Movie #89: The Bourne Identity

The Bourne Identity
Universal Pictures
2002 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 59 min
Director: Doug Liman
Starring: Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Chris Cooper, Clive Owen, Brian Cox, Julia Stiles

Ah, the movie that made Matt Damon into an action hero.  Nice.

Nothing is as sexy as an amnesia patient who can kick ass and isn't quite sure why he knows how.  Damon is on the run, looking for his identity, and finding a budding romance along the way (cuz you know, love happens, ok?)

This movie is just lots of fun to watch.  There's running and car chases and shooting and intrigue.  Matt Damon is actually pretty awesome too, and when you get to the end of this movie, you definitely want to see more.  Fortunately, there are two more Bourne movies on the way...

Movie #88 - The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day

The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day
Sony Pictures Entertainment
2009 - Rated R - 1 hr 58 min
Director: Troy Duffy
Starring: Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus, Billy Connolly, Julie Benz

Okay.  Let me start by saying that I didn't hate this movie.  I'm not sure I could hate anything with Connor and Murphy in it, seriously.  And ten years later, they revisit these characters with the same fun-loving attitude, though a bit hardened over time.  Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus are not the problem here.

Neither is Julie Benz, or the trio of cops resuming their roles from the first film, as they struggle to find a way to keep the Saints protected - from each other at first.  Benz does her best at filling Dafoe's shoes, but it's not her fault that Smecker was so freakin' awesome in the first movie.  You just can't touch him, ya know?

I don't even blame the Rocco replacement, this time a crazy Mexican with tangled hair and uncontrollable impulses. We'll call him Rocco Junior.

I think the problem is that you go into this movie expecting it to be bigger and better than the first.  After all, it says II - doesn't that mean it has to be an improvement?  Duffy didn't do a horrible job, but at times he let his desire to please his fans take over.  There's just too many reused jokes and devices from the first movie.  Instead of making new jokes, we're subjected to a handful of recycled materials.  Eh.  It's fun to relive, but that's why we have DVDs of the first movie, Mr. Duffy.

And then there's the ending - which I won't give away if you haven't seen it - but it leaves everything wide open for a third movie.  Is that happening?  It almost has to for closure, thanks to the surprise guest at the end.  What the hell?

So I really want to like this one but I have mixed feelings.  I've decided to just enjoy it as another two hours of hot Irish guys, fun-loving action and crime, and a setting in my favorite city.

Movie #87 - The Boondock Saints

The Boondock Saints
Franchise Pictures
1999 - Rated NC-17 - 1 hr 58 min
Director: Troy Duffy
Starring: Willem Dafoe, Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus, Billy Connolly

I won't lie, I'm a little nervous to review this one because it's such a fan favorite. Luckily, I don't have anything negative to say. This is one of my all-time favorite movies, and not just because it has two hot Irish guys and takes place in Boston.  Those are perks, for sure, but the accidental vigilante concept and the underlying sense of humor that Troy Duffy has written into his script make this a really unique movie.  Really, what's not to love?

I'd like to point out the rating of this film, which I did not know until I looked it up on IMDB.  Really, an NC-17? Really? Why?  Yeah, blood and gore, naked butts, gay sex after-glow... it's all there.  But I don't think it warrants the rating. 

Now, watching this movie for the hundredth time was fun, onward to the lesser-liked sequel...

Movie #86 - Boiler Room

Boiler Room
New Line Cinema
2000 - Rated R - 2 hr
Director: Ben Younger
Starring: Giovani Ribisi, Vin Diesel, Ben Affleck

I forgot how much I liked this, a quintessential 'boys' club movie' that attempts to delve into the depths of frat-boy finance.  Some of these guys actually remind me of some of my classmates at Bentley...which is a bit disturbing, but I guess can speak to the truth behind at least part of this movie.

Boiler Room is all about the kind of back-door dealings that were a lot more likely to happen ten years ago than (I hope) today.  Giovani Ribisi is great in this, playing the wounded son seeking his father's approval who stumbles into JT Marlin's offices.  Yes, that's supposed to sound similar to JP Morgan.  Huh.

The only scene that doesn't work is Ribisi's big sobbing breakdown with his dear ol' daddy.  It's really forced and uncomfortable to watch.  Crying ain't your thing, Giovani... Sorry, my friend.