Movie Review: ABANDON (2002)
Abandon (2002) — ** There’s an overwhelming sense of irony in the title of Abandon. This Hollywood thriller employed an unusual marketing campaign (i.e. the trailer didn’t give away the ending) and had a unique premise that promised intense characters and genuine excitement. Plus, it was written and directed by Stephen Gaghan, the screenwriter of Traffic. With all this potential, Abandon should have been a hit. Unfortunately, every possible opportunity to take this film another level is deserted for a routine narrative, manufactured characters, and the standard predictably unpredictable ending. After personal problems forced him off the job, Detective Wade Handler (Benjamin Bratt) returns from his short hiatus to a two-year old missing person case. The subject is Embry Langan (Charlie Hunnam), a celebrated musical theatre student from an Ivy League University in Connecticut. Handler’s investigation quickly leads to Embry’s girlfriend at the...
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Movie Review: 8 MILE (2012)
8 Mile – ***1/2 TRL, multi-platinum records, and a load of Grammys: Eminem’s current star status is unmistakable to anyone who hasn’t been locked in a dark room for the past three years. Still, the rapper’s rise to superstardom is only ambiguously alluded to in his lyrics. Eminem’s pre-celebrity life is more intimately chronicled in the semi-autobiographical 8 Mile. His against all odds, struggle to succeed story may seem like it was packaged for Hollywood, but the first time actor’s obviously personal performance legitimizes this harrowing melodrama. During his first battle rap, Jimmy “Rabbit” Smith, Jr. (Eminem) freezes up. The crestfallen rapper leaves the stage an even bigger joke than before, just being white. Worse, Jimmy just broke up with his girlfriend, which means its back to the trailer park to live with his mother (Kim Basinger) and little sister....
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Movie Review: CHANGING LANES (2002)
Changing Lanes (2002)–*** No matter how minor, a car accident always adds a little stress to your life. There’s the immediate adrenaline rush, the nervous exchange of insurance information, and the expected monetary headaches, but the tension usually subsides. In that respect, Changing Lanes is a lot like a car accident. In Changing Lanes, Ben Affleck and Samuel L. Jackson’s simple fender bender turns into a pile-up of moral and ethical conflicts and sets the pace for a tense, but ultimately deflated thriller. Gavin Banek (Ben Affleck) is a young, ambitious Wall Street lawyer. When his boss (and father-in-law) entrusts him to present a critical file to the court, Gavin doesn’t hesitate. He gets in his posh car and speeds to the courthouse. Headed to the same place is Doyle Gibson (Samuel L. Jackson), a recovering alcoholic and struggling father. At the...
Read MoreMovie Review: BLADE II (2002)
Blade II (2002)–*1/2 More than three years ago, a lesser-known comic book hero became a cult phenomenon. With incredible swordplay and tons of exploding vampires, the Spider-Man spin-off, Blade, became the sleeper hit of the summer of 1998. It was only natural, then, for New Line Cinema to franchise the vampire hunter flick. With a new, more experienced director and a returning screenwriter,Blade II tries to recreate the sophisticated horror tone of the first film while enhancing the electrifying action. When the action takes over, however, the sequel loses its bite. After rescuing his kidnapped and infected mentor Whistler (Kris Kristoferson) from the sinister vampire nation, Blade (Wesley Snipes) is suddenly offered a truce. The vampire nation, facing extermination at the hands of a new breed of vampire known as a Preacher, recruits Blade, Whistler, and the new weapons technician Scud for a...
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Movie Review: 40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS (2002)
40 Days and 40 Nights (2002) – *** Other than the Lenten promise of celibacy, 40 Days and 40 Nights has little to do with anything religious. In fact, the Church would probably ban it if given the choice. Still, the vulgar jokes making up most of the film don’t prevent 40 Days and 40 Nights from becoming a tender and romantic love story. After a devastating breakup, Matt Sullivan (Josh Hartnett) is tortured by the thought of each woman he sleeps with not being his ex-girlfriend. His roommate Ryan (Paul Costanzo) considers Matt’s promiscuous habits to be the solution, but they just don’t help with his fixation. After an intimate conversation with his brother, whom happens to be priest in training, Matt decides to give up sex and “all things sex like” for Lent. Nibbling, biting, touching, and masturbation are all no-nos....
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Movie Review: A BEAUTIFUL MIND (2001)
A Beautiful Mind (2001)–**** I’ve never really liked the biopic sub-genre. Rarely can a film telling the story of a real person, regardless of its star, feel like anything more than a made-for-TV movie. In A Beautiful Mind, Ron Howard explores the life of Noble Prize winner John Nash. This biopic can be considered a profile of a schizophrenic or a tale about the enduring power of love. Either way, A Beautiful Mind translates into a first rate biopic and one of the best film’s of the year. After entering Princeton, John Nash (Russell Crowe) goes looking for the one idea that will distinguish him from the other students. With encouragement from his roommate Charles (Paul Bettany) and a lot of jeering from other math students, Nash discovers a revolutionary economic theory. The monumental discovery gets him a position at MIT’s Wellers...
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