Haywire

This dynamic action-thriller directed by Oscar® winner Steven Soderbergh (Traffic) boasts a talented cast that includes Channing Tatum (GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra), Ewan McGregor (The Ghost Writer), Michael Fassbender (X-Men: First Class), Antonio Banderas (The Legend of Zorro), Bill Paxton (“Big Love”), Michael Douglas (Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps), Michael Angarano (Almost Famous); and introduces mixed martial arts (MMA) superstar Gina Carano as Mallory Kane, in a demanding lead role that has her performing her own high-adrenaline stunts.

Mallory Kane is a highly trained operative who works for a government security contractor in the dirtiest, most dangerous corners of the world. After successfully freeing a Chinese journalist held hostage, she is double crossed and left for dead by someone close to her in her own agency. Suddenly the target of skilled assassins who know her every move, Mallory must find the truth in order to stay alive.

Using her black-ops military training, she devises an ingenious—and dangerous—trap. But when things go haywire, Mallory realizes she’ll be killed in the blink of an eye unless she finds a way to turn the tables on her ruthless adversary.

Opens Friday, January 20, 2012.

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Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Emerging from a lengthy prison stint, Gordon Gekko finds himself on the outside of a world he once dominated. Looking to repair his damaged relationship with his daughter, Gekko forms an alliance with her fiancé Jacob (Shia LaBeouf), and Jacob begins to see him as a father figure. But Jacob learns the hard way that Gekko – still a master manipulator and player – is after something very different from redemption.

Opens September 24th.

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Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

I have a confession, I have always had a soft spot for Matthew McConaughey films.  A Time to Kill, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Sahara, Reign of Fire, and even The Wedding Planner.  Well, I think this film just broke my infatuation.

Matthew is still Matthew and maybe that was the problem, along with the entirely too predictable story.  That, of course, should be expected since it is a new take on the old theme of A Christmas Carol, with none of the charm.

The disillusion began with the sun dried tan that showed every wrinkle on the poor man’s face, something that wasn’t seen as he did the talk show circuit last week.  Maybe it was by design, as the character would have a fondness for tanning booths as he worked the serial sleaze circuit.  It was just enormously distracting.  Maybe it was the character himself, that not even MM could rescue and redeem.  A cad is a cad, but even some cads can become endearing, unfortunately, it didn’t happen here.

I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised to see Michael Douglas finally looking his age.  Michael, stop fighting it!  You looked great as the Hugh Hefner of the movie.

Another week spot were the women of the film.  Jennifer Garner really needs to go back to kicking some ass.  That’s when she shines.  All the bridesmaid and the conquests of the leads just faded one into the other.  The only standout was Noureen DeWulf as the abused assistant who hooks up with Jennifer’s designated wedding sex (the very handsome Daniel Sunjata [James Holt, from The Devil Wears Prada]) once all is said and done.

The only redeeming quality of the film, was the soundtrack.  If you are in my age group, these songs will take you back to the days of old.  REO Speedwagon, Simply Red, Cindy Lauper, KC & The Sunshine Band, Kool & The Gang and more, all make you forget the film and bring you back to the movie in your own mind of your own past.

I can’t even classify this as a good “girls night out” film or NetFlix queue addition.  Wait till it shows up on cable for free.  Then it may be worth the price.