Based-on-fact tale of escape from a Siberian Gulag starring Colin Farrell
COMPANY MEN
Downsized execs struggle to survive with Ben Afflenck and Kevin Costner.
1. THE SWITCH:
A theme that has been getting quite old of late – attractive single woman who can’t find a man gets artificially inseminated – is played out adequately here by Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman. He’s her friend and is helping her, but in a weak (and drunken moment) switches the donor’s sample for one of his own. So the child is his, but no one knows it. A so-so and highly predictable rom-com. Rated PG-13.
2. TAKERS:
: A tough bunch of criminals like to do big jobs that they execute perfectly. It’s always the kiss of death when they decide to do “one last job,” and then go their separate ways. A tough police detective (Matt Dillon) is onto them and won’t let go. Paul Walker (The Fast & The Furious) and Hayden Christianson (Star Wars) also star … but the gang should have quit while it was ahead. Good action, some good plotting, and a fair amount of stuff blows up. Rated 14A.
3. BURIED:
Essentially a one-actor film with Ryan Reynolds in every scene, this one is very difficult to watch. The entire story takes place within a buried casket in Iraq where a private contractor, not a soldier, has been kidnapped and deposited. He has a cell phone that works, and that’s about all. Can he be found in time? Definitely not for claustrophobes!! Rated 14A.
Fall 2010 TV Debut Week - Click to View
4. THE SOCIAL NETWORK:
An easy pick – the story behind the story is fascinating. Justin Timberlake lost nearly 20 pounds to play Sean Parker, feeling that it would make him look younger. It doesn’t!
TAKERS:
Despite some serious plot holes, this is a pretty good thriller. Will you see the ending coming? Probably!
THE GREEN HORNET
Seth Rogan co-wrote the script and stars in what I see as a terrible version of the radio-and-comic-book crime fighter/criminal. Not at all true to its roots, this is Rogan’s slacker/doper character in the extreme. However, Jay Chou’s Kato saves the day with an excellent performance. Not for me!!
THE DILEMMA
Like an extended TV sitcom, this Ron Howard-directed rom-com with Vince Vaughn and Kevin James is a rental!
