Jackie Brown

Nominated for 1 Oscar that year with another 7 wins and 12 nominations was Quentin Tarantino’s Crime-Drama-Thriller ‘Jackie Brown’ starring the foxy Pam Grier. With a run-time of 158 minutes and an estimated budget of $12 million USD this 1997 film not only elevated audience’s heart-rates, but made them hang on every scene as if their own lives depended on it and it quadrupled in profits that year.

Excellent story, execution and exciting dialogue; this film was a magnificent ride into the minds of those who lived ‘fast’ lives and had the ‘street-smarts’ to pull off extraordinary feats. Rated R for strong language, violence, drug use and sexuality, this film is not recommended for children; but adults are sure to not only be entertained but also ask yourself the question how much would you risk to gain the happiness or life you deserve?

Robert De Niro, Samuel L. Jackson, Bridget Fonda, Robert Forster and Chris Tucker all join in on the fun. There isn't one short beat in this film, it's high energy and fast paced from beginning till end. If you like flight-attendants, action and a few laughs, this one makes for a great night of fun!

Flight

If the thought of returning to work soon, after a remarkably long and needed break isn’t scary enough; if the thought of returning to work and your job happens to be a flight attendant isn’t scary enough then certainly watching the opening scene of ‘Flight’ starring Denzel Washington as pilot of your next flight, is enough to send your nerves in a tizzy!

Written by John Gatins and directed by Robert Zemeckis this 2012 film opened quite joltingly! I’d heard good reviews and not so good reviews but here I was experiencing it on my own accord and it was better than I had expected. This film wasn’t just about a pilot and it wasn’t just about a plane malfunctioning; its content was sensationally heavier. Who is the most fascinating person you ‘never’ met? It’s about realizing your faults and the people you’ve hurt. About accepting them, and making a change for the better even if it means being found out and risking losing it all.

With a $31 million USD budget it’s easy to see why the special effects and cinematography were first-rate but it’s the script/dialogue and monologue pieces that I loved most. The scene in the stairwell with the gaunt young cancer patient played by James Badge Dale whom you may remember from ‘The Departed’, ‘Shame’ and ‘Grey’; his performance was startlingly deep and touching and in my opinion certainly supportive-actor nomination worthy.

Oscar-winner Denzel plays the deportment of egotistical and confident pilot well, and the audience feels for him as they follow him in his ups and downs and internal troubles as they unfold. Whether you fly, work in the aviation industry or have never set foot on a plane, this film speaks to us all, as it shows the dangers involved with abuse of substances and learning how to live in moderation and shifting from a worried, anxious being to a free and clear mind. J

Quarantine 2

Now I’d seen Quarantine when it first came out and for me it was mighty scary; I’d recommended it to my old roommate, as we both enjoyed a good thrill and he liked it so much he bought the video-game. I was skimming through movie titles, and saw that they’d made a 2^nd one and although I dislike when they keep making more and more movies (I think they should make a good one, and end it well); I thought I’d give it a whirl; and boy am I glad I did!

I’m still shaking and wide-eyed; I needed to pour myself a little drink to calm my nerves after seeing that one. I think it appealed to me that much more; due to the fact that it’s main characters were flight attendants and it took place within an airport and plane. I felt that writer and director John Pogue did his essential research in making the flight experience and what airline employee’s deal with, true-to-life. Sure we don’t have to restrain large men who suddenly are infected with an unknown virus. But the fact that we need to remain calm, be in charge, and never give up on protecting the lives on-board, now that’s a close 2^nd.

This 2011, horror, mystery, sci-fi had my heart racing from beginning till end. What are the odds of something like this happening on an air-craft? Very likely; that’s why we’re trained frequently to handle such severe situations. Mercedes Masohn, Bre Blair, Noree Victoria and the rest of the cast did an exceptional job at being true to their characters in such hostile conditions. Entertaining and jaw-dropping; a thrilling experience I’d recommend! J