December 22, 2004
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WEDNESDAY MOVIECollateral
For once, this week there is an American film worth reviewing. Every few years Michael Mann, its director, punches us right in the face with another fine film, usually centering around an antagonist in the major role, or at least an underdog – witness Manhunter 1986 (as good as, or better than, The Silence of the Lambs which told the same story), The Last of the Mohicans 1992, Heat 1995, The Insider 1999, and Ali 2001. And interestingly, it was Michael Mann who, way before these films, helmed Miami Vice. Collateral takes place all in one night when Tom Cruise, playing a hired assassin with prematurely grey hair, takes control of Jamie Foxx’s taxi and his life, in order to get himself from hit to hit (5 in all). The pace never lets up. The taxi driver and the hit man, each intelligent and stubborn in their own way, size each other up, learn to respect each other in spite of falling on two different sides of the moral tracks, and in the end one must kill the other. There are some nice cameo appearances by Jada Pinkett-Smith, Javier Bardem, and Mark Ruffalo, but Cruise and Foxx are in complete control of the film from beginning to end, never missing a step. As Cruise charges forward without hesitation on his mission of death, Foxx finds in himself a man who can stop his drifting and focus intently when his life or that of someone he loves is threatened. Ah, give me a sensitive, cerebral assassin (or serial killer) film and I’m happy for at least another week while I pray for peace in the world.
Deep Thought: “Sometimes the beauty of the world is so overwhelming, I just want to throw back my head and gargle. Just gargle and gargle, and I don’t care who hears me, because I am beautiful.”
Today I am grateful for: Fiends of all kinds
Guess the Movie: “Aw come on, you’re not gonna say that now. You’re not gonna say that now. You’re gonna pull that hen-house shit now when the vote… the Chief just voted – it was 10 to 9. Now I want that television set turned on, *right now*” Answer: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, 1975.
Winner: thenarrator.
10 Ways to Be a Better Person
#4. As you meet the needs of your body, nourish your soul as well. Each of us requires relaxtion, love, and acceptance. Spend at least five unrushed minutes each day in meditation or another relaxing activity.
End of Day: 9:11 pm
+ = Feel pretty well squared away for Christmas.
- = Trying not to eat too much on holidays is HARD.
Comments (11)
gargling is the best
I’m probably wrong but is that from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest? (which I haven’t seen in many, many years).
And, may we all take a little bit better care of ourselves. That will make it easier for us to help take care of others.
Yup, Cuckoo’s Nest – a great film. Bravo!
damn! I would have gotten it wrong but whoa i want a chance to guess
awesome deep deep thought for this day!
Only five minutes a day for relaxing and meditating? I think I’d go completely berserk without at least an hour…
Ever seen The Minus Man? Talk about rooting for the bad guy…there is a dearth of decent serial killer flicks out there. Both my shrink and I are serial killer book/movie fans. Also a dearth (I like that word) of decent hit-man movies.
Haven’t seen Collateral, although it looked interesting. Will have to see it now.
T
Collateral was a very good film…you are right, one of the few good American ones this year…
This does lok like an interesting movie with a lot of suspense. I might try watching it sometime if it’s not too violent. It would certainly be a departure for Tom Cruise.
Oh it’s definitely R-rated for violence. Cruise commits a lot of mayhem.
I’m with you. I need to watch a little violence every few days. Sat down for another, . . . . yawn, . . . night of sitcoms with my oldest, and asked if she never watched anything with a body count. She just thinks I’m weird. She tolerates “Law & Order”, that’s about it.
I am going to ask my daughter to get this movie for me. Sounds very cool and I want to see it thanks to you!