2010. Dir: Phillip Noyce. Starring: Anjelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Daniel Olbrychski and August Diehl. ●●●○○
It's been a summer of disapponting action films, with self-importance and low thrills being the order of the day. With that in mind it was great to see a big dumb action movie like Salt which cleverly remembered exactly wha it was there to do in the multiplex, to thrill and entertain.
Evelyn Salt (played with suitable intensity by Anjelina Jolie) is a high ranking CIA operative who is shockingly outed as a former KGB spy in the first act and then must go on the run to a) rescue her kidnapped husband b) prove her innocence and c) prevent a third world war. It's all formulaic stuff with car chases, big explosions and shoot-outs.
The formula works, however, and the pace of the film is so relentless seguing from set piece to set piece that you don't notice the plot holes until well after the credits have rolled.
Director Noyce has previous form with this kind of action movie, having helmed the Jack Ryan movies Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger in the early 90's and it's good to see him back in the realm of this kind of blockbuster and in good form.
Jolie nails the role, managing to find all the shades in Salt's persona as well as proving her personal action credentials (much more than Wanted or Lara Croft ever really managed). Schreiber and Ejiofor both hit their marks in key supporting roles, and I'm very interested in seeing how the relationship between Anjelina and Chiwetel develops over the planned sequel.
Overall I'd highly recommend Salt as a leave your brain at the door action film, fast and furious it's worth the trip to the cinema.
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
Salt
Friday, 20 August 2010
Who is Salt, What? Is she? (Out this week - 20/08/10)
It's an action packed week of high octane entertainment whichever way you look. In fact there's little chance of making it to a cinema without geting involved in a gun fight or a massive chase sequence whether you're running from big muscles, big fish or big lips. I'm torn beween Jolie and Stallone for the box office campionship but I imagine the former has more cross appeal and will therefore get more couples could be a close one. In terms of my choice for film of the week be aware that I'm writing this one week in advance so the score for a certain fish film is yet to be finalised and I've heard rumours that the latest Danny Dyer pic (Basement) is to be rushed into screens but I've yet to get any official confirmation. That said it's highly unlikely that any of the films will look better than Salt.
The Expendables
Sylvester Stallone has assembled "the most awesome action cast ever" for this predicatable CIA backed drug lord revenge action flick and much has been made of the Planet Hollywood reunion - personally I'd be more interested in seeing Greenwich Village alumni Eric Roberts and Mickey Rourke as snarling villian and wisecraking mechanic respectively.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
The Illusionist
Based on an unfilmed script by genius French comedian Jacques Tati, Sylvain Chomet follow-up to the madcap Triplets of Belleville uses the same animation style and is bound to pick upsome serious fans worldwide for it's sly visual humour.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Marmaduke
The kind of talking animal pictue that makes Kitty Galorelook like a masterpiece in cinematic art. Run away and pray Owen Wilson can't sniff you out. Also starring William H. Macy.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Mother
Joon-ho Bong's latest movie takes a long hard look at the relationship between Mother and Son following accusations of murder. Hye-ja Kim's performance as the titular matriach is rumoured to be excellent.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Piranha 3D
It promises much in the way of bitey fish and many semi-naked women. I doubt there's much space for a coherent plot or "fleshed out" characters, but then why would any of the intended audience be looking for that. Richard Dreyfuss and Elisabeth Shue prove they can't get any other work.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Salt
Anjelina Jolie is accused of being Russian agent and then goes on the run - now that just looks horribly guilty. I don't believe any amount of disguise would hide Jolie's beauty but I think I'll be going to the nearest multiplex to see.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●○○○○
I know it's not confirmed - but I wouldn't want to miss the chance of taking a good look at Danny Dyer.
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
Tuesday Trailers - Salt
August is going to be a real blockbuster-centric month for me, with the third trailer that's getting me intrigued being for the Tom Cruise vehicle that underwent a sex change and took on Anjelina Jolie. It opens in the US this weekend and I expect this to be a bona-fide hit, the sort of film that does exactly what it says on the tin and does it well without reaching to be something it isn't. This is the second trailer which may just give too much away - be warned.
Salt is released on 20 August 2010.
Thursday, 4 June 2009
Anjelina Jolie
Happy Birthday to
Anjelina Jolie
34 today
By now Anj must have the most recognisable face in the world, surely everyone can immediately identify those lips? Well, if not, there'll be more chances for her to show them off when Salt opens next summer. In case you've forgotten Salt is the film Anjelina stole from under the eyes of Tom Cruise when she proved she could open a film with Wanted. And barring any more head injuries we'll be seeing it in August 2010.
Saturday, 21 February 2009
Film News (21/02/09)
Such a quiet week for film news - only three stories worth the mention.
Life of Pi
After bouncing around a couple of big name directors, Yann Martel's philosophical novel for all ages has settled on Ang Lee. And the one thing we know about Lee is he can handle every genre he's tried. Whilst a film set on a lifeboat with just a boy and a tiger may be a challenge it'll certainly be interesting to see what comes out of it.
How Do You Know?
James L. Brooks only surfaces every 5-10 years with a new adult (read smart and satirical not boobs and farts) comedy. His next one comes out later this year with Reese Witherspoon, and now Owen Wilson and Paul Rudd.
Salt
Formerly Edwin A. Salt, the Anjelina Jolie action vehicle has gained a leading man in the shape of Liev Schreiber. He's on a bit or a casting role right now.
Wednesday, 13 August 2008
Coming Soon (Maybe)
Antichrist
Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsborough have signed on to Lars von Trier's Antichrist. I love saying that: Lars von Trier's Antichrist. Personally I'm not sure which is more unlikely; that Scorcese's Christ turns up in this or that Charlotte Gainsborough would be married to him.
The Challenge
George Clooney's Smoke House production company has picked up the rights to Jonathan Mahler's legal thriller left. It's too early to say what involvement Clooney may have with the final product, but with this sort of liberal firework (it's based on the true story of Bin Laden Chaffeur's fight for a fair trail) he's sure to be front and centre of the final product.
Anjelina Jolie is lining up Edwin A. Salt as her next action project. Given that Wanted was sold on her (and sold well) and she's kind of dead in that this is just the sort of thing she needs to keep at the top of the box office, even if the CIA agent lead needs a couple of tweaks to make it work.
Tenn
The Warrier
Gavin O'Connor seems undeterred by the delays and problems he's faced with Pride and Glory and has moved production on his next film, The Warrier, to the next level. It's about mixed martial arts so there's about a 25% chance it will be any good. Fingers crossed. In any case looking at the net it's bound to involve sculpted guys with few clothes on beating the crap out of each other so who really cares about the quality.
Saturday, 5 July 2008
Coming Soon (Maybe)
Now, I know this is a lot later than usual, but I've had an extemely busy day. More on that later... Edwin A. Salt
It's been a while since the last coming soon, so what's new:
The Debt 
Has moved one stage closer to production with John Madden now set to direct. It's a remake of the Isreali film Ha-Hov concerning a retired Mossad agent who has has to rectify a mistake and cover up from the 60s. Nothing like You don't Mess with the Zohan, apparantly.
Blindness
Some new posters have appeared, including this gorgeous one of stunner Gael Garcia Bernal.
The helm has passed to Philip Noyce, Peter Berg having moved on to other things. This seems to be a more real version of Minority Report, so naturally Ton Cruise has been mentioned alongside it for some time. This is really just an excuse for a link to the Tom Cruise 25 years official website.
