Saturday, February 28, 2009

NMR: Cage-d heat

I caught a couple of Nicolas Cage movies on Netflix's instant viewing and I think they're a couple of examples why he's one of the most polarizing actors out there today.

Next: This 2007 sci-fi action flick revolves around the idea that Nic Cage has the ability to see 2 minutes into the future at any point and the gov't is trying to hunt him down to use his ability to stop Russians from using a nuclear bomb. The whole thing is completely preposterous and poorly acted. I could have maybe bought into the concept if it had been given any sort of decent explanation, but at barely 90 minutes, the film wastes the idea and uses it as a weak prop for a generic action movie. Not even the hotness of Jessica Biel could save this one. If only Nic Cage actually he had this ability, he could have seen how terrible this movie would be. Rating: **

Matchstick Men: A complete 180 here as Cage turns in a terrific performance, along with nearly everyone else in the film. The film centers around a con man (Cage) who has OCD and is trying to deal with meeting his 14-year old daughter for the first time. Somehow the movie is a character study of a neurotic individual, an emotional family drama, and a con movie and gives each of these aspects of the story enough time to make them significant. Ridley Scott (Gladiator) turns in one of his best directing efforts here. This is a movie that works on a lot of levels and provides something for a lot of different audiences. Ironically, not many people saw it. Do yourself a favor and see it now. Rating: **** (although if I could it would be 4 1/2 stars)

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