Two of the most-loved sci-fi franchises of all time have a lot more crossover than you might think. Before starring on "Star Trek: The Original Series," several key members of the enterprise popped up in Rod Serling's seminal series "The Twilight Zone." A few decades later, the same pattern would repeat, only it would be future "Star Trek: The Next Generation" stars cutting their teeth on episodes of the '80s "Twilight Zone" reboot. Even the most recent iteration of the show, Jordan Peele's short-lived but ambitious effort that stalled out after just two seasons, has hosted some great past and future "Trek" actors.
It's worth noting that this list concerns the best "Star Trek" actors, and as such, there are no guarantees that these talented folks are actually great or even memorable in their "Twilight Zone" appearances. Some certainly are, while others have only the briefest of guest spots in mostly-forgotten episodes.
It's worth noting that this list concerns the best "Star Trek" actors, and as such, there are no guarantees that these talented folks are actually great or even memorable in their "Twilight Zone" appearances. Some certainly are, while others have only the briefest of guest spots in mostly-forgotten episodes.
- 9/28/2024
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
Joseph Ruskin Posthumously Receives Equity's Patrick Quinn Award for Distinguished Service to Actors
Veteran union activist Joseph Ruskin has posthumously received the 2014 Patrick Quinn Award for Distinguished Service to Actors presented by the Actors' Equity Foundation. Ruskin, who joined Equity in 1952, served on the Council from 1979 until his death on December 28, 2013 at the age of 89. The award will be presented in Los Angeles to his wife, Barbara Ruskin, at the Equity Council meeting on Tuesday, July 15th.
- 7/14/2014
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
efilmcritic Erik Childress's wonderful annual list of Blurb Whores of the Year
THR August Osage County wins big at the Capri festival in Italy, winning four prizes. Harvey Weinstein and Chris Cooper were also honored at the festival. In non Weinstein awards they honored 12 Years a Slave, Saving Mr Banks, and The Great Beauty as well as Valeria Golino (remember her?) as European actress of the year
EW Downton Abbey on the cover. Can't wait for its return this weekend
Variety 3 time Oscar winning producer Saul Zaentz (Amadeus, Cuckoo's Nest and The English Patient) has passed away
i09 Disney Princess themed lingerie from Japan!
Mnpp vicious but true takedown of Ron Howard's Rush
Cinema Blend The Rock for a new iteration of Green Lantern? There are worse ideas, casting-wise I suppose but DC movies are so hopeless!
The Guardian finds that The Wolf of Wall Street uses the naughty F word 506 times,...
THR August Osage County wins big at the Capri festival in Italy, winning four prizes. Harvey Weinstein and Chris Cooper were also honored at the festival. In non Weinstein awards they honored 12 Years a Slave, Saving Mr Banks, and The Great Beauty as well as Valeria Golino (remember her?) as European actress of the year
EW Downton Abbey on the cover. Can't wait for its return this weekend
Variety 3 time Oscar winning producer Saul Zaentz (Amadeus, Cuckoo's Nest and The English Patient) has passed away
i09 Disney Princess themed lingerie from Japan!
Mnpp vicious but true takedown of Ron Howard's Rush
Cinema Blend The Rock for a new iteration of Green Lantern? There are worse ideas, casting-wise I suppose but DC movies are so hopeless!
The Guardian finds that The Wolf of Wall Street uses the naughty F word 506 times,...
- 1/4/2014
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Joseph Ruskin, a film and television icon who starred in everything from ‘The Twilight Zone’ to ‘Prizzi’s Honor,’ died on Dec. 28 in Santa Monica, Calif. He was 89 years old.
Joseph Ruskin, 89, undoubtedly lived a long and celebrated life. By the time the actor passed from natural causes on Dec. 28, he had starred in 25 films and 124 television shows. Read all about the actor’s life below.
Joseph Ruskin Dies At 89
Joseph was a well-known character actor back in his day. SAG-AFTRA — of which Joseph was a longtime officer — released a statement celebrating the actor’s life.
“Joe Ruskin was the epitome of the actor who takes care of all the other actors while keeping one foot firmly planted on the stage or the set,” said National President Ken Howard. “He gave so much for so long it’s hard to believe he’s gone. But he lived to see...
Joseph Ruskin, 89, undoubtedly lived a long and celebrated life. By the time the actor passed from natural causes on Dec. 28, he had starred in 25 films and 124 television shows. Read all about the actor’s life below.
Joseph Ruskin Dies At 89
Joseph was a well-known character actor back in his day. SAG-AFTRA — of which Joseph was a longtime officer — released a statement celebrating the actor’s life.
“Joe Ruskin was the epitome of the actor who takes care of all the other actors while keeping one foot firmly planted on the stage or the set,” said National President Ken Howard. “He gave so much for so long it’s hard to believe he’s gone. But he lived to see...
- 1/2/2014
- by Shaunna Murphy
- HollywoodLife
Beloved science fiction actor, Joseph Ruskin, died on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013 at age 89.
Ruskin, whose on-screen career spanned five decades, from 1955 to 2006, is perhaps best known for his bit roles in television’s Mission Impossible and various Star Trek incarnations, including the 1966 original. He also appeared in Smokin’ Aces (2006) and Indecent Proposal (1993).
Ruskin reportedly died of natural causes in Santa Monica, Calif, and last took to the stage in a 2013 production of The Crucible by the Antaeus Theater Company. He frequently acted in television, plays and films throughout his career. Ruskin also served as a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) board from 1976 to 1999 and, during that time, became the first national SAG vice president.
Ruskin is survived by his daughter, Alicia Ruskin, wife Barbara Greene Ruskin and three step-daughters.
– Olivia Truffaut-Wong
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Ruskin, whose on-screen career spanned five decades, from 1955 to 2006, is perhaps best known for his bit roles in television’s Mission Impossible and various Star Trek incarnations, including the 1966 original. He also appeared in Smokin’ Aces (2006) and Indecent Proposal (1993).
Ruskin reportedly died of natural causes in Santa Monica, Calif, and last took to the stage in a 2013 production of The Crucible by the Antaeus Theater Company. He frequently acted in television, plays and films throughout his career. Ruskin also served as a member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) board from 1976 to 1999 and, during that time, became the first national SAG vice president.
Ruskin is survived by his daughter, Alicia Ruskin, wife Barbara Greene Ruskin and three step-daughters.
– Olivia Truffaut-Wong
Get Uinterview's Free iPhone App For Daily News Updates here.
Get the Free Uinterview iPad app here and watch our videos anywhere.
- 1/2/2014
- Uinterview
Joseph Ruskin, a character actor and long-serving SAG board member, died Dec. 28 from natural causes at UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica. He was 89.Mr. Ruskin was a native of Haverhill, Mass., who graduated from high school in Cleveland, Ohio and served in the Navy during World War II. Mr. Ruskin was a prolific character actor with 25 films and 124 television shows to his credit. His notable film appearances included The Magnificent Seven and Prizzi's Honor. His smallscreen body of work included roles on The Twilight Zone, Star Trek and Alias. Ruskin served on the board of the Screen Actors Guild from 1976 to 1999, with eight of those years as the First National Vice President. In 1979,...
- 1/1/2014
- by April Neale
- Monsters and Critics
Joseph Ruskin, a character actor and long-serving SAG board member, died Dec. 28 from natural causes at UCLA Medical Center, Santa Monica. He was 89. As an actor, he appeared in 25 films and 124 television shows. His notable film appearances included The Magnificent Seven and Prizzi's Honor. His television credits include appearances on The Twilight Zone, Star Trek and Alias. Photos: Hollywood's Notable Deaths of 2013 Ruskin served on the board of the Screen Actors Guild from 1976 to 1999, with eight of those years as the First National Vice President. In 1979, he became the first Western
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- 12/31/2013
- by THR Staff
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Joseph Ruskin, veteran television, film and stage actor and longtime SAG board member, died Saturday of natural causes at UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica, according to a statement from SAG-aftra. He was 89. Ruskin’s television credits number more than 120 including appearances on The Twilight Zone, Star Trek, Mission Impossible, Murder She Wrote, L.A. Law and most recently Bones. His film work includes roles in The Magnificent Seven, Prizzi’s Honor, Indecent Proposal and Smokin’ Aces. Ruskin began his career in theatre, performing over the years at the Mark Taper Forum, UCLA’s Freud Playhouse and Theater 40. His final performance came this year as a member of the Antaeus Theatre Company. A long-serving actors’ union member and officer, Ruskin became the first Western Regional Vice President of Actors Equity Association in 1979 and was on the Screen Actors Guild board from 1976-1999, serving as 1st National Vice President for eight of those years.
- 12/31/2013
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
With the entire original run of The Twilight Zone available to watch instantly, we’re partnering with Twitch Film to cover all of the show’s 156 episodes. Are you brave enough to watch them all with us? The Twilight Zone (Episode #114): “I Dream of Genie” (airdate 3/21/63) The Plot: A man finds a lazy genie in a lamp who only grants one wish. The Goods: For a second, let’s pretend that there isn’t a massive sub-genre of “Wish Fulfillment Gone Awry” episodes of this series (and of others). That includes forgetting that genies and Satan keep popping up everywhere. Thomas Gomez, Ernest Truex, and Joseph Ruskin all played the magical wish-granters, but no matter the actor behind the role – the rules are the same. You get what you want, and more than you bargained for. That’s why we’re forgetting all of those episodes exist because, despite its trite starting gun, this...
- 12/2/2011
- by Cole Abaius
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Chicago – Image Entertainment released a spectacular Blu-ray release in September of “The Twilight Zone: Season 1,” an amazing set that will surely be mentioned when our year-end “Best Blu-rays of the Year” feature debuts in a few weeks. With “The Twilight Zone: Season 2” following quickly on its heels just two months later, the only concern was if they would drop the ball with the second release. Instead they have hit another home run.
Blu-ray Rating: 5.0/5.0
Of course, the primary reason to pick up both seasons is the quality of the program itself. It helped shape science fiction of all forms, not just television. It’s one of the most influential programs of all time and most episodes have held up incredibly well. There aren’t many programs from the early ’60s for which a shot-for-shot remake could air in 2010 and still be devastatingly effective. You can say that about...
Blu-ray Rating: 5.0/5.0
Of course, the primary reason to pick up both seasons is the quality of the program itself. It helped shape science fiction of all forms, not just television. It’s one of the most influential programs of all time and most episodes have held up incredibly well. There aren’t many programs from the early ’60s for which a shot-for-shot remake could air in 2010 and still be devastatingly effective. You can say that about...
- 11/24/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Oh, Image Entertainment. How quickly we're growing to love thee. The official specs and artwork for both "The Twilight Zone" Season 2 on Blu-ray and "The Twilight Zone" Fan Favorites DVD Collection have come our way along with the artwork so without further ado ...
From the Press Releases
"Genies, malevolent machines, Santa Claus and The Devil himself. Get ready for more excursions into the fantastic when Image Entertainment releases The Twilight Zone: Season 2 on Blu-ray November 16th. All 29 episodes from the legendary series’ second season have been remastered and will be presented in pristine 1080p high-definition and uncompressed Pcm audio. In addition, the 4-disc set also includes many of the bonus features from the Definitive Collection DVD release, along with hours of new bonus features, specially created for this Blu-ray™ release. Spr is $99.98, and pre-book is October 19th.
Season Two Episodes
King Nine Will Not Return, The Man in the Bottle,...
From the Press Releases
"Genies, malevolent machines, Santa Claus and The Devil himself. Get ready for more excursions into the fantastic when Image Entertainment releases The Twilight Zone: Season 2 on Blu-ray November 16th. All 29 episodes from the legendary series’ second season have been remastered and will be presented in pristine 1080p high-definition and uncompressed Pcm audio. In addition, the 4-disc set also includes many of the bonus features from the Definitive Collection DVD release, along with hours of new bonus features, specially created for this Blu-ray™ release. Spr is $99.98, and pre-book is October 19th.
Season Two Episodes
King Nine Will Not Return, The Man in the Bottle,...
- 8/12/2010
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Jeff Favreproduction: A Beautiful View, Son of Semele Theatre; Robots vs. Fake Robots, Powerhouse Theatre; Shipwrecked! An Entertainment, Geffen Playhouse.Playwriting: David Largman Murray, Robots vs. Fake Robots.Direction: Don Boughton, A Beautiful View; John Doyle, Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Center Theatre Group, Ahmanson Theatre; Tiger Reel, Cartoon, Art/Works Theatre; Elise Robertson, The Women, Circus Theatricals.Music Direction: Sarah Travis, Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Scenic Design: Simon Higlett, The School of Night, Center Theatre Group, Mark Taper Forum; Christine Jones, Spring Awakening, Center Theatre Group, Ahmanson Theatre; Anthony Ward, My Fair Lady, Center Theatre Group, Ahmanson Theatre.Lighting Design: Russell H. Champa, The School of Night; Richard Jones, Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.Costume Design: Anthony Ward, My Fair Lady.Sound Design: Dan Moses Schreier, Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street.Perfomance In A (Primarily) Straight Play:Gregory Itzin,...
- 3/11/2009
- backstage.com
Smokin' Aces
This review was written for the theatrical release of "Smokin' Aces."
Joe Carnahan likes to make macho Guns-and-Violence movies -- "Narc" and "Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane" -- but in his third feature as a writer-director, he finds himself at a crossroads: He either will find an original voice or be content to ape yesterday's trends in the G&V genre. If he pursues the avenue of "Smokin' Aces," he is, discouragingly, headed down the latter path. While the film bristles with cinematic verve, it also is as second-hand as an antique store. The elements that come together here are far too easily identified: Huge, bloody chunks of Quentin Tarantino, the slickster moves of "Ocean's Eleven" and "Ocean's Twelve," the double-barreled visual assault of early Guy Ritchie and the plot twists of "The Usual Suspects".
In these interlocking tales of cops, hit men and mobsters, Universal definitely has a playable film for males 25 and under. But looking past the grosses, which could potentially go as high as $40 million, Carnahan's career seems to be moving away from his early promise. His first two films played Sundance; this one is strictly Salt Lake City.
The whole thing comes down to one gag: In the tradition of Nevada poker tournaments, "Aces" brings a collection of characters to a casino hotel in Lake Tahoe. However, these are not card sharks but rather a hit parade of outrageous assassins working as teams or solo acts. Seems a mob boss (Joseph Ruskin) has taken out a $1 million contract on sleazy illusionist Buddy "Aces" Israel (Jeremy Piven). Aces is ensconced in a penthouse at the Nomad Casino while his manager negotiates a deal with the FBI deputy director (Andy Garcia) to turn state's evidence against the mob.
So Carnahan gives us a rogue's gallery of sociopaths in competition for that cool $1 million: neo-Nazi brothers (Chris Pine, Kevin Durand, Maury Serling), who display a fondness for chain saws; two feminist hit ladies (Alicia Keys and Taraji Henson), righteous sisters in the struggle against male dominance of action flicks; a master of disguises (Tommy Flanagan); a master of exquisitely painful deaths (Nestor Carbonell); and an out-of-his-element bail bondsman (Ben Affleck) and two pals (Peter Berg, Martin Henderson). Ace's only protection comes from a couple of stalwart FBI agents (Ryan Reynolds, Ray Liotta) and a distracted hotel security staff.
Like all good multicharacter operas of mayhem, everyone gets an aria to demonstrate his bloody abilities. While these episodes lack the wit and intelligence of Tarantino -- well, Carnahan begs for the comparison to be made -- they do not lack visceral impact. On the positive side, these showdowns feature mostly superior stunt work rather than special effects.
One question hovers over the carnage, though: Whom the hell are we supposed to root for? The closest the movie comes to sympathetic assassins are its hit ladies, yet the payoff to their subplot is the weakest of the bunch.
A hot soundtrack and percussive editing drive the picture, which cinematographer Mauro Fiore shoots in saturated colors. Mary Zophres is allowed to go crazy with her costumes for her ghetto-fabluous hit babes, neo-Nazi fast-change artists and the other hep hitmen.
SMOKIN' ACES
Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures in association with
StudioCanal and Relativity Media presents a Working Title production
Credits:
Screenwriter-director: Joe Carnahan
Producers: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner
Executive producers: Robert Graf, Liza Chasin
Director of photography: Mauro Fiore
Production designer: Martin Whist
Music: Clint Mansell
Costume designer: Mary Zophres
Editor: Robert Frazen
Cast:
Jack Dupree: Ben Affleck
Stanley Locke: Andy Garcia
Georgia Sykes: Alicia Keys
Donald Carruthers: Ray Liotta
Buddy "Aces" Israel: Jeremy Piven
Richard Messner: Ryan Reynolds
"Pistol" Pete Deeks: Peter Berg
Sharice Watters: Taraji Henson
Darwin Tremor: Chris Pine
Running time -- 108 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
Joe Carnahan likes to make macho Guns-and-Violence movies -- "Narc" and "Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane" -- but in his third feature as a writer-director, he finds himself at a crossroads: He either will find an original voice or be content to ape yesterday's trends in the G&V genre. If he pursues the avenue of "Smokin' Aces," he is, discouragingly, headed down the latter path. While the film bristles with cinematic verve, it also is as second-hand as an antique store. The elements that come together here are far too easily identified: Huge, bloody chunks of Quentin Tarantino, the slickster moves of "Ocean's Eleven" and "Ocean's Twelve," the double-barreled visual assault of early Guy Ritchie and the plot twists of "The Usual Suspects".
In these interlocking tales of cops, hit men and mobsters, Universal definitely has a playable film for males 25 and under. But looking past the grosses, which could potentially go as high as $40 million, Carnahan's career seems to be moving away from his early promise. His first two films played Sundance; this one is strictly Salt Lake City.
The whole thing comes down to one gag: In the tradition of Nevada poker tournaments, "Aces" brings a collection of characters to a casino hotel in Lake Tahoe. However, these are not card sharks but rather a hit parade of outrageous assassins working as teams or solo acts. Seems a mob boss (Joseph Ruskin) has taken out a $1 million contract on sleazy illusionist Buddy "Aces" Israel (Jeremy Piven). Aces is ensconced in a penthouse at the Nomad Casino while his manager negotiates a deal with the FBI deputy director (Andy Garcia) to turn state's evidence against the mob.
So Carnahan gives us a rogue's gallery of sociopaths in competition for that cool $1 million: neo-Nazi brothers (Chris Pine, Kevin Durand, Maury Serling), who display a fondness for chain saws; two feminist hit ladies (Alicia Keys and Taraji Henson), righteous sisters in the struggle against male dominance of action flicks; a master of disguises (Tommy Flanagan); a master of exquisitely painful deaths (Nestor Carbonell); and an out-of-his-element bail bondsman (Ben Affleck) and two pals (Peter Berg, Martin Henderson). Ace's only protection comes from a couple of stalwart FBI agents (Ryan Reynolds, Ray Liotta) and a distracted hotel security staff.
Like all good multicharacter operas of mayhem, everyone gets an aria to demonstrate his bloody abilities. While these episodes lack the wit and intelligence of Tarantino -- well, Carnahan begs for the comparison to be made -- they do not lack visceral impact. On the positive side, these showdowns feature mostly superior stunt work rather than special effects.
One question hovers over the carnage, though: Whom the hell are we supposed to root for? The closest the movie comes to sympathetic assassins are its hit ladies, yet the payoff to their subplot is the weakest of the bunch.
A hot soundtrack and percussive editing drive the picture, which cinematographer Mauro Fiore shoots in saturated colors. Mary Zophres is allowed to go crazy with her costumes for her ghetto-fabluous hit babes, neo-Nazi fast-change artists and the other hep hitmen.
SMOKIN' ACES
Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures in association with
StudioCanal and Relativity Media presents a Working Title production
Credits:
Screenwriter-director: Joe Carnahan
Producers: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner
Executive producers: Robert Graf, Liza Chasin
Director of photography: Mauro Fiore
Production designer: Martin Whist
Music: Clint Mansell
Costume designer: Mary Zophres
Editor: Robert Frazen
Cast:
Jack Dupree: Ben Affleck
Stanley Locke: Andy Garcia
Georgia Sykes: Alicia Keys
Donald Carruthers: Ray Liotta
Buddy "Aces" Israel: Jeremy Piven
Richard Messner: Ryan Reynolds
"Pistol" Pete Deeks: Peter Berg
Sharice Watters: Taraji Henson
Darwin Tremor: Chris Pine
Running time -- 108 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 1/22/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Smokin' Aces
Joe Carnahan likes to make macho Guns-and-Violence movies -- "Narc" and "Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane" -- but in his third feature as a writer-director, he finds himself at a crossroads: He either will find an original voice or be content to ape yesterday's trends in the G&V genre. If he pursues the avenue of "Smokin' Aces," he is, discouragingly, headed down the latter path. While the film bristles with cinematic verve, it also is as second-hand as an antique store. The elements that come together here are far too easily identified: Huge, bloody chunks of Quentin Tarantino, the slickster moves of "Ocean's Eleven" and "Ocean's Twelve," the double-barreled visual assault of early Guy Ritchie and the plot twists of "The Usual Suspects".
In these interlocking tales of cops, hit men and mobsters, Universal definitely has a playable film for males 25 and under. But looking past the grosses, which could potentially go as high as $40 million, Carnahan's career seems to be moving away from his early promise. His first two films played Sundance; this one is strictly Salt Lake City.
The whole thing comes down to one gag: In the tradition of Nevada poker tournaments, "Aces" brings a collection of characters to a casino hotel in Lake Tahoe. However, these are not card sharks but rather a hit parade of outrageous assassins working as teams or solo acts. Seems a mob boss (Joseph Ruskin) has taken out a $1 million contract on sleazy illusionist Buddy "Aces" Israel (Jeremy Piven). Aces is ensconced in a penthouse at the Nomad Casino while his manager negotiates a deal with the FBI deputy director (Andy Garcia) to turn state's evidence against the mob.
So Carnahan gives us a rogue's gallery of sociopaths in competition for that cool $1 million: neo-Nazi brothers (Chris Pine, Kevin Durand, Maury Serling), who display a fondness for chain saws; two feminist hit ladies (Alicia Keys and Taraji Henson), righteous sisters in the struggle against male dominance of action flicks; a master of disguises (Tommy Flanagan); a master of exquisitely painful deaths (Nestor Carbonell); and an out-of-his-element bail bondsman (Ben Affleck) and two pals (Peter Berg, Martin Henderson). Ace's only protection comes from a couple of stalwart FBI agents (Ryan Reynolds, Ray Liotta) and a distracted hotel security staff.
Like all good multicharacter operas of mayhem, everyone gets an aria to demonstrate his bloody abilities. While these episodes lack the wit and intelligence of Tarantino -- well, Carnahan begs for the comparison to be made -- they do not lack visceral impact. On the positive side, these showdowns feature mostly superior stunt work rather than special effects.
One question hovers over the carnage, though: Whom the hell are we supposed to root for? The closest the movie comes to sympathetic assassins are its hit ladies, yet the payoff to their subplot is the weakest of the bunch.
A hot soundtrack and percussive editing drive the picture, which cinematographer Mauro Fiore shoots in saturated colors. Mary Zophres is allowed to go crazy with her costumes for her ghetto-fabluous hit babes, neo-Nazi fast-change artists and the other hep hitmen.
SMOKIN' ACES
Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures in association with
StudioCanal and Relativity Media presents a Working Title production
Credits:
Screenwriter-director: Joe Carnahan
Producers: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner
Executive producers: Robert Graf, Liza Chasin
Director of photography: Mauro Fiore
Production designer: Martin Whist
Music: Clint Mansell
Costume designer: Mary Zophres
Editor: Robert Frazen
Cast:
Jack Dupree: Ben Affleck
Stanley Locke: Andy Garcia
Georgia Sykes: Alicia Keys
Donald Carruthers: Ray Liotta
Buddy "Aces" Israel: Jeremy Piven
Richard Messner: Ryan Reynolds
"Pistol" Pete Deeks: Peter Berg
Sharice Watters: Taraji Henson
Darwin Tremor: Chris PineRunning time -- 108 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
In these interlocking tales of cops, hit men and mobsters, Universal definitely has a playable film for males 25 and under. But looking past the grosses, which could potentially go as high as $40 million, Carnahan's career seems to be moving away from his early promise. His first two films played Sundance; this one is strictly Salt Lake City.
The whole thing comes down to one gag: In the tradition of Nevada poker tournaments, "Aces" brings a collection of characters to a casino hotel in Lake Tahoe. However, these are not card sharks but rather a hit parade of outrageous assassins working as teams or solo acts. Seems a mob boss (Joseph Ruskin) has taken out a $1 million contract on sleazy illusionist Buddy "Aces" Israel (Jeremy Piven). Aces is ensconced in a penthouse at the Nomad Casino while his manager negotiates a deal with the FBI deputy director (Andy Garcia) to turn state's evidence against the mob.
So Carnahan gives us a rogue's gallery of sociopaths in competition for that cool $1 million: neo-Nazi brothers (Chris Pine, Kevin Durand, Maury Serling), who display a fondness for chain saws; two feminist hit ladies (Alicia Keys and Taraji Henson), righteous sisters in the struggle against male dominance of action flicks; a master of disguises (Tommy Flanagan); a master of exquisitely painful deaths (Nestor Carbonell); and an out-of-his-element bail bondsman (Ben Affleck) and two pals (Peter Berg, Martin Henderson). Ace's only protection comes from a couple of stalwart FBI agents (Ryan Reynolds, Ray Liotta) and a distracted hotel security staff.
Like all good multicharacter operas of mayhem, everyone gets an aria to demonstrate his bloody abilities. While these episodes lack the wit and intelligence of Tarantino -- well, Carnahan begs for the comparison to be made -- they do not lack visceral impact. On the positive side, these showdowns feature mostly superior stunt work rather than special effects.
One question hovers over the carnage, though: Whom the hell are we supposed to root for? The closest the movie comes to sympathetic assassins are its hit ladies, yet the payoff to their subplot is the weakest of the bunch.
A hot soundtrack and percussive editing drive the picture, which cinematographer Mauro Fiore shoots in saturated colors. Mary Zophres is allowed to go crazy with her costumes for her ghetto-fabluous hit babes, neo-Nazi fast-change artists and the other hep hitmen.
SMOKIN' ACES
Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures in association with
StudioCanal and Relativity Media presents a Working Title production
Credits:
Screenwriter-director: Joe Carnahan
Producers: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner
Executive producers: Robert Graf, Liza Chasin
Director of photography: Mauro Fiore
Production designer: Martin Whist
Music: Clint Mansell
Costume designer: Mary Zophres
Editor: Robert Frazen
Cast:
Jack Dupree: Ben Affleck
Stanley Locke: Andy Garcia
Georgia Sykes: Alicia Keys
Donald Carruthers: Ray Liotta
Buddy "Aces" Israel: Jeremy Piven
Richard Messner: Ryan Reynolds
"Pistol" Pete Deeks: Peter Berg
Sharice Watters: Taraji Henson
Darwin Tremor: Chris PineRunning time -- 108 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 1/22/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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