|
| Movie Review: The Next Three Days Alternate Title: What He Did For Love
Story: Why and how does a mild
mannered community college teacher turn into a criminal mastermind?
His wife has been convicted of murder and all of their appeals have
been exhausted. With nowhere to turn he decides to bust her out of prison.
This was an exciting film with lots of tension, action and style. It
was written and directed by Oscar winner Paul Haggis
and based on the film “Pour Elle.” The film becomes a 'how to' tome about how to
bust out of jail. It seems you can find almost any 'how to' on youtube.
This is very educational, if you ever need to break into a car or 'bump'
keys to get into a locked door. The film is filled with misdirection and some
sizable coincidences but that did not bother me at all. I was riveted
throughout and was not really sure how this would end. It is well worth
two hours of your time. Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn1DsJZXKqY Acting: Russell Crowe as John Brennan is controlled
and understated. He gives another fine performance here. Elizabeth
Banks as Lara Brennan held her own. Brian Dennehy
as George Brennan does fine in a cameo role. The rest of the supporting
cast was good including: Lennie James (Lieutenant Nabulsi),
Olivia Wilde (Nicole), Ty Simpkins
(Luke), Helen Carey (Grace Brennan), Liam Neeson
(Damon Pennington), Aisha Hinds (Detective Collero),
Jason Beghe (Detective Quinn), Allan Steele
(Sergeant Harris), RZA (Mouss) and Kevin Corrigan
(Alex). Trivia: Paul Haggis is the award-winning filmmaker
who, in 2006, became the first screenwriter to write two Best Film Oscar
winners back-to-back - "Million Dollar Baby" (2004) directed
by Clint Eastwood, and "Crash" (2005) which he himself directed.
For "Crash," he won Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best
Original Screenplay.
Predilection: I like Paul Haggis and Russell Crowe.
Critters: Polar bear and shark - A critical scene
takes place at the Pittsburgh Zoo. It is a fabulous zoo. Check out my
photos from a recent visit. http://www.judithwolfe.com/POLARBEARPLUNGE.html
Sex Spectrum: No time for sex - too much running.
Blatant Product Placement: Apple iPhone and laptop.
Soundtrack: A fine score by Danny Elfman
Opening Titles: An opening sequence of our protagonist
driving in the night with a blood spattered face. Other than the title
- all credits are at the end.
Theater Audience: About 20 other people.
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout.
Predictability Level: Wasn't sure how it would end.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: I always promote the big screen
but a rental would probably be fine too.
Length: Two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 7.5
|