Speed (1994)

4 / 5
Tagline: Get ready for rush hour.
Directed by: Jan de Bont
Written by: Graham Yost
Actors include: Sandra Bullock, Keanu Reeves, Dennis Hopper
Genre: Action, Thriller
Length: 116 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
The bus that could not go under 50...it's beyond duh duh but that's probably what makes it so easy to watch. A mad bomber is ticked off and decides to wire a bus so that it will explode if anyone tries to get off or if they drop the speed. After something goes wrong with the bus driver passenger Sandra Bullock (who had her license revoked for speeding I believe) has to take the reigns. Bomb specialist Jack (Keanu Reeves) boards the bus to try and devise a solution but of course things are getting desperate. See they end up on a stretch of unfinished road, a passenger jumps even though they aren't allowed and several other exciting action sequences occur. This should be pretty much exactly what one would expect and not a penny more. Fun to watch, not exactly groundbreaking but worth a view for those who are bored, I still can't believe this has a sequel though...

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray

The Net (1995)

3.5 / 5

Tagline: Her driver's license. Her credit cards. Her bank accounts. Her identity. DELETED.
Directed by: Irwin Winkler
Written by: John D. Brancato, Michael Ferris
Actors include: Jeremy Northam, Sandra Bullock, Dennis Miller
Genre: Thriller, Action, Crime
Length: 114 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
A software engineer Angela Bennett (Sandra Bullock) who does everything on the computer so she doesn't have to leave the house winds up in a predicament after being sent a virus from a friend. Her friend was supposed to fly out and visit her but he died in a crash on the way. She decides to go on vacation to the beach but it's then her life turns into a nightmare when she meets a charming young suitor. Suddenly she's in a very dangerous situation and she learns her identity has been stolen...but who can vouch for her? Barely anyone knows her or has seen her...how can she get out of this one? It's a decent enough little no brainer thriller, it's maybe a little less effective in this day and age because computers have advanced a fair bit but identity theft is still something folks can relate to. Not great but still decent enough as far as time passers go.

Availability:  On DVD

A Time To Kill (1996)

4 / 5
Tagline: Experience a time you'll never forget.
Directed by: Joel Schumacher
Written by: John Grisham, Akiva Goldsman
Actors include: Sandra Bullock, Matthew McConoughay, Samuel L. Jackson
Genre: Thriller, Crime, Drama
Length: 149 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This is a rather depressing adaptation of a John Grisham novel (that I've never read). It takes place in Mississippi where racism seems to run rampant unfortunately. When Carl Lee Hailey's (Samuel L. Jackson) daughter Tonya is raped and murdered the guilty parties were set free. He couldn't stand to see that happen so he shot the men down and now must go on trial himself. With the help of his friend and lawyer Jake (Matthew McConaughey) they set out to prove the disgusting racism that occurred. The thing is, while Jake's preparing the case of his career he's being tormented by the KKK who are leaving burning crosses and so forth. If you like powerful courtroom trials then this is one of the better ones that I've seen. Very impactful though rather simple in some ways, very easy to watch I think, most should be able to enjoy this I think.

Availability:  On DVD