Redbelt

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A Jiu-jitsu Master's (Chiwetel Ejiofor) faith in honor and integrity is put to the test when his personal life starts to fall apart.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tim Allen, Alice Braga, Emily Mortimer, Joe Montegna, Rodrigo Santoro, Max Martini, David Paymer, John Machado

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. I really liked it because it harkens back to the roots of martial arts, which are based in honor and respect, not in kicking ass and taking names. These themes make for inspirational lessons about sticking to your ideals and morals, even when it feels like everybody else is getting ahead by leaving their own at the door. Unfortunately, the concept may scare away movie goers who don't like martial arts, and don't realize that this movie is more about moral philosophy than violence. And at the same time, it could disappoint true martial arts aficionados, because there's not all that much fighting in the film, and what is there is shot artistically, rather than in your face, blood and guts.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: If you're in show business you'll get the one joke.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Not cry, but hopefully inspire you to stand tough in the face of what's right, even when everyone around you is knowingly choosing what's wrong.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Chiwetel Ejiofor won an Independent Spirit Award last year for Talk to Me, and in this movie he's even better.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: It is a strange combination of actors giving the performances of their lifetimes, and actors who seemed like they are perhaps not professionals. David Mamet is known for his difficult-to-say, realistic dialogue, so when someone doesn't bring it, it's very hard to hide.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Mamet tries some interesting techniques with the focus, like racking away from the person or thing the scene is about, and making them blurry. I'm not sure that it works. Also, as mentioned earlier, the fight scenes show you very little of what's going on physically (perhaps to cover up the fact that the actors are not always fighters). This is especially true in the climactic fight, where inserts and close-ups are used in such a way that you have very little idea what they're of, and why they've been inserted.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: It builds to a clever second half and a satisfying and unexpected ending. The structure is somewhat unconventional-- which I respect, because it works for the most part-- but it also may be the reason the first half meanders and drags on a little.

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Never Back Down

(Guest Review by Russ)

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: With help from a wise mentor (Djimon Hounsou), a teenager (Sean Faris) turns to the world of underground mixed martial arts fighting to overcome anger and frustrations over a tragic event in his past that he feels responsible for.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Sean Faris, Djimon Hounsou, Amber Heard, Cam Gigandet, Evan Peters, Wyatt Smith, Leslie Hope

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. In this homo-erotically charged mash up of a modern day Karate Kid crossed with an iphone commercial, you’ll get exactly what the ads promise. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as the fight sequences are pretty exciting, but it’s all been done and seen before. And been done way better.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: You’ll think it should have made you laugh way more, except when you’re laughing at the unintentional humor. Which you’ll enjoy doing more than once.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: If you’ve ever had a cracked rib, this movie might bring back those painful memories, and in so doing, make you cry.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: I’m sure there’s an MTV Movie Award nomination in its future for Best Fight. And I’ll go out on a limb and say maybe even for Best Kiss (even though it’s just the plain old heterosexual kind).

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Better than expected. Hounsou is magnetic no matter the material and he’s a large presence in this despite playing a supporting role. And even though some of the “teen” leads are surely teetering on the edge of 30 in real life, they’re all quite good. Suspension of belief will be needed, but at least you won’t be cringing over line readings.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Pretty darn good. The mixed martial arts fighting style really pops and is extremely well choreographed and shot. It’s probably the only reason anyone is seeing this movie, and it won’t disappoint in that regard. Okay, so some people are also going so they can see Sean Faris and Cam Gigandet with their shirts off… and let’s just say that if the director was responsible for that, too, then even more kudos.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Pretty formulaic. At least it pays lip-service to some character development and back story, which elevates it slightly from a straight ahead beat-a-thon. And it also deserves credit for putting forth a strong message about accepting personal responsibility and coming to terms with the bad choices we all make in life.

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