Contraband

Brian in Mesa

Advocatus Diaboli
Super Moderator
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
May 13, 2002
Posts
74,152
Reaction score
26,664
Location
Killjoy Central
Contraband

Release Date: January 13, 2012
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Baltasar Kormakur
Screenwriter: Aaron Guzikowski
Genre: Action, Thriller
MPAA Rating: R (for violence, pervasive language and brief drug use)
Website: Contrabandmovie.net | Facebook

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Kate Beckinsale, Ben Foster, Giovanni Ribisi, Caleb Landry Jones, Lukas Haas, Diego Luna, J.K. Simmons

Plot Summary: Mark Wahlberg leads the cast of "Contraband," a fast-paced thriller about a man trying to stay out of a world he worked so hard to leave behind and the family he'll do anything to protect. Set in New Orleans, the film explores the cutthroat underground world of international smuggling -- full of desperate criminals and corrupt officials, high-stakes and big payoffs -- where loyalty rarely exists and death is one wrong turn away.

Chris Farraday (Wahlberg) long ago abandoned his life of crime, but after his brother-in-law, Andy (Caleb Landry Jones), botches a drug deal for his ruthless boss, Tim Briggs (Giovanni Ribisi), Chris is forced back into doing what he does best--running contraband--to settle Andy's debt. Chris is a legendary smuggler and quickly assembles a crew with the help of his best friend, Sebastian (Ben Foster), to head to Panama and return with millions in counterfeit bills.

Things quickly fall apart and with only hours to reach the cash, Chris must use his rusty skills to successfully navigate a treacherous criminal network of brutal drug lords, cops and hit men before his wife, Kate (Kate Beckinsale), and sons become their target.

You must be registered for see images attach
 
OP
OP
Brian in Mesa

Brian in Mesa

Advocatus Diaboli
Super Moderator
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
May 13, 2002
Posts
74,152
Reaction score
26,664
Location
Killjoy Central
We just got back. Liked it except for the jumpy camera work at times - which I'm sure is the style of the director/crew.

I'm a sucker for all of the con/heist films. :cool:
 

AzStevenCal

ASFN IDOL
Supporting Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2004
Posts
37,244
Reaction score
17,305
We just got back. Liked it except for the jumpy camera work at times - which I'm sure is the style of the director/crew.

I'm a sucker for all of the con/heist films. :cool:

That tells me all I need to know. I'm just so sick of the jumpy camera BS. BTW, I like heist films too but did the plot summary above remind anyone else of Gone In 60 Seconds?

Steve
 
OP
OP
Brian in Mesa

Brian in Mesa

Advocatus Diaboli
Super Moderator
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
May 13, 2002
Posts
74,152
Reaction score
26,664
Location
Killjoy Central
That tells me all I need to know. I'm just so sick of the jumpy camera BS.

Filmed by cinematographer Barry Ackroyd (The Hurt Locker), Contraband maintains a jagged, jumpy look that accentuates the story’s tension and ever-shifting moral center.

Ah, so that's why. At least it wasn't just us. LOL

BTW, I like heist films too but did the plot summary above remind anyone else of Gone In 60 Seconds?

Both have Giovanni Ribisi. :D
 
OP
OP
Brian in Mesa

Brian in Mesa

Advocatus Diaboli
Super Moderator
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
May 13, 2002
Posts
74,152
Reaction score
26,664
Location
Killjoy Central
When the credits first rolled I caught that it is the US remake of an Icelandic film.

Contraband is a remake of the Icelandic film Reykjavík-Rotterdam, which stars the extremely versatile Baltasar Kormákur, who now directs this American version. Kormákur is a very active writer, producer, actor, and director, who first gained international attention in 2000 with his dark comedy 101 Reykjavík.

Kind of different. The star of the original directed the remake. He should know the material.
 

Shane

My time of year!
Super Moderator
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
May 13, 2002
Posts
70,305
Reaction score
41,866
Location
Las Vegas
Entertains. But not great by any means!
 

Bert

Walkin' on Sunshine
LEGACY MEMBER
Joined
Oct 16, 2008
Posts
10,139
Reaction score
3,236
Location
Arizona
That tells me all I need to know. I'm just so sick of the jumpy camera BS. BTW, I like heist films too but did the plot summary above remind anyone else of Gone In 60 Seconds?

Steve

And about 20 other films. Seriously, how many movies is hollywood going to make with this exact plot....

Criminal goes straight, makes a good life for himself...

But then his brother gets in trouble and the guy is forced back into crime to help his family...

Cue chase scenes



That being said, Kate Beckinsale is in it, so I'll see it.
 
OP
OP
Brian in Mesa

Brian in Mesa

Advocatus Diaboli
Super Moderator
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
May 13, 2002
Posts
74,152
Reaction score
26,664
Location
Killjoy Central
And about 20 other films. Seriously, how many movies is hollywood going to make with this exact plot....

Criminal goes straight, makes a good life for himself...

But then his brother gets in trouble and the guy is forced back into crime to help his family...

Cue chase scenes



That being said, Kate Beckinsale is in it, so I'll see it.

:nono:

This time it is his brother-in-law. Totally different film. :D
 

Cheesebeef

ASFN IDOL
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2003
Posts
92,872
Reaction score
71,989
thought it was truly awful.

I mean... marky mark at one point gets away from the bad guys simply by saying "i gotta take a piss"... and then they jsut let him walk out of the house. REALLY?
 

AsUdUdE

ASFN Lifer
Joined
Jun 24, 2005
Posts
3,375
Reaction score
44
For what it was I found it enetertaining... Better than a lot of other movies that have come out recently, but again, that is not saying much, The past year and a half and been just awful for movie releases..
 

Bert

Walkin' on Sunshine
LEGACY MEMBER
Joined
Oct 16, 2008
Posts
10,139
Reaction score
3,236
Location
Arizona
Saw it, hated it. Giovanni Ribisi was the worst bad guy ever. I was writing up a whole review but this movie sucked in so many ways and had so many gaping plot holes that I wont even bother. It sucked, enough said.

I think I will take a break from movies altogether for a while until I hear you guys say that something is REALLY good because I've been burned on my last few trips to movieland.
 
Last edited:

Shane

My time of year!
Super Moderator
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
May 13, 2002
Posts
70,305
Reaction score
41,866
Location
Las Vegas
Saw it, hated it. Giovanni Ribisi was the worst bad guy ever. I was writing up a whole review but this movie sucked in so many ways and had so many gaping plot holes that I wont even bother. It sucked, enough said.

I think I will take a break from movies altogether for a while until I hear you guys say that something is REALLY good because I've been burned on my last few trips to movieland.

LIES! You so know your gonna see Kate Beckinsale in leather this weekend! :mulli:
 
Top