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 The
setting? 1940s Los Angeles. The genre? Film noir. The story? A classic involving
political, economic and personal corruption. Nicholson, Huston and Dunaway give finely
tuned performances, while director Polanski expertly converts Robert Towne's words to the
screen.
A kidnapping goes terribly
wrong in this story of crime and idiocy. Always great visual artists, the Coen brothers
have now given the world a film with an intriguing plot as well as great characters who we
care about.
This fast-paced psychological
thriller features a tight plot, believable script and effective performances by Michael
Douglas and Gwyneth Paltrow. It's a successful remake of Alfred Hitchcock's Dial M for
Murder that proves jealousy, greed and lust are timeless.
 Sylvester
Stallone stands out in his portrayal of a second-rate lawman responsible for a
cop-dominated bedroom community. Dark, violent and compelling, the big surprise is
Stallone more than holding his own with Keitel, De Niro and other top actors.
Surprisingly moralistic story
(given the subject matter) about a young man’s rise to infamy as a porn star, his
fall from grace, and his struggle to be redeemed. A bizarre after school special sort of
movie, but also very entertaining.
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An exploration of the life
and battles of Larry Flynt, controversial publisher of Hustler magazine. Flynt's life
isn't idealised, but his enemies are definitely skewered. This film leaves the viewer
struggling with a variety of moral questions, as it should.
A far better than average
made for pay television movie about a frustrated widow (Marg Helgenberger) and the
small-time crook (David Caruso) who tries to help her escape a nasty thug. It's
unremarkable, but a surprisingly solid film.
 Trash-noir
Hollywood style, featuring Matt Dillon as a high school counsellor who is accused of rape
by students Neve Campbell and Denise Richards. Kevin Bacon plays a local cop who smells a
rat. It’s your basic pure, vulgar entertainment.
A convoluted story of
conspiracy, how people change, and violence. Interesting characters and a good performance
by Andie MacDowell are outweighed by too much unnecessary plot baggage. We're left feeling
that an opportunity to make a fine film was lost.
A sexy, twisted affair in the
Tennessee Williams vein. Its characters are screwed up, lustful creatures who drink too
much and harbour secrets. Predictable in places but overall a fine directorial debut from
John Patrick Kelley. |
