“Smokin Aces”

Ben Affleck
Andy Garcia
Alicia Keys
Ray Liotta
Jeremy Piven
Ryan Reynolds
Peter Berg
Taraji P. Henson
Chris Pine
Martin Henderson
Jason Bateman
Common

R           109min           2006

“Smokin Aces” is about a Las Vegas performer-turned-snitch named Buddy “Aces” Israel (Piven) decides to turn state’s evidence and testify against the mob, it seems that a whole lot of people would like to make sure he’s no longer breathing.

This is a film that will blow you away. This is about one thing smokin’ Aces and the violent that a million-dollar contract hit will entail. It’s full of some of Hollywood most notable name and some amazing performances by some crossover artists Common and Alicia Keys. It’s an experience to watch this film.

“Smokin’ Aces” has some graphic senseless violent. If you have surround sound you will literally be blown away. The recoil from that 50 cal and the violent and destruction scene on film is worth the price of this film. The action and shoot out are so violent and sudden that at some points it will make you laugh.

This is a film that has namable Hollywood talent in every part except for a few throwaway characters. Ben Affleck in an uncharacteristic cameo part that dies in the first 30mins. Which is shocking in itself but it also has a good performance by Alicia Keyes in her first motion picture part. The stand out has to be though is Jeremy Piven as Aces.

His performance of a man unraveling at the core is so raw that all you can to is laugh at it. Not that his performance is comical its just that disturbing to watch. A man who’s life it coming undone by his own making and he’s losing control and a grasp on his own reality. It’s one of Jeremy Piven’s best performances to date.

Once “Smokin Aces” has ended you will exhale a sigh of relief to be away from this violently convoluted take. Then you will say WTF just happen. Will have to watch it more than once to get all the subtle nuisances of this film. Once you watch it will the endgame in mind it will seem less convoluted and the performances can be appreciated better.

I give it 4/5 Gs.