The Lone Terrorist

The Films: Speed, In the Line of Fire, Arlington Road

The terrorists want you to be afraid. But once you succumb to fear, they have already won. Don't let the terrorists, lone or otherwise, win. The only thing we have to fear is bad, melodramatic acting.

Viewing order importance: Low. Getting there is half the battle.

Speed: Pop quiz hotshot. You have Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock and Jeff Daniels in the fight of their lives against a crazy ex-cop on a speeding bus. What do you do...what do you do? Keanu in his seminal roll against the big bad bus (and the big bad elevator and the big bad train.) The film that launched a thousand parodies, and as unfortunate, Sandra Bullock's career.

In the Line of Fire: Eastwood vs. Malcovich. Good vs. Evil. Crazy vs. cah-razy! Malcovich is the stereotypical genius whack-job vexed by the Pres., and Eastwood is his equal as the salty old fart who can't get over his past failure. Watch it if only to hear Clint say "You've got a rendezvous with my ass!"

Arlington Road: The lone terrorist. That's what they WANT you to believe. Tim Robbins ain't no sucka. He's got a whole army of nut-jobs working to bring down the government. He'll just pin it on the poor Jeff Bridges, in a mopey, paranoid roll. As far as the Dollar Video Curator is concerned, he set himself up to be the fall guy. The Dude abides.

Grade: B for (its the) Bomb Baby!