Showing posts with label Jamie Foxx. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jamie Foxx. Show all posts
Valentine's Day
9.23.2010
Rating: PG-13
Movie Release Date: February 12, 2010
DVD Release Date: May 18, 2010
Plot 411: An interwoven story about people who live in L.A. on Valentine's Day.
Review: This movie tries to pull off a heartfelt statement about love in L.A. ala Love Actually and a massive ensemble cast. However, I don't think it has quite enough heart to follow in those footsteps. The various plot lines are as moving. They don't tug quite so hard at your heartstrings. It's as if we're just following these people around for a day in the life or something just as moronic. The movie opens up with Reed (Ashton Kutcher) proposing to his girlfriend Morley (Jessica Alba). Most of his friends, including BFF Julia (Jennifer Garner) and Alphonso (George Lopez), are surprised when they find out she says yes. The multiple storyline unfolds here with kid love, teen love and even senior love. The all-star cast is great, but they don't seem able to pull off a really solid American representative of Love Actually. Also in this film are Kathy Bates, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper, Julia Roberts, Emma Roberts, Hector Elizondo, Eric Dane, Patrick Dempsey, Jamie Foxx, Topher Grace, Anne Hathaway, Shirley MacLaine, Queen Latifah, Taylor Lautner and Taylor Swift. Phew, by the time you say all their names the flick is over. My bet is that they signed up for this project hoping to get paid for not doing much. It probably worked.
Watch It: If you want to catch a glimpse of stars young and old.
Skip It: And watch the British version, which is better hands down. Who said Brits were cold and stuffy?
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Law Abiding Citizen
7.03.2010
Rating: R
Movie Release Date: October 6, 2009
DVD Release Date: February 16, 2010
Plot 411: When justice doesn't prevail for a man's family, he plots to teach the justice system a lesson.
Review: Gerard Butler stars as Clyde, a man who lives while his wife and daughter die as a result of a brutal home invasion. A year later, his lawyer Nick (Jamie Foxx) takes a plea bargain deal that allows one murder to get off relatively easily. Clyde is let down by the government's justice system and spends the next 10 years plotting to right the wrong. This is an interesting look at the faults of our justice system, a system in which killers are set free given the right legal song and dance. It comments on the kinds of ethics lawyers (and people in general) may or may not possess. It points out what may be lacking in your life when status and ego begin to take precedence. It asks you to question the rights and wrongs of the characters' actions and philosophy. For me, the pace started off a bit slow even if the movie opened with a big bang. However, once it started going I found myself thoroughly engrossed in it. This is a thinking person's type of film as Clyde is a thinking man. The way he is able to stay two steps ahead of the authorities is shockingly easy. I'm not sure if that demonstrates his brilliance or the ineptitude of law enforcement. Also in this film are Colin Meaney, Bruce McGill and Leslie Bibb.
Watch It: For a good cop thriller with decent performances from both Butler and Foxx.
Skip It: If Butler's ever-changing accent gets on your nerves.
Movie Release Date: October 6, 2009
DVD Release Date: February 16, 2010
Plot 411: When justice doesn't prevail for a man's family, he plots to teach the justice system a lesson.
Review: Gerard Butler stars as Clyde, a man who lives while his wife and daughter die as a result of a brutal home invasion. A year later, his lawyer Nick (Jamie Foxx) takes a plea bargain deal that allows one murder to get off relatively easily. Clyde is let down by the government's justice system and spends the next 10 years plotting to right the wrong. This is an interesting look at the faults of our justice system, a system in which killers are set free given the right legal song and dance. It comments on the kinds of ethics lawyers (and people in general) may or may not possess. It points out what may be lacking in your life when status and ego begin to take precedence. It asks you to question the rights and wrongs of the characters' actions and philosophy. For me, the pace started off a bit slow even if the movie opened with a big bang. However, once it started going I found myself thoroughly engrossed in it. This is a thinking person's type of film as Clyde is a thinking man. The way he is able to stay two steps ahead of the authorities is shockingly easy. I'm not sure if that demonstrates his brilliance or the ineptitude of law enforcement. Also in this film are Colin Meaney, Bruce McGill and Leslie Bibb.
Watch It: For a good cop thriller with decent performances from both Butler and Foxx.
Skip It: If Butler's ever-changing accent gets on your nerves.
Any Given Sunday
12.28.2009
Rating: R
Movie Release Date: December 22, 1999
DVD Release Date: September 1, 2000
Plot 411: A once-great football team has had several bad years and the new owner and veteran coach butt heads on coaching methods.
Review: Coach D'Amato (Al Pacino), who has led the Miami Sharks to several championships over the years, is caught in the crosshairs of new owner Christina (Cameron Diaz), who has just inherited the team from her father. Believing that D'Amato is over-the-hill and his teaching methods are outdated, she hires a new offensive coordinator (Aaron Eckhart) to breathe some life into the team. Christina is a shrewd woman and successful finances is a top priority for her. Because of this and many losing seasons, she plans on replacing D'Amato at the season's end. When injuries strike the team, third-string quarterback Willie Beamen (Jamie Foxx) leads the team to several wins after some initial setbacks. He soon becomes arrogant and this causes friction between him and many of the other players. This movie gives audiences a good look at the inner workings of professional sports - the good and the bad. It comments on how the sport is promoted, scrutinizes the coaching and players, their motives and commitments, looks at the luxurious and lavish lives that the players' families are privy to and the corruption within the sport. It's a stark contrast to the typical fan's point of view and also parodies many within professional football. Also in this film are LL Cool J, James Wood, Dennis Quaid, Lauren Holly, Matthew Modine and John C. McGinley.
Watch It: For one of Diaz's few serious roles. She's actually pretty good in this one.
Skip It: If a straight football movie is what you're looking for. This is more about the people than it is about the sport.
Movie Release Date: December 22, 1999
DVD Release Date: September 1, 2000
Plot 411: A once-great football team has had several bad years and the new owner and veteran coach butt heads on coaching methods.
Review: Coach D'Amato (Al Pacino), who has led the Miami Sharks to several championships over the years, is caught in the crosshairs of new owner Christina (Cameron Diaz), who has just inherited the team from her father. Believing that D'Amato is over-the-hill and his teaching methods are outdated, she hires a new offensive coordinator (Aaron Eckhart) to breathe some life into the team. Christina is a shrewd woman and successful finances is a top priority for her. Because of this and many losing seasons, she plans on replacing D'Amato at the season's end. When injuries strike the team, third-string quarterback Willie Beamen (Jamie Foxx) leads the team to several wins after some initial setbacks. He soon becomes arrogant and this causes friction between him and many of the other players. This movie gives audiences a good look at the inner workings of professional sports - the good and the bad. It comments on how the sport is promoted, scrutinizes the coaching and players, their motives and commitments, looks at the luxurious and lavish lives that the players' families are privy to and the corruption within the sport. It's a stark contrast to the typical fan's point of view and also parodies many within professional football. Also in this film are LL Cool J, James Wood, Dennis Quaid, Lauren Holly, Matthew Modine and John C. McGinley.
Watch It: For one of Diaz's few serious roles. She's actually pretty good in this one.
Skip It: If a straight football movie is what you're looking for. This is more about the people than it is about the sport.
Miami Vice
11.16.2009
Rating: R
Movie Release Date: July 28, 2006
DVD Release Date: December 5, 2006
Plot 411: The movie version of the 1980s TV show.
Review: I loved watching this TV show as a kid. The clothes were bright as hell but that added to the charm. Colin Farrell is Sonny Crockett and Jamie Foxx is Ricardo Tubbs in this remake of the '80s TV show. Overall, I'm not really impressed with them in these roles. Somehow they can't live up to Don Johnson and Phillip Michael Thomas. The plot focuses on a Columbian drug cartel that the FBI is trying to infiltrate. The FBI signs Crockett and Tubbs onto their team and the partners pose as drug dealers in order to get intel on the group. Crockett becomes attached to the kingpin's advisor (Gong Li) and they have an affair. Because of this, Tubbs is worried that they're getting in to deep. His fears are confirmed when one of their own is kidnapped and strapped with explosives. Crockett and Tubbs must rescue her and confront the cartel before the drugs hit the streets. I liked the cinematography of this film. The cool, steely colors created a somber mood that completely contrasted with the vivacious nature of Miami. It separated the seedy underworld from the rich and famous people. Farrell's accent is horrible. His acting isn't much better. Foxx's acting is on par with his performance in Stealth and no where near his ability in Ray.
Watch It: If you're looking for big explosions and gunfights.
Skip It: If you're looking for a quality remake.
Movie Release Date: July 28, 2006
DVD Release Date: December 5, 2006
Plot 411: The movie version of the 1980s TV show.
Review: I loved watching this TV show as a kid. The clothes were bright as hell but that added to the charm. Colin Farrell is Sonny Crockett and Jamie Foxx is Ricardo Tubbs in this remake of the '80s TV show. Overall, I'm not really impressed with them in these roles. Somehow they can't live up to Don Johnson and Phillip Michael Thomas. The plot focuses on a Columbian drug cartel that the FBI is trying to infiltrate. The FBI signs Crockett and Tubbs onto their team and the partners pose as drug dealers in order to get intel on the group. Crockett becomes attached to the kingpin's advisor (Gong Li) and they have an affair. Because of this, Tubbs is worried that they're getting in to deep. His fears are confirmed when one of their own is kidnapped and strapped with explosives. Crockett and Tubbs must rescue her and confront the cartel before the drugs hit the streets. I liked the cinematography of this film. The cool, steely colors created a somber mood that completely contrasted with the vivacious nature of Miami. It separated the seedy underworld from the rich and famous people. Farrell's accent is horrible. His acting isn't much better. Foxx's acting is on par with his performance in Stealth and no where near his ability in Ray.
Watch It: If you're looking for big explosions and gunfights.
Skip It: If you're looking for a quality remake.
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