Tuesday Releases: Olympus Has Fallen & The Company You Keep

August 13, 2013 / Leave a Comment

AUGUST 13TH, 2013

THE COMPANY YOU KEEP // Engaging and well cast, “The Company You Keep” has at least enough star power to keep the entire film interesting. Robert Redford directs and stars in this politically charged thriller, producing familiar faces around every corner and providing a template to any future inspirations to making an ensemble piece work out perfectly. Shia LaBeouf proves he can hang, yet again, in a dramatic role. His idioms provide plenty of humorous moments, but for the most part, he nails this performance and makes it his own. Brit Marling also captivates in her small role and rises above her limited exposure to produce one of the highlights of the film. The Lem Dobbs writing keeps you guessing through most of the film, and even though I figured out some of the oncoming twists well before they were acknowledged is due more to the fact that I’ve seen so many movies, rather than the twists being telegraphed. Overall, Redford proves successful in both his roles of the film and never shows signs of aging, a curse that comes for many seasoned actors of his generation.

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OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN // Finally Gerard Butler steps away from the romantic comedy doldrums and into the role he was meant to play. Taking on the task of defending the White House, “Olympus Has Fallen” is the first of two Washington D.C. terrorist attack films centered around the President’s house set to release this year (“White House Down” coming this summer). And for the most part, Fuqua’s action film sets the bar high, with a stacked ensemble cast including Aaron Eckhardt, Morgan Freeman, Melissa Leo, and Dillan McDermott. The script is tight, providing plenty of tasks that are never easy, but that never take too long. Butler is a shining example of what an action hero should be, focused and smart, brash and determined. “Olympus Has Fallen” was the “Die Hard” film we were waiting for this year with enough originality and darkness to set it apart. As cheesy as the advertisements made it seem, this film rises above and produces a respectable action film.

New Releases
A Band Called Death
The Big Wedding (2013)
The Company You Keep (2013)
Detour (2013)
Emperor (2013)
The Guillotines
Hatchet III
Olympus Has Fallen
Reality (2012)
Syrup
What Maisie Knew