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Comma, D



Last Updated: 8/1/2008

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Gender: Male
Status: Single
Age: 26
Sign: Aries

City: New York
State: NEW YORK
Country: US
Signup Date: 1/21/2006
Thursday, February 01, 2007 

Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities
Picture Perfectionist
By Dan Frigolette

SMOKIN ACES
Starring: Andy Garcia, Ray Liotta, Ben Affleck, Common, Alicia Keyes, Jason Bateman, Ryan Reynolds, Jeremy Piven etc…etc…etc…etc…

THIS is a movie! Especially if you're a man.

Smokin Aces is a raw, fierce, gritty, action packed nail biter. This flick will hold its own against cult classic Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels most recently remade as the Brad Pitt classic, Snatch and other blood soaked originals. There is nothing amazing about the dialogue here or the Jeremy Piven hard-ass scenes, but the action surely makes up for it.

The basic story consists in a contract to kill Buddy "Aces" Israel, a Big-time Vegas entertainer (mostly magic) turned Mafioso played by Piven. The contract goes out to a slew of degenerate and sadistic killers with their own methods of mayhem. It's a race to the finish for four groups of killers and the FBI Agents sent to protect him. Did I mention "Aces" is a big-time FBI informant?

The movie, which ultimately twists plots at the finale, has a cast of innumerable stars, from film and from elsewhere, most notably, Andy Garcia, Ray Liotta, and Ben Affleck. But most surprising is rapper Common, and singer Alicia Keyes, neither of whom make it blaringly obvious that this is their first acting appearance in a major motion picture. While commendations are in order, heads up for Ryan Reynolds, who plays a major role in this film, particularly in the story's resolution and wrap up. Who knew this Van Wilder star could handle serious?

Action wise, this movie stands the test of any Tarantino driven blood-thirsty teenager. Chainsaws up the ass, Queen of Hearts in the eyes, and anti-aircraft sniper rifle bullets whizzing by make Aces a necessary trip to the theater for any adrenaline junky out there.

Story-wise there are a few plot holes and other unsewn gaps that make the audience unsure why we suffered along this violence-packed journey to get to this moment. But in the end the ballsiest action is taken, and we appreciate it.

I think you should see this movie! With fresh spins on action and hired thugist ideology you will leave having been entertained.

Peak of "HUH"
One of the men in an assassinated posse, wakes still alive in a freezing lake missing three fingers. He makes his stumbled hypothermic way to a home of an old nurse who resembles Betty White. There he finds himself barraged with physical and verbal threats of an A.D.D. ridden 8 year old with an eye patch and a karate uniform. The boy could not look any less human, and the gangsta-fresh phrases out of his buck-toothed mouth are confusing at best. Filmed in a sort of strobe-like cut and frame paste, adds to the dishevelment of the scene. Ultimately you want to puncture this child's pharynx with a spoon, and wonder, what the hell need any of those groups of scenes are in the film for.

Although, it adds a little frustrating humor to an otherwise robust hyped up chunk of this movie.


Environment Highlights
Seeing a movie in a brand new and yet uncarpeted theater on a floor of abandoned concession stands make movie enjoyment much less. Although it saved future disappointment and self-loathing, not being able to buy an overpriced nitrate dog and slather it in relish from individualized packets was a bit traumatic. I'd also like to thank my Third Grade teacher Mrs. Hatch for pointing out to me what should have been made clear to the McDonald's yielding patrons in the row just below me…don't flaunt the goodies if you didn't bring enough to share with the entire class!
7:00 PM
 
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