Travis Simpkins

Saturday, April 30, 2016

The Prophecy (1995): Angels Battle for Heaven and Earth

Written and directed by Gregory Widen, and produced by Joel Soisson, The Prophecy (1995) was the first film in a five part Prophecy series. The story concerns a former priest initiate turned police officer, who finds himself in the middle of an Angel civil war, when the Archangel Gabriel comes to Earth in search of the recently departed evil soul of a deranged army colonel. The horror-style special effects are a bit dated, but the historical artifact props (including a 2nd Century Bible taken from the corpse of a fallen Angel) and mythology are intriguing. The cast does a decent job with a limited script, including Christopher Walken as the Archangel Gabriel, Viggo Mortensen as Lucifer, Eric Stolz as Simon, Elias Koteas and Virginia Madsen.

The Prophecy: Eric Stoltz

The Prophecy: Angels

The Prophecy: Angel

The Prophecy: 2nd Century Bible

The Prophecy: Christopher Walken as the Angel Gabriel

The Prophecy: Virginia Madsen

The Prophecy: Christopher Walken as the Angel Gabriel

The Prophecy: Virginia Madsen

The Prophecy: Eric Stoltz

The Prophecy: Christopher Walken as the Angel Gabriel

The Prophecy: Angels, Battle in Heaven

The Prophecy: Christopher Walken as the Angel Gabriel

The Prophecy: Angels, Battle in Heaven

The Prophecy: Viggo Mortensen as Lucifer

The Prophecy: Christopher Walken as the Angel Gabriel

The Prophecy: Virginia Madsen

The Prophecy: Christopher Walken as the Angel Gabriel

"The Prophecy"

Salt (2010): Angelina Jolie as a CIA Agent and Russian Spy

Directed by Phillip Noyce, and written by Kurt Wimmer, Salt (2010) was originally conceived with a male protagonist in mind. Tom Cruise was interested in the part, but backed out, and the script was re-written with a change in gender. The plot concerns Evelyn Salt, a CIA operative that is accused of being a Russian sleeper agent, who goes on the run to try to clear her name. The stunts are superbly choreographed and filmed, with fast-paced action running throughout. Angelina Jolie delivers a great performance as Evelyn Salt. The supporting cast does a good job as well, including Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Daniel Olbrychski and August Diehl.