Sacha Baron Cohen's Bruno.....Filming?

According to the rumor site Defamer, it looks like Sacha Baron Cohen's character Bruno is coming to the big screen.

An eyewitness claims filming has started.

But who knows if it's real.

A while back, during all the Borat hoopla there was a studio announcement that Cohen was going to make the film.

But Cohen's people quickly shot down the rumor.

If this eyewitness is legit, it looks like Cohen was just creating smoke to distract potential victims.

If it is happening.....I'm really looking forward to the film.

Bruno is probably my least favorite character of Cohen's three personalities....but he's still hilarious.

I can't wait to see what shocking antics Cohen has in store.

God knows....the guy has no limits.

Giambi and Percival to Angels?

Some interesting rumors involving the Angels came out today.



Looks like Troy Percival is bored with retirement, and wants to come back.

Apparently he's giving the Angels first chance to negotiate.



Also the buzz in New York is that the Angels are keen on acquiring slugger Jason Giambi.

Fun stuff, but I don't think either move addresses the Angels biggest need.

What the Angels sorely need is a power hitting third baseman.

They still need to fill the hole left when they let Troy Glaus walk years ago.

With Garret Anderson returning from the injured list, and Shea Hillenbrand starting to heat up. Not to mention Juan Rivera possibly coming back later on in the season, why would the Angels be interested in Jason Giambi?

It's clear there is not going to be any room at D.H.

Also the Bullpen doesn't need another power arm, with Shields, K-Rod, Justin Speier, and Hector Carrasco holding down the fort. Percy would have to be regulated to mop up duty, something I'm sure he wouldn't enjoy.

Look for Percy to end up in Philadelphia....maybe even back at Detroit.

Obviously it would be fun and sentimental to have Percy back, but the Angels just don't need him.

The Rumor that had me the most excited was the one earlier this month involving Garrett Atkins.

I think that deal would make the most sense.

Atkins is young, a power hitter and plays third base.

The Angels have young pitching to offer and can also throw in one of our middle infielders like Figgins, Izturis or Erick Aybar.

Sounds like an easy deal to make.

But the truth is this is all much ado about nothing.

Bill Stoneman is incapable of pulling off an in-season trade.

Seriously. Incapable.

Not to be mean, but his track record speaks for itself.

Whatever the reason Stoneman just can't.... or won't... pull the trigger during the season.

It's unfortunate because I believe the Angels are very close to being a Championship Caliber team.

Very close.

King James , the Unselfish

There's a little mini-controversy brewing concerning LeBron passing up the final shot of tonight's first game in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Poor Guy.

Classic case of damned if you do, and damned if you don't.

Cleveland was on the road, smart money is to go for the win there.

If he takes the shot, and misses no doubt people would be talking about how open Donyell Marshall was, and how LeBron was being selfish, by forcing a shot.

When it's all said and done I think LeBron made the right move.

Donyell had the open three....might as well go for the win there.

On the other hand, watching the slow motion replay it did look like he had a clear shot at the basket.

But the truth is, life doesn't move at slow motion.

Would Kobe, or Carmelo, maybe D-Wade take that same shot given the opportunity?

No Doubt.

But that's just not LeBron's style.

I've said it before, I think LeBron is the Ultimate team player.

He's like a humble and shy Scottie Pippen. He's Magic with Jordan's Hops.

Team him up with a superstar scorer, and we're talking dynasty.

People keep waiting, and wanting him to be selfish....to go out and score 80 points, but I don't think it's in him.....it's not part of his DNA.

He rather make the assist for the win, then be the hero.

To tell the truth, it's incredibly refreshing.

Especially in this day and age.

I just hope that one play doesn't affect his play for the rest of the series.

Because technically, the Cavs were in it till the end....and LeBron only scored 10 points the entire game, which I guarantee won't happen again....an unsettling thought for Pistons fans.

The Joker....revealed

Ain't It Cool News has put up the image of Heath Ledger in his JOKER war-paint.

It's fantastic....freaky as shit...but fantastic.

One can also play the game of watching pixels of Harvey Dent's face slowly dissolve at the website I believe in Harvey Dent Too.

Man....I can't wait for The Dark Knight. The news of Heath Ledger playing the Joker really didn't get me too excited, but I trust Christopher Nolan, and this image really rewards that trust.

I think this whole campaign has been brilliant. It really looks like we are in for something special. Which is great considering the massive disappointment of Spider-man 3.

I really get the sense, looking at the image, that we are looking into the eyes of a madman. Love the scarring on the cheeks.

I'm also hoping that his laughter is not one of joy, but of a result of something like tourettes syndrome.

A laughter that is involuntary, and not enjoyed....which the animated series portrayed so well.

By the way....Please if you know anything about the film. DON'T SAY ANYTHING!!!

I'd love to see the film spoiler free.

Happy Birthday Chewie

Peter Mayhew (63)

Spurs win....but N.B.A. loses

The San Antonio Spurs just finished off the Phoenix Suns.

And I mourn for the N.B.A.

I'm not saying that the San Antonio Spurs didn't deserve to win the series.

But the truth is, the series was tainted by the inexcusable suspensions of Boris Diaw and Amare Stoudemire by the N.B.A.

Justice was not served with their suspensions.

To tell the truth, I'm not a fan of the Phoenix Suns...actually far from it.

The Suns knocked out my beloved Lakers two years in a row, and also knocked out my second favorite team the Clippers in the Western Conference Semi-finals last year.

In all honesty I'm not even sure the Suns had enough to beat the Spurs in the series.

But I do know when something is rotten in Denmark.

As a basketball fan I feel cheated, and betrayed.

I didn't see a series played on an even field.

With one swift move the N.B.A. stepped in, and with technicalities and the letter of the law ruined a N.B.A. season.

Destroyed it.

I can't imagine what Phoenix Suns fans are feeling right now.

I don't even think San Antonio Spurs fans are feeling good about the way the team has advanced to the Western Conference finals.

Just saw an interview with Tim Duncan....even he doesn't feel great about it.

It's a hollow victory.

That's the truth of it.

I was hoping that Phoenix could push the series to seven games, to take some of the sting of injustice off.

But the burden was just too much.

Now we fans are left with a shallow, and empty, and frankly worthless playoff experience.

Congratulations David Stern you managed to alienate many fans, lose countless others, and put a black eye on a semi-enjoyable season.

And his excuse that the Suns brought this upon themselves, is just shameful, and embarrassing.

I'm just grateful that my Son is not old enough to understand basketball, so I wouldn't have to explain the situation to him.

Imagine if he was a Suns fan, and I tried to explain what happened.

Heartbreaking.

Unfortunately, I'm sure that scenario is playing out in many homes in Phoenix, as I write this.

Dear Mr. Stern......

Please keep your mouth shut, quit sticking your nose in places it doesn't need to be, and please fade away into the background so we aren't reminded of one of the N.B.A.'s biggest blunders in the history of the game.

Embarrassing.

Thank God I still have Angels Baseball.

Pacino & DeNiro together again...for the first time

If you haven't heard already, it's being reported that Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro will be starring in a movie together called "Righteous Kill".

Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro have appeared in two movies together.

The Godfather Part Two, where they don't share ANY scenes together, and in Michael Mann's "Heat". Where they shared two scenes together....if that.

Although I believe this is great news, a part of me wishes that they could've done a movie together maybe.... twenty years ago when they were still young, hungry and full of energy.

In any case I'm looking forward to this film, apparently they will be playing Police Detectives on the trail of a serial killer, and they will spend practically the entire film together.

Lots of potential there...Great news...believe me it could've been worse....maybe a third Analyze This film....or a Meet the Fockers sequel.

This is going to be a Mystery/Suspense film....with some serious acting.

Can't wait.

Now if they announced that David Mamet was doing the screenplay then I'd really lose my mind.

Sunday Night Blues

For the last couple of months, Sunday had been my favorite day of the week.

That was until this past Sunday.

On this last Sunday, three of my favorite shows went off the air.

Two of them for over a year.

One of them.....forever.

Here's a recounting of my heartbreak.



Battlestar Galactica



Man, what a killer cliffhanger.

About a month ago I was helping Mark Verheiden at Laser Blazer, and I playfully remarked how I thought the mid-season cliffhanger was a cold-blooded teaser.

He looked me square in the eye and said with a sly grin,

"Wait till you see this season's cliffhanger."

Man...He wasn't kidding.

Painful.

I can't believe that I have to wait till next April to see how all this plays out.

What's also interesting, is that we now see the light at the end of the tunnel.

And to be honest.... it looks fantastic.

It's going to be Epic stuff.

I can't wait.





The L-Word




It was nice to see the show change gears from it's downer of a season last year.

I thought that this season had the usual great laughs and thought-provoking drama.

I like the addition of Cybil Shepard. She brings a great new dimension to the show.

I liked seeing the dark side of Jenny come out.

I thought Daniela Sea's character, Max, really stood out in providing the best drama of the show.

I'm not sure about the Papi character yet, or Marlee Matlin's character either.

It's fascinating seeing Kristanna Loken on the show so soon after she came out in real life. It really adds a nice dimension of authenticity to the show.

I still think a lot of the comedy that Erin Daniels brought to the show is sorely missed.

I also missed Lauren Lee Smith and Sarah Shahi.

Probably my least favorite season of the show....but still better than 95% of the stuff that's out there today.


And now the biggest heartbreak of all......


ROME




I'm devastated.

My favorite show has ended.

I feel like Julius Caesar at the end of last season.

What the hell am I going to do now?

On one hand I felt the show ended perfectly on it's own terms.

But on the other I still can't help wishing that there was more.

I need more Lucius and Pullo banter.

I want to see Atia and Mark Anthony squabble and flirt.

I liked the shocking hedonism, and historical drama.

This show was the best.

I can't believe HBO wouldn't pick it up for additional seasons.

They throw on Dane Cook's Tourgasm and Lucky Louie and can't give Rome a third season?

I know it's an expensive show but why not film the thing on the Universal backlot, and focus on the character drama, instead of the spectacle.

In any case, it was a great show. I'm glad I was able to be there for the whole journey.

So now Sunday is a bummer.

Unless...... The Soprano's and The Tudor's can come through for me.

FInally Justice

I'm not exactly sure why it took him so long to finally win an Oscar.....but I guess better late than never.

I love how Coppola gives away the winner by shooting a look at Scorsese right before Spielberg announces his name.

He's one of the greatest Directors of all time, it's not like he needed the validation to be remembered that way, but it's nice to see the Academy come to their senses.

My Favorite movies of 2006

I feel guilty writing a top ten list.

The truth is I don't watch nearly enough movies to really justify doing it.

For example I haven't watched Dreamgirls, Babel, Half-Nelson, Little Children, Notes on a Scandal, The Queen, Blood Diamond, Inland Empire, Scanner Darkly and Pan's Labyrinth among others.

I suppose that having access to free DVD rentals, and being a member of the Screen Actors Guild, I'm obligated to be up to date with the going's on in the film industry.

But I'm not.

The truth is....I'm too much of a sports fan.

A fiercely loyal, die hard Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Los Angeles Lakers fan.

Which....obviously.... takes up a lot of my free time.

I also, in the past year and a half, find myself watching more television than ever before.

For whatever reason, I'm finding quality television more fulfilling than the standard two hour film.

I've been hooked like a drug fiend on Rome, L Word, Dexter, Battlestar Galactica, Sopranos, Deadwood, and Extras. Occasionally I'll watch Ghost Hunters, The Unit and Big Love.

That's a full TV schedule I'm working around.

As well as writing for this blog.

Not to mention that I have a wife, child...and a little dog, that I prefer spending my precious free time with.

But I thought for posterity's sake that I should make a top ten movie list.

I'm thinking, years from now, that it will be fun to look back.

To relive what films moved, and inspired me during this time in my life.

Makes sense right?

So I started looking over my reviews in the past year, and then I realized that I never posted a list for 2005.

So for the record, here are my favorite movies for 2005.

Some of them.... I actually reviewed for the blog.

10. Frank Miller's Sin City



9. Grizzly Man



8. Me, You, and Everyone you Know



7. Munich




6. Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith



5. Match Point



4. Broken Flowers



3. Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang




2. The New World



And my favorite movie of 2005 was........







1. Batman Begins

I think that's a pretty good group of films.

I'm really disappointed that there are no foreign films on my list though.

In previous years films like City of God, Kung Fu Hustle, Oldboy, I'm not Scared, Silmido, and Infernal Affairs would've easily made my list.

But 2005 wasn't a foreign film kind of year for me.

A part of me feels like my list isn't well rounded enough.

Making matters worse there's not a foreign film on this year's list either.

Oh well.

In any case here we go with my favorite movies of 2006....(that I've seen....so far.)

(I've created a link to my previous reviews in the title of each film.)


10. Edmond



This one's cheating.

I didn't even write a review for this film on the blog.

I'm a big David Mamet fan.

Really big.

Huge.

So the truth is, even if this were a bad movie.....which it isn't, I would have probably loved it.

I was familiar with the play after reading it over a decade ago.

It's extremely fascinating, and provocative material, and it was exciting to see it finally realized dramatically on film.

But like I said, I'm a huge David Mamet fan.

Huge.

No joke.

My dog..... is named Mamet.

Seriously.

So, for the record, I admit that I can't objectively comment on the merits of this film.

Even though it's pretty freaking great.

I love the dialogue.

Love it.

I love the economy, through-line, purpose and thought Mamet puts into each, and every one of the scenes.

The performances are all good.

It's shot interestingly, and effectively. The direction is solid.

But for me it's really all about the writing.

It's brilliant.

The rhythms, the tones, the dialogue, and scene arcs, it all works for me.

For me, nobody does it better than Mamet.

Throw in a great performance by W.H. Macy and the movie is an instant classic.....admitedly.... probably to only me.


9. Rocky Balboa



Not surprisingly, I haven't seen this film on too many top ten lists.

The funny thing is I can't find anyone who didn't like it.

In fact most people who've seen..... loved it.

LOVED IT.

Doesn't matter who they are...young...old...woman...man.

They loved it.

They even will admit that they were emotionally moved, and touched by the film.

Really.

By a Rocky film......seriously.

As proof, the first Rocky is renting like crazy at the store.

People want to relive the memories. The movie just lingers with people.

Yet, for some reason... as far as top ten lists....no love.

I'm guessing that people are embarrassed to admit they loved the film.

I'm not.

8. Inside Man



It's nice to see Spike Lee having fun.

The truth is, he's a great filmmaker that can sometimes get sidetracked by his political views.

I thought his last film 25th Hour was amazing. But, honestly the subject matter is extremely dark, depressing, and at times hard to watch.

Which doesn't make for enjoyable repeat viewing....which is common complaint about Spike Lee's work.

I've always wondered what a commercial Spike Lee film would look like.

Which is exactly what Inside Man is.

It's refreshing, and actually exciting to see him direct a fun, mystery/suspense heist thriller.

Scarcely a trace of a political or social agenda.

Just good old fashioned fun.

It makes me excited to see more of his upcoming work.

However, the movie is by no means perfect.

I think the main Grift in the film reminds me a little too much of Bill Murray's Quick Change.

But it's a fun, suspenseful, popcorn crowd pleaser, with a dramatic edge.

Definitely one of the best movies of the year.

7. The Prestige




A lot of people get caught up with trying to figure out the twist in the film.

Which really isn't that hard to figure out.

The truth is this movie isn't about the twist or illusion, or the surprise ending.

It's a character study about runaway ambition, greed, competition, and the damaging affects of the quest for fame and power.

It's a character exploration into the dark side of the human psyche.

The fact that it stars two incredibly likable and affable movie stars like Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman makes the film even more fascinating, and multi-dimensional.

6. Miami Vice




Lots of people had problems with this film.

I'm not exactly sure why.

I keep hearing about how the film should have been more like the show.

Seriously?

That they should have played the theme song, that the film didn't have the same 80's cool feeling, that it needed more neon, more sex appeal, that Sonny needed a pet alligator.

Blah..blah..blah.

Get over it. The show is on DVD...and the truth is.... it doesn't age well.

At all.

Which is why initially the film was going to be a parody...like the Brady Bunch, and Starsky and Hutch.

Michael Mann refused, and took the film in a different, more realistic, and dramatic direction. In the same vein as his crime classics Heat and Collateral.

It worked.

The film has some of the best action sequences of the year.

It has speedboats, fast cars, drug deals, jet planes, heart pounding suspense.

Attractive, affable characters,in sticky, exciting situations.

Freaking-crazy-loud-stomach-churning gunfire.

What more does one want in a film?

5. Casino Royale



This one was a surprise.

To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to this film.

But it easily makes my top ten list.

Excellent story, exotic locales, it's funny, moving, breathtaking.

I like the serious approach the franchise is taking, yet it keeps the original mystique alive.

Daniel Craig is fantastic.

I know it's blasphemy, but I think he's going to be the best Bond.....ever.

4. The Departed



The only reason why this movie isn't number one is because it's a remake.

A remake of a good film that I happened to watch several times, over a year before watching this film.

So the movie, and more importantly the last 3o minutes of the film for me didn't feel fresh, or innovative, or exciting.

It felt like Deja Vu.

I'm aware this film is better than the original.

But the reality is, I knew what was going to happen before it happened. So that took away a lot of the fun, and suspense of the movie going experience for me.

That being said, don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, it's still an amazing film.

Easily one of, if not, the best movies of the year.

Jack Nicholson, MarkWahlberg and Alec Baldwin are fantastic, and Scorsese's direction is amazing.....as always.

This is a fantastic film that will surely become a classic.

I can't wait to own the DVD so I can enjoy the film..... again..... on yet another level.

3. Borat



One of the funniest movies..... ever.

It's the only movie on my list that I actually watched twice in the theatre.

It was the most fun I had in a movie theatre in years.

It reminded me why I even go to the movie theatre in the first place.

To experience something amazing in a group atmosphere, while following an excellent story.

The truth is, I can't remember laughing harder in a movie theatre, and being in a crowd that felt exactly the same way.

People were standing and applauding in my screening.

No joke.

A standing ovation.... for flickering lights.

Sacha Baron Cohen is a genius. He's in the same mold as Peter Sellers and Andy Kaufman.

Simply Brilliant.

2006 will forever be remembered as the year of Borat.

It was a movie going experience that I'll never forget.

2. V for Vendetta



Amazing.

It boggles my mind that this movie isn't being recognized more during awards season.

The movie represents everything that is great about movies....and art.

Exciting action, thought provoking storyline, excellent acting, wonderful suspense, and profound themes that are relevant, and sensitive to the times and the future of this country.

Natalie Portman has never been more impressive, and Stephen Rea, and Hugo Weaving are remarkable.

This movie challenges, and inspires us to make a difference in the world, to stand up, and make one's voice heard, to stand up to corruption and fight.

In some ways, it's the One flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest of our generation.

It's also an excellent companion piece to my favorite film of the year for 2006.......













1. Children of Men


It's been several weeks, and this film still haunts me.

There are scenes, and action sequences that must be seen to be believed.

The production design is amazing, stunning like nothing one has seen before. The cinematography is jaw dropping.

The performances are all excellent....across the board.

This is the best directed film of the year.

The movie is fantastic, in every way, the writing, music, and themes.

At times it's touching, other times funny, it's also moving, not to mention dramatic, heart poundingly suspenseful and visually exciting.

It has everything, and in time will probably be recognized as one of the best films of the decade.

It's interesting to me that the themes, and ideas in this film echo that of V for Vendetta.

Although I try very hard not to comment on my political position, it's obvious that by having these two films at the top of my list, it represents my frame of mind about the current political administration in power, and the dark path that the country is on.

It's a reflection, and representation of my political, as well as artistic feelings and thoughts during this past year.

Which is..... ironically..... exactly what I want when documenting my opinions for posterity.

These were my favorite movies of 2006.

Children of Men

Just when all the nominees for award season seemed to have arrived, and predictably lined up firmly for their Oscar runs. One of the finest films of the year arrives with a thunderous blast.

Alfonso Cuaron delivers one of the most powerful, moving and profound films of the year with the stunning Children of Men.

The movie is a fascinating, and breathtaking experience that will have one shaking their head in impressive disbelief for days.

Even weeks.

Besides being perhaps the greatest directed movie of the year, the film features a production design which is possibly one of the most fantastic, disturbing, and remarkable accomplishments in film history.

There are scenes, and sequences in the film which are as jaw dropping, and awe inspiring as anything audiences will ever see in the history of film.

What's even more impressive (or depressing, depending on how one looks at the film) is that the film feels like a legitimate vision of the future.

This isn't Star Trek, Blade Runner, or even the excellent Clockwork Orange, where a certain amount of suspension of disbelief is required for viewing.

The events which transpire in this film feel like the direct result of the current path that the world, and it's government's are on right now.

Issues of global warming, terrorism, deteriorating health care, corrupt governments, racism against immigrants, passive indifference by most of society's view of politics, and it's leadership.

It all leads to this disturbing future.

So while watching the film, not only are we being fabulously entertained, the audience is consistently reminded how the harsh, careless, realities of today can lead to this bleak and disturbing future.

Wanna get a glimpse of the End of Days?

Get in line for Children of Men.

This powerful film takes place in the year 2027, where seemingly all hope for the future of humanity is lost. All governments are either violently out of control, or no longer in power.

Major cities now resemble the slums of border towns, and the only way to legally endure the harsh realities of the day is by living one's life in passive acceptance of the world's plight, or by legalized medical suicide.

To make matters even worse, humanity is no longer able to procreate.

The youngest human being on earth is eighteen years old.....and has just been stabbed to death.

Theodore Faron (played by an impressive Clive Owen) sleepwalks through his meager existence, until a run in with his ex-lover Julian Taylor (Julianne Moore) gets him unwittingly tangled up with the charge of protecting perhaps mankind's only hope.

A young, illegal immigrant named Kee, who is miraculously pregnant, played by the spirited Claire-Hope Ashitey.

In order to save humanity Theodore must escort Kee to a sea boat where a group called the human project can help solve the procreation problem.

The film is indeed bleak and dark, but surprisingly there are moments of much needed humor, touching character interactions, and refreshing messages of hope spread throughout the film.

But what makes the movie memorable, and extraordinary are the outstanding visuals, and remarkably choreographed action sequences.

Moments that are impossible to describe, and must be seen to believed.

In a meager, and rather generic attempt of a description, I'll state that during the film at times the viewer feels like they've been dropped into a war zone with the characters.

Literally.

I caught myself several times dodging on screen bullets, and debris.

Simply put the film is beyond a doubt one of the five best films of the year.

It's an excellent triumph for Alfonso Cuaron, who directed the best Harry Potter movie, the Prisoner of Azkaban, he throws down the gauntlet and establishes himself as one of the premiere directors working today.

The movie is an amazing accomplishment, I'll save myself the trouble and stop trying to describe my enthusiasm for the film.

I'll simply state that I can't recommend it any higher, and no amount of vocabulary will accurately describe the wonders one will see in this film.

Run out, and see it.

Now.

The Good Shepard (2006)

There's a lot to like in Robert DeNiro's ambitious sophomore directorial effort.

The film features solid acting, strong, confident direction, and impressive production design.

But in the end, the story in The Good Shepard, perhaps feels too distant, and too cold for an audience to fully embrace.

What we are left with is a piece of impressive looking art, but unfortunately nothing emotionally involving or moving to make it remarkable.

The film attempts to tell the story of the birth of the Central Intelligence Agency through the eyes of Edward Wilson. Who according to IMDB is probably based on the life of James Jesus Angleton, the head of counterintelligence at the C.I.A.

The film traces his journey from his humble beginnings as a poetry student at Yale, through his initiation into the Skull and Bones secret society. Which then puts him on the path towards foreign intelligence gathering during World War II.

The story then shifts to the rise of the Agency during the cold war, and all the way through the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in Cuba.

If that's not enough, in between all that, the film also attempts to show the strain, and devastating effects that this lifestyle has on Edward's personal, and family life.

Ambitious.

It's a lot on DeNiro's plate, and he almost pulls it off.

Almost.

But it's just too much.

Even for a 2 and a half hour movie.

Any one of the multiple issues, and events tackled in the film can be a whole movie in itself.

The story to me feels like it wants to be a twelve episode H.B.O. television series.

It's just too much, too quickly,for me the film ends up feeling like a cliff notes history lesson.

But at times Eric Roth's script really hits the right notes, and DeNiro's direction almost pulls it all off. He directs with a confidence, and artistry which is admirable.

Specifically.....the spy stuff is really cool.

The code names, the secrecy, the training, the intelligence gathering, the back door deals, and the torture methods employed by the agency, that's all cool to watch.

What's great about the film is that DeNiro doesn't bother telling the movie in a conventional manner. He uses flashbacks, a huge cast of characters, and time jumps throughout the film to assemble parts of Edward's life much like a fascinating jigsaw puzzle.

What's also interesting is that there doesn't seem to be a political agenda for the film. Which is unusual considering the material.

DeNiro seems content with just telling a story.

Actually there seems to be no conventional antagonist in the film. Just situations that characters respond to differently, sometimes in negative or what some would consider evil ways.

Perhaps the strongest political statement in the film is how ridiculous the Skull and Bones society is. It's obvious that the filmmakers have a disdain for the initiation rituals and unusual camaraderie of the group. Several jokes by Angelina Jolie's character really drive that point in.

But overall, the film makes no judgements.

I guess one can look at that as a negative for the film. It's not a text book conventional well-made film. But I found it refreshing that he treated the audience in this manner.

It's mature and demanding material that is treated with thought, and consideration rather than conventions.

In a way, this way of storytelling justifies how a simple person can get swept up and caught in this sort of living.

My problems with the film arise with the examination of Edward's family life.

If one is looking for a marker, for me the film takes a down turn with the arrival of Angelina Jolie's character.

Not that she's bad in the film.

She's actually pretty good. But for me the character's storyline is not really effective.

To begin with, the character of Edward is cold, and distant.

He's not affable, or even very sympathetic, and the audience seems to accept him that way.

But when the characters of Edward's wife, and family are thrown into the story. We are expected to sympathize with his struggles, and the plight of the family.

It just doesn't happen.

The truth is it's hard to sympathize with someone who chooses this life path. I mean what do they think they are signing up for when they choose this profession? Fun and parties?

The title of the film in itself implies that the lifestyle of a C.I.A. agent is one of self sacrifice.

So it feels forced and melodramatic to the story to try, and build sympathy for the characters in this way.

It almost feels like Eric Roth and DeNiro were well aware that the story is not emotionally involving. So they attempted to compensate by showing us Edward's family life.

To try and reel us in.

It's obvious that the story needed an emotional hook. But for me, I would've liked to see them try, and find a different way.

A family neglected, and destroyed by a man's extraordinary profession is not exactly original stuff.

It's material that we've seen before, and done better in movies like Donnie Brasco, the Godfather, Goodfellas, and countless other films.

As far as performances, everyone involved is on their "A" game.

Damon is effective in a restrained performance. William Hurt, Alec Baldwin, Billy Crudup, and Michael Gambon turn in their usual complex and multi-dimensional performances.

But for my money the most memorable character, and performance is John Turturro's Ray Brocco who is Damon's hard nosed and loyal assistant. He's strong willed, effective and willing to do the dirty work in order to help Damon's character achieve his goals.

It seems in order to become a successful and powerful person, there is always a pit bull like this in one's corner to do the dirty work.

It's a wonderful character, one could almost do a whole movie just on this character.

But a lot of the movie feels that way. It's a fascinating and intriguing world we're watching in the film.

I just wish that they could have found that one emotional hook to tie it all together.