Mark Wahlberg is best known for his acting roles in "Perfect Storm" and "Planet of the Apes". While his new film "The Italian Job" may not surpass these two blockbuster films at the box office, for all the right reasons, it's likely to be his trademark film for the foreseeable future.

Although Mark has acted in a wide variety of pictures, a number of them have been remakes where he is walking in the footsteps of Charlton Heston (Planet of the Apes), Cary Grant ("Charade" was remade into The Truth About Charlie" and Michael Caine ("The Italian Job" in 1969). Because he does not want to get typecast, he "won't do anymore remakes". Fortunately for us, he did this one. What makes this remake work so well is that Mark is joined by a strong cast that has great chemistry. Complimenting that is Director F. Gary Gray who knows how to deliver an action film where you care about the characters.

Wahlberg is a filmmaker's actor who chooses "…roles based on the director. I'm willing to do anything a filmmaker asks. "The Italian Job" takes caper heists films (e.g., "Oceans 11", "The Heist", "The Score") to a higher plateau of action and fun. Wahlberg says that "this movie relies on the audience getting behind this crew" and in the promotional screening I saw the film at, there was lots of laughter with folks applauding as the credits rolled.

When asked about the underwater work in this film, he said "…it was a lot easier doing this than in "The Perfect Storm". Action is one thing "The Italian Job" has plenty of. Over 30 Mini Coopers were used and Mark said that he knows he wrecked at least 20 of them.J

This spectacular film is sure to be a crowd pleaser because Mark Wahlberg is not only the good guy hero in the movie, but he helps everyone perform his or her roles with a higher sense of vibrancy. The movie opens at the local multiplex on May 30th.