Chicago_Jake

When I first read the blurb for this episode, I thought, oh no, not this tired cliché again. Seems like every drama series has to have ONE episode where the heroes are in a bank and taken as hostages along with all the other innocent bystanders. And then they get to use their special skills to help everyone survive. I call it the "Dog Day Afternoon Cliché." And I nearly skipped the episode because of my expectations. But of course this is Burn Notice, so there has to be a twist: As it turns out, Sam and Michael ARE the hostage takers! Inadvertently, of course, but that's how they have to play it. Way to keep if fresh, guys! Another great must-see episode.

I have only watched the pilot episode so far, and I can't quite decide if it is brilliant or stupid. But as a lifelong Chicagoan, it had me rolling on the floor and laughing my deep-dish ass off. The accents were perfect; the obvious descendants of Bill Swerski's SuperFans. The producers certainly grok the Chicago zeitgeist, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the episodes. If you are from anywhere else? You might find it pretty tedious.

I thoroughly enjoyed this installment of Masters of Horror, and don't have much to add to all of the thoughtful reviews already posted. But I was surprised that nobody has mentioned the ultimate irony presented. A movie based on the the backlashes of animal cruelty and abuse.... starring an actor named Meat Loaf?

Christopher Nolan's "Memento" (Guy Pearce, Joe Pantoliano, Carrie-Anne Moss, Stephen Tobolowsky) is definitely a thinking man's movie. A guy with no short-term memory is trying to solve his wife's murder. But how does he remember the clues he uncovers? By taking copious notes and photos, and tattooing the really important stuff onto his body. In order for the audience to share in his feeling of never knowing what just happened in the recent past, the story is told in reverse; that is, short, five-minute or so chunks of normal time are told in backward order so you only know what IS going on, not what just DID go on a few minutes ago. The gimmick works well and the movie is a lot of fun in an intellectual sort of way. You can search for deeper meanings if you want to (i.e., don't we all just live in the present?) but it's fun if you do or not. Some good unexpected humor, too.

Simon West's "Tomb Raider" (Angelina Jolie, Jon Voight) is a particularly soulless action flick with practically no characters, feelings, humor, or interest, just high-tech special effects. It's like one of those videos they use in high-end stereo stores to show off the resolution of their HDTV sets. The story, such as it is, involves a zillionaire heiress seeking trinkets around the globe to prevent a secret society from taking over the world. An excellent example of how, if you don't care about the characters or their problems, the movie isn't worth much. However, credit where it's due: Angelina has about the poutiest lips ever filmed, bordering on obscene!

Brian G. Hutton's "High Road To China" is a classic example of good old fashioned chemistry. Lost-generation flapper hires boozy WW-I flying ace to help find her father, lost somewhere in China, to avoid losing her inheritance. You just know that they will eventually get together, and plenty of facial expressions and body language promise an ending that eventually delivers. Some great scenery and flying scenes, and burly he-manning from Brian Blessed, keep you in stitches. If this had been filmed in black and white in the 40s, it would have been up there with Casablanca, et al. Lots of low-expectation fun.

Yes, i have to concur with the rest of the reviews here, particularly about the immaculately perfect screenplay and heart tugging soundtrack, along with stylish cinematography and slice-of-life drama that doesn't quit. But let's not forget to mention the poignant counter-points provided by the magnificent Jennifer Tilly, which balances everything else and makes it whole.