"Law Abiding Citizen" Needs to Be Better Executed

F. Gary Gray director of Friday and The Negotiator is the creator of this film staring Gerald Butler and Jamie Foxx. The movie starts off very promising. Butler's family is murdered and when he tries to get the murders brought to justice. Foxx, who plays a court prosecutor  decides to settle the case and then the movie really gets started. After 10 years Butler becomes the classic antihero who sets forth a plan to bring down the court system into action. The movie is full of violence and lots of profanity, which at times does seem a bit excessive. Animal Houses, Bruce McGill makes an appearance as another detective working to figure out exactly what Butler is up to. The movie was going great until towards the end when the story seemed to lose focus and ends quite disappointingly. The dialogue seemed convincing and though morbid at times, it was a lot of fun to listen to and even more fun to watch how the characters interacted. Because of the ending the movie seemed to really fall apart, but it does have a bit of redeeming qualities, as we see that revenge is a dish best served ice cold. In the end this is a good movie to see if you have the will to see a  violent movie and don't mind being a little disappointed in the end.

Final Grade: C+

"Red" Rocked

Though I haven't had the chance to read the original graphic novels, I must say that Red was an action packed movie that delivers shot after shot of heart stopping excitement. The film starts of with Willis, playing an aging retiree trying to flirt with Showtime's Weeds actor Mary Louise-Parker, who is his pension agent. From here the movie takes off with action that leaves your head spinning and doesn't stop until the end. At times the action was so intense many became audible with excitement. Seeing Willis in this role brings out his inner bad-ass. This role is typical Willis including arm breaking, and amazing gun play. Also making an appearance was Morgan Freeman as a fellow former agent. Though not one of his best supporting actor roles he still has a lot to bring to the table. We see the craziness which is John Malkovich show up as an ultra paranoid naysayer who delivers great comic relief. The last agent who rounds off the team is the lovely Helen Mirren. She is able to look sexy, while being old enough to have grand kids, and not to mention she is the one with the deadliest aim. The cast is speckled with great supporting actors like X-men 2's Stryker, actor Brian Cox portrays a strong Russian who has a suave and debonair side. Seeing Mary Louis-Parker step onto the big screen was a nice change of pace yet her character seemed a little obnoxious at times, she delivers a mostly convincing role. Overall this is a movie that if you haven't seen you should he running to the nearest theater to do so.

Final Grade: A

"It's Kind of a Funny Story" It's Kind of Inspiring

Keir Gilchrist is not know by many, but in this film he does a great job of portraying today's version of an Everyman. After considering suicide his character, a 16 year old named Craig, checks himself into a mental institution. After getting settled a little he truly tries to open up and find the root of all his angst. In opening up he begins to help others. This movie does a great job at hitting on some deep issues that many experience but are reluctant to talk about out of fear of being ostracized. Though the comic relief at times was painstakingly over the top and took away from an otherwise flawless movie. Zach Galifanakis portrays another patient who has some deep issues but delivers the best words of advice throughout the entire movie. Whether you have personally dealt with depression or know someone dealing with it, this is the movie to see. It delves into dealing with these feelings and growing from them. Though the main characters story seems a bit extreme in his recovery and his ability to solve everyone's problems; it does remind us all to help others and in the end we can't fix our problems in a week, but that it's ok to struggle a little. Overall one of my favorite movies of 2010.

Final Grade: A-/B+