Just How Innocent Is He? "Reasonable Doubt"

Reasonable Doubt (2014)

Rated R

Starring Dominic Cooper, Samuel L. Jackson, Gloria Reuben, Ryan Robbins, Erin Karpluk

Directed by Peter Howitt

The Story:

District Attorney Mitch Brockden (Cooper) has one too many drinks, but decides to drive home anyway. Along the way, he's distracted just long enough while driving that he hits a man with his car. Unwilling to risk the police, he leaves the scene and calls in the accident by way of pay phone to avoid suspicion. However, when Clinton Davis (Jackson) is arrested with the man's body in his van, Brockden does everything in his power to throw the case to avoid sending an innocent man to prison for a crime he didn't commit.

But just how innocent is Davis after all?

If it sounds like your average thriller that you've probably seen before, well, you wouldn't be too terribly far off.

I think the main problem with this thriller is you've got Samuel L. Jackson who can deliver a whole different level of movie than the rest of cast involved.

While he's dialed up to 11, the rest of the cast is rolling through on about a 7.

So the movie crackles when Jackson is around, other than that, things get a little slower and more bogged down.

If you're all caught up on your thrillers, it might be time to queue this one up.

It only took me 3 years to get back around to it.

:)

I watched it on disc, but it is now currently available to stream on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: C

"Dracula Untold" Was Worth Telling

Dracula Untold (2014)

Rated PG-13

Starring Luke Evans, Sarah Gadon, Dominic Cooper, Art Parkinson, Charles Dance

Directed by Gary Shore

The Story:

Inspired by the true story of Vlad Tepes (Evans), this take on the legend of Dracula shows how the ruler became a legend in order to save his wife (Gadon) and son (Parkinson) from the cruel leader of the Turks (Cooper) who was going to enslave 1000 of the children under Tepes rule, including his son. Vlad found a way to get the power he needed to thwart the enemy, and it would last for 3 days unless he gave in to the hunger of the blood.

Oops.

:)

Well of course he gives in, he's Dracula after all!

However, it's the struggle to avoid being consumed by the power that is the heart of the story of Vlad who seeks only to save his family, and his kingdom from the tyrannical Turks.

Evans remains one of my favorite "B movie actors" who is finally getting a chance to work in "A Level material", undoubtedly thanks to the success of his turn in Fast 6. I welcome his arrival as the star and hope he lands more leading roles in the future.

Dracula Untold shies away from a lot of the bloodshed and violence that a movie like this seemingly demands.

However, I don't think that was a bad decision. We don't need to be drenched with blood to get the point of the film, sometimes not being shown allows us to think of the horror in our own minds, which usually is way scarier, and cooler, than the effects on screen.

Plus, bonus points for the creative way in which Dracula was shown to move in this film. Visually stunning, and very creative to the legend.

I enjoyed it, your mileage may vary.

Final Grade: B- (like the blood type)