Strange But True..."American Made"

American Made (2017)

Rated R

Starring Tom Cruise, Domhnall Gleeson, Sarah Wright,

Directed by Doug Liman

The Story:

In 1978, Barry Seal (Cruise) was a burned out TWA pilot who was recruited by the CIA to fly reconnaissance missions for them. In the years that follow that would turn to drug and arms smuggling for both sides. However when you work for the cartels and they suspect you're double-crossing them, your story will not have a happy ending.

Naturally, based on a true story goes without saying here.

Liman and Cruise are together again in the exploits of Barry Seal.

The story jumps around with what happens next, inter-spliced with video narratives by Seal taping confessionals of his unbelievable story to a camcorder.

And it was a wild ride that Barry lived.

Dramatic license or not with the actual events, this is a guy who flew spy missions for the CIA and smuggled drugs for Pablo Escobar.

Throw in arms dealing in a little thing called the Iran Contra Affair and the story is just over the top crazy.

But it's true.

It's also a pretty good film.

And that's never a bad thing.

Final Grade:  B-

This Movie Seems Vaguely Familiar... "Criminal"

Criminal (2016)

Rated R

Starring Kevin Costner, Ryan Reynolds, Gary Oldman, Tommy Lee Jones, Jordi Molla, Gal Gadot,

Directed by Ariel Vroman

The Story:

CIA Operative Bill Pope (Reynolds) is trying to stop "The Dutchman" (Molla) from his diabolical plot to do something bad. But then he winds up dead. Or at least, mostly dead. So his mind, memories and abilities are transferred into death row inmate Jerico Stewart (Costner) for him to complete the mission. Except, he doesn't really want to.

Hilarity ensues.

Okay, maybe not so much that last part, but lots of explosions, death and swearing abound during the next 2 hours.

Remember earlier this year, I reviewed a little movie called Self/Less ?

Of course you don't, I barely remember it either.

But what I do remember is that a millionaire who didn't want to die transferred his memory into the younger body of... wait for it.....

 Ryan Reynolds!

Nope, you can't make this stuff up.

So it's almost like an indirect sequel.

:)

However, what's really criminal is that this amount of star power is unleashed in such a...

bland ? mediocre ? meh ?

type of action film.

Costner Christian Bales grunts his way through the movie. I guess it shows how angry he is?

Either way, the movie sort of wears you down while it chugs along to the inevitable showdown at the end.

However, it's everything that the film lacks with tension, drama and importance that just gives us a bland thriller, through no real fault of any of the actors.

Final Grade: C...maybe even a C+

Bruce Willis Needs "Extraction" From The Direct To DVD Movie Realm

Extraction (2015)

Rated R

Starring Kellan Lutz, Gina Carano, Bruce Willis, D.B. Sweeney

Directed by Steven Miller

The Story:

Harry Turner (Lutz) has been training to be the best C.I.A. field operative since his dad, Leonard (Willis). He keeps getting denied because his dad keeps calling in favors to keep his son safe. When Leonard is kidnapped, Harry goes rogue to save him. Victoria (Carano) an ex-flame and current agent is assigned to bring Harry in, but they both will need to work together to find Leonard's kidnappers and stop something much, much bigger than they realize.

It's a movie about spies, so you need to be brief and vague on the review.

To its benefit, this movie is brief, clocking in under 90 minutes and it's not bad, so not a total waste of your time.

Contrary to movie posters and billing, Bruce Willis is not the star, it's Kellan Lutz who is being groomed to be part of the next generation of action heroes.

We were spoiled with our 80s and 90s action stars. They were often many things, but rarely wooden.

Most of the actors that are getting handed these franchises have little personality or charisma.

Lutz carried most of the Hercules movie a few years back.

No, not the one that was overshadowed by The Rock a few months later.

:)

He just doesn't do anything to stand out in the generic leading action star department.

Films like this aren't helping him much either.

So again, not bad, but probably a million other action films you can get to before you need to watch this one.

Final Grade:  C

It's Okay To Watch "The November Man" In The Summer, Right?

The November Man (2014)

Rated R

Starring Pierce Brosnan, Luke Bracey, Olga Kurylenko

Directed by Roger Donaldson

The Story:

Devereux (Brosnan) is an ex-CIA operative who got out of the game to live a quiet life.  When an old flame is threatened, he laces up the boots one last time to get her out, but she is killed.  Devereux survives the attack which was led by his former pupil, Mason (Bracey). Now it's game on as Devereux realizes he must take down the corruption in the CIA and figure out how this all relates to the impending election of a new Russian president.

You can take the man out of the Bond, but you can't take the Bond out of the man.

Will Pierce Brosnan forever be typecast as the smooth operator who is aging gracefully but no matter how retired he is, will always be a danger to others?

And if so, is that necessarily a bad thing?

It's Bond-lite to be sure, or at least new-age Bond with less girls, less gadget and more ruthless aggression.

Brosnan does fine work as an assassin who is pulled in for one last job and then must take on the establishment to make them pay for what they've done and what they plan on doing.

If you want an action-thriller you haven't seen yet, give this one a spin.

Currently streaming on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: B-

Not Ready For AARP Just Yet..."The Equalizer"

The Equalizer (2014)

Rated R

Starring Denzel Washington, Chloe Grace Moretz

Directed by Antoine Fuqua

The Story:

Robert McCall (Washington) works at a local hardware store. However at night at a diner when he can't sleep, he reads quietly and strike up a conversation with a local call girl (Moretz). One night when she shows up the worse for wear, Robert makes a call on her employers. Things take a turn for the worse, and suddenly Robert is wanted by the Russian mob.

No good deed...

So, hands up anybody that remembers or actually watched the 80s television show of the same name starring Edward Woodward as Robert McCall.

Wow, that's not many hands.

That's okay, I barely watched any of it at all, but my dad loved the show. It was too slow and not much action.

I mean, here was this senior citizen out there fighting crime.

I believe he paved the way for Murder She Wrote and Matlock!

But I digress...

The movie amps up the action just a bit, but they keep the tension and drama building throughout.

I quite enjoyed this version of The Equalizer, and would be happy to see a sequel in the future if they so desired.

Final Grade: B

The Most Important Film of 2014... "The Interview"

The Interview (2014)

Rated R

Starring Seth Rogen, James Franco, Randall Park

Directed by Seth Rogen

The Story:

TV Host Dave Skylark (Franco) and his producer Aaron (Rogen) want to boost their ratings, and credibility when they learn that the President of North Korea (Park) is a fan of "Skylark Tonight". So they are granted an exclusive interview and head to Korea, but the CIA asks them for one tiny favor: please assassinate the President while you are there.

Not based on a true story.

But it unfolded into the strangest real-life story at the end of 2014 when Sony Pictures website was hacked, movies were released online and thousands of confidential studio emails and passwords, etc. were released in one of the biggest hacks the world has ever seen.

People blamed North Korea.

They denied responsibility, but did say that the subject matter of this film was inappropriate and if it were to be released, things could become...scary...on Christmas Day in theaters.

Sony blinked.

The movie was pulled and no harm was to be had.

Instead, a few movie theaters played it, and it was available on the online stores for download.

And now, it's available to stream on Netflix.

Part of me wonders if Rogen and Franco were behind the hack.

Any publicity for their film is a good thing, right?

As to the movie itself, buckle up and prepare for endless bathroom humor delivered effortlessly by Franco and Rogen.

The two make a great team, and the jokes are one after the other as they continue to throw it at the wall to see what sticks.

To be fair, there are about 5 really funny gags/jokes in the film.

There's a lot more that is groan inducing on top of it.

At 112 minutes, this comedy is a hair long.

And a little gruesome at the end with finger biting and machine gun frenzies abounding.

Plus, you'll never hear Katy Perry's "Firework" the same way again.
:)

Final Grade: C-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Once was plenty for me, thanks.

"2 Guns" Are Better Than One.

2 Guns (2013)
Rated R - Violence/Language/Nudity

Starring: Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg

Directed by: Baltasar Kormakur

The Story:

A DEA Agent (Washington) and an undercover Naval intelligence officer (Wahlberg) are working together to take down a drug lord (Edward James Olmos).  Neither realizes the other is an undercover agent until after they rob a bank they think contains his money.  It turns out it holds a lot of money from the CIA, and they want it back.  Can the two put their differences aside and work together to save their own lives?

I remember watching the trailer for this movie and thinking, "that looks like it will be a pretty fun movie."

Yay!

I was right.

The chemistry between Washington and Wahlberg makes this film an enjoyable buddy cop/action flick.

Someone Is Going To Be Shot

They play very well off of one another, and I have to admit that I really enjoy seeing Denzel Washington play a little more humor with his character than he normally does.  Wahlberg coasts through his part with a wink and a smile, literally, and both are engaging throughout.

As each of their single stories unfolds, the mystery and intrigue to the plot deepens.  Layers of who do you trust? are revealed as both men find out that they cannot trust the people they work for any longer.  However, it's when they are onscreen together that the movie really shines, and the film wisely keeps them partnered up through most of the screen time.

Plus, with the bank robbery and the shenanigans that ensue with double and triple crosses, it's a heist film.

I think I've been pretty clear on my love for the heist film.

:)

Let's Play A Game...

The layers of bad guys includes the Navy (James Marsden) and the sinister head of the CIA (Bill Paxton) who want the money that has been stolen.

Based on a Boom! Studios graphic novel, it does play very much like a well-made comic book.

I approve!

Final Grade: B+

Would I Watch It Again? Yes, I would happily watch this one again.

Would I Buy This Movie? Yes, I'm adding it to the Christmas List of 2014.

For the Hand of Reese Witherspoon..."This Means War" !

All's fair...

The Story:

Two CIA operatives, FDR (Chris Pine) and Tuck (Tom Hardy) are pretty much the best at what they do.  While they are teamed up on a case, Tuck is trying to get back out on the dating scene since his divorce.  He dates a lovely girl, Lauren (Reese Witherspoon).  Ah, but FDR wanted to be a pal and provide backup to his partner just in case.  When he runs into Lauren later that same night, they hit it off, never realizing he's just made the move on his best friend's new girl.  So when two top operatives become rivals in love, neither one is going to be safe on any date!

This is one of my favorites from last year.

Not "great enough" to be a Top 10 movie of the year, but good enough to be an enjoyable "hey, let's watch this one again" movie.

I love those kinds of movies.  My library is full of them.

: )

The best part, it's a romantic comedy, buried underneath an action comedy.

So win-win for the guys on date night! :)

Reese Witherspoon of course plays the romantic comedy lead in her sleep.  She's the 2010s version of the 80s/90s Meg Ryan.

This is not to be seen as an insult either, I'm quite pleased with the comparison and have enjoyed many romantic comedies starring Ms. Witherspoon.

Chris Pine and Tom Hardy have an excellent rapport as best friends and bitter rivals, often within split seconds of each other.

All the while that they are trying to figure out who gets the girl, an angry villain who has vowed revenge from their last case is trying to kill the boys.

Saving the world, stopping the bad guy, and getting the girl.

CIA 101.

Naturally, you'll see which guy Lauren will pick a mile away.  They telegraph it in the story, but at least it provides the happiest ending all around.

Directed by the always underrated McG, the man makes slick, fun action films.

Final Grade: Solid B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I liked it so much, I bought it. :)

The Month of September? Consider it..."Erased"

I thought I already wrote this review...yet it mysteriously vanished from my computer!

The Story:

Ben Logan (Aaron Eckhart) is living in Belgium, doing security work for a firm.  He's brought along his daughter, Amy (Liana Liberato).  The two are dysfunctional at best, as she resents having to leave her life in America to live with her dad.  Of course, she doesn't realize that her dad has some secrets up his sleeve that will reveal his past in the CIA.  Of course, when Ben stumbles upon what his employers are up to quite by accident, they erase his identity and send the assassins in to clean up the job.  Ben's going to have to save himself and his daughter in a foreign land.

Piece of cake.

Meh.

It's nothing you haven't seen before (Bourne... Taken...) and Eckhart is a serviceable leading man, who is also very believable as a securities expert who is also part deadly assassin when needed.

But the daughter... she is annoying and just drags the film down. 

The idea of the film is solid enough, heck, when they did it years ago with The Net starring Sandra Bullock, it was quite enjoyable.

When the Big Bad Agency erases your identity and makes life difficult, that's a pretty scary story already.

We don't really need an angsty whiney teenager pouting about why her dad knows how to kill people.

Gee kid, I just saved your life, you're welcome...

: /

Now available to stream instantly on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: C

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Serviceable movie, but nothing I'm in any need to see again.