Smokin’ Aces is a melting pot of genres and characters. Some of it works, some of it doesn’t, but it’s full of vibrant energy and it’s never boring. The story concerns a Las Vegas Illusionist who must decide between his loyalty to his friends and his desire to escape the dangers of the mob lifestyle. Buddy “Aces” Israel is a prisoner in every sense of the word. He’s forced to hideout in the Penthouse Suite of a posh hotel while negotiating a deal with the FBI to testify against The Mob.

As Buddy slowly breaks down and spirals deeper into self destruction, The Mob gets wind of his plans and decides to put out a free for all contract on the magician’s head with a hefty reward in tow. Bail Bondsmen, Snipers and Neo-Nazi Psychopaths of all shapes and sizes descend on the hotel as the FBI tries to get to Buddy before everyone else.

Join me as the blood and bullets fly all over the screen, and Ryan Reynolds proves once and for all that he’s more than just a funny Canadian. Just as with most of my audio commentaries, listen for my preemptive countdown before pressing “play” on your trusty, DVD remote.