The Traveler

  I normally don't care to pick up "B" movies, even if its just to poke fun at the over done acting, but my husband is another story.  Each time he visits a RedBox he comes home with these outlandish films.  This was the case with The Traveler.
  Its Christmas eve, its rainy and six Police officers stand guard over one lonely town jail. (The rain is super over done!)  Getting very little back story, two bullies of officers cram through the front door only to throw jabs at the overweight desk officer.  He keeps a hand written log of everything that takes place (very old fashion) even the playground cop bullies.  A few wise cracks the officers move us through the broken down horror story jail.  Introducing us to paint chipped walls and what appears to be broken lights.
  We soon meet all the stereotypes among the other officers:  The hot blond, the jock, the dope, the crazed, the one we all "like", and the one we all "hate".  With each one of the players we find them to hiding one big secret that about to find the light.
  The thunder cracks and a strange man unveils himself from the rain drenched darkness.  The desk cop calls to him, with no response, he draws his weapon out of fear.  His fellow officers move fast at the sound of his shouting echoing through the halls.  No name is given, no words are spoken, but they call him Mr. Nobody.
  Lead by the pissy detective with the chip on his shoulder from his daughter's murder, they begin to poke and prod at Mr. Nobody as if he were a fine oyster.  Trying to get answers, they begin to think hes a simple homeless man seeking shelter on Christmas eve.  A little rough around the edges, Mr. Nobody gives one answer "A Confession".  He wishes to confess to six murders, only he keeps the details to himself.
  Once he begins to speak of his gruesome deeds, the mix of cops have their nasty secret played out right before us.  It turns into a long night with gore galore and tones of bumps in the night!
  The Traveler is a films set for revenge, but for all the wrong reasons.  Secrets unfold and bad acting plague a fairly descent story.  It pulls in a few twist-n-turns but I kept finding myself distracted but the low budget quality.  I'm not even sure if seeing what was left on the Editor's Floor could even help this one.  Watch at your OWN RISK!

Directed by Michael Oblowitz, Written by Joseph C. Muscat, Starring Val Kilmer, Dylan Neal and Paul Mcgillion

I Love You Phillip Morris - Amazing True Love Story

  I first heard about I Love You Phillip Morris when it first came out in 2009, but I didn't hear much and it quickly fell off my radar.  Lucky me, I stumbled upon it once more during my latest trip to my local Redbox.  I thought I would give it a shot but I wasn't expecting much.  Thank goodness I rented this one!  What an underdog of a movie!  It truly was an unexpected true love story.
  Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa.  Written by John Requa, Glenn Ficarra and Steve McVicker (book).  Starring Jim Carrey (Steven Russell), Ewan McGregor (Phillip Morris) Leslie Mann (Debbie) and Rodrigo Santoro (Jimmy).
  We are first introduced to Steven Russell as an ordinary everyday man who is "happily" married to his wife Debbie with one daughter.   He seems to be living his dream life until an accident brings out the best in him, so to speak.  After the dramatic reassessment of his life, he comes out of the closet and announces to the world that he is a proud gay man.  Once he realizes how expensive it is to keep his partner happy, he turns into a talented con artist.  Conning his way through almost anything, the law soon catches up with him and throws his ass behind bars.  Once in the big house, Steven finds his true love the very sweet Phillip Morris.  Love burst threw every jailed wall and Steven Russell cons his way to spending everyday with Phillip.
  Through out the movie we find ourselves asking what is love and why do we do the things we do for love?  Its almost timeless in the way it carries out such heartache with a bit of smile.  Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor give stunning performances as these two gay lovers who only want to be with one another.  They prove to be quite a laugh riot when needed and it all balances out when you see the tears flowing.
  I Love You Phillip Morris is quite the journey and I would recommend this film to anyone.  Its like Brokeback Mountain with a smile. (I would just watch it to see the cons this man got away with!) Its sure to keep you laughing and to make you cry after you fall in love with Steven and Russell.  I can't wait to see more from Glenn Ficarra and John Requa.