The Devil's in the Details

The Devil's in the Details is a crime-thriller about an ex-soldier who is kidnapped by a drug cartel as part of an elaborate plan to rob another cartel. This soldier, Thomas (played by Joel Mathews) is chosen because his sister is a cop, his father is a judge, and his brother is a border patrol agent. So Thomas has connections to all the right people to orchestrate this heist.

It's an interesting premise but, overall, this movie isn't very good. Ray Liotta who plays an ex-Navy Seal and Thomas' psychiatrist does a fine job in the film but, unfortunately he's only playing a supporting role. The rest of the cast is a mixed-bag, with Joel Mathews probably being the weakest of the bunch. The film itself is a bit of a jumbled mess; poorly directed, with a halfhearted attempt at a twist, and an unsatisfying ending. However, despite it's shortcomings, I did find the movie engaging enough that I watched it all the way through without ever reaching for the remote to turn it off. 

I don't recommend The Devil's in the Detail's, unless you're like me and will just watch anything with Ray Liotta in it.

I give this one a 1.5 out of 5.

Crazy on the Outside: Is It Really That Bad?

2010's comedy-drama Crazy on the Outside isn't a very well regarded movie, currently sitting at a whole 8% on 'Rotten Tomatoes', but is it really that bad?

Tim Allen stars in the film and I personally think it's one of his better performances. I realize that's not saying much as Allen isn't know for being in any cinematic masterpieces, but there are a few moments that are legitimately funny. Also in the film are Sigourney Weaver, Ray Liotta, J.K. Simmons, Kelsey Grammer, Jeanne Tripplehorn and Julie Bowen... So, there is a halfway decent cast that makes it worth watching.

The movie is about a recently released convict named Thomas Zelda (played by Tim Allen) who quickly realizes, as the title would suggest, that life outside of prison can be crazy. Thomas is determined to turn his life around and restart his fathers old painting business but comes across his share of obstacles along the way. His sister Viki (played by Sigourney Weaver) keeps telling little white-lies that makes things harder than they should be, his parole officer and eventual love interest Angela (played by Jeanne Tripplehorn) thinks he's just another ex-con that she can't trust, Thomas' old crime partner Gray (played by Ray Liotta) wants him to get back into what caused him to go to prison in the first place, etc. It's one of those everything that can go wrong does plots but it's not terrible. 

Overall, this one isn't as bad as it's reputation. It's not fantastic but, it's watchable and I got a few laughs out of it. 

I give this one a 2 out of 5.

Have a suggestion for a review?

Leave it in the comments below.