Mark's Movie Review- TRIPLE SHOT!

Ok, So I've neglected you blog... how can I show you how sorry I am... how about I use one post and review three movies back to back!?

OK HERE WE GO:

1) Smoking Aces

Overall this movie was just weird... All the trailers and info I saw on the film made me think this would be a fun action movie. So I wasn't expecting much from the plot... which would have been fine. However, what I think ruined this movie was the sorry attempt at a plot. Now don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of both Jeremy Piven and Ryan Reynolds, however the movie seemed split between wanting to be an action thriller with all the blood and violence you can handle, and having a deep conspiracy theory plot. In the end, it was weak, but fun.

If the movie had ended about 20 minutes earlier, maybe I would've liked it better. Not to mention Piven was surprisingly weak in his snitch character. Explaining his big ideas in metaphors for illusions... it just got more annoying than anything else.

Redeeming points: One of the assassin's had a wrist blade a'la Assassin's Creed.

Some of the little magic type tricks that are done, just kind of thrown in (Piven shuffling the cards as he breaksdown) are kind of cool.

2) Girl Interrupted

I was very impressed with this film. Angelina Jolie and Winona Ryder both were pretty strong. The plot overall was good; had a weird blend of Donnie Darko and One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest. The interaction of all the girls in the hospital seemed genuine. A little dry at times, and overall a little slow but I did enjoy this movie.

As a heads up it does have a lot of heavy issues and deals with mental health, which can be hard to watch for some, but it did so in a safe and respectful manner. Some highlights include the cameo of Zoe Bartlett, Brittany Murphy and Stokes.

Watching this film however you kind of wonder what ever happened to Winona Ryder... I figure all the roles that would work for her have been taken by Helena Bonham Carter, or Keira Knightley.

Overall- a strong film, with good acting.

Finally

3) Alpha Dog

What can I say. I had heard good things, and am always open to Emile Hirsch films after The Girl Next Door. I actually really enjoyed this movie. It kind of broke the format of a typical movie, giving you not so much a plot twist as much as a twist on how a normal movie would play out, if that makes any sense. I was very impressed with Justin Timberlake's performance... however, Ben Foster stole the show in my opinion. Despite kind of disappearing halfway through the movie, he was an absolute bad-ass. I'd equate him to the toughest neo-nazi since Ed Norton. I wasn't floored or anything but still a very impressive movie. If you can get past the ridiculous nick names (elvis, 911, poke) and the occasional annoying dialogue... it's pretty good. Stumbles a little with pacing but worth adding to your quene.

Smoking Aces: 2/5

Girl Interrupted: 4/5

Alpha Dog: 3/5

mm out