Flight

Denzel Washington in “Flight.”

“Flight” stars Denzel Washington as Whip Whitaker, an airline pilot with drug and alcohol addictions.  The film is insightful, honest and thoughtful with characters that are complex and who earn our empathy.  While, at points, the film, in lesser hands than those of director Robert Zemeckis, could have become heavy handed and preachy, it never does.

“Flight” has a very fine supporting cast which includes Don Cheadle, John Goodman, Bruce Greenwood, Kelly Reilly and Tamara Tunie.  I especially like Cheadle.  Whenever he is in a film I know that I am in good hands. 

“Safe House” Arrives on Home Video

Ryan Reynolds and Denzel Washington in “Safe House,” now on DVD.

“Safe House,” starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds, will begin clogging the home video pipelines starting today, June 5, 2012.  My main concern with this unimpressive and disorienting film is the director’s (Daniel Espinosa) complete and total inability and/or refusal to tell the story coherently.  More and more it seems multiplex type fare consists of movies that do not make sense…and then they come to home video.  The makers of these films seem to think that as long as their movies are busy enough there is no need to convey a clear narrative .  “Safe House” is a case in point.

Safe House

Ryan Reynolds (left) and Denzel Washington in "Safe House."

I have a number of issues with the new movie “Safe House,” starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds.  My main concern is the director’s (Daniel Espinosa) inability to tell a story coherently.  I wrote about this issue recently when I discussed the movie “Haywire.”  More and more it seems multi-plex fare consists of movies that do not make sense.  The makers of these films seem to think that as long as their movies are busy enough there is no need to tell a clear story.  “Safe House” is a case in point.