Dead Man Walking (1995) - 10 stars out of 10

Dead Man Walking (1995) - 10 stars out of 10

"Dead Man Walking" is the unbelievable true story of a nun who counsels a murderer on death row and the community who persecutes her for doing so.  If you want to learn about subtle dramatic acting, this is the film to watch.  Susan Sarandon received the Oscar for Best Actress with her calculated crescendo of emotions.  Throughout the film, her character is put into situations that could justify a strong emotional climax, but she saves it for the end.  The final result is a progression of frustrations and overall sadness that all add up in a devastating moment.  Sean Penn, Oscar-nominated for Best Actor with this role, creates a similar effect.  In his case, the transformation is from denial to acceptance.  When a film receives Oscar nominations for Best Actor, Actress, and Director, you know that you will find quality performances.  The poignancy of this film lies in its honest story and powerful imagery.  The death penalty is a hot-button issue.  Rather than preach an opinion, this film opens your mind to thinking deeply on the topic.  It vividly shows the crime and the consequences so that you feel the pain of the guilty and the innocent, the predator and the victim, the forgiven and the unforgiven.  Is the punishment worthy of the crime?  Director Tim Robbins leaves it up to us to decide with one of the most emotionally charged endings that you will ever see.

[Pictured: Some scenes are legitimately difficult to watch]

Bandits (2001) - 7 stars out of 10

Bandits (2001) - 7 stars out of 10

“Bandits” was a surprisingly good crime-comedy film.  Let’s take a minute to address the elephant in the room: Bruce Willis looks really bad with hair.  Now that we’ve cleared the air, I was really pleased with the unexpected turns and the comical characterization.  The script was well-written, beginning with an impossible situation that becomes believable as the movie progresses and then shifting the movie in a new direction that you don’t anticipate.  The ending is the best part, revealing clues that help you to slowly decipher what is actually happening instead of throwing a sudden twist in your face.  The real highlight of this film is the acting.  Comedies often rely on blatant jokes instead of quality acting, but the comedy in this film is a direct result of the chemistry between Willis and Billy Bob Thornton.  They are a true odd couple, particularly with the introduction of their X-factor, Cate Blanchett (the highlight of the film).  “Bandits” combines the best elements of a heist film, a chick flick, an action film, and a comedy to create a film full of laughter and intrigue.

[Pictured: The disguises just add to the fun]

Daylight (1996) - 2 stars out of 10

Daylight (1996) - 2 stars out of 10

“Daylight” is everything that you hoped it would not be.  The concept is actually pretty interesting and could have become an amazing disaster film, but the acting is simply some of the worst that you will ever encounter.  There came a point where I starting rooting for certain characters to die just so that I didn’t have to watch them act anymore.  It is just atrocious.  Stallone set a poor precedence for the rest of his castmates.  After watching this wooden performance, nobody would ever believe that he was once nominated for an Oscar.  The acting is painful to watch (especially the Birdemic-level performance of Jay O. Sanders), but there are also some major issues with the script.  Nothing spoils an intense moment like a felon on a prison transport blubbering like a baby and a woman wrestling around with an electrical wire for 20 minutes with boots on her hands.  While it may seem like the campiness of the film might make it a fun watch, it takes itself too seriously to be funny.  Watch if you must, but there are dozens of disaster films that I’d rather watch.

[Pictured: Even the cool explosions couldn't save this film]