Showing posts with label James Cromwell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label James Cromwell. Show all posts

Friday, November 1, 2013

THE SUM OF ALL FEARS (2002)

Completely disregarding the first three Jack Ryan films, THE SUM OF ALL FEARS casts Ben Affleck as a young CIA analyst who is an expert on a a little known Russian figure (Ciaran Hinds) who is suddenly announced as the new Russian president, after the old one unexpectedly kicks the bucket.  Because of this Ryan is summoned by the CIA Director (Morgan Freeman).  At the same time, a nuclear bomb gets into the hands of the Nazis.  Yes, the Nazis.  Anyway, tensions rise between America and Russia, so it's up to Jack Ryan to save the day.

I really enjoyed the first three Jack Ryan films, but TSOAF was pretty lame.  Not only was Affleck unable to fill the screen character first played excellently by Alec Baldwin and then perfected by Harrison Ford, but the story was just boring!  Yeah, there's a few explosions and a gun or two fired, but overall, TSOAF is a snoozer.  Blah, blah, blah, bomb missing, yelling and posturing, helicopter crashing, fast typing...I don't know, the supporting cast (all except Ryan's girlfriend) were really good, but the direction was so bland and the story so played out that there was zero tension.  It made money at the box office, but it's easy to see why this reboot failed to garner any sequels.   

Part 1 - The Hunt for Red October (1990)
Part 2 - Patriot Games (1992)
Part 3 - Clear and Present Danger (1994)
Reboot 2 - Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

Thursday, October 11, 2012

SALEM'S LOT (2004)

You know the story: famous writer comes back to his hometown to confront some childhood demons concerning a creepy mansion.  While there, some vampire shenanigans pop off and he takes it upon himself to kick all of those smelly bloodsuckers in their undead nuts.

I liked this version...or, at least, the first two hours.  The introduction of the town and it's citizens is done well enough.  The story is continually moving forward, but then in the last hour, everything just putters to an end.  Like the movie itself was getting sleepy.

Dated early 2000's TV-level digital effects, steady pace, good writing despite a few plot holes (why didn't the priest recognize the homeless dude in the opening scene?), unsatisfying ending, unsatisfying looking vampires, one of the lamest boss fight in movie history, Donald Sutherland doing a Max von Sydow as Leland Gaunt impersonation(?), a Cujo reference, strong cast with good acting.

Overall, it's not a bad watch (especially for a made-for-TV movie), but I can't see any reason to watch it too often.
 
Sequel to original miniseries - A Return to Salem's Lot (1987)

Friday, December 23, 2011

DEEP IMPACT (1998)

Ahh yes, "The Great Asteroid/Comet Battle of 1998". DEEP IMPACT vs. ARMAGEDDON. Who could forget it? It was almost as exciting as "The Great Volcano Battle of 1997"!

One quiet evening, some young amateur astronomers are looking up at the sky when what do they see, but a gigantic comet headed straight for Earth! Holy fook!!! It's actually not that straightforward, but soon enough, word gets out that we're all going to die and everyone goes bonkers...dogs and cats living together...mass hysteria! But wait! Humanity has one last chance to survive in the form of a huge spaceship filled with brave astronauts that is going to travel out to the comet, drill holes, insert bombs and explode that bitch! There's also a side story about a national lottery that will give 800,000 Americans access to a newly build bomb shelter in Missouri that will survive the impact, but then they'd have to live in Missouri.  Just kidding, I've never been to Missouri, I'm sure it's fine.

Compared to ARMAGEDDON, DEEP IMPACT is more serious and in some ways a better film, but, as far as pure entertainment goes, ARMAGEDDON is the clear winner.  I did really like how DEEP IMPACT started out with the investigative reporter digging for clues.  That was a lot of fun.  The revelation about the impending disaster was cool too.  The place where DI falters is the very ending.  It's way too abrupt and not even close to satisfying.

Zero nudity, zero Aerosmith songs, touching moments overload, 90's-level CG destruction, good pacing, explosive outgassing, okay acting.  DEEP IMPACT is entertaining, especially the first half, but the ratio of sappy emotional moments vs. destruction was way off.

Fun rainy afternoon time-waster. I honestly watch it a few times a year. Seriously.