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A review of this good movie.

A Review of this movie.

DEAL on DVD

Starring: Burt Reynolds, Bret Harrison, Shannon Elizabeth and Jennifer Tilly

Directed by: Gil Cates, Jr.

Rated PG-13 for language, sexual content and brief drug use

By John Delia

Although slow moving, I found Deal an interesting movie. Those into gambling or slow paced dramas should get a kick out of it. There are a few twists, but the main one was predictable. Very limited on bonus features, but the main one, which features some Texas Hold’Em tips, is worth the watch.

The storyline of Deal involves two complete opposites, Tommy Vision (Reynolds) a retired card player who lost in the big time and Alex Stillman (Harrison) a hotshot poker playing college kid who really doesn’t have a clue about big stakes gaming. After Stillman comes in at a high level on a internet poker contest, Vision looks him up for a possible opportunity of being his protégé. When the boy starts to click, Vision decides that he should enter the World Series of Poker. But after a miscue by Vision, Stillman takes an unexpected turn leading to a face-off between the two.

The film plays out quite slow and methodical, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Reynolds is at his best putting on his Jack Homer (Boogie Nights) face, which mimics one of the best roles he has ever had. But that’s not enough to carry the insubstantial predictable film that shadows in the recent 21, which had a similar gambling plot. Harrison’s acting was rather weak and if he had upped his performance it could have made a difference. Although not in the film for very long, I enjoyed Jennifer Tilly’s bold look and sassy candor at the poker table.

Gates, Jr. who directed and wrote the film does not make his characters believable enough. Everything is too easy, the only conflicts are Vision’s wife who doesn’t project enough anger to show her unhappiness with the breaking of their 20 year agreement and Stillman’s father who looks like he is just reciting lines instead of providing the emotion over his son’s decisions that may ruin a projected law career.

The only bonus feature ‘Winning Big at Texas Hold’Em’ involves two world championship poker players; ladies champion Isabelle Mercier and men’s 2004 World Series of Poker champion Greg Raymer. The cool feature gives a quick education on Texas Hold’Em and bluffing.

The film does contain some drug use and a scene of presumed sex so be cautioned when viewing the film around children.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Deal is a fascinating film but folds to predictability.

THE SHIELD Season 6 DVD

Cast members include: Michael Chiklis, Walton Goggins, Benito Martinez, CCH Pounder, Jay Carnes and Catherine Dent, with appearances by Forest Whitaker

Created By: Shawn Ryan

By John Delia

The sixth season of The Shield had me very involved with the plots intrigue and outcome of each of the 10 episodes. I have to admit, it was hard to sign off each night after watching several, but the series has enough incentive that made me look forward to another night of the crime drama. With no commercial interruptions the DVD plays like a movie.

In case you have not seen The Shield before, here is a synopsis provided by Sony/Fox/FX. The Shield plays out in a tough, morally ambiguous world in which the line between right and wrong is crossed every day. The series focuses on the tension between a group of corrupt but effective cops and a captain torn between bringing them down and advancing his own political ambitions. The Shield stars Michael Chiklis (The Commish) as rogue cop Det. Vic Mackey, leader of the elite Strike Team unit, who is effective at eliminating crime but operates under his own set of rules. Benito Martinez (Outbreak) plays Cpt. David Aceveda, the young precinct head who doesn’t like Mackey’s tactics and wants to bust him off the force. CCH Pounder (ER & Boycott) plays Det. Claudette Wyms, a veteran detective who understands Mackey and knows how to play both sides of the force.

The commentary on most of the episodes is very helpful and interesting, especially if you have missed previous seasons. For those who have seen season six on television, you have an opportunity to view deleted scenes that were not shown in the series. Some of the scenes are questionably desirable, while others were definitely not needed.

I found the behind the scenes featurettes interesting and educational. ‘The Directors’ featurette was the better of the two. It was enjoyable watching Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile) putting a scene together and then watching it play out. If you are really into film this is an extra good educational piece for budding directors. Paris Barclay (NYPD Blue, CSI, Monk) was a completely different kind of director who depended more on the actors to bring a scene together. It was fascinating to watch him bring the characters to life. After watching this featurette, I though it must be very difficult for the continuing actors to deal with a new director in each episode.

As for the second feature, ‘Full Circle: Franka Potente’ it was more of a thank you to her for coming on board the series. Franka says in the featurette that she always wanted to do an episode on The Shield because she liked it so much. She is an amazing actress and made her character a favorite of mine.

Chiklis does a great job of keeping his character on track. I especially liked him in the episodes ‘On the Jones,’ ‘The New Guy,’ and ‘The Math of the Wrath.’ But the actor that makes the series work by estimation is Walton Goggins who plays Detective Shane Vendrell. Check him out and let me know if you agree.

The only downside I can find is with the character played by Forest Whitaker. I had seen the film Street Kings in which Whitaker plays a similar character. It bothered me a bit, but not enough to take away from the production. His performance here as with all his films is a standout.

FINAL ALNALYSIS: The Shield is a smart crime drama that plays out well and keeps your interest.

Review of this good family movie.

A review of this new movie.

THE LONGSHOTS

Starring: Ice Cube, Keke Palmer, Tasha Smith and Miles Chandler

Directed by: Fred Durst

Rated PG for some thematic elements, mild language and brief rude humor

By John Delia

There’s a great little family film at the theatres and it’s just in time for all you little league football lovers. Based on a true story The Longshots has a lot of heart and courage providing a lesson for youngsters who have sidestepped their dreams because of bullying and pier pressure.

The Longshots centers on Curtis (Ice Cube), an out of work ex high school football star who wanders around the depressed town of Minden. Always stopping by Pop Warner little league football practices, Curtis lingers here because in the past he coached a team that was successful, unlike the current squad of boys.

Curtis’s sister-in-law Claire (smith) has had difficulty ‘making ends meet’ while raising her growing daughter Jasmine (Palmer), so she’s forced to take on more work, which causes her to come home late. Not wanting to leave her 11-year-old daughter alone after school, she hires Curtis to play babysitter. Jasmine a misfit in school and Curtis trying to cope with it, the two find themselves at odds. During one of his sitting days, Curtis discovers that Jasmine can toss a football better than most boys. With the Minden Pop Warner team in need of a quarterback, Curtis convinces the coach to try Jasmine out for the failing team. When Jasmine starts showing up the boys and the team starts winning, both Curtis and Jasmine’s worlds take a turn for the better.

Ice Cube does a wonderful job portraying the down and out uncle. His talks with Jasmine are not only inspiration to her but as it turns out, to himself. Youngsters who are playing little league football or just having trouble adjusting in school will learn a lot from the film and parents should also garner from it as well. But the most touching performance comes from Palmer, who provides an amazing portrait of the misfit youngster who finds her way out of the dilemma provided by her piers. Not everyone gets to stick it to those that mock them, but when Jasmine finds the way, it’s a total uplifting experience.

The actual incident that the story is based on took place in Illinois in 2003 when Jasmine was just eleven years old. She played in the Pop Warner Junior Pee Wee League for the Harvey Colts. During her school year she was an honor student, ran track and wrestled. In the 56 years of Pop Warner youth football, Jasmine was the only girl to ever play quarterback in its annual tournament.

This family film does contain some rude humor and mild language so may consider this when taking the very young.

FINAL ANALYSIS: The Longshots is a terrific family film that delivers a lot of heart.

DEATH RACE

Starring: Jason Statham, Joan Allen, Ian McShane, Tyrese Gibson and Natalie Martinez

Directed by: Paul W.S. Anderson

R for strong violence and language

By John Delia

It shows like a video game, it runs like a video game and it feels like a video game, but Death Race is bone-crunching movie. Hard punching, heart throbbing action with a heated storyline, Death Race slams into the screen with all the power of some of Paul W.S. Anderson’s previous big screen winners; Mortal Kombat, Resident Evil and Alien vs. Predator.

The film follows the story of Jensen Ames (Statham), a former champion racecar driver who gets framed for the murder of his wife and is sent to Terminal Island, a New York prison set in 2020. Only the most vicious of prisoners are housed on the Island and Warden Hennessey (Allen) uses her scheming creative juices to get a lot of cash from their notoriety. Creating a race where top drivers chosen from the inmate’s race to a finish creating death and mayhem along the way, and it’s computer televised. The brutal ‘sport’ has a favorite called Frankenstein and when the hideous driver gets pulverized one race day in a burst of fire, the warden must find a way to replace the icon without loosing the ratings. When Ames arrives at the prison, the warden cooks up a scheme that includes him and Frankenstein.

The special effects make the explosions, gunfire and wrecks spectacular. Bullets pelting the back of cars, missiles slamming into walls, spikes ripping tires and total chaos are the best ways to describe the action in Death Race.

As for the acting, there isn’t much need for any. Much like The Terminator and Die Hard, a few good phrases, some dialogue for plot and it’s a wrap. Statham does his best Transporter, Crank, and War impression and that’s all he really needs. But there’s one actor that needs to be mentioned and that’s Joan Allen. Her interpretation of the evil warden is right on the money. She totally does a convincing job showing that power can be truly diabolical.

Anderson continues to keep the flames burning and super powered characters doing his bidding. His Resident Evil and Alien vs. Predator has to be two of the most high-energy flicks ever made. With Death Race, it’s just another day at the office. Throwing anything explosive he can into the film, not overdoing the dialogue or bothering to present a complicated plot, Anderson gives the ultimate in mindless chaos. Just what the action lover needs to escape a day at the office or a week of pounding the books.

Please note that the film is rated R for ultra violence, language and brutality. So please get a babysitter.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Death Race is a hard-nosed combat packed film for explosive action lovers.