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SpencerHill
Reviews
The Brave One (2007)
Back to the basics for "The Brave One"
Another re-surge of genre movies to energize the popular "revenge flick" that is already on the big screen. I had seen 3 movies this month in Philadelphia with regular white people becoming vigilantes. James Wan's revenge drama "Death Sentence" with Kevin Bacon was dumb but highly stylized with new tech marvelous camera tricks (but failed as a likable vigilante flick). The other was a small indie by John Hunt called "Jersey Justice" with Blanche Baker (16 Candles) as a 'soccer mom' with a shotgun going bonkers for bikers who killed her husband (a very funny send-up of 70's movies).
Now comes the biggest one of them all, "The Brave One" starring Oscar star Jodie Foster (under the direction of Neil 'Crying Game' Jordan)in a really smart movie that is as conventional as it has to be. Predictable to the last shot, I will say that this movie hits the mark and will have everybody talking. Why...because it's very good, and Jodie Foster is unforgettable as a radio liberal host that sees the light after the death of her beloved doctor/lover. Jordan is going old school for the look and camera-work (much like Taxi Driver) and good supporting actors. Terrence Howard is the good cop who befriends Jodies character.
Political subtext to the plot as a post 9/11 NYC is all over it (as in "Jersey Justice")and the production is slick and well done. Of the 3 movies, I think "The Brave One" has the best work, "Jersey Justice" for it's funny edge, and "Death Sentence" for it's blood and guts (in that order).
Jersey Justice (2014)
Guns and Fun!!!
A first time for me, seeing an indie movie in a café in Doylestown called PUCK LIVE on a nice Sunday afternoon. "Jersey Justice" is a smart and fast low budget digi-film with a good plot. Soccer mom with a shotgun hunts down bad people (mob, bikers, trailer trash chicks)while the cops and FBI scratch their heads. Not to take a movie about a vigilante middle aged woman too seriously, John Hunt's little movie has all the fun of those old time drive-in grinders that would have starred Jan Michael Vincent or Bo Svenson (who pops up in this flick...nice touch).
Not as uber-cool as Abel Ferrera'a urban classic "Ms. 45" (which is one of the greatest NYC nightmare movies)or even "Death Wish". The best part of watching "Jersey Justice" is it's wink and nod to those films with respect. The real reason I liked this movie is the actors were doing such a good job. Blanche Baker goes all out to make us like her, and it works. She works hard to get laughs in the moments we can laugh along with pathos in the ugly sequences. The support actors range from perfect (Ed McCool and Jerry Lyden made me laugh) to serviceable (Big Bo Svenson in a few scenes, lesser know locals). The café setting was fun (beers with a movie rule). John Hunt talked up after the show and thanked his crew and the stars for a game effort. A lot of talent from humble movie people.