Ed's Review Dot Com

Les Productions du Trésor, Worldview Entertainment, Caneo Films,

Clive Owen, Billy Crudup, Marion Cotillard, Mila Kunis, Zoe Saldana, Matthias Schoenaerts, James Caan

In 1974 Chris (Clive Owen) has just been released from prison and standing outside the gate waiting for him is his brother Frank (Billy Crudup). Chris has a long history of getting into trouble, and Frank on the other hand is a cop, on his way to making a name for himself in the force. Their Dad Leon (James Caan) seems to like Chris better, despite his history of getting into trouble. These are not young kids. Chris is 50 years old and still looking for trouble. But when it comes down to it, will blood be thicker than water, as Frank has to decide whether despite his promise to show Chris no favors, will he turn him in or protect him in this crime drama.

This movie is really the story of the Prodigal Son from the Bible. Frank’s issues with being the good son and not being appreciated for it, and the Dad’s doting over his troubled son makes Frank feel neglected. He cares for his brother, but he has a strong desire to do the right thing. This is a little known movie. I hadn’t hear of it until it came out on DVD this week, but I was pleased with it. Truthfully, these crime dramas, cop stories about a family being torn apart by problems doesn’t usually appeal to me. There have been so many stories like this, but I found this one to be refreshing. It’s a somewhat new slant on the subject, and the family dynamic is much more important in this story than the rest of the facts. There are some really good stars in this one, and it is interesting to see the effects of crime, especially organized crime, and the effects on 1970’s Brooklyn. This is a story of the streets, and it’s gritty and dirty as it should be. But there’s a look at this family and how choices of on person or another can have a major impact on the whole family. I thought that was a pretty decent crime story, and I can recommend it, mildly, for those who like these kinds of stories. It wasn’t a fantastic film, or a must see, by any means, but it’s decently done, well acted, and fresh enough to enjoy.

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Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Screen Gems,

Eric Bana, Olivia Munn, Édgar Ramírez , Sean Harris, Joel McHale

Ralph Sarchie (Eric Bana) is a NYPD detective who along with his partner played by Community’s Joel McHale take the tough cases. But there are several bizarre cases that seem to be somehow related that has him in a tizzy. He runs across a priest who convinces him that it’s an evil spirit that is causing all the problems around the city, and that they need to work together to solve the problem.

This latest horror film is another “based on true events” film and you can take that with a grain of salt. There is a book called “Beware the Night” that was published in 2001 by Detective Sarchie that does bear some resemblance to this B horror film, so don’t write it off quite so quick. He was a veteran NYPD detective and a demonologist who did seek out the supernatural. The movie is a combination of a number of his cases recorded in the book. This film is not going to be a box office bonanza, as it’s got a niche audience and is really not very big budget special effects and all that, but it’s still a pretty creepy little film. The thing does a pretty decent job of building up the suspense and there’s a pretty big payoff in the end. It’s a bit longer than most, but it didn’t really get boring at any part. The priest character is a bit silly, and he’s just not very believable. I don’t want to give away the plot, but let it be enough to say that you’ll know when I mean when you watch the last half hour or so. Joel McHale does bring some real humor to the role which helps a lot to make the film more enjoyable. He really does just bring his smart-ass Jeff Winger character from Community to the film but it fits in perfectly and I felt it added a lot. There is the obligatory “cop has problems at home” and “wife and daughter in danger from the killers” plots to another film, but the little girl who plays Ralph’s daughter really pulls it off and did a great job, and having Olivia Munn as wife Jen is also a good choice. She also does a good job. So in summary, it’s derivative, low budget, camp horror that will appeal to the teens, for sure, but it’s a pretty well done scary movie and was worth watching. If you’re tired of superheroes and silly comedies, this is a decent change of pace and it’s nice to have a silly little horror film out for mid-summer for a change. I have to admit, I really enjoyed it, and I jumped a couple times.

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The Exchange,

Michael Pitt, Nina Arianda, Andy Garcia, Ray Romano, Griffin Dunne, Burt Young, Cathy Moriarty, Michael Rispoli, Luke Fava, Frank Whaley, Samira Wiley

Tommy Uva (Michael Pitt) is a thug. He’s sent to jail while his girlfriend Rosiife (Nina Arianda) waits for him to get out. Tommy is convinced he wants to go straight, but he just can’t seem to get into the whole work thing. When he overhears a mafia kingpin speaking at his trial say that Mafia guys don’t bring guns to the clubs because “Wiseguys and guns don’t mix”, Tommy hatches the idea of robbing the mafia and having Rosie drive his getaway car, but when the accidentally stumble into a piece of evidence that everybody wants, suddenly no only is mob after him, but the Police and the FBI, and even a reporter trying to get the story. A modern day Bonnie and Clyde, this is based on actual events.

This movie is rather over the top clever, very interesting, and lots of fun. These two are so gangster it’s hysterical. They have no chance at pulling this off because they are so dumb, yet the do manage it pretty well. Michael Pitt is awesome as Tommy and Nina Arianda does a great job playing the “not too bright” but supportive Rosie. They fight, but support each other, and most of all, they pull of a lot of stuff that most professional criminals couldn’t. I’m not sure how accurate this is to the original material, but they real Tommy and Rosie appear during the closing credits. This movie has a lot of action, and the way the mobster’s react to a kid robbing the most powerful criminals in the world is pretty funny. This is a crime story with a lot going for it. The fact that it’s based on a true story makes it even more incredible. This is a very funny story and one that will keep you glued to the screen throughout. Very well done.

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Single Spark Pictures,

Bettie Page, Hugh Hefner, Paula Klaw, Bunny Yeager, Dita Von Teese,

This documentary features Bettie Page herself reminiscing of her long and illustrious career of one of America’s first and most famous pin-up girls and risque film star. Bettie was blessed with a beautiful face and figure and she was very photogenic. She talks of the early days of camera clubs where she would pose for rich clientele who paid for the privilege of taking photos of her. She became known for bondage photos in the very early days, and for some of the early stag films. Yet she remained naive and innocent through it all. She explains how she never thought she was doing wrong, even with all the things that happened to her during her career.

This is an interesting documentary. I had never heard of Bettie Page, although I remember having seen the WWII posters that she was famous for, as much as the Farrah posters and Pamela Anderson posters of later years. I didn’t realize how famous this lady was, and how much her popularity lasted throughout all her life. She was a gorgeous girl, and could light up any room. With interviews from many of the leaders of the burlesque and adult entertainment figures throughout the years, we learn how much she did to pave the way for the others who followed her path. This movie does contain a lot of classic film and photographs, so has a great deal of nudity, but nothing nasty or dirty such as that which came along later. In her times she viewed what she did as natural and normal, although it surely was out of the mainstream for middle America in those days. If you are at all interested in the life and career of this lady, then this is a very well made history and documentary of her times.

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Red & Black Films,

Toby Stephens, Caity Lotz, Denis Lawson, Sam Hazeldine, Lee Nicholas Harris, Sule Rimi, Stuart Matthews, Helen Griffin, Ben McGregor, Pooneh Hajimohammadi

Two Artificial Intelligence scientists come together to create the first fully self aware artificial intelligence. Vincent (Toby Stephens) wants to develop it to save his daughter who is suffering from an illness. But he can’t get the financial backing he needs except from the military. Meanwhile, the officials at the Ministry of Defense find Ava (Caity Lotz) and recognize her skills so they bring them together. The create this artificial intelligence and implant it in a nearly indestructible body, but the MoD steals their work and turns it into a killing machine.

This movie is a conundrum. One one side, it’s really hard to follow, even though it’s predictable as all movies of this genre are (evil military trying to take over a peaceful scientist’s work). What I mean is that the dialog is somewhat hard to understand. But on the other hand, it’s a rather decent throwback science fiction film like those of decades past. I wasn’t bored with the film, and I wasn’t blown away with it. I suspect that anyone who is a fan of real science fiction will like the story, but for the mainstream, this is a little to niche to work for most people. I am not a sci-fi fanatic, but I did spend my youth in the 60’s and 70’s with dozens of books from Azimov, Bradbury, Clarke, and other great sci-fi writers. This is also a bit allegoric, as it doesn’t really have to pertain to the robot, but more about mankind’s dysfunctional way of not being able to get along. Greed, jealousy, and search for power is bad, and hopeful, scientific curiosity is good. Well, we’ve heard that before. The acting isn’t great. None of the characters are that memorable, but the story itself is the key. So if you’re a sci-fi fan, you’ll probably enjoy it. Otherwise, maybe not so much.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog