Report Card---"Prisoners"

This will be the last Report Card for the past movie season.
Then, next week, we will go back to real life.

"Prisoners" is essentially a two-part episode of "Law and Order---Criminal Intent"
That was a show that I really liked a lot.
And the quality here is pretty much at that level.
The main difference is that the father of the two kidnapping victims (Hugh Jackman), not a criminologist, is the savant equivalent of Vincent D'Onofrio on "L&O----Criminal Intent".
All that's missing is Jackman stooping way over like D'Onofrio to interrogate his witness.
And the cop running the investigation (Jake Gyllenhall) is a bit of a lunkhead.
I found this to be an interesting twist.
I found this to be a very good movie, although it really felt more like a really good TV show.

On to the scoring: 

Is it interesting?

Extremely.
A+.

Compelling even?

Sometimes.
A.

Is it controversial?

It's not really that deep.
B-.

Is it a story worth telling?

It is a ripping yarn.
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

Extremely.
A+.

Is it well written?

The writing serves the story very well..
A.

Is it well cast? Well played?  Well shot?

I love Hugh Jackman, and he's terrific in this.
Gyllenhall is okay.   It's shot well.
B+.

Is it too long? Too short?

It's long, but doesn't feel it.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Jackman seems a little too smart, but that's easily overlooked.  You certainly care about the characters.
B+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

It manages to stay ahead of you, except at the very end.
B+.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

It's not really that kind of movie.
B..

Is it funny?

Occasionally
B..

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

It really felt like television.
C.

Is it impressive ?

Somewhat.
B+.

Overall grade: A-.

 The enjoyment here is purely while you watch it.  Not at all what you bring away from it.
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My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

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