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| Movie Review: Inside Man Alternate Title: Diamonds are Forever
Story: Director Spike
Lee goes to Hollywood. His latest film displays all of the
behind the camera wisdom he has developed over the years without much
of his usual style and over the top message. This time out we get the standard brazen daylight
bank heist perpetrated by a mysterious and brilliant bank robber. The
movie has hostages, dark secrets, street smart cops, a cagey powerful
woman and a load of New York characters. I was thoroughly entertained.
It is a New York story and has Spike Lee's signature including racial
profiling, attitude and spunk. The story is presented in a non-linear
fashion which adds to its edginess. Yes, there are some plot holes and it could have
used some editing but if you want an early Spring break and two hours
of entertainment check out this film and fine cast. Acting: Whoever decided to have eye candy Clive
Owen's face covered for most of the film should never work
again. Mr. Owen is always good and makes a perfect bank robber with
a conscience. Denzel Washington as the NY cop is very
comfortable in this role and it worked well. Chiwetel Ejiofor,
Christopher Plummer and Willem Defoe played
their roles perfectly. Jodie Foster's character did
not work as well for me as the others. I found her the scariest character
of all.
Predilection: I like capers, Spike Lee, Clive Owen
and movies filmed in NYC.
Critters: 0
Food: Pizza
Blatant Product Placement: So many products so little
space. To name a few: Apple, Chevrolet, GMC trucks, Cartier and Poland
Spring Water.
Soundtrack: Hip Hoppity cool.
Opening Titles: A clean fast opening to get you right
into the story.
Visual Art: New York always looks good.
Theater Audience: A very mixed crowd.
Drift Factor: There was some redundancy in the middle
and I drifted a bit.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Nit Picking: Some editing required.
Big Screen or Rental: Either would be fine. For some
other Spike Lee films try renting: 25th Hour, The Original Kings
of Comedy, Summer of Sam, He Got Game, 4 Little Girls, Get on the Bus,
Crooklyn, Malcolm X, Jungle Fever, Mo' Better Blues, Do the Right Thing,
School Daze and She's Gotta Have It
Length: Under two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 7
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