Whiteout [Blu-ray]

Do you have a movie that for some reason, is just one of those movies you can watch again and again and never get tired of it? For those of you on both (or the same, whatever) sides who keep slobbering over the shower scene or a loosely draped towel, this review is not for you. I love a good murder mystery and Whiteout, to me, is simply a good murder mystery. I thought Kate Beckinsale did a wonderful job as burned out U.S. Marshall, Carrie Stetko. Obviously stationed in a South Pole U.S. camp, the story opens with her returning from another Marshall duty. She seems tired, run down and just wants a hot shower and some rest. This is not to be, however as she is immediately tasked to investigate a dead body spotted in her jurisdiction. I love movies shot in the beauty and splendor of either poles, anyway. That this turns out to be a pretty good who-done-it is simply an added bonus for me. So far, I haven't read a review here that does this movie justice or one that would make a reader want to see it, so, I'll do my best without spoilers, which isn't easy.The main characters are Carrie, already listed, a truly great turn by Tom Skerritt as the station's doctor, John Fury, and also honorable mention to Gabriel Macht, now known as Harvey Specter on one of TV's best new shows, Suits, playing UN agent Robert Pryce, who helps Carrie solve the mystery of who, why, when, and where of the dead body and the who-done-it. Also, honorable mention number two goes to Columbus Short (Quarantine, Death At a Funeral) as Delfy, who flies and drives them wherever they need to go.The movie, despite numerous jokes and put-downs here, has everything a great murder mystery must have to make it fun to watch. Lots of action, a wonderful investigation that leads Carrie and Pryce down some interesting avenues, including a very exciting outdoor chase scene in an arctic snow storm with powerful winds and blinding snow. The ending, which I will not give away so others might find and actually enjoy this little gem of a mystery, is not expected (at least not by me, and I'm pretty good at "gaming" murder mysteries).So, I encourage you to spend an evening, pop some corn, and grab your beverage of choice, kick back and enjoy this sweet little thriller for what it is. A truly terrific story, with great actors, who turn in some great acting. As I said, I still watch this movie every once in a while, when I'm in the mood for a fun ride in a movie that I KNOW is not a waste of time!

Being an avid fan of Alex O'Loughlin I waited for several years while the producers of this movie kept changing the opening date. It was worth the wait because Alex O. never disappoints.Alex shines as an Australian pilot (we get to hear that wonderful real accent of his), Russell Haden. I spent some of the movie just waiting for Alex's character to come back on the screen. When the movie was being promoted, there was something said about Alex running across the ice wearing nothing but a fur hat and boots. This is one reason why you have to buy the DVD. It happens so fast in the very beginning, when I saw it in the theater, I was already anxious to get the DVD to use that pause button. Next comes Alex's acting - splendid - especially in the midst of the rest of the actors in this movie. Uh, what are their names again?This movie is based on a graphic novel, and they did a good job putting it on screen. There is lots of excitement when the "whiteout" finally moves in and the killer is revealed. Very realistic special effects. The actors said it was very hot working inside with all those clothes on with fake snow blowing around in the whiteout/fight scenes. You would never know they were not really out there in the sub-zero temperatures.Another great scene is one where the director let Alex improvise with his natural sense of humor - as he plays bartender for the partying guys at the base, pouring old Scotch over 1,000 year old ice. Made me want to be there for a shot of that. Another great scene - where Russell is being interrogated and Kate Beckinsale (ah, I knew I would remember her name eventually...) starts to cut off his thumb. Very dramatic, and what I love about Alex is that he is so great at playing extrememly different kinds of characters. Some fans, after seeing him portray Mick on the TV show Moonlight, don't like seeing him play the "bad guy". I love it. He is so versatile, and yes, that is what acting is all about, but Alex is a cut above the rest. I have never seen anyone absolutely become their characters like he does - the way he looks, talks, etc.This is a great thriller, and again, if you are a fan of Alex O'Loughlin, this is a must see. If you are not a fan of Alex O'Loughlin, you will be by the time the movie is over.

A reasonable thriller, rather slow-paced and a bit drab; it's main selling-points are it's Antarctica setting and Kate Beckinsale as U.S. Marshal Carrie Stetko, who is presented with an investigation that quickly turns to murder, just as the base is closing for winter.Based on the graphic novel by Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber, the plot has it's twists and turns as Carrie is uncertain who to trust as the intrigue unfolds; it has a certain atmosphere to it, but doesn`t quite capitalise on it's imaginative premise.Nevertheless it isn't a bad film, just not as good as it could have been – it's really Beckinsale who carries it.The standard UK DVD release has available subtitles in English (which may require some adjustment on one's TV screen settings to view) a couple of featurettes on the making of the film and the adaptation from novel to screen and some deleted scenes.3 ½ stars.

Good film, very enjoyable and watchable. Kate is very good and lovely as always.

I've watched this twice and it gets better everytime this film is great because you don't know till the end who the real culprit is

A good thriller with one of the late Richard Beckinsale's daughters (Kate) starring in it, a very good film set in the Antarctic which adds a nice twist to the storyline.

The film was quite watchable, beginning with the (rather unnecessary, but with Kate Beckinsale in the film it was expected) mandatory shower-scene, followed by a few suspenseful moments, quick narrative, some solid photography, some hammy acting, and all coming against the backdrop of the breathtakingly beautiful-yet-horrific Antarctic landscape. Not Oscar-material by any means, nowhere close to the epic Graphic Novel, but watchable on its own.