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Starring: Billy Bob Thornthon, Frances McDormand, James Gandolfini, Tony Shalhoub, Scarlett Johansson. Drama/Comedy Directed by the Coen brothers.Synopsis: A barber in 1949 California suspects his wife might be cheating on him and uses this to blackmail her paramour in an attempt to get some money for a business investment, but things don't go exactly as planned and lead to unforseen consequences.  

Say what you will about Billy Bob Thornton (Chrystal), the man is extremely talented and in terms of pure acting, he is just as good than all but a very few.

In The Man Who Wasn't There, he reivents himself again, this time as a nondescript, slightly dull, "average Joe" barber named Ed Crane. His life is fairly straightforward, told perfectly in the black and white of the film and Thornton's dry narration throughout.

The only thing even remotely interesting about barber Ed Crane's life is the fact that he is pretty sure his wife (Frances McDormand Aeonflux) is having an affair with her boss, (James Gandolfini The Taking Of Pelham 123), Big Dave a gregarious fellow who revels in telling World War II stories and is married to money.

Frankly, Ed seems fairly ambivalent about the possible affair, but when an opportunity presents itself to get involved in a business venture that will corner the market on the new technique of dry cleaning...well, Ed sees an opportunity to get the 10 grand he needs to invest in the business of the future.

So, a little anonymous blackmail to his wife's lover, quick 10 grand to invest, and everything should be hunky dory, right? Well, as you might guess, things don't often go according to plan in a blackmail scheme (particularly in a movie) and, though Ed gets his 10 grand, let's just say things get kind of messy and Big Dave ends up dead and Ed's wife is charged with the murder which, of course, means that a high priced defense lawyer (Tony Shalhoub Primary Colors)  has to be brought in to defend her at significant cost.

Now, right now, this likely doesn't seem to like too much of a comedy but, trust me, the humor is there, it is very, very dry and very, very dark. But, frankly, I think this flick is as comedic as anything else, a kind of sardonic look at life through the eyes of someone with absolutely nothing special about him, and no real feelings of negativity towards anyone else so much as a desire to get something better out of life. But, in such a way as kind of assuming there must be something better, if for no other reason than he probably kind of deserves it.

Personally, I find this kind of 'looking for something better' theme kind of a staple of Coen brothers films, and a very good comedic tool. Billy Bob is just wonderful in this one in his understated role, and all the other main players carry their weight, too. Look for Scarlett Johansson (The Spirit) is the quintessential "Lolita" or 'young siren' role and look for her last scene with Billy Bob to take you somewhere you didn't expect to go in this film. 

Overall, I liked it and I think if you like Billy Bob Thornton, you will like this flick, too.     

Directed by: Frank Miller. Drama, Action, Fantasy. Starring: Gabriel Mecht, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johannson, Eva Mendes, Louis Lombardi. Drama

SYNOPSIS: THE SPIRIT GOES AGAINST THE OCTOPUSS, HIS ARCHENEMY AND THE EVIL GENIUS CRIME LORD OF THE CITY, LITTLE DOES HE KNOW HE HAS VERY MUCH IN COMMON WITH OCTOPUSS.

Well, o.k. Wow. Not sure how I really feel about this one. Strong feelings both ways, actually. (Guess I have to be a little clearer than that, don't I?) The thing is, I'm not really positive about how to accurately tell you what I thought about this one. Did I like it, you might ask? It was o.k. Did I think it was a good movie? Nope, can't say that. Did I think it was a bad movie? Nope, can't say that. Was it mediocre, you might then ask? (Impatiently) Can't say that, either.

O.k., here goes. Visually, its stunning. Those of you who like the "comic book come to life" effect that worked so well in Sin City & Max Payne will want to check this one out on visual effect/cinematography alone. I do think the preoccupation with the color red is a little over the top, but that was kind of the point.

But, alas, when you get right down to it, this flick, its impressive cast notwithstanding, is just not as good a flick as Max Payne and its not even close to being as good as Sin City.

The chief problem, in my humble opinion, is the story. And what is wrong with the story, you might ask?

Well, there wasn't much of one. Or at least one that can be easily discerned, followed, or is very interesting. Now, having said that, I will say that there are some very good scenes. And, when you have actors like Samuel L. Jackson (Basic, 187) playing the arch enemy Octopuss along with Scarlett Johansson (Just Cause, Black Dahlia) playing his faithful sidekick, you're going to walk out of the theater or eject the DVD with some indelible, if slightly ridiculous, images in your mind.

The sight of the two of them dressed in Nazi garb, for example, while they explain their wicked plans and attempt to use the Spirit (Gabriel Mecht) for the evil deed is something that is hard to describe.

As is most of the movie, as I've said before. It is probably appropriate that such a visually stunning movie has not one, but two, stunning cast members in Johansson and the Spirit's childhood flame gone bad (Eva Mendes, The Women, Stuck On You) ( I know, ladies, I know...that is just the male point of view. But, its the only view I've got. I realize some of you probably won't mind looking at Messrs. Mecht or Jackson during the flick) But, once again, an actor like Ms. Mendes is not only visually stunning, but very talented and, in my view, once you see her in this flick you will not think of it as one of her better performances.

Mecht is o.k. as the Spirit, a kind of cartoonish caricature of the good guy who can't be corrupted, is so honest it borders on being square, has spent a significant portion of his life in the gym, and has the gift (curse?) of being nearly impossible to kill...just like his arch enemy, Octopuss. But, I think that is just how the Spirit is supposed to come off.

What I'm saying is, I believe it is the story, not the performers. In fairness, I have to say that I know this flick is based on a comic, which I have never seen. So, possibly, those who are familiar with the Spirit in comic form will some, or much, to appreciate that went over my head.

If you're like me, and loved Sin City, and saw Miller's name as the director, I think you will be somewhat disappointed, if that is the only reason you want to see this flick: thinking it will be as good. Its important to remember, however, that although Miller got a director credit for Sin City, it was really directed by Robert Rodriguez (From Dusk Till Dawn), the director credit for Miller was just an acknowledgement of Miller granting movie rights for his successful graphic novel.

I'm not putting down Miller. I just don't think this flick worked very well and I'm sure some of those involved were disappointed, though I don't know of any of them saying it publicly.

But, I wouldn't stamp this as one to avoid at all costs. Lets be honest, seeing Samuel L. going way (and I do mean way) over the top in an over-the-top role, or seeing Ms. Mendes or Ms. Johansson move around the film in the epitome of sultriness notwithstanding one-dimensional and silly roles, is not exactly the worst way to spend a couple of hours if you love flicks.

 

Not to mention, you may see something in The Spirit that your old pal here missed.

Hell, you just might even really like it.

Directed by Arne Glimcher Starring: Sean Connery, Laurence Fishburne, Kate Capshaw, Blair Underwood, Ed Harris, Kevin McCarthy, Daniel Travanti, Ruby Dee, Christpher Murray, Lynne Thigpen, Ned Beatty, Scarlett Johansson. Synopsis: A well respected Harvard law professor is asked by a condemned killer on death row in Florida to take up his case based on his innocence and conviction steeped in racial prejudice.

This is a good one. Really good, to paraphrase William Shatner. The story is compelling, pulling in so many different issues and dealing well with all of them: our legal system, the death penalty, the issues of class and race in punishment or criminals, and our good old fascination with psychopathic killers. Most of us, especially those of us with some experience in the criminal justice system, will find something here of interest, and it is all dealt with realistically. Not only that, but the film continually takes you somewhere that you didn't expect it to...I just love it when that happens.

Paul Armstrong (Sean Connery Family Business) is a well known law professor who is respected for his anti-death penalty views, but it has been years since he has been in the court room. He leads a comfortable life in Massachusetts with his former prosecutor wife (Kate Capshaw A Girl Thing). He's contacted out of the blue by the grandmother (Ruby Dee) of an Ivy League educated man on death row in Florida named Bobby Earle (Blair Underwood Malibu's Most Wanted)  It seems that Bobby Earle has been sent to death row largely as a result of racial prejudice, his being a forced confession in the murder of a young white girl named Joanie Shriver.

Reluctantly and largely at the urging of his wife, Paul decides to take the case and is soon in Florida representing Bobby Earle and finding strong indication that the true murderer or Joanie Shriver is actually a resident of death row along with Bobby Earle, infamous serial killer Blair Sullivan (Ed Harris An Eye For An Eye).

Paul is not seen as the welcoming hero in Bobby Earle's hometown as he investigates the case, and the town's African American Chief of Police, Taney Brown (Laurence Fishburne Deep Cover) is among the least hospitable, which is the first indication that things might not be what they seem at first glance.

You all know that I will never be the spoiler, but I think any of you who have seen this excellent flick would agree with me when I tell you that there are several twists in this tale and, frankly, I doubt most of you will see them comng. I know I sure didn't. But, anyone can make a movie with a twist.

Whether or not the twist works is another story, it depends on the quality of the story and, of course, the acting. Here, the story is incredible and the acting is top shelf across the board. When you have actors the quality of Ned Beatty, Kevin McCarthy, and Lynne Thigpen doing one scene in your flick, you most likely have top tier actors as your major characters. Connery is excellent, but you knew that so I won't waste your time with that. This was the flick that convinced me that Fishburne was truly an extremely talented actor and Ed Harris is simply unbelievably good in his role as a psyhcopathic, Scripture quoting serial killer.

And, if that is not enough, Blair Underwood literally transforms on film before our eyes, if that is not great acting, what is? Those of you looking at this flick for the first time even though its an oldie, keep an eye peeled for a very young Scarlett Johansson as Connery's daughter.

I'd challenge you to watch Just Cause and not admit it is a powerful film. In fact, I double dare you.

One of my faves, of course.