What's up good looking?
You alright?
// Yeah, we're good, man.
Just plugging a few holes, you know?
// ... you lucky bastard, what's she see in a bum like you anyway?
// *flips off* // So, you give any thought about coming to review films with me?
// No.
I got my own thing going now.
// Alright man, well you take care.
Just don't be so fast and furious.
I'll see ya, Paul.
Because this is Movie Night!
Hello and welcome to Movie Night, the only movie review not afraid to review three 10-year-old
box office bombs, and call it a tribute!
I'm your host, Jonathan Paula.
Tonight, we'll honor the life and work of the late Paul Walker, who died tragically
last week.
And while I absolutely love the "Fast And Furious" franchise (parts one and six I've
reviewed here on the show) I'll be honest and say I was never his biggest fan, but I
was particularly upset when I heard the news.
By all accounts, a good actor, and an even better human being...
who died driving fast cars after helping a charity event... which you have to admit,
is a damn fine way to go.
We'll begin with a review for "Timeline".
Released the day before Thanksgiving in November of 2003... look, I still have my original
ticket stub from that afternoon!
-- this science-fiction adventure film sadly only earned back half of its $80-million dollar
budget.
Director Richard Donner does an excellent job adapting the story, based on the novel
by acclaimed writer Michael Crichton, which features a mysterious group of well-funded
scientists who inadvertently discover a wormhole to 1357 medieval France.
The first 30 minutes are extremely intriguing, and well paced; perfectly establishing the
characters and consequences in a believable way.
The plot follows a group of resourceful archeologists who volunteer for a rescue mission, traveling
back in time 646 years to save a missing colleague.
Early in each of their respective careers, this 116-minute movie stars Paul, Frances
O'Connor, Gerard Butler, and Neal McDonough, while Ethan Embry, Michael Sheen, Billy Connolly,
Anna Friel, and David Thewlis make up the giant supporting cast with effective performances.
In parallel narratives, one set in during the 100-year-war, and the other in a New Mexican
science facility, both groups of protagonists are in a literal race against time, else they're
trapped forever in the past, especially after Thewlis resigns to failure, coldly asking,
"How many lives has been lost on the cutting edge of Discovery?".
Now, I'm a sucker for a good time travel story... and this script commendably adheres to a fixed-timeline
universe - something that pays off with an awesome final scene - but to be honest, a
lot of the medieval stuff isn't particularly fascinating.
As with most sci-fi, some suspension of disbelief is required, especially regarding the action-packed
plot, which supposedly all takes place within just six-hours, despite being filled with
plenty of chases, escapes, battles, and romantic entanglements.
Due to unfortunate studio pressure resulting in a re-edit, the film's original score by
Jerry Goldsmith, in what would be that renowned composers final work, was replaced by Brian
Tyler, who does manage to provide a very lively and appropriate sound to the film, if forgettable.
A simple, and easy picture to follow, the cinematography here is solid, and the limited
amount of visual effects are also handled well.
Rarely impressive, and even a bit hackneyed at times, this PG-13 rated picture is still
extremely fun, tightly constructed, and decently memorable.
I've watched it every five years since its release, and will likely continue to do so.
"Timeline", "Interesting premise with exciting action."
Now let's read some of your comments from the YouTube comments.
"Timeline"'s score on the Rate-o-matic: a SIX and an EIGHT.
Some mixed opinions for this picture.
While some of you enjoyed the action adventure, others critcized the ho-hum execution, rating
it a GOOD.
Upon re-watching it recently, this picture is definitely better than I remember.
Despite being undemanding and shallow, it's a an enjoyable two hours, I think it's GREAT.
For tonight's poll question: what is your favorite Paul Walker film?
Bonus points if you pick something outside the "Fast" franchise.
Either way, leave your response as a comment below.
Next up tonight, "Into The Blue".
This underwater action film by director John Stockwell was released in September of 2005,
and despite earning back only 90% of its $50-million dollar budget, a straight-to-DVD sequel was
commissioned anyway.
Pretty boy Paul Walker stars as a beach bum in the Bahamas who dreams of finding buried
treasure under the ocean: but he unfortunately gets more than he bargained for when he stumbled
upon a crashed plane filled with cocaine... mere yards from a real shipwreck
with real gold.
Handsome and charismatic, Walker is very relatable in the lead, making it easy to root for his
success throughout.
The PG-13 feature also stars the stunningly beautiful Jessica Alba, who's acting isn't
nearly as memorable as her perfectly shaped ass in a tight thong bikini.
I mean, I hate to objectify women, but I seriously think a majority of the shots in this film
were composed just so we could see her plump booty swimming around.
Scott Caan is the annoying guy-friend, who chides Walker into taking unnecessary risks
by saying, "Winners make the rules, and losers live by them."
A devilish Ashley Scott, and a cunning Josh Brolin round out the cast with mediocre, but
serviceable performances: most of which take place under the strikingly blue waters of
the Caribbean ocean.
The 110-minute plot moves quickly enough, but the obstacles faced are frustratingly
contrived - it's just one bloated and unbelievable development after another preventing them
from simply picking up some artifacts in only 20-feet of water.
Beginning as a light-hearted story about ocean-dredgers, this well-paced adventure morphs into an exaggerated
and overly complicated tale involving drug-deals, kidnapping, blackmail, shark attacks, back-stabbing,
violent harpoon attacks, and one massive underwater explosion.
Considering much of this picture takes place beneath the waves, I was genuinely pleased
at how well it was able to maintain tension in the absence of dialogue... especially one
scene where Caan is trapped on the sea-floor, while inquisitive marine officers threaten
the operation above.
Paul Haslinger's score helps ratchet the tension in these otherwise silent sequences, and generally,
I enjoyed this movie's fast and loose approach: it's the type of movie you'd catch on cable,
and end up enjoying more than you thought you would.
With some beautiful visuals, and even prettier women - this is a fun action movie, and little
else.
"Into The Blue", "Disposable story, great underwater excitement."
My score on the rate-o-matic... a SIX.
I'm not eager to re-watch this one, but it was harmless entertainment that was never
completely predictable for familiar, I thought it was GOOD.
A quick reminder now to check out the Movie Night Archive channel for exclusive trailer
commentaries (this week I reviewed the new "Amazing Spider-Man 2" trailer), and an easily-searchable
library of all our past reviews.
My final review tonight is for "Running Scared."
This $15-million dollar gritty and violent crime film from director Wayne Kramer failed
to earn a profit when it was released in February of 2006.
Playing against his typical pretty-boy typecast, Paul Walker contributes perhaps the best performance
of his unfortunately short career.
He stars as a low level player in the New Jersey mob, who despite being mixed up in
some awful stuff, is otherwise an honest, family-loving man with a strong moral compass.
A young Cameron Bright, the beautiful Vera Farmiga, cold Chazz Palminteri, the sexy Elizabeth
Mitchell, the devilish John Noble, and a dozen other character actors make up the talented
supporting cast.
A bizarre altercation involving attempted murder at Walker's next-door neighbor finds
him in a frenzy to cover up his involvement, and protect his family...
during one long night of wild events, from a gang shootout, defending a prostitute, to
robbing
a pharmacy.
The extremely R-rated experience is a dirty and loud one, with Kramer utilizing snap zooms,
slow-motion, and carefully constructed camera moves to expertly bring the crime-filled hell-holes
to life.
The minimalist and droning score from Mark Isham functions like nails-on-a-chalkboard,
keeping you perpetually on edge during the film's more tense moments.
The 122-minute story becomes increasingly more convoluted and ridiculous though, with
more coincidences and crossovers than an episode of Seinfeld.
But, the individual sequences, especially when brave housewife Farmiga attempts to save
some children from a couple of pedophile kidnappers.
She later defends her vigilante actions to Walker by saying, "I have never seen evil
before tonight."
Fast moving, and visceral when it works, but otherwise scattershot and inconsistent, the
movie is capped off by three separate endings, each one less believable than the last.
When the credits finally rolled, I was left with both a sense of disbelief and surprise
- this is a unique and interesting film worth watching at least once, but it's far too ambitious
and disjointed for its own good.
"Running Scared", "Powerful emotions in an unbelievable environment".
I'm scoring this a FIVE on the rate-o-matic.
Definitely required viewing for fans of the late Paul Walker or graphic crime-thrillers...
this is a movie I enjoyed once, and will gladly recommend.
But beyond that, I only thought it was GOOD.
Finally tonight, lets read some Tweet Critiques.
If you see a new movie in theaters, Tweet your review with the #JPMN hashtag.
In an effort to catch up on some work, Movie Night will be off next week, but when we return
in two week's time, we'll be reviewing the "The Hobbit 2: Desolation Of Smaug", the crime
drama "American Hustle", and Tom Hanks' newest feature "Saving Mr. Banks".
All three of these picture will be released on December 13th.
Once you watch them, share your opinions by voting in the polls below, or by leaving a
comment review.
If you'd like to watch more episodes of Movie Night, check out the "related videos" on my
right, or click SUBSCRIBE to be notified of all new content, and be sure to follow me
on Twitter or Facebook for updates between episodes.
Once again, my name is Jonathan Paula, thank you for watching and listening.
Until next time, have a good Movie Night!