Disappointing Action Movie - 7 Seconds

Title: 7 Seconds
Staring: Wesley Snipes
Directed by: Simon Fellows
Rated: ‘R’ for violence, language and brief sexuality
Copyright: 2005 Micro Fusion and Sony Pictures
Running Time: Approximately 96 minutes
Genre: Action Thriller

Cover Description:

Action star Wesley Snipes (the Blade trilogy, U.S. Marshals, Passenger 57) is a professional thief whose high-stakes caper goes murderously wrong in this excplosive, brilliantly unpredictable crime thriller. Captain Jack Tolliver (Snipes) is an ex-Delta Force commando leading what should have been a clockwork-perfect armored car heist. Instead, he ends up with a priceless Van Gogh painting – and one of his crew ends up held hostage by the sadistic Russian gangsters who muscled in on the heist. Tolliver’s only option: a suicidal rescue mission where enemies become allies, your best friend can be your worst nightmare, and survival is the deadliest are of all.

My Thoughts:
I really like Wesley Snipes and I really like action movies. This movie disappointed on both accounts. I had to wonder what Snipes was thinking in doing this film. I still think he is a great actor and could draw people into theaters, so why do a straight-to-video movie. Truthfully I didn’t even read the cover before renting it because it was Wesley Snipes but even if I did I would have still rented it.

The movie starts out ok with a really ingenious armored car heist, which of course goes bad and turns into a pretty neat car chase. After that, the movie seems to fizzle out.

There is not much dialogue and I think the writers put more effort into the heist than the rest of the film. The acting is pretty bad all around, although I think Snipes did what he could with what he as given.

The directing is frazzled and just plain weird. I didn’t like it much at all. I think the director was trying to add action to the film by his style of directing but to me it just made things worse.

Given the right attention, this movie could have been great but I get the feeling everyone just wanted to get it released as soon as they could. It has potential, but in my opinion, everyone involved in it just fell flat.

I had trouble getting through the whole thing. If you are a die hard Snipes fan then you might want to rent it, but I don’t give any guarantees as to whether you will like it or not. It just might be worth renting simply to see the beginning because the heist is definitely one of the most intelligent and ingenious I have ever seen.

Don’t expect much and marvel at the heist and you just might not feel like you’ve wasted your time watching it. Only buy it if you are an avid fan who must have a copy of every movie your favorite actor has made regardless of how good they are.

My Rating: 1.5 Stars
DVD Bonus Features: nothing of interest

Get 7 Seconds Today!

Wesley Snipes Movies
Passenger 57
Demolition Man

Enjoy,
Cheryl

Emotionally Charged Epic - Alexander Director's Cut

Title: Alexander Director’s Cut
Staring: Collin Farrell, Angelina Jolie, Val Kilmer, Anthony Hopkins
Directed by: Oliver Stone
Rated: ‘R’ for violence and some sexuality/nudity
Copyright: 2004, 2005 IMF Internationale Medien und Flim GmbH & Co. 3 Productions and Warner Bros. Entertainment
Running Time: Approximately 167 minutes
Genre: Epic Action

Cover Description:
Academy Award winning director Oliver Stone presents a breathtaking new cut of his sweeping epic film Alexander, the true story of the world’s greatest warrior. Using footage never seen and dramatically reshaping dozens of scenes, he brings to life the overpowering forces and fierce personalities that forever changed history.

Driven by a craving for his father’s (Val Kilmer) love and the brutal ambition of his mother (Angelina Jolie), Alexander (Colin Farrell) faced massive armies in Persia, Afghanistan and India and was never defeated. “Fortune favors the bold” Stone powerfully demonstrates in this bold new film Alexander Director’s Cut.

My Thoughts:
First, I must admit that I knew virtually nothing about Alexander before watching the film. I don’t know if that is relative but it might be. Throughout the movie I kept waiting for something to show me why this guy was so great and deserves a movie about his life. It turns out his greatness is simply because he fought a lot of battles and never lost. So now I know…and I don’t really care.

I must also admit that I truly enjoy epic films and I generally don’t think they even need to be extremely well written, acted or directed for me to like them. There is just something about these types of film that pull me in and get me hooked. This movie was no different. While I wouldn’t say it is a great film, I would still recommend it. So here is what I think.

The directing was kind of weird. The movie jumped back and forth through time and even though it stated the new times, I still found it a bit confusing. I think there was too much movement with the camera for my tastes as well. It is best if you just watch the movie without thinking or trying to figure anything out. By the end of the movie, all will soak into your brain and it will all make sense.

Of course there are huge battle scenes with plenty of blood, which seems to be a staple of these types of films. There is a definitely unique battle scene in India where the Indians use elephants instead of horses. I liked that because it is different and interesting. There is a terrific shot that would make a great poster of a horse and elephant rearing up while facing each other. If you like battle scenes that are raw and seem un-choreographed then this movie will not disappoint you. These are not giant ballets with swords, instead these are bloody, blurry, real time visions of what being in a battle was like.

Colin Farrell does an okay job as Alexander. He does a great job with facial expressions and his eyes just seem to shine with emotions. Personally, I don’t care for Alexander. I don’t think he was a great man, he was not very good at keeping his troops happy, and he just seemed pretty selfish. So if that is what Alexander was like, then maybe Farrell did a better job acting than I am giving him credit for. Farrell just didn’t seem to take over the screen like he should have.

At first I had trouble with Angelina Jolie playing Alexander’s Mother, but after a while it just didn’t matter. I must say that I am probably biased because I simply love Jolie. As Alexander’s mother she is weird, exotic, full of emotions and just wonderful. Her accent is a little weird but it adds to the mystique of this woman. She is a strong woman, who knows her place, but refuses to remain quiet.

She is not anyone I would even consider as my mother, she is obsessed with snakes and filled with ambition to make her son the greatest King ever, no matter what the consequences or costs are. She believes Zeus is Alexander’s true father and not King Phillip, which she pound into Alexander’s head. Which is probably why Alexander goes thorough his life acting like he is a God himself.

Val Kilmer does an excellent job portraying King Phillip, Alexander’s Father. Phillip is a giant bully, who says what he wants and acts however he feels regardless of what others think. He doesn’t respect Alexander or show much love until Alexander tames a wild horse and then his love is still conditional. He seems a bit crazy or mad and just wants to go through life drinking, bedding women, and talking about all the glory he will bring to his kingdom.

King Philip dies when Alexander is 20 throwing Alexander into the position of King before he is ready. Alexander spends the rest of his life trying to impress his dead father and longing for respect and love that he will never get. Going farther than his father ever went seems to become his main quest in life, which is why I believe he comes across as so selfish.

Homosexuality plays a quiet role in this movie. There is no secret made of Alexander’s love for his male friend, Hephaistion (Jared Leto), whom he seems to ignore. He professes his love to Mike but then takes a wife to give him an heir and beds another man. Personally, I felt sorry for Mike because of the way Alexander treated him.

The sexuality is low key and subtle but the point is there without question. There are two scenes where a man kisses a man but it is not really sexual. I am saying this just in case you have a problem with homosexuality between men.

Anthony Hopkins lends his talents narrating as the older version of one of Alexander’s most trusted warriors. He is telling the story as he saw it. Hopkins is as always, wonderful. Even with the make-up and prosthetics he still exudes the greatness that makes him who he is. Without a doubt, he makes the most of the small role given to him.

This is a fast paced, action filled movie with interesting and entertaining characters. The writing, directing and acting is adequate, with some better than others. If you like to get caught up in another time and place then you will enjoy this movie.

Other reviews I have read are mixed. Some hate the movie, some enjoy it even with its flaws. Some say it is historically accurate, others say Stone put his emphasis in the wrong parts. I have only come across a few reviews that say it is not worth watching.

Ultimately, the choice is up to you. If you are an Alexander fan (seems to be quite a few out there) then you are likely to enjoy the movie but wish for more details on what made the man so great. I say give it a try. You can always turn it off if it is too horrible to watch.

My Rating: 2.5 Stars
DVD Bonus Features: Commentary by Oliver Stone, featurettes, cast interviews & more

***Get Alexander Director's Cut Today!***

Colin Farrell Movies
Tigerland
Phone Booth

Angelina Jolie Movies
Gia (Unrated Edition)
Playing By Heart

Val Kimer Movies
The Doors (Special Edition)
Top Secret!

Anthony Hopkins Movies
The Edge
The Silence Of The Lambs (Criterion Collection)


Enjoy,
Cheryl

Edgy, Fun Thriller - Twisted

Title: Twisted
Staring: Ashley Judd, Samuel L. Jackson and Andy Garcia
Directed by: Philip Kaufman
Rated: ‘R’ for violence, language and sexuality
Copyright: 2003 Paramount Pictures
Running Time: Approximately 96 minutes
Genre: Suspense Thriller

Cover Description:
“Ashley Judd is sensual and stunning”* as Jessica Sheppard, a San Francisco police inspector prowling the wharf for a serial killer whose victims all have one thing in common: her. The investigation becomes more and more twisted as her partner (Andy Garcia) behaves strangely, and the police commissioner (Samuel L. Jackson) is being asked to remove her from the investigation as she is a prime suspect. All the cluse point to her and Jessica begins to suspect that she might be the killer she is looking for.

Simmering with nail-biting suspense, Twisted is a provocative, pulse-pounding psychological thriller that will keep you guessing to the very end.

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this movie. It is a bit slow at times but in the end it makes up for it. This is what I call a great Saturday Matinee Movie. You know the times when you don’t feel like doing anything but sitting on the couch and you are flipping through the channels and come across an afternoon movie and you end up watching it even if you’ve seen it before. Well that is how I feel about this movie. I will put it in to watch it whenever I am in the mood for a movie but I don’t know what I want to watch. It is one of my most watched movies.

I like Ashley Judd but I don’t think this is her best work. I think she plays the character too masculine or macho but maybe that is what the director wanted. As Jessica, Judd shows a wide array of emotions and sexuality. You are never sure whether to feel sorry for Jessica or hit her over the head. Judd does a great job of making you feel the confusion, anger and insecurity that rules Jessica. The fun is trying to figure out the mystery before Jessica does.

Samuel L. Jackson is as consistent as ever. His character, the police commissioner, is the one who raised Jessica after her parents died and you can see the parental love and concern in just about every move he makes. He seems straight forward and easy to read but you know there is something deeper in him and you can’t wait to find out what it is.

Andy Garcia is sexy, quiet and mysterious. As Jessica’s partner, you are not quite sure if you should trust him or just plain run away. Garcia is terrific at keeping you confused about his intentions. You tend to like him but deep down your inner voice keeps asking you why.

This is a fun and imaginative suspense thriller. The directing is ok but a tad weird at times and it adds to the slow feel of the movie. Like I said earlier, it is fun to try and figure out the mystery before Jessica does. This movie is worth watching keeping in mind that it is not an award winning movie.

Overall the movie is suspenseful, exciting, imaginative, different and entertaining.

My Rating: 2.5 Stars
DVD Bonus Features: commentary, 3 featurettes, deleted scenes and more

***Buy Twisted Today!***

Ashley Judd Movies
Kiss The Girls
Heat (2 Disc Special Edition)

Samuel L. Jackson Movies
Coach Carter
The Long Kiss Goodnight

Andy Garcia Movies
The Unsaid
When A Man Loves A Woman

Enjoy,
Cheryl

Funny Romatic Comedy - The Truth About Cats And Dogs

Title: The Truth About Cats and Dogs
Staring: Uma Thurman, Janeane Garofalo, Ben Chaplin
Directed by: Michael Lehmann
Rated: ‘PG-13’ for brief language and sexual content
Copyright: 1996 Twentieth Century Fox
Running Time: Approximately 99 minutes
Genre: Romantic Comedy

Cover Description:
Charming and bittersweet, this modern day romantic comedy staring Uma Thurman, Janeane Garofalo and Ben Chaplin explores the beguiling perils of mistaken identity.

Abby (Garofalo), a savvy, witty veterinarian who hosts her own radio talk show is anything by confident when it comes to love. A petite brunette, she describes herself as tall and blonde when Brian (Chaplin), a caller who is smitten with her radio persona, asks her on a date. She then talks her tall, blonde neighbor, Noelle (Thurman) into assuming her identity, setting off an escalating series of hilarious and romantic crises.

My Thoughts:
I liked the movie a lot. It is funny, sometimes scatter-brained and an enjoyable treat to pass a few hours with. It is not going to win any awards, but when it is over you have a good feeling running through you and in today’s society that says a lot.

Garofalo is just hysterical. She has this terrific dead pan way of delivering lines that makes you believe that what she is saying is coming directly from her real life. Her character Abby is a compilation of every intelligent average looking woman: secure in every aspect of life except love.

Thurman’s character Noelle is a ditzy, insecure struggling model who agrees to impersonate Abby as payback for Abby standing up to her angry, violent boyfriend/manager. Thurman mixes subtlety with over-the-top performing that makes you want to puke at times and hug Noelle at other times.

The chemistry between Garofalo and Thurman is evident from the beginning and combined with the writing is what drives this movie. The friendship between the two makes you start thinking about friendships in your life.

Chaplin is charming as Brian, the man smitten with Abby’s personality and Noelle’s looks. The directing is standard, nothing fancy and doesn’t distract you from the actual movie, which I guess could mean that the directing is terrific.

There are some really cute scenes with a dog and a wonderful scene where Abby and Brain talk all night on the phone completely letting themselves go into the moment and chemistry between them. It is the kind of scene that just about every woman would love to play out in real life.

I know this is supposed to be a romantic comedy but I think the strength of the movie lies in the friendship between the two girls, who are complete opposites. It is simply a fun movie to watch. There will be no awards handed out, but if you are looking for something to watch that you can just sit back and enjoy, then this is the film for you.

Overall the movie is entertaining, not too sappy, humorous, intelligent, sweet, and enjoyable.

My Rating: 3 Stars
DVD Bonus Features: Original Theatrical Trailer

***Buy The The Truth About Cats And Dogs Today!***

Janeane Garofalo Movies
Mystery Men
The Matchmaker

Uma Thruman Movies
Hysterical Blindness
Gattaca

Ben Chaplin Movies
Washington Square
Murder By Numbers

Enjoy,
Cheryl

A Fun B-Movie - Python

Title: Python
Staring: Casper Van Dien, Robert Englund
Directed by: Richard Clabaugh
Rated: ‘R’ for intense horror violence, gore, language, sexualtiy
Copyright: 2000 Python Productions Inc and 20th Century Fox
Running Time: Approximately 100 minutes
Genre: B-Movie Horror

Cover Description:
Scientist Dr. Anton Rudolph (Englund) has engineered the perfect killing machine – the world’s first massive, genetically enhanced python. Mistakenly unleashed in a small American town, this unstoppable creature with a voracious appetite is raging out of control. As the massive python gobbles up the locals one by one, it’s up to Special Agent Parker (Van Dien) to conquer nature’s ultimate terror. If you enjoyed movies like Lake Placid and Anaconda, you’ll eat up Python.

My Thoughts:
First let me say that like most B-Movies they use name stars to grab viewers. While Englund and Van Dien are in the movie they are not the stars. The stars are a bunch of no names and low budget names like Wil Wheaton (Stand By Me) and William Zabka ( The Karate Kid).

Also with B-Movies you are not looking for great storylines or acting – you are looking for fun, gore and some spookiness. This movie succeeds in each aspect. It is fun, funny and spooky in an entertaining way. There is gore as the Python attacks people, sprays them with acid (a by product of the genetics) and regurgitates them.

When sitting down to watch this movie with the mindset of enjoying the stupidity of B-Movies, you can’t help but enjoy it. I have seen worse acting in Blockbuster movies but these guys are not going to win any awards.

The directing is ok and they don’t make you wait until the end of the movie to see the ‘monster’. I like that. There are some simply silly scenes and some neat sub stories between the characters. I like that too because it shows that they actually put some effort into the storyline and aren’t relying strictly on the ‘monster’.

The movie moves along at a nice pace and gathers speed towards the end. As expected they also through in some humor and you definitely find yourself yelling at the characters for being so stupid, silly or slow moving.

Jenny McCarthy makes an entertaining cameo and does a good job of making you laugh until she is attacked by the Python, which in itself is an entertaining scene.

The plot is predictable at times but that is expected. The special effects are good but nothing to write home about. All in all it is simply a good B-Movie.

My Rating: 2.5 Stars
DVD Bonus Features: Outtakes, Biographies and more

***Get Python Today!***

Casper Van Dien
Starship Troopers (Special Edition)
Thrill Seekers

Robert Englund
The Nightmare On Elm Street Collection
Freddy vs. Jason (New Line Platinum Series)

Wil Wheaton
Stand By Me
Book Of Days

William Zabka
Ablaze
The Karate Kid (Special Edition)

Welcome To Movie Malarkey

Welcome, we are glad you stopped by. We hope you enjoy reading our movie reviews and our thoughts about movie related subjects.

We love movies and we love talking about them so we decided to share our thoughts with you. We are by no means professional reviewers. We are pretty easy going and we are good at knowing what kind of people will like what types of movies.

We also have our own thoughts about movie related subjects, like who is the best Batman and why, (a future post perhaps). We love to pick apart movies and such and this is where we will share it all with you.

We do hope you enjoy what you read here and maybe we will steer you in the direction of a movie you have not seen. Or maybe we will get you into a debate with your friends, which we think would be terrific.

We welcome your comments so please don't be shy.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy.

Cheryl and Tina

Smart, Action Packed, Futuristic Movie - Paycheck

Title: Paycheck
Staring: Ben Aflek, Uma Thruman, Aaron Eckhart
Directed by: John Woo
Rated: ‘PG-13’ for intense action violence and brief language
Copyright: 2003 Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures
Running Time: Approximately 118 minutes
Genre: Action Thriller

Cover Description:
Michael Jennings (Ben Affleck) is a brilliant computer engineer hired for top secret projects. After each job, Jennings short term memory is erased so he cannot recount any project information. Emerging from his latest assignment, a three year contract with an eight figure paycheck given to him by his longtime friend (Aaron Eckhart), Jennings is jolted when he is told that during the end of his assignment, he agreed to forfeit his payment.

Jennings has no recourse – until he receives a mysterious envelope containing clues to his forgotten past. With the help of a beautiful scientist (Uma Thurman) he once loved but now cannot remember, Jennings races to solve the puzzle of his past…while a terrifying discovery waits in his future.

My Thoughts:
I truly enjoyed this movie. It is filled with beautifully spaced action sequences mixed in with mind-bending twists and a puzzle that you cannot help but try to piece together before the movie does it for you.

Affleck who might be over-rated, is in my opinion, in his element as an intelligent action star. He delivers a wonderful performance as Jennings and really makes you believe that he is totally confused and filled with conflicting emotions by what is going on. At times, you can almost see the gears moving in his head as he pieces together the puzzle using an array of seemingly useless objects.

Thurman is at the top of her game as the mysterious, intelligent, sexy love interest. She proves that she can hold her own in the action genre. She does a terrific job of showing the struggle of a woman standing by her man even though he doesn’t remember her.

Eckhart is superb in this role. From the first time you meet him, you just have this feeling that he is not to be trusted, but he is so charming that you ignore that feeling. Even when it is clear that he is a bad guy, you still can’t help but like him in an admiring kind of way.

There is an abundance of action but this action movie actually has a terrific storyline that drives the movie. If you like to think and attempt to figure out mysteries then this movie is for you. It starts out kind of slow but once it hits speed, it doesn’t stop until the end.

The directing at times is a little over the top and in my opinion, takes away from the storyline but for the most part it is terrific. There is an interesting vehicle chase that you just have to watch and not criticize. There is also enough humor thrown in to get you smirking a bit.

Overall the movie is enjoyable, action filled, suspenseful, exciting, intelligent, fast paced, and entertaining.

My Rating: 3 Stars
DVD Bonus Features: commentary, deleted scenes, 2 featurettes and more

***Get Paycheck Today!***

Ben Affleck Movies
Chasing Amy Criterion Collection
Reindeer Games (Directors Cut)

Uma Thurman Movies
Pulp Fiction Collectors Edition
Even Cowgirls Get The Blues

Aaron Eckhart Movies
Suspect Zero
In The Company Of Men

Enjoy,
Cheryl

Intelligent, Fun Con Artist Thriller - Confidence

Title: Confidence
Staring: Edward Burns, Rachel Weisz, Andy Garcia, Dustin Hoffman
Directed by: James Foley
Rated: ‘R’ for language, violence and sexuality/nudity
Copyright: 2003 Lions Gate Entertainment
Running Time: Approximately 97 minutes
Genre: Con Artist Thriller

Cover Description:
When professional grifter Jake Vig (Edward Burns) chooses the wrong mark in The King (Dustin Hoffman), he is given two choices: pull off a near impossible heist or lose his life. Needing all the help he can get, Jake brings in beautiful con artist Lily (Rachel Weisz) and a mixed group of “professionals”. Nonetheless, with The King riding him and a pesky Special Agent (Andy Garcia) on his tail, Jake and his team look to have the odds stacked against them.

My Thoughts:
Now this is my kind of movie. It is intelligent and cunning; a slick movie about a terrific con, with all the twists you’d expect and then some. It is very entertaining and pulls you in keeping you guessing right until the end. I advise you to just watch it and don’t spend time trying to figure anything out or you’ll miss half the fun.

Jake (Burns) is charming, intelligent and yes, confident. He knows he is good. After unforeseen circumstances following a con, he gets caught up in a do or die con for The King (Hoffman). Setting up this impossible con is easy, but pulling it off is something entirely different.

Burns is terrific, playing the role with subtlety and charisma. As the man with the idea’s even you get caught up in believing in him. He makes it all look so easy. You can’t help but like the guy all the while hoping you never meet him.

Hoffman is superb. He is simply pure Hoffman. His character is quirky and Hoffman plays it so well you get a smirk watching every scene. As expected he steals every scene he is in, some without uttering a word.

I don’t care for Weisz and I think she was mediocre in the role, playing it a little too much over the top. Every time she smiled, it was so fake I wanted to hit her, but maybe that is the way the role is supposed to be played. I could think of other actresses who I believe could have done the role more justice.

I have read other reviews and almost all of them really liked Weisz but I guess it comes down to personal preference. I don’t care for her as an actress and these other people do. I guess ultimately the decision is up to you.

Garcia is Garcia. He played his part wonderfully and low key. His character is the kind who can be instill fear without ever raising his voice. This was a great match for actor to role.

The directing helps keep this movie moving. It is a tad weird but it just adds to the mystique of the film. This is a well written film with well developed characters. A definitely entertaining, low key, smart, slick enjoyable film.

My Rating: 3 Stars
DVD Bonus Features: Commentaries, deleted scenes and more

***Get Confidence Today! ***

Edward Burns Movies
The Brothers McMullen
Life or Something Like It

Rachel Weisz Movies
Chain Reaction
Beautiful Creatures

Andy Garcia Movies
Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead
The Godfather DVD Collection

Dustin Hoffman Movies
Wag The Dog
Papillon

Enjoy,

Cheryl