Movie Review: The Equalizer (2014)

The Equalizer (2014)
Director: Antoine Fuqua

Writers: Richard Wenk, Michael Sloan (television series)
Stars: Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz |

131 min

Action | Crime | Thriller

26 September 2014 (USA)
A man believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and has dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. But when he meets a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can't stand idly by - he has to help her.

Denzel is the man! I really enjoyed this movie. It moves at a steady pace and with a purpose. The visuals are just as important as the dialogue. What did I learn from this movie? O.C.D. people make great assassins. 

It is kind of violent, but the bad guys get what they deserve in such interesting ways. What else did I learn from this movie? Don't piss of the O.C.D. guy working in a home repair store.

This movie is exactly what the trailer promises. Do you need to see it on the big screen to truly appreciate it...no. This movie is about the story and characters, not special effects. If you are looking for an ass kicking revenge film to see at the theater then this is a good one. Denzel does The Equalizer character justice (ha! see what I did there?).

4 "handyman" sheep

Sharon Stogner

Movie Review: 2 Guns

2 Guns (2013)
Director: Baltasar Kormákur
Writers: Blake Masters (screenplay), Steven Grant (based on the Boom! Studios graphic novels by)
Stars: Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, Paula Patton
109 min - Action | Comedy | Crime
2 August 2013 (USA)
Official website
A DEA agent and a naval intelligence officer find themselves on the run after a botched attempt to infiltrate a drug cartel. While fleeing, they learn the secret of their shaky alliance: Neither knew that the other was an undercover agent.

This was a good old fashion blow’em up cop action movie. I love Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington. They had great on screen chemistry with Denzel playing the straight guy to Mark’s crazy much like Lethal Weapon. One thing to be mindful of, the trailers play up the comedy aspect of the movie, and there is a lot of comedy, but it is also a drama. I liked how the story kept me guessing. You aren’t sure who the bad guy is till near the end. Then there is all the blowing stuff up in slow motion parts, which is an action movie staple.

You don’t need to see this at the theater to enjoy, but if you are looking for some entertainment away from the summer heat outside, this will satisfy.

good guy? bad guy? or Bat shit crazy guy?

4 “winking” Sheep

Sharon Stogner

Sheep Movie Review: Safe House directed by Daniel Espinosa

Safe House, directed by Daniel Espinosa and starring Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Brendan Gleeson, Vera Farmiga and Sam Shepard is an action-packed suspense-mystery that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

Plot:

Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds star in the action-thriller Safe House. Washington plays the most dangerous renegade from the CIA, who comes back onto the grid after a decade on the run. When the South African safe house he's remanded to is attacked by mercenaries, a rookie operative (Reynolds) escapes with him. Now, the unlikely allies must stay alive long enough to uncover who wants them dead.

Like a good conspiracy theory movie that's also jam-packed with action and bone-crunching fight scenes? Then you'll really like Safe House. Denzel and Ryan are two compelling characters to watch in this one, both coming from different points of view but with equally gripping storylines. This film gives you absolutely no time to "settle in" or even get bored for that matter. It's paced perfectly to carry you along and gradually unravel the mystery of this story.

Some good twists and turns will you keep you guessing on who's working for whom and where on earth can you go when everyone seems to want you dead. It's a spy thriller in the basic sense and sure if you've seen one you've seen them all but the actors came ready to do their job and the script keeps you right in the thick of it. If you like these types of films then it won't be money wasted and I thought it was enjoyable enough to risk the high ticket price.

Thank the heavens for NO corny dialog or LOL moments when the actors try to "make a funny" in those ever-intense scenes which would have ruined the overall mood of the film. This movie gets gritty and dirty almost to the point where you think you're watching a street brawl. The fight choreography shows in some parts but more so in Denzel's character than in Ryan's, with the younger of the two taking the brunt of the action scenes. Not to say Denzel dosen't bring it with his skills, both as an actor and in the fight scenes. Magnificent car chases which are not burdened with an overuse of CGI, this one's all thrill with the dialog to back it up.

Our secondary characters bring the movie around as Brendan and Vera head up the typical CIA big wigs you want to slap! How many conspiracies is the government covering up? Hollywood seems to think it's more then we'd care to acknowledge but hey, it makes for great film. If my teddy bear (Brendan) is in a film and backed up with the likes of Denzel, you throw in some action and things that go "boom" and I'm sold. An exceptional job with sets and on-location shooting leave me pleased with Safe House I got everything I could have hoped for plus a little more.

Getting 4 'help, help I'm an innocent American being taken hostage' Sheep

KD