Collateral: What's The Damage?

10 years late, but nonetheless, Collateral is critically acclaimed as one of the best thrillers in (somewhat) recent years. Starring Tom Cruise (Top Gun) and Jamie Foxx (The Soloist), the film takes place over the course of one night in LA. A modest cab driver finds his life flipped upside down when his passenger ends up being a contract killer. Already the basis for this story is ludicrous, along with that there are some issues within the film. Most of all, the awkward comedy writing and even worse  the deliverance of said comedy by Jamie Foxx. A movie with such a dark tone and even darker cinematography deserves better than the poor comedic writing thrown in. It's easy to shrug off but still a takeaway from the film overall. Onto the positives, Cruise delivers as he always has and always will. Foxx is on and off, in my humble opinion. Although appearing as a simple thriller/action "blockbuster" attempt, there is deeper meaning lodged within the film and its characters. More specially the importance, or lack there of, of life. Truly asking the audience, "how much do you care?" "What is your life worth?" And so on. If you can get past the little inadequacies then you're sure in for a treat. 

8/10

Edge of Tomorrow: Edge of Your Seat

Edge of Tomorrow (based off of a book called, "All You Need Is Kill") focuses on a man who is thrown into an inter species war of human and alien. During his first day of combat, he is infected by an alien and must reset the same day every time he dies. Appearing like a standard sci-fi action movie starring Tom Cruise (Oblivion, Jack Reacher), I'm sure we're all thinking the same thing, "Oh Tom Cruise, action, I've seen this before." Let me be the first to tell you, we have not. This seemingly new take on an old idea of sci-fi repetition is done masterfully, uniquely, and although conventional, fresh. Tom Cruise is stellar in this film, really carries the movie from start to finish. The only major co-star is Emily Blunt (Looper), who for the most part, is a badass soldier with a helicopter blade for a weapon (she is also referred to as the "Full Metal Bitch"). Although she is handed a basic role, she does a fantastic job and is not overpowered by Cruise. The story was done well, although the storyline focuses on repeating the same day you will never feel bored or tired of this same act. The script and storytelling keeps you interested throughout the movie. I have a few issues with this movie, the very very end bothered me due to the fact that it could've been adjusted and send the movie into a far more interesting ending, although it would change the entire dynamic of the film. Enthralling, riveting, fresh, and edge of your seat thrilling... Edge of Tomorrow is a MUST-SEE.

8/10