Ed's Review Dot Com

Universal Pictures, Relativity Media, Bluegrass Films,

Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Vera Farmiga, Brendan Gleeson, Sam Shepard, Rubén Blades, Joel Kinnaman, Nora Arnezeder, Robert Patrick, Liam Cunningham, Tanit Phoenix, Jake McLaughlin, Fares Fares

Matt Weston (Ryan Reynolds) is a young CIA agent who runs a “safe house” where very important or dangerous “house guest” are hidden out of the way where no one can ever find them. Kept in total secrecy, the safe house is like the witness protection program on steroids. On a couple people know where it is, and in some cities they never see any action, and it’s a very good job to keep up on your reading list. In Cape Town, South Africa Matt suddenly gets a guest, Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington), who is a well know rogue agent who suddenly turns himself in. He’s holding a very important secret. But when the safe house is suddenly compromised by a bunch of thugs who want to kill Frost, Matt and Tobin barely survive, but living though the next couple days could be more than either could ask. Way over his head, the couple keep one step ahead from everyone who’s looking to wipe them out. This leads to a classic cat and mouse chase that will leave you breathless.

Really! Denzel is an amazing actor. He’s perfect for this role. But balance that with Ryan Reynolds who was born to play this young, gung ho agent, who wants to do what’s right regardless of the cost. We get to feeling sorry for him right away as we know Matt is way in over his head, but Tobin must like him because he takes the time to teach Matt the ropes along the way. What he’s done to bring everyone down on him must be really awful, and it really seems that they’re not going to live through this. This is a very well done film, and very worth watching. Breathtaking chases, narrow escapes worthy of Jackie Chan, and suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat make this well worth watching for adventure film fans. This is a breathless run for life that will keep you glued to the screen from start to finish. I really enjoyed this film.

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Ghost House Pictures, North Box Productions,

Natasha Calis, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kyra Sedgwick, Grant Show, Madison Davenport, Rob LaBelle, John Cassini, Nana Gbewonyo, Quinn Lord

A young family with two little girls is broken. Mom (Kyra Sedgwick) has a new boyfriend and the two sisters Em (Natasha Calis) and her older sister Hannah (Madison Davenport) are going through the normal problems children of divorce go through. But Dad (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) has a new house, and a quick stop at a garage sale, and Em finds a strange wooden box. She buys it and brings it home. But then strange things start to happen which appear related to the box, and poor Em who is losing her soul.

This is a movie that’s been made again and again. That in itself should chase people away. But the good thing is that it’s really artfully done. First of all, the characters are really well cast and acted. Natasha Calis is definitely the best actor in this film. As Em, she has to go from a sweet and innocent little girl who is sad at the breakup of her parents marriage, to a raging demon possessed monster that will remind you of Linda Blair from “The Exorcist” which started this whole genre. She’s excellent. Jeffrey Dean Morgan is also excellent as the harried father trying to hold his family together. I feel sorry for Kyra Sedgwick. I hated that woman, through the whole movie. Think of “The Santa Claus” where the marriage is on the rocks, and Mom has a new suitor. Now ratchet up the bitchiness 1000%. I wanted to slap this woman throughout the entire film. That’s what she’s supposed to do, but like the guy who had Patrick Swayze killed in “Ghost”….I’m going to hold it against him for the rest of his career.

The scares are fierce and frequent in this film. You’ll jump in your seat a number of times. This film is really creepy, and though you’ll be easily able to predict everything that’s about to happen, there is never really a chance to relax in this movie. The movie was originally given an R rating, but some creative editing dropped it to a PG-13, but left the screams in it. I wish they’d just stop it with the “Based on a true story” crap though. This is NOT a true story. It’s based on a completely different unrelated type of event that hatched the idea of using a box as the demon’s house. But somehow it makes it seem more “terrifying” if they tell you it really happened. Baloney.

But if you need another reason to watch this decently made horror flick, consider this. How often do you get so watch a Jewish exorcism? Now that alone is worth the price of admission!

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Happy Madison Productions, Miles Deep Productions,

Nick Swardson, Christina Ricci, Don Johnson, Stephen Dorff, Ido Mosseri, Kevin Nealon, Edward Herrmann, Miriam Flynn, Mario Joyner, Tyler Spindel

This silly little movie is the story of Bucky Larson, a small town, very naive virginal kid who accidentally finds a video of his parents who were secretly big name porn stars in the 1970’s. Instead of being appalled, Bucky decides it is his destiny to be a porn star too, so he heads for California, only to find out that his unusual talent is his lack of physical prowess. No one wants to talk to him, but he becomes a huge YouTube sensation for his ability to make any man feel “hugely” successful in the love department. A ruthless washed up porn producer tries to exploit Bucky to make him the next big porn start.

This “Happy Madison” film contains a lot of cameos of famous folk. A lot of stars show up here and there. Basically I bypassed this film for a long, long time because I expected it to be very, very stupid. Well, it was stupid, but a lot funnier than I could have ever expected. I truly cracked up a dozen times through this film. No, this isn’t classic cinema. It’s got a lot of good actors though playing camp to the peak, and doing a great job. Everyone has an angle, and it’s funny to see them all competing with each other to try to scam the other. This reminds me of a film like “Cannonball Run” where everyone’s out to beat the other at their own game. The subject matter is tongue in cheek, and not really taking things seriously, but it’s adult themed and not really for younger folk. But if you want to enjoy some Adam Sandler style humor, this is a pretty funny little film.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog