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Knight and Day (2010) Mangold
Is it just my imagination or is that a freakishly bad poster?
The trailer promised a great popcorn movie and I think it delivers on the action, the romance, the thrills and spills. Although I doubt if you'll remember any of it the next day or night.
The upside? Clever construction of the plot points. Since June Havens (Cameron Diaz) is kind of a neophyte, things have to be explained to her. But because they took the time to belabour the point; they've become obvious and when they're revisited later in the movie with a slight spin, there's a nice sense of delight.
There's a nice scene at the Airport of Roy Miller (Cruise) searching for his unknowing accomplice. A gorgeous blond rides up the escalator, but she's a little too poised and confident, She's seen several mega-watt smiles in her lifetime---She's been to the rodeo before. Actual seduction would have to be involved, which Miller doesn't have the time. A couple of moments later, Havens enters the airport, a little late and flustered. Miller reads her correctly, he even manages to make her feel more awkward by pointing out she's got a smudge on her forehead after he bumps into her.
Also, during a moment of honest small talk, Miller goes down his list of the top moments he's never had in his life, which strangely foreshadows the exotic adventure about to befall them. Very judicious product placement. (the city fathers of Pamplona should be doing cartwheels.) A nice Macguffin: a double A battery, capable of powering up a small city, cleanly and eternally. The slightly autistic man boy inventor, extremely prideful about his wispy goatee. The "risky business" visual quote.
The downside? The cartoon villains, no one really separates from the pack, it's more about maintaining wall to wall close up's of Diaz and Cruise. Although Miller's nemesis accurately reads him, and sends Julie after him, knowing full well, he'll do the right thing, which in the end, may slow Miller down enough just long enough for him to take that fatal head shot. Diaz is always a hard sell for me and in ever role she has to convince me. Fine, I'll give her a pass for this role. Also, in the shirtless shots, Mangold correctly shots him from side, with a twist; however later in the film. he comes out of the water straight on, for a second, this reminds us Cruise will be celebrating his pudgy 50th birthday rather soon.
Knight and Day ~ 7/10
Is it just my imagination or is that a freakishly bad poster?
The trailer promised a great popcorn movie and I think it delivers on the action, the romance, the thrills and spills. Although I doubt if you'll remember any of it the next day or night.
The upside? Clever construction of the plot points. Since June Havens (Cameron Diaz) is kind of a neophyte, things have to be explained to her. But because they took the time to belabour the point; they've become obvious and when they're revisited later in the movie with a slight spin, there's a nice sense of delight.
There's a nice scene at the Airport of Roy Miller (Cruise) searching for his unknowing accomplice. A gorgeous blond rides up the escalator, but she's a little too poised and confident, She's seen several mega-watt smiles in her lifetime---She's been to the rodeo before. Actual seduction would have to be involved, which Miller doesn't have the time. A couple of moments later, Havens enters the airport, a little late and flustered. Miller reads her correctly, he even manages to make her feel more awkward by pointing out she's got a smudge on her forehead after he bumps into her.
Also, during a moment of honest small talk, Miller goes down his list of the top moments he's never had in his life, which strangely foreshadows the exotic adventure about to befall them. Very judicious product placement. (the city fathers of Pamplona should be doing cartwheels.) A nice Macguffin: a double A battery, capable of powering up a small city, cleanly and eternally. The slightly autistic man boy inventor, extremely prideful about his wispy goatee. The "risky business" visual quote.
The downside? The cartoon villains, no one really separates from the pack, it's more about maintaining wall to wall close up's of Diaz and Cruise. Although Miller's nemesis accurately reads him, and sends Julie after him, knowing full well, he'll do the right thing, which in the end, may slow Miller down enough just long enough for him to take that fatal head shot. Diaz is always a hard sell for me and in ever role she has to convince me. Fine, I'll give her a pass for this role. Also, in the shirtless shots, Mangold correctly shots him from side, with a twist; however later in the film. he comes out of the water straight on, for a second, this reminds us Cruise will be celebrating his pudgy 50th birthday rather soon.
Knight and Day ~ 7/10