(Untitled)
Adrian Jacobs (Adam Goldberg) is an aspiring new age music composer who sees his art as something only to be appreciated by future generations. Madeline Gray (Marley Shelton) is the very attractive owner of a trendy Chelsea art gallery who sees the meaning of Adrian’s decidedly avant garde (read: weird) music. Together, they discuss the state of modern art and music in “(Untitled).”
Laura's Review: C+
(Untitled) is a fictional satiric take on the same subject matter as the 2006 documentary "Who Gets to Call It Art?" Jonathan Parker's ("Bartleby") idea to contrast two brothers - commercial painter Josh Jacobs (Eion Bailey, "Almost Famous," "The Canyon") and out-there composer Adrian (Adam Goldberg, TV's "Friends," "Zodiac") - and put art merchant Madeline Gray (Marley Shelton, "Planet Terror," "The Perfect Getaway") between them, is a good one but after a few thoroughly amusing concert performances, that idea starts to feel like a one trick pony. Sly little touches, like Madeline's sound-producing clothing (a costume designer working in conjunction with a sound designer!), a drummer learning how to properly kick a bucket and a character (Lucy Punch, "Grindhouse," "St. Trinian's," wonderful!) known only as 'The Clarinet,' maintain interest while others, like Ray Barko (Vinnie Jones), an obvious riff on Damien Hirst, do not. Diverting, if a bit dry.
Robin's Review: B+
Director Tony Scott is on a roll with his train thrillers. Last year, he remade that classic 1974 heist flick, “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three,” to mixed results. Second time is the charm and “Unstoppable” is a start to finish actioner that keeps the film’s adrenalin a-pumpin’ for an exciting 100 minutes. Based on a real runaway train incident, writer Mark Bomback ramps up the action, making the train “a missile the size of the Empire State building” packing toxic waste and rolling at 75mph. Early on, we learn that the runaway is heading for Stanton PA where a sharp curve will surely derail the fast moving freight train. Enter Frank and Will, the former facing forced retirement and the latter a rookie to the locomotion business who has to prove himself to the veteran engineer. These Everymen, two working class schmucks, learn of the runaway 777 and go to heroic lengths to help avoid a disaster. These guys, and their boss Connie, have to put their minds together, with Frank and Will providing the muscle, to catch and stop the hurtling train. Helmer Scott and his terrific team, in front of and behind the camera, use every possible action premise that involve trains. They even hit you with a trainload of kids on a collision course with the unmanned missile. They fooled me into thinking that this would be the disaster of the film. It is just a maguffin. The real action is yet to come and it is a doozy. Denzel Washington and Chris Pine have good chemistry together. It is just another day working on the railroad and the newly teamed trainsmen are from different worlds. As the day turns into anything but average, Frank and Will, facing death, become one in their frantic chase of the 777. The actors effectively make the viewer bond with our heroes because they are one of us. Rosario Dawson takes on the tough role, usually reserved for a male actor, as the strong-willed, smart yard master who has to muster her forces to avert disaster. She, too, is an empathetic character that rings true. Supporting cast is full dimension with Kevin Dunn as the railroad VP who makes matters worse; Kevin Corrigan is a good addition as railroad investigator Scott Werner who provides sage advice when it is most needed; Lew Temple, as welder Ned, provides the almost comic relief as he leads the charge of police to keep the public safe; Ethan Supplee has the unenviable role as Dewey, the guy who set the 777’s wheels in motion. Techs are spot on at every level. The sound team uses the jarring train on track noise, metal on metal, the scream of the brakes and the roar of the giant diesel engines to good effect. Cinematographer Ben Seresin captures the chase action from every angle possible and, with editors Robert Duffy and Chris Lebenzon, keeps the excitement flowing like a raging river. Production design, art direction, costume, et al, deserves kudos. “Unstoppable” is an intelligent film that provides the right mix of action, humor, drama and fine acting. As the holiday season draws near, people go to the theater more and now they have something to look forward to.
