For about 30 minutes, THE NEGOTIATOR is more aptly titled, THE MOVIE I’VE SEEN BEFORE. The setup of Samuel L. Jackson’s character is so forced and like really every other police corruption movie we’ve seen time and time again. But despite the bad lead in, the film really takes off with the hostage negotiation, as it should I guess. Jackson and Kevin Spacey are excellent, and with a good supporting cast, this movie is a real nail biter.

      One of my new favorite actors is Paul Giamatti. This guy is so good, but up till now has only played in supporting roles, which may be what he’s best at. Probably most recognized as Howard Stern’s boss, Pig-Vomit, in PRIVATE PARTS, he’s Rudy the “Rat” in this film.

      THE NEGOTIATOR is also a fond farewell to J.T. Walsh, a great actor who is sadly no longer with us. Walsh always played the quintessential bad guy and did it to perfection. He was in a ton of movies, but will most likely be remembered as the jerk Sgt. Major in GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM. While many of you are probably not familiar with him, trust me when I say that the acting world has suffered a great loss. (On a side note, when Jack Nicholson won the OSCAR for AS GOOD AS IT GETS, one of the people he dedicated his award to was Walsh.)