More early reviews
We've been getting a lot more "early reviews" sent to us of late. Before you freak out and think that this is going to be some kind of new trend on JoBlo.com, no need to worry there. We're not really into slapping unconfirmed shit up on the site, but will post some early reviews from reliable sources -- in this case, folks from our message board -- from time to time. I haven't really read through any of the reviews myself (I don't like to SPOIL anything about a movie before I see it), but if interested, read on...
COLLATERAL - by 'The Spoonman'
The film follows the story of Max, an LA cab driver who is going about his normal rounds. He happens to pick up Vincent, a slick guy who offers Max twice his normal night's salary to drive him around. The catch? Vincent's a hitman, and Max is the only one who can stop him. He has until 6am that morning, when Vincent will get on a plane and disappear.
Wow. That was the first thing that came to mind when I saw this film. I didn't know what to expect, really. The trailer looked like it could go either way. You have two solid leads (Tom Cruise and Jamie Fox), and a pretty cool story. On the other hand, you've got Michael Mann directing, giving this film the "documentary look" his films usually have. Also, you have Cruise sporting that strange gray hair.
Surprisingly, all those things actually worked for the film, making it more intense than I could have guessed. Tom Cruise is in good form here, playing the bad guy rather well. One thing I thought would be a problem is that I might wind up liking Cruise's character. He comes through here, making a very creepy villain. Jamie Fox does a good jobs as well. We also get a good script with great dialogue (love the line- "I just shot him. Bullets and the fall killed him.")
The pacing is tight, and pretty much had me by the balls the whole way through. I can't remember a time I've held my breath that much during a movie. Rounding out the picture is awesome action, great cinematography, and an awesome score. It's refreshing to finally get a film that is original, and not your usual Hollywood fluff. Anyone who's a fan of Tom Cruise , Jamie Fox or Michael Mann films should definitely check this bad boy out. Make sure you pee before hand.
Grade: 9/10
COLLATERAL - - by 'T. Jones'
It started like any other night...
Max is a nice, honest cab driver. One night, after driving a lady to her office and getting her number, he picks up a guy called Vincent who says he will pay him $600 to stick with him through the night. But Vincent has another agenda. A drug dealer from Columbia, who is facing a very big trial that could put him away for a very long time, hires Vincent to kill all the key witnesses. When Max realizes what's really going on, he is held at gunpoint and forced to drive while Vincent makes his rounds. Soon the police catch on to the killings and start hunting them down. Now Max and Vincent will need each other to make it through the night.
This is a fine example of why we go to the movies. It has everything; a fantastic plot, Oscar-worthy acting, great direction, a great script, and some very fine plot-twists. Damn, Tom Cruise is a badass! A lot of credit goes to him, as he gives one of his best performances yet, and makes you beg to have grey hair. You won't find any mercy from this guy. Jamie Foxx is also very good, and that's a lot coming from me, cause I generally don't like him. Michael Mann gives us a very original story, and the way it was a very nice touch. (When street cops were involved, it felt like an episode of Cops... in a good way.) The soundtrack kick some serious ass with some quality tracks from The Roots and Audioslave.
It was also was very well paced and I was gripping my arm-rests so hard, that by the end of those solid two hours, they had to pry my hands from the seat. Some moments almost felt like a Hitchcock movie, and at points near the end I was genuinely scared. There is also a scene in a nightclub that quite literally blew me away.
Overall: F*ck Spiderman! Hook me up with some Collateral!!
WITHOUT A PADDLE - by 'T. Jones'
After the death of one of their childhood pals, three buddies go back to their old treehouse where they find a treasure map in their toy chest tat was recently left by their expired friend. So in the spur of the moment, Surfer dude Matthew Lillard, badass Dax Shepard, and paranoid red-headed Seth Green decide to take a road trip to Oregon to find the treasure and to live their childhood dream. Unfortunately things don't turn out as smoothly as planned and the boys find themselves stranded in the woods after a waterfall wrecks their canoe. Now the boys have to confront bears, horny Earth-Child girls, stoned Rottweilers, and a mysterious woodsman, all the while being chased by two fat, drug-dealing, homicidal hillbillies. Will this stop them from hunting for the treasure? Hell no!
Seeing this movie was completely impulsive, so I really wasn't expecting much. This will not be Oscar-winning, Golden Globe winning, and hell, I probably won't even remember this one by next
Monday, but for what it's worth, It has a few laugh out loud moments, and I was genuinely entertained by it most of the way through. On the downside, it had a few too many emotional moments for the genre, the plot was a little predictable, and sometimes you just wanted to smack Seth Green on the back of the head for being such a wuss.
So if you're in the mood for heavy drinking, A LOT of weed, and more gay jokes than a Andrew Dice Clay show, than this is the movie for you. If you're not completely wasted, than don't expect to be blown away. Good for a few chuckles ad maybe a DVD rental.
THE BROTHERS GRIMM - by 'Chinton'
I saw a screening of this new Gilliam flick last night and I have come by to report semi-disappointing news. First let me say I am a huge fan of Gilliam as I think he is one of the most imaginative directors today and I will forever hold a torch for him. I know it sounds pathetic.
Sadly though while Grimm was mildly decent it was not up to snuff to say Brazil or even 12 Monkeys. The story is essentially about these two conmen Brothers Grimm who go to different towns using special effects to make people think they have saved their town from evil witches trolls etc. Of course, soon they are called to a town where children are disappearing. Soon they realize that this time things aren't fake and the forest is a lot more dangerous than they think. All the while they start running across classic fairy tales which of course will end up in their book.
I wish I could say the movie is great, but it is just far too uneven to say that. There are many imaginative and clever sequences but the middle section is completely off paced and it seems as if Gilliam was desperately trying to find a tone. During the middle section I just felt very awkward and confused at times. Once it got towards the end things picked up again. Also the movie opens with a beautiful sequence that's a sort of ode to Little Red Riding Hood. All in all it was a beautiful film which is not a surprise considering the director. I just wish he found the tone.
As far as the actors, Matt Damon really shines here as he usually does. Heath Ledger was okay although played the prissy aspect up a little too much. At times it seems like he was doing a bad impression of Depp from Sleepy Hollow.
Also, as I said, the tying in of the fairy tales was neat, problem is some of them I don't remember. Therefore there were aspects of the plot that I couldn't tell were bad storytelling or an homage to a fairy tale I didn't know about.
Well, I gotta run, but I hope you guys find this interesting.
6.9/7 (I couldn't give it a 7 but I felt it got really close. Hope that makes sense)
Source: JoBlo.com
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