New at BOP: Review: Matrix Resurrections Movie Review: Moonfall Movie Reviews: Scream The #1 Movie in America November Forecast The Many Saints of Newark October Forecast New Trivia Question All site updates Share & Save   Tweet Print this column

Josh Spiegel: I cannot emphasize how completely uninterested I am for this movie. First, terrible marketing; "Who is Salt?" I have no idea, and I don't care. The title also just sucks. It's just such a boring title. What's more, maybe it's me, but I find Angelina Jolie's acting to leave me wanting more of anything, such as emotion. My guess (knowing only what I've seen in the trailers) is that her character isn't a Russian spy, but wouldn't it be far more fascinating if she was? Jolie's certainly playing it like she's a bad guy, when I doubt she is. The movie might do respectably, but Jolie is like George Clooney, in that she's famous, but her movies aren't wildly successful.


Michael Lynderey: I'm kinda thinking the trailer may sell the film as more of an action movie than it actually is. I remember The Interpreter had a suicide bombing scene and some shootouts, and the trailers played those up, too.

Max Braden: Female Jason Bourne. That's all you have to say. "Female Jason Bourne starring Angelina Jolie" gets me in the theater. They almost blew it, though, with the title and poster. Audiences might start off thinking, "Oh no, it's another political message drama from Jolie" or, "Is this related to Milk?" And they may even tune out for the first part of the trailer. But put them into the action and I think audiences will be hooked. It does toe the line dangerously close to Wanted, though, with the unrealistic jump from the bridge and the wall-push-punch. That may be an issue of the movie's offerings, but the trailer is pretty good bait.

David Mumpower: Josh, going back to what you said about having no interest in the project, I presume you know the pedigree of this film. Just in case you don't, does it change your opinion any to know that Phillip Noyce, director of The Quiet American, is helming Salt and that it has a script written by Kurt Wimmer (Equilibrium) and Brian Helgeland (Mystic River and Man on Fire)? Do their respective presences in any way counteract what you deem to be a lousy trailer?

Josh: David, I did know that Noyce is the director (though the trailer could've been the product of half the action directors in Hollywood); the cast, Jolie aside, is respectable at the very least. Kurt Wimmer is also the guy who brought us Ultraviolet and The Recruit, so his name does nothing for me. Helgeland is also a mixed bag; yes, he did Man On Fire (which I love), but he also did The Postman, The Order, The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, and Cirque Du Freak.

So....Phillip Noyce! His involvement intrigues me, but neither trailer has excited me in any way.

The Last Airbender = M. Night's Ultimate Redemption or Final Damnation?

The Last Airbender – Opens July 2nd

David Mumpower: I am sooooo disappointed that the advertising for this doesn't include "from the man who brought you The Happening".

Continued:       1       2       3       4       5