COLUMBUS CIRCLE
(PG-13)
MOVIE: *** (out of 5)
BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: * (out of 5)
BY KEVIN CARR
When it comes to the home video market, there are some movies that hit the theaters first and others that head straight to DVD or Blu-ray. “Columbus Circle” may have had a theatrical release, but I was completely unaware of it. Instead, it came on my radar when it his Blu-ray and was sent to me for review.
Even though it has quite a few name actors in it – including Selma Blair, Amy Smart, Giovanni Ribisi, Kevin Pollack and Jason Lee all on the cover – it’s clearly in direct-to-video territory. That doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a bad movie or a waste of time. Rather, it’s not made at the highest standards of Hollywood that you might come to expect.
But like a recent Blu-ray film, “The Double” starring Topher Grace and Richard Gere – it offers a certain level of B-movie enjoyment.
“Columbus Circle” tells the story of an heiress (Selma Blair) who has been in hiding since having a violent confrontation with her family. She’s hiding in a building where her next door neighbor has been murdered. The new residents (Jason Lee and Amy Smart) seem like a nice couple, but she soon discovers a history of abuse. However, there is more to these neighbors than she first suspects.
The story is rather simple, and we’ve seen a lot of it before. Set in limited locations, I can see where this is a movie that was made on a restricted budget. However, it’s entertaining enough to keep my interest, and it runs a brisk 86 minutes.
If you’ve seen enough run-of-the-mill thrillers, you’ll likely guess every twist and turn in the plot. But I like to think these movies aren’t made to surprise but rather to entertain somewhat passively. And in that respect, I’ve seen a lot worse.
There are no bonus features on the “Columbus Circle” Blu-ray.
Hello, I just watched this movie and I think there is a mistake in the plot so big I can’t believe no one said: “Hey, doesn’t the whole story go down the drain?”. Or maybe I’m just too dumb to get it. Why would they go through such an elaborate scheme when Ray (Beau Bridges) himself could have installed the software in one of a thousand opportunities to obtain the password to Abigail’s bank account? After all, he was the one person she trusted him wasn’t he? Ok, so it has to be done by the couple. If the blonde girl (Amy Smart?) had already had dinner with Abigail at her apartment thus beginning a relationship (maybe even a future friendship), was all the rest necessary? I understand that the film’s intention is not to become the biggest thriller ever but rather to entertain. Still, aren’t these situations too obvious to overlook? Maybe there’s a chance for all of us to become thrillers writers right? Thank you for your comments.