Movie: Lockout (2012)

Rating: D

I have a big love/hate relationship with Luc Besson movies. I love the premise, hate the execution, and love to rip on them afterwards. Lockout was no different. If you've read some of my critiques, you'll know how much I hate holes in movies. This movie just had hole after hole after hole, with poor lighting, editing, and I do believe, that somewhere in the beginning sequence, they forgot the put the finishing touches on some Special Effects (CGI).



It's almost like Mr. Besson is doing charity work. He comes up with ideas, writes the initial screenplay, then offloads it to some poor up and coming director salivating at the opportunity at having Luc Besson in his credits at the end of the movie. Lockout seems to be yet another example. Both James Mather and Stephen St. Leger just seem overwhelmed with directing this movie.

Looks like Guy Pearce has been hitting the gym and looks great as a grisly framed agent on a one man rescue mission of the president's daughter played by Maggie Grace. Their relationship is what you would expect between a wily veteran and a sassy, but doe eyed beauty, and while a romance is somewhat inevitable in this kind of movie, how it blossoms is entirely contrived and there is no chemistry whatsoever. Quite honestly, the only person that stood out in this entire movie is Joseph Gilgun who plays the crazed brother of the main villain in the movie.

~Cheers.

Movie: The Tourist

Rating: D

A movie about intrigue, mystery, and romance without being intriguing, mysterious, nor romantic.



I have a new rule. I will not watch any movie with Timothy Dalton cast in a human role. We`re talking about an actor whose last major North American feature film was The Beautician and the Beast, with....commence shuddering now.....Fran Drescher. Yes, he had a voice over role in Toy Story 3, but in a human role...New Rule.

Although, to be fair, it`s not really HIS fault the movie sludged around in mediocrity; you`d think that a movie with Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp would be more engaging with more drama, passion, and anything else that makes an actor good. Instead, the two powerhouse actors seemed disinterested and unengaged. Even the generally entertaining Paul Bettany seemed like a total miscast in this 104 minute unthrilling thriller.

Beautifully shot in Venice... Sorry, that`s about the only GOOD thing I have to say about the movie. A suspense film that is unsuspenseful. A weak attempt at comedy that falls flat. Add in some totally misplaced romance, and you get a film that just leaves you with very little to care about. Quite honestly, The Tourist makes The Beautician and The Beast seem worth watching. Ok. Maybe not.

~Cheers.

Movie: Lust, Caution (2007)

Rating: A-

It's not just new movies that deserve mentioning. And unfortunately, there's simply not enough time to watch EVERY movie at the cinema. Although, I've been meaning to take in Lust, Caution for a while now.

Such a waste to cast singer / songwriter 王力宏 (LeeHom Wang) in this powerful and lustful drama. Whomever told him that he could act needs to be shot. That, however, is pretty much my biggest criticism of this movie. Tragically sexy,  湯唯's (Wei Tang) performance was powerful and mesmerising. And as much as 梁朝偉's (Tony Cheung) portrayal of Mr. Yee was quietly brilliant, it was 湯唯 that stole the show.

Beautifully filmed, Ang Lee catches intensity and trepidation of his lead characters. But the strength and intensity of 梁朝偉 and 湯唯 completely outshines the rest of the movie, leaving me to feel like maybe Ang Lee didn't pay enough attention to the rest of the cast. The story, however, is riveting, thrusting the innocent schoolgirl 湯唯 into the dark, lurid world of espionage.

As titillating as the Lust, Caution is, it is MUCH better if you understand a little about the history in this time period. As powerful as 梁朝偉 seems to be in the movie, there's something that ISN'T said in the movie. He has the unenviable position of EVERYBODY wanting him dead. The Japanese don't trust him and the only reason they tolerate him is because he is of use to them. Given the opportunity, anybody working with him, would kill him for his position. All the other Chinese want to kill him because he is working for the Japanese. He needs to be equally ruthless and civil at the same time while always be vigilant of people trying to usurp him or kill him.

Watch for 湯唯's little soliloquy. It totally sent chills down my spine. It just goes to show, to what lengths people will go to in times of war. 

~Cheers.