‘The Rock’ Download and Reviews

December 21, 2009 by Paul Wall  
Filed under Action, Adventure, Thriller

“The Rock” Movie Details

The Rock tagline: Alcatraz. Only one man has ever broken out. Now five million lives depend on two men breaking in.
The Rock - DVD Cover

The Rock DVD Cover

Actors:
  • Brendan Kelly
  • Sean Connery John Patrick Mason
    Nicolas Cage Dr. Stanley Goodspeed
    Ed Harris General Francis X. Hummel
    John Spencer FBI Director James Womack
    David Morse Major Tom Baxter
    William Forsythe Special Agent Ernest Paxton
    Michael Biehn Commander Anderson
    Vanessa Marcil Carla Pestalozzi
    John C. McGinley Captain Hendrix
    Gregory Sporleder Captain Frye
    Tony Todd Captain Darrow
    Bokeem Woodbine Sergeant Crisp
    Jim Maniaci Private Scarpetti
    Greg Collins Private Gamble
    Private Cox
    Directors: Michael Bay IMDB Rating: 7.2/10 out of 103,318 votes

    “The Rock” Movie Review

    “The Rock” Plot Summary

    A group of U.S. marines, under command of a renegade general, take over Alcatraz and threat San Francisco Bay with biological weapons. A chemical weapons specialist and the only man to have ever escaped from the Rock are the only ones who can prevent chaos. add synopsis

    ‘The Rock’ rocks!

    Every time I see ‘The Rock,’ I’m reminded of why I love action movies. They just can’t seem to get any better than this. I may get slammed by others for proclaiming such strong admirations for such a movie, but it’s squarely my opinion. But to remove myself from opinion and move in the direction toward known fact, ‘The Rock’ is an essential action film for any action-film fan

    Three years ago I bought the last remaining Criterion Collection DVD at my local video store and I can see now beyond the horizon that another edition of this masterpiece probably isn’t coming any time soon. It is squarely the best film ever done by music video champ-turned-big-budget-Hollywood-music-video-director Michael Bay and the last film ever produced by the Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer duo (Simpson died shortly before ‘The Rock’ was released and the film is dedicated in his memory).

    But ‘The Rock’ is all about one thing: entertainment, and nothing else. It’s a hell of a ride from start to finish with plenty ‘o explosions, humor, car chases, and one-liners supplied in a dynamite script by Douglas Cook, Mark Rosner, and David Weisberg (that also contains un-credited work from Quentin Tarantino). Even after this praise, you are, naah, you’re not, still interested in seeing why ‘The Rock’ is so essential, are you?To put it like this, the action begins with General Francis ‘Frank’ R. Hummel (Ed Harris) having a vigil at his wife’s grave and tells her that he is about to make a haste decision in the name of the many men who have died under his command and were consequently forgotten by the American government

    So he and his men stage a daring heist at a military depot and make off with 16 rockets loaded with deadly V-X gas, which in the words of one of the film’s characters, ‘Is one of the deadliest substances known to man.’ Their next move is to make a point that they aren’t to be toyed with anymore. So Frank stages a hostage takeover at Alcatraz prison in San Francisco Bay. He tells the kids that are part of a tour group to head back to the boats while the 88 hostages are held in the prison’s cells

    Hummel demands the government make restitutions to the surviving family members of every man who has given his life for this country and if they aren’t met, San Francisco will be reduced to nothing but a giant cloud of poison gas. The Pentagon and assorted officials know the score: they know that Hummel knows he isn’t to be messed with and they take his demands seriously

    A plan is put into effect: a SEAL team is dispatched to try to retake the island, but there is one catch. No one alive knows the inner workings of Alcatraz prison. No one knows, except John Patrick Mason (Sean Connery), the only man known to have escaped the infamous island and lived to tell about it. But he’s under maximum security incarceration because in the eyes of one F.B.I. Director John Womack (the late John Spencer), he knows all of America’s most ‘intimate’ secrets (including who really shot JFK) and allowing Mason to be on the loose would be a pretty bad idea

    There is a third prong: an F.B.I. lab rat with no field experience, Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage), is also assigned, and with Mason in tow, they’ll accompany the SEALs to Alcatraz to try to dismantle the rockets and Hummel. Of course Goodspeed is reluctant but because a baby is on the way with his longtime girlfriend, he decides he has no choice but to go

    From then on, you know the game since any attempt to further describe the plot would be an exercise in futility: lots of people get shot, firefights, and breakneck pacing that’s trademark of one Mr. Bay and any film produced by a certain Mr. Bruckheimer. What keeps this boat afloat is the dynamic and unlikely partnering of Connery and Cage, who both know their roles well and play off one another, add to the other’s performance like old friends as they navigate through Alcatraz’s labyrinth of dark tunnels and sewers. Ed Harris is even given a third dimension in his villain role that elevates him above the typical action-movie bad guy. He’s a soldier with a chip on his shoulder and his argument is quite convincing (I almost bought into myself). But his true motives later become the subject of a rather colorful and inventive plot twist late in the film.’The Rock’ is why we go to theaters for action in the first place. My view: ‘The Rock’ rocks, big time

    Just check it out to see.10/10

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    ‘Dick Tracy’ Download and Reviews

    November 9, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Action, Romance, Thriller

    “Dick Tracy” Movie Details

    Dick Tracy tagline: I’m on my way.
    Dick Tracy - DVD Cover

    Dick Tracy DVD Cover

    Actors:
  • James Keane
  • Charlie Korsmo ‘Kid’/Dick Tracy Jr.
    Michael Donovan O’Donnell Mr. Gillicuddy
    Jim Wilkey Stooge
    Stig Eldred Shoulders
    Neil Summers The Rodent
    Chuck Hicks The Brow
    Lawrence Steven Meyers Little Face
    William Forsythe Flattop
    Ed O’Ross Itchy
    Glenne Headly Tess Trueheart
    Marvelee Cariaga Soprano
    Michael Gallup Baritone
    Seymour Cassel Sam Catchem
    Pat Patton
    Directors: Warren Beatty IMDB Rating: 5.9/10 out of 24,153 votes

    “Dick Tracy” Movie Review

    “Dick Tracy” Plot Summary

    The comic strip detective finds his life vastly complicated when Breathless Mahoney makes advances towards him while he is trying to battle Big Boy Caprice’s united mob.

    Impressive, enjoyable comic book movie (spoilers)

    Released in 1990, Warren Beatty’s take on a popular one-time comic book detective is at once successful and distinctive. It doesn’t have the preachy Americo-centric moralism of the ‘Superman’ movies, neither does it possess the dark and tragic depths of the early ‘Batman’ films. ‘Dick Tracy’ is distinctive as it just tries to be what it is: a literal live action comic strip. In this the cops headed up by a straight-laced detective (and his plucky kid sidekick) are the heroes, with a horde of ugly, scheming gangsters as the villains

    In a town simply named The City, Dick Tracy (Warren Beatty) is an honest but reckless detective who divides his time between chasing villains and going out with his girlfriend Tess Trueheart (Glenne Headly). He finds himself a new sidekick in the shape of the Kid (Charlie Korsmo), a homeless young thief he pulls off the streets. Tracy will need all the help he can get, as his arch-nemesis Big Boy Caprice (Al Pacino) is on the rise. He’s just rubbed out his main rival Lips Manlis (Paul Sorvino), taken over his club and stolen his girlfriend, singer Breathless Mahoney (Madonna). Now he’s preparing for a rampage that will ensure him complete control of The City…..Take the story out of the movie and it would make a fine period melodrama. There are enough twists and turns in the plot to keep it interesting for the bulk of it’s two-hour running length. The script mixes a healthy stock of comic book characters (hard-nosed cop, honest sweetheart, streetwise kid, mean ugly gangster and attractive but sleazy moll) and has the standard surprise ending. This is combined with a show of action scenes (featuring cement baths, punch-ups and tommy gun shoot-outs) but in keeping with the pictures lighthearted tone, there is nothing gory or explicit

    The setting and technical aspect is especially good in this film. The use of primary colours in both the backdrops, sets and costumes is brilliant and makes the whole film really come alive. Enhancing this is a wonderful music score, put to good use in both the action scenes and the quieter, more sentimental moments. Even Madonna’s songs fit in well with the picture, as they’re cleverly used in ways that bring the story forward and add irony to key scenes. The performances are for the most part excellent. Warren Beatty is on form as eponymous detective and he works well in tangent with Charlie Korsmo as The Kid, who is both his partner and surrogate son. If the film has a recurring weakness, it’s in the lack of chemistry between him and leading lady Glenne Headly. There is certainly more discernible tension in scenes between him and Madonna, who turns in a good performance as the scheming, gangster’s moll. She is certainly no Oscar-winner, but neither is she the wooden disaster so many make her out to be

    The cast of prosthetics-clad gangsters reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of vintage character actors: Dustin Hoffman, James Caan, Paul Sorvino, William Forsythe, James Tolkan, etc. The outstanding performance here, though, is Al Pacino as Big Boy. Usually known for his more serious portrayal of villains in films like ‘The Godfather’ and ‘Dog Day Afternoon’ it is a delight watching him go gleefully over the top here. Big Boy is deluded, cruel and arrogant and makes a worthy adversary for Tracy

    Not one of the most well-known comic book films going around, but it is still a joy to watch.

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    ‘88 Minutes’ Download and Reviews

    October 20, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Drama, Mystery, Thriller

    “88 Minutes” Movie Details

    88 Minutes tagline: He has 88 minutes to solve a murder. His own.
    88: 88 Minutes - DVD Cover

    88 Minutes DVD Cover

    Actors:
    Al Pacino Jack Gramm
    Alicia Witt Kim Cummings
    Amy Brenneman Shelly Barnes
    Leelee Sobieski Lauren Douglas
    Benjamin McKenzie Mike Stemp
    Deborah Kara Unger Carol
    William Forsythe Frank Parks
    Neal McDonough Jon Forster
    Stephen Moyer Guy LaForge
    Michael Eklund J.T. Ryker
    Michal Yannai Leeza Pearson
    Brendan Fletcher Johnny d’franco
    Carrie Genzel Stephanie Parkman
    Dexter Bell Reggie
    Paul Campbell Albert
    Directors: Jon Avnet
    IMDB Rating: 5.9/10 out of 28,898 votes

    “88 Minutes” Movie Review

    “88: 88 Minutes” Plot Summary

    In Seattle, the successful forensic psychiatrist and college professor Jack Gramm is in evidence since…

    Frantic and exciting thriller with good performances from Al Pacino and his nemesis Neal McDonough

    Tense and suspenseful thriller film with a stunning race against time. This Hichcockian movie deals about a forensic psychologist and University professor with tortured past named Jack Grimm (Al Pacino ) who receives a phone call telling him which has only eighty eight minutes to live. Jack was witness on trail against serial killer Jon Foster (Neal McDonough)and influenced the tribunal to condemn him to death row. In narrow time he desperately seeks to communicate with a problematic student (Ben McKenzie,OC), his associate Shelby (Amy Brenneman), assistant (Alicia Witt), his friend and FBI agent(William Forsythe), a security guard (Brendan Fletcher) and University dean (Deborah Kara Unger). Meanwhile being pursued by a delinquent (Stephen Moyer) and besieged by numerous threatening cellular calls

    Gripping, original action movie with Al Pacino desperately trying to find the means avoid to be murdered. Acceptable thriller full of intrigue and tense, this is a fast-paced, stylized action-suspense film. The tension of this picture keeps snowballing as the clock ticks ever close for continuous killings. The tale appears to unfold in real time as the many on cellular calls will verify. Most unusual is the device of having the victim play desperado and hunt the killer, and saving himself, as time runs out. The flick is well filmed in Seattle, Washington State and Vancouver ,British Columbia , Canada. Casting is frankly magnificent, Al Pacino as tormented psychiatrist, unsettling when approaches his last minutes of life, though Neal McDonough takes honors as a psychopath who attempts to turn the tables on the victims before Pacino can save them. Plus, a good secondary cast, such as William Forsythe, Deborah Kara Unger, and Stephen Moyer, among them. Adequate musical score accompanying the action by Ed Shearmur and inventively photographed by Denis Lenoir, both of whom share his skills in the following John Avnet’s movie ?Righteous kill? also with Al Pacino and Trilby Glover who again plays a defense attorney. The motion picture is regularly directed by John Avnet because of it contains some gaps and flaws. Avnet is a nice director who achieved his greatest success with ?Fried green tomatoes? and ?Up close and personal? and failures as ?The war?. He directed and produced some hits, though today also making TV movies as the excellent ?The uprising ? and television episodes.

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    ‘Once Upon a Time in America’ Download and Reviews

    September 16, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Crime, Drama

    “Once Upon a Time in America” Movie Details

    Once Upon a Time in America tagline: Crime, passion and lust for power – Sergio Leone’s explosive saga of gangland America. [Australia Theatrical]
    Once Upon a Time in America - DVD Cover

    Once Upon a Time in America DVD Cover

    Actors:
  • Richard Bright
  • Robert De Niro David ‘Noodles’ Aaronson
    James Woods Maximilian ‘Max’ Bercovicz
    Elizabeth McGovern Deborah Gelly
    Treat Williams James Conway O’Donnell
    Tuesday Weld Carol
    James Hayden Patrick ‘Patsy’ Goldberg
    Joe Pesci Frankie Minaldi
    Larry Rapp ‘Fat’ Moe Gelly
    Danny Aiello Police Chief Vincent Aiello
    William Forsythe Philip ‘Cockeye’ Stein
    Burt Young Joe Minaldi
    Darlanne Fluegel Eve
    Dutch Miller Van Linden
    Robert Harper Sharkey
    Chicken Joe
    Directors: Sergio Leone IMDB Rating: 8.4/10 out of 66,474 votes

    “Once Upon a Time in America” Movie Review

    “Once Upon a Time in America” Plot Summary

    A former Prohibition-era Jewish gangster returns to Brooklyn over 30 years later, where he once again must confront the ghosts and regrets of his old life.

    Excellent!

    This movie is such a breath taker! It is not too long! Not if you get into it! If you are bored of the movie then yes, it will seem long. But this is the kind of movie that you have to get in to and pay attention to, to like. And all though the first maybe, thirty minutes aren’t as stimulating, the rest of the movie makes up for it. The beginning is kind of boring due to the fact that you have no idea what’s going on

    The movie’s cast was chosen perfectly. The story has no flaws

    There is not one detail that went unanswered. The music in the movie is so beautiful, it will haunt you! The rest of the day you’ll be singing it’s score! If you’re a soundtrack freak like me, then listen to the music for this movie! If you are looking for a movie that has its ups and downs, highs and lows, then see ‘Once Upon a Time in America’!

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