[Trailer] MISSION IMPOSSIBLE GHOST PROTOCOL

The Mission Impossible series got a bit of boost after a stronger 3rd entry, the less that’s said about the over stylized super slow-mo second film the better. This fourth entry feels more like the original Brian De Palma film.

Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg are joined by series new comers Josh Hollaway and Jeremy Renner who’s rumored to be prepped to take over the franchise from Cruise.

This first teaser trailer looks like good old fashion spy fun with Brad Bird at the helm, I always felt he gave The Incredibles a very 70’s era Bond feel, I’m kind of optimistic.

MOVIE REVIEWS: THE TOWN

ON DVD

THE TOWN



Boston bank robber Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck) falls for a woman his gang had previously taken hostage after feigning a chance meeting with her to ensure that she can't identify them in Affleck's adaptation of author Chuck Hogan's novel Prince of Thieves. The son of a tough Charlestown, MA thief, Doug passed on his chance to walk the straight and narrow in favor of becoming a career bank robber. Not only is Doug's crew one of the most ruthless in Boston, but they're also one of the best; they never leave a trace of evidence, and always make a clean break. Over the years, Doug's fearless partners in crime have become something of a surrogate family to him; Jem (Jeremy Renner), the most dangerous of the bunch, is the closest thing Doug has ever had to a brother. But a divide begins to open between the two career criminals when Jem takes bank manager Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall) hostage during a particularly tense heist, and the group subsequently discovers that she hails from their own tight-knit suburb. When Jem proposes that the gang make an effort to find out just how much Claire recalls about the crime, Doug fears that his volatile partner may do more harm than good and volunteers himself for the job. Later, Doug turns on the charm while pretending to bump into Claire by chance, and becomes convinced that she doesn't suspect him of being the same man who just robbed her bank. As the feds turn up the heat on the gang, Doug finds himself falling for Claire, and searching desperately for a means of cutting his ties to his criminal past. But with each passing day, Jem grows increasingly suspicious of Doug's true motivations. Now caught between two worlds with no chance of turning back, Doug realizes that his only hope for finding a happy future is to betray the only family he's ever known. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Ben Affleck

Cast: Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively.

Release Date: Sep 17, 2010

Rated R for strong violence, pervasive language, some sexuality and drug use

Runtime: 2 hr. 5 min.

Genres: Drama

Review:

Ben Affleck’s sophomore directorial effort is a dirty gritty heist drama that’s always interesting even if the story feels predictable. Affleck has an undeniable talent to capture the feel of the area and the people who live there. Even if the plot is a bit far fetched Affleck keeps the film grounded with characters that feel lived in and world weary. In the lead role, Affleck turns in his best work in years allowing the audience to feel the character conflicted nature. While Affleck is impressively strong, Jeremy Renner is absolutely stellar in a supporting role. Renner almost disappears into his character, creating a character that’s menacing and unpredictable. Jon Hamm also delivers strong work as the pressing FBI agent. Blake Lively is appropriately grimy but her performance occasionally feels forced. Faring worse is Rebecca Hall who just seems to blend in with the scenery never making much of an impression. Chris Cooper and Pete Postlethwaite have small but important roles, they both perform well and make you wish they’d been given a bit more screen time since the characters are so intriguing. The film ends with a pulse pounding bang with a massive action set piece that’s a perfect bloody send off for a well crafted and acted film.

B+

Movie Reviews: THE HURT LOCKER

Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Movie Reviews: THE HURT LOCKER
ON DVD

THE HURT LOCKER



Based on the personal wartime experiences of journalist Mark Boal (who adapted his experiences with a bomb squad into a fact-based, yet fictional story), director Kathryn Bigelow's Iraq War-set action thriller The Hurt Locker presents the conflict in the Middle East from the perspective of those who witnessed the fighting firsthand -- the soldiers. As an elite Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team tactfully navigates the streets of present-day Iraq, they face the constant threat of death from incoming bombs and sharp-shooting snipers. In Baghdad, roadside bombs are a common danger. The Army is working to make the city a safer place for Americans and Iraqis, so when it comes to dismantling IEDs (improvised explosive devices) the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) crew is always on their game. But protecting the public isn't easy when there's no room for error, and every second spent dismantling a bomb is another second spent flirting with death. Now, as three fearless bomb technicians take on the most dangerous job in Baghdad, it's only a matter of time before one of them gets sent to "the hurt locker."

Cast: Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes.

Director: Kathryn Bigelow

Release Date: ..Jun 26, 2009..

Rated R for language and war violence

Runtime: 2 hr. 11 min.

Genres: Action, Drama, Thriller

Review:

Kathryn Bigelow’s tension filled The Hurt Locker is an excellently crafted film even if it becomes a war of attrition by the finale. From the opening sequence, Bigelow ratchets up the tension to 11 and, outside of a few scenes, never really lets up. It’s the type of film that never really lets you breathe as it’s a succession of high stress moments after another. Bigelow does a wonderful job of capturing the tension by framing and shooting scenes so that everything has a sense of immediacy. The film would be a failure if the cast didn’t come off as believable, luckily this cast, made up of working actors not stars, is more than up to the task. Jeremy Renner leaves a strong impression with his work here. Renner gives his character a definite sense of authenticity while never allowing his character to come off as clichéd, something the script falls into later in the film. Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty are equally strong in their performances. The film is almost entirely limited to these 3 men and they share a great chemistry throughout. Effective cameos from name actors such as Ralph Fiennes, Guy Pierce and David Morse add to the overall quality of the film and they keep the audience off balance with unexpected situations or resolutions. If there are a few miscues they limited to the script, as it heads towards its conclusions some situations and relationships start to come off as artificially generated and lack the authenticity of film. It’s nothing horrible but noticeable. The Hurt Locker avoids any political leanings and focuses almost primarily on the individuals that trudge through the Iraq conflict. It’s a film that feels every minute of its 2 hour plus run time and that’s not really a bad thing.

B+