The Popkorn Junkie :: Knockaround Guys

Well, it was 2 for 1 day at the local cinema and neither "White Oleander" or "The Transporter" were playing, so I had to settle for "Knockaround Guys", a picture I hadn't planned on seeing, based on two reasons: (1) the release of this film has been delayed for months and that is never a good sign, and (2) Barry Pepper just gets on my nerves.

It turns out that my prediction concerning the film was right on target. "Knockaround Guys" is the same tired, unrelenting flick we see each and every year in a hundred different forms -- Tough guys mixed with wannabe tough guys mixed with gangsters and all sorts of other seedy characters. I can't see how a method actor like John Malkovich got suckered into this pile of junk. Seth Green is not cut-out for roles like this, and Vin Diesel may be the most typecast actor around now.

Oh yes, I forgot the absolutely dreadful Barry Pepper, the scourge of "Battlefield Earth", "We Were Soldiers" (an otherwise great film), and "Saving Private Ryan" (an otherwise great film). There's just something about him that makes me want to beat him senseless with a Louisville Slugger "Casino" style until he agrees to never make another movie again. And, he is in the upcoming Spike Lee joint "The 25th Hour", which looks fantastic if not for what I will start referring to as 'The Pepper Allergy'.

So, "Knockaround Guys" is junk and should have been delayed a lot longer, though the Vin Diesel factor will probably help draw in some revenue. Avoid this one and go see "The Rules of Attraction" or "Tuck Everlasting"--different types of movies, but anything is better than this heap. Alas, I will give it a half a pop for the sole reason that John Malkovich is involved--cheers to you, John.

-- Billy Ray ( 1/2 out of 4 pops )

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Other Junkie's opinions.....

Matt ( 3 out of 4 pops )

I was very impressed by this movie, especially considering it's released date got pushed heavily (I think they first started showing the trailer the summer of last year). Well, this sure as hell ain't no "Pluto Nash". This is a fast-paced, funny, wonderfully acted crime caper. Barry Pepper plays the lead role, and he's absolutely magnificent. I liked him a lot in "We Were Soldiers", and here he proves that he is leading man material. Dennis Hopper never disappoints and is also magnificent and of course, there's John Malkovich who was one of my main reasons for checking out this flick. OK, so on a technical level, he was miscast. He struggles with his Brooklyn accent, sounding like Harvey Feirstein trying to be cool, and just doesn't pin down the gangster persona. But what can I say? Malkovich is always great fun to watch, and since I haven't seen him in a movie in years, I was simply glad to see him on screen again. Plus, he does play a cold-blooded villain, and few can play that role better than him. I'm not a Vin Diesel fan (just read my review for "XXX"), but I felt he was well-suited for his role. Besides, he plays a macho guy who was raised on the streets and shows little emotion--not a big challenge for him. And he doesn't play a big part. Unlike Barry Pepper, he's not leading man material and he should stick to these small roles. But if there's one major casting error, it was casting Seth Green. He's way too clean-cut for the role of an outlaw (even with facial hair) and should really stick to teen movies. The story is interesting and the film is a fine mix of action, comedy and drama. And the action is more interesting, since the story and characters are worth caring for. "Knockaround Guys" is good, solid entertainment.