Week in Reviews 4/14 - 4/20

Featured Review

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007)

Directed by Sidney Lumet
Starring Ethan Hawke, Phillip Seymour Hoffman & Marisa Tomei

Acting: (9) A great ensamble cast delivers gritty and difficult performances across the board. While I would not nominate any one actor ahead of the other, I would certainly consider this as one of the best overall performances of the year by a collective cast.

Effects / Cinematography: (8.5) Dark and Menacing: That is how I would describe the entire atmosphere created for this film. The visual effects really set the stage for an incredible story.

Plot: (9.5) The writing and editing are nearly flawless. The plot is incredibly absurd and desperate in the best ways possible. The cutting and multiple perspectives of each scene magnify the tension. In a year of good crime dramas ( Zodiac, No Country, Gone Baby Gone), this is simply the best.

Entertainment: (9) I'm more than a little surprised that this film wasn't nominated for Best Picture at either the Oscars or Golden Globes. The movie was completely captivating. I felt like it provided equal performances and superior drama to nominees like No Country for Old Men and Michael Clayton.

Cumulative Score: (9)

Other Films This Week

The Sting (1973)

Directed By George Roy Hill
Starring Paul Newman & Robert Redford

Acting (8.5)
Effects / Cinematography (8)
Plot (9)
Entertainment (7.5)

Cumulative (8)



The French Connection (1971)

Directed by William Friedkin
Starring Gene Hackman & Roy Schieder

Acting (8)
Effects / Cinematography (7)
Plot (7)
Entertainment (6.5)

Cumulative (7)




The Hunting Party (2007)

Directed by Richard Shepard
Starring Richard Gere & Terrance Howard

Acting (6.5)
Effects / Cinematography (6)
Plot (6)
Entertainment (5.5)

Cumulative (6)









Reservation Road (2007)

Directed by Terry George
Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Ruffalo, and Jennifer Connelly

Acting: (7.5)
Effects / Cinematography: (6)
Plot: (6.5)
Entertainment: (6.5)

Cumulative: (6.5)




Resurrecting the Champ (2007)

Directed by Rod Lurie
Starring Josh Hartnett & Samuel L. Jackson

Acting: (6)
Effects / Cinematography (6.5)
Plot (6)
Entertainment (5.5)

Cumulative (6)








Lions for Lambs (2007)

Directed by Robert Redford
Starring Meryl Streep, Tom Cruise, and Robert Redford

Acting: (6.5)
Effects: (3.5)
Plot: (4)
Entertainment: (3.5)

Cumulative Score (4)