MOVIE REVIEWS: ‘Scotland’ is kingly, ‘Because’ is motherly, but ‘Aces’ is just violent
“The Last King of Scotland”
A
An amazing example of how power fosters danger, Kevin Macdonald’s (“Touching the Void”) latest film is full of intensity.
This film was released throughout the United States in October of 2006. It just barely arrived in Logan on Feb. 2, 2007. Thank you, Cache Valley. Just because this film is painfully late in showing here doesn’t mean it isn’t important.
Forest Whitaker (“Panic Room”) has finally elevated to star status as he gives the performance of his career portraying real-life African leader, Idi Amin. Playing an energetic president turned ruthless dictator in Uganda during the 1970s, Whitaker gives an intriguingly layered performance. We are not only shown the wrath and paranoia of one man, but how power and limitless control can contribute to a man’s wrath and paranoia.
Whitaker plays like an eager child who jarringly transforms into a roaring lion, hungry for flesh. Although he is clearly the one to watch in this film, he is not the only one to give an amazing performance.
James McAvoy (“The Chronicles of Narnia”), playing the dictator’s personal physician, shows us the story through his eyes. Seduced by the president’s friendliness and charm, McAvoy’s character gradually evolves from bright idealist to darkened betrayer as he learns his leader’s true agenda. McAvoy brings some much-needed sympathy that balances with Whitaker’s relentless rage.
This film is challenging to watch in some scenes due to the vivid violence, but it provides a moving, frightening adaptation of the Giles Foden novel, reminding us of the darker side of humanity.
“Because I Said So”
B-
There were numerous moments in this film where Diane Keaton (“Something’s Gotta Give”) reminded me of my mom. I haven’t decided yet if that’s a good thing or not.
Keaton plays an overbearing mother who places a dating advertisement online to interview potential suitors for her youngest daughter (Mandy Moore, “American Dreamz”). There are many other ways in which Keaton’s character tries to control the lives of those around her. And that makes this film all the more annoying.
“Because I Said So” has a lot of cheerful energy, most of it coming from Keaton being dramatically scatterbrained and Moore being perkily hopeful. Both of them stumble upon love (as people always do in these films) in their own silly ways as they handle such worrisome girl troubles as laryngitis, broken dinnerware, smothered cake frosting and static cling.
Directed by Michael Lehmann (“40 Days and 40 Nights”), the romantic developments in this film can be seen from afar. And the performances from Keaton and Moore could have been more endearing and believable if they had bridled their girly energy with better control. Instead they end up looking like they’re trying too hard to entertain us. I could almost feel my face aching after watching Moore smile so much.
Both actresses remind us of their maturity in certain scenes, and there are plenty of conversations where speedy, chemistry-laden girl talk abounds (including other family members played by Lauren Graham, “Gilmore Girls” and Piper Perabo, “Coyote Ugly”). But the maturity and realism doesn’t last long enough for us to be touched.
“Smoking Aces”
C-
I wanted to put a bullet through my head after watching this film. So many people get shot to death I thought I would join them and end the madness.
The story provides an exciting premise. Buddy ‘Aces’ Israel (Jeremy Piven, “Entourage”), a famous Las Vegas performer and mobster, is planning to testify against the mob and end his life of crime.
He soon becomes a million-dollar target in the crime underworld as his former colleagues reel in various murderers to take him out, hopefully before the FBI catches up.
A handful of professional assassins, including Tommy Flanagan (“Sin City”) and R&B singer Alicia Keys, compete to see who can kill Aces first while the FBI agents (Ryan Reynolds, “Just Friends” and Ray Liotta, “Identity”) try to bring him into custody unharmed. Does this sound like a lot for one film? Believe me, it is.
The story becomes so convoluted and the gratuitous violence is poured on so thick that I didn’t even care about what happened in the end. Complicating the story doesn’t make it smart, and watching people get shot, chain-sawed and stabbed to death doesn’t make it cool.
It’s deliciously intense in some moments, but “Smokin’ Aces” ultimately dies from its own overdose.
Casey T. Allen is the film critic for The Utah Statesman. Comments and suggestions can be sent to him a caseyal@cc.usu.edu.