MOVIE REVIEW: SNITCH

In the fast-paced action thriller SNITCH, Dwayne Johnson stars as a father whose teenage son is wrongly accused of a drug distribution crime and is looking at a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years. Desperate and determined to rescue his son at all costs, he makes a deal with the U.S. attorney to work as an undercover informant and infiltrate a drug cartel on a dangerous mission -- risking everything, including his family and his own life.

Director: Ric Roman Waugh

Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Susan Sarandon, Jon Bernthal

Release Date: Feb 22, 2013

Rated PG-13 for Sequences of Violence and Drug Content

Runtime: 1 hr. 35 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Suspense/Thriller

REVIEW:

by Cindy Prascik

Dearest Blog, yesterday I headed up to the cinemas to check out Dwayne Johnson's new film Snitch.
Spoiler level here will be mild, limited to tidbits you'd get from the trailers.
When his son faces a minimum of ten years in prison for a minor drug infraction, a father (Dwayne Johnson) goes undercover with local drug dealers and a major cartel to get the sentence reduced.

If you're a fan who sees Dwayne Johnson movies looking only for two hours of him kicking the ever-lovin' crap out of people, I'm sorry to say you'll be disappointed in Snitch. The good news is, that'd be about the only reason you'd have to be disappointed.
Snitch is a solid drama/thriller that had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. However accurately it does or does not depict the actual events on which it's based, as a movie it gets it right. The story is strong, if a little implausible in spots, and I chewed my nails to bits worrying about the outcome!

Dwayne Johnson is good in the lead and gets to show off a bit of extra depth with that natural charisma that's gotten him where he is. The supporting cast is fleshed out by notable names and faces such as Susan Sarandon, The Walking Dead's Jon Bernthal, Boardwalk Empire's Michael Kenneth Williams, Barry Pepper, Benjamin Bratt, Harold Perrineau, and Melina Kanakaredes. Rafi Gavron is especially good as the terrified boy facing a stiff jail term for a stupid mistake.
Snitch clocks in at a tense 112 minutes and builds to an ending that's satisfying without feeling forced or hokey, definitely worthy of your movie-going dollars.

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Snitch gets seven.
And nearly three decades removed from my days as a high-school Spanish honor student, apparently all that's left is that I speak "drug dealer."

Until next time...




I don't really need a reason to post this, do I?

[Trailer] G.I. Joe 2: Retaliation

Can't say I could ever bring myself to watch the first one. This one looks like it's over the top to the point where it might be fun. That might is a big might, either way, watch Dwayne Johnson flex and everybody else pose their way through the trailer....

MOVIE REVIEWS: THE OTHER GUYS

IN THEATERS

THE OTHER GUYS



A desk-jockey detective and his tough-talking partner get their moment to shine in this buddy police comedy starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, and directed by Adam McKay (Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby). New York City detective Allen Gamble (Ferrell) is more comfortable pushing pencils than busting bad guys. A meticulous forensic accountant, his numbers are never off. Detective Terry Hoitz (Wahlberg) is Gamble's reluctant partner. Try as Detective Hoitz might to get back on the streets, an embarrassing encounter with Derek Jeter has left a sizable black mark on his permanent record. Detectives Danson (Dwayne Johnson) and Highsmith (Samuel L. Jackson) are the complete opposites of Gamble and Hoitz: unwaveringly confident, they always get their man, and they do it with style to spare. When the time comes for Gamble and Hoitz to prove their mettle and save the day, their incompetence becomes the stuff of legend. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Adam McKay

Cast: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes, Michael Keaton, Dwayne Johnson.

Release Date: Aug 06, 2010

Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content, violence, some drug material and language

Runtime: 1 hr. 47 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Comedy

Review:

Adam McKay and Will Ferrell are usually comedic gold and they have the absurdist resume to prove it. The Other Guys is another strong comedic outing for the pair this time bringing Mark Wahlberg into the fold who’s finally having a little fun with himself by playing a parody of his typical character. McKay set the table with a ridiculous and entertaining opening action sequence involving Sam Jackson and Dwayne Johnson, both who are more just around for what amounts to an extended cameo, as your usual super cops. From the there, McKay introduces Ferrell and Wahlberg’s characters and keeps the film moving at a steady pace, throwing jokes left and right with great effect as both actors share palpable comedic chemistry onscreen. They play off each other extremely well throughout. Ferrell bounces back after last summer abysmal Land of the Lost by doing what he does best, creating likable weirdos who are more layered than you’d think. His character is like a more thoroughly realized SNL character complete with a “tragic” past. Wahlberg is well at ease playing a tongue in cheek version of the type of role he usually plays. He’s believable and only occasionally borders on caricature. Michael Keaton, Steve Coogan and Eva Mendes are all strong in supporting roles and it’s always good to see Rome’s Ray Stevenson large productions. McKay had something close to a classic on his hands till the 3rd act nearly brings the film to a dead stop as the convoluted plot gets in the way and it kind of saps the life out of the film.

B-