The Bag Man
Film Review by Kam Williams
Courier Delivers Package for Crime Boss in Multi-Layered Neo-Noir
At first blush, The Bag Man reads a lot like The Transporter, the 2002 action film about a courier hired by a mobster to deliver a mysterious package without opening it. After all, the title character of this adventure has been asked by a crime boss to pick up a bag for him without examining its contents.
However, besides sharing that basic premise, the two pictures don’t have all that much in common. Where The Transporter is a special-effects adventure peppered with car chases and pyrotechnics, The Bag Man is a relatively-cerebral affair, a multi-layered mystery featuring unpredictable twists and turns as a well as a femme fatale with inscrutable intentions.
At the point of departure, we find a powerful gangster named Dragna (Robert De Niro) aboard his private plane where he’s giving very precise instructions to the protagonist. Jack’s (John Cusack) assignment is to take possession of an ostensibly priceless satchel and then wait for Dragna inside Room 13 at a seedy motel located somewhere in the country.
Of course, this proves easier said than done, when a cornucopia of colorful characters commence to covet the very valise he’s been asked to protect. The fun starts when Jack’s shot in the hand by Bishop (Danny Cosmo), the gangster who just handed him the package.
Then, while checking in, he alarms the paraplegic desk clerk (Crispin Glover) by assuming the suspicious name “Smith” and by paying in cash. Next, he has to deal with curious cops who have decided to stake out the premises.
But his biggest challenge of all is presented by Rivka (Rebecca Da Costa), a gorgeous damsel-in-distress on the run from a couple of goons herself. Will the scantily-clad stranger in need of a knight in shining armor be Jack’s undoing?
That’s the burning question for the balance of the madcap, high body-count adventure once the two opt to join forces.
An intriguing enough whodunit to keep you guessing, thanks to a decent script and game performances by De Niro, Cusack and newcomer Rebecca Da Costa.
Very Good (2.5 stars)
Rated R for violence, sexuality and profanity
Running time: 108 minutes
Distributor: Cinedigm Entertainment
To see a trailer for The Bag Man, visit:
About Last Night
Film Review by Kam Williams
Released in 1986, About Last Night revolved around the yearlong effort of a couple of Chicago yuppies (played by Rob Lowe and Demi Moore) to forge a solid relationship on the shaky ground of a one-night stand. The movie was adapted from “Sexual Perversity in Chicago,” a dialogue-driven drama by Pulitzer Prize-winner David Mamet (for Glengarry Glen Ross).
Loosely based on the original, this raunchy remake is a romantic comedy ostensibly serving as a vehicle for popular comic-turned-actor Kevin Hart. After all, his character, Bernie, the sidekick in the source material, is now the leading man. Furthermore, the setting has been shifted to L.A., where much of the humor caters to the African-American palate, since the principal cast members are now all black.
The film happens to be at its best when over the top Bernie’s talking trash. For instance, he brags about leaving a recent sexual conquest’s “edges nappy,” an inside joke insinuating that the session was so steamy it literally uncurled his partner’s straightened hair.
Directed by Steven Pink (Hot Tub Time Machine), the picture co-stars Regina Hall opposite Hart as his love interest, Joan. Rounding out the principal cast are Michael Ealy and Joy Bryant as Danny and Debbie, the aforementioned twosome who decide to give serious commitment a go.
At the point of departure we are introduced to Bernie and Danny, best friends and co-workers at a restaurant supply company. The former recounts a purely lustful escapade he shared with Joan, prior to introducing the latter to her roommate. Danny goes gaga over Debbie, and the cinematic table is set.
Bernie and Joan remain incessantly in heat, and can’t keep their hands off each other. By contrast, Danny and Debbie prove to be introspective enough to move in together, buy furniture, adopt a pet, and generally map out a future.
The plot thickens when Danny loses his job and ends up tending bar at Casey’s, a saloon frequented by his stalker ex-girlfriend (Paula Patton). It doesn’t help that Bernie’s already been pressuring his suddenly-domesticated pal to revert to sowing his wild oats.
Regardless, the resulting relationship tensions still take a back seat to lighthearted banter in this superficial adventure laced with one-liners like, “If this bitch were any dummer, you’d have to water her.” Look for quickie cameos by NFL great Terrell Owens as well as by Rob Lowe and Demi Moore courtesy of a clip from original.
ALN 2.0, a bawdy variation on the theme establishing Kevin Hart as a bona fide box-office attraction.
Very Good (3 stars)
Rated R for profanity, sexuality, nudity and brief drug use
Running time: 110 minutes
Distributor: Screen Gems
To see a trailer for About Last Night, visit
Lucky Bastard
Film Review by Kam Williams
Dave (Jay Paulson) thought he’d died and gone to heaven when he learned that he’d won the monthly “Lucky Bastard” contest run by the adult entertainment website. He was informed by the site’s owner, Mike (Don McManus), that his name had been picked from all the entries to sleep with his favorite porn star, Ashley Saint (Betsy Rue).
However, the prize came with just one hitch, namely, that he’d have to sign a release so that the lusty liaison could be videotaped from every angle. After all, the promotion was designed to give the site’s subscribers a chance to see an Average Joe enjoying a roll in the hay with a gorgeous goddess who would never normally give him the time of day.
Bespectacled Dave definitely fit the bill in that regard, between his awkwardness and anxiety attempting to perform on cue on camera, even with the woman of his wet dreams. However, the skin flick’s director (Chris Wylde) obviously had a lot more to worry about than a limp nerd in need of Viagra.
For, something else would go horribly wrong after Dave’s arrival and by the time the police arrived, they would find the dead bodies of numerous males and females slain either by gunshot or blunt force trauma. The investigating officer (Lukas Kendall) was grateful to discover that the walls had been outfitted with 18 cameras which not only recorded Dave and Ashley’s fondling, foreplay and frustrated fornication, but the ensuing slaughter which subsequently turned the den of debauchery into a bloody crime scene.
So, cracking the case simply involved rewinding the tapes, and watching what transpired from start to finish. And that’s precisely the point-of-view shared with the audience in Lucky Bastard, a found-footage flick which puts a salacious spin on the “no surviving witnesses” cinematic device first effectively employed by The Blair Witch Project back in 1999.
The movie marks the impressive directorial debut of Robert Nathan, who also co-wrote the cleverly-constructed script with Lukas Kendall. Their novel storyline unfolds like your typical horror film, except instead of taking place inside a Gothic haunted house it unfolds on a sleazy set inside the bedroom of a nondescript suburban home rented for the day from a realtor (Deborah Zoe) out to make a quick buck.
Besides Dave and Ashley, the suspects include director Kris, cameraman Nico (Lanny Joon), Ashley’s regular co-star, Josh (Lee Kholafai), producer Mike and his considerably-younger girlfriend, Casey (Catherine Annette), an aspiring porn star. However, the perpetrator might not be a cast or crew member, since Mike also has issues with the alarmed real estate agent as well as with his estranged ex-wife.
It’s no surprise Lucky Bastard landed an NC-17 rating, given the fairly-explicit displays of carnality, though the production is as much a riveting murder mystery as it is a raunchy sex romp. A compelling, high body-count whodunit for folks willing to watch a lot of kinky cavorting while trying to unravel clues leading to the killer.
Very Good (3 stars)
NC-17 for violence, profanity, full frontal nudity and explicit sexuality.
Running time: 94 minutes
Distributor: Cavu Pictures
Regina Hall & Kevin Hart
The “About Last Night” Interview
with Kam Williams
Regina Hall began her acting career in the late 1990's while simultaneously earning a master's degree from New York University. With numerous film and television credits to her name, Regina has since emerged as one of Hollywood’s most sought after comedic actresses.
Last fall, she was seen reprising her role in the sequel The Best Man Holiday, alongside Terrence Howard, Taye Diggs, and Sanaa Lathan, which opened #1 at the box office. In June, she will again star opposite Terrence J, Gabrielle Union, Taraji P. Henson and Michael Ealy in the sequel Think Like a Man Too.
The versatile thespian additional credits include Scary Movie (and three of its sequels), Paid in Full, Malibu’s Most Wanted, First Sunday, Law Abiding Citizen, Death at a Funeral, Love & Basketball and Disappearing Acts. Her television credits include the role of Deputy D.A. Evelyn Prince on “Law & Order: LA” and Coretta Lipp on “Ally McBeal.”
Something Kevin Hart is an expert at is selling shoes. And if there’s one thing Kevin can do even better than selling shoes, it’s comedy. He began his first career sizing men and women for footwear, when a chance, electrifying performance on amateur night at a Philadelphia comedy club changed his life forever. He soon quit that job as a shoe salesman and began performing full-time at such venues as The Boston Comedy Club, Caroline’s on Broadway, Stand Up NY, the Laugh Factory and The Comedy Store in Los Angeles.
However, it was a memorable appearance at the Montreal Just for Laughs Comedy Festival that led to roles in Paper Soldiers, Scary Movie 3 and Along Came Polly, which starred Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston. Kevin has worked nonstop ever since, and 2013 was no exception, including Grudge Match, opposite Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro, and Let Me Explain, a stand-up comedy film chronicling the best of his world concert tour of the same name.
This year, he’s already had a #1 hit movie in Ride Along, which has grossed over $100 million and counting. And among his earlier film credits are Little Fockers, Death at a Funeral, Fool’s Gold and The 40 Year-Old Virgin.
Here, Kevin and Regina discuss their new film, About Last Night, a remake of the classic romantic comedy released back in 1986.
Kam Williams: Hi, Kevin and Regina, thanks for the interview. I’m grateful for the opportunity to speak with you.
Regina Hall: Hi, there, Kam. We appreciate it, too.
Kevin Hart: How you doing, man?
Kam: Great! Kevin, how does it feel to be back in Philly?
Kevin: Oh, it’s always good, Kam. It’s my hometown. Home is always good.
Kam: What interested you two in About Last Night?
Kevin: What interested you, baby?
Regina: Well, I loved the script. I’m always thrilled whenever I see a good script. And of course, when I then heard that Kevin was going to be my co-star… that sealed the deal. Need I say anything more? How about you, Kev?
Kevin: Like you, the script, first of all. I also liked that this was a different type of role for me, and that the original movie was so amazing!
Regina: A classic!
Kam: What factors played a role in doing a remake?
Kevin: The fact that we’d be following in its footsteps was huge. But we also wanted to follow more closely the lines of the original play it was based on, “Sexual Perversity in Chicago.” We modernized it and made this version a little edgier to fit audiences of this generation. So, all the pieces of the puzzle were there, it was just a question of putting them together.
Regina: Yeah, it was already there on the page. We just adapted it in a way to make it fresh, contemporary, sexy and fun. We also kinda followed the journey of two couples as opposed to one, so you get to see us explore the dynamics in the friendships between the men and the women, as well as in the couples’ relationships. It ended up feeling great!
Kam: Was it hard juggling egos on the set?
Kevin: Not at all. It was basically just four good people.
Regina: Four friends, really.
Kevin: There weren’t any jerks. Everybody came with the same agenda which was to make a great film. And when you all have your eyes on the prize, in this case to turn in a quality product and to turn in a complete product, at the end of the day, you can’t ask for a better support group than what we had.
Kam: Who’s in your target audience?
Regina: Everybody!
Kevin: This is a universal film, with the exception of certain younger age groups, since this is an adult film.
Regina: Yeah, it’s R-rated. But it’s for singles… couples…
Kevin: It’s a movie that so many people are going to be able to relate to.
Kam: Kevin, you’re already on a roll with Ride Along breaking records for a January opening.
Kevin: Thank you!
Regina: #1 for three weeks in a row!
Kam: With About Last Night opening you’re competing against yourself.
Kevin: Hey, that’s a good thing, especially since this is a different look for me. People walking out of this movie are going to know that I have levels, that I’m serious about my acting career, and that I’m willing to challenge myself. This product is a great representation of that.
Kam: Does this picture have a message?
Kevin: Yeah, it actually does. The movie shows that couples weather their crises differently, and that each is going to solve their problems in the unique way they see fit to. But when you’re in love, love makes you do crazy things, and can take you down a whirlwind of a road. These are two couples that experience that, and we show how men talk to men and how women talk to women about their problems, and how it all comes full circle.
Regina: Mmm-hmm!
Kam: Regina, what’s up next for you?
Regina: I’ll be joining this gentleman again in June for the release of Think Like a Man Too.
Kevin: After that I’ll be in a movie called Wedding Ringers.
Regina: Which is hilarious, by the way. I’ve seen a few excerpts. It’s another hit.
Kam: Is it a little like Wedding Crashers?
Kevin: No, it’s more like a modern version of Hitch.
Kam: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?
Kevin: Yeah, how tall are you?
Kam: Okay, how tall are you?
Kevin: I’m a good 6’6” on a Friday.
Regina: No, he’s 6’5”. [Chuckles]
Kam: How about you, Regina? Is there any question no one ever asks you?
Regina: People are obsessed with my bra size. Would you say I’m a 34D or a 34F?
Kevin: I’d say F. [Laughs]
Kam: The Sanaa Lathan question: What excites you?
Kevin: You know what? The most exciting thing in the world to me is that I’m doing what I love to do, and that I’m successful doing it. Pursuing my dream and executing it is exciting to me.
Regina: I’m just excited about life. Life is really good right now with my family and friends, and being able to work with people I respect.
Kam: I’ve asked Kevin this before. Regina, what is your favorite dish to cook?
Regina: That’s a hard question, because I’m a really good cook.
Kevin: You make a mean hot dog.
Regina: I do dice a nice hot dog. I also make great lamb chops. And I make really good yams. There isn’t much I can’t get into that kitchen and do.
Kevin: She also makes a mean peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Regina: Thanks. You’ve got to have just the right balance of peanut butter and jelly.
Kevin: And that jelly’s coming from scratch!
Regina: That’s true.
Kevin: Kam, have you ever had jelly from scratch?
Kam: No, I havent.
Kevin: Then you got to get to Regina’s house.
Kam: Invite me, and I’m there! The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory?
Regina: Swimming into my mama.
Kevin: Mine was touching a dead mouse by accident.
Kam: Well, thank you both for the spirited tete-a-tete!
Regina: Thank you, Kam.
Kevin: Thanks, man.
To see a trailer for About Last Night, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QEfDr1OE8Q
Winter's Tale
Film Review by Kam Williams
Cat Burglar Courts Sickly Heiress in Searing Exploration of Undying Love
Peter Lake’s (Colin Farrell) parents had hoped to immigrate to the U.S. but were turned away at Ellis Island upon their arrival early in the 20th Century. Denied their shot at the American Dream, the Russian couple decided to leave their baby behind, setting him adrift in a tiny model of a ship called the “City of Justice.”
The infant was carried by the tide to the shores of Bayonne, New Jersey where he was found and raised by compassionate clam-diggers. Upon coming of age, the teen moved to Manhattan and earned an honest wage as a mechanic until succumbing to the pressure to join a gang of ruffians led by the ruthless Pearly Soames (Russell Crowe).
Peter was subsequently schooled in thievery under Pearly’s tutelage, though the two would become mortal enemies once the protégé tired of doing his malevolent mentor’s bidding as a cat burglar. Even after severing his ties to the criminal enterprise, the exasperated orphan was forever looking over his shoulder while on the run from the burly bully.
A critical moment of truth arrives when Peter finds himself surrounded by his former partners in crime and is somehow spirited away by a winged white stallion. Another turning point in the lad’s life transpires the fateful night he enters a well-fortified mansion’s second-floor window with felonious intentions.
For, before he has a chance to ransack the premises, Peter comes face-to-face with Beverly Penn (Jessica Brown Findlay), a sickly young heiress suffering from tuberculosis. And despite her impending demise, he becomes hopelessly smitten with the frail, philosophical free-spirit. Over the objections of her skeptical father (William Hurt), the star-crossed lovers proceed to embark on an otherworldly romance as enduring as it is ethereal.
Thus unfolds Winter’s Tale, a delightful flight of fancy marking the directorial debut of Akiva Goldsman, who won an Oscar for his screenplay adaptation of A Beautiful Mind. Akiva also wrote the script for this film which is based on Mark Helprin’s flowery best-seller of the same name.
Does this movie measure up to the source material? Can’t say, since I haven’t read it. Nevertheless, I found this well-crafted piece of magical realism quite imaginative and intriguing, though I suspect fans of the book might be a bit disappointed, given how much is ordinarily lost in translation bringing any 700-page book to the big screen.
A searing, supernatural exploration of the human soul suggesting not only that love is real but that miracles happen, too!
Excellent (4 stars)
Rated PG-13 for sensuality and violence
Running time: 118 minutes
Distributor: Warner Brothers
To see a trailer for Winter's Tale, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBSj1MKwx6A