Week One Part One: 4 of 11 Movies

1. Saw V
I can't think of a storyline or a group of characters that I've wanted to see five times. This is not a good movie. On its own it would be one of the worst movies of the year. I get why people like the Saw franchise, though: I get why I keep watching the Saw franchise. It's the same reason people watched Freddy Krueger and Jason for so long: not because we're sadists or because we love torture-porn. It's because the story isn't over yet. It's like The DaVinci Code in that sense: the method is shitty, but I'll be damned if the story isn't interesting. I guess that's why people read mysteries, even though they all have the same plot line. It's interesting to note, too, that Jigsaw may have grown into our generation's Robin Hood. That's what it is, after all: a maverick doling out justice, albeit extreme and gratuitous, to guilty parties. Still, though...after Saw VI, I hope Lion's Gate is finished. On the other hand, would you trash a franchise that pays you 18 times the amount of money you put into it? Grade: C-
2. Max Payne
The best video game movie ever made. That should say more about the state of movies adapted from video games than it does about this movie. I think this movie works, but only if you've played the game. If not? Avoid it. It's violent, it's bleak, at times it's confusing...and worst of all...it stars Beau Bridges, the Randy Quaid of actors.

Oh wait. Grade: C
3. Igor
This one starts off pretty well. It starts quirky and funny, but all of the quirk and fun is sapped by the second act. It's like drinking a Jones Fufuberry soda: it starts off really delicious and slightly tart, but an hour later it leaves the worst aftertaste in your mouth and you regret drinking it. Grade: C-
4. The Express
Finally! Ernie Davis has been deserving of widespread attention for decades. Not just because he was the first Black Heisman winner, but because he was one hell of an athlete. It provides some pretty good insights on how horrible the race conditions in colleges were back in the late 50s. Overall, it's effectively acted and well-paced, even if it's not as exhaustive as I'd have liked. Also of note is that Ernie Davis was almost a Washington Redskin, but due to George Marshall's history of bigotry (there were no people of color on the team until '62, a small irony for a team called the redskins) Davis demanded that a trade to Cleveland be made, which brought Bobby Mitchell to the Redskins. In retrospect, I'd say the ole 'Skins got the better deal, considering Mitchell's all-pro ability and Davis' inability to stay alive. Some luck Cleveland has with sports, huh? Well...maybe LeBron will make things better. Grade: B


More to come on Wednesday!