Review of Down in the Delta (1998) by Laura L — 21 Sep 2006

We watched a bunch of movies this week. I wouldn't normally pick out any of these movies, but most were enjoyable.

I liked Down in the Delta, the most. It was about a black family, living in a really crappy part of chicago. There's the alcoholic Mom, the hopeful son of 12, the autistic daughter and the kind hearted Grandmother, who pretty much runs the family. In the beginning they establish what a horrible life they have, where crack dealers and guns are everywhere. The Mom tries to get a job, but really has no self esteem at all. The Grandmother comes up with an idea to send them all to the South for the summer to rejuvinate them. She sells the prized family heirloom, a candleabra called, Nathan. (They explain it's importance and name at the end...*sniff so touching*).

When they get to the old Southern house, they all are given a new start. It was directed by Maya Angelou, so it's predictably super inspirational. Anyway, it's worth watching. Wesley Snipes has a small cameo role as the cousin.

Wim wanted me to watch Behind Enemy Lines.

This was the first non-comedy movie I ever saw Owen Wilson in. Gene Hackman was his superior officer. The story is "based on a true story". Which I have a hard time believing the ultra exaggerated and cheezy ending could ever happen anywhere but in a Hollywood movie. It was painful how over the top it was.

Anyway, it starts out as a "be careful what you wish for" type movie. He's in the Navy, and hates it. He tells someone that he joined to "punch a Nazi in the face", but ended up just driving around and doing nothing for 7 years. He puts in his resignation because it's too boring for him. On Christmas he calls home to say he might be coming home soon, and his father tells him how proud he is of him. He is frustrated because he feels like he hasn't really done anything besides waste taxpayer money with all the unnecessary recon missions they go on.

Later that day they are asked to take photos of this certain area, so he and another guy go out. He's the navigator and the other guy is the pilot. While up there they see something suspicious, so they decide to check it out, even though it's not on their flightplan. All hell breaks out and they are shot down. Which I figured would happen because of the title.

I read a few quotes by reviewers after I watched it. "Convoluted to the point of sheer stupidity." was my favorite. hehe It was entertaining, but so many things happen that really made me roll my eyes. It wasn't as bad as Top Gun in American-ness, but Wim said it came close. I never saw Top Gun because it looked too terrible.

Ok and last night we watched Under Suspicion.

OMG, has anyone seen this movie?? If anyone has, what the hell happened at the end??? It made no sense. Or if anyone is willing to watch this movie and explain the end, that would be cool too. It really bugged me.

But on the up side, Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman are wonderful as always. And Monica Bellucci looks gorgeous and slinky in her black evening gown.