Bruce Willis and Mos Def in "Sixteen Blocks"
courtesy of  Warner Home Video
"A Block At A Time"

Bruce Willis is still one of the screen's most dynamic leading men, and when he makes an action flick like "16 Blocks" it is fun time at the movies. This film didn't find its audience when it played in theaters but now on DVD it stands a chance of meeting its potential.

The film casts Willis as a broken down detective, still on the job but not in good shape emotionally or physically. He is basically just letting the days run out until he can retire. One day he gets assigned the task of transporting a witness (Mos Def) the sixteen blocks to the courthouse where he is going to testify.

This sounds easy but Willis isn't aware someone (David Morse) in the police department doesn't want him to testify. Once Willis and Mos Def are on their way the plan kicks in to prevent them from getting to their destination. Sixteen blocks seems like a short distance but in this film it is from here to eternity.

Willis is great in his role and he gets terrific support from Mos Def. These two are a potent one-two punch. Morse is also good as the villain. He is really creepy in an understated kind of way, and that is just what the movie needs.

So make sure you watch "16 Blocks." It isn't "Die Hard" but it comes close. The always watchable Willis is up to his old tricks and charms.

Val Kilmer and Robert Downey, Jr show their charms in the film "Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang." Downey is a petty crook who stumbles into an audition for a detective role in a film. Now the crook ends up paying a member of law enforcement and things really get confused. He has a gay detective (Kilmer) who is coaching him for the role and they find themselves ultimately involved in a real crime.

Lest you think this is an all guy film, let me quickly mention Michelle Monaghan also stars. She is the woman who played Tom Cruise's fiancée' in "Mission Impossible 3." She joins in the fun of this film and creates a trio of enjoyment for viewers.

Shane Black who has directed movies such as "Lethal Weapon" and "The Last Action Hero" parodies those movies with this one. He has the cast, the story, and the right plot to make this a movie to be looked at and laughed at. It is "Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang."

Three women come up with a contest between them to prove that all men are dogs. The guy they choose to play the game with them (supposedly unknown to him) ends up falling hard for one of the girls. That makes all sorts of complications in the movie "Getting Played."

Viveca A Fox, Carmen Electra and Stacie Dash play the women and Bill Bellamy is the guy. Kathy Najimy is also in the cast to add to the enjoyment. You will have a great time with the romance and the comedy in this movie about "who's playing who."

Another kind of contest comes into play in the DVD "Face the Music." A musician fakes his own death in order to get publicity for his band. Tyler Christopher, who is in the cast of "General Hospital," plays the musician who meets an "early demise." But of course playing dead and staying dead make things complicated. Especially when a beautiful woman gets involved.

Elena Lyons, Ted McGinley and Gloria Leroy are also in the cast of this crazy movie. It all seems too silly to be fun but some of the performances are okay. Nobody's career however is going to be moved forward by being in this film.

 

 

 

 

 

©2006 Jackie K. Cooper

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