A List Of Things Thrown Five Minutes Ago

LOOK, BUT DON'T WATCH. TASTE, BUT DON'T SWALLOW: And read the reviews, but for heaven's sake, don't actually go out and see Al Pacino's new movie, The Recruit. As the New York Times appropriately notes:

[T]his movie, directed with shrugging professionalism by Roger Donaldson ("No Way Out," "13 Days"), belongs to a very special genre: the Al Pacino crazy mentor picture.

Examples include "Donnie Brasco," "Scent of a Woman," "Devil's Advocate" and "Any Given Sunday." In each of these movies, Mr. Pacino is paired with a younger actor — Johnny Depp, Chris O'Donnell, Keanu Reeves, Jamie Foxx — to enact a peculiar generational battle whose outcome is usually a mutual learning of lessons.

Often, the temperamental contrast between the characters is reflected in approaches to acting. Mr. Pacino's style — the Method gone mad — is gestural and confrontational, with a lot of shouting and muttering.

Hoo-AH!. Estimated date for this movie joining its relatives on heavy rotation on TNT and bumping off one of The American President's weekly airings? September 5, 2004. Mark it, Smokey.