topher_johnson

The similarities between Shooter and the Jason Bourne trilogy are appealing. Matt Damon and Mark Wahlberg play very similar characters with basically only the motivation for their vendetta as the difference between the two. And as much as I loved the Bourne movies, this one is just as good! With smart, intense action scenes right from start to finish, the movie had me fully enthralled for the entire 2 hours.

Mark Wahlberg is one of those rare actors who can carry a whole movie playing the infallible tough guy who knows what's right and will not fail to enforce it regardless of pain or the odds against him. That said, the supporting cast is great also. Danny Glover, Kate Mara, Michael Pena and Ned Beatty and Elias Koteas all deserve mention for their roles.

I had to laugh at the obligatory slo-mo of Wahlberg strutting away from the explosion. Not because it was funny but because he just does it so perfectly. Not sure what it takes to look that good in a slo-mo strut but I wish I had it. lol

All told this movie had everything I want from an action flick and more. Give it an 8+

But that's just my two scents. ;)

This was the movie Rowan Atkinson had to make for his North American fans and being one of those fans, I enjoyed it tremendously. It had all the physical comedy and farcical set-ups you expect when Mr. Bean plays James Bond but it also had more than enough story and character to hold it together and make it a real quality comedy. Aside from John Malkovich, there were no really big Hollywood names in the supporting cast, but they were all more than passable. Kudos go to Natalie Imbruglia as the "beautiful woman with a mysterious interest in the mission" and Ben Miller who weighed in as Bough, Johnny's sidekick and straight man. It can't be easy playing off a man like Rowan Atkinson, I would think.

While the movie holds much more than the silliness of the opening credits, it can be said that if you enjoy the credits and pre-opening credits segments, you will enjoy this movie. The character Rowan Atkinson creates in portraying Johnny English is hard to describe. He is somehow a proud, honest and well-intentioned man who makes the mistakes and errors in judgement that would be truly painful to watch if it wasn't so funny and yet it's all done in a setting where you can laugh about him without laughing at him. As one of the other reviews I read said, when Johnny is removed from the case, you see the true dejection of the character, not another stubbed toe or sight gag. And that attention to the character and his personability is what makes this movie worth the price of admission. Rowan Atkinson is truly a comic genius, in my opinion.

I'm sure many will rate this much lower and never go back to watch it again (comedies seem to have much more trouble appealing to a wide audience base than dramas), but for me, it was a 7.7 and definitely worth re-visiting.

But that's just my two scents. ;)

This movie combines the best of so many truly gifted artists. It's based on a Steven King short, directed by Rob Reiner and stars 4 perfectly cast and directed young actors. It runs the full gambit of emotion, in no way lessened by the youth of the characters of actors portraying them.

No matter what your youth was like, this movie has some of your past in it. Anger, confusion, coming of age, finding independence, camaraderie with peers, standing up to bullies (or not), misunderstood or abusive parents, and most dramatically, finding the friends who get you through whatever you may face.

And if you have the opportunity, you should definitely view the 'featurette': Walking the Tracks. The interviews with the actors, director and Steven King are as informative and entertaining as any special feature you'll ever watch. Among other things, hearing Rob Reiner talk about how he took 4 very young and completely inexperienced actors and made this movie is a true vision into the art of being the "Actor's Director".

This one should be on everyone's favorite list. A solid 8+.

But that's just my two scents. :)