Author: Stan

Today’s quick review: The Saint. After Arnold Valecross (James Remar), a banker for a powerful criminal, tries to turn $2.5 billion in stolen relief funds over to the FBI, hish boss (Ian Ogilvy) retaliates by kidnapping his daughter. Arnold’s only hope is to enlist the help of Simon Templar (Adam Rayner), an international thief with a charitable streak, and his associate Patricia Holm (Eliza Dukshu).

The Saint is a budget action movie based on the classic TV series. The Saint aims for a light tone, with a crafty hero, an adventurous story, and a smattering of action. However, thin characters, a generic plot, and budgetary constraints undermine what appeal it has. The result is a dull watch with only a few glimmers of potential to show for its efforts.

The Saint’s flaws are varied. The cast is young and lacks dramatic impact. Simon’s reputation as a master thief, much like his banter with Patricia, is forced and not nearly as slick as it is meant to be. The movie suffers from a surfeit of supporting characters, with several roles that could have been merged or dropped with no loss. The Saint’s emotional payoff is limp, and the plot thread about Simon’s past is unnecessary and handled poorly.

Most viewers would be better off skipping The Saint. Its plot, action, and characters are outclassed by the typical action movie, while its flaws are not crippling enough to make it comical. Halfway decent action and a few quips are all it really offers. For a better take on the premise, check out the Val Kilmer version of The Saint, which has better characters, a decent plot, and a credible romance that gives the film some identity.

4.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 5.5 for a passable action, a light tone, and poor execution.

Today’s quick review: Following. To stave off his loneliness, an unemployed writer (Jeremy Theobald) takes to following strangers around. His activities catch the attention of Cobb (Alex Haw), an unconventional burglar who teaches the young man his craft. But when Cobb’s apprentice falls for a woman (Lucy Russell) he robbed, he gets drawn into a tangled situation involving her dangerous ex-boyfriend.

Following is a minimalistic crime drama from writer and director Christopher Nolan. Following begins with the simple premise of stalking as a hobby and spins it into a mysterious quasi-thriller with an engaging plot. The film’s black-and-white direction, unusual themes, and smart writing make it a fascinating watch in spite of its short run time. However, its limited scope keeps it from making the most of its premise.

The directorial debut of Christopher Nolan, Following introduces many of the elements Nolan would become known for. Nonlinear storytelling makes the film a small, self-contained puzzle, with clues dispensed cleverly throughout it. A few sharp plot twists give the story a good payoff, although the plot is neither as elaborate nor as gut-wrenching as Nolan’s later work.

The film’s only major tradeoff concerns its initial premise. Following has the makings of a tense psychological thriller, but the concept of stalking strangers falls by the wayside as soon as Cobb appears. This shift paves the way for the movie’s strong, actual plot, but the unique, disturbing premise of escalating stalking is never fully explored. As such, Following is an intellectually satisfying film that misses out on the raw tension of, say, Memento.

Watch Following if you are a fan of Christopher Nolan or you are in the mood for an experimental story whose risks pay off. The movie handles its darker elements delicately enough that it remains a fairly accessible watch, even for sensitive viewers. However, its serious tone and complicated plot make it a poor chose for anyone looking for a light or straightforward story. For a darker, more developed thriller with a similar tone, check out Memento.

7.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for an interesting premise, an engaging plot, and solid direction.

Today’s quick review: The Saint. Simon Templar (Val Kilmer), an international thief and master of disguise, takes a job from Ivan Tretiak (Rade Serbedzija), a zealous Russian politician, to steal the secret of cold fusion from Dr. Emma Russell (Elisabeth Shue), a beautiful scientist on the verge of perfecting the mythical energy technology. But when Simon falls for Emma, he goes to great lengths to protect her and her research from Tretiak.

The Saint is a spy romance based on the classic TV series. The Saint draws from the spy genre in its technology-oriented plot, its politically powerful villain, and Simon’s globe-trotting lifestyle. But unlike most spy movies, The Saint has romance at its core. There is some action, but little in the way of major stunts or violence. The movie spends almost as much time developing its two romantic leads as it does on the main plot.

The Saint’s best qualities are its acting and the romance that stems from it. Val Kilmer makes for a charming but troubled Simon Templar: his criminal profession and his many disguises can’t quite hide the altruistic man underneath. Elisabeth Shue plays a shy, bright, and sweet Emma Russell, a woman who slips past Simon’s defenses without ever meaning to. Their romance develops naturally and has a central place in the story.

As a spy movie, The Saint is decent but far from great. Emma’s cold fusion equations make for a better plot device than the usual doomsday machines. Simon’s disguises are always interesting, and his bag of tricks is deep without being implausible. But the movie only has a little genuine action, even near its finale, and the plot does not aim very high. The Saint has enough quality to entertain, but not enough to impress.

Give The Saint a shot if you are looking for a lighter, more romantic take on the spy genre. The movie’s likable characters and reasonable plot make it a pleasant watch for anyone who appreciates a love story with their action. Skip it if you are looking for an exciting action thriller or a deep romantic drama. For an adventure romance with similar appeal, check out Romancing the Stone.

6.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for a sweet romance and a decent plot.

Today’s quick review: In Bruges. After a job goes wrong, hitmen Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson) are sent to the picturesque town of Bruges, Belgium, to hide out and wait for their next assignment. While Ken takes in the sights, Ray strikes up a relationship with Chloe (Clemence Poesy), a worker on a local film crew. But when their temperamental boss Harry (Ralph Fiennes) finally gets in touch, the hitmen balk at the orders he gives them.

In Bruges is a black comedy and crime drama from writer and director Martin McDonagh. In Bruges features witty dialogue, a pair of interesting leads, and a few beautiful moments. The movie stars Colin Farrell as Ray, a novice hitman struggling with guilt after his first assignment, and Brendan Gleeson as Ken, a laid-back and amiable veteran of the job. The two men play off each other well, demonstrating true friendship in spite of their differences.

In Bruges makes for an unusual comedy in that, for about half of the movie, there is not a lot going on. Ray and Ken are stuck in a small town with nothing much to do but chat, talk to the locals, and work through their personal issues. The main plot kicks in about halfway through the movie, at which point the pacing picks up some. But even then, In Bruges never drops its methodical storytelling, and even the action-heavy finale takes its time.

As a result, In Bruges is a much more grounded movie than its quirky sense of humor and criminal subject matter would suggest. Every time the story threatens to spiral into chaos, In Bruges pushes the focus back onto its characters. Over the course of the movie, Ray, Ken, and Harry are developed into nuanced, likable characters that give the movie a strong sense of heart and an organic source of humor.

In Bruges will not suit every palate. Depending on how the dialogue catches you, the humor can range from mildly amusing to hilarious. The movie has some action, but it is back-loaded and secondary to the plot. The moral themes are well-developed but visit some bleak places. But even taking these differences in taste into account, In Bruges is a movie that has a unique vision and executes it well.

Give In Bruges a shot if you enjoy thoughtful, unconventional comedies with a dark side to them. Skip it if you are looking for straight action or simple laughs. Those looking for a more dynamic movie with a similar tone should check out Seven Psychopaths by the same writer and director. Those looking for a punchier crime movie that goes heavier on the comedy should check out Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels.

7.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for strong characters, good dialogue, and excellent handling of emotion.

Today’s quick review: The Lone Ranger. While on the hunt for the notorious criminal Butch Cavendish (William Fitchner), John Reid (Armie Hammer) and his brother are ambushed, shot, and left for dead. Thanks to the timely intervention of Tonto (Johnny Depp), an eccentric Comanche hunter, John survives the ordeal. At Tonto’s insistence, Reid dons a mask to conceal his identity and sets out to bring his brother’s killer to justice.

The Lone Ranger is a Western action comedy with a touch of ambiguous mysticism. The Lone Ranger reimagines the classic TV series as a daring, quirky adventure. At its best, The Lone Ranger is an imaginative, visually spectacular, and amusing experience. At its worst, the movie is a bastardization of a classic that is missing the special flourish needed to bring its strange vision together.

The Lone Ranger does a few things very well. The movie delivers a surprising variety of action for a Western, supplementing the usual shootouts and horse chases with a creative train chases and plenty of chaos. Johnny Depp makes for a fascinating Tonto: a superstitious, resourceful, and troubled man with only a passing interest in John Reid. The humor laced throughout the movie is enough to give it an offbeat charm.

However, The Lone Ranger is marred by gambles that don’t pay off. The movie’s framing device, an aged Tonto recounting his adventures to a young boy, adds little to the film. The tone is inconsistent, bouncing between high-stakes peril and kid-friendly adventure. The movie is ambivalent to its source material and alternates between celebrating and mocking the conventions of the original show.

The Lone Ranger invites comparison to Pirates of the Caribbean, with which it shares its director, writers, and lead actor. The Lone Ranger follows the same pattern of swashbuckling action, wry humor, and quirky characters as the Pirates films, but it is missing their coherence of vision. In spite of the film’s technical competence, the pieces of the puzzle don’t fit together as well as they could have.

Still, The Lone Ranger makes for an entertaining watch for the right type of viewer. The ideal viewer should enjoy freewheeling action and unconventional takes on established genres, as well as be willing to forgive a few missteps along the way. Those who are looking for a clean hit, a traditional Western, or a straight adaptation of the source material should skip it.

6.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for impressive action, fairly good humor, and personal appeal; your score will vary depending on how its style catches you.

Today’s quick review: Looney Tunes: Back in Action. Sick of playing second fiddle to Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck throws a tantrum that ends both his career and that of DJ (Brendan Fraser), a security guard and aspiring stuntman. But when DJ’s father Damien Drake (Timothy Dalton), a star in spy movies and an actual spy, is captured, DJ and Daffy must rescue him from the clutches of the ACME Corporation’s evil chairman (Steve Martin).

Looney Tunes: Back in Action is a cartoon comedy that mixes live action and animation. Back in Action is a metafictional romp through a cartoon-infested version of the real world. There, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck are comedy actors, Yosemite Sam owns a casino, and ACME is a diabolical corporation with plans to conquer the world. Back in Action offers cartoon slapstick, a bevy of pop culture references, and plenty of homages to classic Looney Tunes bits.

As a comedy, Looney Tunes: Back in Action is a mixed bag. The script works well enough, but a lot of the jokes miss their mark. Many of the pop culture references have aged poorly, and the blend of cartoon antics and live action can be jarring at times. Steve Martin goes a bit too goofy to work as a villain, even in a cartoon. The movie also has a few rough spots where it gets trapped in a failing gag but has to see it through to the end anyway.

But Back in Action does have its moments. Brendan Fraser is an excellent fit for the movie, silly enough to feel at home in a world of cartoons while still working as the straight man. The movie has a great sense of energy, and the gags it flubs are quickly forgotten. And tucked away in the whirlwind of humor are a few gems of slapstick or self-reference that make the whole thing worthwhile.

The result is a flawed but entertaining movie that runs the gamut from off-putting to side-splitting, often in rapid succession. You will get the most out of Looney Tunes: Back in Action if you are tickled by meta humor, Hollywood references, and jokes slipped into the background. Back in Action gets enough wrong that most viewers will find it a mediocre watch, but those willing to forgive its flaws will find plenty to laugh at.

For an earlier, more developed interaction between cartoons and humans, check out Who Framed Roger Rabbit. For a more memorable foray into the world of Looney Tunes, check out Space Jam. For a more thorough spy parody, check out Austin Powers.

5.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for large quantities of decent humor with a dusting of great humor.

Today’s quick review: Rat Race. Donald Sinclair (John Cleese), a wealthy casino owner, has come up with a new way to entertain his high roller customers: a no holds barred race from Las Vegas to Silver City, New Mexico, with a prize of $2 million. The contestants, six strangers picked from Sinclair’s casino, must drive, fly, and cheat their way to Silver City while Sinclair’s wealthy gamblers follow their progress and place bets.

Rat Race is a madcap comedy with a simple premise and an ensemble cast. Rat Race follows a colorful cast of characters in their chaotic attempts to beat each other to the cash. Slapstick humor, wacky situations, and unlikely coincidences form the movie’s comedic backbone. Its decent script is backed by a talented cast that includes Whoopi Goldberg, Seth Green, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Jon Lovitz, Rowan Atkinson, and John Cleese.

Rat Race lives up to some, but not all, of its potential. The movie relies on a succession of individual gags to keep the viewer engaged, and these tend to be hit or miss. The situations often feel contrived, and the script tends to go for the cheapest humor available. Rat Race scores enough hits to be an entertaining watch, but there is little in the way of plot, character development, or subtlety.

Watch Rat Race if you are in the mood for a light, straightforward, and chaotic comedy. Rat Race is missing the heart and thoughtfulness needed to be a great film, but it packs in enough humor to work as a popcorn watch. For a better take on the same basic premise, check out It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, a classic comedy with a smarter script, richer characters, and the patience it needs to make the most of its setup.

6.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for a few good laughs with little real substance.

Today’s quick review: Total Recall. Plagued by dreams of Mars and a woman he has never met, Doug Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger), a construction worker living a mundane life, goes to Rekall, Inc. to have false memories of a Mars vacation implanted in his brain. But when the procedure uncovers memories that were buried, Doug learns that he is actually a rogue secret agent with ties to a rebel group on Mars.

Total Recall is a science fiction thriller based on a short story by Philip K. Dick. Total Recall’s bread and butter is action in the 80s mold, complete with a muscular hero, one-liners, and plenty of gore. But Total Recall also has a solid plot built around an interesting science fiction premise. The result is an unusually well-rounded movie that works as both a straightforward action film and a clever sci-fi adventure.

Total Recall deals with questions of memory and identity. The movie posits a future where memory alteration exists and has been commercialized, making it difficult to separate fact from fabrication. Total Recall uses this central issue to kick off an action-oriented thriller plot that tours a futuristic world of space travel, mutants, and interplanetary intrigue. The story’s steady progression and significant plot twists give the movie an excellent backbone.

Total Recall delivers plenty of spectacle as well. The action kicks in after Doug’s trip to Rekall, Inc., and it doesn’t let up for more than ten or fifteen minutes at a time for the rest of the film. The movie also takes advantage of its science fiction setting to show off the advanced technology and bizarre sights of the future. Like other action movies of its era, Total Recall mixes a hardcore attitude with a touch of absurdity.

Total Recall is a well-executed movie that should please action fans and science fiction fans alike. The strange setting and high levels of violence may turn off some viewers, but anyone familiar with either the action or sci-fi genres from the 80s or 90s should feel right at home. For a somewhat sillier movie in a similar vein, check out Demolition Man. For a slick sci-fi thriller also based on a story by Philip K. Dick, check out Minority Report.

7.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it the same for good action, a tight plot, and solid execution.

“The hungry rabbit jumps.” —Simon

Today’s quick review: Seeking Justice. Will Gerard (Nicolas Cage), a New Orleans high school teacher, makes a desperate decision when his wife Laura (January Jones) is raped: he accepts an offer from a stranger named Simon (Guy Pearce) to have the culprit killed in exchange for a favor. But when Will’s favor comes due, he must choose between performing the questionable deeds Simon wants from him and crossing a dangerous man with eyes everywhere.

Seeking Justice is a crime thriller with a good plot and a dash of action. The movie revolves around a shadowy organization that lets ordinary citizens get justice outside the legal system in exchange for helping out with later operations. Having introduced its premise, Seeking Justice keeps its cards close to its chest. It is up to Will to determine how far he is willing to get involved and how to get himself out when things go too far.

To its credit, Seeking Justice actually has an interesting plot. Simon’s organization has a nice sense of menace to it without feeling too overblown. The mystery of just what Will has gotten himself into unfolds at a steady pace, and its twists are generally rewarding. The movie also balances its tone well: tense but not frightening, violent but not gruesome, and just plausible enough to hook the viewer.

Beyond these qualities, Seeking Justice is a midrate thriller. The script holds the plot together and avoids any major problems, but it is missing the extra edge that the best crime thrillers have. Nicolas Cage turns in a serviceable performance as Will Gerard, while Guy Pearce does an impressive job with Simon. Seeking Justice also shifts its focus over time, leaving its early questions about rape and vigilantism by the wayside in favor of the main plot.

Watch Seeking Justice if you are in the mood for a competent, plot-driven thriller. Seeking Justice lacks the quality to impress viewers with high standards, but those who buy into its premise will find the movie worthwhile. Skip it if you are looking for flawless writing or real action. For a thriller with a similar mystery and science fiction elements, check out The Adjustment Bureau. For an edgy drama that touches on similar ideas, check out Fight Club.

6.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for an interesting premise and decent execution.

Today’s quick review: Sky High. The son of the two greatest superheroes in the world (Kurt Russell, Kelly Preston), Will Stronghold (Michael Angarano) has yet to develop any powers of his own. When he enrolls at Sky High, a high school for superheroes, he is assigned to the sidekick program with the other misfits. In addition to finding his place in high school, Will must figure out how to break the news of his powerlessness to his father.

Sky High is a superhero comedy about high school with a family-friendly tone. Sky High extrapolates the premise of the superhero genre a little farther, showing how the superheroes of the world might raise their children. Sky High has a sweet story about high school, gags about the superhero genre, and a dash of super-powered action. However, its mixed execution doesn’t make the most of its creative premise.

Sky High does a good job of mixing the mundane and the fantastic. The usual types of high school drama feel surprisingly natural in a superhero context. The world is a light and colorful one that has fun with its genre. Sky High also benefits from a recognizable supporting cast, with Kurt Russell, Bruce Campbell, Lynda Carter, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead in roles that play to their talents.

Where Sky High comes up short is its follow-through. The simple characters and thin plot are too child-friendly for their own good. The world borrows from the superhero genre without contributing much of its own. The special effects are adequate, but they pale in comparison with those found in modern action films. On the whole, Sky High feels almost like a TV movie: charming in its own way, but with sharp boundaries around what it can do.

Watch Sky High if you are a superhero fan looking for something different. Though not an outstanding movie, Sky High has a good premise and manages to do some fun things with it. Skip it if you prefer superhero films that are darker or more realistic. For a better unconventional take on the superhero genre, check out The Incredibles or Big Hero 6.

6.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for decent entertainment value.