Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Alpha Dog (2007)


While my favorite entertainment magazine did not give this movie a good review - I couldn't disagree more. There is no doubt that this movie is disturbing - made only more so by the fact that it is based on the true story of Jesse James Hollywood.

The story centers around the kidnapping and murder of a 15 year old boy in 1999 in California over $1,200 in drug money. The circumstances leading up to his death are baffling. It is as if all of these young men were not living in the real world. They were all somehow involved in drug dealing, but (according to the movie) kidnapped this kid on a whim and didn't really think about taking it to the next level in regard to what happens when you add kidnapping to your list of crimes (and then finally murder). The amount of witnesses to the crime are staggering - and nobody knew what they were witnessing.

Other reviewers felt the story was a bit choppy because it jumped (inconsistently) back and forth between an interview-style of storying telling with a documentary feel (as it chronicles the witnesses) to a fictional story-telling style. I really didn't have any problem with this because I was so blown away by the story itself.

While many of Jesse's accomplices have been tried and convicted, Jesse's trial has not started yet. It will be interesting to see what the outcome of his trial is and close the book on this case - to give the victim's family closure.

The acting was great - Emile Hirsch (as Johnny Truelove - aka Jesse) was scary good. You just didn't like the guy. And Justin Timberlake did an excellent job (I was very surprised at his performance). Bruce Willis, Sharon Stone and Harry Dean Stanton were also stand-up.

Check this movie out.

End.

Sunday, September 2, 2007

The Bourne Trilogy

Since 2002, Matt Damon has played Jason Bourne - a spy with an identity crisis. Recently I watched all three Bourne movies to see how the story played out over time. The first movie "Bourne Identity" was just the film Mr. Damon needed to resurrect his career which had been in the doldrums really since he'd become an Academy Award winner for "Good Will Hunting". (I know - he received critical acclaim for "The Talented Mr. Ripley - but I never liked that movie - and this is my blog).

Anyway - at first I thought that Mr. Damon came across as a bit stiff - but I think (in retrospect) that played in nicely with the fact that he (as Jason Bourne) had his guard up - he didn't know who he was. I thought that Doug Liman did an excellent job directing and Franka Potente was fabulous as Bourne's companion on the run (which reminds me - you should check out "Run Lola Run" starring Potente - fantastic flick).

I believe the second film, "Bourne Supremacy", is the best. Now because, not only is Jason Bourne trying to find out what happened to him, he is also seeking revenge (spoiler alert!) for the loss of the one he loved. It seems to give him even more purpose and make the film that much more urgent.

The third film, "Bourne Ultimatum" was superbly directed by Paul Greengrass (as was the second film). Mr. Greengrass' style of hand held cameras almost makes me queasy to watch, but it sure is a roller coaster ride. I didn't like this film as well as the second one only because of a supposed romance that happened in the past (I didn't give too much away) that seemed forced. But the action was fantastic.

I've really enjoyed watching Mr. Damon as Jason Bourne - he has truly made the role is own - and if the right script comes along, I would not mind seeming him reprise the role.

End.