Salt

(Guest Review by Russ)

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A secret agent (Angelina Jolie) is accused of being a Russian spy working as a mole in the CIA and must go on the run to prove her innocence.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Daniel Olbrychski, August Diehl, Daniel Pearce, Hunt Block, Andre Braugher

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. Salt is serviceable summertime action fare that doesn't exceed expectations nor fall below them. You've probably seen most of it before, and it's pretty illogical, but it at least it zips along. And hey, it's a decent way to cool off for 100 minutes if the hot summer sun is wearing you down.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: If watching the heroine survive unbelievable stunt after unbelievable stunt with nary a scratch makes you guffaw, then you will be rolling in the aisles. Otherwise... no.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: If watching the heroine survive unbelievable stunt after unbelievable stunt with nary a scratch makes you cry, then your seat will be soaked from the waterworks. Otherwise... no.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Most Watching of a Heroine Surviving Unbelievable Stunt after Unbelievable Stunt, and Getting Out with Nary a Scratch. Do you get what this movie is about yet?

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Angelina Jolie gets credit for being one of the very few American actresses who can pull off this type of action-y ridiculousness and not come across as completely ridiculous. And she even has a few moments that will remind you of what a fine dramatic actress she is as she conveys her double-spy loyalties with a quiver of her lips and a watery eye. Makes you wish she was doing Wanted Part 2 instead of this though.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Phillip Noyce can bring it, but Salt is not his finest hour. The action sequences are disjointed and much of the editing makes it look as if the latter part of the stunt didn't really work so they just cut to the result creating a jarring effect that leaves the viewer confused.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: It doesn't make a lot of sense. But if you like watching Angelina Jolie run around, blow stuff up, and shoot people, then you probably won't care all that much. Doesn't seem like the screenwriter did.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/salt/37107/trailers

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The Blind Side

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: The true story of how offensive tackle, Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) was plucked out of the projects and invited to live with a well-to-do family, and go to a fancy private high school, where he learned that he was a naturally gifted football player.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Quinton Aaron, Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Jae Head, Lily Collins, Ray McKinnon, Kathy Bates, Kim Dickens, Tom Nowicki, Adriane Lenox, Melody Weintraub

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! When sports movies aren't focused on the sport, but rather on the growth of the characters, they can be as heart-warming as a baby hugging a puppy. This one is, and somehow I came away with some interesting knowledge about football, too.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: Quite a bit actually, especially at the visual of the giant-sized Michael being led around by his new little brother and best friend, who is hilariously cast with the smallest possible kid they could find for the part.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: Several times.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: They don't give awards to feel good movies.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: At some point, I actually forgot I was watching Sandra Bullock. Tim McGraw plays possibly the most perfect (read non-existent) husband I have ever seen-- even for the fictional world. And Jae Head, as SJ, is the Jonathan Lipnicki of the new millenium (i.e. weirdly cute kid with all the good lines in a movie about sports).

Q: How is the Directing?

A: The football action is sometimes difficult to follow, but drama-wise even the slightest of important subtle expressions to cross a person's face is captured to convey everything the character is thinking. Also there are a lot of interesting shots using reflections on glass and in mirrors, which manage to be beautiful, without distracting from the story or the emotion.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: Oh my God, white people are awesome! They're so nice and pretty and perfect and Christian that it's sometimes a little hard to believe. Aside from that little suspension of disbelief, the script has it all, from the one liners to the touching.

Q: Is there anything else worth mentioning about the movie?

A: It never gets boring, but it does start to feel like it's over 2 hours, which it is.

Q: Where can I see the trailer?

A: http://www.moviefone.com/movie/the-blind-side/37685/trailers

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