Directed By: Allen Hughes

Written By: Brian Tucker

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crowe, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jeffrey Wright

This picture stars Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crowe, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jeffry Wright, and Barry Pepper. Billy Taggart (Wahlberg) was an alcoholic cop who gunned down a suspect and there was some controversy as to whether or not is was justice or murder.  Mayor Hostetler (Crowe) dives in and “saves the day” with some shady move-pullin and gets him out of it.  The catch?  Billy retires.  7 years later Billy is a drink-free private detective struggling to make ends meet in his new enterprise.  The Mayor calls upon him for a favor (on the day of his daughter’s wedding?) that involves spying on his wife and finds the guy who’s dippin’ into his Kool-Aid.  Billy is sent down the rabbit hole and ends up being double crossed and betrayed, leaving him wanting some vengeance against The Mayor.  From there it’s the typical corrupted complicated plot with all the twists and turns to keep you into it.  I thought it was pretty decent, I was entertained for sure.  Hearing Russell Crowe with a NY accent was pretty interesting, but his character is lovable and keeps you guessing.  There’s some good conflict between Wahlberg and Crowe, they play off each other pretty well and it’s believable.  I give it a 7 because it’s pretty predictable, cliché, and Zeta-Jones lost her talent somewhere along the line.  Other than that, it’s a pretty fun movie and it held my attention the whole time and I was satisfied with the ending. If you can’t pick something at the Redbox, give it a shot!