Collateral (2004)

Collateral (2004)

Collateral has a great and captivating story line along with some of the best work by the cast and crew. A hitman kidnaps a cab driver and makes him drive him around town to make his hits. It seems like a relatively easy plot but somehow it’s quite original.

The thing that makes this film work so well is the cast and crew. Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx are both at their best. Jamie Foxx was nominated for plenty of awards for his role and I think he really deserved that. His performance is only rivaled by his performance in Ray. Tom Cruise didn’t get that much praise for his role but it is personally my favorite performance of his, very intense and real.

Besides the acting you also get, in my opinion, Michael Mann’s best directing as well. It might not be his best film but I think the directing stands out more than any other. But what I liked even more than the directing and the acting is the cinematography. It’s very dark very similar to The Godfather but even darker, almost like the whole film was done in the shadows, its fantastic.

The film is two hours long and I think that was perfect, it never really draws out or anything, it stays tense and interesting the whole time. My only complaint about the film is the ending. I like the actual ending but the minutes leading up to the final scene seems a little to ridiculous to a point. It doesn’t ruin the film, if anything it just makes you say “yeah right”

******Spoiler******

Tom Cruise is chasing Jamie Foxx and Jada Pinkett Smith through a building, though he’s quite a ways behind them and can’t see where they go he guesses which way they go and what train they go on. He thinks about which way to go at every turn but is still confident he made the right choice every time and stays ready. I guess it is possible but I don’t think it would happen. again it doesn’t ruin the film, its just a small complaint.

****End Spoilers*****

I think most people will enjoy this film, especially fans of Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx and Michael Mann, or just action films in general.

9/10

Horton Hears a Who! (2008)

Horton Hears a Who! (2008)

Horton Hears a Who is one of my favorite animated films, it’s truly hilarious and a lot of fun.

Steve Carell and Jim Carey lead in the film and both do fantastic. Jim Carrey is probably at one of his bests, he gives a Horton a personality that I don’t think anyone else could come close to. All the supporting cat does great as well, Carol Burnett, Seth Rogen, Amy Poehler, Isla Fisher and so on. My personal favorite character is Vlad played by Will Arnett, doesn’t have the biggest role but its important and all of his scenes are hilarious.

The animation is great, its very cartoonish but very detailed. I haven’t read the book so I’m not sure how it compares but I can’t imagine it letting fans of the book down. It does seem to have an undertone of religion and other things like that but I don’t think its meant to be preachy like some might say, just watch it for what it is, don’t read into it.

My only complaint about the film is when they all start singing at the end. It might be because I don’t like the song but I think it was to pressured, like they were trying to hard to end it fun and light hearted so they had them sing. It in no way ruined the movie I just wish they had done it a little different.

I suggest this film to anyone, both young and old. It didn’t seem to be that popular but I think it should have been and I think most people who watch it will really enjoy it.

9/10