Crossing Over

What "Crash" did for racial issues this movie does for immigration issues - almost. Crossing Over follows a similar format with A-List stars, compelling familiar scenarios, and short scenes to hold our attention.

The difference? The point of Crash was that everyone is both guilty of, AND a victim of, racism. That is not the case with immigration issues. So to that extent, the movie comes up a little short if held to the same standard as Crash. Otherwise, it is a very good collection of stories, very well told.

Harrison Ford plays a senior ICE agent who struggles with doing whats right and doing whats expected. Ray Liotta and Ashley Judd play a married couple both involved in immigration issues but from different sides of the law. Jim Sturgess and Alice Eve play a couple who are in the country illegally and will do anything to stay. Cliff Curtis plays Ford's partner at ICE and a member of a family who struggles with cultural heritage and the realities of American life. All the paths eventually cross.

I'm curious what Sean Penn's original part was on this. Any ideas?

Watch this movie with someone who was not born here.

Revolver

To say that Guy Ritchie does odd stories in an odd way would be an understatement. To say that nobody tells a story quite like him is a bit more like it. If you have seen his other 2 landmark films, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, you know a bit of what this movie might be like. However, this goes beyond the others with mixed animation and much better sound.

I like Jason Statham generally speaking. He usually plays pretty much the same character in most his work. Just the story changes. His persona and delivery don't. In this movie however, he branches out into some real acting. He plays his usual quiet tough guy, but he also plays his alter-ego. That little voice in his head has some real emotions even if the character does not. Very interesting stuff. And, there is some serious psychology to go along with this story. You have to be very patient or watch it a time or two to totally get it.

Ray Liotta has become a caricature of himself, and I love it. Because he has been type cast so many times, what choice does he have but to make fun of those casting choices. He is brilliant as the flawed bad guy in this movie. His final scene is Oscar worthy but I doubt anyone in the academy stayed long enough to see it. It's amazing acting and appears to have been done in one take. Mr. Liotta WAS ready for his close-up.

André Benjamin is one smooth character. I liked him in Four Brothers, and I like him more after watching this film. He has a unique look, a silky voice, and timing that speaks of far more work than his resume shows.

Okay, now I'll stop gushing about this movie and tell you a few more things. It's a very violent, gory, skin-filled, foul-mouthed script. And now the Guy Ritchie fans can all say in unison: "#$^*#$ **+#%%## #$&((%^%& right" and they are correct in doing so.

Watch this movie with someone who has a strong stomach for this sort of thing.