Taken with Taken

Liam Neeson stars as a badass in search of his kidnapped daughter in Taken. Otherwise a by-the-numbers thriller, Taken scores big in the action department. The film starts slow, setting the mood and casually introducing Neeson's character as a sympathetic figure due to events in his life, but once Taken gets rolling... look out! Liam Neeson is an inspired choice as the lead and you can tell that he really buys into the role. In a world of warmed over Bournes and Transporters, Taken is as good as it gets nowadays if you're looking for an action thrill-ride.

The Wrestler

Mickey Rourke stars as what looks to be a cross between Jake "The Snake" Roberts and Randy "Macho Man" Savage in one of the best and most interesting movies of the year. In fact, if it wasn't for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Wrestler would rank as my clear cut most anticipated movie of the season. That said, a flat footed tie with the Brad Pitt vehicle is nothing to be ashamed of. 

Suite Spot Tip: Don't even look at the Bill Simmons review he posted this week as it includes a spoiler early on that is best left unseen, especially for wrestling fans. You already know the movie is going to own, no need for the review!

If Kong is wrong than I don't want to be right

Recently it has surprised me to hear that many have not heard of the superb documentary "King of Kong". This fantastic film is the best documentary of this decade and one of the best films that I've seen in a long time. It documents the battle between longtime Kong Kingpin Billy Mitchell and newcomer Steve Wiebe over the all time high score in Donkey Kong. It may sound silly to you, but this is one of the funniest, most dramatic, and just plain best movies in quite awhile. If you haven't seen it, find another friend who has also missed out and watch it with them. You'll look like you have amazing taste. It'll be our little secret.

JCVD is a Knockout!

Jean Claude Van Damme delivers a devestating performance as himself in this semi-autobiographical tour de force. The film has garnered rave reviews across the board and around the world and the Suite Spot would like to join in endorsing it as one of the best films of the year. Kudos to Van Damme for the soul-baring performance and for such a daring career move... not that he had much to lose at this point. Bloodsport it is not, but JCVD is not to be missed!

Found in Translation

I am tolerant of movies that have ambiguous endings. I feel that sometimes what a film has built cannot be adequately concluded on screen and therefore may best be left to our imaginations. That said, I am always curious of what the filmmakers had in mind for their characters. One such movie is Lost in Translation, the overrated but nonetheless very well made and entertaining Bill Murray/ Scarlett Johansson feature from 2003. At the end of the movie the two stars embrace while Murray inaudibly whispers in Johansson's ear. He seems to be actually saying something, but it just isn't possible to make out what it is without some kind of audio enhancement. Luckily, that's just what the video below features. It seems legit to me and if you haven't seen it yet then it really adds to the movie and solves the mystery quite aptly. Be warned, if you don't want to shatter the film's mystique, don't listen!

Chadgelina doesn't have the same ring to it

Have you heard of the movie in development called Chad Schmidt? I find the premise hilarious. The titular protagonist is a brash young acting talent who comes to Hollywood in the late 1980's to find fame and fortune. He looks and sounds identical to a similarly brash young Brad Pitt. Unfortunately, Brad hits it big with Thelma and Louise making doppelganger Chad an uncastable Hollywood punchline. Ageless Brad Pitt is set to play both himself and Chad Schmidt in what looks to be an hilarious send up on the cruelty of the film game and the role happenstance plays landing success. Hopefully, Chad will find some inner fulfillment and not simply resort to being the Tyler Durden lookalike in front of Grauman's Theater.