Triple 9

Set in steamy Atlanta, GA, this sloppy, action-packed crime caper revolves around corrupt cops and criminals who are pulling off a daring daytime bank heist. Led by ex-Special Forces mercenary Michael Atwood (Chiwetel Ejiofor), the team includes Marcus Belmont (Anthony Mackie), Franco Rodriguez (Clifton Collins Jr.), Gabe Welch (Aaron Paul), and Gabe's big brother Russell (Norman Reedus). But afterwards, they are blackmailed by Irina Vlaslov (an almost unrecognizable Kate Winslet), Michael's steely former sister-in-law, who is inexorably tied to the Russian-Israeli mob. Irina refuses to pay the team unless they also break into a heavily secured Department of Homeland Security facility as part of a complicated plan to free her husband from a Russian prison. The only way they can accomplish this is to create a police diversion called 999—a radio code for “officer down.” But there's an obstacle in Chris Allen (Casey Affleck), an idealistic, unsuspecting former Marine whose cynical, veteran police-sergeant Uncle Jeffrey (Woody Harrelson) is the primary investigator on the bank robbery case. Convolutedly plotted with dastardly double-crosses, and superficially directed by John Hillcoat, Triple 9 is a semi-incoherent film full of chaotic scenes, blood-soaked violence, and heavy symbolism, all propelled by greed and revenge. Optional. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include deleted scenes (8 min.), the behind-the-scenes segments “Under the Gun” (3 min.) and “An Authentic World” (3 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are bonus digital and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a decent extras package for a bloody, confusing mess of a film.] (S. Granger)