It's like Pretty in Pink, but if the dress looked good

[green_queen]

Yesterday I saw Salt

There's an XKCD comic in which the characters complain about the lack of action in action movies, and come up with a rather brilliant solution. While I wouldn't object to seeing that movie, I think the makers of Salt found an almost equally elegant solution: Sydney Bristow Angeline Jolie Beats Up Everyone.

I honestly don't recall ever seeing another movie that had this much action in it. The plot is deeply average by-the-numbers spy stuff (I picked the bad guy pretty much the second I saw the person's name in the opening credits), but the action is excellent - Ang kicks butt left, right and centre in so many fight, chase and espionage scenes your head will be spinning. There is a shot of Angelina strangling someone with her own handcuffs while perched over the edge of a staircase that alone is almost worth the price of admission.

The filmmakers marketed and made the film on the premise that we would be questioning Salt's motives from the start, wondering if she was really a spy; with this in mind, they study Angelina Jolie's face in great detail for every possible reaction. If there were any, I didn't pick up on them. Still, she is very pretty, and she can kick butt with the best of them, which is entirely the point in a film like this. The casting change and resultant gender swap definitely did the film a favour - I can't imagine it being quite as engaging with Tom Cruise in the same role - but it's still ultimately an okay thriller with telegraphed twists you'll see a mile out.

2.5 out of 5

Today I saw Limitless

Braaaaaaaaaaaadley Coooooooooooper. I could stare at you for days. As could the DoP and director of this movie, apparently, considering that Bradley Cooper is in almost every frame of this film, frequently in close-ups that focus on his amazing blue eyes...

Sorry, where was I? Right, Limitless. Bradley Cooper plays a "self-sabotaging" writer with a lot of potential who takes a drug to make him "limitless", or at least enables him to access the full potential of his brain. This is a good effort with an interesting, intelligent concept that I think is ultimately hampered by its Hollywood conceits. It looks good, although a couple of the "tricks" to show the effects of the drug confused me a little (for a while I thought people on it could actually see themselves in the future/past), and it's put together slickly , but I feel like exploration of the theory behind a drug that makes you better got bogged down in the thriller aspect. The ending almost feels like a cheat, too, like it was a little too convenient.

Bradley Cooper is fantastic, though. I like that this movie gave him something to work with, and he puts in a great performance. And so, so pretty.

3.5 out of 5

Then I watched Morning Glory, but I'll review that tomorrow because it's way past bedtime and I'm tired. Don't let me forget. Also, I have a Darren meme to start! Yay!



Green Queen