American Hustle

The look and feel of this film is great. Set in the 70's political scene and based on the ABSCAM investigations around public corruption, we get great costuming and characterization that is bigger than life. It is the perfect combination of the classic 70's look and the post-Vietnam, post-Nixon political swagger that shows up in caricature here. Christian Bale and Amy Adams play the con-artist couple used by the feds (Bradley Cooper) to entrap the politician (Jeremy Renner) on corruption. They are all excellent and play just below the over-the-top level required by this film. But beyond the sheer pleasure of watching (looking at) this film, the story line itself drags. Several times throughout the film, I found myself thinking "OK, I get it, let's move on". That is never a good sign for a form of entertainment that is designed to be immersive. So A+ combined with D averages to

2 stars (out of 5)

On the Job

This Filipino film is an interesting police v. corruption drama inspired by actual contract killings taking place in the Philippines in the mid 2000's. A couple of prisoners are occasionally released for a day to initiate an assassination, at which point they are paid and return to prison. The sheer volume of corruption that is required for this to happen is astounding (from the top person ordering the hit, through several layers of middlemen, down to the many prison guards who look the other way). This gives some indication of how ubiquitous corruption is when the police, even amongst this massive number of people involved, can't get enough of a lead to prosecute anyone. With this plot structure as a basis, I found the relational interactions in the film to make it worthwhile. The two assassins (mentor and protege) and their own familial relations are all complex. The characters display the angst of separation, dishonesty and secrets. Put these characters next to the police (a local detective and the national police investigator), and we see they have the same angst. The mirroring of police and criminal and the confusion about "who is right" probably makes this "too real" to be enjoyable by a large audience. If we are all depressed about corruption in the end, I can see why it didn't make any money. But if we enjoy this for the social commentary and the character portrayal, how is it any different from any other dark, police procedural that we consume. I liked it.

3 stars (out of 5)

Commitment

A North Korean boy is released from prison and pressed into service for his country after his father is killed in similar service. It turns out that, like his father, Dae-ho is serving in order to keep his still imprisoned sister alive. And his service to his country? Infiltrate South Korean society and be on call as an assassin. The film is set around the time of the power transition from Kim Jong-Il to Kim Jong-Un, resulting in lots of political and "secret police" infighting along the way. The main story follows an internal battle between Unit 8 and Section 35, two North Korean spy organizations who have infiltrated the South and want control of the spy responsibilities. Dae-ho, as a young man, uses his cover as a high school student to allow him to move around under the radar. He befriends a classmate, does his job, is disillusioned by his country, all while working to keep his sister alive. The story moves along quite nicely and does not bog down with unnecessary (or unnecessarily long) fight scenes. I particularly like the humanization of the characters. That is, these spies are not just machines, but are thinking/living people who make well intentioned decisions. How would I act different given the same scenario, but my own conscience and ethical bent?
3 stars (out of 5)

Ordinary Decent Criminal

Kevin Spacey plays an Irish anti-hero, pulling heists that are brazen and very public. He and his crew continue to plan and implement thefts even amidst a trial for that very said crime. He gets mixed up with the IRA and gets pushed into a bit of a corner, but has ego enough for everyone to ensure that everything will be OK. I can see why this did not make waves at the theater as it is a bit too lighthearted. It is not a serious heist film (the thefts are brazen, but the planning/implementation is not the focus of the film) nor is it a political thriller or romantic comedy. It is a bit of a dark comedy. But only a bit. It doesn't really have a target audience. Which makes it a great late night rental (can one really say "rental" anymore? or must we say "stream"?).
3 stars (out of 5)

Captain Phillips

Tom Hanks is Rich Phillips, container ship captain for Maersk. His current assignment is to pilot a full container ship from Oman, around the horn of Africa, to Kenya. Barkhad Abdi is Muse, Somali fisherman turned pirate. His current assignment is to capture a large ship and hold it for ransom. These two characters are engaged throughout the film in a standoff, each with a worldview supporting their position and actions. You occasionally get glimpses through the worldview fence, as the two "captains" interactions demonstrates an inability to decide the role that trust plays in their struggle. Granted, this is a war/hostage situation and the tension and stress is through the roof, so it is not surprising that the characters would not be able to rise above cultural barriers to "understand each other". But throughout the film, there are opportunities, and near-misses in connection and it is clear that the near-miss is not stress/tension induced, but truly a cultural divide. And it is clear that this effect is intentional by the film makers, to show that in spite of the extreme scenario, humans seek connection, and in spite of this seeking, it is extremely difficult to achieve.
4 stars (out of 5)

The Expendables 2

If you expect a film to be bad, and it is bad, how do you rate it? Is it a 5-star bad movie (living up to expectations)? This offering by Stallone, et. al. is exactly what is expected. It is a spoof/send up of action films, but in the genre of an action film. I think the original Expendables was more of an homage, this is clearly a spoof. The old guys offer too many cheeky glances and lob each other too many softball lines (Willis to Schwarzenegger: No I'll be back) to be anything else. And the wacky, mysterious appearance/disappearance of Chuck Norris can only be categorized as cheese. The body count is accordingly high and my only real complaint is the unnecessary "graphic comic violence" in the form of decapitations and blood splatter. Don't need it. I am watching a film to leave reality, let the killing fade into the background. Every bit that reminds me of actual war violence brings me right back to reality, which defeats the entire purpose of the film.
2 stars (out of 5)

The Berlin File

Jason Bourne as a North Korean spy... so to speak. I guess Bourne as super-spy, not Bourne as genetically modified, drugged up super warrior. Jong-seong is working in Berlin, brokering an arms deal with some Russians and Arabs. When the deal goes bad (Mossad shows up) he is on the run and trying to find out who blew the lid open. Now he and his wife are chased by both Mossad, the Arabs, and South Korean agents looking to close the illegal arms traffic to their peninsula. Part of the fun is the non-stop action, and part is the psychological "who is the mole?" investigation that happens simultaneously. Having seen a few of these Korean spy-action films recently, I can definitely see the influence they have had on US action films in the genre (see nearly any Statham film) where the protagonist is battered, beat up, and single minded in achieving the goal. Jong-seong is clearly single-minded here in spite of everything else. He manages to portray an honest weariness while running, searching and fighting.

3 stars (out of 5)