16 Blocks

I just found an old draft that I have written, without publishing. So I just figured I should complete it. I havent seen this movie in a while now, but I still remember it pretty well. Anyway, here's what I originally wrote:

This is one of those movies I've been waiting a loooong time for. I knew about it when it was being shot in Toronto...Yes the story takes place in NYC, but they filmed it in Canada...Not that that is such an incredible piece of information, but I figured I should slip it in there somehow.

Ive been a fan of Mos Def since 'The Italian Job' and who didnt like him in 'Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy'. I figured this had to be a good one. Bruce and Mos in the same flick.-you cant lose.
I have to admit Ive seen this movie twice in the theater. The first time I was dead tired after a long day at work, and I really shouldnt have gone in the first place, but I was too impatient to wait another week...So I didnt really pay enought attention to get the story straight...and I was a little disappointed. Therefore I decided to watch it again, and Im glad I did! I liked it a lot better the second time around. The story (which isnt that hard to follow in the first place) made more sense and I could pick up more details. I noticed the audience started giggling a bit during Bruces first scene..I think a lot of them were surprised to see him as a chubby, pale, limping alcoholic without any sex-appeal what so ever. -And a horrible mustache...not very sexy. It wasnt Bruce...and thats what I love about this man. He can play any role. I hope (and believe) that we will see more of this Bruce in times to come, -although I have to admit Im excited about Die Hard 4...

Anyways, Mos Def plays a petty criminal that has to be transported from police custody, by detective Jack Mosley (Bruce Willis) to the courthouse, which is, yes you guessed it, 16 blocks away. This would seem like an easy enough task, but it will appear to be difficult when a certain group of people want the character of Mos dead...If you really want a longer synopsis than that, you should stop by imdb.com and read it there, cause thats all I am going to say about it.

This could easily be a Die Hard movie, as you have a lot of the same ingredients; a cop who doesnt want to be in the situation he is in, who is an alcoholic and generally pissed at the world, a number of badguys who wants him and his sidekick dead, and no outside help from anyone else. What differentiates this movie from a Die Hard movie is Jack Mosley. He seems to have given up on everything, he is in bad shape, he is tired of life and the trademark humor you find in John McClane of the Die Hards, is nowhere to be found. Jack is certainly not John McClane, although you can find some of the same courage in the two.

Seeing Bruce in a role like this really opens your eyes (if they weren't open already) to what a great actor he is. Ofcourse I already knew this, but to those of you who havent made an opinion about it yet, you really should watch this movie. Mos Def is also shining, much thanks to Bruce who chooses to stay somewhat in the background. I had only seen Mos Def in 'The Italian Job' and 'Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy' before, and I liked him in both. Now I can add this to my "+ list" and 3 out of 3 is pretty good for a fairly new actor (of films anyway).

David Morse is excellent as well. He is hard to dislike no matter what role you see him play. He has something very soothing about him that makes him very believable. If I ever met him, I'll bet I would believe whatever he had to tell me, whether it was true or not. He just has that quality.

I for one hope to see more movies like this by Bruce, and I cannot wait for 'The Brazilian Job' with Mos Def...if it happens that is. -And I assume the title relates to 'The Italian Job' and not the somewhat personal type of waxing...