Smokin' Aces

I haven't made it out to the movies much lately. So when I do, I try to make it a habit to see something I know will be good. Of course there are no guarantees.

This last week I got the chance to see 'Smokin' Aces'.

"When a Las Vegas performer-turned-snitch named Buddy 'Aces' Israel decides to turn state's evidence and testify against the mob, it seems that a whole lot of people would like to make sure he's no longer breathing."

When I first saw the previews for this in November of 2006 I was immediately sold. So when I sat down, I was ready for a great ride. I don't like reading a bunch of dribble, or hearing it for that matter, before some one gets to their point. Like when some schmuck over explains a joke and your cross eyed before they finish. So straight up. I LIKED THE FLICK.

Now on to my self righteous comments as if to say, I could have done it better. Cause that's what movie reviews are, right? Like the old saying goes. Those who can, make movies. Those who can't, write movie review blogs.

When the movie first started the caution sign went up in my head. Almost as bright as the cell phone screen of the guy sitting in front of me who paid $7.50 to sit in a theatre and text message the girl or guy stupid enough to date him. By the way, YOU SUCK CELL PHONE GUY!

My feelings of caution and reserve went up because the film started in the super cool in the know trendy way. You know, where they talk you through what came before while showing random clips accompanied by super groovy percussion music. The kind that makes you wonder, is this movie to cool for me. Am I worthy. I see it in a lot of movies now since Scorsese's GoodFellas. I have to admit, it wasn't until after ten minutes into the film that the voice over stopped sounding like the adults in Charlie Brown cartoons. I just tuned it out and watched the pretty pictures, until the movie started. After all, I did pay to SEE a movie, not a book on tape.

When the action did begin and the movie moved to present tense, instead of acting like the opening scroll of a Star Wars flick, things got fun. The story really moves along. The characters, all played by a great cast, seemed to have a third dimension to them. Jason Bateman for me, with what little screen time he had, stole the show. He is one of those cases where less is more. But who am I kidding. He will probably have 100 minutes of deleted scenes on the DVD.

I was also very happy to see Ryan Reynolds show his range as an actor and not a frat boy. I am a big fan of his and even a bigger one now. I just hope he doesn't pull a Jim Carey and take it all TO serious. When the film opens with Ray Liotta and him doing some surveillance in their FBI van, the banter between them is great. I was disappointed there wasn't more of that. But again, this may have been a case of less is more.

One of the best sequences of the film was the Ray Liotta shoot out in the elevator with the imposter. Another stand out scene was the bondsman's encounter with one of the Tremor boys toward the end of the film. That really had me and the whole audience laughing.

For me, a weak part of the film, was the damn melancholy music they kept playing while we watched Buddy 'Aces' Israel self destruct. The type of music usually reserved for characters we want to feel bad for. I not only did not feel sorry for this character, but I found him a little distracting from the rest of the 'coolness' going on onscreen.

The film ended with more talking as they wrapped up the surprise ending, that really didn't matter to me. The end also gave Reynolds a chance to showcase his acting chops even though his character's final act was a little melodramatic.

All in all, a flawed film that can still be enjoyed and one I will own on DVD.

Tremor Boys t-shirts? Coming soon to a Hot Topic near you......you watch.