Watched these films Sunday night and you can probably guess that Jimmy got to pick our selections! I do enjoy a good action film from time to time so I tend to go in with an open mind. I’m just often left disappointed due to lack of story.
First, we watched Haywire, a high-action, rescue-operation-gone-wrong spy movie. And if that sounds fun to you, then you’ll probably enjoy this film. It stars newcomer and MMA star (mixed martial arts), Gina Carano, who doesn’t appear to be the world’s greatest actress, but has the awesome ability to kick major bad guy ass. It’s refreshing to see a powerful, female action hero and would suggest the movie on that basis alone. The supporting cast is also shiny – Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor, Michael Douglas, Channing Tatum – so there’s plenty of eye candy. Unfortunately, the story falls a bit flat, the third act is kind of lame, the story has plot holes galore, and the acting can be rather stoic at times. So give it a watch, but make sure to have no expectations.
Man on a Ledge definitely won the award for most entertaining movie of the night. Sam Worthington claims to be falsely accused of stealing hella expensive diamond, escapes prison, and perches his cute butt on the ledge of the Roosevelt Hotel in NYC to prove his innocence. Fun concept. Elizabeth Banks plays the negotiator trying to literally ‘talk him off the ledge’ and I love her! Another kick ass female role so we were 2 for 2 on the night. Granted, the plotting of this film is outrageous, but the emotions behind the crazy are genuine. I love heist movies and this one has some fun heist-y moments between a bickering girlfriend/boyfriend that lends the movie some comedic relief to break the tension. So many people gave this movie bad marks, but I enjoyed it as did Jimmy. We had lowered expectations which probably helped, but would watch this again – even the terribly cheesy ending.
Final verdict (Skip, Rent, Buy):
Haywire: Rent
Man on a Ledge: Rent/Buy – if it’s your thing!
The Blog of Litwits 
Man on a Ledge actually sounds pretty good…we don’t go to the movies much…just rent when we have time. I like Ed Harris in movies as well so this would be one I definitely might pick up 🙂
Ed Harris was fun in Man on a Ledge. Definitely entertaining and worth a rent!