The Italian Job (2003)

[Movie 124 / Day 104]


As a remake of the classic 60s Michael Caine movie, it's rubbish.

As a generic Hollywood actioner that happens to feature stealing bullion using 3 Mini Coopers (albeit new ones) and controlling traffic lights, it's very enjoyable.

The car chase is a bit rubbish though, considering that's what the original is famous for!

My rating: 6.7 / 10
IMDB rating: 6.9 / 10
Running time: 111 mins
IMDB link

In the Valley of Elah (2007)

[Movie 8 / Day 6]


Tommy Lee Jones seems to only get better with age. He's brilliant in this fairly depressing movie (based on a true story) of a father trying to trace his son who is AWOL from the US Army. He's also backed up by a solid supporting cast, including Charlize Theron, Jason Patric (who makes up for the abysmal Speed 2 here), Josh Brolin (who, for me at least, can do no wrong at the moment)... Even Susan Sarandon seems perfectly cast as the depressed wife - and that's saying a lot, as she usually irritates the shit out of me.

It's a bit too long and the ending is a bit meh, but overall it's enjoyable. Depressing, though.

My rating: 6.9 / 10
IMDB rating: 7.5 / 10
Running time: 121 mins
IMDB link