Movie Review Black Los Angeles

BlackNLA Movie Reviews

*****THE REEL DEAL: Reviewz from the Street*****

by Edwardo Jackson

BIASES: late 20s black male; frustrated screenwriter who favors action, comedy, and glossy, big budget movies over indie flicks, kiddie flicks, and weepy Merchant Ivory fare

THE SENTINEL (PG-13)

MOVIE BIASES: It's Jack Bauer - on the big screen!

MAJOR PLAYERS: Michael Douglas (Basic Instinct), Kiefer Sutherland (TV's "24"), Eva Longoria (TV's "Desperate Housewives"), Kim Basinger (L.A. Confidential), and director Clark Johnson (S.W.A.T.)

I am a "24" junkie. Even though I'm an unpaid TiVo ambassador, Monday nights are appointment TV so I can get online Tuesday mornings and natter away about the latest unbelievable twists and turns in Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer's terror-filled life. Even though the trailers prominently feature Kiefer doing his Jack routine ("shouting and hard whispering" as a friend of mine calls it) for "The Sentinel," I'm pre-sold on most political action thrillers (see my general biases, above). Is "The Sentinel" merely Jack on big screen crack? Turns out it's a highly entertaining exercise in a well-worn genre that is far more than just its second-billed star.

Having taken a bullet for President Reagan, Pete Garrison (Douglas) is a Secret Service legend. But when information leaks out about a potential mole in the Service with a paper trail that leads squarely to him, Garrison goes on the lam. Of course, he's hunted by former best friend and Secret Service pupil David Breckinridge (Sutherland) and his rookie "recruiting poster" of a partner Jill Marin (Longoria).
Breckinridge struggles to stay just two steps behind his master-of-the-profession mentor, who is bent on finding out who's the mole planning the assassination of the President (David Rasche).

A very competent, stylishly executed thriller, "The Sentinel" boasts a sophisticated George Nolfi (the underrated "Ocean's Twelve") script and strong, inventive direction by actor/helmer Clark Johnson. The script is flawless for the political action thriller genre through two acts, full of breathtaking details and tricks of the trade that serve
as a backdrop for the complicated, flawed emotional histories of the main characters. Johnson offers very, very slick, engaging direction, highlighted by tense, yellow-tinted inserts of death threats with audible terrorist-like chatter. The production's only flaw - and it's a biggie - is that the Secret Service mole is painfully obvious early on, due to sloppy editing and a tad too overt direction. It's such a
non-surprise when the mole's identity is revealed in the third act that even Annoying Loud Talking Man in the row behind me called out the traitor in the first act.

Like all of the technical credits, the supporting cast is just fine. Eva Longoria doesn't have much to do but acquits herself well as, undoubtedly, the hottest agent in the history of the Secret Service. Kim Basinger, elegantly styled and costumed like a throwback '50s Barbie doll, continues to age like fine wine as First Lady Sarah Ballentine. Director Clark Johnson, a part-time actor these days, inserts himself in a small but key role to get the whole conspiracy started.

So how does Kiefer do? Kiefer does Kiefer: hard-whispering, order-barking, Jack Bauering his way to success - not that there's anything wrong with that. His David Breckinridge is a dour, procedural know-it-all who scowls his way through much of the movie very Baueresque, mostly from his strained relationship with superior/former best friend Pete Garrison.

Although the adroit marketing for this movie has played up Sutherland (and wisely so) - who's still hot as a gas stove in Hell from this season of "24" - this is, first and foremost, a Michael Douglas movie (Very interesting aside: Douglas exec produced this film under his Furthur Films banner, which means he would have had to approve the direction of the general marketing of this film. Surprisingly humble - and smart - for an established, above-the-title star to capitalize on a co-star's presently high Q rating by pulling a virtual advertising bait and switch to lure in moviegoers). Douglas still has it - that steely eyed determination, shipping box-square jaw, and nefarious hint of bad boy in him - which makes him an intriguing onscreen presence and hero. His verbal tete-a-tetes with Sutherland are electric: two powerhouse screen personalities going at it like pitbulls in an underground cash money dogfight.

There has never been a traitor in the 141 year history of the Secret Service, a fact I'll be sure to vet with my Secret Service agent cousin the next time I see her (hmm...wonder what she thought of this movie?). For all you "24" junkies out there (and there are at least 12-14 million of you weekly), it would be a high crime to miss out on "The Sentinel" because you think it's just Jack Bauer supersized or are waiting for the inevitable "24" movie that will most likely start filming in '07. For everyone else, if drama is your cinematic crack, be on the look out for "The Sentinel." It's your pusherman.

@@@ REELS
(THREE REELS)
It's pretty hot – go give it a shot.

Like what you read? Agree/disagree with The Reel Deal? Think he's talkin' out his...HUSH YO' MOUF! (I'm only talkin' about The Reel Deal!) Email him at ReelReviewz@aol.com!

Edwardo Jackson is the author of the novels EVER AFTER and NEVA HAFTA, (Villard/Random House), a writer for UrbanFilmPremiere.com, and an LA-based screenwriter. Visit his website at www.edwardojackson.com




			BlackNLA Movie Reviews ***THE REEL DEAL: Reviewz from the Street*** by Edwardo Jackson BIASES: late 20s black male; frustrated screenwriter who favors action, comedy, and glossy, big budget movies over indie flicks, kiddie flicks, and weepy Merchant Ivory fare THE SENTINEL (PG-13) MOVIE BIASES: It's Jack Bauer - on the big screen! MAJOR PLAYERS: Michael Douglas (Basic Instinct), Kiefer Sutherland (TV's "24"), Eva Longoria (TV's "Desperate Housewives"), Kim Basinger (L.A. Confidential), and director Clark Johnson (S.W.A.T.) I am a "24" junkie. Even though I'm an unpaid TiVo ambassador, Monday nights are appointment TV so I can get online Tuesday mornings and natter away about the latest unbelievable twists and turns in Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer's terror-filled life. Even though the trailers prominently feature Kiefer doing his Jack routine ("shouting and hard whispering" as a friend of mine calls it) for "The Sentinel," I'm pre-sold on most political action thrillers (see my general biases, above). Is "The Sentinel" merely Jack on big screen crack? Turns out it's a highly entertaining exercise in a well-worn genre that is far more than just its second-billed star. Having taken a bullet for President Reagan, Pete Garrison (Douglas) is a Secret Service legend. But when information leaks out about a potential mole in the Service with a paper trail that leads squarely to him, Garrison goes on the lam. Of course, he's hunted by former best friend and Secret Service pupil David Breckinridge (Sutherland) and his rookie "recruiting poster" of a partner Jill Marin (Longoria). Breckinridge struggles to stay just two steps behind his master-of-the-profession mentor, who is bent on finding out who's the mole planning the assassination of the President (David Rasche). A very competent, stylishly executed thriller, "The Sentinel" boasts a sophisticated George Nolfi (the underrated "Ocean's Twelve") script and strong, inventive direction by actor/helmer Clark Johnson. The script is flawless for the political action thriller genre through two acts, full of breathtaking details and tricks of the trade that serve as a backdrop for the complicated, flawed emotional histories of the main characters. Johnson offers very, very slick, engaging direction, highlighted by tense, yellow-tinted inserts of death threats with audible terrorist-like chatter. The production's only flaw - and it's a biggie - is that the Secret Service mole is painfully obvious early on, due to sloppy editing and a tad too overt direction. It's such a non-surprise when the mole's identity is revealed in the third act that even Annoying Loud Talking Man in the row behind me called out the traitor in the first act. Like all of the technical credits, the supporting cast is just fine. Eva Longoria doesn't have much to do but acquits herself well as, undoubtedly, the hottest agent in the history of the Secret Service. Kim Basinger, elegantly styled and costumed like a throwback '50s Barbie doll, continues to age like fine wine as First Lady Sarah Ballentine. Director Clark Johnson, a part-time actor these days, inserts himself in a small but key role to get the whole conspiracy started. So how does Kiefer do? Kiefer does Kiefer: hard-whispering, order-barking, Jack Bauering his way to success - not that there's anything wrong with that. His David Breckinridge is a dour, procedural know-it-all who scowls his way through much of the movie very Baueresque, mostly from his strained relationship with superior/former best friend Pete Garrison. Although the adroit marketing for this movie has played up Sutherland (and wisely so) - who's still hot as a gas stove in Hell from this season of "24" - this is, first and foremost, a Michael Douglas movie (Very interesting aside: Douglas exec produced this film under his Furthur Films banner, which means he would have had to approve the direction of the general marketing of this film. Surprisingly humble - and smart - for an established, above-the-title star to capitalize on a co-star's presently high Q rating by pulling a virtual advertising bait and switch to lure in moviegoers). Douglas still has it - that steely eyed determination, shipping box-square jaw, and nefarious hint of bad boy in him - which makes him an intriguing onscreen presence and hero. His verbal tete-a-tetes with Sutherland are electric: two powerhouse screen personalities going at it like pitbulls in an underground cash money dogfight. There has never been a traitor in the 141 year history of the Secret Service, a fact I'll be sure to vet with my Secret Service agent cousin the next time I see her (hmm...wonder what she thought of this movie?). For all you "24" junkies out there (and there are at least 12-14 million of you weekly), it would be a high crime to miss out on "The Sentinel" because you think it's just Jack Bauer supersized or are waiting for the inevitable "24" movie that will most likely start filming in '07. For everyone else, if drama is your cinematic crack, be on the look out for "The Sentinel." It's your pusherman. @@@ REELS (THREE REELS) It's pretty hot – go give it a shot. Like what you read? Agree/disagree with The Reel Deal? Think he's talkin' out his...HUSH YO' MOUF! (I'm only talkin' about The Reel Deal!) Email him at ReelReviewz@aol.com! Edwardo Jackson is the author of the novels EVER AFTER and NEVA HAFTA, (Villard/Random House), a writer for UrbanFilmPremiere.com, and an LA-based screenwriter. Visit his website at www.edwardojackson.com © 2004, Edwardo Jackson