A more detailed rating system and more of my reviews available at here.

Yay! Political thriller set in Washington D.C. that only mentions terrorism once! Based off a BBC mini-series which I will soon be watching for comparison. By the description though, it will be the exact same thing word for word only the background is changed and the actors will look different while speaking. Hollywood needs to come up with something original some day, cause stealing things, even when credit is given, isn’t really that creative. As for the movie on its own, really good. Ben Affleck is in it, but thats made OK because he is supposed to look like an over made doll with movable features…he’s playing a Congressman after all! Russell Crowe doesn’t get to shoot back or stab back in this one, so thats a change. But his hate for the blogesphere is a good source of comic relief for a plot that was threatening to get twisted in itself for a few minutes early on.

This was obviously modeled in many ways off of “All the Presidents Men” from the 70’s with Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman. The reporters have a similar relationship to each other, one more experienced but both having that instinct for a story and the questions to ask. A few updates obviously, cause everyone demands action these days, so Gonzo journalism is almost a necessity, whether its addressed or not. Can’t sell tickets unless someone gets shot at a few times and scares at least one poor Asian family.

I’ll give them this, the plot was a little more original, less typical and while not a surprise at the end, not what I was expecting after about half way. Makes it much more believable, blaming things on poor decisions and the such as opposed to the entire world has been corrupted by corporations; only most of it has this time. This movie does ask some good questions about private armies and their practices and payments. Questions that need real answers movies can’t really deliver. The director/writers knew this and avoided giving you to much to think about on the topic, or forcing their opinion to work in the alternate realty the movie takes place in, called Hollywood. Found me and my friend having a good discussion of that topic rather than the movie at the end, so maybe that was their plan. Either way guess it worked?

Jason Bateman. Douchebag? I say these hurtful things about a guy I love because he seems to be all about the creepers and the crazies. “Smokin’ Aces” had him as a drugged up half dressed lawyer. Juno he played the sleazebag husband looking for some young ass (while more romanticized). Now he is the proud owner of a PR agency working for the bad guys of the world, and holding his own little questionable parties after hours. Shocker he’s on all kinds of pills and such. Either he’s bored with real life, or can only relate to things he’s done. The answer is likely on the horizon. Keep watch on the entertainment sites for news!

Lets break it down for ya. Two seemingly random incidents occur, reporter sees link, but has personal connection to one. Starts going one way, only to come back to deeper side, conspiracy? Yes, maybe not, you’ll have to watch to find out! The acting is good, the topics brought up are pretty interesting including the slow death of printed news (your welcome), and other topics.