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No Good Deed

No Good Deed

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: So-so Noir Film Featuring Sam Jackson and Milla Jovovich
Review: "No Good Deed" is based on Dashiell Hammett's short (and very short) story titled "The House on Turk Street" which is included his book "The Continental Op." The original short story appaered in 1924, but as is often the case with film adaptations, the story is extended to cover its running time, perhaps stretched beyond its limit.

In this noir film, not an "op(erative)," but a cop Jack Friar plays the usual role of reluctant hero. Jack is asked to search the whereabout of a missing girl when he, being an amateur cellist, is about to join in the classic music festival. Against his better judgment, he promises to seek for her, and goes to "the house on Turk Street." Too late that he realizes he stepped into the wrong place where he, or any other cops, should not be.

There he encounters a motley group of criminals, who plan to get easy money from a bank. Captured by them, Jack has only his brain to rely on, to get away from this big trouble.

Be warned. This is a noir film, which means you cannot look for any conherent logics (can anyone summerize the plot of "Maltise Falcon"?) There are so many incredible decisions the characters make, or so many unbelievable coincidences. If you don't like these kinds of situations too good to be true, just forget about the film.

But the film looks beautiful as noir, and director is Bob Rafelson, who recently gave us atomospheric "Blood and Wine." "No Good Deed" has also equally credible sinister atmosphere, thanks to production designer Paul Peters and photographer Juan Luiz-Anchia. If you love this genre, you might find the film more engaging than other movie fans do.

As to actors. Sam Jackson is as good as ever (have we seen bad Sam Jackson?) but his actions sometimes lack convincing touch, not because of his acting, but because of the plot (Amazon's editorial review is perfectly right). As a femme fatale Erin who must survive, using whatever method she can grab, you can see Milla Jovovich, whom I thought, though she is doing her best, still slightly is miscast. But some people might find otherwise, so leave it to other reviewers.

More interesting and funny is the couple of Mr./Mrs. Quarre, played by Joss Ackland and Grace Zabriskie. They are simply amusing to see, with the wicked humor only those veterans can show. Oh, and I almost forgot to say that Stellan Skarsgard is the leader of the criminal group, whose character is always full of menace hidden under his calm attitude. He makes a great contrast with Doug Hutchison's most dangerous computer wiz that appeared on the screen.

"No Good Deed" is not good indeed, but its characters are drawn farily well, and the film manages to show some nice atomosphere of noir films. I don't think not many people have seen it, and that is understandable, but those who like the genre will find it pretty interesting.

By the way, in the film, you hear an old song "I'm not Your Stepping Stone" originally played by the Monkees. Of course, Bob Rafelson was producer of this popular TV series (1966-68), and the version you hear here is performed by Peter Rafelson, his son who is also known for Madonna song.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Stellan & Milla rock!
Review: A great neo-noir with the lovely Milla Jovovich directed by Bob Rafelson (Five Easy Pieces, Postman Always Rings Twice). Sam Jackson and Stellan Skarsgard are great but Milla is awesome!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: HAS GOOD ACTORS IN IT, BUT...
Review: DURING A MISSING PERSONS INVESTIGATION, A COP [SAMUEL L. JACKSON] GETS KIDNAPPED BY A GANG OF THIEVES. MEANWHILE, AN ELABORATE BANK ROBBERY IS ABOUT TO GO DOWN. OF COURSE, SAMUEL DOES GREAT AS ALWAYS, BUT THE SCRIPT AND ESPECIALLY THE VERY SLOW PACE BRINGS IT DOWN. WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GOOD MOVIE TURNED OUT TO BE A DISSAPOINTMENT. FAR FROM BEING THE WORST MOVIE YOU CAN RENT, BUT, IT'S JUST NOT AS GOOD AS IT SOUNDS. MAYBE NEXT TIME, THEY WON'T TAKE ALL DAY TO GET STARTED.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Lost Treasure
Review: I didn't have a chance to see this one in the theater but when I saw Samuel L. Jackson was in it I had to check it out. Let's say I wasn't disappointed. Jackson is cool as ever, but in this one he also shows a sensitive side. He plays a cop who's taken hostage by a band of theives. Stellan Skarsgard (you might remember him as the bad professor from Good Will Hunting) is great as the gang's leader. And so is Doug Hutchison (the creepy guard in The Green Mile) as Hoop. Both are in love with Milla Jovovich, but when she's left alone to guard the cop, some pretty interesting stuff happens that you won't want to miss. Jackson's menacing as always (with one high-octane speech at the end that is classic Samuel L) but Jovovich is sly, sneaky and sexy, all of which makes this cop wonder if he really wants to stop a robbery or if he just wants to disappear forever with the girl. A great ensemble cast, some really funny moments (the old couple the Quarres are quirky and fun), and some great music. This is certainly one to check out.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Lost Treasure
Review: I didn't have a chance to see this one in the theater but when I saw Samuel L. Jackson was in it I had to check it out. Let's say I wasn't disappointed. Jackson is cool as ever, but in this one he also shows a sensitive side. He plays a cop who's taken hostage by a band of theives. Stellan Skarsgard (you might remember him as the bad professor from Good Will Hunting) is great as the gang's leader. And so is Doug Hutchison (the creepy guard in The Green Mile) as Hoop. Both are in love with Milla Jovovich, but when she's left alone to guard the cop, some pretty interesting stuff happens that you won't want to miss. Jackson's menacing as always (with one high-octane speech at the end that is classic Samuel L) but Jovovich is sly, sneaky and sexy, all of which makes this cop wonder if he really wants to stop a robbery or if he just wants to disappear forever with the girl. A great ensemble cast, some really funny moments (the old couple the Quarres are quirky and fun), and some great music. This is certainly one to check out.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: More Milla
Review: I've seen almost every Milla Jovovich film and this is her best yet. She plays Erin, a thief who has to decide between her feelings for a cop (Sam Jackson) and a ten million dollar bank heist score. There's a kick ass scene where she plays piano and they get all sexy. I think she was perfectly cast in this role. You totally get how every guy wouldn't be able to know what to do around her.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: No Good Deed was far too annoying
Review: It started off good and then it went to crap all the way threw. Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction, Die Hard With A Vengenace) plays a cop who is helping out a mother of a lost child. So he sets out in search of her and ends up being taken hostage and tied to a chair. From there on it was too far too with stand. I couldnt bare the fact that Jackson signed up for this gargantuan of a bomb. Milla Jovovich (Resident Evil Apocalypse, The Fifth Element) seems like she is still is in Resident Evil. Stellan Skarsgard (Deep Blue Sea, The Exorcist The Beginning) is boring as hell as Tyrone. Doug Hutchison (Bait) dies the same way he did in The Salton Sea...with something in his neck. Those old people were just too annoying and so was this. I was tempted to stop and rewind and send it back to the store but then Jovovich in the shower keeped me from doing it and then I said screw it and watched the rest. Ughhhhh is all I half to say. Also starring Joss Ackland (Lethal Weapon 2).

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Name of the song
Review: Movie was ok, like both Samuel L Jackson and Milla but was disappointed. But does anyone remember the name of the song that Milla and Samuel play together - her on the piano and him on the cello - she asks him if he has ever played it and hands him the sheet music. thanks

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Name of the song
Review: Movie was ok, like both Samuel L Jackson and Milla but was disappointed. But does anyone remember the name of the song that Milla and Samuel play together - her on the piano and him on the cello - she asks him if he has ever played it and hands him the sheet music. thanks

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: We Are The Pawns
Review: No Good Deed is yet another example of a movie, with a fine cast, that despite that, ends up as a film with wasted potential instead.

While investigating a missing persons case, detective Jack Friar (Samuel L. Jackson), is captured and held hostage by a group of sadistic thieves. This group of waywards are in the process of pulling off an elaborate bank heist and Friar must be dealt with. Cruel mastermind Tyrone (Stellan Skarsgård, manipulative girlfriend Erin (Milla Jovovich), and deranged henchman Hoop (Doug Hutchinson) are locked in a dangerous game of deceit, double cross and romantic intrigue, making Jack a pawn in the lethal high stakes plot. Against the odds, Erin and Jack find themselves erotically drawn to each other, igniting a volatile love triangle that turns deadly as the body count starts to rise.

Based on a short story entitled 'The House on Turk Street' by Dashiell Hammett, No Good Deed, is directed by Bob Rafelson. With the likes of a talented cast, and under the usually sure handed stewardship of the man behind Black Widow & The Postman Always Rings Twice, I expected a better film. Things end up as a convoluted mess, rather than a taut thriller, that it should have been. The acting is ok but the script has a few holes in it, to subvert any strides, the movie makes. It's hard to imagine that this passes for anything resembling "film noir" though.

Aside from the theatrical trailer, the DVD, doesn't have any other extras. I was also shocked to find, that the only version of the film that's available, is in the full screen format. Huh?? What gives Obviously, having a widescreen viewing option, would have been the fair way to go. 2 stars for the actors involved...but a real disappointment otherwise.


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