Gina Carano kicks some major butt in this tricky Steven Soderbergh thriller. Gina plays Mallory Kane, a covert contract agent for a private security firm. When a hostage rescue turns into Something Else, Mallory is on the run from her employer. But, the men in this movie ALWAYS underestimate Mallory and suffer the consequences. Michael Douglas plays a wild card character. Ewan McGregor plays Mallory’s boss. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot. And I’d like to see Gina Carano in a sequel or a clone of this action thriller. GRADE: B+
Diane read the newspaper review of One for the Money (one star) and worried that this long-awaited film would disappoint her and the legions of Stephenie Plum fans. So while I was watching Haywire, Diane and her friends went to One for the Money. Although Diane didn’t think Katherine Heigl fit her vision of Stephenie Plum, she pulled off a credible performance. Diane also thought that Sherri Shepherd was a very convincing Lula. One for the Money wasn’t as bad as Diane expected it to be. GRADE: C+
Never read any of the Plum series. Likely won’t watch the movie for that reason.
The early books in the Stephenie Plum series, like ONE FOR THE MONEY, featured more action and violence, Randy. The later books focus on humor and romance.
Wow, you really know expectations are low when a movie isn’t as bad as you expected it to be!
I haven’t read the Plum books, so have no idea as to Heigl’s authenticity, but I do know the commercials being run don’t help the movie at all–they make it seem too cutesy and cartoony.
Janet Evanovich’s books featuring Stephenie Plum are cutesy and cartoony, Deb. But, my wife laughs out loud when she reads them so they are entertaining. Apparently, ONE FOR THE MONEY was not shown to critics before it opened. Never a good sign.
Excellent choice in skipping that in favor of Gina.
I had to do some quick negotiating to get out of watching ONE FOR THE MONEY, Jeff. But, I’m glad I did. HAYWIRE was a lot of fun. And Gina was terrific!
Today’s Trivia: Gina Carano is the daughter of former Dallas Cowboy QB Glen Carano.
I had no idea Gina Carano had a Dallas Cowboys connection, Bill. Clearly, she inherited Glen’s genes for running fast and throwing…a punch.
The top image isn’t showing, George. I’ll likely skip both of these, because I so rarely go to a film.
Thanks for the heads-up, Rick. I see what I can do to make that top image reappear. I agree: neither of these two movies would interest you. You’re more of an ADVENTURES OF TIN-TIN kind of guy.
Unfortunately, these days I invariably have the same low criterion for a movie’s success as Diane does: not as bad as expected.
Me, too, Fred. But I’m hoping JOHN CARTER and THE HUNGER GAMES aren’t bombs. I really hoping for some good movies in 2012.
ONE FOR THE MONEY was a distant third at the box office this weekend, so I doubt it will be around very long.
Also, I read today that since the American GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO didn’t do that well at the box office the second and third movies have been “postponed.”
Not a good sign.
According to the article in our newspaper, Katherine Heigl owns the rights to Stephenie Plum movies, Jeff. She may be able to swing a deal for another movie. I’m sure SONY will wait and see what the DVD sales of THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO are before a final decision on the other two films is made.