Countdown (1996)

As far as Lori Petty is concerned, this movie is proof positive that the long rumored "casting couch" in Hollywood, is not just rumor, but indeed fact. This is not be to be a slam on Ms. Petty, but, she is no where near talented enough to carry this picture. One can also fault the scriptwriters. There is no actress that could have made this a better movie, but Ms. Petty's lack of talent is obvious. On a positive note, Ms. Petty has made a career, and a lot of money, doing something that she is not very good at. At least she gained financial security while living her dream. Which brings us back to the beginning. Since she doesn't practice her craft for free, and she's not very talented at all in her chosen profession, then the only explanation must be the couch.

Only in the Hollywood audiovisual fiction world could anybody, including FBI agents, be so unbelievably stupid. The good guys are stupid enough to pick up everything they're interested in, answer phones, go up stairways, all in search for a demolition expert who's out to get everybody. Oh yes, and then we get the Hollywood SUPERVILLAIN. He can be shot, even if he's got a vest on, and then fall down a long flight of steps and then still have the upper hand over his stupid pursuers. Every cliché you can think of in suspense movies were used. I only watched it because Yuki Amami is so HOT. Oh,,,,but yes, it's great to see how morally superior this FBI agent is, when she's pretty certain that there's a bomb in an Opera House, and she doesn't sound the alarm. Who writes these scripts????????????

This movie was really good. Lori Petty is the reason this film almost gets a perfect score. She is a good actress who's very underrated, and deserves more spots in movies. Well anyway the movie was full of suspense, surprises, and danger. It kept me wondering," what will happen next." I was also surprised at some of the actions of the villain (Jason London). This movie was really good, and it's worth a rental for someone who wants a movie that's full of suspense, and action. I was surprised that there wasn't much drama in the movie expect for a couple of scenes. Some of the scenes were a little sad and heartbreaking. It was mostly action though. It was still one of the best movies I have ever seen. 9.5/10

Following in the footsteps of Speed and Blown Away, Countdown is a fairly low-rent example of the 'Mad Bomber' sub-genre, but the movie is not without merit...Though the film provides few surprises, it remains a delight to see Lori Petty in a starring role for a change, and she is as watchable as ever in this movie. Her quirky presence is the film's great strength.Add one or two tense scene's and we have a decent thriller, albeit not an overly memorable one.Worth a rent.