The Flick:

Steven Soderbergh is a director that isn’t afraid to take chances. Sometimes those chances pay off, and sometimes they don’t. With Traffic his ability to follow his gut no matter what the box office outcome definitely payed off. Traffic won four Academy Awards, including Best Director.

The film follows multiple cast members in a captivating and complex interwoven storyline. There is a Mexican cop (Benicio del Toro) tackling the drug trade, a judge (Michael Douglas) moving up in the political arena waging a war on drugs, two cops (Don Cheadle and Luis Guzman) working to take down one of Los Angeles’ larges suppliers, said supplier’s wife (the yummy Catherine Zeta-Jones), and the drug addicted daughter of the judge (Erika Christensen). Don’t worry, it sounds confusing, but Soderbergh is a master storyteller, and the plot-lines flow together with grace.

Traffic is one of those films that sticks with you long after it’s over. It grabs hold of your gut and doesn’t let go even after repeated viewings. It’s beautiful and for its time, quite experimental. Its look is nothing short of breathtaking. The grainy colored haze that bleaches each scene serves the plot perfectly by separating each storyline. It contains some of the most impressive cinematography I’ve ever seen, and a cast that is impossible to forget.

Based on the British series Traffik, Soderbergh took the material and transformed it into a brilliantly executed story about a time in our nations history that changed the American landscape forever. This is a killer film should be mandatory viewing for everyone over the age of 17.

The Blu-ray:

Audio/Video

Presented in a director approved aspect ratio of 1.78:1 with a DTS-HD 5.1 audio, and a beautiful 1080p transfer Criterion has exceeded expectations and created a viewing experience that is nearly flawless. It looked and sounded so beautiful on my home theatre I watched it two days in a row. Simply stunning.

Special Features

Commentary: There are multiple tracks on here including, Steven Soderbergh, Steven Gaghan, Cliff Martinez, Laura Bickford, Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick, Tim Golden, and former DEA chief of Intelligence Craig Chretuen. Most of these are standard issue, but listening to Soderbergh talk is always a treat.

Deleted Scenes: There are a ton of deleted scenes on this disc. Some are worth watching, and some are just filler. Either way, if your a fan of Soderbergh’s work I’d recommend checking them all out.

There are a number of features that cover the look of the film, the editing process, and more. It’s pretty extensive stuff and worth checking out.

Additional Footage: There are four uncut scenes presented in raw form that are pretty great. Well worth watching.

Trailers: Believe it or not there are seven trailers and TV spots included on this disc.

Booklet: There is a small booklet that lists the cast and crew and contains an essay from film critic Manohla Dargis called Border Wars.

The Flick Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The Blu-ray Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The plot fits into the common genre that would include a kick-ass highly trained protagonist, black ops missions, and some variation of a frame job. The difference is that your typical male bad ass is replaced with a sexy, super talented Gina Carano who plays Malory. This is Gina Carano’s first major showcase on the big screen after her career as a dominating Mixed Martial Arts fighter, and she leaves a solid impression. One could easily say that she did not deliver the best acting performance, but Gina easily overcompensates with wonderfully choreographed fight scenes. I might even go as far as saying that a particular fight scene portrays the pacing, passion, and climax of good sex.

Speaking of good chemistry, Soderbergh has managed to put together a great cast as usual. With Channing Tatum, Ewan McGregor, Michael Douglas, Antonio Banderas, Michael Fassbender, Bill Paxton, and a fair amount of other recognizable faces, it would be hard to make a really bad movie.

In terms of familiarity, the first thing that strikes the senses is the original music by David Holmes. Once the up-beat jazzy drum and bass kicks in, you find yourself wishing the camera might pan across a casual Brad Pitt leaning against a wall and eating a taco, as Matt Damon goes up an escalator somewhere.

It wasn’t a perfect movie, however. There were some dry moments, especially during an exceptionally long chase scene. And there are moments when the dialogue comes through a little awkwardly. This is a movie that could easily lead to sequels. There would definitely have to be some recasting thanks to Gina’s natural tendency to subdue her foes, but it would be fun to see where writers might take the remaining characters.

Haywire isn’t awesome, but it doesn’t suck either. It’s not the serious, adrenaline rush of Bourne Ultimatum and its not the fantastical world of Mission Impossible, but it is something subtle, and fun that leaves you wanting to see a few more leg-locking choke holds with Gina Carano. Many people may find it a bit dry, but if your looking for a good movie to help kick off the 2012 releases, then Haywire is worth your ticket.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Side by Side is a documentary that takes a look at the battle raging between film purists and digital mavericks. The doc is produced by Keanu Reeves, and takes an in-depth look at the digital revolution and how it could change the future of filmmaking. It features interviews with David Lynch, Robert Rodriguez, Chris Nolan, Steven Soderbergh, James Cameron and Marty Scorsese. Check it out and let us know how you feel about the subject.

Side by Side Official Trailer (2012) from Company Films on Vimeo.

The good people at Relativity Media were nice enough to hook us up with a killer Haywire giveaway! One lucky winner is going to win  1. Haywire T-shirt, 1 rubber bracelet, and 1 mini poster. All you have to do to win is be the first to email me at donny at KillerFilm.com with “Haywire!” in the subject. So, check out the official synopsis and trailer below, then shoot me an email for your chance to win.

This dynamic action-thriller directed by Oscar® winner Steven Soderbergh (Contagion) boasts a talented cast that includes Channing Tatum (GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra),  Ewan McGregor (The Ghost Writer),  Michael Fassbender (X-Men: First Class),  Antonio Banderas (The Legend of Zorro),  Bill Paxton (“Big Love”),  Michael Douglas (Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps),  Michael Angarano (Almost Famous); and introduces mixed martial arts (MMA) superstar Gina Carano as Mallory Kane,  in a demanding lead role that has her performing her own high-adrenaline stunts.

Mallory Kane is a highly trained operative who works for a government security contractor in the dirtiest, most dangerous corners of the world. After successfully freeing a Chinese journalist held hostage, she is double crossed and left for dead by someone close to her in her own agency. Suddenly the target of skilled assassins who know her every move, Mallory must find the truth in order to stay alive.

Using her black-ops military training, she devises an ingenious—and dangerous—trap. But when things go haywire, Mallory realizes she’ll be killed in the blink of an eye unless she finds a way to turn the tables on her ruthless adversary.

Haywire opens stateside on January 20, 2012.

Mallory Kane (Carano) is a highly trained operative who works for a government security contractor in the dirtiest, most dangerous corners of the world. After successfully freeing a Chinese journalist held hostage, she is double crossed and left for dead by someone close to her in her own agency. Suddenly the target of skilled assassins who knew her every move, Mallory must find the truth in order to stay alive.

Source: Blockbuster UK

One person affected becomes two, then two becomes four, and four becomes sixteen, H1N1 wasn’t a start, but a precursor to something far more deadly: public fear. I think people feared the media hype around the virus than the virus itself. Contagion is far more scary when it documents how our government would handle a global virus without a cure. Who would get it first? The rich in Connecticut? The Presidents? What about the poor in China? How far would China go as a newly minted World Power to secure their future? Prophets Profits are the answer. Believe in them.

Soderbergh’s eye hasn’t left him, even with his threat of retirement. Contagion is wonderfully shot, even more so as seen on the IMAX. The large, big-name cast is great. Whenever Cliff Martinez’s superb score kicks in, the film has a pulse. These times, Contagion feels like a 70s sci-fi tale of woe. Ultimately, as it ends, Contagion‘s grave warning of to “just wash your hands” falls flat, making the film feel more like a doctor’s visit, where you spend two hours in the waiting room, and only about 15-minutes of what you came for. Contagion lacks the terror it needs, even though the subject is scarier than ever. Be warned: Fox News crafts suspense and terror far more entertainingly than Contagion. Take that however you will.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

The film follows the rapid progress of a lethal airborne virus that kills within days. As the fast-moving epidemic grows, the worldwide medical community races to find a cure and control the panic that spreads faster than the virus itself. At the same time, ordinary people struggle to survive in a society coming apart.

The all-star cast includes: Matt Damon, Marion Cotillard, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, Bryan Cranston, John Hawkes and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Source: Yahoo!

The reason being, as sites like /Film think, is that Gary Ross and Soderbergh are good friends, and with the release date looming (March 2012), the film is on one incredible fast track to completion, so with Soderbergh filming the 2nd Unit, Ross feels safe and confident shooting what he needs to. Plus, Soderbergh is a notorious fast worker.

I can’t wait for Lionsgate to officially announce this, but this is one cool bit of news.

Source: The Playlist

“Contagion” follows the rapid progress of a lethal airborne virus that kills within days. As the fast-moving epidemic grows, the worldwide medical community races to find a cure and control the panic that spreads faster than the virus itself. At the same time, ordinary people struggle to survive in a society coming apart.

Source: IMP Awards

You can watch the embed below, or check out the HD version at Apple here. The film stars Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Winslet.

“Contagion” follows the rapid progress of a lethal airborne virus that kills within days. As the fast-moving epidemic grows, the worldwide medical community races to find a cure and control the panic that spreads faster than the virus itself. At the same time, ordinary people struggle to survive in a society coming apart.

Source: Apple Trailers

In Haywire, an electrifying tale of espionage and betrayal, a female covert ops specialist (Carano), who works in the deadly world of international operatives, strikes back after discovering she’s been double-crossed by someone close to her in the agency.

Source: Collider

Mixed martial arts (MMA) superstar Gina Carano (American Gladiators) makes her feature film debut, starring and performing her own high-adrenaline stunts. The film’s talented cast also includes Channing Tatum (GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra), Ewan McGregor (The Ghost Writer), Michael Fassbender (X-Men: First Class), Antonio Banderas (Desperado), Bill Paxton (Titanic), Michael Douglas (Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps) and Michael Angarano (Almost Famous).

In Haywire, an electrifying tale of espionage and betrayal, a female covert ops specialist (Carano), who works in the deadly world of international operatives, strikes back after discovering she’s been double-crossed by someone close to her in the agency. The film is produced by Gregory Jacobs (Ocean’s Trilogy) and written by Lem Dobbs (The Limey).

We are honored to be working with Steven Soderbergh on this project. This film is full of amazing action sequences, and with a sophistication only Soderbergh can deliver,” said Relativity’s President of Worldwide Production, Tucker Tooley. “We’re very excited to add our picture to Relativity’s 2012 slate.”

Got to enjoy Soderbergh while we got him, since his approaching his much-touted retirement in a few films…

An action-thriller centered on the threat posed by a deadly disease and an international team of doctors contracted by the CDC to deal with the outbreak.

The film is looking at an October 21st release later this year, and it stars Matt Damon, Jude Law, Bryan Cranston, John Hawkes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet and Marion Cotillard.

Source: Laughing Squid, Just Jared (via Coming Soon)

Soderbergh’s been on fire in recent years, and if his plan of retirement is true as some source have stated, then what do you all think about a reboot to The Man from U.N.C.L.E.?