The Punisher

One of you recently suggested to me that I check out this series given my taste for graphic comics made into movies. I had never heard of The Punisher comic so I had no interest in the movie. Thank you for the tip however. This movie has all the features of a classic comic gone action movie.

You have over-acting. You have comic relief. You have a central hero who is likable. You have a wealth of events Mythbusters can prove impossible. So if that is not your thing, don't watch this movie. On the other hand...

Thomas Jane, who was great as Mickey Mantle in 61*, is enjoyable in this role as the tragically heroic central character. He is just human enough, just vulnerable enough, and certainly buff enough to pull the role off.

There are some great names in the supporting cast too: John Travolta as the uber bad guy target of this episode's punishments, Roy Scheider as the gunsmitthing father of our hero, Rebecca Romijn as the sexy neighbor angel, Will Patton as the main bad guy's doer-of-dirty-deeds, with Ben Foster and John Pinette as the goofy but loyal neighbors.

This movie is admittedly not for everyone, but for those who like a good graphic comic brought to life this is a worthy effort. Thank you again for the suggestion.

Watch this with plenty of popcorn and a friend to enjoy the ride.

Killshot

This movie has many of the elements I like. The story begins before the opening credits run. There are characters to like and dislike. The music is good. The story is compelling, and the ending is satisfying (even if you do see it coming).

Mickey Rourke plays a jaded hit man. He is very easy to dislike. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays his over-amped protege. His character is so repulsive that I actually enjoyed hating him. Characters that draw that kind of emotion from an audience is good story-telling.

Diane Lane is still a fun actress to watch. She has the looks and the skills to hold at least half the audience. She plays first a witness and then the hunted prey here, and pulls it off well. Thomas Jane, yes The Punisher himself, plays her estranged husband who happens to also be a witness hunted by the two assassins. Witness protection is only a program in this movie, not an actual fact.

It is true that this project went through several changes before we got the current vision. I can't really picture any of the other duos pulling this off with such gusto however. Robert DiNiro and Quenton Tarantino? I don't think so. Viggo Mortenson and Justin Timberlake? Ew. Thank you Disney for selling the rights to this story.

Watch this movie with someone who will see another good performance from an aging Rourke and not the creepy guy who showed up at the Oscars in a white tux.