Safe House

Title: Safe House

Directed by: Daniel Espinosa

Starring: Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Brendan Gleeson, Sam Shepherd, Vera Farmiga

Genres: Thriller, Action/Adventure

Running Time: 1 hour. 55 minutes

Release Date: February 10th, 2012

MPAA Rating: R

Review: 'Safe House' is rapid paced and action packed, almost to the point of too much. The majority of the film is gun fights, fist fights, car chases, or a combination thereof. I do wish they would have spent less time fighting, and more time exploring these characters. The small portion of the close-to-2-hour film spent on character development laid the groundwork for some fairly strong characters, especially considering the caliber of the cast. It is easy to see the potential of how great this film could have been, and while it does not quite reach that potential, it is still a really good film.

Denzel Washington puts in a solid performance, and Ryan Reynolds is actually, surprisingly, a pretty good in the action genre, something that I found somewhat unexpected, considering his usual fare of rom-coms opposite the likes of Sandra Bullock.

'Safe House' is definitely worth seeing, if you like action thrillers.

Grade: 7.5

Chronicle

Title: Chronicle

Directed by: Joshua Trank

Starring: Dane Dehaan, Michael B. Jordan, Ashley Hinshaw, Michael Kelly

Genres: Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller, Drama

Running Time: 1 hour. 24 minutes

Release Date: February 3rd, 2012

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: I saw 'Chronicle' yesterday. It tells the story of 3 teenage boys who develop unique abilities after being exposed to some mystery item. What follows is their exploration of their new power while documenting everything with their video camera. Having the story told Blairewitch Project-style really suited the story, but depending if you like that style of film or not, it might be a deal breaker.

The backdrop of the story is the pre-power teenage lives of these boys. High school, popularity, bullying, parental abuse, parental alcoholism, and a very sick mom. You can clearly see how each of their backgrounds really influenced how they handle their new power. The reaction of the boys was actually one of the strongest parts of the film. They are irresponsible, childish, careless and full of hybris. The troubled kid, well portrayed by Dane DeHaan, drives the film, and his reactions were particular realistic and believable. DeHaan kind of reminded me of a young DiCaprio.

Personally, I found 'Chronicle' extremely depressing.

The target audience of this flick is of course teenage kids, as it should be. I find it unlikely anyone else would actually like this film. I recommend passing on this one, unless you are in fact part of that target market.

Grade: 6

Haywire

Title: Haywire

Directed by: Steven Soderberg

Starring: Gina Carano, Michael Douglas, Ewan McGregor, Channing Tatum, Michael Fassbender

Genres: Action/Adventure, Thriller

Running Time: 1 hour. 33 minutes

Release Date: January 20th, 2012

MPAA Rating: R

Review: I thought 'Haywire' might be an interesting action flick, given that the female lead is played by Gina Carano, a retired MMA fighter (and x-gladiator). Add a cast of Michael Douglas, Ewan McGregor, among others, and directorial by Steven Soderberg and you might have yourself a good film.

Unfortunately, not.

Honestly, I almost walked out, and that is not something that happens every day.

'Haywire' is a strange collection of Gina Carano running over rooftops to the sound of [nothing but] odd plinky-plonky music, a few driving scenes, a number of overly choreographed, and rather ridiculous looking fight scenes, and a whole lot of surprisingly terrible acting. 'Haywire' contains about ten lines of dialogue in the entire film. The overall experience is that of watching a really crappy movie on mute, while listening to horrid 60s elevator music.

Skip this one, it's a waste of it's hour 33, and you could do something better with your time.

Grade: 5

Contraband

Title: Contraband

Directed by: Baltasar Kormàkur

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Kate Beckinsale, Ben Foster, Giovanni Ribisi, Lukas Haas, Caleb Landry Jones

Genres: Action/Adventure, Crime, Remake, Thriller

Running Time: 1 hour. 50 minutes

Release Date: January 13th, 2012

MPAA Rating: R

Review: Walking into the theater, I had low expectations for 'Contraband'. It appeared to be the typical generic crime flick, with a so-so cast. And at the beginning of the movie, I found it to be very much in line with those expectations. The start was slow, and nothing beyond the ordinary, dime-a-dozen action flick. But as the story continued, I found my self sucked in, at the edge of my seat even. By the time the credits rolled, I found myself positively surprised by this film.

So what sets 'Contraband' apart from it's mass of generic siblings? Instead of the usual action-centric mix of intricate fight scenes and explosive car chases, 'Contraband' tries to be a bit more subtle. While it does have some fight scenes, as well as a car chase or two, the focus is not to dazzle teenage boys with cool angles coving expensive cars exploding. Instead, this is the type of sneak-up-on-you thriller, with an ending that will have you holding your breath. All in all, an above average crime flick, with a so-so cast doing a better than so-so job.

Grade: 7

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Title: Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Directed by: David Fincher

Starring: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgård, Elodie Yung

Genres: Adaptation, Drama, Thriller

Running Time: 2 hours. 40 minutes

Release Date: December 21st, 2011

MPAA Rating: R

Review: I loved the books, as well as the original Swedish movie adaptation (read my review here), so it was with some trepidation that I watched the Hollywood-ized adaptation.

And Fincher's version of 'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo' is good. The script has been altered quite a bit, some for the better, and some for the worse. I did really enjoy the fact that they still filmed it in Sweden (which happens to be my home country), but that may be my own bias, since several people I went with specifically mentioned this as one thing they didn't like.

Personally, my biggest gripe with the remake is Lisbeth herself. In the Swedish version, this character is brought to life in one of the most authentic performance I've seen in a while. Noomi Rapace climbed into this fictional character, and basically lived as Lisbeth Salander for 3 years, while filming the trilogy. She IS Lisbeth.

Here, we get to see the Hollywood version of Lisbeth, and it is a stark contrast. While they look very similar, this Lisbeth is more surface, less substance. Instead of showing us who she is, she tells us. Instead of the quiet threat of Rapace's Lisbeth, we here have a Lisbeth who screams in people's faces to show her aggression. At the same time, the fragile vulnerability of Rapace's Lisbeth is absent in Mara's Lisbeth, and the space left behind is stuffed with stereotypical clichés. While the Swedish Lisbeth would never care if Michael sees someone else, the Hollywood Lisbeth is miffed and jealous, something that doesn't quite gel with this emotionally detached character. Furthermore, I wish the dragon would have been left alone. I much preferred it when it ripped it's way out of Lisbeth's entire body, instead of the small dragon on her shoulder we see here. The change is quite telling.

That is not to say that Mara's version is weak. Far from it. If hers was the only portrayal of this character, it would be a very strong performance. However, as it is, the original portrayal was better. I do hope, as the remake trilogy continues, that Mara brings some more substance to her version of Lisbeth.

The strength of the American version, much to my surprise, is Daniel Craig. His performance as Mikael Blomqvist is excellent. It's one of, if not the, best performance of his career. I find myself looking forward to where he will take this role in the following two films. Well done, Mr. Craig.

The Swedish films are raw, with a typically Swedish starkness, and every scene brings the story forward. The Hollywood version is more jagged, at some moments very much so. Some bits of the story have been scrambled for "movie making reasons", so fans of the book series will be surprised here and there. While it may be unfair to judge a remake film against its predecessor, so is the life of a remake. All in all, though, this version is a good film, and definitely worth a watch.

Grade: 7.5

Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol

Title: Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol

Directed by: Brad Bird

Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton, Michael Nyqvist, Vladimir Mashkov, Josh Holloway, Anil Kapoor

Genres: Action/Adventure, Adaptation, Sequel, Thriller

Running Time: 2 hours. 12 minutes

Release Date: December 16th, 2011

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: If you enjoyed the previous 'Mission Impossible' movies, you will like "MI4". The flavor is clearly that of another installment in the popular series, but a few things have been shaken up. This time, Tom's team are on their own, without an agency with resources to help them. Of course this bring a whole new set of problems, with continuously failing electronics, tools, computers, etc. which adds a lot of humor to the film.

However, it seems it is not only the equipment that is failing. The team, supposedly highly trained agents, the best of the best, are falling on their face over and over. Throughout the film I'm sitting there in my seat, wondering why the hell Agent Hunt (Tom Cruise) wouldn't be able to catch a middle-aged Swede (played by Michael Nyqvist which some might recognize from the Swedish 'Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' films), who plays a physics professor with a pot belly & no special training. Over and over again, this professor beats the shit out of Agent Hunt. I find that odd.

Of course, this is a movie, and things happen in movies that wouldn't happen in reality. That goes with the territory. Reality is one of those things one has to temporarily let go of in order to absorb the reality the movie is selling, it's an essential part of appreciating the typical Hollywood action flick. If we start comparing our reality to the one they are selling us in films like this, the enjoyment falls away. However, I am not fact checking this agains our reality, just against the one that has been portrayed in the MI movie series. I do not think that the fact that Agent Hunt can't beat an old man gelled very well with the history of this character, or the reality created in the films.

Besides that, take into account that this is the fourth sequel of the series, something that doesn't happen everyday, it isn't a bad flick, and it's sure to delight fans of the series.

Grade: 6

The Debt

Title: The Debt

Directed by: John Madden

Starring: Helen Mirren, Jessica Chastain, Ciaran Hinds, Tom Wilkinson

Genres: Drama, Thriller, Suspense

Running Time: 1 hour. 54 minutes

Release Date: August 31st, 2011

MPAA Rating: R

Review: 'The Debt' is a well casted, well acted film, telling an interesting story. It is the English language remake of the Israeli thriller 'Ha-Hov', which centers on three Mossad agents on a mission to identify and apprehend Josef Mengele, the Nazi doctor nicknamed the Angel of Death for his experiments on Auschwitz inmates, now suspected of living and practicing medicine in 1966 Berlin. Of course, the mission goes sideways, and 'The Debt' tells of the events that follows that failed mission, which has far-reaching consequences, all the way to current time.

At times, 'The Debt' is a mix of white-knuckle tension, and the slow pace of stale memories, long-kept secrets and regret. The subject is meaningful, at times even gripping, the performances are solid, but somehow 'The Debt' fails to reach its full potential.

Grade: 6.5

Colombiana

Title: Colombiana

Directed by: Oliver Megaton

Starring: Zoe Zaldana, Michael Vartan, Amandla Stenberg

Genres: Action, Thriller

Running Time: 1 hour. 45 minutes

Release Date: August 26th, 2011

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: 'Colombiana' is a classic "child-sees-parents-get-killed-grows-up-seeking-revenge" tale, and as such it is quite predictable. It is action packed, explosive, and filled with fight scenes.

Of course, the notion that a 95 lbs chick would be able to throw 200+ lbs guys around like she's had a dose of Hulk-making radiation is completely ridiculous, unless she really was a female Hulk. And as Zoe Saldana does not bust through her clothes and turn green in this flick (although, with the wardrobe she does have at her disposal, we get to see just as much of Ms. Saldana as if she would have exploded out of her clothes), the notion is back to being ridiculous. But this is popcorn entertainment, so let's not focus on that detail.

All in all, 'Colombiana' delivers what's expected; a sexy action flick, all style and no substance, for some light entertainment. Bring your teenage little brother and his High School buddies, they seem to be the target audience for this flick.

Grade: 6

The Whistleblower

Title: The Whistleblower

Directed by: Larysa Kondracki

Starring: Rachel Weisz, Vanessa Redgrave, Monica Bellucci, David Strathairn

Genres: Drama, Thriller, Biography

Running Time: 1 hour. 52 minutes

Release Date: August 5th, 2011

MPAA Rating: R

Review: 'The Whistleblower', a drama based on the experiences of a police officer from Nebraska, Kathryn Bolkovac, who served as a peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia. During her mission, she uncovered a human trafficking ring involving the UN. However, I would not call it a drama, I would call it a thriller.

A thriller in which we get to follow Ms. Bolkovac as she comes in contact with the girls who are being/have been sold into a lifetime of sex slavery, and what happens when she tries to ring the alarm through her work channels at the UN. It's a horrifying look into the life of these girls, especially considering that this is not dreamt up by some Hollywood writer, looking for the next big blockbuster; it based on the truth. As are the government efforts going into keeping Ms. Bolkovak quiet. Interesting, indeed.

This film is brutal, hearth wrenching, even horrifying at times. And most frightening of all, very real. Rachel Weisz is great as Kathryn Bolkovac, and the rest of the cast, mostly unknown to me previously, also impressed with the authenticity of their portrayals. All in all, a film worth seeing, if for no other reason than to bring attention to the issues it represents.

Grade: 9

Cowboys & Aliens

Title: Cowboys & Aliens

Directed by: Jon Favreau

Starring: Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde, Sam Rockwell, Adam Beach, Paul Dano

Genres: Western, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller, Action/Adventure, Adaptation

Running Time: 1 hour. 58 minutes

Release Date: July 29th, 2011

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: 'Cowboys & Aliens' is a film with an identity crisis. It starts as a Western, then morphs into a Sci-Fi flick, with some flickers of Action, Adventure, End-of-The-World, and sprinkles of Romance. I decided to give up trying to label this film, and, much to my surprise, I found myself entertained.

I'm usually not a big fan of Daniel Craig films, as I find his lack of acting skills distracting. Here, he is joined by a pretty interesting cast, which aid to dilute his ineptitude, and this is what saves the film. All in all, 'Cowboys & Aliens' is surprisingly entertaining.

Grade: 6

Super 8

Title: Super 8

Directed by: J.J Abrams

Starring: Kyle Chandler, Elle Fanning, Ron Eldard, Noah Emmerich, Gabriel Basso, A.J. Michalka

Genres: Sci-Fi, Thriller, Suspense

Running Time: 1 hour. 52 minutes

Release Date: June 10th, 2011

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Rating: While the previews portrayed 'Super 8' as the second coming of E.T., touting Steven Spielberg as the producer. And while it does have an extraterrestrial, a second E.T. it is not. In fact, as the credits rolled, I walked out of the theater wondering "why not?". This film has all the right parts, and it should be epic, but it just isn't quite everything it could have been. The story is pretty good, the gang of kids the perfect mix, it even has a cute kid love story, and the aforementioned alien. But it is the human relationships that are a bit thin, and thus 'Super 8' falls short. It's a shame, really, because the potential obviously is there.

Grade: 7

Hanna

Title: Hanna

Directed by: Joe Wright

Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana, Niels Arestrup, Cate Blanchett, Jason Flemyng, Tom Hollander

Genres: Drama, Thriller

Running Time: 1 hour. X minutes

Release Date: APril 8th, 2011

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: I am a huge fan of Cate Blanchett, and she is a big reason I went to see this film. Another is the trailer, which made 'Hanna' look like a really interesting, great film. And if you judge it on acting alone, 'Hanna' wouldn't be a bad movie. Unfortunately, is a bad movie.

The cast is brilliant, the acting pretty good. It's the story that is the problem here. The filming technique was interesting, different, but not better, and it left me annoyed more than anything. This one is a pass.

Grade: 5

Red Riding Hood

Title: Red Hiding Hood

Directed by: Catherine Hardwicke

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Shiloh Fernandez, Gary Oldman, Julie Christie, Maz Irons, Virginia Madsen

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Romance, Suspense, Fantasy

Running Time: 2 hours. 0 minutes

Release Date: March 11th, 2011

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: While I can't say that I am looking forward to another Catherine Hardwick film, after her last one, the story about the little Red Riding Hood is epic, and I'm a sucker for a classic fairy tales. This adaptation looked very visually interesting, so I thought maybe, just maybe, this one has a chance.

And 'Red Riding Hood' definitely is visually dynamic, and it is easy to recognize Ms. Hardwick's directorial flavor, last seen in the first movie adaptation of 'Twilight'. Once again, Ms. Hardwick falls short of a great film, although 'Red Riding Hood' is definitely an improvement on her previous work.

Grade: 6

The Adjustment Bureau

Title: The Adjustment Bureau

Directed by: George J. Nolfi

Starring: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Anthony Mackie, John Slattery, Michael Kelly

Genres: Action/Adventure, Thriller, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Romance, Adaptation, Politics

Running Time: 1 hour. 46 minutes

Release Date: March 4th, 2011

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: I like both Emily Blunt and Matt Damon, and thought this looked like an interesting, clever premise. And it is an interesting film, one that could have been fantastic if it would have been a little braver. As it is now, it is the romance and chemistry between Blunt & Damon that makes this film.

It is definitely worth its 1 hour 46 minutes, but it falls slightly short of where it could have gone.

Grade: 7

Unknown

Title: Unknown

Directed by: Jaume Collet-Serra

Starring: Liam Neeson, January Jones, Diane Kruger, Frank Langella, Aidan Quinn, Bruno Ganz

Genres: Suspense, Thriller, Drama

Running Time: 1 hour. 39 minutes

Release Date: February 18th, 2011

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Review: 'Unknown' relies on a derivative of the popular Hollywood "fish out of water" premise, in which Neeson's character wakes up in the hospital in a foreign country, after an accident, with amnesia. The only things he knows are his name, and the fact that he was in the country for a Biotech conference. Upon finding his way back to his hotel, he recognizes his wife, only to have her deny that he is her husband. Since he has no ID, he has no way to prove his identity.

What carries this film is Neeson, and while it won't win any Oscars, it is not a bad movie. On the contrary, it is an entertaining action drama, with some twists and turn you may not expect. All in all, a good time at the movies.

Grade: 6.5

Black Swan

Title: Black Swan

Directed by: Darren Aronofsky

Starring: Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder, Toby Hemingway

Genres: Drama, Thriller

Running Time: 1 hour. 43 minutes

Release Date: December 3rd, 2010

MPAA Rating: R

Review: This is an epic, shocking, over the top, absolutely mad film, portraying the professional life of a dancer at the New York City Ballet, played by Natalie Portman. 'Black Swan' is brilliant, albeit quite rough in its deliver at times. The audible gasps were plentiful in the theater, and I would be amiss if I pretended one or two of those shocked intakes of breath didn't come from me.

It really is Portman who makes this film. The other parts are great, don't get me wrong, but Natalie Portman is epic. Her performance alone makes this film worths it's minutes. Do not miss 'Black Swan'. As Ms. Portman sprouts feathers through her skin, 'Black Swan' will get under yours.

Grade: 9

Salt

Title: Salt
Directed by: Phillip Noyce
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Andre Braugher
Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama, Thriller
Running Time: 1 hour. 39 minutes
Release Date: July 23rd, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG-13


Review: Jolie is gorgeous, of course, that goes without saying. She does just as well as a lead action hero as any other Hollywood star, and the same goes for her ass-kicking skills. Her foreign language abilities are better then most (Daniel Craig in 'Defiance', anyone?), and she has the "if looks could kill" stare down pat. In fact, I prefer her stare down to a lot of other Hollywood actors. In fact, I would have her stare me down all day long, if I never had to see Gerard Butler try "the look" ever again. So what is the problem?

Well, the problem lies not with Jolie, nor with the rest of the cast. They are all doing their jobs well. The problem is the plot itself, as it is very weak. To pick on anything else, such as the ridiculous twists or the play with the laws of physics would be unfair. After all, this is a Hollywood blockbuster action flick. The ridiculousness comes with the territory.

If you are looking for action, things getting blown to pieces, death defying stunt sequences, and lots of combat, you've come to the right place. If you are looking for a grounded, realistic plot with well developed characters, and even the smallest hint of common sense, you really should not be looking to Hollywood for that, should you?

Grade: 6

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (Luftslottet som sprängdes)

Title: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (Luftslottet som sprängdes)
Directed by: Daniel Alfredson
Starring: Michael Nyqvist, Noomi Rapace, Lena Endre, Hans Alfredson, Lennart Hjulström
Genres: Foreign, Thriller, Crime, Drama, Adaptation, Sequel
Running Time: 2 hours. 28 minutes
Release Date: October TBA, 2010 (United States)
MPAA Rating: R


Review: While currently not yet released in the US (the exact release date is still a bit murky, but it should hit select theaters this fall), this film is available in Swedish, and since I do speak the language, I decided to watch it.

The last installment of the Millenium trilogy is like a continuation of the second film, starting from the moment the last one ended (which were quite the cliff hanger). And while the the middle child of the series was a step down from the first film, 'The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest' brings the series right back up to previous glory.

For the third time, Noomi Rapace is the perfect fit for the female lead, although in this film, it is the rest of the cast that really drives the story line this time. The gritty Scandinavian film style is there, as always. The gripping tension is back, and 'The Hornet's Nest' really is a great end to the trilogy.

Grade: 8

The Girl Who Played with Fire (Flickan som lekte med elden)

Title: The Girl Who Played with Fire (Flickan som lekte med elden)
Directed by: Daniel Alfredson
Starring: Michael Nyqvist, Noomi Rapace, Lena Endre, Peter Andersson, Georgi Staykov, Paolo Roberto
Genres: Foreign, Thriller, Drama, Adaptation, Sequel
Running Time: 2 hours. 9 minutes
Release Date: July 9th, 2010 (United States) (Limited)
MPAA Rating: R


Review: Again, Noomi Rapace makes 'The Girl who Played with Fire (Flickan som lekte med elden) worth watching with her captivating performance. She is born to play this role. The second film in the trilogy gives us more of the same raw, explicit Scandinavian film style as the first installment did, but the change in director gives the audience a more streamlined and clear experience. Furthermore, getting a bigger window into who Lisbeth Salander is, and how her past shaped her, is great.

The suspence, which was gripping in the first film, is less so in 'The Girl who Played with Fire (Flickan som lekte med elden)', but not absent. I still found myself at the edge of my seat, waiting for the story to unfold, and that is after I have read the books! I'm hoping the third film cranks the suspense up to previous levels.

Grade: 7.5

Inception

Title: Inception
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Lewitt, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Michael Caine
Genres: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction, Drama, Thriller
Running Time: 2 hours. 28 minutes
Release Date: July 16th, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG-13


Review: Visually 'Inception' is stunning, a marvel of imagination unlike anything that has come before it, and throughout the film I found myself staring, trying to take in every exceptionally created detail. The cast shines, their commitment to the story is evident in every scene. Marion Cotillard is as stunning as always, and both Page and DiCaprio are perfect fits, bringing easily believable characters to an unreal setting. Without their continuous and leading explanations, the audience could easily be lost.

Conceptually, in a time of tired remakes and dumb sequels, 'Inception' stands out as inventive and refreshingly intelligent. Nolan brings us to fantasy land, a fevered dream free of the normal laws of physics, where the restrictions of time and gravity no longer apply. If you let yourself go, you can come too, but this is no place to cling to reality by analyzing every detail.

With its 2 hours and 28, 'Inception' is long, and while it does cause some restlessness, the film is captivating enough to pull it off. One of the few Must See films of the year thus far, and one that will definitely make the Best of the Year list as well.

Grade: 9