KANSAS CITY, MO — 1. JACK REACHER (PG-13) Paramount Pictures RUSS Tom Cruise is a fine actor, but he’s miscast…
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DVD/Home Video Screening: “Jack Reacher,” “Safe Haven,” “Side Effects”
Lee Child’s popular hero, a former-soldier-turned-drifter, is famously 6’5“. So who plays him
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DVD & Blu-ray review: Jack Reacher (15)
Back again in a taught mystery drama, the ever popular Tom Cruise takes on the Lee Child novel “One Shot” in the title role of Jack Reacher. Expecting a bold action thriller, slow moving suspense filled Jack Reacher doesn’t come near the entertainment of Cruse’s action filled bread and butter Mission Impossible franchise. While my expectations were dampened because I believed it would be like the glitzy fast moving television trailer, I wasn’t completely disappointed. Like most movie franchises, the first one has to begin somewhere.
The story centers on the city of Pittsburgh were a sniper shoots 5 random people walking along a park side riverbank. After forensics finds a thumb print on a quarter used to pay for parking in the garage from where the shooter stood, Bar (Joseph Sikora) a ex-military rifleman is quickly brought in for questioning. Helen Roden, a lawyer and daughter of the district attorney Roden (Richard Jenkens) gets called in on the case. Puzzled by Barr’s only reply given during his interrogation, “Get Jack Reacher”, Helen starts a hunt for the man’s request. When a news report appears on TV naming Bar as the sniper killer, Jack Reacher shows up in the District Attorney’s office.
So starts Reacher’s painstaking investigation following leads, dealing with local punks, getting himself arrested and being chased by police in his stolen car, on a track to catch the real killer. It’s a lengthy film for a crime mystery and I found myself getting a little antsy in parts. Some of the scenes are predictable and of course knowing the killer in the first minute of the film doesn’t help either.
As for acting, Cruise certainly isn’t an Ethan Hunt (Mission Impossible series), Roy Miller (Knight and Day) or Vincent (Collateral), here he builds more of an analytical character who possesses a sharp mind and can reason well. None of this deters from the persona that he has developed over the years yet it takes some getting used to. It took me a while to really accept him as a loner much like Harrison Ford’s Dr. Richard Kimble in The Fugitive, but nevertheless he holds his own in the role.
There are some downsides however, and that comes in the acting area. I will just say it; Rosamund Pike was just awful in her role as Helen Roden the attorney defending the suspected killer. She had no screen presence, could not deliver her lines with any believability and there is no chemistry between Roden and Reacher. While this may be the fault of Director Christopher McQuarrie other signals show that she just wasn’t meant for the role in the first place.
Tom Cruise is Reacher, Lee Child is desk sergeant and Rosamund Pike is Helen in JACK REACHER
Speaking of McQuarrie, this film marks the writer’s second go at directing and although he does well, it’s not a brilliant outing. Some of his scenes are bland, has control issues with Richard Jenkens who fails as DA Roden, previously mentioned Pike issues and allowing poor choreography in the street fight between Reacher and the local punks from the bar did not help the production.
Tom Cruise is Reacher and Jai Courtney is Charlie
All that said, Cruise lovers will probably flock to the theater to see Jack Reacher even if action lovers will probably wish they hadn’t. It will probably do a fair box-office on the heels of The Hobbit and since there is very little opening against it, the ladies should save the day, unless they have a lot of last minute holiday shopping.
Jack Reacher has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for violence, language and some drug material. The violence however is quite disturbing and awkward due to the nature of the crime and may tend to upset those who are still reeling from the recent shooting in Connecticut. Also, I am not on a soap box here, but the MPAA should take a closer look at what they are judging to be PG-13 as an execution style killing coupled with a sniper shooting of innocents certainly must be considered for an R rating.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A good mystery thriller and nothing more. (C+)
Additional Film Information:
FILM SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER ANNOUNCES AN EVENING WITH TOM CRUISE, CELEBRATING SOME OF HIS MOST ICONIC CHARACTERS, CULMINATING WITH A SNEAK PREVIEW SCREENING OF JACK REACHER
All proceeds for the screening will go to the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s 50th Anniversary Fund
The event will kick-off a career retrospective, ALL THE RIGHT MOVES: THE FILMS OF TOM CRUISE, taking place December 18-20th
New York, NY (December 3, 2012) – The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today that they will host An Evening with Tom Cruise on Monday, December 17th, taking a look at some of Cruise’s most iconic character work in a conversation with moderator and New York Film Festival Director of Programming, Kent Jones. The event will be followed by a sneak preview screening of Cruise’s new film JACK REACHER, in which he plays a tough ex-military investigator out for justice – a character that audiences have come to love from the three-time Academy Award® nominated actor. Tickets are $50 and $35 and all proceeds from the event will go to the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s 50th Anniversary Fund, which supports the new education program and emerging filmmaker initiatives. Tickets go on sale Monday, December 10th. The event will be held at the Rose Theater, (5th floor of the Time Warner Center, Broadway and 60th street). Visit Filmlinc.com for more information. Read more…
It’s a slow week because of the holidays, so what you’re mostly getting is catalog titles. But if you like mediocre Disney movies, this is a good week for you. Check out our list of the best titles to pick up this week on Blu-ray and DVD.
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Blu-ray and DVD Picks for July 3- 9
Rupert Murdoch has finally decided to split off his beloved but financially fragile newspapers from News Corp’s profit-gushing entertainment properties, thus satisfying the yearnings of investors who would …
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Even Without Movies and TV, News Corp Is Stronger Than the New York Times Co.
THE GREATEST
THING
SINCE
SLICED BREAD
ROCK OF AGES
Review by Alyn Darnay
Directed by: Adam Shankman
Written by: Chris D’Arienzo
Cast: Tom Cruise, Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Russell Brand, Cathrine Zeta-Jones, Mary J. Blige, Alec Baldwin.
Tom Cruise is Stacee Jaxx in Rock of Ages
If you like musical films; you should see this movie. If you like 80’s music, you need to see this film. If you like seeing Tom Cruise being outrageous, you need to see this film. If you want a feel good time at the movies, then this film is for you. Not that it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread, it’s not, it’s rather trite actually, but it is joyous fun. Even the performers are having a blast doing it, and their enjoyment is just…infectious.
Based on the Broadway smash by the same name, Rock of Ages tells the story of small town girl Sherrie and LA city boy Drew, who meet at the Bourbon Room (The Whiskey) on the Sunset Strip in the 80’s, while pursuing their Hollywood dreams. It’s a rock ‘n’ roll romance woven through the heart-stomping hits of Def Leppard, Joan Jett, Journey, Foreigner, Bon Jovi, Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Whitesnake and others.
Cruise plays Stacee Jaxx, the god of rock, wearing black nail polish, earring, funky jock-strap, and bare tattooed chest. He sings and prances, uses his tongue, spreads his legs, and his women’s legs, and gives us a performance you’re not likely to ever forget. He’s the epitome of a debauched rock star completely devoid of any reality. Even Poison frontman Bret Michaels liked his persona. “Tom nailed it,” Michaels said of the actor’s performance. “What I think Tom did was combine a combination of myself and Axl Rose — sort of my look and stage persona and energy, and he takes Axl Rose’s intense attitude and mixes them together. It was great.”
Under the amped-up direction of Adam Shankman (“Hairspray”), the film becomes a high-energy romp through a nostalgic period of time in rock and LA history that everyone can have fun with. Just leave your belief system at the door and go sing along with the cast. Everyone gives a great performance and they all sing pretty darn good actually, even Paul Giamatti & Alec Baldwin. The exception is probably Catherine Zeta-Jones, who seems to me to be really pushing her role too hard and with lots less verve than her role in Chicago.
I can sum up the film this way, someone I was sitting next to in the Theater after the film smiled at me and said it’s like listening to all favorite classic hits in one big session on a rainy afternoon, a guilty pleasure you never tell anyone about.
Rock Of Ages - Rating: 4 Stars (out of 5)
PG-13 2 Hours 3 Minutes
THIS IS ONE
THRILLER YOU
HAVE TO SEE IN
IMAX
Cast: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, Simon Pegg, and Michael Nyqvist
Director: Brad Bird
Writers: Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec, and Bruce Geller.
Production Company: Paramount Pictures
Runtime: 2 Hours and 13 Minutes (133 minutes)
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for disturbing images, sequences of intense action, violence, sexuality/partial nudity and some thematic elements.
Genre: Action, Adventure, Adaptation, Sequel, and Thriller.
Release Date: December 21st, 2001 (Wide)
If you are looking for amazing action with a good plot, along with great special effects, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol is for you. With its non-stop adrenaline pumping, it keeps the audience riveted, especially with the IMAX effects that just blow you out of your seat. The IMAX projection during some of the explosions scenes really gives one the feeling that you’re taking the blast and wow that’s some experience.
Tom Cruise is back in the exciting action packed experience that will keep you wondering what will happen next. Cruise plays Ethan Hunt, and experienced IMF agent that’s wrapped in a plot that will make you wonder how it will turn out. Ethan is charged with lifting the Ghost Protocol placed on the IMF after being blamed for the recent terrorist attack in Moscow. He does an excellent job portraying his character, with his amazing stunts, and fearless acts that continue to make Ethan Hunt one amazing hero.
Simon Pegg and Tom Cruise in M:I 4
Simon Pegg returns as Benji Dunn, a high tech agent that has now become a field agent. His responsibility lies in helping Ethan restore IMF’s reputation by accomplishing their assignments and to catch terrorist spies. He also adds some comic relief that he is known for is such movies as, “Shaun of the Dead”, “Paul”, and many others. Simon does a great job with his character, showing his new inexperience as a field agent, yet still that high tech expert you saw in MI-3.
Jeremy Renner plays William Brandt, a Chief analyst who fills the void needed for the IMF team to complete their assignment. He performs well drawing from his awesome performance in the movie, “The Hurt Locker”. Paula Patton plays agent Jane Carter, a stay outta her way agent who gets the job done. She does a good job with agent Carter, and pulls off the tough girl bit throughout the film.
Ethan Hunt (Cruise) in the middle of a sandstorm
The special effects team provides excellent explosiveness on the huge IMAX screen. The IMAX effect is unbelievable making the audience feel a part of the film. The awesome sound effects were so fantastic that I actually felt the experience of the explosions as if the theatre shook with it. The CGI of the sandstorm is chilling with a crazy car chase in the blinding storm that ends with a head-on collision. With all the excellent special effects work done throughout, I am impressed enough to recommend this film.
PROBABLY
TOM CRUISE’S
BEST STUNTS
EVER
Cast: Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton, Jeremy Renner, Josh Holloway, Léa Seydoux and Michael Nyqvist
Directed by: Brad Bird
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sequences of intense action and violence.
Genre: Action/Adventure, Sequel and Thriller
Running Time: 2hrs 13min
Opening Date: December 16, 2011 in IMAX, December 21, 2011 Wide
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures
By John Delia
The word action has many meanings according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, but the definition of the word to me is Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. A non-stop thriller that gets so relentless there’s hardly time to catch your breath. If there’s one spy thriller you want to see on the huge IMAX screen this is it.
The movie opens this weekend only in the IMAX format around the country a chancy way of outdoing the film’s nearest competitor Sherlock Homes 2 opening in all theaters the same day. Both have a lot of energy, cool stunts, an intriguing plot, awesome acting, pinpoint direction, incredible special effects, misdirection, amazing cinematography and I can go on and on about the two, but having seen both my suggestion, SEE BOTH.
Tom Cruise, Paula Patton, Simon Pegg and Jeremy Renner in M:i 4
This fourth mission finds the IMF (Impossible Missions Force) out on a limb when Carter (Paula Patton), Hanaway (Josh Holloway) and Dunn (Simon Pegg) get the tables turned on them by assassin Sabine Moreau (Léa Seydoux) while in the process of intercepting nuclear launch codes. Now in a dilemma the IMF breaks Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) out of a Moscow prison and puts him in charge of the team.
Trying to get to the launch codes now in the hands of the evil Cobalt (Michael Nyqvist), the team enters the Russian Kremlin that gets blown up. Blamed for the incident, Hunt finds himself an outcast on the run with the clock ticking and Cobalt about to destroy humanity with a nuclear holocaust.
The acting here proves superb with stellar support by Paula Patton as the feisty agent who can show her kick-ass side with some well-choreographed fights. I especially like her encounter with the assassin Moreau played well by Seydoux in a catfight that was fun to watch. Along side Cruise, Jeremy Renner does a good job of depicting the newest member of Hunts renegade band William Brandt that comes on board reluctantly after finding himself on the outside due to the team’s ghost protocol.
Adding a mix of comedy and adroit capability, Pegg’s Dunn has the group guessing while trying to keep the mission on target using his technical abilities. He’s the one who has all the gadgets that make it possible for the team to get into places that are ordinarily impossible. Pegg’s a clown at times, but it is much needed for comic relief during some of the more intense situations.
Cruise does his normal thing keeping the plot interesting with narrow escapes, smooth detection, strong will and his straight no nonsense personality that cracks a little when the moment needs it. His Ethan Hunt’s the leader, the consummate agent and the guy you go to when all else fails. Although a bit old and a little frail around the edges, Cruise still has the screen presence that makes him famous and especially when he plays the spy, hit man, or secret agent we love to watch.
The action never stops in this thriller helmed by Brad Bird and what a terrific job he does directing M:I 4 with all its twists, tense scenes, explosions and misdirection. Best know for his animated Academy® Award-winning films Ratatouille and The Incredibles, you would think Bird would play it soft and whimsical, but he blasts out this film without a hitch. Fast moving, relentless action makes up most all of the film and you would think we were watching explosive directors like Tony Scott (Déjà vu), Ridley Scott (Black Hawk Down), Guy Ritchie (Sherlock Holmes), John McTiernan (Die Hard), and Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight) at work instead of a newcomer to the action attraction.
A lot of the action takes place on the tallest building in the world located in Dubai called Burj Khalifa, a skyscraper that houses a hotel, corporate offices, and residences. The amazing thing about the structure is that Tom Cruise does his stunts on the outside of the nearly 2,717 foot building that not only has a death defying drop but reaches temperatures of over 100 degrees. Held by piano wire rigging, the actor climbs, swings, jumps, runs and repels down its face at amazing heights. In IMAX watching the stunts from special cameras is like standing on the edge of the world.
Tom Cruise on the the face of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai
At the very top is a submarine-style hatch, to keep wind from entering the building. Once at the top, Cruise was unable to resist, and asked Smrz to lower him down by a rope 15 feet over the edge – to autograph the building. “The only person who will ever see that is the guy that paints the building years down the road,” Smrz says.
Filming by director of photography Robert Elswit takes your breath away during the stunts off tall buildings, underwater narrow escapes, shots inside a sandstorm, and fast moving cars to amazing vistas of Moscow, Prague, Dubai and Mumbai. Filmed with many different cameras including IMAX the movie comes across bigger and better than most that have been made for release in 2011. Seeing it in the IMAX format is a special thrill and one I will not forget too soon.
Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol is rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action and violence.
This is the time when Hollywood rolls out its serious stuff, but this year’s offerings seem particularly dark, with titles like “Melacholia,” “In the Land of Blood and Honey” and “The Darkest Hour,” which arrives in theaters Christmas Day.
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Top 10 Holiday Season Movies
