By Jared Curtis jared@dmcityview.com

‘Man on a Ledge’

Directed by Asger Leth

Rated PG-13, 102 minutes

“Man on a Ledge” is exactly as the title says, a movie about a guy standing on an edge of a skyscraper, ready to jump. And although it introduces a very creative heist side-plot midway through, the film’s third act falls to pieces, leaving this action-thriller not very thrilling. Nick Cassidy (Sam Worthington) is an ex-cop who is wrongly accused of stealing a diamond and framed by rich bigwig David Englander (Ed Harris). After he escapes prison, Cassidy ends up on the ledge of Englander’s hotel, negotiating with police (Elizabeth Banks and Ed Burns) to prove he’s an innocent man. But while the police, the crowd below and local media focus on Cassidy, his brother Joey (Jamie Bell), is secretly stealing a diamond from Englander’s vault across the street. “Man on a Ledge” offers a laughable title and ridiculous ending that will leave viewers wanting to take the leap themselves. CV

‘Heist’

Directed by David Mamet

2001, Rated R, 109 minutes

After the failed heist side-plot in “Man on a Ledge,” audiences deserve a true-to-form caper film. One of the better recent examples is David Mamet’s “Heist.” Joe Moore (Gene Hackman) is a professional thief who is ready to call it quits. But before he can disappear, he and his crew (Delroy Lindo, Ricky Jay and Rebecca Pidgeon) must pull off one last job for their boss, Mickey (Danny DeVito). Not only is the heist extremely complicated — dealing with hijacking a shipment of gold off a plane — but the crew must also bring along Mickey’s hot-headed nephew, Jimmy (Sam Rockwell). As the plan unfolds, we discover not everybody is being honest. “Heist” might not be as flashy as some of the films in the genre, but the strong dialogue (a Mamet specialty), veteran cast and the numerous double crosses will keep audiences invested, regardless of who escapes with the loot. CV