"Catch .44" with Bruce Willis and Forest Whitaker (2011)

In this multi-layered thriller by writer/director Aaron Harvey, he heas taken the best parts of “Pulp Fiction”; with its plot twists and shifts in sequence; and blended it with a bit of Guy Ritches’ “Snatch”; and the result is a wild, enjoyable adventure.

Bruce Willis plays “Mel”, who is a crime boss; while Forest Whitaker plays a hit man in his employ, who is masquerading as a police officer named Ronny. The 3 women; Tes, played by  Malin Akerman, and her two cohorts Kara , played by Nikki Reed, and Dawn  played by Deborah Ann Woll, are also involved someway with Mel; just as Forest Whitaker is. The connection is vague; but clearly there. When Mel has the women go on an “assignment” 40 miles out of New Orleans to intercept a drug shipment and the money, something is clearly not adding up. Is it retribution for something they did wrong? Or, is it just an easy score to help them get back in the swing of things?

The film is dealt out in sequences, which all return to the fateful moment at the beginning of the film, keeping you guessing at what the real story is. Violence and “adult” language are dealt out appropriately; though gratuitously; in this film. This movie does not come near the level of violence of Quentin Tarentino’s “Kill Bill” series, which were way beyond belief to me. It also rises to the level of the Guy Ritchie film in that it challenges the viewer to think outside of the box in order to understand the plot. This is not an Agatha Christie “whodunit” by any means.

Bit by bit it becomes apparent that things have been pre-ordained. But for what purpose? And by whom? Can anyone trust the affable Ronny, or is he just another “shil” for the mysterious Mel? And why is Tes the only one spared from the initial carnage? Does Mel have special plans for her?

A fantastic musical score rounds out this colorful and exciting send up of today’s action films a la “Pulp Fiction”, while doing nothing to detract from that movie. Rather, this film may be the most coherent of the genre to date.

"My Own Love Song" with Renee Zellweger, Forest Whitaker and Nick Nolte (2011)

This is a very unusual film which explores the walls and boundaries, largely of our own creation, that divide us, and how we imprison ourselves within those walls. It's also about what it takes to break free of them.

When Jane, a wheelchair bound former country singer, played by Renee Zellweger, receives a letter from her son, whom she gave up as an infant, the only one who can help her in achieving her goal is Joey, played with brilliance by Forest Whitaker. He speaks to angels, and they speak to him. He has been in, and out, of mental hospitals, where he is drugged to the point at which he can no longer feel. He longs for the day when he can live alone again, just as Jane longs to see the son she gave up. With the obstacles facing this unlikely duo, it's a long shot at best that they will achieve their goals.

When Joey has a breakdown and destroys Jane's home, she is furious. When he sneaks back in the middle of the night to clean up the mess, she isn't any happier. But the incident serves as the catalyst for the two to undertake the seemingly impossible journeys, or achieve the seemingly impossible goals which they have set out upon. But through an unusual set of circumstances, and an equally number of unusual people whom they meet along the way, the two "cripples" wind up doing all they set out to do, and more. They learn that everybody, in their own unique way, is crippled, too. And that knowledge frees them from feeling that they are somehow different, or less capable than anyone else.

An outstanding performance by Nick Nolte, as a washed up guitar player, and a soundtrack featuring original music written and performed by Bob Dylan, help to make this is a somewhat "off beat" film. But that's only at first glance. Just scratch the surface and you will see a little bit of yourself somewhere in this film.

Movie Review- Vantage Point with Forest Whitaker, Dennis Quaid and William Hurt

This movie is not unique in it's plot,which involves the assassination of the President of the United States while at a Summit in Spain, the thing that makes this movie different is in the direction. The story is laid out in reverse from about 7 different perspectives. And as each one is revealed you get a little closer to the whole truth.

Very action packed, which is usually not my thing, the movie keeps you looking for that one clue, which you know is there. The direction actually pushes you to try and solve the crime. You feel involved.

An outstanding performance by Forest Whitaker. He plays the roll of the guy who gets it all on film but has no clue as to what he is filming. Nonetheless, what happens to him in the space of less than 20 minutes will change his life and alter his priorities forever.

Great film, a little different for me but glad I watched it.