Primer (2004)

Primer (R) - Review

"See Jack Time Travel"

When the lack of audible audio in your film contributes to the palpable tension already causing your viewers to shred their fingernails you have the paradox that is Primer.  When a garage startup of engineers stumble upon the confusing probability of time travel, they quickly begin to self implode as the crisscrossing timelines and power plays lead to stress induced head aches for the home viewer.  Complicated doesn't begin to explain the plot that is purposely left vague by the filmmakers to not only lead to audience self-discovery but to plug holes left by its enormously small budget.  You certainly won't be "talked down to" by the filmmakers, in fact many will feel like they've missed the conversation entirely!  You have to strive to understand what is happening just as your ears have to strain to hear what is being said, leading to a movie that is equally frustrating as it is satisfying when you feel you "get it", even if its a couple days after viewin. This is a daunting math problem of a film that has achieved a deeply cult status through an understanding that something can be more than the sum of it's parts, especially when there are unknown variables involved.

6 Menacing Storage Units out of 10 (GOOD)

Man On Fire (2004)

Man On Fire (R) - Review

"Stop Drop and Roll"

Tony Scott's unique blend of daring visuals and over daring editing is showcased here perfectly.  Denzel Washington is a gun for hire, an ExCIA op looking for a merc job.  He's lead to a job in Mexico City by Christopher Walken to protect a family, but when the daughter gets kidnapped doped up Denzel ups the ante and stops at nothing to get her back.  Precursor to Taken, the blur of jump edits and violence nauseated most viewers at the time but if you like your films with a sharp dark edge this might be worth your while.

5.5 Cool Guys Don't Look at Explosions out of 10 (MEDIOCRE)