Over the weekend I dropped into my (nearly) local Barnes And Nobel for some discount DVDs. I was given a store card as a birthday present last weekend and it’s been burning a hole in my pocket ever since. | |
Among the DVDs I picked up was “The Book of Eli” (2009) starring Denzel Washington (good guy), Gary Oldman (bad guy) and Mila Kunis (good girl / sidekick). The story is a blend of “Mad Max” and “The Equalizer” together with a twist of religious fervor thrown in for a happy ending. | |
Most of the movie is shot in a kind of “sepia tint” to give you that dusty post-apocalyptic old west feel. I guess it kind of works, but there are also dark scenes which seem almost black and white, which also have the “brown and old” feel and I really wasn’t feeling it. The action scenes were okay-ish, but one was in black and white silhouette (under an overpass in an otherwise bright sun-lit day), so there was no feeling of depth in the action. The other major fight scene was in a bar and was long and complicated so they needed to do multiple shots from various angles to try to make it work. Again, in totality it was a great action sequence, but it didn’t really blow you (me) away. There are two other gun / fight scenes which are too over the top to be at all believable, so you just have to say, “It’s Hollywood”, and go with it. | |
As in almost all of these movies the hero is near indestructible until they have to pass the torch to the sidekick. Then it’s sayonara hero. This is the umpteenth (well, at least the third I’ve seen) movie where Gary Oldman plays the deranged bad guy (also “The Fifth Element” and “The Professional“). It’s getting to the point where you’re sitting on his overacting portrayal and waiting for him to “get it” in the end. Just too predictable. Kunis is just okay and is best when sharing the screen with Denzel, but it’s hard to say if they’re good or if he’s just good enough to carry them both. | |
I have no problem recommending the film as an action film for an adult crowd. Some of the fights are very violent / graphic and some of the language is offensive. Not over the top for this type of movie, but not something I’d want younger children to see / hear. The movie is rated “R”. Final recommendation: a decent action flick with an interesting twist in the last five minutes, a moderate to strong recommendation if you’re into this genre. | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2023 | Takin’ A Lickin’ |
Actually, It’s The Other Way Around | |
2022 | If That’s What You Mean |
2021 | Awakening The Glow |
I Remember (In The Air Tonight) | |
2020 | Golden Eagle |
Like #45: Incompetent Donald | |
2019 | #45: Who Lost By Three Million Votes |
2018 | Torn Between Two Loves |
A Girl And A Boy | |
2017 | I Think They Are Starting To… |
2016 | Living There |
2015 | Bookin’ West |
Beyond My Reach | |
You Never Call Anymore… | |
2014 | Winning? |
2013 | Still Inventing |
2012 | Motivated |
2011 | Waiting In Line At Starbuck’s |
Bookin’ West
April 4, 2015 by kmabarrett
Leave a comment