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Out of Time

Out of Time

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: GOOD FLORIDA NOIR FROM WASHINGTON AND CO.
Review: "Out of Time" is the story of Banyan Keys chief of police Whitlock (Denzel Washington), a man in the middle of a divorce he does not want. Whitlock turns to his old high-school sweetheart, Ann Harrison (Sanaa Lathan) for solace, only to learn that she has terminal cancer and cannot afford the alternative treatment that might be her only hope. Whitlock can't just watch Ann die, so he steals a large chunk of money he bagged in a drug bust from his own department and lets her have it. But then Ann and her abusive husband Chris (Dean Cain)go up in smoke in an apparent arson, triggering a legal fallout that leaves Whitlock struggling to tie up all the loose ends as his life unravels around him.

"Out of Time" is a somewhat formulaic but still successful mystery/suspenser that slowly pulls the viewer into the web along with Chief Whitlock until there's no escape. Fans of this kind of movie will see a lot of familiar set-ups and plot devices, but the strong cast makes the story work as a whole even if you think you've got it all figured out. Washington's hapless cop is unfailingly appealing, even if he is guilty of some terrible lapses in judgment (but then aren't we all from time to time?). Cain and Lathan likewise do well with their roles, and Eva Mendes is a standout as Whitlock's estranged wife, a homicide detective in her own right who slowly discovers more than she wants to about her husband's role in the Harrison case. Will Whitlock be able to put the puzzle together in time to save his skin from a looming murder rap? And will Mendes help pull him out of the fire, or push him all the way under? You can't stop watching til you know the answers.

The film's seedy, noirish atmosphere is a great plus as well, and if it's not original "Out of Time" is still entertaining. Overall it's worth 3.5 stars, and certainly a movie you want to watch at least once if you like mystery or suspense films. Like many of its kind, however, it may not hold up to multiple viewings once you've learned the secrets, so it may be one to rent rather than buy. Either way, it's a great way to energize a lazy evening.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: IS EVA MENDES HOT OR WHAT?!
Review: This is basically just an updated version of NO WAY OUT, but that other flick didn't have the one asset that makes this remake unforgetable: SEXY EVA MENDES! Remember that name, bruthas. She's gonna kick J. Lo's big booty out of her throne!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Disappointing
Review: This movie was just alright with me. It had a few funny parts when Denzel frantically erases his phone entries (fax machine scene). I thought he'd piss his pants. There's almost zero action here. The movie was kinda boring actually. If you must see this movie then rent it instead (you'll thank yourself later)

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Check this one out!!!
Review: I really enjoyed this movie! There was thrill, suspense, romance, and excitement. I would recommend this movie to any movie lover. Denzel, Sanaa, Eva, and Dean were all HOT in this movie! I loved the whole story line. There were a few parts that may be too explicit for young children, so beware parents!!! I have seen this movie on several occasions and it is like the very first time everytime I see it. This one is a classic, it should be a new addition to everyone's movie collection. I suggest this movie to anyone, especially Denzel lovers, he looked great in this one LADIES!!! Trust me! Check it out for yourself I'd like to hear what anyone has to say about it!!!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Absolute garbage
Review: What was Denzel Washington thinking? This films plot is a complete mess. There is no flow between ANY of the scenes and the film doesn't even have a shred of credibility as to how circumstances unfold.
The problem is this, the film sets the stage as being a realistic, intelligent, suspense thriller, and then doesn't deliver ( at least not the first two ). The story goes way out there, as not a single police officer/agent is doing their job correctly, as well as not a single person acting with any rationale at all. In fact, can anyone make any sense of any one's motives when all is said and done?
I felt let down more so than some others may be, being a huge Denzel Washington fan as well as a suspense thriller enthusiast.
Oh and be prepared to nod off to sleep every so often, this movie is soooooo predicatable most of the time and the dialogue so cliched, you can probably miss half of it and still recite it line by line.
I can't recommend this to anyone, not even people I dislike.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Box Office Flop Should Be A Winner
Review: "Out of Time" is a tautly paced crime thriller about a small town Florida cop investigating a double homicide in which all evidence points to him as the prime suspect. Despite the film's morally clouded ending, director Carl Franklin navigates the plot turns and twists with workmanlike efficiency, resulting in an engaging neo-noir tale of lust, greed and deception.

In my opinion, this film is a marvel, the plot twists every scene, and it leaves you on the edge of your seat every second. I'll admit, the start might be a little slow, but it is easily made up for by the rest of the film.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Well done for its type. But overblown and silly.
Review: Denzel Washington is a fine actor and I've seen him in many excellent films. Unfortunately, this isn't one of them.

Set in the Florida Keys, he's cast in the role of a cop. His wife is a detective and they are splitting up and she's already moved out of their house. When he gets a call from a former high school girlfriend who is now married to a brutal and jealous man, he immediately goes to her house. She seduces him and they begin an affair.

He's recently been involved in a drug bust and there is lots of cash in the precinct that he can get his hands on. This is fortunate for his girlfriend because he believes she is dying of cancer and needs the money to save her life. As the plot keeps getting sillier and sillier and there are a couple of murders, Denzel finds all the evidence pointing at him. Not only that, his ex-wife is the detective assigned to the case.

O.K. There is good acting. But this story doesn't really call for much. And the plot is overblown, silly and predictable. For it's type though it was well done. That's why I give this film a lukewarm recommendation.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: decent, but lacking that something special
Review: A film by Carl Franklin

"Out of Time" is a reasonably slick drama about who really committed a crime. The setting is Banyon Key, Florida and Matt Whitlock (Denzel Washington) is the chief of police. He is having a rather torrid affair with Ann Harrison (Sanaa Lathan), a woman who is married to a former football player Chris Harrison (Dean Cain). Ann has long since told Matt that Chris hits her, and naturally Matt is angry about this, but because he is keeping the affair secret he can't exactly confront Chris about the hitting.

It turns out that Ann has cancer and that she cannot afford any treatment. Matt tries to help get her the money, including a scheme that would permit her to cash in on her life insurance policy while she is still alive. These schemes don't work so Matt decides to steal money from the police station that was captured in a drug raid. Ann changes her life insurance policy to now list Matt as the beneficiary. Matt tries to give Ann the money late one night and is seen going to her house. With the way the film is edited as Matt walks away we see the house now in flames before Matt reappears back at his home. Both Ann and Chris are believed dead (there are two charred skeletons in the house, and Matt knows that he will be the number one suspect if any hint of his connection to Ann leaks out.

The rest of the film is Matt playing damage control, trying to hide his involvement as well as figure out what happened. Matt's ex wife Alex (Eva Mendes) is the lead federal investigator on the case and perhaps because of how close she used to be to Matt, she is able to see that Matt is acting a little strangely when nobody else even has a clue. As the movie progresses, there are twists upon twists (especially at the end) and some things begin to be a stretch in credulity.

This is a decent enough movie, but the way Matt is able to get away with so many things in this movie stretches the bounds of how believable the action is. Unfortunately, when that happens I get taken out of the movie and start analyzing. That is never a good thing. "Out of Time" is a bit on the predictable side and when the final and biggest twist happens at the end I thought, "Well, of course, why wouldn't [that person]?". What you get out of this movie depends on what you are looking for. If you want a fairly fun piece of entertainment with an extremely talented lead actor...this is for you. This is not one of the Oscar heavy hitters and it doesn't have that extra bit of something special that made "Training Day" so good, but this is a decent movie.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Average, a bit forced.
Review: Washington is one of Hollywood's go to men, he can do it all. Ok, but still I want a stronger script and a stronger story. I'm not saying this film wasn't entertaining, it was, but it was hardly the edge of the seat thriller it made itself out to be.
I'll give it a recommendation to rent, it's entertaining, but beyond that, I can't say much.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Stylish Thriller
Review: I enjoyed the "Out of Time" DVD. Director Carl Franklin has made a name for himself since his A-Team acting days as a director. "High Crimes" with Ashley Judd & Jim Caveziel was a great thriller. "One True Thing" with Renee Zellweger & Meryl Streep was a very different type of film. "Devil in a Blue Dress" was his first pairing with Denzel Washington. This is a respectable body of work.

"Out of Time" is excellent because of the fine performances turned in by Denzel, Dean Cain and Sanaa Lathan. Denzel gives a depth of character to all of his roles. It was nice to see him as the good guy again after "Training Day." Dean Cain is amazing in his role as the husband. This performance has to be a career high for him. Sanaa as Ann gives an edgy performance that is convincing.

The many plot turns and twists kept me surprised. I bought the cancer scare completely, but was a bit puzzled that Washington was going to compromise his job by making an off-the-books loan. The ending with the money was not particularly satisfying; I wanted him to get the girl and the money. The deleted scenes were interesting, but very quick. I appreciated the steamy photography and the excellent editing. "Out of Time" is a stylish thriller that is well worth your time. Enjoy!


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