THE DEBT Review

I remember seeing a trailer for "The Debt" around this time last year priming it for a late 2010 release that was no doubt trying to set it up for a hopeful awards season. It is a shame it missed that opportunity, but also makes one realize how much precedence is put on those films labeled as "award contenders" and how those with seemingly just as much potential but with a less flashy release date seem to flounder as the little films that couldn't. It is almost deeply disappointing that "The Debt" has been reduced to late summer fodder instead of awards season contender because this is a true, down and dirty espionage thriller with a profound message, a plethora of talent, and a prestigious director on its hands and though I, as well as my fellow audience members really seemed to enjoy the film, it did almost feel like we were the only ones who were going to see it. I hope I'm wrong, I hope this Helen Mirren vehicle finds its audience and doesn't get lost in the shuffle between "Shark Night 3D" and "A Good Ole Fashioned Orgy" but thanks to that transaction between Miramax owner Disney and soon-to-be new owners, it probably will be.

Rachel (Helen Mirren) and Stephen (Tom Wilkinson)
discuss a startling revelation in "The Debt".

It should also be noted "The Debt" is based on a 2007 Israeli film of the same name, but it never saw theatrical release here in the U.S. From that film, Matthew "Kick-Ass" Vaughn and a team of writers have made a strong translation that tells the story of three secret agents who worked together in the sixties and became close while attempting to complete a mission that involved capturing a Nazi war criminal so that he may finally be put on trial. The film transitions smoothly between the original mission of 1966 and how it is still affecting those involved thirty years later in 1997. And though Mirren is being touted as the star attraction here the film actually spends more time with the younger version of Mirren's Rachel Singer than it does her 1997 self. This isn't at all a bad thing though as young Rachel is played by one of the best and brightest upcoming actresses in Hollywood at the moment. If you've seen "The Help" you know how good Jessica Chastain is and once you see "The Debt" you will see how versatile she is. You might have already known this fact had you seen her in "The Tree of Life" but sadly, I have yet to see it. Chastain is easily the reason this film works as well as it does. Though I completely enjoyed the structure with which the story was conveyed and can truly appreciate the raw tension the action scenes caused, it would all just be background noise had we not a central figure to hang all of our hopes and sympathies with. Chastain gives us that. We feel her pain, we can almost touch her fear, yet we still feel a distance from her, one that never allows us to really figure her out until that final moment of the picture.

Young Rachel (Jessica Chastain), David (Sam Worthington),
and Stephen (Marton Csokas) train together.

As Rachel's fellow agents we have Stephen and David, two equally talented spies that have their distinct strengths and weaknesses. Stephen is suave, the clear leader while David is determined, dedicated, and impossible to read. As played by Sam Worthington David is a stoic figure, clearly full of integrity and pure in his quest to do what is right. Stephen is a man looking to get ahead, he is good at what he does and he knows it. He knows where his life is heading and has no plans of it being detoured. Both have interest in Rachel when she is assigned to join them on their secret mission. Rachel, clearly more intrigued by the mysterious David but unable to resist the charm of Stephen becomes caught in the middle. And while this might start to sound all too much like a soap opera set in 1966 Berlin, rest assured the sweet love story is only one of the elements adding to what makes this film so intense, so involving, but most importantly, so good. Relative unknown Marton Csokas plays the young Stephen who grows into the always reliable Tom Wilkinson while David is just as mysterious in his old age as played by Ciaran Hinds. These three become our lifeline into this dark, gloomy atmosphere Madden slowly builds as he delivers piece by piece the entire picture of what actually occurred on their mission. It is framed beautifully in the beginning and throughout it is as if the movie continues to tighten its grip on your collar because it literally feels as if it's pulling you in. It is hard to go to deep into detail without divulging key plot points, but "The Debt" is nothing short of an arresting thriller and one that not only presents a story with subject matter that is hard to dismiss but one that begs questions of the value of truth and what that value attributes to the quality of life.

Doktor Bernhardt aka "The Surgeon of  Birkenau"
(Jesper Christiansen) is evil beyond measure.

Sure, as I watched "The Debt" I was reminded of countless other films based around spies and secret missions, especially those involving Nazi's but never did they make me yearn to watch them instead of "The Debt". This film stands on its own, delivering a compelling idea on the experiences of looking a cruel evil in the face and deciding to do what is right or what is easy. And though I doubt that even with a December release date last year this film would have garnered many statues, the one I believe it might have had the best shot at is best supporting actor for Jesper Christiansen's portrayal of that evil incarnate. There is a section in the middle of the film where his Doktor Bernhardt plays mind games with the three young spies and creates a certain feeling in your stomach you can only get rid of by swallowing. He brings it to the forefront and to a breaking point where what could have been becomes what do we do now? It is what makes this thriller the best of its genre is many years and to the core is what makes me hope audiences choose this rather than the up-charge for 3D glasses this weekend. "The Debt" may not get the release date it deserves, but that shouldn't mean it doesn't get the attention.

THE DEBT Review

I remember seeing a trailer for "The Debt" around this time last year priming it for a late 2010 release that was no doubt trying to set it up for a hopeful awards season. It is a shame it missed that opportunity, but also makes one realize how much precedence is put on those films labeled as "award contenders" and how those with seemingly just as much potential but with a less flashy release date seem to flounder as the little films that couldn't. It is almost deeply disappointing that "The Debt" has been reduced to late summer fodder instead of awards season contender because this is a true, down and dirty espionage thriller with a profound message, a plethora of talent, and a prestigious director on its hands and though I, as well as my fellow audience members really seemed to enjoy the film, it did almost feel like we were the only ones who were going to see it. I hope I'm wrong, I hope this Helen Mirren vehicle finds its audience and doesn't get lost in the shuffle between "Shark Night 3D" and "A Good Ole Fashioned Orgy" but thanks to that transaction between Miramax owner Disney and soon-to-be new owners, it probably will be.

COLOMBIANA Review

"Colombiana" is a strict action film that never climbs above the cliched. Trying way to hard to solidify star Zoe Saldana as a leading lady of action, this revenge tale is one we have seen many times over with few things to differ it from those previous incarnations of the tale. "Colombiana" has it all: drug lords, shoot-outs, weapons, but what it is missing is that x-factor. Saldana is not enough to keep the rehashed story and dry action sequences afloat. The only thing that allows this briskly paced action flick to be an entertaining watch is in fact that: the brisk pace. As beautiful as Saldana is to look at and I won't deny that she carries a certain sort of charisma, still, the "Star Trek" and "Avatar" actress has never given me the impression she could carry a feature on her narrow shoulders, no matter how muscular she has sculpted them to be. I don't mean to sound overly negative in reference to this late summer film that probably doesn't have much critical aspirations in the first place, but just because her resume says she has the potential to be a star doesn't mean the poor girl can make even the most recycled story a hit. C'mon Saldana, if you're as good as they're saying let's find a script that actually shows it.

Young Cataleya (Amandla Stenberg) has one
final talk with her father. 

In all honesty, I had no intentions to see "Colombiana" but after seeing a clip of the opening sequence featuring the younger version of Saldana's character, Cataleya as played by Amandla Stenberg (who will next be seen in the adaptation of "The Hunger Games") I was a bit more intrigued. The idea, though no longer original after Chloe Moretz's Hit Girl left too great an impression in last years "Kick-Ass" was still entertaining. It showed a young girl in an impressive parkour chase through the crowded streets of Columbia as she ran for her life after witnessing the death of her parents. It did indeed leave an impression that, while not as shocking as the aforementioned films, still peaked my interest enough that I thought it worth a Sunday afternoon show. Turns out (of course) that is probably the best sequence of the film. There is a pretty sweet prison break-in featuring Saldana as the character but after that each action scene seems to slowly grow more and more lazy and more ridiculous. This is really the only thing going for the film also, so when they start to slip we start to realize how lackluster the rest of the script is. The bad guys are so typical and foreign. The way in which the movie becomes as much FBI chase as it does quest for revenge gets out of hand quick. There are only so many extravagant coincidences we can buy until we start to laugh at the movie for all the wrong reasons.

Zoe Saldana attempts to keep her action resume
strong with this leading role in "Colombiana".

If you want to watch a true, original action film where you actually feel some effort was put into the story and you don't feel as if you are watching a mash up of every other revenge movie ever made then wait until next week and buy "Hanna". Seriously, coming out of "Colombiana" I am actually feeling a little swindled. I really thought my expectations might have been wrong. I mean, I enjoy "The Transporter" series and Oliver Megaton, the guy at the helm of the third entry in that series was in charge here and though he brings some of that energy to that opening sequence and in some ways to that inevitable final showdown between Cataleya and the goons who murdered her parents, he otherwise reduces himself to copying how every other action film has been shot in the last few years. The remainder of the film is filled to the brim with unnecessary subplots concerning our protagonists love life that is supposed to show us how much she really just wants to be a normal human being. A regular member of society. Sorry dear, you are starring in an action film, and one where you are supposed to be seeking revenge. Don't you know that is all you should be thinking about? I say that sarcastically of course, though "Colombiana" makes strides to add some depth to Saldana's character it is so much in the form of cliff notes that, as I said, it feels more unnecessary than anything else. We also have the guy in the police dept. who is close on her heels and Cataleya's only remaining family that has foolishly kept her in the business of killing.

"Hey, didn't I play this same role in Bad Boys II?"

There truly isn't much more to say about a film you have seen before. All one would have to do is substitute Saldana for "The Punisher" and you have "Colombiana" minus the whole skull t-shirt. Why Luc Besson, the guy who directed his breakout hit "La Femme Nikita" over fifteen years now thinks he can still write junk like this and get away with keeping the reputation as the guy who made "The Fifth Element" and produced "Taken" is a mystery to me. If anything, what "Colombiana" teaches us is that no matter how stylized the violence and no matter how gorgeous the star, there is nothing that substitutes for a good idea. If you are going to make a balls to the wall action flick then you need that one element that separates it from every other action film out there. Whether that be the attitude, the character that is your leading man or lady or a plot device that throws a wrench into the standard formula. "Colombiana" has neither of these and thus will be reduced to nothing more than a quick home video release and a small, insignificant mark on Saldana's resume between the "Star Trek" and "Avatar" sequels. I think I'm gonna go watch "The Losers" now, that will surely look like action gold compared to this only sometimes amusing nonsense.

COLOMBIANA Review

"Colombiana" is a strict action film that never climbs above the cliched. Trying way to hard to solidify star Zoe Saldana as a leading lady of action, this revenge tale is one we have seen many times over with few things to differ it from those previous incarnations of the tale. "Colombiana" has it all: drug lords, shoot-outs, weapons, but what it is missing is that x-factor. Saldana is not enough to keep the rehashed story and dry action sequences afloat. The only thing that allows this briskly paced action flick to be an entertaining watch is in fact that: the brisk pace. As beautiful as Saldana is to look at and I won't deny that she carries a certain sort of charisma, still, the "Star Trek" and "Avatar" actress has never given me the impression she could carry a feature on her narrow shoulders, no matter how muscular she has sculpted them to be. I don't mean to sound overly negative in reference to this late summer film that probably doesn't have much critical aspirations in the first place, but just because her resume says she has the potential to be a star doesn't mean the poor girl can make even the most recycled story a hit. C'mon Saldana, if you're as good as they're saying let's find a script that actually shows it.

DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK Review

This much delayed scary movie from talented new director Troy Nixey and the man with his name on the marquee Guillermo del Toro is based off a TV movie from the 70's apparently. Not that this little fact really matters, but it is interesting to note Del Toro's involvement in trying to somewhat bring his much acclaimed style from "Pan's Labyrinth" to this genre by stepping in as co-writer and producer while ultimately delivering a product that seems more a distant relative to his previous work rather than immediate kin. "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" has all the elements of a great horror film, even Nixey has the right ideas, the right sense of tone and a great visual eye, but the story in no way is good or original enough to bring these separate elements together in a coherent work that truly frightens the audience. Hell, this production even has grade-A credible actors (and though some may disagree on the Katie Holmes factor I've always thought her a quality talent). The normally selective Guy Pearce plays the most archetypal of characters here while Holmes actually spreads her wings rather nicely. It is the films real star, Bailee Madison though that makes all this fuss about little gremlin-like creatures and not being scared of turning out the lights even worth your attention.

Sally (Bailee Madison) is haunted by whispers she
keeps heaing throughout her dad's new house.

The story is simple enough, something terrible happened in this lovely Victorian mansion many years ago and no one has bothered with it since. Flash forward to present day where an architect and his younger girlfriend, an interior designer, are trying to restore the old place. Cue the introduction of the architects daughter from his failed marriage. Why little Sally (Madison) is shipped from her mothers to live with her dad and new girlfriend is never really explained, but there are several hints at an unstable mother who couldn't handle the responsibility. A connection through this mysterious aspect of the family and the history of the house might have been intriguing, but like I said, the script doesn't really try hard enough to convince us of the creeps it just expects us to react to the average, yet perfectly set-up scare tactics. "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" looks great and has truly gorgeous art direction. The tour of the old mansion we receive throughout the film warrants the price of admission alone, but as far as the film working as a scary movie this feels more been there, done that than it does fresh haunted house tale. And after "Insidious" earlier this year, this seemed nothing more than child's play.

Kim (Katie Holmes) comforts Sally after finding her
frightened by what haunts their new house.

The highlight of the film is the natural way in which the relationship between Sally and Holmes' Kim develops from an awkward daughter and dad's girlfriend relationship to Sally feeling as if Kim is the only person in the world she can trust. Young Bailee Madison is a gifted actor and is one you probably recognize from countless other movies and TV shows you've seen. Madison anchors this whole, heavy film on her little shoulders and creates what sense of fear this film does conjure up through her brilliant reactions to the little CGI monsters. With Holmes as well stepping into the standard stepmother role and turning it into a sympathetic woman who truly yearns to create a real connection with Sally allows for the movie to move beyond being just a scary movie, but one that explores themes of the human psyche and why that human connection is a necessary part of life even if our instinct is to initially distance ourselves as far from society as we can, to the point we don't have to face the truth about ourselves or our situation. That seems to be both what Sally and her father are doing. Attempting to wrap themselves up in their interests or work so as to stray away from the real issues that are happening in their lives. Too bad the script decides to leave these avenues unexplored as well. To have seen a reflection of our possible futures in these characters would have been the scariest thing of all, but heaven forbid a summer film try to teach us a lesson.

"Give me your teeth!"

Instead, "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" lingers far too early and for too long on the little furry creatures to actually cause the audience to fear them. Their entire mission of trying to get little children's teeth is never looked into either. We get a little history on the ancestry of the species via the cliched old documents in the local library, but why teeth? And why specifically children's? We will never know. I certainly don't intend to go looking for the original on which this based to find answers, this update should have worked harder to answer them for me. There isn't even any intrigue in leaving these questions unanswered. It's just annoying. Parts of the film can be forgiven due to the caliber of acting Del Toro and Nixey have assembled here, as well as for the captivating art direction, and the editing is particularly effective, but besides that one frightening, jump out of your seat scare we already witnessed in the trailer there is no reason to go see "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark". So, granted, this film works on some levels the fact of the matter is it doesn't on the one it touts as its bread and butter and for me, in the end, that counts for something. It counts enough for me to say wait for a good, stormy night when this is on DVD and rent it. Only then might it come off as the scary movie it coulda, shoulda been.