I'll admit that, thanks to Tivo, I skimmed over big chunks of this film. There may have been subtle nuances of plot, theme, and characterization that I missed...but I doubt it.
When I first saw Ms. Fox in INDEPENDENCE DAY I thought she was poised to be a star, and she did solid work in KILL BILL and SET IT OFF. Now she's pushing fifty, though, and women other than Meryl Streep just aren't allowed to do that.
Leading men well into their sixties and even seventies routinely make big budget films with leading ladies younger than their grandchildren.
There's an old joke that there are three stages to an actress's career:
-- Hot mama.
-- District Attorney.
-- DRIVING MISS DAISY.
Sadly, that's more truth than poetry.
So Ms. Fox is doing crap like this and, worse yet, infomercials.
This isn't really a bad movie. The other actors are competent, and it's good to see Brad Dourif play a sympathetic character.
But the writing and direction bungle too many opportunities.
MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD
A lot of the film's climax hinges on the (totally false) presumption that one shot from a sympathetic character's gun can blow up a vehicle and send flames billowing into the night sky.
But the crisis is resolved with no resolution. There's no satisfaction after all that's gone before in seeing vice avenged and virtue rewarded.
Worse yet, there's a scene after the credits that completely reverses every plot development we've seen, and that probably 95% of the people watching the film will never see.
Kim Bass is nowhere near untalented: witness his Emmy nomination for his writing on the innovative In Living Color. But this is a zero budget film. People will watch the closing credits of IRON MAN because they have a lot invested in the story and know that there will be additional footage that will set up the next film.
Admittedly, it was good to see Ms. Fox playing a lead role. I only wish it had been in a project worthy of her talent.
When I first saw Ms. Fox in INDEPENDENCE DAY I thought she was poised to be a star, and she did solid work in KILL BILL and SET IT OFF. Now she's pushing fifty, though, and women other than Meryl Streep just aren't allowed to do that.
Leading men well into their sixties and even seventies routinely make big budget films with leading ladies younger than their grandchildren.
There's an old joke that there are three stages to an actress's career:
-- Hot mama.
-- District Attorney.
-- DRIVING MISS DAISY.
Sadly, that's more truth than poetry.
So Ms. Fox is doing crap like this and, worse yet, infomercials.
This isn't really a bad movie. The other actors are competent, and it's good to see Brad Dourif play a sympathetic character.
But the writing and direction bungle too many opportunities.
MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD
A lot of the film's climax hinges on the (totally false) presumption that one shot from a sympathetic character's gun can blow up a vehicle and send flames billowing into the night sky.
But the crisis is resolved with no resolution. There's no satisfaction after all that's gone before in seeing vice avenged and virtue rewarded.
Worse yet, there's a scene after the credits that completely reverses every plot development we've seen, and that probably 95% of the people watching the film will never see.
Kim Bass is nowhere near untalented: witness his Emmy nomination for his writing on the innovative In Living Color. But this is a zero budget film. People will watch the closing credits of IRON MAN because they have a lot invested in the story and know that there will be additional footage that will set up the next film.
Admittedly, it was good to see Ms. Fox playing a lead role. I only wish it had been in a project worthy of her talent.