Preston.....Preston....Sam, Sam Preston....

RAW Money In The Bank Match.

Kane vs Chris Jericho vs The Miz vs Big Show vs John Cena

Thankfully, I know all of these wrestlers. The only one I didn’t see in their prime was The Miz, but from earlier, little videos here and there, he looks like he’s really grown as a competitor. Quite frankly, Big Show & Kane seem unlikely to win, just there to do damage. Cena seems the most obvious choice to win, because he wins everything. Jericho would have been my preferred option before the PPV began, but with the introduction of The Miz, it feels he should surely steal the victory…but I don’t hold out much hope.

Am I the only one who is getting bored of everyone being shocked by Cena lifting up Big Show? He does it every single time they meet! It’s about as likely to occur as Tajiri kicking someone, or Santino doing a comedy bit, it always happens. However, it was an interesting development that four of the competitors seemingly ‘teamed up’, Cena FU-ing Big Show through the Spanish Announce Table and then being buried under six large ladders.

The rising of Big Show from under the ladders was a major MONSTER moment, one that makes wrestlers go ‘oh shit’, and was timed well. Big Show destroying several ladders was an interesting choice, until he unveiled a ‘Big Show Size’ ladder, which was a masterstroke, it made Big Show look intelligent and as if he really planned ahead. Big Show being attacked by Kane, Cena and Jericho was like an ‘Andre The Giant Royal Rumble’ moment, the idea that multiple wrestlers were needed to defeat one person, was good storytelling.  Not so good storytelling, was Jericho putting a sleeperhold on Cena and he still gets up the ladder, it’s another ‘Superman Cena’ moment and is both unsurprising & boring.

The moment where Big Show climbs up the ladder, and just looks at Jericho, was hilarious, and then Cena, unsurprisingly, won it.

Winner: John Cena.

To be honest, only the two Money In The Bank matches and Punk vs Bryan felt like I was watching a PPV, the others felt more like an episode of RAW, and even the RAW Money In The Bank was ruined by a completely unsurprising winner. Michael Cole even introduced the match by saying that Cena had won his first PPV match, first Wrestlemania, first Hell In A Cell, first Elimination Chamber, first Royal Rumble, etc. If you needed a bigger clue that Cena was going to win, you’d have had WWE.com announce it before the match even began. The best match of the night was most likely Bryan vs Punk, but with the incessant inclusion of the AJ storyline, the match just wasn’t able to reach a level it could have.

Overall, I’m disappointed by the PPV. All I can hope, is that Summerslam hits it out of the park, and feels like a real PPV.

I didn’t realize present day PPVs have multiple skits and interview sections. Hopefully it won’t be like this all evening.

Sheamus’ interview was okay, he had good vocabulary and microphone skills, but his anecdote of the difference between his and Del Ro;s cars…seemed a little ridiculous.

The Miz did a brilliant interview, he had slight remnants of The Rock, arrogance but determination, with the audience drawn in as soon as his music started. His inclusion into the Raw Money In The Bank wasn’t that surprising, but he will add a new dimension to the match, which should help it do even better.

World Heavyweight Championship Match.

Alberto Del Rio vs Sheamus (champion)

Now the build-up to Alberto Del Rio vs World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus. It was okay, nothing mind blowing. Ahh, yay, the beautiful Lillian Garcia is introducing them, I’d missed her. Del Rio’s car entrance just makes me nostalgic for Eddie Guerrero, my old favorite. Sheamus’ entrance is much more simpler, but I like his music, I admit. Sheamus looks ill, really white, but red, flushed cheeks?

The style of this match seems to be a mesh of styles, Del Rio seems quite technical, focusing his attack on the injured arm of Sheamus, whilst Sheamus tries to brawl his way out of trouble, minimizing the usage of his injured arm, using hammer blows, as well as smashes, I like the story the used in the match. Good victory from Sheamus, the victory has the air of a strong babyface champion who battles against injuries. My first match seeing Sheamus as Champion, and he looks like he’s earned his position. Although, now, I wonder if Del Rio will try and enter the Raw MITB match, as a former champion?

Winner: and still Champion, Sheamus.

Wow, Dolph Ziggler came down, to try and cash in the contract, but the bell never tolled in time, and then Sheamus smashed Ziggler in the face. Little teaser for the Money In The Bank winner, a good inclusion.

Daniel Bryan had a good solid interview, showing strong intensity, which was good.

WWE Tag Team Champions R-Truth & Kofi Kingston came out to the announce table, followed by a manager called AW? Never heard of him before, but he’s with The Primetime Players? And they look like they are facing a team with a leggy Diva as their valet. I’m currently struggling to even care right now.

Prime Time Players vs Epico & Primo

I can’t help but be confused by the fact the Tag Team champions wrestle on the pre-show match, but the number 1 contenders have a throw-away match on the PPV..is that just me? The valet, Rosa(?) just keeps on jumping up and down whilst AW won’t shut up on the microphone, both are annoying me. Epico and Primo are demonstrating a good high flying style, which works well against the powerhouse heels, with Epico & Primo eventually stealing the win. That was an okay match, but I could’ve watched this match for free on RAW, which makes more sense, I’d be annoyed if I’d paid for this. And then, R-Truth splashes AW with water, and the Prime Time Players ARE SO SHOCKED, they can’t actually defend him. What a waste of time.

Winner: Epico & Primo

I skipped the AJ interview. Sorry.

No DQ, WWE Championship Match

Daniel Bryan vs CM Punk (champion), AJ as Special Guest Referee.

The only problem I have with this match is that AJ is the referee, it usually means that the ref will decide the match, which gets very boring and frustrating. The match is a No DQ match, so that could allow at least 20 minutes, but I am slightly worried about how this match would go. The special referee just isn’t needed.

When AJ seemingly got injured and taken to the back, there seemed to be a weight taken off the match, it allowed Punk & Bryan to build a match up, physical smashes from both, just the usage of a kendo stick in the build up, creating a story with the battling over the kendo stick, as well as some good back-and-forth moments.

And then AJ returned. As soon as she did, the match was instantly feeling weighed down again. This was the sort of thing that put me off wrestling ages ago, the incessant need to ruin good matches with storyline interference, AJ introduced a chair to battle over, and then got in the way of both a chair & a kendo stick, ruining the pace and flow of the match. AJ is not a bad wrestler or wrestling personality, she seems to have good screen presence and sells her character well. BUT, she was an albatross for the match, several times the camera missed an important moment in the match, i.e. battling over the chair or Punk reversing Bryan on the top turnbuckle, because they cut to AJ instead, meaning the audience at home missed moments, it was frustrating.

However, a fantastic build-up to the end of the match, with Punk’s back suplex through a table off the top turnbuckle was a great victory move, which just destroyed Bryan. Punk with a good victory in a mostly strong match, minus AJ.

Winner: and still WWE Champion, CM Punk.

Probably match of the night so far, for me.

And then they follow it up with a handicap, squash match…*sigh*

Handicap Match.

Ryback vs Tyler Reks & Curt Hawkins

Well, this was completely unsurprisingly, a squash match featuring Ryback looks like it has replaced the Divas match as the pissbreak.

Winner: Ryback

Six Diva Tag Team Match.

Layla/Kaitlyn/Tamina Snuka vs Beth Phoenix/Natalya/Eve

Not really a match I got into, or enjoyed. In fact, I went and made a cup of tea whilst it was on.

Winners: Layla/Kaitlyn/Tamina Snuka

I really hate to say it, but apart from the Money In The Bank match, and Punk vs Bryan, minus the AJ bit, I have been unimpressed. These two matches are the only ones I feel are PPV worthy so far. I’m hoping the main event will make some sort of impact.

I think it was about August last year, maybe, that I last watched a WWE Pay-Per-View. When I first began watching the WWF in 2000, I would watch PPVs as often as possible, mostly the free Channel 4 PPVs such as Royal Rumble, Backlash, etc.

As a concept, I think the Money In The Bank match is a cracker. The idea of someone possessing the power to call in a free title match anytime gives every episode of Raw, Smackdown & every PPV an extra bit of spice, it offers new storylines for the winner and elevates them to a strong, new position.

Money In The Bank Smackdown

Dolph Ziggler vs Santino Marella vs Cody Rhodes vs Damien Sandow vs Tyson Kidd vs Sin Cara vs Tensai vs Christian

Dolph Ziggler, it seems, has been with Vickie as his manager for a long time, and she already grates on me. Ziggler, though, looks like he’s got a lot of potential, charisma-wise and wrestling-wise. Santino, I’ve seen several comedy skits of, and he has great comedic timing, but I hope to see he’s also a fantastic wrestler. Cody Rhodes, I think I remember wrestling in a stable with Ted DiBiase Jr & Randy Orton, he seemed a solid wrestler. Damien Sandow, I legitimately have no idea who he is. Tyson, Kidd, I think I heard was a big future talent. Sin Cara, I thought he was Rey Mysterio for a minute, I’m hoping he’ll be the Jeff Hardy of the old TLC matches in the year 2000-01. Tensai?! I’ve seen him as Prince Albert, Albert, A-Train, he’s gone through more names than titles if I remember! Now, Christian, I’m a huge fan of him, he’d be my favorite to win, I’ve heard he’s won several World titles but I still feel he’s underrated, he’s wonderfully charismatic, he has the crowd entranced with ease, and he is a fantastic wrester.

I can only guess at who would be most likely to win, but seeing as there is a 100% success rate, I’m guessing Christian, Ziggler, and maybe Rhodes would be favorites. I just don’t think Tensai would be the best choice.

Sandow, who I know nothing about, but feel distracted by his bright pink pants, is refreshing, he seems to be the intelligent wrestler, who waited until the best opportunity, leading to a set-piece where he took out Christian, Santino & Kidd in one push. There was a dangerous top-rope neckbreaker between Sin Cara & Ziggler, could have gone very wrong. Tensai looks like he’s playing the Kane role, the big bruiser who smashes wrestlers everywhere. I liked one funny bit where Christian clambered over Sandow on the ladder, and then got pushed up it by mistake, good little comedic beat.

Tyson Kidd did a fantastic rope jump onto the standing ladder, trying to beat Tensai to the briefcase, again, another clever move, I like this Kidd. Santino looked like he was getting some good momentum, I’m guessing the ‘Cobra’ is akin to a ‘Mr Socko’ tie-in. I think the idea of a wrestler being scared of heights is a clever set piece, but it just adds too much comedic aspect to a situation that should be much more important than this. Oh God, Vickie had to interfere, I really just wanted Tyson Kidd to push her off the ladder, I get bloody frustrated that there ALWAYS has to be a storyline interference.

Wow, Kidd is stealing this match, with a large sunset flip powerbomb off a ladder after using another ladder to get there, Ziggler did a great bump there, though it looked like he face planted really badly. Wow, Sin Cara just got powerbombed on a ladder by Tensai, and Ziggler was elevated over the announce table and flopped onto a chair, Tensai has made an impact! I take back me not wanting him involved. Spear! Christian spears Kidd off the ladder, TLC flashbacks, this match is an Edge lovefest, spears, ladders, MITB, fantastic.

I have to say, I’m really not that surprised that Dolph Ziggler won, as Christian was reaching for the briefcase, I just felt it was a little easy. But Ziggler took some punishment in that match, I think it lasted about 20-odd minutes, a fair number. The match seemed to take some time to flow, but when it got into the latter stages, it flowed much better. Good start to the PPV though.

WINNER: Dolph Ziggler

Title: Rumble In The Bronx

Number: One Hundred and Thirty-Nine

Directer: Stanley Tong

Writer: Edward Tang & Fibe Ma

Genre: Hong Kong Martial Arts Action Comedy.

Released: 1995.

Seen on: Netflix.

Seen Before: Once before.

Starring:  Jackie Chan, Anita Mui, Francoise Yip, Marc Akerstream

Running Time: 106 minutes.

Favorite Performance: Jackie Chan as Ma Hon Keung.

Favorite Moment: Jackie mugs into a mirror that turns out to be two-way.

Favorite Line: “You don’t need diamonds in the bathroom.”

Thoughts: I have been a fan of Jackie Chan for a long time; I’ve recently been rewatching his animated show, which is just a magnificent blend of action, comedy, and warmth. You can pretty much guarantee usually that even if the story isn’t that great or memorable, you will love Jackie’s performance, his comedic talents and his imaginative, innovative set-pieces. The standard of this film is good enough, that you could use it to introduce anybody to the talents of Jackie Chan.

The story here is simplistic really, Jackie Chan’s character goes to New York, where his uncle is getting married. Whilst his uncle is on holiday, Jackie helps out in his uncle’s supermarket, and ends up battling a local gang. Plot, done. Like many great martial arts films, the plot is just strong enough that it gives meaning and sense to every development, but doesn’t overload to an amount that you become annoyed or bored. Bruce Lee films like “Way of the Dragon” & “Enter the Dragon” are examples of simple plots with awesome action, as well as Tony Jaa’s “Ong Bak”, JCVD’s “Bloodsport”, etc. For Jackie Chan, you have “Rumble In The Bronx”. This was the introduction to American audiences of Chan’s ability, and the film was strong enough that Chan still works in America 17 years later.

Jackie has a natural charisma when on screen, he’s akin to the goofiness of Charlie Chaplin, the comedic talents of Robert Downey Jr, in terms of improvisation, the ability & talent of Bruce Lee, and just overall awesomeness. He has two good female presences to play off, there is Francoise Yip, the love interest, as well as the fantastic Anita Mui, who despite being a singer, also demonstrates magnificent comedic talent, as well as a willingness to make herself to look ridiculous, I almost wish they’d removed Yip, who whilst solid, is overshadowed by the chemistry between Mui & Chan.

And the action? Some of the best Jackie has ever done, that I have seen. He creates a playground in New York, his movement and ad-libs utilize stairways, cars, supermarkets, and a warehouse to a level you wouldn’t think possible, coming up with original depictions of fighting in small locations. You find yourself laughing, cheering or marvelling at Jackie’s ability.

The ending is a bit rushed, but considering that in the final battle scene, Jackie actually injured his leg to the extent it needed a cast, you can forgive the ending. For the first 95% though, it is a great action comedy that you can enjoy. If you like Jackie Chan, you’ll love this film.

Thumbs Up, 8 out of 10

25 Days of ‘Sherlock’ - Day Four: Favorite Episode From Series 1.

I’m gonna have to go with the first episode, because, I was fascinated in the series before it began, but was slightly nervous, as I wasn’t sure how good he contemporary nature of the series would be. Well, within the first 20 minutes, I was not only convinced, I was hooked, line and sinker, I already could not wait to watch the rest of the series, and that was a major achievement, this wasn’t a guaranteed hit. But after just the first episode, I was blown away.

The introduction of the text messages coming up on the screen, was one of those where you go, “My God, yes! That’s fantastic!” and the introduction scene between Sherlock & John was just perfect. Oh, and Mycroft’s introduction, fantastic, absolutely fantastic. Mrs Hudson & DI Lestrade are revamped in a great way, Molly is created, she’s great, the inclusion of previous cases of Sherlock was a great touch, the characterization was strong, this episode just hit it out of the fucking ball park, and set a standard for the series.

The first episodes of a series are usually the most important, and here, it set an extremely high standard. For me, “The Blind Banker” had some really clever inclusions and the setting up of John being mistaken as Sherlock was brilliant, but unfortunately was a sixty minute episode stretched out a bit too much into a ninety minute episode; and “The Great Game” was a return to the awesomeness of the first episode, culminating in a classic meeting between Sherlock and Moriarty. But for me, I love “A Study In Pink”, as it really sold me on the entire concept.

(Picture courtesy of Nina Cayaban - http://society6.com/supernining/A-Study-in-Pink_Print)

Title: Men In Black

Number: Sixty-Five.

Directer: Barry Sonnenfeld

Writer: Ed Solomon

Genre: Science-Fiction-comedy

Released: 1997

Seen on: Sky Comedy

Seen Before: Several times when younger but not for a few years now.

Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Vincent D’Onofrio, Rip Torn, Linda Fiorentino, Tony Shalhoub

Running Time: 98 minutes.

Favorite Performance: Will Smith as Agent J.

Favorite Line: “Did you ever flashy thing me?” asks Agent J. “No” says Agent K. “I ain’t playing with you, K. Did you ever flashy thing me?!” says J. “No.” repeats K.

Favorite Moment: I like the way Agent J tries to distract The Bug from leaving the planet, using fire, rocks, he gets smacked around, and then uses psychology, killing small cockroaches, pissing off The Bug, all whilst Agent K is inside The Bug, looking for his gun.

Thoughts: I watched this film originally when I was very young and I thought it was brilliant. And every time I do watch this film, it always fills the spot. This is a very well crafted science-fiction film with a comedic undertone that allows you to enjoy yourself. The direction is pretty solid, but what works best is the chemistry between several of the actors.

Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith make this film, with ease, I think their banter is integral to the enjoyment of the movie, they both have good one-liners and their partnership feels very fresh and fun, Tommy Lee Jones can do the wizened, grumpy mentor with ease, he comes across as funny, but also slightly melancholic at the passing years. He’s molding Agent J into a worthwhile Agent. It helps that Will Smith has an insurmountable amount of charisma that makes him a wonderful protagonist to follow, he has good one-liners, a good physical presence, including several action scenes, and good chemistry with Lee Jones. These two make the movie for me, they just capture that quintessential magic you need for such roles.

The concept of Men In Black is simple and magical: secret organisation that monitors and investigates aliens on planet Earth. It works because it doesn’t get too over-the-top, doesn’t overwhelm the story with exposition, it is quick, snappy, sets the plot up, and the fun begins, which works well. The ‘MacGuffin’, the Galaxy, is an interesting concept and I liked that they went in a different direction with it.

Edgar The Bug, by Vincent D’Onofrio, was fantastic casting, he is extremely creepy and disconcerting normally, let alone when he is able to manipulate his skin, or when he opens his mouth and tendrils come reaching out. Most of the time, when the creature is unveiled, it kind of ruins the previous good work, but the CGI in the film holds up substantially well, better than most from 1997. D’Onofrio’s movements and jerky walk made him seem very alien, which works very well. He is a strong villain as portrayed, and his characteristics of a bug make his actions seem natural.

The supporting act of Rip Torn is very strong, he has a very dry sense of humor and a characteristic that makes the idea of aliens seem the most natural thing in the world, he reminds me of M or Q in the ‘James Bond’ series, he’s very integral. Unfortunately, I am not a big fan of Linda Fiorentino, I feel she was the weakest of the main five, she’s an okay love interest, but the best chemistry was Agent J and K, which means she seemed a bit unneeded. The best she brings to the film is plot devices. However, she is harmless, so I don’t mind.

This is one of my favorite childhood films, it is extremely solid work from some good actors and a creative team that created a good, fun movie. I’d easily recommend it, especially with Men In Black 3 coming up soon this year.

Thumbs Up, 8 out of 10

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bigbadabruce:

Title: The Woman In Black

Number: Sixty-Two.

Directer: James Watkins

Writer: Jane Goldman

Genre: Horror-thriller

Released: 2012

Seen on: Cinema

Seen Before: Never

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Ciarán Hinds, Janet McTeer, Sophie Stuckey, Liz White

Running Time: 95 minutes.

Favorite Line: “I will never forgive.”

Favorite Moment: There was one bloody brilliant shot done where the camera was from the point of view of the ghost, and the camera slowly approached Arthur as he slept in a chair, before a hand reached out at him. Chilling, and felt refreshingly different.

Thoughts: I have to admit to being a slight fan of Daniel Radcliffe, I feel he’s really improved over the last decade, having started off as a non-actor, and gradually becoming more subtle and thoughtful about his characters. However, I had never heard of the book/play before seeing this movie, as well as not having seen “Eden Lake”, by the director James Watkins, so it was mostly the good reviews I heard that convinced me.

I liked it. Didn’t love it, but liked it. I think Radcliffe gave an okay performance, different from Harry Potter definitely, and it would have been quite difficult for him to carry the majority of the film alone, just interacting with noise and sound, but I thought he did surprisingly well. He has a future in Hollywood, and it was good to see him try to challenge himself in a more adult role, following his well received role in ‘Equus’. There were times he may have come across as slightly stiff, but I thought it mostly suited.

However, unfortunately he was overshadowed by the brilliant Ciarán Hinds, who played Sam, a rich villager befriends Radcliffe’s Arthur. I loved the fact that he was written as just a friend, no tricks, no shocks, just an upstanding character who wanted to do the right thing. Too many times this sort of character gets messed around, and I think Hinds had a certain level of gravitas that added to the proceeding, he also just came along as very likable.

The villain is nothing too new, many people will recognize the villain, or plot, but I did like the tension that was built up at times, loud wind, blowing doors or windows open and shut, creaking staircases, etc, all frightening elements that feel very realistic and builds up the expectation slowly. I also enjoyed the use of glimpses in the shadows and ghosts in the background. Also, there was the shot from the ghost’s point of view, very different and original.

However, many of the tension was ruined by the usage of jump scares. I hate jump scares, they feel very lazy and easy to go for, you ruin all the tension you’ve built up by having someone jump out. Half the time, they don’t even make sense! It was very frustrating, and I honestly believe if they had cut down on the jump scares, it could have been even more enjoyable.

James Watkins did well with most of the time, I do feel he made some mistakes relying on jump scares, but I liked what he did for most of the film, and it leaves me wanting to watch his debut film, ‘Eden Lake’. The film is solid and creepy, but isn’t brilliant. Some people may not like Radcliffe’s performance, and some people may get annoyed by the ending, which I have to say I see why they did it, but it can be a little jarring. Either way, I did enjoy it, and felt it was worth the £5 I spent.

Thumbs Up, 6 out of 10

 Sam Preston, you should defo go see the play.  It’s amazing, the film was good but didn’t do it justice. x

Emma, I think I am definitely tempted, but I am not sure how much chance I will have to see it. I have heard the play is good though, have to say. x

Title: The Woman In Black

Number: Sixty-Two.

Directer: James Watkins

Writer: Jane Goldman

Genre: Horror-thriller

Released: 2012

Seen on: Cinema

Seen Before: Never

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Ciarán Hinds, Janet McTeer, Sophie Stuckey, Liz White

Running Time: 95 minutes.

Favorite Performance: Ciarán Hinds as Sam Daily.

Favorite Line: “I will never forgive.”

Favorite Moment: There was one bloody brilliant shot done where the camera was from the point of view of the ghost, and the camera slowly approached Arthur as he slept in a chair, before a hand reached out at him. Chilling, and felt refreshingly different.

Thoughts: I have to admit to being a slight fan of Daniel Radcliffe, I feel he’s really improved over the last decade, having started off as a non-actor, and gradually becoming more subtle and thoughtful about his characters. However, I had never heard of the book/play before seeing this movie, as well as not having seen “Eden Lake”, by the director James Watkins, so it was mostly the good reviews I heard that convinced me.

I liked it. Didn’t love it, but liked it. I think Radcliffe gave an okay performance, different from Harry Potter definitely, and it would have been quite difficult for him to carry the majority of the film alone, just interacting with noise and sound, but I thought he did surprisingly well. He has a future in Hollywood, and it was good to see him try to challenge himself in a more adult role, following his well received role in ‘Equus’. There were times he may have come across as slightly stiff, but I thought it mostly suited.

However, unfortunately he was overshadowed by the brilliant Ciarán Hinds, who played Sam, a rich villager befriends Radcliffe’s Arthur. I loved the fact that he was written as just a friend, no tricks, no shocks, just an upstanding character who wanted to do the right thing. Too many times this sort of character gets messed around, and I think Hinds had a certain level of gravitas that added to the proceeding, he also just came along as very likable.

The villain is nothing too new, many people will recognize the villain, or plot, but I did like the tension that was built up at times, loud wind, blowing doors or windows open and shut, creaking staircases, etc, all frightening elements that feel very realistic and builds up the expectation slowly. I also enjoyed the use of glimpses in the shadows and ghosts in the background. Also, there was the shot from the ghost’s point of view, very different and original.

However, many of the tension was ruined by the usage of jump scares. I hate jump scares, they feel very lazy and easy to go for, you ruin all the tension you’ve built up by having someone jump out. Half the time, they don’t even make sense! It was very frustrating, and I honestly believe if they had cut down on the jump scares, it could have been even more enjoyable.

James Watkins did well with most of the time, I do feel he made some mistakes relying on jump scares, but I liked what he did for most of the film, and it leaves me wanting to watch his debut film, ‘Eden Lake’. The film is solid and creepy, but isn’t brilliant. Some people may not like Radcliffe’s performance, and some people may get annoyed by the ending, which I have to say I see why they did it, but it can be a little jarring. Either way, I did enjoy it, and felt it was worth the £5 I spent.

Thumbs Up, 6 out of 10

Title: Cop Land

Number: Sixty.

Writer-Directer: James Mangold

Genre: Drama.

Released: 1997

Seen on: DVD.

Seen Before: Never

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro, Harvey Keitel, Ray Liotta, Michael Rappaport, Robert Patrick.

Running Time: 104 minutes.

Favorite Performance: Sylvester Stallone as Freddy.

Favorite Line: “Why is it that you never got married Freddy?” asks Liz, and he replies, in a melancholic tone, full of regret, “All the best girls were taken.”

Favorite Moment: Freddy loses his hearing and yet still is prepared to do the right thing, going to a gunfight deaf, with the background noise having no audio and just feedback. Very well made scene.

Thoughts: I have always been a fan of Stallone, I feel he creates some good fun action movies, such as “First Blood Part II”, “Assassins”, “The Expendables”, “Cobra”, “Demolition Man”, “Rocky II-V”, and yet also does some top rate acting in films such as “Rocky”, dealing with the chance of suddenly being someone, and “First Blood”, a melancholic depiction of a Vietnam vet struggling with returning home. I think his two latter pictures are two of the best underrated appearances I have ever seen. Stallone, when he wants to, can rival any actor, in my opinion.

I would couple his role in “Cop Land”, as in the vein of “Rocky” and “First Blood”, not as good, but put it this way: he is up against powerhouses such as De Niro and Keitel, and he does not look out of place, at all, he isn’t blown away by them, in fact, I think he is easily their equal, and that is not easy, at all. In this film, Stallone plays Freddy, a small time Sheriff who lost out on the chance to be a cop as he lost his hearing in one ear, saving a woman from drowning. Stallone packs on forty pounds, and looks completely devoid of life, running on auto-pilot, beaten down, almost like a precursor to the amazing “Rocky Balboa”. As the film goes on, Stallone starts to grow from the shy, timid puppet of the town into a modern-day Western Sheriff, becoming a true hero, which I loved, I have to admit.

De Niro has a smaller role than expected, he is more supporting than anything, but as always he has a good physical presence and creates a dogged character determined to find the truth. I liked the fact he offered an inspirational push for Freddy, and I think his role was pivotal.

Ray Liotta is an actor I think doesn’t get as many good roles as he should, he grabbed this role with both hands and really suits as the slightly erratic, drug addled cop, whose friendship with Freddy and Keitel’s character leaves him teetering on either side, leaving him desperate and slightly torn, which I liked, I felt his scenes with Stallone were quite solid, some good chemistry between the two, which helped the film.

Harvey Keitel as the leader of the cops is a pivotal role, and his slightly arrogant attitude to Freddy, completely disregarding Freddy as a character, made him a good villain, he really came across as an old fashioned bandit, running a town with ease and everyone following his beck and call. He comes across as a father figure for most of the cops, which makes him a believable and charismatic leader.

I also quite liked the smaller roles of Michael Rapaport and Robert Patrick, who are both solid actors, with Rapaport having impressed me in both “Prison Break” and “True Romance”, here offering a slightly naive hero officer who inspires the plot, whilst Patrick is a great physical presence in “T2: Judgement Day”, as well as a good starring role in “The X-Files”. Patrick doesn’t steal the movie, but he does help lift it, offering a solid ensemble performance.

The plot probably may be seen as nothing special, but I think the execution and finely written characters as portrayed by some brilliant actors in our recent history, makes it a much more enjoyable role than expected, I also feel it has some great subtle layers to it, with each actor crafting solid, enjoyable performances. For Stallone alone, I would recommend it, but if you are fans of ANY of the actors, or present day Westerns, you will like this film. I mean, I’m not even a fan of Westerns, and I loved it for its strong resonance and feeling of history for characters.

Thumbs Up, 8 out of 10