Gone In 60 Seconds (2000)

I like doing these challenges because it gives me a chance to check out films that I otherwise probably wouldn't have and to be honest when it's free on VUDU, it makes it a little more enticing. The film I chose for today was one that I had been avoiding for 20 years and to be honest I don't know why, but I decided to check out Gone In 60 Seconds which was directed by Dominic Sena (Swordfish). The film stars Nicolas Cage (Leaving Las Vegas) as notorious retired car thief Memphis Raines who had to leave town when things got too hot. The only problem is that his kid brother has decided to follow in his footsteps, but with poor results. You see he promised a very bad man 50 exotic cars and he failed to do so and now Memphis has to step in and try to save the day by stealing 50 cars in three days or else his kid brother dies. The film also stars Giovanni Ribisi (Saving Private Ryan) as Kip Raines, Angelina Jolie (Mr. and Mrs. Smith) as Sway, T.J. Cross (Showtime) as Mirror Man, William Lee Scott (The Butterfly Effect) as Toby, Scott Caan (Varsity Blues) as Tumbler, James Duval (Donnie Darko) as Freb, Will Patton (Armageddon) as Atley, Delroy Lindo (Malcolm X) as Det. Castlebeck, Timothy Olyphant (Rock Star) as Det. Drycoff, Chi McBride (Waiting) as Donny, Robert Duvall (Stalin) as Otto, Vinnie Jones (Snatch) as The Sphinx, and Christopher Eccleston (Thor: The Dark World) as Raymond Calitri.

This film has quite the collection of actors contained in it and it was to be the who's who of young Hollywood at the time mixed with some seasoned players. It is however another film that took the caliber of the cast and made it work for them in a very positive way because this at face value was actually an enjoyable film. Nicolas Cage was Nicolas Cage complete with his signature wig out moment, but it actually worked for this film. There was a time when he was actually making decent films and that was because some of the roles were tailored made for him and his acting chops and this was one of them and not so much The Wicker Man. I love Angelina Jolie and at this time I had the hugest crush on her, but I have seen her in better films like Gia. The comedy in the film was on point and it felt so natural and was delivered so smoothly that it worked when it needed to and the action scenes were superb. That is truly when the film gets really good is when we get to the stealing of the cars and some of the police chases that come with some of them. Some of the cars they steal in the film I have only dreamed of owning and they are marvelous including the Shelby GT Mustang that is "The Unicorn." The cinematography is great because it still has that rough 90's look mixed with the gloss look of the 2000's Hollywood blockbusters. I am definitely kind of mad at myself for waiting this long to see this film, but in the end at least I finally got around to it. I am going to give the film an B+ for a final grade.

Donnie Darko (2001)

One of the coolest things is that IMDB.com which is the source for everything movies and television is now a source you can turn to if you want to check out a movie or TV show as they now stream some films. So I thought it was the perfect time to check out a film from one of my favorite actors in Jake Gyllenhaal (The Sisters Brothers) in 2001's Donnie Darko. Gyllenhaal plays the title character in this mystery drama and the problem is that Donnie believes that he sees a man in a morbid rabbit costume that tells him that the world is going to end in 26 days. This chilling revelation freaks Donnie out to the point that the rabbit named Frank (James Duval) can easily manipulate him into committing crimes all the while exploring the idea of time travel. The film also stars Holmes Osborne (That Thing You Do!) as Eddie Darko, Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Dark Knight) as Elizabeth Darko, Mary McDonnell (Dances With Wolves) as Rose Darko, Patrick Swayze (The Outsiders) as Jim Cunningham, Arthur Taxier (Old School) as Dr. Fisher, Beth Grant (No Country For Old Men) as Kitty Farmer, Jena Malone (The Neon Demon) as Gretchen Ross, Seth Rogen (The Lion King) as Ricky Danforth, Drew Barrymore (Bad Girls) as Karen Pomeroy, Noah Wyle (ER) as Prof. Kenneth Monnitoff, and the film was directed by Richard Kelly (Domino).

This was a very interesting movie that had an amazing soundtrack that featured all the best of 80's English Post Punk like Joy Division, Echo & The Bunnymen, and so many more. I think that is what always attracted me to the film was the soundtrack besides the fact that Jake Gyllenhaal stars in the film. For most of the film you are trying to figure out just what the apocalyptic event is going to be and when you find out you're not disappointed, but it's not what you expect at all. It's kind of those holy crap moments that makes you realize just who Frank really is and what the film has to do with time travel. So, it all comes full circle in the end, but the film introduces this element of chaos paying off in certain circumstances like what happens to Swayze's character. One of the craziest things is the cameo of Seth Rogen who was told to act like an A-hole much like his Freaks & Geeks character. It's a very minor role, but it was just cool to see him in the film and not to mention an appearance by Ashley Tisdale as well. Jake is the star of the film no doubt, but a lot of credit is also due for Mary McDonnell who is playing the mother struggling to connect with her own son, but sort of gets him towards the end. One of the things that may seem cheesy now, but was actually kind of cool was the weird sphere that appears when Frank is usually around. It sort of gives this film of him tapping into the other world. This was an excellent film that deserves a watch especially if you are a fan of Jake Gyllenhaal which is why I am giving the film an A- for a final grade.