Movie Review: 'Haywire'

Haywire Starring Gina Carano, Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender, Michael Douglas, Antonio Banderas Directed by Steven Soderbergh Rated R

Steven Soderbergh’s films usually have that distinctive feel to them much like Alfred Hitchcock’s style was so prevalent in his films.  The frame sequencing and musical score seemed eerily reminiscent to his "Ocean's" franchise and while the action-packed Haywire is far removed from his usual fare, it clearly has all the markings of a classic Soderbergh film.  What it doesn’t have though, is Soderbergh’s usual knack for delivering a watertight storyline.  He should have paid closer attention to the various plot holes in Lem Dobbs’ screenplay.

Add to that some spotty acting and a few curious casting choices that when combined had a drag down effect on the final product to leave us with a feeling that the glass was half-empty sans half-full. 

Soderbergh was determined to create an action film that revolved around mixed-martial arts champion Gina Carano.  To say he succeeded might be an understatement as he introduces us to the next big action star.

Carano portrays the fearless Mallory Kane, a no-nonsense contract operative who is the best-of-the-best and cannot be subdued or taken down by any of her former peers no matter how hard they try.  

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'Salmon Fishing in the Yemen' Theatrical Trailer

The title of the upcoming Salmon Fishing in the Yemen doesn’t inspire thoughts of a can’t-wait-to-see film, but if the trailer is any indication of the entire film, then Lasse Hallström (Chocolat) has created one of the year’s best.  With a cast that includes luminaries Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt  (The Adjustment Bureau) and Kristin Scott Thomas (Nowhere Boy), we see the outlines for a remarkable tale of hope, faith and love. 

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'Jack the Giant Killer' Trailer & Poster Arrive

Before former X-Men director Bryan Singer brings Battlestar Galactica to the big screen, he'll reintroduce the movie world to the fairy tale "Jack and the Bean Stalk", sort of.  Singer's next film Jack the Giant Killer starring Nicholas Hoult, Stanley Tucci and Ewan McGregor released its first trailer and poster today.  

Hoult (X-Men: First Class, About a Boy) plays Jack in this dark, modern fantasy tale, a young farmer who must break the long time truce between men and giants in order to rescue a kidnapped princess from atop a massive bean stalk.

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Trailer for Ewan McGregor's 'Beginners'

I may have mentioned before that drama/comedies or dramadies are my favorite movie genre, especially when they're full of subtle humor and involve a complicated relationship between a father and his son.  The movie Beginners starring Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer appears to have that quirky and entertaining family dynamic to it, and the trailer attached below is quite good.

McGregor plays a young man named Oliver who is stunned by the news that his elderly father (Plummer) has terminal cancer as well as a young male lover.  Oliver also must deal with the shortcomings in his own love life. 

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Movie Review - 'I Love You Phillip Morris'

I Love You Phillip Morris Starring Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa Rated R

Jim Carrey plays Steven Russell, a gay man who has been hiding behind a child, a wife, and a job after years of inadequacy due to the discovery of his adoption as a boy. After a brush with death, Steven loudly proclaims that he is going to be “a fag!” and promptly leaps out of the closet. There’s only one problem, you can take the man out of the lie, but you can’t take the lie out of the man. Steven’s addiction to the façade and the plush extravagances of the gay lifestyle lead him into the world of credit fraud, and ultimately, jail. It is during his first stay in prison where he meets Phillip Morris, played by Ewan McGregor. The two almost instantly fall in love, and Steven promises Phillip that no matter what, they will never be apart. Steven must then strive to keep his vow while struggling with his compulsions and growing skill as a brilliant con man.

I Love You Phillip Morris is, at its core, a beautifully crafted love story. Surrounding this central theme is a boatload of vulgarity, sex, and phalluses. All of this, however, comes off as sweetly hilarious due to the film’s overall tone of the joy of love and the thrill of adventure. It is because of this, and no doubt Glenn Ficarra and John Requa’s vision, that Phillip Morris is a success. Well, that, and the performances.

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