Category Archives: Suspense

2011, Clever Plot, Disturbing Image, Drugs, Love Story, Suspense, Torture, Violent

Limitless (2011)

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From NetFlix:

With his writing career dragging and his girlfriend casting him off, Eddie Morra’s life turns around when he takes a drug that provides astonishing mental focus — but its deadly side effects threaten his future.

Seemingly slow at first, this imaginative and clever plot takes off and the suspense never ends. While the acting is nothing special, Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro are acceptable. But it is really the roller-coaster sequence of action scenes that make the film fun to watch. Without spoiling anything, you can expect separate situations for Cooper and for his girlfriend Abbie Cornish in which they are cornered by one or more of the “bad guys” and they swallow a pill containing NZT and “Shazam!” they escape with a wonderfully contrived solution.

Of course there is a lot of violence and some possibly disturbing scenes.

Although the ending seemed too good to be true, I really recommend this film as a fun few hours of escape.

2008, Acceptable for children, British Mystery Series, Car Chase, Corny, Drama, Flirting, Love Story, Made For TV, Melodrama, Mystery Film, Old-Fashioned, Plot Twist, Suspense, Trains, Wonderful photography

The 39 Steps (2008)

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From NetFlix:

Richard Hannay (Rupert Penry-Jones) has his holiday interrupted when secret agent Scudder (Eddie Marsan) bursts into his apartment, staying alive just long enough to deposit a notebook. Pegged with murder, Hannay must decode the book and nab the culprits — before they find him first. In this nimble BBC update of John Buchan’s novel, German spies and British police give chase as Hannay races to deliver the coveted code and avert a world war.

Rupert Penry-Jones and Matthew MacFadyen take turns starring in the excellent British TV series MI-5 . That series started in 2002. Since this Masterpiece Classic was made in 2008, I assume these two actors rotate in order to give them time to do other acting.

Think of “The 39 Steps” as a Harlequin Spy Romance with possibly its tongue in its cheek. Penry-Jones is accidentally thrust into an effort to prevent Germany from attacking the British navy just prior to World War I. He gets to run up and down hills, run through woods, drive vintage cars in exciting 20 mph car chases, solve encrypted messages, discover spies, and woo a winsome maiden, all the while remaining a presentable handsome Brit with a flare for witty comebacks.

If you can stand not having digital special effects enhance the performance of the actors, then you might enjoy this melodrama, despite a few “aw shucks!” moments.

2009, 2010, 2011, British, Child Molestation, Complicated, Crime, Detective, DO NOT MISS, Lawyers, Made For TV, Rape, Suspense, Wonderful acting

Law and Order: UK (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Dick Wolf’s long-running “Law & Order” franchise expands across the pond in the first season of this gritty police procedural that’s set on the streets of London and based on scripts from the American series. The first case finds detectives Ronnie Brooks (Bradley Walsh) and Matt Devlin (Jamie Bamber) teaming up with prosecutors James Steel (Ben Daniels) and Alesha Phillips (Freema Agyeman) to get to the bottom of a baby’s untimely death.

Don’t get me wrong, Kathy and I love all the American “Law & Order” shows. But I find that this British version is better, more intense, and offers more courtroom drama. Beginning in 2009 the series ran into 2011. And then one of the lawyers, James Steel, used some plot excuse to leave the show and as far as I know the series ended at that point.

If you like “Law and Order”, DO NOT MISS THIS TV SERIES!

2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, British, Complicated, Computer geeks, Conspiracy, Cynical, DO NOT MISS, Flirting, Love Story, Made For TV, Political Suspense, Suspense, Terrorist Attack, Torture, TV Series, Wonderful acting

MI-5

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From NetFlix:

This award-winning series dramatizes the professional exploits and personal lives of the “spooks” of MI-5, the British equivalent of the FBI. No-nonsense head officer Harry Pearce (Peter Firth) guides a band of dedicated spies who risk their lives every day. The team includes expert and junior members who must balance real life with the job’s requirement for complete secrecy, no matter the cost. Matthew Macfadyen and Richard Armitage co-star.

Beginning in 2002 and continuing at least to 2010, this British TV-series is “utterly smashing”. Intense, sometimes hard to watch, but incredibly exciting in just about every episode. What makes some episodes difficult to watch is that the members of MI-5 are forced at times to make hard decisions that involve “collateral damage” (meaning some poor soul dies), so much so that those members are often damaged themselves and actually leave MI-5 (i.e. leave the show). In fact, be prepared for many, sometimes disappointing cast changes. For example Rupert William Penry-Jones (the character Adam Carter) started the show and then disappeared for awhile to be replaced by Matthew Macfadyen (the character Tom Quinn) who then leaves the show and is replaced by Rupert William Penry-Jones.

There are too many wonderful characters to even mention them. You can find them all listed in IMDB.

In addition to spook plots, there are also many romances. But any romance for a member of MI-5 is next to impossible because even their significant others cannot know what these spooks do for a living.

2011, Complicated, Disturbing Image, DO NOT MISS, Fantasy, Feel Good Not For Children, Flirting, Love Story, Sci-Fi, Suspense, Terrorist Attack, Trains

Source Code (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Jake Gyllenhaal portrays a soldier recruited for a time-bending government investigation that places him in another man’s mind and body, reliving the same traumatic event repeatedly in an effort to identify the perpetrators of a terrorist bombing. Vera Farmiga plays a communications specialist who provides the vital link to the soldier’s primary reality as he searches for critical clues within a recurring nightmare.

Jake Gyllenhaal has done it again, or at least his agent has. Somehow Gyllenhaal finds vehicles that for the most part suit him perfectly.

Although Michelle Monaghan does a perfectly acceptable job as Jake’s love interest, Vera Farmiga does an outstanding job as a conflicted member of the military whose human values eventually trump the self-promotion of the ever preening Jeffrey Wright (Dr. Rutledge).

WARNING: Although this film rates as a “feel good”, it is probably NOT for children because (without spoiling anything) there is one disturbing film shot involving a human body that is a shocker.

Why see this great film ?

  • Fun flirtatious love story
  • Clever sci-fi plot
  • Heart-warming interaction between Jake and his dad
  • Exciting action
  • Feel-good film

If any of the above interests you, DO NOT MISS THIS FILM !

2011, Ballet, Complicated, Could be boring, Fantasy, Flirting, Imperfect, Love Story, Religious Theme, Suspense

The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

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From NetFlix:

A congressman (Matt Damon) who’s a rising star on the political scene finds himself entranced by a beautiful ballerina (Emily Blunt), but mysterious circumstances ensure that their love affair is predestined to be a non-starter. Screenwriter George Nolfi (The Bourne Ultimatum) makes his directorial debut with this romantic adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s classic sci-fi short story “Adjustment Team.”

Matt Damon comes across as a nice down-to-earth person. For years I have tried to convince myself that he can act. I am still trying. It is true that his flirting conversations with Emily Blunt come off as being very authentic and natural. Perhaps he was chosen for this role because there is a lot of running involved, something he does in many of his films (example, the “Bourne” movies). At 41 years of age I suppose he can still run.

Based on a pseudo-religious gimmicky idea, for me the film got tiresome if for no other reason than there were just too many doors to open. Of course, there was no way David (Damon) could explain his behavior to Elise (Blunt) without showing her all those doors.

Finally, I really did not need a final sermon on free will (of which I am a big fan despite the film).

Emily Blunt was another Emily in “The Devil Wears Prada” and was also “The Young Victoria”.

John Slattery, who played the angel Richardson, for me will always be one of the “Mad Men” of HBO fame.

An acceptable film on a night when you just don’t want to exert any effort thinking.

2011, Ancient Rome, Corny, Military, Suspense, Violent

The Eagle (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Haunted by the disappearance of his father, who vanished with the Roman Ninth Legion on an expedition into the north of Britain, centurion Marcus Aquila (Channing Tatum) sets out to unravel the mystery and recover the legion’s eagle standard. But in the wilds of Caledonia, the soldier and his British slave (Jamie Bell) encounter fierce native tribes and other dangers. Kevin Macdonald directs this adaptation of Rosemary Sutcliff’s novel.

Corny at times, this B+ film is also nonetheless exciting at times. Concentrate on the story and its intent rather than expect great acting. Is it a clichéd plot when our hero Marcus is an idealistic young man fully invested in the notion of Roman honor while some of his noble superiors are cynics ? Afghanistan recruits versus Blackwater mercenaries ?

Compared physically with Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell seems almost diminutive. After awhile the weight of their characters even out.

And just who is this Jamie Bell ? Surprise! He was “Billy Elliott”. He was also the minister St. John Rivers in Jane Eyre (2011).

Lutorius is played by Denis O’Hare who is one of those actors you see everywhere but whose name is not even on the tip of your tongue. Lately his most notorious role is the vampire king Russell Edgington in that all-important HBO series “True Blood” (What! You are not a True Blood fan ?). Additionally he pops up in “Law and Order” and “The Good Wife”.

Why watch “The Eagle”? Will our hero retrieve the Golden Eagle and restore the honor of his revered father ? Will those nasty blue-painted British savages catch Marcus and Esca his slave? Will Marcus and Esca be best buddies forever and open a fish and chips shop?
It’s just violent fun, that’s all. (Sorry, no sex).

2009, Crime, Drama, Gangs, Mayhem, Redemption, Revenge, Sadism, Suspense, Torture, Violent

Charlie Valentine (2009)

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From NetFlix:

When problems come to prey on an otherwise “perfect” crime, hard-boiled gangster Charlie Valentine (Raymond J. Barry) seeks assistance from an unlikely source: his estranged son, Danny (Michael Weatherly), who’s been living his own life in Los Angeles. With father and son working together, a series of crimes starts falling into place. But that doesn’t reduce the danger in teaching Danny the family business.

Michael Weatherly plays Anthony DiNozzo in the TV series “NCIS” which is one of the few TV series related to crime that is not violent (“Bones” is another example). Playing a character in a successful TV series is a wonderful meal ticket. But the question arises: could that actor survive outside the supporting cocoon of the show? As an experiment I watched Weatherly play Danny Valentine, the son of Charlie Valentine played by Raymond J. Barry. My verdict is that Weatherly can act, although in my opinion that acting is weak in the very last scene.

But Raymond Barry captures the show! He was born in my birth year, 1939. So here is a man in his 70’s doing a marvelous acting job. His lifelong list of credits is huge. Recently he plays Arlo Givens in the TV series “Justified”.

In a nutshell: Charlie has been a self-centered, violent sociopath his whole life. He abandoned his wife and son. On the run Charlie seeks help from his son Danny who has ambivalent feelings toward his father. On the one hand he is justifiably resentful, especially since his mother died not too long after his father left them. On the other hand he admires his father and longs to be the same kind of career criminal. So it isn’t that Charlie forcefully perverts his son, rather his son actually asks to learn the resourceful ways of his father.

Meanwhile aging Charlie is starting to feel remorse for his murderous lifestyle. As a climax to the story Charlie is put to some kind of test. Watch the film to witness the test and its resolution.

2009, Black and White Film, Car Chase, Dark, Horror, Suspense, Violent

Dark Country (2009)

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From NetFlix:

“Hung” star Thomas Jane directs and stars in this thriller that follows the hellish adventures of a newlywed couple who rescue a wounded stranger on the side of the road on their way back from their Las Vegas nuptials. When the almost-dead man goes berserk on them, the couple’s nightmare is just beginning. Ron Perlman (Hell Boy) and Lauren German also star in this chiller penned by Guerillas in the Mist writer Tab Murphy.

More “Twilight Zone” than horror, this plot by Tab Murphy is more subtle than works by Stephen King. Note that Thomas Jane was 40 when he both directed and acted in this film. His films often have saxophone blues as music. As far as I can recall, this is a black and white film.

You will either be bored by or fascinated by this film. From almost the very beginning I had correctly guessed what was going to happen. (Do I watch too much trash for my own good ?) Nevertheless I felt compelled to endure to the end.

Good news is that the dialog, acting, atmosphere are well-done. Both the realistic interaction between Jane and German and the suspenseful plot details held my attention. There will be no gore in this creeper except a man’s bloodied and disfigured face.

Is it bad news that you should not expect a happy ending ?

WARNING: This film is certainly not for everyone, especially for someone who tends to be impatient.

2011, Crime, Detective, Drama, Lawyers, Prison, Serial Killer, Sex Scenes, Suspense, Violent, Wonderful acting

The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Tasked with defending rich lothario Louis Roulet, who’s been charged with assault, lawyer Mick Haller finds himself and his family in danger when he deduces the truth behind this and former cases he’s worked on.

Let me just remind you of where we have seen some of the many, many actors in this film. After that, for the first time ever, I am going to quote entirely an unattributed review of this splendid film which I found in NetFlix.

  • Who could ever forget Marisa Tomei in “My Cousin Vinny” ?
  • Ryan Phillipe was one of the soldiers in Stop-Loss (2008). He makes a wonderful rich-boy serial killer.
  • Josh Lucas plays a pediatrician in Life As We Know It (2010). Here he is a frustrated prosecutor up against his opponent McConaughey.
  • Michaela Conlin has a very minor role. She has played for years in the TV series Bones (2005).

There is no way to know who provided the following helpful review for NetFlix, but thanks, whoever you are:

THE LINCOLN LAWYER is a smarter-than-average courtroom drama. It’s based on a book by Michael Connelly and definitely shows some signs of a full novel being chopped down to movie length. However, director Brad Furman keeps the movie tightly-paced and maintains a good balance between the lighter moments and the dramatic ones. If I were a betting man, I’d put money on Furman as a director on the rise. He did a movie a few years back called THE TAKE, which is also set in LA. It’s a gritty, well-made flick, which I also suggest. As for the LINCOLN LAWYER, McConaughey is (for once) perfectly cast. He’s a smooth talker, as are most of his characters, but he also shows a weariness that’s new for him. Furman shoots in extreme close-ups at times, which gets you in the face of the McConaughey’s alcoholic turmoil. He also does an interesting rotating shot that starts behind an actor and spins fully around them during a take. It was a bit disorienting but was used to good effect. For an average studio movie, this sure has its share of great actors in smaller roles. William H. Macy stands out as the investigator who works with McConaughey’s lawyer. Bryan Cranston from “Breaking Bad” has a small role as cop who’s not keen on ole Matthew, and he’s so good I wished for more of him. I love Marisa Tomei, but her character feels like it was more developed in the book though. Overall, the movie is well-shot, gritty but polished, funny and tense, and a fresh spin on an old story. I’ve seen movies about lawyers with a conscience before, but never has the predicament seemed so real and complex. I honestly had no idea how this lawyer would be able to get himself out of the jam he’s in. For once, it’s nice to have a movie one step ahead of the audience.