Movie Review: "Unstoppable"

This action thriller was released last week and is now showing at several theaters in town. Denzel Washington plays an almost over-the-hill train conductor who nurse mades “newbie” Chris Pine on a roller coaster of a train ride across Pennsylvania. A half-mile-long unmanned freight train races across the countryside, heading for a potential collision with a train filled with school children and a large city. A news helicopter provides live feeds for audience- reminiscent of “Blackhawk Down.” Denzel Washington portrayal of a wizened middle age blue collar worker is excellent. The interaction and relational development between him and his apprentice in the train engine makes the movie. The ending is, as expected, sappy. The movie is of appropriate length. It is suspenseful, but not over the top.

Movie Review: "RED"

This action movie is based on a DC comic novel. An all star cast portrays a group of retired CIA operatives who are living in cognito. For unknown reasons, the entire group of retirees are targeted for assassination by the CIA. The plot is fairly sophisticated. The acting is superb. It is a delightfully funny action movie. The movie stars Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman and a cameo appearance by Richard Dreyfus.