next

2 days ago, i had received news that my wife and i owed $1100 more on our taxes than we had originally thought. this may not sound like much to most...but it crushed my world. i wanted to quit everything...period. needless to say, i didn't handle it well that day. so yesterday morning when i woke up, i decided i had to fit a movie into my day. i was heading to richmond to meet up with an online gaming acquaintance for lunch. perfect opportunity to squeeze in a flick.

i had been interested in next because im a sci fi junkie. however, i expected the same kind of crap that cage has been putting out for some time in his 'action-hero' role ('the rock', 'con-air', 'ghost rider', 'gone in 60 seconds', 'snake eyes', 'face off'). side note...sometime take a look at how cage can be so incredible in some roles and such a bomb in others - ie: 'bringing out the dead' vs 'firebirds'.

i was shocked. maybe it was because i was so desperate to disconnect from the reality of taxes for 2 hours. maybe i just so underestimated this film that it more than met my expectations. who knows. but i liked it. it varied from the formula. it kept me guessing...often (not in plot mind you, but within each scene). julianne moore was great in her role as an agent. also, jessica biel is becoming more convincing as an actor. cage was cheezy at times, but that's who he is in these roles. it was also nice to see 'columbo' for a short bit, playing older friend to cage's character. i also enjoyed the russian vs us 'callback' to the cold war era which i grew up during.

i felt that i got my 7 dollars worth of film. if you like movies that delve into the ever complicated 'time line' issue...then this is a must. i still have to pay my taxes. but at least i avoided it for 2 entertaining hours yesterday.