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Show Twisting tale thrills across '16 Blocks' Just south of the Gateway Theater Bunker, the prisoner who witnessed in Salt Lake City, there's a mural of a police crime. Mos Def steals many the Beatles' 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely scenes by infusing his character witn Hearts Club Band' album cover on the eclectic mannerisms and nervous, 'Rain side of a building. Walking Man' -like speech past it after screening '16 _ — _ — ^^^^-^^^^ patterns. This is his Blocks' was appropriate; Chris Blakesley first big time leading both works revel in social role, and he takes symbolism. Yet this is a a Johnny Depp-like hybrid film where serious chance in creating a subtext coexists with racing very odd character. action and comedy. A fan The risk pays off as of action movies, I walked Def proves he's just away happy and thoughtful as stellar an actor as from this one. he is a hip-hop artgated PG-13, Grade Aist. Bruce Willis stars as Jack Mosley, an old, tired, hung Willis is also a over New York City cop. marvel to watch, He's asked one morning to transport a though Mosley is a variation of what prisoner to a nearby courthouse (about we've seen before (see 'Die Hard'). It's 16 blocks away) where that prisoner can a good variation, though. Rather than give important testimony. The problem Willis' charismatic cocky brashness, we is that that testimony will incriminate have here a sad, slow moving Willis many NYC policemen. What begins as seemingly on the brink of total surrena routine task turns into a nightmare as der. Symbolized by a Richard Ill-esque Mosley fights to get the prisoner to that limp, Mosley is a bad seed beyond savcourthouse. ing. "I'm not a good person," he conThe greatest delight of this film is fesses. "I'm not either," replies Bunker. Mos Def (slang for 'most definitely') in a This is obviously not a yippee-ki-yay, breakthrough fead performance as Eddie upbeat action flick. The story takes itself Reel Reviews seriously, packed with a subtext reacting to today's socio-political atmosphere. Roughly five years after 9-11, events like the Enron scandal and political unaccountability have put many Americans in a state of authoritative distrust. Here's a movie mirroring the times, or at least a perception of it, as authority figures are the bad guys who scramble to protect themselves at all costs. Though the movie is a bit sad for my taste, I really liked it. Director Richard Donner ('Goonies,' 'Lethal Weapon') has orchestrated an engrossing, twisting tale with all film elements in harmony. Notice how the camera creates a claustrophobic, sweaty New York City, and how the sets are cluttered spaces as sordid as their inhabitants (the film was shot in NYC and Toronto, Canada). So here we have a textured, symbolic popcorn flick. '16 Blocks' is my favorite kind of movie; one that can be enjoyed at a basic level while thought-provoking for those with ears to hear. This is the first great thriller of 2006. Chris Blakesley is a film critic for the Utah Statesman. Comments can be sent to him at cblakes@cc. usu. edu. TOP OF THE Box OFFICE 1) "Madea's Family Reunion" Gross Sales: $30,030,661 2) "Eight Below" Gross Sales: $15,872,840 3) "The Pink Panther" Gross Sales: $11,101,845 4) "Date Movie" Gross Sales: $9,125,555 5) "Curious George" Gross Sales: $7,213,870 6) "Firewall" Gross Sales: $6,682,212 7) "Final Destination 3" Gross Sales: $5,495,785 8) "Doogal" Gross Sales: $3,605,899 9) "Running Scared" Gross Sales: $3,381,974 10) "Freedomland" Gross Sales: $2,872,215 The most underappreciated movies of recent memory A look at 10 movies you never knew you missed No doubt I watch too many videos. Or DVDs, depending on the age of the movie or my mood. Why else would I compile little lists in my head, like the five most interesting movies with a moral dilemma ... or the five best Anthony Hopkins movies ... or the five best Nazi war criminal movies, have got to get a life. When I casually described to an associate a movie airing on a cable channel - Encore, I suspect - as one of the "most underappreciated movies of recent memory/' it was suggested that might be an interesting list. Time will tellT What makes an "underappreciated movie" just that? Well ifs not that wasn't important or popular - it may have have been, but only for a moment. Ifs life was short in the public's mind. It fell from favor much too rapidly. Mostly, ifs a movie that deserves a second look. It may be a movie that you remembering seeing, but ifs been a while. Or one whose technique or message, intricacies or lingering warmth suggest that a first - or second - look is justified. 1) "Searching for Bobby Fischer." Who knew chess could be exciting? Who knew chess could be the center core of an examination of family relationships? Great performances, great kids and a great 110 minutes. 2) "Michael." After Nora Ephron hit gold with "Sleepless in Seattle/' proving that a bouncy, loud soundtrack can drive a story, her second effort was this jewel. John Travolta dons angel wings and mingles with regular ol' humans in a touching, funny, light and meaningful romantic comedy. Oh, yeah, the soundtrack is great, too. 3) "Music Box." Jessica Lange is an attorney who agrees to represent her father, who is facing charges he is a Nazi war criminal. No music whatsoever, just gripping drama that forces you to listen close. 4) "Shine." An "Amadeus"-like examination of a genius-level musical m.ind. Part family drama, part biography, ifs easy to see why Geoffrey Rush was nominated for an Oscar. 4) "Moonlight Mile." Admit it. You've never heard of it. Can I tempt you with Dustin Hoffman, Susan Sarandon, Jake Gyllenhall and a layered look at a family wrestling with the untimely death of a daughter about to married? Don't predispose it as a downer. 6) "Ordinary People." A profound understated examination of a family under pressure. Yes, ifs getting close to that "classic" genre. I mean, Mary Tyler Moore looks sorta young, so you know ifs not a new movie. Still worth it, though. 7) "Changing Lanes." Yes, I know it is Ben Affleck, and, yes, I know he's made some stinkers. But watch this one with a remote control. Stop it every time a character in the film has to make a decision - will he, won't he, yes or no, good or bad, which way will it turn now? - and try to outguess the characters. A moral Gordian knot-kind of movie. One character in one scene does love that one R-rated word, however, so look for the edited version if you prefer. 8) "The Verdict." A generation from now, someone will ask, "Who was Raul Newman and why did people make a fuss?" At that moment, they will pull out this movie. If you want to see a real actor, and if you wan! to feel pain and despair and lone for a lucky break right along with a down-and-out lawyer who's down to his last hair-thin opportunity, here's your video. This is why the fuss. 9) "Finding Forrester." You've already forgotten how much you liked it. See it again and ask yourself if you, too, can keep a promise to a friend. 10) And finally, here's one that's not out on DVD yet. When it comes, you'll want to find a good time to sit down and dim the lights. Be quiet. This is not a party movie, not even one you'll want to watch with more than maybe one other significant person in the room. Forget what the first half of the movie was titled. That was a major mistake. You didn't see this one because of the first one, I know. But a major player on the underappreciated list is "God's Army 2: States of Grace."" A look at grace and forgiveness and the need for forgiveness on a variety of levels. Maybe it will be out by Easter. That would be good. And appropriate. There's 10. Oh, by the way, none of these are at Redbox. You might have to search for them, but that's half the fun. Jay Wamsley's other life is as adviser to The Utah Statesman. He welcomes your suggestions of under* appreciated gems at jaywamsley@hotmail.com. |