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Director: Eric Valette

Starring: Shannyn Sossamon, Edward Burns, Ana Claudia Talancon, Azura Skye

One Missed Call is French director Eric Valette’s first English language feature, and if he doesn’t find better projects than this, there won’t be many more. The performers here are a mixed bag of Hollywood beauties, who, for a feature of this type, have too many clothes and not enough acting skill, which ranges from poor to acceptable. Edward Burns, who has become a prince of the B movie circuit since Saving Private Ryan, does a decent job, but doesn’t stand out enough to earn better roles. The story is a cheesy celebration of 21st century consumer technology. The dialog is uninspired, while the story is unapologetic horror formula, which doesn’t even manage to generate any appreciable amount of sustained tension and suspense.

Shannyn Sossamon is Beth, a twenty something student, whose circle of friends is shrinking due to a string of bizarre deaths which seem to be linked somehow to their cell phone contacts. Gasp! What could inspire more fear in the young target audience than danger linked to using their wireless lifeline? Edward Burns is a cop named Jack, whose sister is an early victim, and now he is determined to figure what happened to her, no matter how ridiculous the answer seems to be. Surprisingly, the premise of the film is the strongest point of the story. As the plot unfolds, it only gets worse and worse.

One Missed Call should have disclaimer saying “For non-discriminating horror fans only. May induce nausea and drowsiness in others.” I have seen worse movies, but the fact that this was a theatrical feature and a noted video release makes this one well deserving of a stern warning. I saw this one and I’m telling you, now you don’t have to!

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Al Pacino, Elliot Gould, Ellen Barkin, Bernie Mac, Casey Affleck, Don Cheadle, Scott Caan

Well, the 13-part formula is mixed here, once again, and I have to say I’m getting a little tired of the taste. Most of the group is back for an even more outrageous scam that really stretches credibility past the breaking point. Soderbergh seems to know this and plows full speed ahead, whizzing the viewer through with a dizzying pace, and a script that has so much going on that most viewers don’t have time to give any one part too much thought. The movie is better if you don’t.

Al Pacino is an unscrupulous casino owner named Willie Bank (come on! Bank???) who ruthlessly rips off Reuben, causing him to have a medical crisis. This affront brings the cavalry, led by Danny Ocean (Clooney) to get revenge by wrecking Bank’s spectacular new casino. The plan to do this involves giving a travel writer a nightmare stay (it really seemed pretty silly to put in all this effort put in just to ruin somebody’s meal). As well, they plan to rig a bunch of casino games to lose, so that Bank’s baby drops a fortune on its first day. The third part of this ridiculous scheme is to steal Bank’s precious diamond collection. Doesn’t sound all that hard. What are you guys going to do after lunch? Ellen Barkin’s character is ridiculous and offensive and is the weakest part of an already weak script. The scams are wildly far-fetched and even Clooney and Pitt’s banter seems plastic and forced which is hard to accept from actors of this caliber. Despite the many shortcomings, the movie is still really slick with some clever ideas, wonderful visuals and a pace that keeps the viewer engaged.

If you don’t expect too much, or think too much, this could be a good movie. It follows the formula of the first two, so if you liked those films, without reservations, then this one will probably suit you just fine. There are weak points, though, and they are not difficult to spot, affecting the enjoyment of even slightly discriminating viewers. The first two features had the same plot holes as, well, but they are more prominent here and the premise is getting tired. These Oceans are getting tougher to cross, let’s just hope they stop before they sink in a crossing attempt. I did like the Sinatra ending, though.

Director: Sergio Leone

Starring: Claudia Cardinale, Charles Bronson, Henry Fonda, Jason Robards, Gabriele Ferzetti, Frank Wollfe

Leone’s follow up to The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (The G, B and U), again used primarily American actors, unlike his earlier projects, but was not as strong as The G, B and U, however. Leone was a very patient director and was never one to rush a shot. This often worked to create absolutely magnificent scenes, like the final showdown in The G, B and U, and it works for some scenes in Once Upon A Time In The West, but he uses it too often, making the movie drag, despite a good story and good characters. It is still a pretty decent western, but far below the masterpiece that he was trying to follow up.

Charles Bronson takes Eastwood’s spot in this one as the man with no name, who has a mysterious purpose, an ever-present harmonica and a deadly gun hand. Claudia Cardinale looks great and performs well as Jill McBain, a spirited woman who travels out west to be with her new husband only to find him dead, but Henry Fonda steals the show as Frank, the coolest bad guy of any of Leone’s flicks. Jason Robards completes the conflict triangle that Leone loves so much as Cheyenne, another local outlaw. All of them are jockeying for position as the new railroad is built closer and closer to their area. The acting is excellent and the story is pretty clever for a duster, but moves slower than that railroad they are building.

If you love westerns, then this is one you should catch. It was one of the better ones of its day and you probably won’t be disappointed. Well, not too disappointed, anyway. Cardinale is drop-dead gorgeous, but that’s not why people are dying all around her. Bronson is cool and Fonda is deliciously sinister and makes this movie worth seeing on his own, so the rest is just a bonus. Might be better to rent it for two days though, because you will fall asleep on it the first night.

Starring: Kevin Costner, Robert Duvall, Annette Benning, Michael Gambon, Diego Luna

Director: Kevin Costner

We are not seeing too many dusters made these days, so as a fan of the genre I was glad to see this one come out. I was even gladder that it turned out to be a very good movie besides. Kevin has become rather hit or miss in the last decade or so. This was a hit.
Boss Spearman (Robert Duvall) is the leader of a free grazing cattle company (one that wanders about, grazing on open range) and Charley Waite (Costner) works for him. When they wander into the area of Denton Baxter’s (Gambon) ranch, he and his pawn of a sheriff, make it pretty clear that they aren’t welcome. Spearman and Waite find themselves faced with running from injustice or standing up to it, at deadly peril. Great stuff! This is the stuff that quality westerns are made of. The story is formulaic but well drawn characters and fine direction lift this western well above average.
There are mighty slim pickings on the range these days, but I reckon this could fill a western loving feller or filly for a spell. Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Good movie. See it by sundown or hightail it outta town.