You’ve got to stay on your toes to follow along with this fast-paced thriller mystery. Dialog is quick and punchy, with characters speaking in code nearly the whole time. It takes awhile before you can adjust your mindset into sequence with their language, but once you do and the story begins to thicken, the plot is already coming at you like a speeding train. This is not your typical Hollywood flick. The pacing and cinematography are completely different. My goodness, how refreshing! I’ve been looking forward to seeing this low-budget Noir film ever since I saw previews for it. Usually when I psyche myself up for a good movie, I get disappointed. Not so much this time. Watch it, it’s good. 4 out of 5 flames on the scale.

On one hand, you have a bunch of actors with horrible Greek and Italian accents. On the other hand there’s Penelope Cruz, whose English is so bad you can basically make yourself believe it’s any accent you want. Christian Bale is the local sweetheart of Ms. Cruz, who becomes war-crazed and obsessive, until Nicholas Cage, the sweet Italian Captain, comes into town and sweeps her off her feet. With the war-time tension and some sweet mandolin playing, you have a hit movie! Just kidding, this movie wasn’t very good. And Penelope Cruz is NOT that fine. 2.5, wham!