7/50x2: Smokin' Aces

I first wanted to see this film when it was in theaters. There was just something about the trailer that drew me in, perhaps it was that it starred a bunch of well-known actors, or because it looked like an action film on steroids. Either way, I wasn't able to check it out in the theaters. Then, I waited patiently for it to come via Netflix - and the disc wouldn't play in my player.

So, almost five years later I finally got see Smokin' Aces. And although it was a decent flick, it wasn't something I needed to wait five years to see.

Buddy 'Aces' Israel (Jeremy Piven) is a magician in Vegas, but also has his webs inside the mob somehow - which has made him filthy rich.

Well, in order to save his own ass he has agreed to turn over evidence against the mob - which makes him the No. 1 target for Primo Sparazza - so the FBI, believing Sparazza will go after Israel - use him to bring the entire operation down.

But, there is a huge hit out on Israel and every hit man (and woman) in the Vegas area are out to collect on the hit and take down Israel.

So, here is a bit of a rundown of those targeting Israel. Lazlo Soot (Tommy Flanagan), a master of disguise. Sharice Watters (Taraji P. Henson) and Georgia Sykes (Alicia Keys), a team of hitwomen, Pasquale Acosta (Nestor Carbonell) a torture expert, and the Tremor brothers, Darwin (Chris Pine), Jeeves (Kevin Durand) and Lester (Maury Sterling).

Oh, and a trio of bail bondsman, Jack (Ben Affleck), Pete (Peter Berg) and Hollis (Martin Henderson), who have been hired to bring Israel back into custody.

And finally, he is being protected by the FBI team of Stanley Locke (Andy Garcia), Richard (Ryan Reynolds) and Donald (Ray Liotta).

Talk about a bunch of heavy-hitters. And not to ruin anything, but a lot of the names above have a brief cameo or very little screen time at all.

The best part of this film has to be the Tremor brothers. They are insane and truly funny. Plus, I liked the relationship between Reynolds and Liotta, very father, son like.

There was at on of action, which I liked - but it wasn't an amazing film. It was just a decent, fun watch.

Grade:

39/50: Robin Hood

I don't know the true/main story of the original Robin Hood. My memories of Robin Hood stem from Disney's version and Kevin Costner's Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. I guess you can also toss in Robin Hood: Men in Tights.

So, when I watched the Russell Crowe version of Robin Hood I was immediately confused. Isn't the Sheriff of Nottingham supposed to be the bad guy? Well, according to the Prince of Thieves he is. Or, was it Prince John?

In this version it appears to be France that

is the enemy. Until we get to the end, but I am getting ahead of myself.

So, Crowe stars as Robin Longstride, and fights in the Crusades with a man called Robert Loxley. Longstride along with a trio of others, Will Scarlett (Scott Grimes), Little John (Kevin Durand) and Allan A'Dayle (Alan Doyle) return to England to notify Loxley of his son's death and Robin is asked to pretend that he is in fact Loxley returned from the war - and also take care of Loxley's girlfriend, Lady Marian (Cate Blanchett). Did you get all of that? I know it's confusing.

Anyway, in my opinion this film was setup as the beginning of a series of films. The ending, after Robin helps defeat the French, Prince John burns the treaty that was drawn up to relieve taxes against the commoners. He also declares that Robin is an outlaw.

Here is where the film, or next film, should start up. This is the setup we needed to begin where everything belongs. Robin is an outlaw. Prince John is the villain.

But, we will probably not get another film because this one was mediocre in its reception. Too bad because I feel they were setting up for something that could be fun. I have said before I am not a Crowe fan, but I handled him here. I am a fan of Durand, Grimes and Mark Addy (who played Friar Tuck), however, so I would have liked to have seen what happened next.

So, my grade reflects this particular film, not how good I feel the future films could have been.

Grade: