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Two acting icons, one righteous kill: Two NYPD detectives (Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino) are hunting for a serial killer who is making bad people pay with their lives. The question remains -- who is doing the killing and could it be a "righteous kill?"We've waited so long to see these icons of moviemaking together on the big screen again. Despite a mostly enjoyable film, when "Righteous Kill" forced the issue to get the two stars an extended sequence together, it was just embarrassing.
Just enjoy the ride of two great actors and don't hold so many of the bad aspects of this film against it.
When the lost and found just won't do
What happens when a disc full of possibly sensitive information lands in the hands of two bumbling health club workers? Most would drop it in the lost and found, but our two workers in "Burn After Reading" decide it makes more sense to try and sell it to the Russians.
Linda (Frances McDormand) and Chad (Brad Pitt) have come across a disc full of sensitive information. Someone must want this back, they opine, and the decision is made to blackmail its owner, Osborne Cox (John Malkovich).
Meanwhile, Cox's wife, Katie (Tilda Swinton), is having an affair with Harry (George Clooney), who is sleeping with, well ... everyone including Linda.
Ok ... see how they are all tied together now?
Though this film starts slow, it eventually races to a finish that cleans things up as only J.K Simmons' CIA boss could enjoy.
With so many solid actors, my one complaint would be not enough screen time to go around for this extraordinary cast.
I enjoyed my visit with these characters in a Washington world full of politics, greed, secrets, lust and fun.
B-
'Burn After Reading'
Focus Features
Director: Ethan and Joel Coen
Cast: George Clooney, Frances McDormand, Brad Pitt, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton, Richard Jenkins, J.K. Simmons
Rating: R for pervasive language, some sexual content and violence
Run time: 96 minutes
All women all the time
Mary Haines (Meg Ryan) is a woman who seems to be able to do it all. Her friends include Sylvie (Annette Bening), Edie (Debra Messing) and Alex (Jada Pinkett Smith). And they have a secret -- Mary's husband has been messing around.
"The Women" is a movie that is about women, for women, and featuring all women.
Maybe it was a lazy script, maybe it just didn't develop as thought, but instead of being a great film, this just stops at good. Instead, I was left just a bit empty, but make no mistake, these women are unique, special and extraordinary individuals.
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