REDBELT

RYAN: Sadly, I had to travel and couldn’t attend the screening of “Redbelt” with you. How was it?

CAROLINE: Honestly, it’s kind of a random movie. If you like David Mamet or are familiar with his movies, you’ll enjoy it. It’s all about jujitsu.

RYAN: Based on the title, I figured it was about a fashion accessory or an energy drink.

CAROLINE: [laughs’ No, it’s in fact about martial arts, the red belt being the highest achievement in jujitsu. Chiwetel Ejiofor, who was in “Dirty Pretty Things,” plays the lead and he’s amazing. He does a great American accent too. It also stars Emily Mortimer who I just saw in “Chaos Theory.”

RYAN: Isn’t Tim Allen in it too?

CAROLINE: Yes, and it was so unexpected! He plays a very different kind of role than he normally does. This is a far cry from “The Santa Clause.” And as with all David Mamet films, there is betrayal and a few twists and turns. I should have seen the betrayal coming but I didn’t.

RYAN: Well, you’re not very good at anticipating these things, LBH.

CAROLINE: [laughs’ True. Don’t be thrown by the fact that this movie is about jujitsu because there are a lot of other things going on too. It’s a really interesting character study and there are some good life lessons. And I learned a couple good self-defense tips too.

RYAN: So what’s your bottom line?

CAROLINE: It’s an interesting movie, but I’ve liked other David Mamet films better, like “The Spanish Prisoner.” It’s not a must-see in the theater, but I’m sure big Mamet fans will want to check it out. I didn’t love the ending though. It was a little pat. But some of the fight scenes are really good.

RYAN: Is it violent?

CAROLINE: At times, yes. The fight scenes are really complicated and so well choreographed that at times they looked real. I was like, “Wow, did Chiwetel really just beat the crap out of that guy?” Clearly not, but it’s very real looking and very well done.