Year: 1995
Genre: Adventure thriller
Director: Frank Marshall
Plot: Two scientists, one bringing a gorilla back to its roots and another looking for a diamond, organize an expedition to Africa. There they encounter hostile forces in the form of unfriendly soldiers and violent creatures.
The gist: Jurassic Park was a huge hit back in the 90s and this film tried to cash in on that wave. But Jurassic Park this is not as it does not have the former's sense of awe, well written characters and excellent CGI.
Congo tells the story of two scientists who reluctantly team up to go to the African Congo, braving the hostile environment and mystery that awaits them. One is from a telecommunication company looking for a diamond as well as her ex-fiancee who lost contact mysteriously while the other wants to return his gorilla (who has the ability to speak using an electronic device) to the wild.
Of course, shit happens and their team has to do what it takes to survive and make it out alive.
The good: Laura Linney and Dylan Walsh are decent enough as the two scientists in question, though the best acting comes from Ernie Hudson as the charming guide who leads them into the jungle. Minor appearances by Bruce Campbell, Delroy Lindo and Joe Pantoliano are also worth mentioning.
The bad: The 'talking' gorilla is cool with me, but I don't know why the filmmakers decided to have it smoke a cigar and drink alcohol in the film. What the heck was that for? The CGI was rather lame and made the film feel dated. Tim Curry was too over the top as the treasure seeking philanthropist tagging along with them.
Verdict: It's a decent watch, but probably not memorable enough to warrant a second viewing. (3/5)
Year: 2011
Genre: Biography, drama
Director: Marc Forster
Plot: Based on the true story of Sam Childers, a reformed criminal who found God and dedicated his life to defending helpless children in Sudan.
The gist: Biographies can be a tricky genre to tackle, especially when certain liberties need to be taken. Now, I don't know if there were any such thing for this film, but the story of Sam Childers is important enough to be made into a movie so that the world can learn more about him.
Unfortunately the film that Marc Forster made isn't as solid as it should be. The key problem is the fact that Childers' crusade is still ongoing, so the story doesn't have a satisfactory conclusion. The only thing that Forster can do is highlight the Sudanese civil war and the children that suffer there, interwoven with Childers' personal battle as he fights to save as many kids as he can.
To that end, Gerard Butler does a fine job as Childers, balancing the act between preaching at his church and launching rockets at the LRA. Butler is the glue that holds this movie together.
The good: Butler is great. Michelle Monaghan is also good as his wife Lynn, projecting frustration whenever he gives more attention to his crusade than his own family.
The bad: The unsatisfactory ending. Michael Shannon is underused as Childers' troubled buddy. And I don't know about you, but Childers' transformation from drug dealer to born again Christian was way too easy. But then again, this film is more about the fight for Sudan.
Verdict: It's a decent biography of a determined and kind man, but I wish there was more to it than just that. (2.5/5)
Year: 2012
Genre: Action
Director: Simon West
Plot: A recently released bank robber has to rescue his daughter, who's been kidnapped by his former partner. He has to rob another bank in 12 hours or she's dead.
The gist: Remember when Nicolas Cage and Simon West made a film called Con Air? It was over the top and ridiculous, but it was so much fun and I loved it.
Stolen is ridiculous too, but other than that, it's the total opposite of Con Air. It's stupid and dull, and marks yet another bad film project from Cage.
Cage plays a bank robber who's supposedly the smartest bank robber in the country (Really?), who destroyed the loot he took from a bank job after being cornered by the cops, and subsequently sent to jail. Eight years later, he comes out and tries to reconnect with his daughter, but before he can make amends for lost time, his old partner shows up and kidnaps her, and demands his share of the loot.
It's just laughable watching Cage run down the street when he's obviously in no shape to do so anymore. But what's even worse is seeing Josh Lucas wearing the worst wig of all time in an attempt to play a villain.
The film attempts to be smart but fails more often than not. One is having Danny Huston as the lead detective wear a hat, as if he was a wise old hound. But Morgan Freeman he ain't, as he is too easily fooled by Cage's character. The twists West tries to incorporate are either badly done or predictable.
The good: There's a decent car chase sequence at the film's opening 15 minutes, the key word being decent. There's a scene where Cage is speaking with a cab company owner with a Cajun accent, which was quite funny. Other than that, can't think of anything else here.
The bad: Josh Lucas wins the Worst Villain of the Year award. Does he seriously think he can be intimidating with a wig and a wooden leg, and the worst lines ever written? Then there's the dull plot, messy execution and badly conceived characters. Poor Malin Akerman had almost nothing to do here too.
Verdict: It's a bad movie. Go watch Con Air instead. (2/5)
Year: 2001
Genre: Romantic comedy
Director: Peter Chelsom
Plot: Two people who fall in love and separate on the same night attempt to find each other years later using clues they left behind.
The gist: Serendipity is defined as a fortunate accident or a pleasant surprise, as well as the name of the cafe where John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale's characters have coffee with each other after they meet. Although already attached to other people, they like each other a lot, so they leave their respective numbers on a dollar and a used book, and vow to find each other again if they rediscover the items someday.
Of course, being a romcom, the ending is already a foregone conclusion, but the fun is in getting there. Peter Chelsom keeps things moving briskly and inserts a lot of funny situations that are not over the top, and it works. It also helps a lot that his two leads are really charming and work well together, despite only sharing scenes at the beginning and end of the film.
The good: Cusack and Beckinsale are the perfect choices for the leads. Jeremy Piven shines as Cusack's best friend while Eugene Levy is pretty funny as the salesman who helps Cusack in getting information that he needs. The music is also to die for, my favorites being numbers from Annie Lennox and Evan & Jaron.
The bad: Predictability, obviously. Being a romcom, a lot of the stuff that happens is way too convenient. And why would they be attached to other people to be married if they're still pining for each other? I don't get that.
Verdict: I'm not a fan of romantic comedies, but I like this charming little film. (3.5/5)
