The Vow and Safe House
F I L M R E V E I W F R I D A Y
The Vow
Paige with Leo in one of her many bad wigs.
This is a story that feels like it should’ve been made for TV. It’s very cheesy, to say the least, even by chick-flick standards. The ‘Amnesia’ story line has been done so many times before but with greater results. Rachel McAdams is always enjoyable but not enough to save this dog. And don’t even get me started on Channing Tatum. He’s attractive in a subliminal way – like that second when you bat your eyelids. After that, he looks dopey, and by “dopey” I mean, I half expect him to start drooling. He barely opens his mouth to speak. The Vow is predictable, hardly worth the $5.00 matinee price I paid for it. grade D –
SEE IT if you would enjoy seeing the sights of downtown Chicago and beautiful Lake Forest. DON’T SEE IT if trying to read Channing Tatum’s lips in an effort to make out what he’s saying would tire you OR if seeing Jessica Lange appear in this pile of poo would make you sad for her.
SAFE HOUSE
A solid film. Go see it!
I LOVED this movie, starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds. I know, what’s not to love? Denzel Washington plays Tobin Frost, an ex CIA agent turned rogue international criminal. Ryan Reynolds is Matt Weston, a low level agent stuck in Cape Town, South Africa. There, he’s the “House Keeper” – the person who stands guard at the CIA’s Safe House, waiting for “house guests,” more commonly known as international criminals, etc. (Yes, I learned a lot of new jargon in this movie – already worth the price of admission!) Tobin Frost and Matt Weston form a strange alliance as the story unfolds. This film will remind you of the Bourne Identity series. It’s fast and feels very real. grade A
SEE IT if you enjoy great acting, a smart story and if you think Ryan Reynolds is a hunk of burning love. (I would say the same for Denzel but since he’s sporting an unruly hair style through 3/4’s of it, I can’t include him.) DON’T SEE IT if fast paced, action thrillers make you sick, OR if the beautiful Cape Town scenery would tempt you too much to pack your bags and move to South Africa.
Never even heard of The Vow.
Sadly, Denzel is a great actor who has made a boatload of bad movies. This will probably be a cable tv view…
It’s better that you’ve never heard of the Vow. Terrible. Safe House is actually a pretty good film, I enjoyed it. I think you should see it at the theater with a big bucket of popcorn.
I haven’t heard of either film and I reckon you are just inventing things now. I would never, ever stoop to such a tactic as telling lies about what celebrities are doing.
Mr Denzil is usually a good watch to be honest. Last one I saw with him was Inside Man which I rather enjoyed.
I like your useage of matinee by the way. Written down I know what it means but if someone said it to I would probably think they are talking about the sea cow things.
I actually looked back to make sure my spelling was correct. The first show, the matinee, is the one that all the elderly go to and likely, that’s why it’s cheaper. If you have to sit next to someone snoring or talking there should be a discount.
When Safe House comes to England next fall, make sure to see it! Haha!
I’ve been wanting to see ‘Safe House’, and, the matinee is the best way to go!! *virtual high five*.
I asked for my senior discount pass when I was around 42. The girl looked at me, “M’am, this is for, um, older people.” “Yes. So, please hand me one. Good genes, my friend. Unless—-you want to actually see my license….?”
Loves me my pass!!
Haha! Safe House does not disappoint. Very entertaining and as usual, made more enjoyable with a big bucket of golden popcorn and Diet Pepsi.
Perfection.
Tobin Frost? Matt Weston? Those are terribly boring names. Especially Tobin Frost. Tobin is not a name. Especially not for a black guy in his mid-40s. At least Ryan Reynolds could be a Matt Weston. Still a terrible name.
Tobin is a name! See the guy who plays Jigsaw in the SAW films!
I can’t even say the name “Tobin” with a straight face. So it’s a good thing I’m not Ryan Reynolds! Haha! Yes, they’re both horrible names. Coming up with good names should be an actual job or profession in Hollywood. You should get paid the big bucks to come up with memorable names.
‘Safe House’ should be of interest to all of those of us living in SA who have ever visited Cape Town, if only for the relative novelty of having our setting featured.
YES! As you can see my review is very silly but the film is not. I loved having beautiful Cape Town as a back drop. I hope to visit soon!
The Vow looked dumb. I think if you had amnesia and someone was in the hospital with you saying that they were your husband, you would believe them. Like, its just such a dumb plot. Also, does anyone even get amnesia anymore?
I think I’m gonna see Safe House this weekend. Lol at Tobin…
I forgot to mention that Safe House featured water boarding which, again, doesn’t look so bad? I want to try it. hahaha! No, seriously, I do.
Hitchens tried it not too long ago:
Amnesia was wiped out years ago just like rubella was.
Don’t American schools give kids their amnesia shots any more?
Umm… yeah, I guess I won’t know till I try? haha! Thanks for sharing that : /
Amnesia tends to trend with the movies. It hasn’t been in fashion for a while but I’m expecting a come-back or a resurgence with this stellar movie.
Seriously, the way they romanticize it in the film is absurd. That kind of amnesia would probably co-occur with massive skull and face damage! Welcome to Hollywood.
I shall definitely be seeing this when it comes out, it looked good when Ryan appeared in an interview over here in England. I still don’t know if I can take him seriously as a big actor though. The memories of him from Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place are all too fresh in my mind.
I know you’ll enjoy it, Pete. It’s got the right mix of elements.
Yeah, sometimes when you know an actor from something else it’s hard to erase the memory. Sometimes movies are best when there’re no big names in it–that way you can’t bank on somebody staying alive till the end.
Ok, first of all I don’t know who Channing Tatum is but that’s the stupidest name I’ve ever heard. But I do like the fact that he is handsome subliminally. Interesting concept. I am going to start using that excuse about why I don’t look good in pictures though! Love it!
The othe movie sounds like it would be really good. It also sounds like one I would have to watch at least three times before I understood what was going on. I had to watch Talented Mr. Ripley so many times before I finally understood it and now it’s one of my favorite movies. So that doesn’t stop me but it does mean I have to buy it. 🙂
All I can say, Linda, is that if my simple brain could understand this plot yours can. I even ventured off to see it without my husband, aka, my plot enhancer. Anyway, The Talented Mr. Ripley is like rocket science compared to this. You’ll be fine.
Agreed. Channing Tatum is a terrible name made worse by his inability to act. haha!