Miami Vice

Michael Mann seems most at home at night. His night sequences are stunningly vibrant and powerful enviroments. Unfortunately Mann often gets caught up in the settings, and soundtrack. Miami Vice is a great example. While Mann has set up a story which is suitable, what prevents this movie from being a classic of action cinema is the way in which the locations and soundscapes take center stage. Ok, some of the acting wasn’t very good at all, but it is an action movie. As a result the movie has the feel of a 133 minute music video. This sounds cool in principle but Miami vice isn’t a music video, or a musical. Nor is it an amazing piece of cinematography. As a result the pull away from its core gives the movie a hollow and sometimes disjuncted feel.

The character development is the main victim of this. We neither feel sympathy, connection, nor awe for either Rico(Jamie Foxx), or Sonny (Colin Farrell). Of course Colin Farrell’s acting doesn’t help the audience connect with Sonny, who at then end of the movie winds up little better then a sociopath at the end of the movie. Jamie Fox’s character on the other hand lack would lack the same emotional dynamic if not for a contrived plot twist which doesn’t work, and Jamie Foxx’s acting abilities, which while not phenomenal are present.

This movie is a minimal action movie. It lacks the plot or suspense to carry it successfully as a drama, and the action is actually fairly minimal, limited to a few brief flashes, and a cool gunfight at the end. Basically we get to watch Jamie Fox and Colin Farrell be cool, have sex, and smuggle drugs. That’s it. Save your money.

Ocean's Eleven is a Royal Flush

When I first saw Ocean’s Eleven I though it was ok. When I watched it a second time I warmed to it a little bit more. When I watched it the a third time I genuinely liked. Ocean’s 11 really has it all, Clever writing, great direction, and an all star cast headed up by Matt Daemon, Brad Pitt, and George Clooney, but also including Elliot J. Gould and Don Cheadle.

The acting in this movie is high caliber. George Clooney as Dan Ocean is a great choice. While not Sinatraesque Clooney’s performance is more then adequate. He comes off cool, Not Sinatra cool, but Clooney cool. Thus George Clooney makes the roll his own. Both Brad Pitt and Matt Damon shine in there respective roles. Matt Damons portrayal of Linus is of particular note. Watching Linus’s over eager journey on the screne was extremely enjoyable.

The story is fast and moves forward in stylish grace. The only flaw with the film is that its not deep. There is no I Ching Wisdom in Ocean’s Eleven, only I-Pod Style. If your looking for deep cinema this movies not for you. If you don’t mind having some fun, then Ocean’s Eleven is worth your hard earned money.

The Protector (Tom yum goong)

If you like bad Asian action movie s and I mean Bad then Ong Bak II or the protector is the movie for you. Tony Jaa stars as cam, A jugernoaught or something. He basically is the guy in charge of protecting the elephant’s or something. I don’t know any way the dude dad gests shot, his elephant gets stolen, and then the dude thinks he’s Bruce Lee.

The protector seriously lacks in plot. It also lacks in consistency, with characters being introduced for little or no reason. Some appearing and then disappearing almost immediately. There is a lot of this in dealing with Jaa’s buddy, basically a carry over from Ong Bak but this time a policemen instead of a crook.

Then there are the action scenes. If you like this movie it will be for the action scenes, and you probably voted for Bush. Twice. The action scenes in the movie go from really awesome. To really stupid, but mostly the try to look cool without providing much substance. The biggest example of this is when Cam charges up these crazy stairs of a club in what’s supposed to be the longest uncut action sequence ever. As a consequence for this ambitious move, most of the shots and action here are really lame. People get like kneed in the stomach and like die, over and over again. In short, don’t waster your time as even the most awesome scenes don’t live up to basic standards.

The Protector is one of those movies that you will pop in and pop out. Almost as bad as Pauline Shore is dead. It gets 1.5 out of 5 stars. At 90 min. it’s really not worth your time, trust me.