Bangkok Dangerous

-by Kim Yonick

A hitman learns to put his business aside when he takes up a series of jobs in Bangkok.

This action film follows the storyline of Joe (Nicolas Cage), a hitman who receives a series of jobs in Bangkok. Joe follows the same rules in every job, stay the course, don't get involved and get out when it's time. However, this time the job becomes different. Joe bonds with his errand boy, Kong (Shahkrit Yamnarm) and falls for a local woman at a pharmacy. This breaks Joe's rules and causes him to change his values after each job.

Nicolas Cage is the top dog on the screen in "Bangkok Dangerous," but the other cast members do not miss a beat. Yamnarm worked well with Cage as he was his errand boy. The rest of the cast worked well with Cage on screen.

"Bangkok Dangerous" was filmed with a blue filter to give a dark, dreary state to the movie. The movie also had many close up shots and cuts to shows the target and Cage setting up to take out the assignment. Lastly some of the scenes were fast passed to help signify Cage's deadline for the job.

This film was directed by both Oxide Pang Chun and Danny Pang. Chun is famous for his asian films such as "Mon seung," "Gin gwai" and "Bangkok Dangerous" which was filmed in 1999. Pang is also famous for his asian films such as working with Chun in "Gin gwai," the 1999 film "Bangkok Dangerous" and his own film "Sum yuen."

"Bangkok Dangerous" is recommended for anyone who is a fan of Nicolas Cage or likes high action pack films.

Ghost Town

-by Kim Yonick

This comedy film has a life lesson about living life once.

"Ghost Town" follows the story line of Doctor Bertram Pincus (Ricky Gervais), who is asocial with society. His personality changed when an incident occurred at the hospital, while Pincus was going under a colonoscopy. Pincus begins to notice dead people throughout New York, who have unfinished business, and Pincus is the man to help them. Throughout the movie, he learns more about himself and changes his perspective on society.

Comedian Ricky Gervais is paired on screen with Greg Kinnear, Aasif Mandvi from the Daily Show and other recognizable actors. The scenes had smooth transitions and the lines fit all the characters. The comedy was a little dry, but noticeable.

The movie used many fading transition scenes to demonstrate a time lapse. The movie turned out to be a comedic romantic. The movie isn't very strong, but there are some strong comedic lines.

David Koepp has directed and written "Ghost Town." He has also written other movies such as "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," "War of the Worlds," "Secret Window," "Spider-Man" and "Panic Room." However, Koepp has also directed a few movies such as "Secret Window" and "Stir of Echoes."

"Ghost Town" is recommended for anyone who is a Ricky Gervais fan or likes a comedic romance.