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Reviews
Red Tails (2012)
Sit This One Out
The Tuskegee Airmen (1995) is a much superior movie than this LucasFilm farce that is really the anti-Christ of blaxploitation.
I mean really, can you even imagine combat airplane pilots hee-hawing it up while zooming around among tons of flak from every angle? The only redeeming part of this accident-in-motion is the camera work during the realistic dog fights. Then, so suddenly, we're put in the cockpit with yet another black pilot who's out-tomming Uncle Tom in the worst stereotypical manner imaginable.
My advice is: skip this one, see the original starring Laurence Fishburne.
One for the Money (2012)
Just See It !
After reading many of the Stephanie Plum novels, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I must say that it was well worth the ticket and popcorn fees. That, plus I have fallen head-over-heels in love with Katherine Heigl !
The story line is quite simple to follow, the characters mostly well played, the book's quirkiness is nicely preserved, and you just know that Stephanie is gonna get her man in the end.
Great popcorn fare, a nice diversion from reality, and I, for one, will be looking forward to the second installment of the "novel to big screen" adaptation of Ms. Evanovich's Plum series.
I only hope that Ms. Heigl continues in the role...
The Yards (2000)
Should Be Seen
Not sure why I hadn't heard of this movie before. Now that I have, I can convincingly say that it's mostly first rate and should be seen by anyone interested in those quirky off-the-beaten-path types that still manage to tell a real story without all the Hollywood garbage. Burstyn, Theron, Caan, Dunaway, and Phoenix go all out while newcomer Wahlberg struggles to get over his wooden-ness. It's a minor point, however, since most of his scenes are covered nicely by the more mature actors. Both Wahlberg and Phoenix went a long way with "We Own the Night," but this little piece is how they got started back when. Also, I kind of enjoyed seeing Charlize Theron as the flirty, young gamin who comes to a rotten ending at the hand of her vile lover. Well done !
Day Break (2006)
Interesting Enough To Keep Me In It
I borrowed this 13-part DVD from our local library without a clue as to what I was going to watch. I gotta tell ya - I was hooked in the first 'Pilot' chapter and then a bit more so in the next 'What If They Run' episode. I soon realized that I was going to be reliving the day along with Det. Hopper (a very competent Taye Diggs), and would be discovering new clues as each day progressed.
And progress nicely they did, albeit in a somewhat quirky manner. Hopper has one person he can always trust in - his partner, Det. Andrea Battle (ably played by Victoria Pratt), but most of his other relationships are suspect at one time or another. That includes his paramour, Rita Shelton (Moon Bloodgood).
The plot is just plain weird - Det. Hopper has been accused of a murder but has an inked-in-blood alibi. Realizing he's being framed, he runs until the end of the day, only to wake and begin the same day all over again, meanwhile adding to his total understanding of the case against him.
Along the way he has a whole gaggle of people either chasing him or trying to put him away (kill him) or wanting to torture the guy ... sheesh, it's like he can't seem to catch a break, ya know?
I wouldn't want to sit through all 13 episodes in one sitting, but spread out over 5 or 6 nights makes for an engrossing experience.
And I suppose I can give it my 'thumbs up.' Yup, I'd watch it again.
I also must admit to enjoying watching Moon Bloodgood walk around in her underwear at the beginning of each episode but I suppose that's just a 'guy' thing...