The Bone Collector

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Han S Feb 5, 2019 Paralyzed crime scene specialist Lincoln Rhyme (Denzel Washington) helps up-and-coming rookie Amelia Donaghy (Angelina Jolie) track down a serial killer who harbors an ulterior motive. Okay, so the synopsis for the film is easy to grasp. However, I'm not quite sure what this film wants to be. It's not gruesome enough to be a horror film. It's not structured soundly enough to be an effective mystery. It's both too technical to be a straight drama and too sloppy to belong to the police procedural genre. Director Phillip Noyce was at the helm of much better movies ("Patriot Games" and "Clear and Present Danger" leap to mind immediately) that one would have thought he would imbue his expertise into what could have been a gripping thriller. Sadly, that's not the case at all. This film features a cast which should have been at the peak of their powers, yet Queen Latifah is highly ineffectual and Ed O'Neill seems to be sleepwalking through his role. Luis Guzman has his usual charm but isn't given enough screen time and Leland Orser . . . well, he tries his best but his character is beyond what Orser is able to convey. Both Michael Rooker and second-billed Jolie appear to be phoning in their roles, and Jolie is the biggest disappointment because she had recently given some incredible performances in films like "Gia" and "Foxfire" - and would go on to give one of the finest performances of her career in "Girl, Interrupted" which was released a few short months after "The Bone Collector." Washington seems to recognize he's leading the cast on his own and simply isn't capable of carrying the entire production on his shoulders. Another drawback is that the pacing for this film is absolutely glacial. Two hours is about thirty minutes too long for what this screenplay has to offer. Sure, there's a sense of urgency prevalent in many scenes. But that sense of urgency is always doled out in a nice, even, average measure, never heightening even in its final act. I guess that appropriately sums up the picture itself: it's a nice, even, average film and nothing more. It stands on the same level as hundreds of other thrillers from its decade, never differentiating itself from the crowd. Unless you're a Denzel Washington super fan, I just can't recommend "The Bone Collector." See more

Rey P Jan 21, 2019 As always. Denzel Washington's actin makes any movie worth watching.

Hagrid L Nov 8, 2018 This film was almost good.

Theodore L Oct 9, 2018 I enjoyed the chemistry between Angelina and Denzel Washington, besides the fact that it is an interesting and entertaining story. See more

Ron S Apr 1, 2018 Denzel Washington stars as a star forensics expert who's been sidelined when a workplace accident renders him quadriplegic. He's called back into action when beat cop Angelina Jolie discovers a body surrounded by evidence that appears to point to an upcoming murder. Washington recruits her as his eyes and ears on the scene to catch this new serial killer. Okay ... so this is an utterly preposterous movie. The killer sets up these ridiculously arcane clues that would realistically be hopeless to follow, but of course it's crucial to his plan and the film's plot that Washington follow them. Michael Rooker is on hand to fill the thankless position of idiot boss who thwarts Washington at every step for no discernible reason other than to be a gigantic red herring. Still ... I kind of liked this film. It has a great cast who beyond all odds, do a great job at delivering this idiotic story in an entertaining fashion. Luis Guzman and Ed O'Neill do a bang up job of delivering silly dialogue as if their lives depended on it. See more

Leia P Mar 24, 2018 A brutal murder mystery story where Rookie cop Jolie is the eyes and legs for Washington's experience. Paralysed from the neck down, he can only use his wits to uncover the truth behind a series of storybook crimes. This follows the same format as Angelina's former partner Brad Pitt in 'Seven', with the killer dictating proceedings and avoiding capture until the time calls for it. Unfortunately, this movie pans out in a much less engrossing manner though, providing entertainment, but just without the unique twists and turns. See more

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The Bone Collector

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