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'Transsiberian' a first-class thriller
By: Keith Cohen, The Movie Guy
TRAITOR
2 and a half stars, Rated PG-13
Kansas City native Don Cheadle (“Hotel Rwanda” and “Crash”) stars in this espionage thriller conceived by comedian Steve Martin.
Cheadle plays Samir Horn, a former special operations officer in the U.S. Army who trained Afghan rebels. He was born in Sudan and grew up in Chicago after witnessing his Muslim father’s death in a car bombing. He now poses as an independent arms dealer and explosives expert. He navigates a thin line between guilt and innocence as he becomes the prime suspect involved with a deadly terrorist cell.
Guy Pearce (“Memento” and “L.A. Confidential”) co-stars as Roy Clayton, a straight arrow FBI agent heading up the investigation into a dangerous international conspiracy.
The globetrotting action begins with a prison in Yemen and ends with a daring plan involving suicide bombers riding buses across the heartland of America. The movie makes stops along the way in France, Spain, England, Canada and the U.S. cities of Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
The movie frequently cites passages from the Koran and delves into Muslim philosophy regarding the use of violence.
Samir develops a brotherly friendship with Omar (Said Taghmaoui from “Vantage Point” and “The Kite Runner”). They enjoy playing chess. They have in common their devout religious backgrounds and being fellow thinkers always anticipating their opponent’s next move.
The suspense escalates as Samir tries to elude detection and stay one step ahead of his pursuers. The movie plays its hand too early as to where Samir’s true allegiance lies, but it offers several nice twists that put things in doubt.
Cheadle is at the top of his game with a brilliant performance. He carries this picture on his broad shoulders. Taghmaoui is impressive in a supporting turn. He gains your sympathy for his blind obedience to a cause. You gain a perspective on the terrorist’s point of view.
The scary thing about the threats that put our national security at risk is how well these enemy operatives blend in to their surroundings.
Some of the dialogue is in Arabic with English subtitles.
The camera captures some unique angles. An intelligent script and superb acting make up for some tedious filler in a bloated middle. Other recognizable faces in the cast include Jeff Daniels (“The Squid and the Whale” and “The Purple Rose of Cairo”) and Neal McDonough (“Band of Brothers” and “Flags of our Fathers”).
TRANSSIBERIAN
3 stars, Rated R
Writer-director Brad Anderson (“The Machinist”) delivers a first-class thriller that Alfred Hitchcock would be proud of. The title refers to the legendary express train that links the Far East and Europe. The screenplay was inspired by Anderson’s own trip to Eastern Asia.
Woody Harrelson plays Roy, a conservative bespectacled hardware store owner from Iowa who has a model train set in his basement. His wife, Jessie (Emily Mortimer who looks like a young Demi Moore), dabbles in photography as a hobby. She had a sordid past before she met Roy. She is restless by nature. Jessie is not ready to start having a family, but Roy wants nature to take its course. They decide to take an adventurous trip to work out their marital difficulties.
After spending two weeks in China on a church-sponsored goodwill mission aiding children, they choose a more leisurely six-day train ride from Beijing to Moscow rather than a speedy airplane flight. They violate the cardinal rules of travel (talking to strangers and leaving your luggage unattended), which lead to deadly consequences. They get more than they bargained for and get caught up in a web of suspense and intrigue.
They bond with a mysterious couple and encounter a Russian detective in the narcotics bureau (Ben Kingsley in a pivotal supporting role). There are shades of “Psycho” and “The Birds” as Anderson turns up the heat against a wintry Siberian backdrop with his adept handling of visceral fear.
Mortimer gives a terrific performance as the frightened damsel in distress whose fear drives her to act irrationally. She is in possession of two secrets with no place to hide on a speeding locomotive.
The only light touch is the familiar American pop tunes piped into the speakers of each berth by the train’s antiquated intercom system. The sound effects featuring a wide variety of train noises add greatly to the vicarious experience.
There are unexpected twists and turns around each bend of the tracks. This is the train ride from hell that you will never forget. All aboard!
Some dialogue is in Russian with English subtitles. Opening exclusively at the Tivoli in Westport.
MAMMA MIA: THE SING-ALONG EDITION
3 and a half stars, Rated PG-13
There is nothing better than taking another bite out of a delicious apple. A similar entertaining treat is to revisit this worldwide smash hit musical classic.
The audience turns into a collective chorus of karaoke singers as the lyrics appear in large blue letters that turn honey gold at the bottom of the screen. You can even dance and jive in the aisles to the tunes of iconic Swedish quartet ABBA.
The uplifting euphoria of group dynamics is a sensory experience that is impossible to duplicate. You will even feel like an integral part of the cast this time around.
The familiar favorite songs that you can clap and sing along to include “Dancing Quee,” “S.O.S.,” “Money, Money, Money,” “Take a Chance on Me” and “Lay All Your Love on Me.”
The “Mamma Mia” soundtrack is currently residing at No. 1 on “Billboard’s” Top 200 album chart.
The simple story revolves around a wedding on a remote Greek island. Sophie (Amanda Seyfried from “Mean Girls” and HBO’s “Big Love”), age 20, has been raised by her single mother Donna (Meryl Streep). Sophie wants her biological dad to walk her down the aisle when she marries Sky (Dominic Cooper). After reading her mother’s diary, Sophie sends wedding invitations to Sam (Pierce Brosnan), Harry (Colin Firth) and Bill (Stellan Skarsgard). All three men had summer flings with Donna.
Donna had a hippy lifestyle before she became pregnant. She would sleep all day and party all night. She played the guitar and was the lead singer in the female rock band Donna and the Dynamos. Donna’s band mates and best gal pals are Rosie (Julie Walters best known as Mrs. Weasley from the “Harry Potter” movies) and Tanya (Christine Baranski). All three possible fathers and the two women confidantes arrive the day before the nuptials.
This guilty pleasure is the feel-good movie of the summer. The screenplay does a masterful job of incorporating these tremendous, upbeat, toe-tapping tunes into the story. The production numbers feature impeccably -timed choreography, glitzy costumes and effective usage of props.
The movie has a light and frothy tone. It proceeds at a quick pace. Streep is fabulous in the lead role. Her amazing versatility proves why she deserves recognition as one of America’s greatest actresses. She holds the record for most Oscar nominations at 15. Walters is hysterically funny and steals every scene she appears in. Streep and Seyfried were perfectly cast as mother and daughter. They have an uncanny similarity in looks, personality and physical mannerisms.
The luscious scenery is a feast for the eyes. The enthusiastic and energetic vibes will put you in a festive mood. The razzle dazzle on display will make you laugh so hard that it may also bring tears of joy. The movie has a surprise ending. Be sure to stay for the entertaining cabaret encore that plays over the end credits.
The special sing-along edition is now playing exclusively in Johnson County at AMC Town Center 20 in Leawood.
Top 5 Flick Picks
Mamma Mia: The Sing-Along Edition
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Transsiberian
Traitor
Elegy
printable version
e-mail this story
2 and a half stars, Rated PG-13
Kansas City native Don Cheadle (“Hotel Rwanda” and “Crash”) stars in this espionage thriller conceived by comedian Steve Martin.
Cheadle plays Samir Horn, a former special operations officer in the U.S. Army who trained Afghan rebels. He was born in Sudan and grew up in Chicago after witnessing his Muslim father’s death in a car bombing. He now poses as an independent arms dealer and explosives expert. He navigates a thin line between guilt and innocence as he becomes the prime suspect involved with a deadly terrorist cell.
Guy Pearce (“Memento” and “L.A. Confidential”) co-stars as Roy Clayton, a straight arrow FBI agent heading up the investigation into a dangerous international conspiracy.
The globetrotting action begins with a prison in Yemen and ends with a daring plan involving suicide bombers riding buses across the heartland of America. The movie makes stops along the way in France, Spain, England, Canada and the U.S. cities of Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
The movie frequently cites passages from the Koran and delves into Muslim philosophy regarding the use of violence.
Samir develops a brotherly friendship with Omar (Said Taghmaoui from “Vantage Point” and “The Kite Runner”). They enjoy playing chess. They have in common their devout religious backgrounds and being fellow thinkers always anticipating their opponent’s next move.
The suspense escalates as Samir tries to elude detection and stay one step ahead of his pursuers. The movie plays its hand too early as to where Samir’s true allegiance lies, but it offers several nice twists that put things in doubt.
Cheadle is at the top of his game with a brilliant performance. He carries this picture on his broad shoulders. Taghmaoui is impressive in a supporting turn. He gains your sympathy for his blind obedience to a cause. You gain a perspective on the terrorist’s point of view.
The scary thing about the threats that put our national security at risk is how well these enemy operatives blend in to their surroundings.
Some of the dialogue is in Arabic with English subtitles.
The camera captures some unique angles. An intelligent script and superb acting make up for some tedious filler in a bloated middle. Other recognizable faces in the cast include Jeff Daniels (“The Squid and the Whale” and “The Purple Rose of Cairo”) and Neal McDonough (“Band of Brothers” and “Flags of our Fathers”).
TRANSSIBERIAN
3 stars, Rated R
Writer-director Brad Anderson (“The Machinist”) delivers a first-class thriller that Alfred Hitchcock would be proud of. The title refers to the legendary express train that links the Far East and Europe. The screenplay was inspired by Anderson’s own trip to Eastern Asia.
Woody Harrelson plays Roy, a conservative bespectacled hardware store owner from Iowa who has a model train set in his basement. His wife, Jessie (Emily Mortimer who looks like a young Demi Moore), dabbles in photography as a hobby. She had a sordid past before she met Roy. She is restless by nature. Jessie is not ready to start having a family, but Roy wants nature to take its course. They decide to take an adventurous trip to work out their marital difficulties.
After spending two weeks in China on a church-sponsored goodwill mission aiding children, they choose a more leisurely six-day train ride from Beijing to Moscow rather than a speedy airplane flight. They violate the cardinal rules of travel (talking to strangers and leaving your luggage unattended), which lead to deadly consequences. They get more than they bargained for and get caught up in a web of suspense and intrigue.
They bond with a mysterious couple and encounter a Russian detective in the narcotics bureau (Ben Kingsley in a pivotal supporting role). There are shades of “Psycho” and “The Birds” as Anderson turns up the heat against a wintry Siberian backdrop with his adept handling of visceral fear.
Mortimer gives a terrific performance as the frightened damsel in distress whose fear drives her to act irrationally. She is in possession of two secrets with no place to hide on a speeding locomotive.
The only light touch is the familiar American pop tunes piped into the speakers of each berth by the train’s antiquated intercom system. The sound effects featuring a wide variety of train noises add greatly to the vicarious experience.
There are unexpected twists and turns around each bend of the tracks. This is the train ride from hell that you will never forget. All aboard!
Some dialogue is in Russian with English subtitles. Opening exclusively at the Tivoli in Westport.
MAMMA MIA: THE SING-ALONG EDITION
3 and a half stars, Rated PG-13
There is nothing better than taking another bite out of a delicious apple. A similar entertaining treat is to revisit this worldwide smash hit musical classic.
The audience turns into a collective chorus of karaoke singers as the lyrics appear in large blue letters that turn honey gold at the bottom of the screen. You can even dance and jive in the aisles to the tunes of iconic Swedish quartet ABBA.
The uplifting euphoria of group dynamics is a sensory experience that is impossible to duplicate. You will even feel like an integral part of the cast this time around.
The familiar favorite songs that you can clap and sing along to include “Dancing Quee,” “S.O.S.,” “Money, Money, Money,” “Take a Chance on Me” and “Lay All Your Love on Me.”
The “Mamma Mia” soundtrack is currently residing at No. 1 on “Billboard’s” Top 200 album chart.
The simple story revolves around a wedding on a remote Greek island. Sophie (Amanda Seyfried from “Mean Girls” and HBO’s “Big Love”), age 20, has been raised by her single mother Donna (Meryl Streep). Sophie wants her biological dad to walk her down the aisle when she marries Sky (Dominic Cooper). After reading her mother’s diary, Sophie sends wedding invitations to Sam (Pierce Brosnan), Harry (Colin Firth) and Bill (Stellan Skarsgard). All three men had summer flings with Donna.
Donna had a hippy lifestyle before she became pregnant. She would sleep all day and party all night. She played the guitar and was the lead singer in the female rock band Donna and the Dynamos. Donna’s band mates and best gal pals are Rosie (Julie Walters best known as Mrs. Weasley from the “Harry Potter” movies) and Tanya (Christine Baranski). All three possible fathers and the two women confidantes arrive the day before the nuptials.
This guilty pleasure is the feel-good movie of the summer. The screenplay does a masterful job of incorporating these tremendous, upbeat, toe-tapping tunes into the story. The production numbers feature impeccably -timed choreography, glitzy costumes and effective usage of props.
The movie has a light and frothy tone. It proceeds at a quick pace. Streep is fabulous in the lead role. Her amazing versatility proves why she deserves recognition as one of America’s greatest actresses. She holds the record for most Oscar nominations at 15. Walters is hysterically funny and steals every scene she appears in. Streep and Seyfried were perfectly cast as mother and daughter. They have an uncanny similarity in looks, personality and physical mannerisms.
The luscious scenery is a feast for the eyes. The enthusiastic and energetic vibes will put you in a festive mood. The razzle dazzle on display will make you laugh so hard that it may also bring tears of joy. The movie has a surprise ending. Be sure to stay for the entertaining cabaret encore that plays over the end credits.
The special sing-along edition is now playing exclusively in Johnson County at AMC Town Center 20 in Leawood.
Top 5 Flick Picks
Mamma Mia: The Sing-Along Edition
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Transsiberian
Traitor
Elegy