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Wicked: Part I (2024)
I Loved It
I just got out of Wicked
I have not seen the musical and I have not read the novel.
And I'm glad, as I got to see it all unfold here.
This is very message heavy, and that could turn a lot of people off (I wonder if they play was this heavy, or was it added for the movie) and I think there is a lot of filler in it's 2hr 40 run time. I don't think it's really for kids, although there was a lot in my screening.
Cynthia Orivo and Ariana Grande are both outstanding and work really well together. I'll be honest, I don't know much about Arina Grande, I can't name one of her songs, didn't know she acted and other than the tragic bombing at one of her concerts, I know nothing about her. She is surprisingly good here. Her comedic timing was perfect and I laughed quite a few times at her character, whilst Orivo was just heartbreaking at times, I was really impressed with her.
Of the rest of the cast Michelle Yeoh is very effective and Jeff Goldblum does what he does, I enjoyed Marissa Bode, while you can't miss Peter Dinklage's voice. Some of the casting of the college students was a bit off, due to them being way too old and I was surprised to see no little people in Munchkin Land. A diverse selection of actors, but all regular sized people.
I thought the love interest was a waste of screentime, though. You could have removed his scenes and song and nothing much would have had to be changed.
It feels big, it is grand in its scope and scale. I seen this on IMAX with dolby surround sound and boy did they make the most of that surround sound. It was amazing.
I didnt realise this was a part one, and it bothered me a bit. There are the beginnings of some good and interesting ideas here that will obviously be resolved in part 2, but it left me feeling a bit unfullfilled. They do end it at a good point and I am curious where it is going, so will defo be going to see part 2.
I expect a host of Golden Globe nominations. Could this get a Academy Award Best Picture/Director nomination and possibly Best Actress??
Gladiator II (2024)
A Fine Follow Up
I just got out of Gladiator 2
I'll be honest. I'm not precious about the first movie. Like some people are. I seen it after it won all it's Oscar's and while I enjoyed it. I expected more.
This does borrow heavily from the first, and it is fun, but it is not really all that exciting (for all it's animals, it does not come close to the intensity of the single tiger in the first movie) and it throws a lot at you and things feels a bit rushed. The script really needed another rewrite, as it had too many plots and characters, so you don't really get attached to any of them (or feel their attachments) and a lot of the main characters have understandable motivation; so it's hard to root against them. Truthfully, there was enough here for two movies.
The cinematography is pretty weak (even the scene with the rhino is shot in a rather basic way), with the visuals not impressing me at all. The score is forgettable (except when it's from the first movie) which is unforgivable for something like this. The sharks are getting a lot of hate, but they didn't bother me.
Paul Mescal was okay, I had no issues with him, Pedro Pascal is great. But I think he may have been a victim of editing, likewise Joseph Quinn. Connie Nielsen is fine. But it is Denzel Washington that steals every scene. He brings his movie star quality, to the most complex and interesting character in the whole movie!! Dare I say Best Supporting Actor nomination?? It may not be enough, but I wouldn't rule it out.
All in all, I had a good enough time with it, but I won't watch it again. I think like the Hocus Pocus sequel, I don't think people will be watching this one, in a few years. They will just put the original one one.
The Equalizer 3 (2023)
A Good End To The Trilogy
Continuing my plan to watch every movie in Denzel Washington's filmography, I come to The Equalizer 3
Rounding out an incredibly enjoyable trilogy, Equalizer 3 is a fitting conclusion to the trilogy.
I enjoyed the slower build up in this one, getting to know the people in the village and the community. But once it gets bloody, it may actually be the most violent of the three.
It was nice to see Denzel reunited with his Man on Fire costar, Dakota Fanning.
If I had any gripes, it's the movies main villain came in way too late and like in the other two movies Robert McCall is not really challenged. But that is not picking.
I think I may have liked it more than the second one. I'm not sure. I think Antoine Fuqua is a really under appreciated director.
The Equaliser 3 grossed $92 million at the domestic box office and was the 32nd highest grossing movie of the year.
The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021)
Another Oscar Worthy Turn From Denzel
Continuing my plan to watch every movie in Denzel Washington's filmography, I come to The Tragedy of Macbeth.
This movie certainly won't be for everyone. It will depend on your tolerance for Shakespeare and his dialogue, and how you feel about movies entirely in black and white. Denzel is superb as is Frances McDermand, Brendan Gleason offers solid support in a smaller role.
I enjoyed it, and if I'm to show someone Macbeth (for whatever reason) this will be the one I show them. Even if Shakespeare is not your type of thing, this is worth watching for the performances of Denzel and Frances McDermand.
Denzel was deservedly nominated for an Academy Award and Golden Globe losing to Will Smith for King Richard (yes, it was those Oscars)
The Tragedy of Macbeth was an AppleTV original and had its global launch on there, with A24 giving it a limited theatrical run.
The Little Things (2021)
It Just Does Not Come Together
Continuing my plan to watch every movie in Denzel Washington's filmography, I come to The Little Things.
On paper, this movie has it all going for it, but it just does not come together. Multiple Oscar winner Denzel, teaming up with Rami Makek in his first movie since his Oscar winning turn as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhaosody and Oscar winner Jared Leto in a neo-nior psychological thriller, written and directed by John Lee Hancock (A Perfect World, Blind Side, The Founder and The Highwaymen) but it just doesn't come together.
The performances are there, the atmosphere is there, but for some reason, it just doesn't come together for me, and I for the life of me, I do not know why.
The Little Things was a day and date theatrical/HBO Max release.
The Equalizer 2 (2018)
More of The Same Just Not as Good
Continuing my plan to watch every movie in Denzel Washington's filmography, I come to Equalizer 2.
I found the first movie really enjoyable and this is more of the same, just not as good. I do actually enjoy these movies more than the John Wick ones, though. I loved the opening on the train and the scene in the hotel. Like in Last Blood, I take great joy in seeing bad things happen to bad people.
It's not perfect. It gets a bit distracted with subplots, I didn't care about keeping the kid out of the gang, as much as the main storyline. The twist was obvious and the final act is cliche as hell (you know exactly what will happen) but that is not to say it is not an enjoyable watch. I feel like I'm being a but unfairly harsh on this, after loving Roman J. Israel, Esq so much.
Equalizer 2 grossed $102 million at the domestic box office and was the 46th highest grossing movie of 2018.
Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017)
Another Deserved Oscar Nomination For Denzel
Continuing my plan to watch every movie in Denzel Washington's filmography, I come to Roman J. Israel, Esq.
WOW I knew nothing about this movie before I just watched it on Nerflix and it blew me away. This may be my favourite Denzel Washington performance.
Colin Farrell is great too, as George Pierce a lawyer who is impressed by Roman and offers him a job, but is repeatedly frustrated by him.
I was that invested in this movie, I googled Roman J. Israel, Esq to learn more about the man, only to find out he was fictional. Based on thr movie, I believed him to be real.
Denzel is captivating and moving and was deservedly nominated for an Academy Award (his second in as many years) and Golden Globe for his work in Roman J. Israel, Esq. Losing to Gary Oldman in The Darkest Hour.
Sadly Roman J. Israel, Esq. Was a box office failure, only grossing $12 million at the domestic box office.
Juror #2 (2024)
12 Angry Men Meets No Way Out
I just got out of Juror 2
It is rare for me to not like a Clint Eastwood directed movie. Cry Macho and Firefox the only ones that immediately comes to mind, so coupled with a promising trailer to say I had high expectations, wouod be an understatement.
I don't know why Warner Bros are seemingly burrying this movie. I loved it. It is more 12 Angry Men meets No Way Out, than a traditional A Few Good Men courtroom drama.
Nicholas Hoult carries.thi movie amazingly, but he is ably backed up by a talented cast, including Toni Colette, Kiefer Surherland and J. K Simmons (though the former has considerably more screen time than the latter two) but truthfully there is not a weak link in the cast.
The ending will surely divide people, but for me, this was great entertainment.
I have been wathging Malpaso movies all my life, and I'm not gonna lie, it did hit me, seeing it on the screen. If this is to be the last Clint Eastwood movie, then he goes out on a high, for me.
Fences (2016)
Powerful Acting Overcomes Pacing Problem
Continuing my plan to watch every movie in Denzel Washington's filmography, I come to Fences.
This is amazingly acted by Denzel and Viola Davis and is Denzel's stronger directing effort yet. A lot of people have contained about it being boring, but for me, it is worth watching just for the performances.
I did find my mind wondering a bit, during it's lengthy runtime. I think it could have lost about 15 minutes and still be as effect, but it is only a small gripe.
It's actually hard to really pick any faults with this, other than it's pacing.
Viola Davis deservedly won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar and Golden Globe for her work, whilst Denzel was nominated for both losing to Casey Afleck in Manchester by the Sea. The movie was nominated for Best Picture but lost to Moonlight.
Fences grossed $57 million at the domestic box office and was the 109th highest grossing movie of 2016.
Smile 2 (2024)
Naomi Scott Should Be Oscar Nominated. She Is Amazing
I just got out of Smile 2
I really enjoy the first movie, as someone who doesn't love the horror genre, it was a real surprise. I have to say I enjoyed this considerably even more than the first one.
I enjoyed Naomi Scott in Aladdin and Charie's Angel's, but this is easily the best performance I have seen from her. I think the horror genre is overlooked when it comes to award season, but alongside Demi Moore in The Substance, I think she should be nominated for an Oscar, she is amazing, I felt everything she was feeling and really felt sorry for her. One of the best female performances of the year. She is Smile 2. It's one of the best performances ever, by a lead in a horror movie, for me. I even believed her as a popstar!! Take not M. Night.
The opening prologue (which I won't ruin) is great and is worth the price of admission alone!! The opening could have actually been the plot of this movie, it was a really good premise, that I would have liked to have seen explored. I am not exaggerating when I say it's one of the best openings to a movie of the year.
It is gory at times and it does have my pet hate of jump scares, too!! There are a lot of them. But some of them are really well done, I did jump on more than one occasion, but the pay off at the end, is well worth it. It is messed up and is massive unsettling and I can't wait to see where they go with it.
If you have seen the first movie, this one has some familiar beats, as I'm sure the third movie (which this sets up, brilliantly) will have.
It's not perfect, as I find it hard to believe a pop star as successful and is managed as intensely by her mother, while spend that much time alone, after what has happened to her (no spoilers) I don't think a Miley Cyrus or Britney Spears, would be left alone, like this, and I really need to rewatch it just to get understand a few things!! But this is really nit picking!!
If there is any justice, this will be a huge hit. Other than The Substance, this is my favourite horror movie of the year.
Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)
Phoenix & GaGa Are Great. The Movie Is Not
I just got out of Joker: Folie à Deux
This isn't a disappointment. It's a bad movie, full stop.
Todd Phillips has massively dropped the ball. Everything that was great about the first movie, is missing here. The first movie was meant to be a stand alone movie. But when it made as much as it did. Money talked and it may have talked about making a deadline for the release date, as this is a mess.
I don't read or watch reviews before I watch a new movie. But I seen a headline that said Joker Folie à Deux feels like it was bad on purpose. And I get what they mean as it seems Phillips is angry at the fans for making the first movie so successful. He has deliberately gone out of his way to make a movie, they will not even like, let alone love.
As what we get is a boringly paced, badly edited, totally unfocused movie, that never gets going, lacks any clear direction (it's all over the place) with a script that needed at least another rewrite.
I love a good musical. But the musical sequences in this, stop the movie in it's tracks. They do not belong in this movie. Take them out and you have a better movie. I'd say it's 50/50 songs and dialogue.
I think a lot of people, especially people who loved the first movie, are going to hate this. As Phillips totally tears the character of Joker down in a lot of ways.
I will say it looks gorgeous with some sticking images and it does have some moments of genius and real standout moments. I think everyone will agree on what the stand out moment of the movie is.
Joaquin Phoenix again nails it. Lady GaGa was great too, very charismatic, in a very poorly written role (she doesn't even really become Harley Quinn. She is very unlikeable and downright cruel.
I think she has been the victim of some last minute editing, as the ad campaign make this seem like she is co-lead. That is not the case at all. It's a supporting role. A lot of her stuff has been cut from the finished movie. The title doesn't even make sense Folie à Deux translates to a shared delusion. That is not this movie. Arthur and Lee share very little.
Brendan Gleason is great too, but when isn't he??
They should have turned down the money and kept it at one movie.
Megalopolis (2024)
Not The Worst Movie Of The Year
I just got out of Francis Ford Copplola's Megalopolis: A Fable.
This is spoiler free. But outside of one thing, I couldn't even think of anything to spoil, if I tried.
WOW!! This is not good. Okay. I didn't actually hate it, and the first 45 mins/hour is kind of intriguing enough, to keep you interested and it certainly has scope. But it completely falls apart.
It does not explain things, it sets things up, just to abandon them, people who seem like key characters, are forgotten about, for long periods of time. It frustratingly jumps time periods on several occasions, with zero explanation and it's ending is not only non sensical, it is very unfulfilling and unsatisfactory.
Has this movie been lost in the editing?? It's very incoherent. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a 4 hour cut out there.
It all just felt like an exhausting, waste of time. I need to add, it felt a lot longer than it's 2hr 20 run time.
It looks great at times and the cast do a fine enough job, especially given they have some ridiculous dialogue. Adam Driver was Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad) is always reliable, Nathalie Emanuel (Game of Thrones) really stood out as a the leading lady. I need to say Aubrey Plaza is excellent here, as is Shia LaBeouf, who is amazing. Those three actors stole the movie for me. But what a waste of Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman, who are treated embarrassingly, but at least Voight was not a walk on like James Remer. I will say only only Plaza and LaBeouf seem to understand what movie they were in.
So overall it is official, I dislike more Francis Ford Copplola movies than I like. I only like Outsiders, Godfather 2 The Conversation and The Rainmaker. I think Bram Stoker's Dracula is okay.
I'm not sure why this has performed as poorly as it has (Did the trailer scandal or the FFC scandal turn people away). It's not the worst movie ever, it's not the worst movie this year, it's not the worst Francis Ford Copplola movie or even the worst Adam Driver movie. I think some people will like it, it just didn't work for me.
It says at the bottom of the poster EXPERIENCE IT IN IMAX. That should have been on The Substance posters, which was much more of an experience at the cinema.
I had the entire room to myself at the 13:30 showing. As I left, I was talking to a member of staff who said, there have been a few empty screenings.
Speak No Evil (2024)
McAvoy Nails It, In Well Acted Thriller
I just got out of Speak No Evil.
Despite it requiring some leaps in logic and believability. (Mackenzie Davis and her husband are two of the stupidest characters, I have watched in a movie, in a long time. The make some insanely stupid decisions) I enjoyed it.
James McAvoy nails it he does a great job of making you feel very uneasy, and Mackenzie Davis is good, too. As is Aisling Franciosi But man, did the Dad (played well by Scott McNairy) irritate me!!
The first hour of the movie was the best, then it just becomes a bit routine, in the final act. I thought the movie was going to end a certain way, but it didn't. It was very generic.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
Cast Are Game, But It's Too Convoluted
I just got out of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice!! One of my most anticipated movies of the year
I really don't think this will appeal to mainstream audiences. I can imagine a lot of people not liking it. It's very quirky and niche. But at its core, it's got strong themes about men abusing women (physically, emotionally and mentally) and Jeffrey Jones (Not in it for obvious reasons) is the big elephant in the room.
Michael Keaton is still amazing, Winona Ryder; and Catherine O'Hara slip effortlessly back into their roles. Willem Defoe is game, Monica Bellicci is Tim Burton's latest Helena Bonham Carter/Eve Green, Danny DeVito has a comeo, as shown in one of the trailers. But outside of Keaton, the stand out is Jenna Ortega as Astrid. I was worried she might just be another version of her Wednesday character, but she isn't. She is great. She really works in this world and her storyline should have been the main story.
Convoluted is a nice way to describe the plot, which has waaaay too much going on. You could take out the Willem Defoe and Monica Bellicci storyline and the movie wouldnt miss a step.
It's very predictable. I knew a few very obvious twists. There is call backs to the original, and the non appearance of Adam and Barbara is explained. Poorly. But it's explained.
Beetlejuice is still a supporting character, like in the first, and isn't quite as politically incorrect as in the first one. But he has a bit more screentime this go around. No surprise Danny Elfman's score is great and the movie has great production values.
I'm surprised they are opening this at the beginning of September instead of Halloween.
All in all, a fun one time watch. I'll stick with the first movie.
The Magnificent Seven (2016)
Talented Cast is Wasted In Stupid Remake
Continuing my plan to watch every movie in Denzel Washington's filmography, I come to The Magnificent Seven
I won't compare it to the original (which I love) as it wouldn't be fair. But man, was I disappointed in this. Denzel and director Antoine Fuqua have a good record of enjoyable movies (Training Day, The Equalizer) when they work together, but this is a total misfire.
It wastes a very talented cast, by giving them paper thin characters to play, in a story that is empty (like the rest of this movie) and ludicrous. Nobody (and I mean nobody) can survive three shots in the chest from a Winchester rifle and one in the gut from a revolver and still get up, light a cigarette, laugh, talk a bit and then light and throw a stick of dynamite. I thought I was watching a Hot Shot's parody of a western. Historically inaccurate and just stupid on all fronts.
It's competently shot, the actors do fine jobs and the action is well staged, but Haley Bennett's cleavage was this movies sole high point!! This could be Denzel's worst big screen movie.
The Magnificent Seven grossed $93 million at the domestic box office to become Denzel's 4th highest grossing movie of all time, and was the 56th highest grossing movie of 2014.
AfrAId (2024)
The Cast Makes This Predictable Movie Enjoyable
I just got out of AfrAid.
I'd never heard of this movie. Directed by Chris Weitz and starring a solid cast of John Cho, Katherine Waterstone, Lukita Maxwell and Keith Carredine.
It's a bit typical of the rogue AI storyline, AI is introduced into family home, movie does a good job of showing how AI makes life convenient for the family, then AI starts to become too real etc. It's totally predictable, but thanks to the cast, I enjoyed it.
This isn't really a horror, despite some out of place jump scares, that really didn't need to be there. The movie was at its best when it was dealing with technology that is out there, already. Like the deep fake, stuff. That was when it was most interesting.
I think there is a much longer version of this movie out there, as things are just glossed over and there is a huge plot point, that just is forgotten about. It is really short too. It started at 14:40 and I was out of the cinema by 15:55
There were 7 other people in my screening.
The Equalizer (2014)
I Enjoyed It A Lot
Continuing my plan to watch every movie in Denzel Washington's filmography, I come to The Equalizer.
Here we go @Evanb I'm at the first of the trilogy
I grew up loving the Edward Woodward TV show, so this had a high bench mark.
Turns out I had actually seen the ending to this one, at some point over the years. I loved it. The action is well done, all the cast do a great job and it has a good soundtrack.
Denzel is great, in it Chloe Grace Moretz isn't in it as much as I thought, she would be, though. It was nice to see David Harbour and Bill Pullman in it, too.
The Equalizer grossed $101 million at the domestic box office to become Denzel's 4th highest grossing movie of all time, and was the 44th highest grossing movie of 2014.
2 Guns (2013)
Given The Talent, this should have been a home run
Continuing my plan to watch every movie in Denzel Washington's filmography, I come to 2 Guns
Man, what a disappointment this was. It wasn't bad, but after the last three, it's a step down. It's stupidly violent with some poor dialogue.
Denzel and Whalberg put in a good effort and they have a good rapport. Man is Paula Patton hot,
But Bill Paxton is awfully miscast, as is James Marsden.
With the premise and the talent involved, this should have been a home run. Instead it was nothing more than a one time watch. The end shoot out was okay and at least it wasn't too long.
2 Guns grossed $75 million at the domestic box office and was the 55th highest grossing movie of 2013.
Flight (2012)
An Important Movie About Substance Abuse
Continuing my plan to watch every movie in Denzel Washington's filmography, I come to Flight.
Directed by Robert Zemekis, this is easily one of Denzel's best performances. He is amazing as the substance abusing Whip Whittaker and was deservedly Oscar nominated (losing to Daniel Day Lewis in Lincoln) This is not a movie about a plane crash, but more a study of a functioning alcoholic and drug user who befriends a heroin addict.
In order to get this movie made, both Denzel and Zemekis accepted a tenth of their usual salaries.
All the cast are great, Kelly Reilly, Bruce Greenwood, Don Cheadle and John Goodman (a joy) . I knew I recognised the naked lady in the hotel room with Denzel, it's Nadine Velazquez. She played Catalina in My Name Is Earl. I could have done without so much Piers Morgan, though.
The crash scene was intense and is very well shot.
It is a great movie with an excellent performance by Denzel, as a man who can not face up to the fact he is an alcoholic. A serious argument could be made, that Denzel should have won his third Oscar.
He saved lives the day of the crash. No doubt about it. He saved lives even under the influence of cocaine and alcohol. Nobody questions anything about him, until the crash. We would be surprised by how many people function whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This is an important movie. Watch it.
Flight grossed $93 million at the domestic box office, to become Denzel's 6th highest grossing movie at the domestic box office and was the 49th highest grossing movie of 2012.
Safe House (2012)
I Enjoyed It
Continuing my plan to watch every movie in Denzel Washington's filmography, I come to 2012's Safe House.
I'll be honest, I'd never even heard of this movie. I had no idea Denzel did a movie with a young Ryan Reynolds (I say young, but he is mid 30's) I think the first time I seen him was Blade: Trinity, so this is well after that and movies like Amityville Horror. The Proposal and Buried.
This was director Daniel Espinosa's first English-language film and he does a good job. I'm surprised he has not done more. Other than Morbius, I've not heard of any of his other work.
Both Denzel and Reynolds do more than good jobs, Vera Famiga and Brendan Gleeson offer solid support It was nice to see Robert Patrick and Liam Cunningham (Davis from Game of Thrones) pop up
The movie is well paced and is intense, with the exception of the screenplay clearly signposting who the movies main villain was within the first five minutes. (It tries to do a a bait and switch, but you don't buy it, or at least I didn't) and the dialogue being a bit obvious, sometimes you know what the actors are doing to say, before they do. I have no complaints. A good movie.
Safe House grossed $126 million at the domestic box office, to become Denzel's 2nd highest grossing movie at the domestic box office and was the 38th highest grossing movie of 2012.
Unstoppable (2010)
I Loved It
Continuing my plan to watch every movie in Denzel Washington's filmography, I come to his second movie of 2010, Unstoppable
Now that's more like it. I loved it. If you watch one Denzel movie with a train, directed by Tony Scott, make it this one.
Amazingly this was based on a true story and was the fifth time Denzel worked with Tony Scott.
Denzel, Chris Pine and Rosario Dawson (in her second Denzel movie) are all great, all the actors are, to be honest. I cannot fault anyone in the cast
It was a highly engaging movie from beginning to end, with only some minor nit picks. I even got emotional at the end.
After giving us Top Gun, Revenge, Beverly Hills Co 2, The Last Boy Scout, True Romance, Enemy of The State, Crimson Tide and Man on Fire, what a way for Tony Scott to bow out.
Unstoppable grossed $81 million at the domestic box office to become Denzel's 7th highest grossing movie at the domestic box office and was the 43rd highest grossing movie of 2010.
The Book of Eli (2010)
I Expected More
Continuing my plan to watch every movie in Denzel Washington's filmography, I come to his first movie of 2010, The Book of Eli.
I was a bit disappointed in this one, as I know it is much loved. I'm not saying it was bad, but with its reputation, I expected more.
Denzel was fine and I really enjoyed the first part. Once it got to the town, it lost something, this is not Gary Oldman's finest hour and Mila Kunis really totally took me out of the movie, she looked too good, with perfect make up and aviator shades, where did she learn to drive and how the hell did she get out of that cave??
Nobody can accuse the end of being predictable, but it is a WTF?? Ending. Making you question what you have just watched.
The Book of Eli grossed $94 million at the domestic box office to become Denzel's 4th highest grossing movie at the domestic box office and was the 45th highest grossing movie of 2010.
The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009)
Watch The Original Movie Instead
Continuing my plan to watch every movie in Denzel Washington's filmography, I come to The Taking of Pelham 123
What a disappointing way to follow up American Gangster. I have no idea why an actor of Denzel's calibre would appear in such nonsense. Following his post Pulp Fiction success in the late 90's, Travolta is hamming it up big time. He is an actor who is better when he is subtle (think Mad City) and I didn't find any passion in their performances, whilst the civilian hostages (vital in a movie like this) on the train are unmemorable and the action is way over the top. Tony Scott did Enemy of The State and The Last Boy Scout. So he can do it.
The Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw version is vastly superior. Some of the changes made from the original made it worse too. I didn't like the Travolta character being an ex con, instead of ex mercenary and Denzel being a Transit worker instead of a cop. It just didn't work.
The Taking of Pelham 123 grossed $65 million at the domestic box office (Behind the Hannah Montana movie and Paul Blart: Mall Cop) and was the 40th highest grossing movie of 2009.
American Gangster (2007)
A Bit Too Long But Well Acted
Continuing my plan to watch every movie in Denzel Washington's filmography, I come to American Gangster
"My man" I enjoy this movie. But I do think they made Denzel's character too nice.
It's nice to see Norman Reedus (Daryl Dixon in The Walking Dead) pop up and I always love to see Ruby Dee (Ossie Davis wife) in anything. She was nominated for an Oscar here.
It's too long and could use some trimming. I mean I have love Carla Gugino, since I first seen her in the Bon Jovi video for Always, but the Roberts divorce subplot could have been cut, as just one example. Especially since it was just made up for the movie.
American Gangster grossed $130 million at the domestic box office to become Denzel's biggest box office hit and was the 19th highest grossing movie of 2007. His 5th best performing movie, behind The Pelican Brief, Crimson Tide, Philadelphia and Remember The Titans.
The Union (2024)
Borrows Heavily From Other Movies, But Fun
I just watched The Union on Netflix
It's very much in the vein of movies like Knight & Day, The Killers and Central Intelligence. Even an old classic like the Mel Gibson, Goldie Hawn movie, Bird On A Wire. So if you liked those movies. You may like this.
There is plenty of action, but not much else. It steals a lot from other movies and is pretty routine and cliche. You can see the twists coming a mile away, but there is some fun to be had.
Mark Whalberg and Halle Berry give it a game go, but they have no sexual chemistry. JK Simmons is always a fun actor to watch and there are some impressive set pieces.
All in all, I didn't hate it and it passed the two hours quickly. I'd say it is worth a one time watch.