I understand I just missed seeing Gerry. I read somewhere he was at The Grove Friday with a bunch of the stunt players from the movie checking out crowds for OHF on opening day. This will be the third (or is it the forth) time we have just missed each other by inches and/or minutes in the past three/four months, so it doesn't surprise me at all. We are ships passing in the night, not destined to say hello (grinning here because I don't do autographs or photos with celebs, so a simple hello would have to do).
I'm happy to report that I think he has a hit on his hands and I congratulate him and all associated with the movie. It will be the salvation/resurrection, not only for Gerry's career, but for Film District as well. Mr. Fuqua was destined for another hit too and it's nice to see him get it with this one.
I found the movie to be very entertaining, escapist fare and think that all the critics on the left or the right seeing it as anything else are taking their jobs just a little too seriously. Not every Hollywood movie has to send a political message. I think the producers were looking for another "kick ass" vehicle that would bring in a core male audience for Gerry and this one fit the bill. They already know he has a built in female fan base that will see him in anything but they needed to pull in that male audience who knows him as the 300 dude and they found it. Fuqua was the right director to bring it to the screen. Pure and simple. Good for everyone, all around.
I found all the performances to be believable (even if the story took a lot of liberties) and Gerry again showed he can shine in a decent action flick, although I would still like to see him do something very different some day. Again, like in all his movies, I see tinges of his potential to really shine as an actor in something more serious, despite some of the critiques calling him a two dimensional actor. I sometimes get the feeling that some of the critics who love to trash him don't even see the movie (and borrow from other reviewers) or go in with preconceived notions about him (or this type of movie) that make them see what they want to see. Some of them simply can't suspend disbelief and not judge the movie without dragging out their political baggage. Sometimes a movie is just a movie, despite the very extreme partisan climate!
Having said that, I do have to say the movie scared the "sh__" out of me when it got me to thinking that if anything were to happen to our President and Vice President, we would be stuck with the likes of our present Speaker. God save us!
I came out of the theater hoping and praying that we don't ever have to face that kind of scenario and also feeling content the Muse has a solid box office hit that will give him the time to dig deep and explore where he wants to take his career from here on in. Having a hit expands his choices.
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Congratulations Muse! I hope the rest of the weekend box office is as good as the first day and I hope the movie has legs to carry it for a good run.
You did good! Celebrate! See you around.
Zoni
Songs out of tune, the words always a little wrong...Canzoni Stonate
Solid review Zoni. The movie does do a good job with the action and if you go into the movie looking for a mindless popcorn flick, then this movie will have you leaving the theater satisfied. As did I, and that’s why I’m happy to recommend it to most people out there.
ReplyDeleteSolid entertainer, not to be missed .On a lazy sunday,if u r showered with oodles of action,entertainment n action again with more than even the ticket price, waat else u want huh???!!! This on eis great stuff, like a 110 min.race which will keep one gelled to ur seats.. I mean right from the car crash which is brilliantly shot to the invasion of the "olympus",its a complete entertainer.. People may be having problem with the originality, but boy if the old formula is being delivered at your doorsteps with 100% cash back offer, would one deny one??? Watch it for the scottish versatile(check out his p.s.i love u)gerard butler who delivers the punches n the punchlines with similar ease.. AAron as always his cool self, freeman has not much to deliver, simply adds to the star caste as does the gorgeous ashley jude.. Crux is Go watch this high octane, in your face violent flick.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment Dan O. If this movie has legs it will be from word of mouth recommendations like yours.
ReplyDeleteTo "Love SMS," yes Gerard Butler delivers both types of punches with relative ease and, nice guy that he is, he looks out for his friends like they look out for him.. Not surprised to see one of them in a cameo as one of the other secret service agents.
Good review, Zoni! I went to the screening in NYC a few days before the opening. And lo and behold in walked Gerard Butler to introduce the movie and watch the screening.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment Robin. Nice to hear from you. Hope all is well with you and yours.
ReplyDeleteThis was a big one for Gerry and I'm not surprised he was checking out the crowd reactions at a lot of the showings. He does go all out promoting his movies. He did that for the Playing the Field screening I attended, although I missed the pre movie gathering (red carpet photos) in the upstairs bar at the theater. It was the Soccer for Hope charity screening. I was running late and, having pulled a hamstring muscle the week before, aggravated it walking up the long stairs at the ArcLight (in three inch heels, no less) instead of taking the escalator. I hadn't eaten dinner either, so picking up the complimentary popcorn and coke, went right to my seat. I was surprised to find out I'd missed it all the next day, although I did get to see David Beckham, who dined at the same restaurant I did after the showing. He and I closed down the restaurant that night and he was talking to my friend (the owner) when I left. I guess seeing Beckham up close wasn't a bad consolation prize.
Hope the movie does well in the overseas market so he can have a bonafide hit!