Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow - 2004

 Paramount Pictures, Brooklyn Films II, Riff Raff Film Productions 

Directed by Kerry Conran

Cast:

Polly Perkins – Gwyneth Paltrow

Sky Captain – Jude Law

Dex – Giovanni Ribisi

Editor Paley – Michael Gambon

Mysterious Woman – Bai Ling

Kaji – Omid Djalili

Franky – Angelina Jolie

Story: In 1939, a top secret force commanded by Sky Captain is activated when Polly Perkins, a reporter, uncovers the systematic murders of top scientists from World War One. As she is tracking down leads, trying to find the killers, she is almost killed along with another scientist when a group of advanced robots descends on the city to locate two missing components in an evil plot that will destroy the world. Only Sky Captain and his elite forces, along with the aide of an elite British force led by Franky, can save the world from certain and complete destruction. But can they do it?

Review: Unfortunately, this film did not do well in the theaters. Which is a shame, because being an excellent film with superb graphics, it is also the forerunner of everything that has followed in Compter Generated Images (CGI).

Sky Captain was filmed entirely in blue screen. None of the sets existed except it the mind of the people doing the graphics. Which meant the actors had no frame of reference when they were performing. Oh, of course there were tape marks on the floor, but nothing to react to, nothing to walk around, nothing but a blank room with platforms where necessary to go up and down. Which means the actors had to envision the room as it might be and then respond without the aid of visual cues. Now, I don't know about you, but I would call that acting above and beyond the normal requirements. And the best part is, they all do it extremely well.

As to plot, considering the setting of the film, the plot is exactly as it should be. If this had been made in the 1950's, this film would have been a “Cliffhanger”, like Commando Cody or Flash Gordon used to be, a tool to get parents to drop their kids off at the local theater for Saturday morning matinees while they did their grocery shopping or other chores. I remember doing that while my mom was off grocery shopping, and my brother and I would sit for two or three hours watching cartoons and a couple of those films.

Still, there isn't a lot of action by comparison to what we expect from films these days, and the technology in the film is 'old school', so perhaps the current generation of film goers just didn't get it. I recommend the film as a great way to spend ninety six minutes when the kiddies are looking to see what the old world used to be like. Rated PG, collectible for us Sci Fi types. Enjoy.

Contraband - 2012

Universal Pictures, Relativity Media, Working Title Films

Directed by Baltasar Kormakur

Cast:

• Chris Farraday – Mark Wahlburg
• Sebastian Abney – Ben Foster
• Danny Raymer – Lukas Haas
• Kate Farraday – Kate Beckinsale
• Tim Briggs – Giovani Ribisi
• Ben Farraday – William Lucking
• Captain Camp – J. K. Simmons

Story: So Chris Farraday used to be a smuggler..an A-1 smuggler. He didn't smuggle drugs, but he did smuggle high end items. But all that is behind him now. He owns a security company, installing and maintaining security systems for wealthy clients. Until he gets the word, his brother-in-law was smuggling drugs into the country and had to dump his shipment when they were about to be boarded by Customs. Now he is on the hook for the money paid for the product and Chris has to get back into the business for one last job. He leaves his wife and son in the care of Sebastian, a former smuggler and alcoholic who now has a construction business. While he is away, the criminals are harassing his wife and son, his brother-in-law makes a stupid mistake, and Chris has to make some quick decisions to save his wife and son from the real criminals.

Review: Great action and a great cast combine to make this an exceptional action fim. Okay, so the premise of the film is tried and true, an expert criminal who has gotten out of the life (Gone in 60 Seconds, etc.) is forced back in to protect a loved one. Interesting that Giovanni Ribisi is the criminal this time, tattooed and viscous, and Mark Wahlburg is the former smuggler. But when you watch the film, the entire cast is fluid and coherent, and the action is logical and reasonable. Ben Foster does an excellent job in his part, and it is nice to see Lukas Haas in a role that doesn't involve aliens or lovesick people. Veteran William Lucking, whose portrayal of “tough guys” through the years has entertained literally millions, is believable as Mark Wahlburg's dad, and J. K. Simmons (Emil Skoda in Law and Order and the Farmer's Insurance Guy) is excellent as the corrupt Captain Camp. So in addition to a great cast, the action scenes are flawless, the continuity is perfect, and film has a consistent feel throughout that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Rated R for violence and language, this may not be a collectible unless you're a Wahlburg fan, but certainly one for the folks who love a “crime never pays” film with plenty of comeuppance for the bad guys.

Columbus Circle - 2012

Oxymoron Entertainment, Blue Star Entertainment, G4 Pictures

Directed by George Gallo

Cast:

• Abigail Clayton – Selma Blair
• Lillian Hart – Amy Smart
• Charles Stratford – Jason Lee
• Detective Frank Giardello – Giovanni Ribisi
• Klandermann – Kevin Pollack
• Dr. Raymond Fontaine – Beau Bridges
• Detective Jerry Evans – Jason Antoon
• Howard Miles – Robert Guillaume

Story: Abigail Clayton has not come out of her condo in nearly twenty years. Her self imposed agoraphobic existence is about to be disturbed when the neighbor across the way from her condo is found dead from a fall, an accident? Detective Giardello isn't convinced, and questions the neighbors, including Abigail. He is even more intrigued to find no trace of this mysterious woman before she moved into the condo. Abigail, in an attempt to protect her privacy, attempts to purchase the victim's condo, only to find out it has been sold to Lillian and Charles, a dysfunctional couple who soon intrude upon her privacy even more. Abigail hears them arguing loudly outside her door, and peeks through the peep hole to witness Lillian being hit across the face by Charles, who is obviously drunk. Abigail tries to help, but this only leads to further intrusions as she attempts to be supportive of the apparently abused woman. Meanwhile Detective Giardello and his partner, Jerry Evans, locate Dr. Fontaine, who they soon discover is also Abigail's doctor. As the plot unfolds, we learn this is a carefully orchestrated attempt to steal a fortune from Abigail. Will it work?

Review: Bravo to Kevin Pollack, who also co-wrote this refreshing mystery in the style of the Raymond Chandler stories of old. Selma Blair and Giovanni Ribisi (in my opinion one of the most underexposed and capable actors of recent years, re: The Other Sister, Boiler Room, Avatar, etc.) give plausible and perfectly tuned performances in this film. The supporting cast is exceptional. Jason Lee provides the audience with a new perspective on his already estimable talents, not falling back upon his comedic style. Pollack and Bridges, two actors whose abilities are well known, provide us with exceptional supporting characters, as do Jason Antoon and Amy Smart. Although the initial twenty minutes of the film are a bit slow, the action quickly picks up and the conclusion contains a refreshing twist. Cinematography and photography are excellent, and the film has a cohesive feel that provides the illusion of the first time, which is after all the point of acting. Rated PG-13 for language and violence, hats off to the director and writers for not falling into the “gratuitous sex scenes that so often accompany films of this nature. Collectible? Depends on your particular bent, but wouldn't rule it out. Watch it and decide for yourself.