but they are compelling enough to justify the mystery and provide a few good twists along the way. The plot is backed by a decent amount of action, which goes nicely with the tight camerawork and constant sense of danger.

Try Wheelman when you’re in the mood for a short, gripping crime thriller. The plot, characters, and action aren’t enough to rank it among the greats, but they are enough to make good on the movie’s premise. For a more violent movie in a similar vein, check out Drive. For the action variant, check out The Transporter. For an action thriller with a similar premise, check out Collateral. For a flimsier car-based mystery, try Vehicle 19.

6.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for a solid plot.

Today’s quick review: Lay the Favorite. Beth (Rebecca Hall), a Florida stripper with a sunny disposition, heads to Las Vegas, where she finds a job working for Dink (Bruce Willis), a gambler who makes his living betting on sports. Beth takes to the business and to Dink, but her presence is a sore spot with Tulip (Catherine Zeta-Jones), Dink’s jealous wife. Beth must decide whether to try to win Dink from his wife or strike out on her own.

Lay the Favorite is a comedy that’s based on a true story. Unlike similar movies, Lay the Favorite is not a crime flick. Beth’s activities are legal, at least for the most part, and the usual dramatic elements of debt, addiction, and violence are almost entirely absent. As a result, Lay the Favorite is an unusually light look at the gambling industry, with likable characters, a talented cast, and tone that never stays serious for long.

Unfortunately, that is as far as the film’s virtues go. The plot is strictly small potatoes. Beth’s gambling career has none of the highs or lows of the true crime stories it resembles. Beth’s bubbly personality is the only source of comedy; there are no overt jokes or snappy dialogue. The film also fails to make use of an impressive supporting cast, giving relatively little screen time to Catherine Zeta-Jones, Vince Vaughn, and Corbin Bernsen.

Try Lay the Favorite when you want a break from the usual drama. Rebecca Hall and Bruce Willis are enough to make the movie enjoyable, but with limited humor and a thin story, Lay the Favorite has little else going for it. For a more dramatic story about gambling, check out 21. For a heist movie with a similar flavor and more comedy, check out Gambit. For a biographical con artist movie with better comedy and drama, check out Catch Me If You Can.

4.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 for good characters and a lackluster story.

Today’s quick review: American Hero. Melvin Hesper (Stephen Dorff) is an underachiever with a kind heart, a party-going lifestyle, and telekinetic powers. To earn visitation rights for his son, Melvin must figure out how to clean up his act and make something of himself. His guide on the road to recovery is Lucille (Eddie Griffin), his lifelong best friend. As Melvin begins to shape up, he begins to use his powers to make a difference.

American Hero is a superhero comedy with low stakes and a subdued plot. The movie is framed as a documentary on Melvin; in practice this just means that the characters share their thoughts with the camera. The story focuses on Melvin’s attempts to live up to his potential, in spite of his bad habits. American Hero features mundane situations with only a touch of sci-fi. Most of the film is spent building up its characters and their relations.

However, American Hero doesn’t have much else going for it. Melvin and Lucille are both likable characters with a warm friendship. But the plot is next to nonexistent, the comedy boils down to Melvin’s easygoing personality, and the drama isn’t all that effective. Strangest of all, Melvin’s superpowers almost feel like an afterthought. Any other talent would have served the same purpose in the plot, and his use of his powers for heroism is brief.

On the whole, American Hero’s heart is not enough to make up for its lack of substance. It is a pleasant watch that doesn’t overstay its welcome, but its aimless plot and wasted premise mean that most viewers would be better off skipping it. For a more dynamic take on a similar premise, check out Hancock. For another faux documentary with heartfelt characters, check out Where’s Marlowe?. For a dark tale of superpowers gone wrong, check out Chronicle.

4.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 for decent characters but little plot.