HOM: Can you name a movie that features Denzel in which he does not play the character he plays in Safe House? What is it about Denzel that makes me see every movie he is in?
BOB: Denzel stars in one of my top 3 favorite movies of all time, Glory...it was back in 1988...and he does not play the action type character he plays in movies like Safe House and Man of Fire. There are several things about Denzel that makes me see all of his movies... regardless of his character, good guy, bad guys...he has such charisma and you just always like and root for his character. You can tell by the way Denzel plays them that there is depth, and that there is a backstory that explains the characters personality and actions. They characters are always calm, intelligent, and they do what they do with a purpose greater than themselves (Glory, Remember Titans, Red October, etc...) He has the cool confidence that all men admire.
HOM: Have you ever seen the 1998 movie titled Safe House that features Kimberly Williams-Paisley (Father of the Bride)(she's hot) and Patrick Stewart? It's not good but I loved the crap out of it. If you haven't, I doubt you have, then give me a few sentences of your thoughts on Father of the Bride.
BOB: Father of the Bride is a solid romantic comedy/chick flick...Steve Martin is funny, and it's not too corny or emotional. Martin Short's character is funny, if nothing else for his accent. I think if I had a daughter I would like it a lot, as I could relate to the refusal to acknowledge her growing up.
HOM: Safe House has earned mixed reviews from critics. The film currently holds a 53% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 116 reviews with the consensus stating: "Though Safe House is anchored by strong performances from Washington and Reynolds, they're let down by a thin script and choppily edited action sequences that betray the film's unfortunate lack of imagination." Would you agree with this? What would you add or refute?
BOB: I would agree that Washington and Reynolds carried the film...but those are two very good actors, so saying that they were the best part of the movie doesn't mean that the movie was bad at all...because they would most likely be the best part of any film. The script wasn't great, and the action sequences could have been done better, but they didn't take away from the entertainment value in the film. It was predictable, but it's hard to find an action movie that the end is not pretty easy to predict. I would say the overall script and editing were average, but the acting takes it to an above average movie, and worth seeing
HOM: This movie was pushed pretty hard through ads and trailers and all the stuff production companies do to promote a film? It made 40 million the first weekend and it is Denzel's second biggest box office weekend since American Gangster. What makes you want to go see a movie?
BOB: Actors are a large part of wanting to see a movie, but I think there are 2 reasons I mainly go see a movie...1) they give me a break from reality and/or 2) they take a piece of reality I can relate to and expand on it. I love movies about fantasy worlds (LOTR) and superheros (Batman) because they take the characteristics of human nature that we all love and admire (strength, bravery, selflessness, love) and put them into situations and characters that enhance them to the utmost. Who wouldn't love to be Aragon, a great warrior and leader, who gets to battle through a fantasy world and fight for the future of mankind? who wouldn't love to be Batman and battle villains selflessly for the good of his city? These are scenarios we can only imagine, so seeing them come to life allows us to escape the limitations that we have as humans and dream beyond our capabilities. I also like it though, when a movie takes a situation or an emotion that we can relate to, and then spins it to something that we don't see normally. For example Field of Dreams...every young man craves that relationship with their father...some through baseball, others through another activity. We all have that, but none of us have built a field that allows ghosts to play on it...they take the emotion we all have, and spin it to a place that again captures our imagination and our attention. legends of the fall puts the emotion of love, and spins it in gorgeous Montana and adds in extreme drama and ties in the rivalry between brothers.
HOM: I thought Ryan Reynolds was really good in this. He made me believe that the life of a CIA operative was actually kind of a sucky thing to have to do. How is it then that the world record number of gun shots and good looking french girlfriend still make you wish you were a government spy?
BOB: Would love to be a CIA operative...would rather live 50 years of an extraordinary life...than 70 of a normal one. Obviously not all CIA operatives are Jason Bourne type...but I want to have the biggest impact on others as I possibly can, and a CIA agent could do that.
HOM: Where does this rank for you alongside the Bourne Trilogy and let's say Entrapment?
BOB: Bourne is supreme, no question...it was the first, and the best...best script, best acting by Damon. Original idea and quite possibly the best actions scenes I can think of
HOM: Any final thoughts?
BOB: One final thought is that I think people sometimes focus too much on the artsy side of movies...a movie can suck as far as editing, general script, or other technical aspects, but who cares if it is fun to watch. Movies are like music...there is no science to what a "good movie" is...so if it's fun to watch, makes you laugh, enjoy the action, whatever....it is a good movie. professionals sometimes can't see the forest for the trees.
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