Inside Man will keep you inside the theater more than once.

Rating: 10/10 (22 April 2006)

For a Spike LeeJoint, it wasn't surprising that Denzel was a lead in the casting. I was, however; very surprised that Clive Owen agreed to bless this movie with his acting presence. Owen was the only reason this movie was a ****10***instead of an absolute snooze. The plot is the best anyone should expect from Lee. Cut and dry with a few very minor twists that attempt to lead the viewer toward a different conclusion. The story was hardly "original". Hats off to the cast 100%. Now, the good part. Despite Lee's B movie talent as a director and producer, he was an A list genius in choosing the cast. Washington needs no praise. The Oscar winner has once again proved his ability to adapt to any character. Clive Owen has yet again brought his highly under-appreciated talent from the UK to the US. If he were a one man show for the entire 2 hours, there isn't a person in the the theater that could have been disappointed. Owen's face being covered for the majority of the film had zero impact whatsoever on his believable character and capability to "bring it". If that doesn't scream Acadamy Award, I don't know what does. Owen, and Owen alone made this movie Excellent. Jodie Foster's role was a waste of time and would have shortened the flick without disappointment. Fabulous actress, but no need to be written into the script. Although, it was a pleasure to see her, it was a needless waste of money. What we need to recognize in the "Hollywood" boredom of the same faces the majority of the time, (only because of an Oscar nod) is that once in a great while a nomination actually makes sense to the rest of the world. Owen's nomination in Closer was a movie that we could say, "Oh yeah, I know that movie." Instead of "Huh? Never heard of it" Fortunately, some of the best director's of our time have taken note and he has been cast in numerous films. Unfortunately, time and time again he has to make it his own in order for it to be worth the $10.00 at 7pm on a Saturday night. (Look at "Derailed". My oh my, Jennifer Aniston?????? The girl from "Friends"???? Enough said.) "Inside Man" is the result of Excellence due to brilliant acting and casting. It doesn't disappoint in that area, and makes the somewhat, boring storyline fade to black in comparison