I didn’t watch the trailers but I read what you wrote. And based on our shared conservative views, I’d say that you liked “New in Town.” NOT.
So “Taken” is the closest Hollywood can get to portraying the Muslim terrorists?
I bet they did it in a way that they wouldn’t offend the Muslim world and Islam.
Not all Muslims are terrorists, Islam is the “religion of peace” and shit like that.

Independent Conservative on January 28, 2009 at 1:04 pm

Hollywood is demonizing Albanian Muslims as sex slavers? I read on the Internet that Albanian Muslims are more progressive and liberal/secular than Muslims from the Middle East.
I can cite you few examples:
http://proggiemuslima.wordpress.com/2007/01/19/albania-muslims-honored-posthumously-for-sheltering-jews-from-the-nazis/?referer=sphere_related_content/
http://proggiemuslima.wordpress.com/2007/09/22/kosovo-students-sent-home-for-wearing-hijab/
Even more Kosovar/Albanian Muslims are converting back to the original religion of their ancestors: Christianity.
http://www.economist.com/world/europe/displaystory.cfm?story_id=12868180
Am I wrong to assume anything about Albanian Muslims?

Bobby's Brain on January 28, 2009 at 1:24 pm

Miss Schlussel, Et Alii:
Well, BOTH of those movies look great to me.
I’m a guy, and being a guy, I totally ADORE Renee Zellweger, and will watch any movie she’s in!
She’s welcome to come snuggle with me any time she wants to.
Of course, being a guy (and a lonely OLD guy!), I’m in love with any and all females, and would gladly welcome any and all females to come snuggle with me any ol’ time they’re in the mood.
For some reason, us guys ain’t quite as finicky as females seem to be when it comes to falling in love with a member of the opposite sex.
To quote Professor ‘enry ‘iggins, “Why can’t a woman be more like a man?”
(One of my favorite shows, and the lessons we learn from that show are SO true!)
As for the other movie, i.e., “TAKEN”, yep, being a guy, it certainly looks like my type of movie.
I love violent action and edge of your seat suspense when watching a movie.
By the way, I’ve decided to organize a revolt to overthrow our government.
If you’d like to join, then bring your swords and pikes, and meet me at midnight in the cemetery.
When the moon goes behind the clouds, we’ll build a bonfire, sacrifice a baby, and swear a blood oath to the devil.
Thank you.
John Robert “Saigon” Mallernee
Commander in Exile
O.U.R. Army
(i.e., the “Outlaw Underground Rebel” Army)

writesong on January 28, 2009 at 2:27 pm

I liked taken-got a review copy;)

mindy1 on January 28, 2009 at 4:28 pm

I was at a HUGE new 18 screen theater this week. There were a total of 6 people in it. How’s that “make fun of middle class midwesterners” thing workin’ for ya Hollywood?

dm60462 on January 28, 2009 at 5:14 pm

Why can’t Zellweger smile properly? The best she can do is scrunch her face up. Is an overload of Botox?

lexi on January 28, 2009 at 5:50 pm

Yes, another Luc Besson movie!
As I mentioned before I love Besson’s movies. And, yes, I loved Transporter 3 out this year.
Anyone looking for a great action movie, see “District B13.”
I’ll be anxious to see “Taken.” Luc Besson is about the only Frenchy I like, except for Laetitia Casta.
I like Besson’s movies, but his left leaning and sometimes critical of America politics I don’t care for. He is one of the most prolific movie producer, director, writer of all time. Check out his IMDB credts.

Jeff_W on January 28, 2009 at 8:09 pm

Debbie I saw Taken and liked it very much. Neeson kicked ass in the movie in a Jason Bourne sort of way. The movie kind of reminded me of a cross between Frantic/Target/Bourne movies. Definetly a blu-ray pick for my collection.

RadicalRightWinger on January 28, 2009 at 10:29 pm

“So “Taken” is the closest Hollywood can get to portraying the Muslim terrorists?
I bet they did it in a way that they wouldn’t offend the Muslim world and Islam.
Not all Muslims are terrorists, Islam is the “religion of peace” and shit like that.”
This film was released in the rest of the world last year. It is NOT A HOLLYWOOD film. It is a commercial French film with some English speaking actors in lead roles. Hollywood would NEVER make a film like this. (I guess some in France are tired of the endless rioting by “French youths.”)
ALL of the Moslem characters in the film are despicable and evil (there are two different groups, the suppliers and the buyers; the good character at the beginning of the film is a Sikh). As are their French collaborators.
The bookended sequences in the U.S. are dramatically uneven. But the bulk of the film set in France is dynamite, one of the best pieces of action from last year, up there with Dark Knight and Rambo (IV). A non stop hiding for the bad guys; I don’t know how it got PG13 – it is no-children-under-16 in my country – but don’t let your kids see it.
They even had the balls to show this in Dubai!

sg5 on January 30, 2009 at 1:59 am