PRISONERS

THE PITCH

WORTH

$$$$$


THE VIEWING

"What in the world did you do?!"

Powerful! Brilliant! Just pure cinema excellence at every curve of this suspense thrill ride.  Honestly…  I don’t remember seeing a better suspense movie since Seven, with Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman.  I say that with full confidence being three days after watching it and still feel the same way as I felt walking out of the auditorium.  Talking about it on the car ride home, debates about karma vs Irony, water cooler discussions at work… It’s been awhile since we had a great movie that did not include a comic book or cliche-ish superhero.  Definitely a movie you only need to see one time but for some reason I want to add it to the bluray collection when it comes out.

      Hugh Jackman made his case for actor superiority if he hadn't already.  One of the most underrated actors of our time, including by myself.  Terrence Howard was phenomenal as usual and the supporting cast was fantastic to watch.

   I can’t emphasize how paralyzingly awesome the plot twist were.  There is no taking the eyes of the screen once the movie really gets going. Masterfully directed and wrote. Lines between right and wrong are blurred, purposely. You began to question your own set of morals.  It’s one of those films that stays with you.

    Perfect title too! The word Prisoners describes more than you think. The audience really become “prisoners” to the moment.  A moment that you’ll never forget.

   Kudos.

  



 Worth watching. Letter grade: A+

Just a heads up, there's no bonus scene at the end of the credits, believe me! I personally sat there and waited.

The Family

THE PITCH

WORTH

$$$



THE VIEWING

"#@*!"     
        There's this explicit word used all through this film and it starts with an F (hint: It's not 'family').  This word was masterfully used, mostly by the main character, to express a litany of emotion and responses... most times depending on the cadence.  My response after seeing this flick may have included the same word, the only thing is that I can organize my ideas and explain to you why "The Family" sucked in standard English.

       First, there's no identity.  What is it, comedy or mob story? It's hard to be both and successful   Most mob stories are inherently funny because of the sheer gall, the nerve... "the balls"...  as most mob family movies put it.  The antics and sheer disregard for rules and order are more than disbelief, most times we sit in awe.  We had sprinkles of that awe in The Family but surely not enough to satisfy.

    Secondly, I can’t help but think that I've seen this movie before.  The plot is so cliche with not enough or almost no sub plots or twists.

     The only bright spot that was consistent throughout the whole movie was Michelle Pfeiffer!  She was almost unrecognizable without a mask.  He accent and delivery of her lines were spot on.  I can tell she did her research before stepping on set.

    A few chuckles here and there, maybe a laugh depending on your sense of humor. I love Robert De Niro but wouldn't pay full admission price at the theater for this one… It makes a better DVD rental night movie.

letter grade: C+  .