4 Razors

A Rare Treasure

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: National Treasure
  • IMDb: link

National Treasure

National Treasure is a treasure hunting movie of the finest caliber.  With great locations, strange clues that must be deciphered intertwined into U.S. history, a race against time to find the treasure, a great cast, and peppered with action sequences but with its soul relying on the characters’ intellect rather than only their brawn, it’s all you can ask for, and a little more.  Disney has had mixed success in its live action movies, but this can be put alongside the best of the bunch.

The movie begins with John Adams Gates (Christopher Plummer) telling his grandson the story of a great treasure of King Solomon passed down through the generations and protected by the Knights Templar and Freemasons who eventually smuggle the treasure to the New World and hide it, leaving a series of clues by which it might later be uncovered.  Through mischance the Gates family has the only known clue to the treasure which he now passes on to his grandson.

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August Rush

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: August Rush
  • IMDb: link

“I believe in music the way some people believe in fairy tales.”

august-rush-posterThere are two stories here.  The first involves a young orphan (Freddie Highmore) with untapped musical talent who leaves the orphanage to “follow the music” and find his parents.  His journey leads to new friends (Leon G. Thomas III, Jamia Simone Nash), a stint as a street musician under the control of the Fagin-esque Wizard (Robin Williams, in a cowboy hat), and a trip to Juliard where his talent blossoms.

The second story (shown mostly in flashbacks) involves cellist Lyla Novacek (Keri Russell) and rock band member Louis Connelly (Jonathan Rhys Meyers).  Their chance meeting a decade before was dashed by Lyla’s father (William Sadler) separating them for years. 

Lyla’s unexpected pregnancy puts her career at risk and her father snatches up a chance accident to make her believe her son is dead.  Jumping back to the present Lyla learns the truth and with the help of a social worker (Terrence Howard) begins to search for the son she’s never met.  At the same time across the country Louis facing his own midlife crisis searches out the woman who he still loves.

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The Color of Money

/ / Home Video
  • Title: The Color of Money
  • IMDb: link

“It’s even, but it ain’t settled.  Let’s settle it.”
 

The Color of Money

The film is a sequel to 1961’s The Hustler with Paul Newman reprising his role as “Fast” Eddie Felson.  By this time out (25 years after the original film) Eddie is the old hustler who has lost a step or two and decides to take a talented but raw pool player (Tom Cruise) under his wing and teach him the ropes of hustling.  Although the film earned itself five Oscar nominations (Newman won for his role) the film has largely been forgotten and ignored by those who feel it is one of Martin Scorsese’s lesser works, but to me it remains a nice reminder that sometimes sequels are worth seeing.

Newman is terrific, and although the film works better if you have seen the original it isn’t a necessity to enjoy the tale.  Cruise is well cast as the not too smart hot shot, and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio puts in a strong supporting performance as the film’s smartest character.  You might also want to keep an eye out for some great cameos from the likes of Forest Whitaker, Iggy Pop, and several professional pool players.

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American Gangster

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: American Gangster
  • IMDb: link

“No black man has accomplished what the American Mafia hasn’t in a hundred years!”

“Frank Lucas is the most dangerous man walking the streets of our city.”

American GangsterMuch like Michael Mann‘s Heat the film follows two separate and concurrent tales on opposite sides of the law.  On one hand there is Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), who after the death of his mentor takes over the drug business in Harlem and, in turning into a profitable empire, pisses off everyone who knows him.  The other story follows Detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe), the lone good honest cop left in New Jersey whose honor has cost him a marriage, custody of his son (his wife is played by Carla Gugino), and the anger and resentment of his fellow cops.

Roberts is given a new assignment by his commander (Ted Levine) and runs his own group of guys to track down and bring down the drug suppliers and dealers.  Over time and hard work the unknown Frank Lucas is brought to Roberts’ attention and their two worlds collide.

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Veronica Mars Goes to College

/ / Home Video
  • Title: Veronica Mars – The Complete Third Season
  • tv.com: link

“After all these years do you not instinctively fear me?  Maybe you should write yourself a note.”

veronica-mars-dvd-season-3Okay, I’ve been a fan and supporter of this show since the beginning (read the Season One DVD review, and the Season Two DVD review).  And I’m still a bit bummed that this is the end of everyone’s favorite tiny blonde teen detective.  Veronica Mars provided many memorable moments throughout her three years on television.  She portrayed a fierce vulnerability and one of the strongest and most complex women’s characters in recent memory (but hey, Survivor got renewed.  Joy).  You are missed, Ms. Mars, but enough of the maudlin, here’s Season Three…

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