Trance

Trance may very well be the best art heist film I have ever seen. Better than The Thomas Crown Affair, and....... Well, let's face it, there may not be that many "art heist" films. However, as far as films focused on stealing high priced merchandise, this one still has to be near the top of the list. It not only succeeds as a heist film, but also fall into my personal favorite genre, "Thriller". Throughout the film, we as the audience are never quite sure who are actually telling the truth? Who stole what? Who is playing who, and ultimately, who will win? James McAvoy plays an art museum curator guy who knows the protocol when a robbery may occur. When he is knocked senseless during a robbery and loses his memory, he knows he saved the day, or did he... At this point the plot twists and turns endlessly for the duration. When the bad guys kidnap the good guy to get information that his brain can't remember is when it gets out of hand. He goes to a therapist to "unlock" suppressed memories in order to find the painting the film goes all over the place. I have watched Trance a few times and every time it is enjoyable. Vincent Cassel is brilliant as the villain, but Rosario Dawson playing the psychiatrist and the sexy love interest is the reason to watch this movie...if you are a man that is. As I said, Trance is one of the most clever, twisted films that caught me completely of guard when I first watched it. Most enjoyable and extremely smart. Enjoy it for what it is and relish in the fact that you are watching something semi original.

NBM rates Trance 4 out 5 stars

Trouble With the Curve

What's not to like? Clint Eastwood, John Goodman, and the always lovely and extremely talented Amy Adams star together in a baseball movie. It also stars Justin Timberlake, who in my opinion, could be an Oscar caliber actor if he would just give up his miserable and very unsuccessful music career and focus on doing films, but that is none of my business. This film is less about baseball and more about family ties, or lack there of. It does have the baseball element, but to me, it is sub plot. It focuses on the Father / Daughter relationship between Gus and Mickey (Eastwood and Adams). They have a checkered past, but when dear old Dad needs help due to health issues, Mickey shows up to try and help. It is the typical film about redemption from past choices and opening up dialogue to build a future together. It is beautifully acted and I still have no idea why Rotten Tomatoes and IMDB gave this film such a poor shake. I have seen it at least 5 times and it has easily become a film I can not scroll past if it is on. That should tell you just how good it is. I was surprised at how emotional a film it is. It has one of, if not the saddest scenes I have ever seen. I get teary eyed each and every time I watch said scene. Give this one a try if you have missed it because you believed those other critics. I am telling you it is great. 

4 out of 5 stars from NBM