lukabrasi Reviews

Miami Ink (2005–2008)

Tattoos as therapy and incredible art

[10/10 · 22 June 2006]

Miami Ink is a rare show that challenges cultural stereotypes of tattoos and shows how talented the tattoo artists really are. Shot in a documentary/"reality" fashion with shop owner Ami James' narration, the show follows both patrons (who explain the deeper meaning behind their requested tattoo)and the artists who apply their exceptional talent on the skin of their clients. Unlike other tattoo shows (Inked), Miami Ink concentrates more on the tattoo as art rather than the artists interaction with one another.

Bottom line, even if you don't have tattoos, you'll enjoy the show because of the clients' thoughtful stories and the interesting dynamic of the four artists and their apprentice.

Spy Game (2001)

Maybe a little far-fetched, but clever.

[7/10 · 18 February 2005]

Spy Game will probably never be considered among the best spy movies to come out of Hollywood, however, it is a really entertaining movie with quite a few surprises.

The movie is set in the early 1990's. Nathan Muir (Redford) is a retiring CIA officer who learns that his former protégé Tom Bishop (Pitt) has been captured while attempting a prison rescue in China and will be executed shortly. CIA brass want to know what motivated Bishop to attempt this unauthorized action and they interview Muir to find out. Muir tells the story of how he met and trained Bishop: from Vietnam to Berlin to Beirut. While Muir is setting the background, he is also working secretly behind the scenes to free Bishop. Will Muir's cloak and dagger antics be discovered before he has a chance to free Bishop? Overall the movie is not as good as other spy genre films such as Three Days of the Condor, Spy Who Came in From the Cold, or Hunt for Red October. I think Redford does well in the role of the retiring, slightly jaded CIA officer Muir. Pitt does well with what he's given, though I think his character suffers from poor writing, especially near the end of the film. Think of Spy Game as a more sophisticated Mission: Impossible (that's no knock on M:I) and you'll be pleasantly surprised.