FEATURED ATTRACTION:


This has all the makings of a great “thriller”. The “damsel in distress”, the sociopath and the hero who is there to save the day… they are all there. The conflicting thoughts of the heroes feelings, the charging headlong into the path of danger, even though he is dead set against it… that’s there as well.

So, the hero is told not to go to the police for help, and has to play some bizarre game, or the sociopath is going to kill the one person he absolutely despises in 72 hours.

So, tell me why I wouldn’t go to the police for assistance… considering he has threatened to kill the one person on this Earth I wished was dead anyway?

Okay, I know I’m trying to think logically here, and that is not the normal sort of thinking that takes place in most movie “thrillers”. Logical thought processes have a tendency to go “out of the window”… where logic is concerned, at least.

With that said, first time Director/Screenwriter JOSHUA COLLINS has created a “nail biter” of a script, and the film 72 HOURS will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire picture. WILLEM DAFOE is positively riveting, and proves why he is one of the truly great character actors in film today. His screen presence as the sociopathic Ex-murderer is the very glue that holds this film together.

All in all, this is an extremely well cast film, and FAMKE JANSEN and KEANU REEVES are quite believable as the couple that just can’t stand to be in each other’s presence… you can really feel the tension, and anguish leap off the screen.

So, how do I rate the film 72 HOURS?

Originality of Screenplay




Interest of Storyline




Casting




Except for where I point out what I feel is a “lapse in logical thought”; I think that for JOSHUA COLLINS first work in motion pictures… He’s got a solid end product, and should see a good return at the box office.

NOW AVAILABLE FROM CRAZY MOON PICTURES ON DVD, HD-DVD AND BLU-RAY DISC:

As I had said when I initially previewed this film, and I’ll quote myself here…

” Halle Berry has a “sketchy” track record when it comes to being the star attraction in a film. She has probably doomed as many films as she has had successes with. ANTONIO FUQUA and BILL COUGAN are banking a lot on her potential “star power”, and I think that it just falls a little short of the target.”

Well, with such a terrible box office draw (17 million), and a net loss of 9 million, HALLE BERRY proves yet again that the movie going public still will not go to see her in a starring role. I still felt the movie, as a whole was entertaining, and deserved to have moviegoers really give it a chance at the box office.

Alas, the movie-going public just would not give into the temptation, and spoke with their unwillingness to spend their hard-earned dollars.

So, what do I have to say about GET CHRISTIE LOVE?

RENT IT!!!

It’s worth watching, especially if you are a fan of 1970s Blaxploitation films. You definitely find something good to see in this film.

ALSO AVAILABLE ON DVD, HD-DVD AND BLU-RAY DISC:

After the first WILD CARDS film positively “tanked” at the box office (39 million), and showed a loss for what was then the fledgling CRAZY MOON PICTURES (net loss = 1million), Harry Stark gave the green light on a sequel to the film anyway.

The sequel, WILD CARDS 2: ACES HIGH more than made up for the lackluster performance of its predecessor. Some significant changes were made, most notably MATT KUBRICK slid into the role of Producer (replacing MICHAEL BAY), and he gave over the directorial reins to QUENTIN TARANTINO.

Those two significant changes made all the difference in the world, and because of it, the WILD CARDS franchise was born. But, do you know what? Here’s something to think about…

If Harry Stark hadn’t taken the gamble on potential talent of MATT KUBRICK, we wouldn’t even be talking about a third WILD CARDS film… now would we?

Even though WILD CARDS 3: ACE IN THE HOLE had a smaller box office return than it’s predecessor (WC3 = 72 million vs. WC2 = 80 million), WILD CARDS 3 proves to be the most profitable film to date in the franchise, at a total of 56 million in net profit (as opposed to WC2s 46 million net). So, with that said…

Will there be a WILD CARDS 4 in the future for Producer MATT KUBRICK?

Well until then (hopefully), my recommendation for WILD CARDS 3: ACE IN THE HOLE is…

BUY IT!!!

AND, ALSO AVAILABLE ON DVD FROM CRAZY MOON “VIDEO VAULT”:

WILD CARDS and WILD CARDS 2: ACES HIGH.

See where it all began and BUY THEM… while you still can.

COMING TO A THEATER NEAR YOU…


THE GUARDIANS is vaguely reminiscent of a somewhat obscure film starring CHRISTIAN BALE, called EQUILIBRIUM.

Society is not the “utopia” it seems to be, it is actually a dictatorship, and the police that dispense law and order are genetically engineered to be nothing more that “drones” that rely on instinct and unquestioned loyalty. They are specially trained at The Academy, and are basically programmed for undying loyalty, and not to question the ruler of the Federation.

That is, until one of these “super drones” becomes… self aware, and sees things for how they truly are. The people have no actual freedoms to speak of, for laws (and the enforcement of them) govern, or should I say, more appropriately “control” their lives.

This is the sort of undercurrent that also is displayed in the movie EQUILIBRIUM, but instead of the people being forcibly oppressed by a dictator, all citizens are required to take a drug, which prevents the people from having emotions. One of these policemen (called Clerics) has accidentally forgotten to take the drug one day, things start to become clear to him, and now… he is actually the major threat to the dictator (called Father), and the possible downfall of the “utopia” he has tried to create.

In THE GUARDIANS though, it is a repressive society, and an extremely dark portrait that is painted for the landscape of this film. All in all though, this film is different enough from the aforementioned EQUILIBRIUM to make it worth seeing.

My ratings for THE GUARDIANS…

Originality of Screenplay

Interest of Storyline




Casting





Personally, I think that Tom Cruise may be considered a “risky investment” for this film, and may hurt the ticket sales at the box office. His “strange antics”, and opinons have alienated many moviegoers, but we shall see if that has any negative impact.

Well everyone… That’s it for this edition of PREVIEWING ATTRACTIONS WITH MISTERBALDY. So, until next time;

Head out to the lobby, go buy yourself a large popcorn, as well as a drink, and…

SEE YOU IN THE MOVIES!!!