Common Point of View Review

Media: Movie
Genre: Action/Comedy/Crime
Production Year: 1998

Synopsis:
Melvin Smiley (Mark Wahlberg), is a young, talented hitman in Paris' (Avery Brooks) crime organization. Smiley, along with Cisco (Lou Diamond Phillips), Crunch (Bokeem Woodbine) and Vince (Antonio Sabato Jr.) team up in this action packed comedy to execute the kidnapping of a rich businessman's daughter. The foursome believes this move will land them a huge payday, but soon find out - they made a BIG mistake.


Overall Average Score: 5.50
This is an action-packed comedy that is more silly than serious. There are some very stylized martial arts sequences that are a staple of John Woo films, executive producer, (also produced by Wesley Snipes). If you are looking for a dark and gritty crime-drama than this isn't the movie for you. Instead you will find a light and humorous, action filled comedy in "The Big Hit".

Writing: 5
Initially, I was disappointed with this script, as I was expecting a story more serious than comedic from first time writer Ben Ramsey. But after taking a step back and rethinking it, I appreciate this films humor and almost spoof like treatment of the martial arts theme a little more than my initial review. If you are willing to take it for what its worth, "The Big Hit" does deliver a fun and somewhat entertaining 91 minutes.

Acting: 6
Though there is a fairly large cast of recognizable names (Wahlberg, Bokeem Woodbine, Antonio Sabato Jr., Christina Applegate, Elliott Gould), there is only one stand out performance in my opinion. Lou Diamond Phillips as Cisco, really steals the show. He is over-the-top funny as Cisco, Melvin's flamboyant best friend and coworker (another hitman) that ends up betraying and setting-up Melvin Smiley.

Directing: 6
Assuming Kirk Wong was attempting to put a film together that was completely void of realism and depth, only trying to capture the comedic essence from his actors...I guess he succeeded. Not what I was expecting and after further review, not what I usually like but better than the first intake.

Photography/Special Effects: 5
Lots of gunfights and explosions...not to say they were good, but there were a lot. The only way to reason with how overdone all of the effects were is to hope that director Kirk Wong was trying to do so.

Soundtrack/Sound Effects: 4
The soundtrack is sort of corny. The sound effects are exaggerated, adding only some comedic value to the film. Gun shots and bullet-ricochets are very overdone. Sometimes all I could do was laugh, but I suppose that was what they were going for.

Choreography (dancing/fighting): 7
Although you will find many entertaining and skillful fight scenes (blatantly inspired by John Woo), my rating is a only a 7, because of the overall weakness of the film. Many great martial arts films or films involving intense martial arts choreography are somewhat unbelievable and bend the reality of physics. With that said, those said films work only because they are entangled in story lines and cinematography that allow them to work.

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Media: Movie
Genre:Thriller/Crime Drama
Production Year: 2008

Synopsis:
Tom 'Turk' Cowan (Robert De Niro) and David 'Rooster' Fisk (Al Pacino) have been partners on the New York City police force for almost thirty years.  They do everything together, from eating to recreation, they are attached at the hip.  Now a serial killer is taking out suspects and the scum of the city, leaving a calling card at every grisly scene.  The hunt for the murder leads to some familiar faces and old suspects that the partners have worked together, calling their friendship and their badges into jeopardy.

Overall Average Score:  7.33
There are movies that you can watch over and over again, whether you know the ending and what is going to happen or not.  This is one of those films.  A junk food movie that has you at the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next.  You are constantly guessing "I think it was him.....No wait HIM!".  The story is told with such a great mix of action and mystery.  You sympathize with all the characters, wanting even the killer to win.  Of course, you can't miss with this cast.  I mean, De Niro and Pacino, come on!  Does it get better?

Writing:  8
I love the way that this story is told.  The presentation of what little facts they give you about the case is what drives the story.  The sprinkling in of action and what little romance there is, is like the garnish on an already great meal.  The dialog alone in this movie separates it from the rest of the pack.  Other movies and shows in this genre (crime drama) can tend to be heavy on presenting facts and evidence about the case in a very clinical and hard way (**cough**CSI**cough**). The writer, Russell Gerwirtz, presents most of the evidence in smart, but yet still very real and down to earth, dialogue between the characters.  It is truly the dialogue, and in turn the writing, that drives this movie forward.

Acting: 8
What good would dialogue be without someone to deliver it?  And how can you get any better than De Niro and Pacino?  They are classics!  In my humble opinion, they are the top of the top, the best of the best.  I could go on and on, but I wont.  The only reason this movie didn't get a perfect score is for some of the supporting cast.  50 Cent shows off his acting skills, or lack there of, as a club owner/drug dealer.  Other cast members include Carla Gugino, John Leguizamo, and Donnie Wahlberg, all of whom do a descent job, but nothing Oscar worthy.

Directing:  8
The movies progression and vision of its presentation has to be handed to the director, Jon Avnet.  You can have an amazing cast and a great script, but without the directors vision a great movie it would not be.  After directing multiple TV series' and another Pacino movie "88 Minutes", this would definitely be the breakout directing show piece for Avnet.  This showcases his abilities to tell a story and create in the viewer the "want to know more" feeling.

Photography/Special Effects:  7
Being filmed in the city that never sleeps, you can't get much of a better setting.  There aren't really any amazing photography shots, or incredible scenes, nor are there any stand out special effects or explosions.  This story really isn't that kind of a story, and I feel if there were it would have been used more as filler and would have detracted from the story rather than added to it.  So I guess I am glad that there was none of that.  It does get a point above being just average for the makeup effects, however.  There are a few drugged out people, some beaten up people, and some bullet holes that are very believable.  Not over the top, but not understated either.

Soundtrack/Sound Effects:  6
Sound effects are to be used sparingly in a movie of this genre.  Too much, and you can distract from the real story line.  At one point in the movie the sound effects of breaking glass seemed over done, and is my only true complaint about the movie.  The gun effects, and street noise were all very well done, and maintained throughout the film.  The lack of a noticeable soundtrack I think was a directorial choice, and a good one.  Not having a dramatic orchestra following the characters added a darker, more gritty overtone to the movie.

Choreography (dancing/fighting):  7
To my memory there was only one real "fight scene", if you can even call it that.  It was well done and very believable.  It seemed to be over just as quickly as it began, showing that one character completely overwhelmed the other, but I think that was the point.  Well done.

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Medium: Starz TV Series
Genre: Action/Adventure Drama
Production Year: 2010

This series is currently running it's first season on Starz. The first five episodes have already aired and you can catch new episodes on Friday nights at 10pm on Starz. Or if you do not have Starz, like me, you can watch new episodes on Netflix instant. I think you will notice a common theme between my posts and Tolashgaulris's posts...we are both strong supporters of Netflix and Hulu.

Synopsis:
This series follows the legend of Spartacus, interpreted through the writing of Steven S. Deknight. Spartacus (Andy Whitfield), a Thracian betrayed by the Roman Empire, ripped from the warm arms of his loving wife (Erin Cummings) and forced into slavery as a Gladiator, sentenced to death, must fight for his life. This is no easy task under new master and gladiator owner, Batiatus (John Hannah) and his scheming, unfaithful wife, Lucretia (Lucy Lawless). A new found life of brutal torture and fatal combat, all in a single hope to find his wife, has become the story of Spartacus; a story of love, betrayal, greed and one mans will to do everything in his power to save the love of his life.

Overall Average Score: 7.17
This is a very intriguing story, following in the same light as "Gladiator" and "300". Not that I believe "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" is equal to either of these films, it does combine aspects of each to make an entertaining television series. The storyline loosely follows the historic accounts of Spartacus and his dramatic rebelling against the Roman Empire to become one of the most revered slaves in all of history. I find it easy to get behind Spartacus's cause, almost rooting for him to prevail. The graphic bloody and violent combat scenes don't hurt either. This series does however have ALOT of nudity, female and male. If nudity and sexuality doesn't appeal to you, then you may want to find a different show. But overall, I find this an enjoyable and appealing show that I will continue to watch.

Writing: 7

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Medium:  BBC TV Series
Genre:  Action/Adventure
Production Year:  2006

I know this has been out for a long time, but thanks to the wonders of Netflix instant viewing, I am finally able to catch up on the series.

Synopsis:
Story loosely follows the exploits and adventures of the legendary mythical character of Robin Hood (Jonas Armstrong).  Robin Hood returns from the Crusades to find that his beloved home in the country of England is being ruled with an iron fist by the evil Sheriff of Nottingham (Keith Allen).  Together with his merry men Robin schemes and plots against the Sheriff by stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, all the while foiling the plots of the Sheriff and swooping the Maid Marian (Lucy Griffiths) off of her feet.

Overall average score:  5.5
This is a fun show.  There is nothing standout about it, and no awards will be won, but it is fun.  This is a great show that delivers what you would expect.  It is popcorn entertainment.  Nothing thought provoking or deep.  Nothing that will make you sit back and go wow.  It is fun, mindless entertainment.  Despite all of it’s short comings, you will find yourself tied to the characters and wanting to go back the Sherwood Forest for some more fun and action

Keep reading for the full extended review!

Writing:  6
The shows plot and general theme have already been defined by the original fable of Robin Hood.  The show has some pretty big shoes to fill with the story being a legend and one of the greatest and most widely known stories of all time.  It doesn’t help that the story has appeared man times on screen, everything from black and white in 1933, to Russell Crowe playing Mr. Hood in the upcoming movie coming out this summer, including Robin being played by a talking fox in Disney’s 1973 cartoon rendition.  With all that stacked up against it, the show’s writing is just ok.  Not bad, but not great either.  It seems to be very campy on the same general pranks and hijinks, jokes, one liners and general cheesiness.  That being said, if you look at the show as a whole, the story is engaging and you are left wondering what the characters will do next.  You connect with the characters and their plight, and wand to see them succeed.

Acting:  7
Jonas Armstrong is a very believable Robin Hood.  He isn’t this huge action star that will pull a sword out and cut down the opposition like Conan the Barbarian.  He is a short skinny guy that uses his brain to outwit his foe.  Jonas portrays this well.  All of the dialog, emotions, and action are very well done and he makes you believe he truly is Robin, and not just a guy playing him.  You feel his joy, and his sadness.  That being said, some of the other actors could use some work, starting with his right hand man Much (Sam Troughton).  He is way over the top.  Much is portrayed as the bumbling idiot friend that always seems to be getting into trouble.  Sam’s betrayal of Much though, leaves you more annoyed than amused.  It’s humorous for a little while, then you want to throw something at the television.  The other characters are good, but there are no Oscar winners in the group.

Directing:  3
This is where the show really takes a dive for me.  I think that the show is what it is, despite the directing (John McKay, Mathew Evans, Graeme Harper).  Each episode has something in it that you are just left going “huh?”  The show is supposed to be based in the middle ages, the times of swords and arrows.  Then why did the director choose to have a soldier from the Kings army wear modern military fatigues?  It just doesn’t fit!  And why, when a tattoo is the central focus of the episode, would you not want the tattoo itself to look good and as real as possible?  As opposed to having someone draw it onto the actor with a magic marker and then it fading and smearing through the action sequences.  Many little things like this are the things a director is supposed to see.  These are the minor details that a director is paid for. Yes the director has many other things to do, and they are done moderately well, but so many of these blaring omissions makes the rest of the show seem like an epic fail.

Photography/Special effects:  7
I realize that it is a BBC television show, and they don’t have a big motion picture budget, but can we please not use the same CG graphic of a flying arrow every time?  The arrows flying are really the only special effects needed in this show, however.  Sure there is the occasional explosion or fire, and those are done rather well.  The scenery is beautiful.  You don’t get to many wide panoramic shots of the landscape, but what you do see is green and lush.  The buildings and set design are very well done, even though the same hallway or room seems to be repeated from different angles and you are supposed to believe it is separate.  The homes, castles, and hideouts for the merry men are all very time period specific, and add to the show, rather than detract from it.

Soundtrack/sound effects:  4
I am reminded of Monty Python’s Holy Grail, the same song repeating over and over for every scene no matter what is going on.  Credits, action, drama, the same freaking song!  That and the arrows flying sound like they are patriot missiles somehow.  I didn’t know that arrows were self propelled.

Choreography (dancing/fighting):  6
The fight sequences are fun.  Pure fun.  Your not going to see any great martial arts or sword play.  The bow and arrow work is all CG, so I can’t even count that.  It’s fun to watch, even though there is nothing amazing or new happening on the screen.  I just like to see swords being swung around and people fighting.

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So this is the first post of the Common Point of View Review. Here, we will have an overview of electronics, movies, games, TV shows and anything else that we get comments about or requests for. What separates this blog from the rest of the millions of other random sea of blogs out there is that this is a review from an average person's point of view. We are not paid, bribed, or otherwise coerced for our comments or reviews. We will be doing a typical breakdown of each review, on a scale from 1 to 10.

Let us know what you think! This is a review site that wants comments. Let us know what you think and what you want to see reviews of. No promises that we will actually do it, but we will read your comments none the less!