A New Take On The Zombie Virus..."Cell"

Cell (2016)

Rated R

Starring John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Stacy Keach, Ethan Andrew Casto, Clark Sarullo,

Directed by Tod Williams

The Story:

Clay (Cusack) is an aspiring graphic novelist who is on his way to see his son (Casto) after a productive meeting. His phone battery dies while talking with his estranged wife (Sarullo). Suddenly, he notices passengers in the airport that had been behaving normally while on their cell phones, break out into a murderous frenzy. He barely escapes and finds some other survivors including Tom (Jackson) and they decide to head north to find Clay's son.

Equal parts Invasion of the Body Snatchers meets Any Typical Zombie movie, you've now got Cell, based on a book by Stephen King.

There is no real mention of what causes the outbreak, and the only real clue is that the villain that seems to be at the center of it all looks just like a character that Clay created.

Hmmm....

Is this a movie that is dreamed by the main character?

I'd like to hope so because the ending was horrible.

Which is disappointing, because up until that point, the movie was actually not to bad for a low-budget thriller.

I'd even go so far as to say watch the movie up until the point Cusack and Jackson part ways.

Once that happens, turn it off, take it out, and send it back to Netflix.

You'll likely find you had a better viewing experience than sticking around for the conclusion.

Reading up on the differences between the book and the movie, the book had a vague, but positive ending.

Not so in this film.

It's neither vague, nor positive.

It downright sucks, even.

And that blame falls directly on King's shoulders as he is the one that wrote the screenplay, wanting to change the ending.

Master of horror...

More like master of horrible endings.

:)

Final Grade: C

China's # 1 Export: Jackie Chan! "Dragon Blade"

Dragon Blade

Rated R

Starring Jackie Chan, John Cusack, Adrien Brody

Written and Directed by Daniel Lee

The Story:

Tiberius (Brody) is heading to conquer the Silk Road in China. Huo An (Chan) gathers his brothers in arms to prepare to defend themselves. They end up receiving assistance from General Lucius (Chan) and his legion that defected from Rome to escape Tiberius' madness. Together, this band of warriors are all that stands between freedom and a world under Tiberius' mad rule.

So let's begin with the old standby, "based on a true story". Because it is.

Sometimes that story may be as simple as once upon a time, some Romans and Chinese met one another...

But that's still a good place to base this story on, though there was a bit more to it than that. There may not have been the full scale battle that's going to unfold here, but at least you know it's not totally making up the idea that the Chinese and Romans ever met one another.

Pretty cool concept, really.

Yep, Chinese cinema is alive and well, and you're looking at the number one export from Chinese cinema last year.

While it may look like a budget/straight to video affair from our side of the spectrum, it's really quite the lavish film with pretty good production values and a lot of effort to make this period piece shine.

From the reports I read, it was the # 1 film in all of China last year, and one billion people can't be totally wrong, right? :)

Seriously though, it's a pretty good "sand and sandals" period piece that allows the Roman legions to fight alongside Chan's Chinese freedom fighters.

Cusack turns in a fine performance, and Brody was hired to chew the scenery and twirl his evil villainous moustache.

Which he does, even without the benefit of having a moustache.

Nothing you can't do without, but if you're a fan of Chan and his films, definitely worth a peek.

Final Grade: C+

The Drive Behind The Success Of The Beach Boys..."Love And Mercy"

Love and Mercy (2014)

Rated PG-13

Starring John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks, Paul Giamatti, Jack Abel

Directed by Bill Pohland

The Story:

Brian Wilson (Dano) struggles with the voices in his head that drive him to make music. The problem, his latest idea, "Pet Sounds" is something unlike the Beach Boys have ever done before.

Brian Wilson (Cusack) meets Melinda Ledbetter (Banks) at a car dealership and he is smitten. He begins taking her out, but their relationship continues to be stifled by the domineering presence of Dr. Eugene Landy (Giamatti).

The two stories will weave in and out of one another, almost seamlessly as the audience is taken to the 60s and 80s watching Wilson's life fall apart, and ultimately, come together.

While I'm not a huge fan of the Beach Boys, there is no denying they churned out their fair share of hits throughout their illustrious career, and many snippets will fill the soundtrack of this film.  It's interesting to see how Wilson constructed Pet Sounds and as with all things ahead of its time, the respect it receives now is nowhere near the reception it received upon arrival.

While the 60s show Wilson's descent, thanks in no part to his own father, it is the 80s that shows us a Wilson that has hit rock bottom and it is only through the kindess and love that Melinda develops for Brian that she ultimately is able to save him.

Giamatti is only missing the moustache to twirl as he relishes his role as villain in this piece.  Dano and Cusack both bring their best to showcase Brian's vulnerability and drive to the screen.

And yes, I will have to grudgingly up my respect for the Beach Boys after seeing this.

Final Grade: B

Time For A Dip In The "Hot Tub Time Machine 2"

Hot Tub Time Machine 2 (2015)

Rated R

Starring Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke, Adam Scott

Directed by Steve Pink

The Story:

Lou (Corddry), Nick (Robinson) and Jacob (Duke) are enjoying the benefits of having used the Hot Tub Time Machine, but Adam (John Cusack) has apparently disappeared from sight. The boys party on without him though, until an assassin shoots Lou!  Desperate to keep that from happening, the 3 guys jump into the Hot Tub and fire it up to go back and prevent the shooting!  When they wind up in the future though, it appears that they have to fix the present to save the past!

Yeah..time travel!

File this under "I can't believe that they made a sequel to a movie that I never thought they would have made in the first place."

Because really, whoever thought Hot Tub Time Machine would be made? That and be moderately successful?

About 5-7 people, and they probably all work in Hollywood.

But apparently it was, and I can't lie, I watched the first film, and there are indeed some laugh out loud moments.

So here we are, five years later, and most of the group is back.

Why Cusack didn't come back is a mystery. Come on John, I've been watching some of your direct to DVD releases, and this wasn't going to sully your resume any worse than some of those.

But they work around him as best they can, bringing Adam Scott to fill the role by playing a long lost son.

It works, because it's Adam Scott, and he is a great character actor.

In fact, all of the cast makes the movie better just by dialing the crazy up to 11.

If you liked the first one, take a dip back into the water, you'll probably have as much of a good time this go round as well.

Final Grade: C+

Someday "The Prince" Will Come. And You'll Be Disappointed.

The Prince (2014)

Rated R

Starring Jason Patric, Bruce Willis, John Cusack

Directed by Brian A. Miller

The Story:

The Prince (Patric) is an ex criminal who got out of the game years ago when he attempted to take out the big bad guy (Willis) and instead killed his daughter.  Now, with his daughter missing, The Prince takes to the streets of New Orleans to find and rescue his daughter by any means necessary.

Remember when you have a successful movie and then everyone wants to make their version of it?

The pitch goes something like, "It's Die Hard, on a... "

Well, here they must have pitched, we get the guy from Die Hard, and we'll do something like Taken!

Because that's what you have, a half-hearted attempt at a crime/suspense thriller.

It's been done, many times, many ways, before.

Sometimes by some of these very same actors.

Which, no offense to Patric, but he doesn't have the charisma of Liam Neeson to carry an entire movie based on his ability to kill anyone, anytime. 

Instead, this will just be another direct to DVD resume filler for most, while we await the next Die Hard, or Taken.

Now streaming on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: C-

And The Oscar Goes To... "Drive Hard"

Drive Hard (2014)

N/R (R)

Starring Thomas Jane, John Cusack

Directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith

The Story:

Peter (Jane) is a former race-car driver who left the thrills and spills and moved with his family to Australia. He now teaches people how to be drivers. Cue the appointment with Simon (Cusack) who takes him out for a lesson, then along for the ride of his life!

Throw caution to the wind, and watch a pair of American actors race across the Outback eluding the police!

Cusack is having a ball as the bad guy, but not as bad of a guy as you might think...

Jane waffles between amused and bemused as the poor driver taken hostage and forced to work his old magic to keep himself alive.

But that's just it, this is a cheesy, cornball of a movie where it seems like they said, hey, Australia wants to make a movie two, here's a pair of actors you can use, have fun with it.

They did.

You're rolling your eyes one minute, and then laughing in spite of it the next.

Cusack has been doing a lot of these films that are coming straight to streaming or otherwise missing the appearance in theaters.

Whether he's doing it "for the paycheck" or not, that's a whole different argument.

He at least is always a professional and gives a good performance and that is commendable.

I wasn't expecting much, heck, I thought it was a sequel to Nic Cage's Drive Angry at first, but I stayed for the whole thing and didn't feel bad about those 90 minutes slipping away.

:)

Currently available to stream on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: C+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I could watch it again in the future, but I've got plenty of other things to watch first! :)

A Not So "Grand Piano"

Grand Piano (2013)

Rated R for language

Starring Elijah Wood, John Cusack

Directed by Eugenio Mira

The Story:

Tom Selznick (Wood) is a concert pianist who suffered a meltdown 5 years earlier.  After the passing of his mentor, he is coming back to the stage to perform, but he's scared.  As he starts playing, he finds some mysterious scribblings from a mysterious stranger (Cusack): Play the music correctly, or I'll kill you.

Sheesh, everyone's a critic!

Oh wait...

This movie was thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis close to getting turned off and sent back around the 20 minute mark.

I'm pretty sure my honey wishes I had done just that, as I believe I endured another hour of eyerolling and groaning about the film.

But I soldiered on...

It may have even gone past the 20 minute mark.

Waaaaaaaaay too long of a setup for what was going to transpire, but I guess you have to pad somewhere to make the movie stretch to 90 minutes.

It does pick up when Cusack's killer is finally...finally! introduced to the movie.

Voice only.

He doesn't appear until the last 10-15 minutes of the film.

Luckily, he brings enough Cusackian charisma to the voice of the killer that he pretty much saved the film from being an abysmal failure.

Not by much, but close enough.

Hidden amongst the dramatic tension and Elijah Wood fearing for his life, is a heist film tucked away as a clever after thought.

That helped keep the final grade up as high as it is, but again, totally your call if you want to sit through it.

I would recommend if you do watch it, and naturally a week or two after I sent it back.....

It's now available for streaming on Netflix...

Just skip ahead to when Wood realizes his life is in danger, and start from there.

You'll like the movie more, and won't feel like you suffered through that dragging first half.

Final Grade: C-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor:  Nope, this one is only being played once.

Everything Sounds Better On Vinyl..."High Fidelity"

High Fidelity (2000)

Rated R for language

Starring John Cusack, Iben Hjejle, Jack Black, Todd Louiso, Joan Cusack, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Tim Robbins

Directed by Stephen Frears

The Story:

Rob Gordon (Cusack) has been dumped by the latest love of his life, Laura (Hjejle) and is moving in with former neighbor, Ian (Robbins).  This drives Rob nuts, and through a series of flashbacks and breaking the 4th wall narratives, we are going to relive much of Rob's life as he counts down the Top 5 Break-Ups in his life.

So you start with a romantic comedy, but in addition to that, there is Rob's job as the owner of a record shop, and his two employees Barry (Black) and Dick (Louiso) that power those moments in between the break-up stories, and probably cement this as more of a guys movie, than a date movie.

I would say it's also the film that propelled Jack Black into stardom.  Up until this movie, he was a bit player in lots of things, and he had Tenacious D, but I would say it was his hilarious performance as Barry, the guy has all the best lines in the movie, that made him a star.  Within 2 years, he was headlining movies after this.

The star of the film of course is John Cusack.

Top 5 Favorite John Cusack Films:

1) Better Off Dead
2) Grosse Pointe Blank
3) Con Air ~  Con Air Review!
4) One Crazy Summer
5) High Fidelity

I can put any of these films in to watch any time, and I'm good to go.

Wait a minute...

I've just learned that my wife doesn't even like High Fidelity that much.

Head...spinning...

I feel as if I've been living a lie for nearly 15 years.

I need to go sit down and relax.

Apparently I won't be relaxing by watching High Fidelity... at least for now.

:)

Final Grade: A

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I try and watch this one every year or so.  Absolutely love it.  Learning that my wife doesn't find it nearly as funny as I do now has me trying to find a new Top 5 John Cusack movies to watch with her!

: /

A John Cusack Kind Of Weekend: "The Frozen Ground"

The Frozen Ground (2013)
Rated R for language and violence

Starring Nicolas Cage, John Cusack, Vanessa Hudgens

Directed by Scott Walker

The Story:

Alaskan State Trooper Jack Holcombe (Cage) has been on the hunt for a notorious serial killer.  Robert Hansen (Cusack) seems like a stand-up guy in the community, but someone is abducting young girls, torturing them, and then leaving them for dead out in the wilderness.  When Cyndy Paulsen (Hudgens) escapes, this is the first break that the troopers have in catching their man.  However, Cyndy is hardly reliable, and Hansen's been covering his tracks for decades.

Naturally, based on a true story.

Cage reins his usual out-there self in with this role, and plays a no-nonsense trooper ready to head to the Lower 48, but wanting to close out this last case before he goes. 

Cusack is effectively creepy and sadistic, playing completely against type as a man with a deep, dark secret.

It's a slow build that's definitely moody and atmospheric.

Given the wild terrain and abilities of pilots, it's no wonder Hansen was able to pull off his treachery.

The conclusion of the film is worth it, and this winds up being a touching tribute to the ladies that were lost to this filth.

Available to stream instantly on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: B-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Once was good.  Creepy, but good.

It's A John Cusack Kind Of Weekend: "The Bag Man"

The Bag Man (2014)

Rated R for language and violence

Starring John Cusack, Recbecca Da Costa, Robert DeNiro

Directed by David Grovic

The Story:

A hit man (Cusack) is sent to retrieve a bag for his boss (DeNiro) with specific instructions: Don't look inside the bag.  Then more and more people show up trying to kill the hit man and keep the bag for themselves.  What kind of set-up is this??

Oh how the mighty have fallen.

And I'm not sure which one I'm referring to more, Cusack or DeNiro.

Both do a fine job, but any good actor can just go through the motions and still give a decent performance.

Direct to DVD is one thing...

Direct to boredom is quite something else.

I think I dozed off a few times during the film, but I still don't think I missed anything of real importance.

Needless to say, he doesn't look in the bag, but you can probably guess what is in the bag if you've seen any thriller, ever.

You can probably guess who sent the people to kill our hero, including the "hooker" (Da Costa).

It's a waste of talent, and your time.

Final Grade: D+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Don't look in the DVD sleeve!

A Peek Behind Hollywood's Curtains... "America's Sweethearts"

America's Sweethearts (2001)

Rated PG-13 for language

Starring Julia Roberts, Billy Crystal, Catherine Zeta-Jones, John Cusack, Hank Azaria, Christopher Walken, Seth Green

Directed by Joe Roth

The Story:

Lee Phillips (Crystal) has been fired as a movie publicist by his boss (Stanley Tucci).  However, when the latest film is being held hostage by director Hal Weidmann (Walken) they beg Lee to come back and try and save the movie that stars the split power couple of Gwen and Eddie (Zeta-Jones and Cusack).  Can Lee save the movie and the couple?

I may be in the  minority but I am one of the few that likes this movie.

I found the film to be very funny and engaging when normally all-star films like this flop.

With Crystal as the helm as one of the writers, all of the characters have a unique voice and vision within the film.  Even the smallest parts have something to add overall to the film.

Hank Azaria probably has the best role in the film as the home-wrecking Spaniard with the crazy accent. :)

It's an interesting, if madcap look at life behind the camera as well for Hollywood stars. 

You can see the romantic setups coming from a mile away, but with the cast and storyline that's assembled, it is definitely a ride worth taking.

Final Grade: B-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I do own a copy of this movie, and I would say it gets a spin every few years.

Read This Review...Or the Bunny Gets It! "Con Air"

He's got the whole world...
In his hands!

The Story:

Ex-Ranger Cameron Poe (Nicolas Cage) gets sent to prison for killing a man in self-defense.  He does his time, and when it's time to go home, he decides to hop a flight on Con-Air, a prison transport.  But not just any transport, this one is moving the worst of the worst, and they just decided to break free.  If Poe has any hope of getting home to see his wife and daughter, he's going to have to save the day.

If I say "popcorn movie", this is the movie that could easily be in the dictionary as the definition.

It's loud.
It's crazy.
It's fun.

In fact, while Cage is playing his best cajun-accented hero, he gets support from some of the best villains ever assembled:

John Malkovich. Danny Trejo. Ving Rhames. Steve Buscemi.

They're chewing up the scenery, and making Poe's life miserable.

Realizing that he has a sense of duty to a friend onboard, as well as a female marshal who will likely be killed if he leaves her alone, Poe passes up an opportunity to leave the plane and plots to save the day from inside the plane.

Luckily, he's got some help on the ground in the form of John Cusack who races to help Poe get to safety.

The movie is fast-paced, written by Scott Rosenberg who also helped Cusack with High Fidelity and went back for Cage once more with Gone in 60 Seconds.

Given that this was the first time Simon West sat in the director's chair, he knocked it out of the park.  He could never have made another movie, and I would have considered him a great one-hit wonder. 

West sort of disappeared, but came roaring back in the last few years with The Mechanic and Expendables 2 last year. 

Welcome back to the Popcorn Movie genre Mr. West, you've been missed!

Yes, I can pop this movie in, anytime and just lose myself in 2 hours of pure adrenaline fun.

It's not a perfect movie...

But it's perfectly fun!

Final Grade: A

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I own it. I love it. I have seen it so many times, I've lost count! :)

"The Numbers Station" Adds Up To A Pretty Good Thriller

The code is all that matters.

The Story:

Emerson Kent (John Cusack) is a black ops kind of guy who has a bit of a breakdown after his last assignment didn't go so well.  He is reassigned to an outpost in England where he guards a Numbers Station.  At this location, Katherine (Malin Ackerman), a code expert reads numbers over a shortwave radio broadcast.  These numbers are used by agents throughout Europe to give them their next assignments.  The code is of utmost importance, and in the event of its compromise, the broadcaster must be silenced.  What will Emerson do when his station is overrun by enemy agents out to use the code for their own personal agenda?

You know how most movies say based or inspired by a true story?

This film is different, they basically say that Numbers Stations don't exist, except in the feverish minds of conspiracy theorists.

Awesome!

That's not to say that what unfolds isn't entirely plausible, and makes sense.  Aside from face to face, what better way to transmit secret messages than a code over the airwaves that only those with code books will know what is being said?

Really, this movie works rather nicely in playing out the story through use of flashback to what happened to the team that work the odd shift opposite Emerson, as they piece together how the bad guys infiltrated the station and sent out their missions to the agents throughout Europe.

Now, it's up to Emerson and Katherine to send out a code to cancel the previous broadcasts if they can survive...and if Emerson doesn't just decide to kill Katherine first to ensure no further harm is committed.

The film does a decent job of keeping the tension ratcheted up considering the majority of the movie plays out in the underground bunker.  No car chases through the city, just moving from room to room for safety.

Available to stream on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: While I wouldn't rush out to buy this one, I could definitely play it again.  Pretty good little film.

Something Disturbing at "The Factory"

A Buffalo NY serial killer is back in action...

The Story:

A bitter detective (John Cusack) has been doggedly pursuing a serial killer (Dallas Roberts) who has been targeting hookers in Buffalo every winter for the last 3 years.  His new partner (Jennifer Carpenter) shares his determination, but it gets personal when the killer takes the cop's daughter (Mae Whitman), mistaking her for a prostitute.

That's a reminder for today's teens to dress more responsibly.

Can the cops solve the puzzle in time to save the girl?

This drama/thriller is actually pretty interesting... almost until the very end.

And a much better overall effort than Cusack in The Raven.

The serial killer in question is actually more than that... and it's actually worse...thus providing the name for the movie.

The shocking end is indeed just that...

But...

The actual end leaves too big of plot holes and logic jumps to provide suitable closure.

More questions of "how on earth?" are raised than providing for a solid conclusion to an otherwise riveting tale.

Sorry, got to dock it for that...



Available for streaming instantly on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: C+

Would I Own It: Nope, good one time viewing, nothing to be gained on subsequent replays.

Poe Drank HImself To Death..."The Raven"

Odds of a sequel...

Unlikely.


The Story:

It's the true story...... of the last few days of Edgar Allen Poe (John Cusack).  It seems that a serial killer is running through the streets of Baltimore killing folks, using means and methods as laid out in the macabre works of Poe.  So the police naturally seek out Edgar for two reasons: 1) to rule out that he is the prime suspect and 2) to help him figure out who the killer might be or where he would strike next.  Things naturally get personal when the killer takes Poe's beloved captive and plans to make her one of the victims.

Ooo!

So much promise... such an interesting premise...

And yet, unlike Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter... the movie never really draws you in.  Okay, it didn't draw me in.  It was simply on.

Cusack is spot on with his Poe rendition, but he's hardly the sympathetic character that you need in the film.  Nobody likes Poe, and when you are an unlikable character, it doesn't mesh well with the audience taking a rooting interest in the story.

It's hard to put my finger on it, where did it go wrong?  Maybe it tries too hard to be scary, yet doesn't want to be a horror movie, it wants to be a period piece drama.  Maybe it needed a tighter script?  I'm not sure.

In the end, I applaud the idea behind the film, just can't say the finished product did much for me, which is a shame because I really enjoy Cusack and wish he could find some movies which could bring him to the forefront ala Robert Downey Jr. or Johnny Depp.


Spin at your own risk.

Worth watching again?

Nevermore!

100 Greatest Movies of All Time...That I Own. # 44 ~ High Fidelity

For all the guys out there, here's that romantic comedy that was designed for guys. Whether the lady you watch with likes it or not is irrelevant.

: )

Missing the Top 5 by a smidge, but ranking in at # 44 with a bullet comes High Fidelity.  John Cusack returns in one of his funniest roles, and that is saying something because that dude is awesome in just about everything he does.

Top 5 John Cusack films that failed to make the countdown:

5 ~ Must Love Dogs
4 ~ Serendipity
3 ~ Sixteen Candles
2 ~ One Crazy Summer
1 ~ Better Off Dead

And let's just say, it was painful to leave those last 2 off this last, and if I redid the order again, at least one of those films would make it, and Star Wars would be definitely kicked to the curb!

So anyway, the film follows Rob Gordon as he goes through a bit of an early mid-life crisis, or at least a dating crisis.  He then tries to figure out if his Top 5 Breakups were his fault, or the fault of the girl.

It's a roller coaster ride of fun from there.

Cusack is strong and dependable as always.  Probably the most underrated actor in pictures today.  The honor once belonged to Robert Downey Jr., but we all know how that went, so it's all Cusack's now.

Possibly the most memorable part of this movie would likely be the star-making turn for Jack Black.  I just ran through his filmography, and the guy had been doing a ton of work up until that point, the only one I can recall with any memory was one of the government baddies chasing down Will Smith in Enemy of the State.

Here, Jack Black is unleashed for the first time, and the revelation that the man can sing at the end works so well for the movie, and the audience.

Top 5 Jack Black films that didn't make the countdown:

5 ~ School of Rock
4 ~ Shallow Hal
3 ~ Be Kind, Rewind
2 ~ Kung Fu Panda
1 ~ Kung Fu Panda 2

Believe me, I'll be in trouble once the kids realize neither Kung Fu Panda movie hit the list!

: /

Anyway, if you've never seen this one, give it a shot.

You'll find at least 5 things you liked about it when it's over.

100 Greatest Movies of All Time...That I Own. # 61 ~ Con Air

Everyone has a favorite Nicolas Cage role.
Don't lie, you know you do.

And no list of 100 Greatest Movies can truly be complete without an appearance by Nicolas Cage.  Amazingly, this will not be Mr. Cage's only appearance on the countdown.







You've been warned!

Today, I proudly present you with Nicolas Cage's greatest movie:  Con Air!

I can feel the eyes rolling from here, but this movie is all kinds of awesome, wrapped in greatness, and deep-fried in outstanding.

It probably shouldn't be, but it is.

It's Die Hard...on a plane!  Mostly.

It's Nicolas Cage, with his best Elvis Impression since Honeymoon in Vegas as a convicted Army Ranger (in one of the most bogus travesties of justice ever committed on screen...) who finally gets out of jail and simply wants to go home and see his wife, and the little girl who was born while he was in prison.

Naturally, the most effective way to get our hero home: 

Fly on a planeload of felons being transferred to another prison facility.

What could possibly go wrong?

Everything.

And then some!

Your gang of villains is headed up by the always enjoyable John Malkovich.  He chews the scenery as usual, and that is a good thing.  Ving Rhames provides the muscle.  Then you bring in the always effective, uber-creepy Steve Buscemi...

Who steals the whole movie right out from under everyone.

Then you have your cop on the ground (see, I told you, Die Hard on a Plane!) where John Cusack (!!) attempts to stop that plane... by himself.

That's right, John Cusack went action star on you, right before your eyes.

The DVD should come with a side order of bacon and s'mores, that's how awesome it is.

I can't begin to tell you the number of times I've watched this one.  But it's a lot.

And I've loved every viewing of it.

Simon West should have stopped directing after this, his first feature.  We'll see how he does at the helm of Expendables 2.

100 Greatest Movies of All Time...That I Own. # 67 ~ Grosse Pointe Blank

Did you ever wonder what happened to that one kid in school?

Well, apparently he grew up to be a successful hitman!

So runs the story of Martin Blank who gets an invitation to return to his high school to celebrate their 10th year reunion.  He has no desire to go, but his assistant insists he attends the reunion.

Hold on a second.

Hitman?

I don't remember the guidance counselors EVER making that an option.

I wish I'd gone to Blank's high school.

Anyway, two worlds collide as he accepts a job, attends the reunion and watches as both stories weave into one another, with likely disastrous consequences.

You thought your reunions sucked?  Imagine having trained killers trying to take you out while you're pretending to enjoy the evening!

If all of that wasn't enough, Martin naturally meets up with the "one that got away".  Can the two rekindle an old flame.  And is she accepting of the fact that he kills people for a living?

So who can pull off this role?  John Cusack.  Yeah, not exactly the first person you think to lead a romantic comedy action flick.  But he nails it, like he does with almost every role he takes on.

Cusack will be on this list quite a bit, and sadly, there were several movies I wanted to include, but they just didn't make the cut.  I kick myself for including Star Wars, now more than ever. 

Cusack = Underrated.
Cusack = Gold.

Yes, he's had a few missteps, but for the most part, if he acts in it, I will be there!

His sister plays the assistant.  She too is hilarious.

As for the "sequel" War Inc., yeah, it just didn't have the magic that was captured here.  Maybe if they had let it be a sequel...but alas.

I am howerver, hoping to see what happens at the 20th Reunion!