Movie Review: From Paris With Love

Just a bit behind on the review, but I thought those that have not seen the film yet might want to know. There have been quite a few comments detracting from the film, but I think many miss the pleasure this action feature presents.

From Paris With Love is hardly original. It's a bit buddy cop, a part spy thriller, with a dash of love story and politics. It won't win any awards, and likely will be forgotten long before the summer movies start coming out. But it's worth seeing in a theater.

The film is pretty straightforward. We have our ernstwhile low level CIA type who pines for work in the field while he works under the cover of an assistant to the Embassador of France. From time to time he gets called to do menial helper spy work, like changing car plates for missions he never gets to be a part of. Still our intrepid James (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) doesn't have it too bad. He has a girlfriend who wants to marry him, and he is in Paris.

If you can't figure out what will happen next, and at the end of the film you really haven't watched enough spy films. Suffice to say that Charlie (John Travolta) pops into Paris and takes James on the mission of his life.

The scenery is interesting. We get to travel around Paris, from the lower bowels to the Eiffel Tower, and much of the rest between. The photography is decent, but not outstanding. The chase scene could have been filmed better, but overall nothing to be too upset about.

The sound is likewise average. A couple of interesting musical choices throughout the film add a bit of flair and remind us that this is a film outside of the U.S. Which is something that is easy to forget surprisingly.

The acting is the key to this film. At times it keeps you interested, at other bored. The actors do a good job of conveying the fast pace everything is happening at, but without seeming to be completely out of control. Meyers does a good job of being a novice spy and a bright eager man way over his head. His characters development into a not quite hardedned operative, still clinging to his ideals and dreams of love make you root for him even as he comes to his personal climax in the film.

The down side of Meyers' James character is that he is rather boring and a bit too inept at the beginning of the film. By the end he looks more akin to the Charlie character, and emminates an aura in the final scenes of a far more expereinced operative than we would expect for a mere couple of days.

John travolta's character has his own journey. Though he is quite abrasive over the whole film, we eventually get to see a bit more of the man that probably once was just like James. The worst part of his character is really the early introductory scenes. It's too forced and put on. Even considering when his character is actively acting over the top it seem too much to be believed.

On the plus side this is not the worst film Travolta has done in recent years. It's not Pulp Fiction or Michael, but it's definitely not Wild Hogs. Once the film gets beyond the over the top scenes meant to ensure we know that Charlie is a expert killer, we get to relax a bit more and enjoy the character. There is a plan and brain in there, no matter how loose both may seem early on in the film.

Which kind of summarizes the film. It's almost 2 seperate films. And action film and a spy film. The elements of the spy film are far more interesting and better detailed. The actors as well seem or comfortable in that portion of the film's acting than the action. Blame that on the director, Luc Besson.

The film seems to copy aspects of the film Kiss of the Dragon, which Besson also directed. The pacing and style seem more of a lazy copy than a new take on a similar theme. Plus the film feels like Transporter 3, also by Besson. By that I mean that you know there is a better film in this, but it just never quite got on the scene. I think Besson either needs a vacation, or inspiration.

If you haven't seen From Paris With Love yet, it's worth the trip to the theater. Nothing else out right now is any more compelling, and films like Valentine's Day are completely one trick pony's not worth the time. A better idea is buying the DVD. This is a film that you can enjoy on a nice big screen television in your home. Plus I'm sure there were more than a few deleted scenes that will add value to owning the DVD.

This wasn't the best film for either Travolta or Myers, but it is adequate. That may not be a glowing reason to see the film, but it's not a film that deserves a better compliment.

Travolta extortion trial preparing to start

So I was reading about John Travolta and the jury selection that is currently ongoing. If you recall, shortly after the death of Travolta’s son, Jett, 2 people were arrested for trying to extort money from the family. There was a document that reportedly

“…would have released emergency responders from liability if the family refused an ambulance. However, police said that did not happen in Jett's case.”

I have no idea how this document might have been important to the Travolta family, from the extortionists point of view. Perhaps it’s the thought that such a document might have been used by the tabloids and media to extend the family’s suffering and drag their son’s memory through the mud. Which is a sick thought indeed.

No matter what the alleged criminals thought, they were arrested. And I have no problem saying that they deserve the harshest of penalties. I have no mercy for those that would prey upon a family, or individual, at such a time of despair. Of the vile and low things that some humans do to others, this is among the lowest category to me.

I believe that the alleged criminals in this case will be found guiltly. And severe penalties will hopefully be imposed. Because life is to short and sweet to be sullied by these actions.

I was reminded of this over the weekend. A friend was in their car in the driveway when a drunk driver came up their street. A main street at that. At a speed so fast that the inevitable happened. The driver crashed the car.

My friend saw as the drunk hit a car just before their driveway. The drunk’s car flipped, 3x, striking several parked cars along the road, before a final flip and landing on a car a few dozen yards away – upside down.

The drunk in the car was of course unhurt. Thankfully no one else was on the road at the time, and the only damage was to parked cars. Equally as great was the fact that my friend was talking at the time and delayed driving to the store by a few minutes. Had they not, this story would be far more grim.

How close was the impact? How bad was the initial hit? How close had my friend come to injury?



That was the intial car struck. The rest of the damage across the street was far worse.

Now imagine that at that moment, having just missed being involved with this accident, someone came up to you and tried to sell you anything. Or took a picture of your face to hawk for publicity. Or threatened to implicate you in the accident though you had nothing to do with it unless you paid them. Imagine how you might feel.

Now I think you know how John Travolta and his family must feel, just a bit.

Criminals like the drunk driver, or the alleged extortionists, deserve the punishment they receive. And I have no pity for them. I only feel sorry that the Travolta family will have to endure this moment in their lives again as the trial gets underway.

Movie preview: Pelham 123

Going to a very different place, with a pace more akin to the tastes of most American fans is the remake of Pelham 123. I’ve spoken about this before [ Movie Preview: Pelham 123 and G-Force] . And yes it is a remake – there can be exceptions to any rule including my own.



Pelham 123 is a remake of the solid Walter Matthau film The Taking of Pelham 123. It stars Denzel Washington and John Travolta, the first time they have both worked together as I recall. Which jumps this into an interesting film on that basis alone.

Washington and Travolta are acclaimed actors with great reason. Both are easily capable of a diversity of characters and film genres. Yet this film is focused on a more subdued presence than anything over the top.

Washington’s character is a very normal everyday civil servant. Good at what he does and just smart enough to be too smart to move up in the ranks. Travolta’s character is a dedicated, calculating, professional that has anticipated every move. At least that’s what the original leads are supposed to be about. The movie trailer seems to convey a respect of that.

Of course the film has been adapted to match the needs of the public these days. So there is at least one big car scene involving a climatic crash. Likely as well are a few scenes of police overreaction, and bullets a plenty. But this is not a shoot ‘em up. It’s a heist film with a brain.

How true this film stays to the original is a big question. Yet I have to believe that with the star power in this film the script must be good. The tension of the film is obvious, what is not as obvious is how the interjection of comedic, and other, moments will work. Like the discussion by Washington’s characters wife insiting he brings home a gallon of milk. Is it supposed to be a funny yet dramatic way of telling him to come home? Does it break the tension, or add to it? You almost feel like you could laugh at that, but then again you understand why you won’t.

Still I am willing to take a chance on actors of this caliber, and a story of worth. The movie trailer implies a solid film, and enough of what most would like in this genre. I expect it to do well and I will probably see it as well.

The real culprit in the Travolta extortion case

Normally I do not speak about the various scandals and personal issues that celebrities and entertainers may have from time to time. They are human beings and deserve to deal with life privately, as the rest of us do. But there are exceptions.

The death of John Travolta's son was a horrible thing to hear about. And I again give my condolences to the family. But what angers me is what some have done. I don't mean just the tabloid trash that is selling rags about this rumor or that. I could care less about that in general. It's about how low some supposed human beings will go.

In this understandably difficult time for the Travolta family, some scum (in my opinion) found it an opportunity to try to extort $25 million dollars from the family. That is revolting and depraved.Both because they thought this a great way to get rich, on the back of the death of a child, and because they knew that tabloids and so called news media would buy anything they could sell on this story and thus extend the grief and suffering the Travolta family must be feeling.

Thankfully the suspects are currently being arrested. But the biggest culprit in this case is going unhindered. In fact they are making money. The tabloids and the news media that created the problem in the first place.

In the rush to find and publish dirt and photos of any entertainer and celebrity, the media has created an environment where scum flourish. They feed like carrion on the minute details of every famous individuals life. They try to siphon off any aspect of individuality and infect any aspect of an ordinary life these stars might hope to have. Just so they can made an extra dollar.

There are some things that just should be off-limits. The children of entertainers. The sex lives of celebrities. The daily to and from that everyone needs to do. Yes, a celebrity showing up at a gala event is fair game, as is whatever they say and do there. But not in their private homes. Not in time with their family. Not when tragedy strikes them.

If a camera crew were to show up at your doorstep because your Dad had a heart attack, or your Mom had a stroke, you would be enraged. If your brother was arrested for speeding, or your sister was arrested for a fight you would be sick to see it on the evening news. So why is it called "entertainment" when the same information is splashed across televison and internet screens everyday?

It's one thing if a celeb and/or entertainer commits a crime. If they harm an individual. If they use their influence to corrupt our already skewed and often unjust system. It is a far cry different when they are just living life and dealing with the same issues we all do. Because shit happens to everyone in life, regardless of money or fame.

And it is this vicious need for to much information that is not worthy of public discussion that creates an environment where scum would think, probably correctly, that a scandal over the death of a child would cause innocent parents to fork over huge sums of money to spare the rest of their family and themselves further torture.

When I think about what caused these scum to try to extort the Travolta family in this hour of grief I feel sick. Hopefully some in the news media and the tabloids will feel the same, and maybe show some decency in the future. But I wouldn't make a bet on it.

Jett Travolta, son of John Travolta, passes

I just finished discussing the upcoming movie Taking of Pelham 123 that will star Denzel Washington and John Travolta when I saw the news. I am sad to hear of the death of John Travolta's young son Jett.

No parent ever wishes to outlive their child, and no family ever should have to deal with such pain. Travolta has had to deal with many sudden and painful losses in his life. I feel extremely badly to hear of this additional loss.

I give my condolences to the entire Travolta family. There are no words to convey such a loss. I only hope that the thought that their child no longer has to face the difficulties and travails of this world, and that Jett is now in a place far better, gives some comfort.

Movie Preview: Pelham 123 and G-Force

The year starts off with an interesting take of a couple of films. On one hand we have a film that is a remake, and on the other we have a film that sounds like it's a conversion of a classic cartoon. Let's start with the remake.

The Taking of Pelham 123 is a film from 1974. It was well acted, with the leads being Robert Shaw (some may recall him best from The Sting) and Walter Matthau (maybe best know for the film version of the Odd Couple). It dealt with a subject that was foreign in America in 1974, but today is a constant thought in the backs of minds of New York City subway riders everyday. It's not often that a film could hit a subject so well decades before it becomes a national focal point.

Suffice to say that they story is about a hijacking, of a NYC subway car. Sounds odd? Perhaps too incredible? Not really, and even more of a question in these post 9/11 days.



The question you face in the film are:

Can they really do this
Can they get away with it
What can the various departments of New York City do about this

These questions were real in 1974, and today are even more pressing. So the task for Denzel Washington and John Travolta are daunting. They need to make this feel real, scary even, yet not so much as to cause people to give up on the subway. They both have to live up to the performances of the original film, while new scenes of explosions and car chases inevitably will be thrown in for modern audiences. Maybe even overcome some CGI too.

I believe that Travolta will be the bad guy. The character is kind of a mix of roles he took in Broken Arrow and Face/Off. For Denzel as the good guy we will probably get a mix of his characters from Training Day, Inside Man, and perhaps a bit of Virtuosity.

Done on location, I think this remake only has to fear one thing. The tendency of Hollywood writers and studios to revision a great film and lose the meaning and intensity of the original.

On the other spectrum of the films we will see later in the year is G-Force. This is not a conversion of the Japanese cartoon Battle of the Planets. If it were I definitely would want to see that. Instead we have a CGI film from Disney. Prepare to get more depressed.



Yes this is another cute animals film. Guinea Pigs (a mole and a fly) are our heroes in this film. It seems that an animated hamster, cat, dog, and pigeons demanded a one-up by Disney. While these kinds of films can be cute, occasionally, Disney feels the need to grab the kids with cute animals as opposed to a storyline.

I for one am getting bored with all these films with cute animals that can talk and do stunts. I have never really been a big fan of CGI. And I think this is just a cheap tactic as opposed to really original films that might be done. Then again, the film is not targeting single male intellectuals in their 40's.

I'm sure it will bring in a slew of kids, make tons of money, and guarantee a sequel - with even more furry critters than the first. And I don't doubt that this will be a decent choice for parents that don't want their kids exposed to the violence of Terminator:Salvation or the glorification of drugs, violence, and degrading of women this is Notorious. But for the adults out there, don't expect this film to be the Incredibles. You will likely be the least entertained in your family.

From silly to serious - 3.15.2007.1

Well where might I start? I suppose some silly news will be of most interest. Perhaps the most ridiculous would be the news of a pizza that costs $1000. Yes the price is correct, if you can believe it. Of course it was created in New York City, where else if not Los Angeles. So what do you get for a cool grand, no slices for those less spendthrift and curious? Six types of caviar and lobster of course (those allergic to shellfish will have just bear with the thought that they cannot try this dish).

Personally I dislike red caviar, and Beluga caviar is too expensive for a decent amount. Plus I can’t imagine having caviar that’s been baked. I like the way the Russians have it, on fresh bread with a healthy portion of homemade butter and a drink of vodka to cut the salt. That is fantastic. But as a pizza, I think not. To me there are better ways to waste money. It’s merely a way to try to impress a materialist person, like the $1000 ice cream you can get close to the pizza shop. Of course with the ice cream you get to actually eat the gold topping (most of the cost no doubt) which is perhaps a worse way to flush money down the drain.

Since I’m on the topic I’ll quickly mention that Prince Frederic von Anhalt (reportedly a prince by purchase as he bought his nobility) is now suing Fox News and Mr. Bill O’Reilly. While the extreme left may be rejoicing, the fact is the suit is without merit. I watched the program in which the prince stated live on air that he would take a lie detector test on his claim to the child of Ms. Anna Nicole Smith. A week later Mr. O’Reilly commented on the non-appearance of the prince for the test. To my knowledge there was no comment for a retraction or explanation, which was why Mr. O’Reilly claimed he was just after the publicity. The suit seems to be a furtherance of this claim.

The true shame is that all these seemingly publicity seekers are providing a horrible legacy for Ms. Smith’s daughter to learn about and grow up with. It’s also sad that some seek out attention in such desperate and shameful methods. Life can be far more than this. Fame for the sake of fame is just pitiful I think.

On the flip side of this are the people to which fame attaches itself. Like Mr. Chris Gardner. You may recall the name from the recent Mr. Will Smith leading film The Pursuit of Happyness, which is based on his real life struggle to go from homelessness to a millionaire while raising his young son alone. When fame came to Mr. Gardner, you might ask ‘what did he do?’ He continued his efforts to help the homeless in the nation; he continued to speak with those that are homeless. Fame was not a goal of his, national and international attention were only by-products of the actions he had made for decades. That is impressive. That is worth-while. That deserves the attention of the media.

Yet how much time has been wasted on individuals like the above mentioned prince, the trail for ownership of Ms. Smith’s body, the chaos of supposed suitors and the question of the cause of death. Its one thing to comment on the ludicrous in passing, but media today focuses on it like fly to, well you know. I have observed how little time has been spent discussing individuals like Mr. Gardner, or donations made on behalf of organizations helping people in need, both in this nation and the world, like Mr. John Travolta and Mr. George Clooney.

I started off with the silly, but in reflection there is too much of that these days. Television has reached new heights of mind-numbing programming, the media far to biased in its presentation of fact, and entertainment remains rooted in a time in the world long since past. I like a silly distraction from time to time too, but when a former President of the United States receives less air-time than a cute blonde I think things have gone too far. When most people cannot remember the program they are watching when a commercial comes on, when 2% of the characters reflect the world outside my window, I have to believe I’ve been distracted too much.

Well at least I have the blogs and my readers for more intellectual pursuits.

This is what I think, what do you think?

John Travolta donation, Big Tuna vacation, and ice cream with a kick - 3.7.2007.3

In other news, I suggest that the ladies out there becareful when dining out. If you decide to have an after dinner dessert you may wind up with more than you were barganing for. I’m not talking about extra pounds or changing your figure. I’m talking about ice cream and other fatty dairy foods getting you pregnant. Not on their own of course.

It seems a study that was out recently states that if you have one of these dishes a day then the odds are 27% greater to become pregnant. Now this could be a factor for a a few couples out there. And you thought the worst you had to worry about was a few extra pounds. Still it makes that little snack a bit risque. One thing they didn’t mention in the study is if having whipped cream and/or chocolate syrup with the ice cream makes the odds go up even more (or even the odds without the ice cream). Just thought you might want to know.

For those lamenting the time until football (American) returns in the summer, there is a bit of news as well. The Big Tuna, Mr. Bill Parcells, is going to miss the 2007 season. Like 2002 Mr. Parcells will be going back to ESPN to be on the Monday Night Countdown. Mr. Parcells is always interesting to listen to and ESPN will no doubt have better rating with him. Still there is the thought that some team in the next season will sorely miss the overall strategy and ability he brings to any team. I suggest that once the season starts everyone pays attention to the teams doing poorly. I believe that this recent ‘retirement’ is temporary, perhaps being a way to drive up the bidding wars and to better evaluate which team will best match his criteria as a head coach. 19 years, 2 Super Bowl wins (with the NY Giants of course!) and being one of 5 coaches to take multiple teams to the big game just doesn’t seem to be enough I think. Mark my words, in 2008 there probably will be another go round, the question is where to go?

Oh, did anyone notice the news about the box office leading film Wild Hogs? It’s the buddy film with Mr. Matin Lawrence, Mr. William H. Macy, Mr. Tim Allen, and Mr. John Travolta. I haven’t seen the film but I was moved by the fact that Mr. Travolta decided to use the opening of the film to give a donation to victims of the Lady Lake tornadoes of $15,000 which helped to raise a matching $15,000.

I enjoy mentioning when actors and celebrities make donations for a cause they believe in. This wasn’t a business move, the check was a personal one from Mr. Travolta. That makes the difference for me. It’ may not be the most money ever, but using the clout and attention a leading star has at a movie premiere to bring attention to a worthy cause is something seen too little these days. It doesn’t matter the cause as long as it is genuine and worthwhile. Sadly we just don’t see enough of that.

And just to mention a wacky item I caught, it seems voodoo is a world –wide phenomenon. In this case Pakistan. It seems that a man, obviously distraught, decided that he was going to dig up his father – who was dead for 2 years – so he could resurrect him. I think this is how a couple of old zombie movies started, but life is stranger than fiction. In case you wondered the spells didn’t work and the skeleton has since been laid back to rest. The things you find on the internet some days.

This is what I think, what do you think?