WE OWN THE NIGHT

RYAN: Heartache to heartache we stand! – “We Own the Night.”

CAROLINE: Thanks Pat Benatar. I went into this movie knowing barely anything about it other than Mark Wahlberg and Joaquin “The Artist Formerly Known as Leaf” Phoenix play brothers – but my God, was it good!

RYAN: I was not sold at all by the trailer for this film; I’d heard it was sort of like “The Departed,” which of course won Best Picture, so that’s something big to live up to. But you know within the first 60 seconds of this movie that it’s seriously high quality coz of the music and the edginess. I think you leaned over to me early on and were like, “Wow.”

CAROLINE: Definitely. The opening scene is phenomenal and unexpected. Eva Mendes is in this too, and it’s just got a really good story. Marky Mark is a cop and Joaquin is a nightclub manager and their dad, Robert Duvall, is the police chief. Throw in a little Russian mafia and we’re good to go. It’s a story of opposites and betrayal and overall, it’s just kind of sweeping.

RYAN: It’s not a full-on action movie a la “Die Hard” or James Bond, but it has some truly amazing action sequences. It’s well written enough and the performances are good enough that once you’re invested in them, you’re on this incredible ride.

CAROLINE: I was so impressed by Joaquin Phoenix who’s always good, LBH, but is so so so good in this role. He plays a pretty convincing drug addict. I think he’s had some practice.

RYAN: There’s one car chase scene that is so brilliant and unique and original that I’m still stunned just thinking about it!

CAROLINE: And there’s an amazing undercover scene that is so tense you’re literally gripping the arm of the person next to you and I was covering my mouth with my hand the whole time. It was, to borrow a word from Ryan, thrillifying.

RYAN: I got that from “Wicked.” The movie takes place in 1988 and they did such a fantastic job of capturing the ‘80s. There’s a scene in the club where people are dressed like Boy George and Madonna, and the music is so spot on… and the costumes and hairstyles. There’s even crimped hair!

CAROLINE: They play tons of Blondie and David Bowie; you really feel like you’re at a nightclub in the ‘80s. Overall, it’s definitely similar to “The Departed,” though I don’t think that’s a totally apt comparison. There’s a touch of “Eastern Promises” in there what with the Russian mob and all. It’s got a lot of twists and turns and I really dug it. But I also wasn’t expecting much, so maybe that’s the best way to go into it.

RYAN: My only complaint was that I’m a bissle disappointed by the climax, and I think you agree with me. It was such a powerful movie and then the climax was a tad quick and uneventful. But I won’t hold it against the overall film.

CAROLINE: And the ending is very touching. I loved the last couple of scenes. Bottom line?

RYAN: This could definitely be an Oscar contender what with the story, the acting, the directing, the costumes, and the amazing car chase in the rain. It’s definitely one of the best films this year. Though we haven’t yet seen “Enchanted.”

CAROLINE: [laughs’ This movie reunites Joaquin and Mark with the director James Gray who they did “The Yards” with, which I haven’t seen but maybe I should. I was really impressed by this film. It’s gripping, taut, scary and so much fun. But a little bloody at times, so you should know that going in.