Amazon.com

After her success with Basic Instinct, Sharon Stone opted for familiar territory with this campfest that purports to be a sexualized thriller about voyeurism but in reality is more of an excuse to get Stone and costar William Baldwin out of their clothes. Rear Window it ain't. Stone plays it drab and quiet as a successful career woman on the rebound from a bad marriage who moves into a mysterious Manhattan high-rise. Once there, she discovers that she has a few admirers: a hunky and enigmatic neighbor (Baldwin), a popular writer of crime novels (Tom Berenger), and someone who seems to enjoy watching her every move on the building-wide surveillance system. And is one of them the serial killer who's stalking the comely female tenants? Scripted by the erstwhile Joe Eszterhas (Basic Instinct and Jagged Edge), Sliver follows the standard Eszterhas plot line of a protagonist suspecting that his or her lover may or may not be a vicious killer, the tension mounting as clue upon clue is discovered. Unlike both Instinct or Edge, though, Sliver delivers little suspense, thanks in part to a reshot ending that changed the original identity of the killer in the Ira Levin novel and confounded students of rational thought. However, if you're looking for an unintentionally funny thriller with loads of extraneous nudity, Sliver is an enjoyably huge hunk of cheese. --Mark Englehart ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Stone in yet another over-charged sex-thriller.
This super-sleazy sex-mystery features Sharon Stone as a lonely book editor who moves into a handsome, slender Manhattan apartment building(the "Sliver" of the title), and later learns that it is the scene of a series of brutal and unsolved murders. Unfortunately, this filmization of Ira Levin's reasonably suspenseful novel focuses more on Stone's steamy relationship with practicing voyeur William Baldwin rather than the mystery/suspense angle. This muddled mess was obviously an ill-fated attempt to cash in on the success of "Basic Instinct" and attract that same audience, but it was all for naught because "Sliver" still crashed and burned at the box-office. Admittedly, there are several hot and heavy sex scenes, but they would be more at home in a hardcore skin flick rather than a film like this that tries to pass itself off as a suspenseful murder mystery. The unrated version features several minutes worth of even more sexually explicit material. If you're going to buy it, get the unrated version since the few sex scenes are the film's only real virtue anyway.

SLIVER, WANNA WATCH?
Sliver is a fantastic film. The best out of all the erotic thrillers filmed between the years of 1987-1995, preferably the time in which the Erotic Thriller genre was big. Ending with Eszterhas's JADE. Eszterhas (Basic Instinct, Jade, Jagged Egde) wrote Sliver. A film starring Sharon Stone as Carly Norris, stuck in this age of loneliness after coming out of a 7 year bad marriage. Moving into a slick and sleek sliver apartment building, she is warmly welcomed by all of it's tennants. Including, Vida Warren a woman with a dark double life. Gus Hale, a man that is willing to tell all dirty little secrets. Zeke Hawkins a handsome young man that takes a sexual interest in Carly, FAST. And Tom Berenger a classy writer, with a macho jerk attitude. When Carly gets involved, very involved, with Zeke she begins to learn that inside the walls of this building hides a secret that could reveal everything. With an ending so fast paced it will blow right by you, but a very satisfying ending if I do say so in the least. Again, buy SLIVER in the unrated version, sit down and relax in the darkness and remember that there is no place more frightening than home...

Very sexy but empty
There was a time when movies were slicker than they are now, when they pushed the buttons of sexuality/abhorrent sex. This is a lot about voyeurism and the thrill of being stalked. Sharon Stone was of course capitalizing on the Basic Instinct success. Billy Baldwin is very attarctive and they make a sexy couple but it didn't make a good movie. The soundtrack is amazing though!

LONELINESS - exemplified !!!
Few films have a matching soundtrack.This is one of those few.
The script is strong.The pace is quick.Actors/Actresses have done a commendable job.It's all about people , who have made good money - stable lifestyle - those who are already out of the daily rat race - who now have time for some mischief & pleasure.And , a rare combination of Money & Loneliness formulates a unique approach to life.This is it.The best that the people of this status can do in life.The beginning is simply superb - mystery commences right from shot 1 - excellent dialogue quality - absolutely no useless chatter - just to the point action & dialogues.A great addition to the collection - for sure.

So much for the "erotic thriller" genre
Sharon Stone is Carly Norris, one of those sucessful types who, in Hollywood's mind, must be tortured by insecurity and self-loathing. She's just moved into a new building which, for its stark loveliness, leaves her feeling even more unsettled than usual. (Because Joe Ezsterhaus perpetrated the script, the regular denizens of the building are into rough and otherwise generally unconventional intercourse. Closer to Carly are two suspicious admirers ' Lanford (Tom Berenger), a hardboiled crime novelist, and the building's owner, Zeke (Billy Baldwin). Lanford telegraphs his problems in the way he introduces himself ' running into people while jogging in Central Park. Zeke has a bigger problem ' he's wired the building for sight & sound, using a hidden control center stacked with monitors and recorders on which to view whatever's going on in his building (lover's pressuring their mates into rougher sex; parents molesting their children, women shaving, etc..) When suspicion exuded by the characters isn't enough to get the story going, a string of murderers is tossed in. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A somewhat contrived screenplay doesn't stop this thriller from serving up some of the most spectacular fire sequences ever committed to film. Like any Ron Howard production Backdraft is impressively slick and boasts a stellar cast, including Kurt Russell and William Baldwin. The actors play sibling rivals who have been at odds since the death of their firefighter father years earlier. Robert De Niro is the veteran fire inspector who is tracking a series of mysterious and deadly arsons, and Donald Sutherland is effectively creepy as the former arsonist who understands the criminal psychology of pyromaniacs. Rebecca De Mornay, Scott Glenn, and Jennifer Jason Leigh are featured in supporting roles. Backdraft is a triumph of stunt work and flaming special effects. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (60)

Firehouse Fairy Tale...
Ron Howard's Backdraft, is a film that centers on the lives of two brothers. Their father, a Chicago firefighter, was killed on the job when they were young boys. As adults, the McCaffreys, are both members of fire department. The elder brother Stephen (Kurt Russell), nicknamed "Bull", is a veteran firefighter, who prefers taking on a fire head on. His younger brother Brian (William Baldwin), is a recent graduate into the department, and though he seeks to serve out of his brother's shadow, he finds himself assigned to Bull's stationhouse. While Bull is something of a legend within the department, all is not perfect in his life, as estranged from his wife (Rebecca DeMornay), he lives on his father's old dry docked boat.

The family drama is set against a subplot, involving a series of suspicious fires that are being investigated by the fire department's arson specialist, Lt. Rimgale (Robert De Niro). A local Alderman (J.T. Walsh) responsible for budget cutbacks to the department, is pressing Rimgale for answers. After another clash with his big brother, Brian transfers to Rimgale's arson investigation unit.

Once this occurs, the story expands to become more than just a sibling rivalry, as the focus shifts to the investigation of arson and other matters. De Niro, Baldwin, Walsh and Donald Sutherland, who plays a crazed imprisoned arsonist, then assume more primary roles. The physics of a backdraft are quite fascinating, and the results spectacular and explosive. The film does feature some fine special effects and stunts, related to the fire fighting scenes. The identity of the arsonist, and the reasons for the crimes, may not be very credible, but the film proceeds towards a spectacular and emotional finish. In the end, it all comes back to the two brothers, and the special bond between firefighters.

The film does have its flaws. Baldwin (28) and Russell (40) are a bit of a mismatch as brothers, with more of an age difference as adults, than it appeared when they were children. The incident where Brian mistakenly rescues a mannequin is simply ridiculous. And the attempts to attribute to fire almost metaphysical qualities, may be something only firemen can truly appreciate. While the film's focus does bounce around a bit between drama, adventure and suspense, overall the presentation is still worth seeing. The DVD however offers very little in the way of extras.

Great special effects, plus a moving ending
"Backdraft is the story of two brothers. After the death of their firefighter father, older brother Steven (Kurt Russell) follows Dad's footsteps into the Chicago Fire Department. Younger brother Brian (William Baldwin) bounces from one scam or get-rich-quick scheme to another. But Brian eventually winds up back in Chicago in the Fire Department, and in Steven's Co. 17, no less. They go back and forth for a while, until finally Steven drives Brian out of the department and into arson investigation. Brian winds up working for an arson investigator (Robert De Niro) investigating a series of murders-by-arson.

This movie features a stellar cast, giving mostly excellent performances. Special notice should be given to Russell, in what I think is his best performance ever. J.T. Walsh gives an excellent supporting performance as the sleazy Alderman Swayczak, as do Rebecca De Mornay as Steven's estranged wife and Scott Glenn as Firefighter "Axe" Adcox. Donald Sutherland is especially creepy, yet charming as an imprisoned arsonist to whom De Niro and Baldwin go to for advice on identifying the arsonist. Baldwin and Jennifer Jason Leigh (playing Brian's girlfriend and Swayczak's aide) could have held up their parts better, but that doesn't detract from the movie as a whole.

The fire is the real star of this movie. The special effects are truly incredible, and have to be seen to be believed. This movie boasts the best effects I've ever seen in a non-science-fiction movie. Whoever the effects man is should have won an Oscar for the fire scenes in this movie.

Some may criticize the ending for being overly sentimental, but every single time I see this movie, I get choked up during Steven's last scenes. As an older brother, I really identified with Steven and how he wants the best for his brother, but he isn't quite sure of the line between pushing him to improve and pushing him down.

The special effects alone are worth getting this movie, but director Ron Howard put together an all-star cast that (mostly) managed to put together a movie in which the plot isn't entirely overshadowed by the effects. All in all, a very good movie that's well worth your $15.

Predictable but watchable
Backdraft sticks to convention and only innovates in its special effects. The plot is rather contrived and provides the excuse for the filmmakers to play with fire -- lots of it.

Hollywood inferno.
"Backdraft" is Hollywood's version of the firefighter's life. The men are blue collar, ordinary guys who are at times heroic and other times cowardly, men who fight fires because it's their job. Being a Hollywood movie, however, most of the men are in-shape, rugged masculine types who cruise to an alarm call with rock music blasting from the fire engine stereo system and who fight fires that contain surprisngly little smoke. Kurt Russell is not altogether likeable in this film, and yet he carries his two roles off successfully with his familiar macho persona. William Baldwin is the standout character, and shows a vulnerable side to the world of firemen that is usually not seen on film. Pyrotechnics are first rate, although there are many more explosions and a lot less smoke than in real-life fires. Another slick film from Opie Taylor.

respectable movie
I was a fire fighter 82-83, and i seen the movie when it was in the theatre, i liked it a lot, in fact i used to work but a few blocks away from the china town station on cermak road where some of the footage was shot, it dealt with fire house comrades, dealt with " hero syndrome", i was not expecting a techical as it really suppose to be movie, but the heroism displayed by
the fire fighters are 5 star commendable. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

One Bad Cop
Why is it that some of our best actors give their best performances when they are playing bad guys? Maybe it's the change of pace; one probably gets tired of being the hero in film after film; but they clearly seem to revel in the opportunity of playing a straight-up jerk once in a while. In "Internal Affairs", we have Richard Gere coming down off his movie idol pedestal and giving a devastating performance as Dennis Peck, a cop who gives corruption a whole new definition. This guy makes Satan look like a boy scout. He carries on a brazen affair with his partner's wife; arranges to have his partner whacked when the police department's internal affairs bureau begins investigating his partner's extracurricular activities a little too closely and his partner is about to implicate him in the mess; agrees to execute a wealthy businessman's elderly parents who are taking too long to die so that he can come into his inheritance (meanwhile seducing the businessman's wife as part of his fee for service); and tries to seduce the wife of Raymond Avila, the internal affairs cop played by Andy Garcia, when Avila starts to suspect that Peck isn't the poster-boy cop his precinct command has made him out to be. The movie tries to show us what Peck thinks is his softer side; he's a devoted father to his offspring, but we can see that to Peck his children are nothing but trophies; he's still in his thirties but he already has 8 by three former wives and his fourth wife is expecting his ninth. Peck's children are extensions of himself; his wives are baby-making machines, and his partners and co-workers are pawns to be used for his own nefarious purposes. When Avila realizes that Peck has tried to destroy him as a cop and as a man by attempting to seduce his wife, the battle lines are drawn; Avila, of course, will be Peck's nemesis, but it's fascinating to watch each of them try to bring the other down. There are excellent performances by the supporting cast, particularly Nancy Travis as Avila's wife; Laurie Metcalf as Amy Wallace, Avila's partner who proves she's a tough a cop as any man, and William Baldwin as Van Stretch, Peck's hapless and ultimately gutless partner, brave enough to beat up on his wife but not strong enough to stand up to Peck and the venality he represents. Peck is one of the more intriguing anti-heroes on film; just when we think he's hit rock bottom, he takes a shovel and starts to dig himself in even deeper; he sees Avila's decency as a weakness he can manipulate just as he has played and destroyed everyone who crosses him. Some people, especially those who don't like to see law enforcement portrayed in a negative light, are going to be offended by this movie, but the film doesn't tar all policemen with the same brush; it's a fascinating and disturbing voyage into the mind of one very bad cop.

One of my faves
What makes thsi movie so good is the mind war going on between Andy Garcia and Richard Gere's characters. Garcia is tryign to unravel the labyrinthe of villainy and insanity that Gere has created as a corrupt cop. Gere is actually at first tickled that he's under investigation (thru his young partner Billy Baldwin) because he controls so much of his life. Multiple women/wives all living together, lots of kids, drug money, police power. But when Garcia of Internal Affairs starts getting too close Gere actually sets up a seduction of his wife that looks like one thing, is another thing and leads up to a very erotic, emotional scene between Garcia and his wife. Laurie metlcalf also plays a lesbian cop who Garcia briefly butts heads with as they team up. The nice thing about this movie is how everyone makes sense as a character and no one is entirely comfortable with the other characters. Loyalty is shown as a natural growth and betrayal a likely outcome. Very mature, strong film from gere, who makes an effort it seems to choose characters that have an internalworld going on that the watcher has to fathom about as he slowly lets possibilities, concepts slip out of what the motivations may be. Garcia is fantastic too. An incredible actor himself who chooses movies that allow his sublte, slightly repressed intensity to boil to the surface. Garcia, I hate comparisons, is very much like Al Pacino of the 70's.

Going Toe To Toe
Fresh off his supporting roles in Black Rain and The Untouchables, actor Andy Garcia teamed with Richard Gere, in a thriller for director Mike Figgis. The end result is a solid film, that is able to rise above its cliches, thanks to its cast.

Raymond Avila (Garcia) works for the internal affairs division of the LAPD and has been assigned to investigate Dennis Peck (Gere), a corrupt officer. The two men circle each other, like hunter and prey, certain that each will take the other down. It's discovered that the stakes get more personal when Peck uses Avila's wife Kathleen (Nancy Travis), and his partner Amy (Laurie Metcalf), as a way to get him off the trail.

Figgis plays the movie like a boxing match as the two leads go head to head. Gere plays it Peck like a total scumbag. He's a smooth operator--who happens to have a God complex. He is so sure of himself that he's bold enough to have 4 wives and eight kids. But as horrible as the character is, he plays it so well that, despite that, he's also quite magnetic. Also, by now, Garcia has come into his own as an actor and is able to hold his own. Some of the script suffers a bit from a stale smell. Thankfully, Gere and Garcia keep your attention throughout the movie, to soften those issues.

The DVD may not have any extras, but it is overflowing with enough of everthing else--all in all--for me to recommend this film.

Gere is so good when he's bad
Gere is so believable in this film. Initially, he is nearly sympathetic. Baldwin does a fine job Gere's partner. Garcia delivers what may be his finest peformance. Travis holds her own and definitely steals some scenes. This is an older movie, but it still smoking today. Well worth watching over and over. A keeper for the collection!

Didn't 'Faire' well with me
Internal Affairs is nothing more than an early 90's B Movie gone bad. Richard Gere may have had his worst performance in his career, and Andy Garcia definitely did.

Why people are so drawn to this movie is beyond me. Maybe I missed something, but I don't think so. Sex played a vital role in the movie, and to me, there was nothing steamy about it. It just sizzled right out.

Gere and Garcia so obviously walked through their parts and they must have needed the money, because they were just jokes. Garcia was incredibly stiff. There was no emotion in his character until the end, and even then it was mild. Gere was awful as the "villain". He's obviously progressed immensely as an actor.

The directing was just plain bad. It seemed the actors didn't know what to do for moments in the movie. There were awkward silences and pauses that were either put into the film on purpose for some insane reason or the actors had nothing better to do.

Internal Affairs is a complete disaster with storybook qualities. Don't waste your time with this mess. 2 Stars ... Read more

Amazon.com

What if you could stop your heart to simulate a temporary death, and then be revived so you could describe your near-death experience to others? The mysteries of life--and the afterlife--compel five medical students (Julia Roberts, Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Bacon, William Baldwin, Oliver Platt) to experiment with their own mortality, and what they discover has unsettling psychological implications. That's the intriguing premise of this neo-Gothic horror thriller, directed by Joel Schumacher (Batman & Robin) with his typical indulgence of vibrant colors and hyperactive, hallucinogenic style. The movie borders on silliness at times, and the near-death recollection of memories results in some repetitious scenes, but the dynamic young cast takes it all quite seriously, which is what keeps this gaudy thriller on the edge.The fascinating premise could have been made into a better film, but Schumacher's mainstream excess doesn't stop Flatliners from being slick, occasionally even provocative entertainment. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (41)

Surprisingly good
I bought this movie recently when I saw it at a store, and realized it was a Julia Roberts film I actually had never heard of. I own many of her movies, and since she and Kiefer Sutherland are two of my favorite actors, I decided to give it a shot.
The first thing that grabs you about this movie is the suspense. Come on, medical students experiencing clinical death (Flatlining) and trying to come back is not a very serene situation to begin with. But when they outbid each other for length of time when deciding who gets to go next, even the viewer begins saying to his/herself "oh, God, don't let him die!!" (I did anyway). With each gorgeous young actor wanting to be dead longer than the previous, it really puts you at the edge of your seat. As if this weren't enough, all these people that "died" and came back begin being haunted by their past sins and misdeeds, and are mentally, even physically, harmed by them.
This movie features Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Bacon, Julia Roberts, Billy Baldwin and Oliver Platt in much younger, and more dangerous, roles than I've seen most of them play. It's a great movie for a younger audience, and probably only for people with a more open mind to horror and death. A last note: Kiefer Sutherland has a great first line.

An unique, different, thrilling film from Schumacher.
When a young, bright but dangerous and ambititous medical student (Kiefer Sutherland) with his fascination with life after death, if there's such a thing. When he convinces four of medical collegues friends (Julia Roberts, Kevin Bacon, William Baldwin & Oliver Platt) to expierment in a reckless by temporality shut down (flatline) thier heart and brain functions and actually surviving after being dead for a few minutes but once, they had that expiernce, each and one of them, bring something back in thier world from the personal guilt, they have and have to face thier demons and reality, they live in.

Directed by Joel Schumacher (The Lost Boys, A Time to Kill, Phone Booth) made an unusual film with an great premise by Peter Filardi (The Craft), which it does pays off quite well. Not everyone will love this strange film with the heart of a supernatural story but it's Schumacher's moody style and energy keeps this alive with Jan de Bont's Excellent Cinematography. Fine Performances by the Cast, including Joshua Rudoy as the Ghost, who haunts the soul by One of the Medical Students. Fine music score by James Newton Howard (The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Sings). DVD's has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an strong Dolby Stereo 2.0 Surround Sound. DVD only extra is a Collector's Booklet. This film is Produced by Two-Time Oscar-Winner:Micheal Douglas (One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, Star Man). Excellent Production Designs by Eugenio Zanetti (What Dreams May Come, The Haunting). Panavision. Grade:A-.

A classic.
This has to be my favorite Kiefer Sutherland movie. The basic idea is that five medical students "flatline" themselves to see what happens when you are technically dead. What they get is not what they expect. Consequently, their past comes back to haunt them until they can atone for their actions. A great Sci-fi thriller, but not for people who are into really scary movies. 'Flatliners' has a great cast and acting. This is a movie worth watching on a rainy day.

Highly Thrilling and Original
This film by far is one of the best when it comes to originality. Five med students (Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, Kevin Bacon, William Baldwin, and Oliver Platt) want to know what really lies beyond death. One by one they each flatline for a short time to see if they can come back with the answers to life and death. What they get is far more than they would have ever expected. One by one their sins are brought back to haunt them until they make amends with their past. The dark lighting and music keep you entranced throughout the film. The only thing that I have to complain about on this Dvd is the lack of special features. It at least should of had the Trailer, however, other than that, this movie is a "should buy." Great acting by the five lead actors that have now made great names for themselves.

A different but good movie.
Honestly I never heard of this movie until a few months ago. I am a pretty big fan of Keifer Sutherland and some of his movies and of course his tv show 24. So about a month ago I blindly bought this movie just for the hell of it. The Flatliners stars Julia Roberts, Kevin Bacon, one of the Baldwins, and of course Keifer.

The Flatliners itself is a pretty cool movie with a different concept than those in its genre. It deals with young medical students experimenting to find out if there is an afterlife. Once they come back from the afterlife they are haunted by the other side.

This is one of the ultimate "Do not do this at home" movies. Although after I saw it I couldn't help from asking my friends "How much money would you do it for", lol. I bet one you see this you will be asking your friends.

One area where it is lacking though is the DVD itself is lacking any kind of special features, interactive menus, and a decently layed out chapter selection. In all honestly the movie is pretty good but the DVD is terrible compared to other newer DVDs. To me things like that make a difference. The fact that it is cheap makes up for it though.

I think if you enjoyed movies such as Stir of Echoes, The Sixth Sense, Vanilla Sky, or even the Mothman Prophies (underrated movie) you probably will enjoy this movie. At times it is dark and sorta twisted but it always stays on track and never bores you. Definetly check this movie out if you are a fan of Keifer Sutherland, Kevin Bacon or Julia Roberts because they all shine in this movie.

Movie grade - B+
DVD Grade - D- ... Read more

Reviews (2)

What do you expect from a B flick?
Usually not much. Don't get me wrong, this one is another unabashed late-night cable skin flick, I make no excuses for it.
Horrible editing, lack of continuity in scene transitions, and the worse Hollywood mistake I've seen to date: A scene in the Miami hotel, (Kinski in a red dress) where the lighting is so bad, you can see every last mark on her face, and she looks 20 years older than she is...
OK.. Given all that: Some of the music is lush and powerful. I'm actually looking for the soundtrack (right, like there is one). Also, consider this: Why do some of us watch B flicks? Because that's where you usually find some of the more interesting plots and premises. Screenplays that are too cerebral for mass-market appeal, with some cool one-liners that quote existential philosophers... stuff like that.
Movies made by insomniacs for insomniacs...
Like the previous reviewer hinted, I'll say bluntly: Kinski naked, is the reason for making this movie and for watching it as well. For this kind of thing, but way higher budget, may I recommend (if ya ain't seen it yet) Sliver?

I give it 3 stars, all for Nastassja Kinski. Period.
Let me start by saying that, at some point while watching Nastassja Kinski in this movie, I thought of Diane Lane. They're both stunningly beautiful, they both became celebrities at their young age, then they went through all kinds of ups and downs in their careers... Yet one appears to be luckier than the other...

....That being said, I honestly didn't expect a lot from this movie when I rented it, much less be fooled by its tagline "Think Fatal Attraction... in reverse." I didn't really care if William Baldwin acted well as a sweet stalker, or how Hart Bochner portrayed the character of a betrayed husband... Oh well, I had decided to be lenient with all the flaws of "Say Nothing" just to savour Nastassja's beauty (yes, she's still very attractive...and although I thought her ... body was somehow sexier in "Cold Heart", I felt compensated to enjoy the scene that featured her own famous poster -- remember, the one in which she posed with a python wrapped around her?. It's so nostalgic to me...) So here comes the bottom line: If you once loved Nastassja or still adore her, go watch her in "Say Nothing". The movie might let you down. She will not. ... Read more

Reviews (86)

John Bruno's Virus
... When I first saw the previews for this, I assumed it took place in space on board a ship taken over by an alien. Even the video box looks space bound. Wrong.

A boat crew loses their cargo in a typhoon (which do not necessarily spring up out of nowhere anymore, having lived through dozens of them in the Far East) and comes across a seemingly abandoned Russian space communications ship while waiting in the storm's eye. The Russian ship could be salvaged, and the crew decides to take it and redeem the millions of dollars they think they will get. Suddenly, a Russian scientist appears and tells them what happened. Apparently, and this was shown in the beginning of the movie, an alien lifeforce took over the Mir space station, then the ship in the water. It is electronic in nature, and uses humans for "spare parts" as it builds machine/human hybrids to do its bidding. A lot of things blow up after that, all headed toward the predictable finale.

Jamie Lee Curtis is the navigator, but is not given a lot to do except cough and call out other characters' names in dark corridors. One of the Baldwin brothers comes along for the ride. It's not Alec, and not that [one] from "Bio Dome," it is the middle one, I think. Donald Sutherland is the stereotypical mentally unbalanced captain of the American ship. He has some kind of strange accent that sounds Scottish one minute, and Canadian the next. The rest of the doomed crew consists of expendable minority characters and ... crusty cowards. Why is it only the white women survive movies like this? Joanna Pacula plays the surviving Russian scientist. She has done better.

The entire film is full of characters wandering down dark hallways, and "checking on" each other. People get separated, and the real gore comes about thanks to the machines.

The special effects are pretty incredible. From the opening space shots, to the typhoon effects, to the very gory hybrids, I thought they were the best thing about the film.

The cast here tries hard. The film looks expensive, and Bruno's direction is excellent. The musical score is a little clangy, and the cinematography (especially a closing sunrise shot) is lush.

There is just nothing underneath the surface of this film. Characters go tromping after noises they hear in the dark. The crew stumbles across a stash of guns that seems prerequisite in all sci-fi horror films. Jamie Lee Curtis is lusted after by the rest of the crew as she remains serious so she can be taken seriously. They even throw in a fake ending to get your blood rushing again after 100 minutes of yelling, gore, and explosions. ... .

What we have here is a spaceship movie that takes place in the ocean going ship concerning a computer virus ... . What we also have here is a lot of cliche dressed up with pretty pictures, an expensive look, and great effects. This is very similar to the straight to video "Proteus." We also have a film I cannot recommend.

This is rated (R) for strong physical violence, strong gun violence, very strong gore, and profanity.

Flawed, but not fatally
In an interview with one of the celebrity magazines, Jamie Lee Curtis listed two films she wished she had never made: "Grandview, USA," and 1999's "Virus." The two movies couldn't stand further apart in subject matter-"Grandview, USA" is one of those treacly coming of age films that appear on the scene every year or so. "Virus," on the other hand, is a huge budget science fiction film designed to bring in millions from audiences who favor bombastic effects over character development, logical continuity, and an intelligent script. While I think Curtis's statements about "Virus" a tad extreme, the movie surprisingly tanked at the box office despite its heavy reliance on shock and awe production values. When I recently viewed the movie on DVD, I more or less enjoyed the film. I did, however, come to understand why it ultimately failed at the box office. Curtis shouldn't fear any lasting damage to her career from "Virus," however. With her cult status from the "Halloween" franchise and her increasing forays into family comedy ("House Arrest," "Freaky Friday"), she should continue to rake in the bucks well into the future.

"Virus" begins with an eerie disaster. An amorphous, glowing cloud-like object from outer space invades the Mir space station just as the satellite's crew is about to transmit important information to a Russian ship on the ocean. The object, whatever it is, manages to send itself down to earth and directly into the boat's computer system through this transmission link. The ship's electronics go instantly haywire, with people screaming and running all over the place. Fast forward a few days to another boat on the high seas, this one a barge transporting merchandise through a storm. Helmed by a grizzly old tar named Captain Robert Everton (Donald Sutherland) and manned by a crew including Kit Foster (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Steve Baker (William Baldwin), the boat flounders in the rough waters and loses its cargo. Everton isn't popular with his crew; his steadfast refusal to cut the barges loose almost caused the entire boat to sink. It turns out Everton's entire life savings was bound up in that cargo, a fact that causes him immense distress until someone spots an abandoned boat a few miles ahead. Filled with sudden optimism over a lucrative recovery fee, Everton and his crew board the vessel. And wouldn't you know it? It's the Russian research craft we saw at the beginning of the movie.

The ship is in sorry shape, drifting in the ocean with no crewmembers and no power. Still, Everton recognizes the value of his find and figures the finder's fee should be worth millions. As long as no one on the boat is alive, the captain and his crew should collect the money. In the meantime, they have to turn the power back on and sail the ship into harbor. The trouble begins at this point. An unfortunate "accident" sends the research vessel's anchor plunging through Everton's boat. Now trapped on the Russian ship, the crew of the cargo boat discovers troubling evidence of a decidedly sinister series of events. The sole survivor of the disaster, a research scientist named Nadia (Joanna Pacula), tells Everton and company about an alien life form that took over the ship's power grid, a creature that used parts of the boat to build killer robots to wipe out the Russians. Since the first thing Everton did when he got on the boat is turn the power back on, the alien is once again on the loose. The organism tells the humans that it wants to wipe out all the people on earth because it considers them a virus. Neat. In the meantime, cloud creature consoles itself with turning Everton's crew into gruesome looking cyborgs. "Virus" turns into an extended chase scene through the bowels of the Russian ship as Curtis, Baldwin, and the dwindling others attempt to destroy the life form.

"Virus" is a predictable, by the numbers science fiction film. While the special effects work looks good (not great, unfortunately), and there is a bit of gore to liven things up, the character development falls flat. Sutherland slums his way through his role as the scheming Everton. Curtis tries hard but ultimately fails to muster much interest in her tough woman role. William Baldwin is, well, William Baldwin. If you went into this one looking forward to a great performance from him, you deserve the disappointment you will inevitably find. The rest of the cast serves as cannon fodder. This isn't to say I despised "Virus." There are a few things of interest if one looks hard enough. For example, I roared so hard with laughter over Sutherland's metamorphosis into a cyborg that I hurt myself. Everton tried to make a deal with the alien but quickly fell prey to its murderous designs. When we next see him, he's been turned into some hideous half machine, half human monstrosity, but he still has his captain's cap parked (and at a jaunty angle, too) on top of his head! Too funny! Why does he still have that hat on? Maybe the script thought the audience would fail to recognize him.

"Virus" tends more to the ridiculous than anything else, but it's not a lost cause. As long as you go into the film expecting to see a formulaic plot, you'll probably enjoy most of it. Supposedly, the DVD version has a ton of extras, but the disc I watched didn't have any on it except a trailer for the film. Would I watch "Virus" again? Probably, if it showed up on cable and I had two hours to kill. I wouldn't, however, buy it or rent it again. If you want great science fiction, rent "Aliens," "The Terminator," or a dozen other memorable movies. If you're just looking to slum for awhile, watch "Virus."

Cybernetics has never looked tastier...
A team of Russian cosmonauts encounter a strange, malevolent electrical being in space just before transmitting data down to a research vessel, the Vladislav Volkov in the South Pacific, and inadvertently wind out transmitting the being.

In the meantime, the tugboat Sea Star is struggling with a large cargo in tow and gets caught in Typhoon Leiah, with some spectacular special effects on the storm in this scene. After loosing the cargo they must head for the eye of the storm in order to repair their boat, and meet up with the abandoned and derelict Russian research vessel. The captain claims the vessel as salvage and sets alight the crew's dreams of big money in the salvage fees.

When they power up the Russian ship in order to bring her in, they unwittingly release the electrical being, starting up all the monstrosities it had already managed to create before being shut down by the remaining survivor of the Russian crew.

The visuals are superb on the cybernetic creations, gory and disgusting; and the suspense as the survivors struggle to best the living, intelligent being is palatable and thick. Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Sutherland, and William Baldwin give excellent performances, and the supporting cast as well. Derelict ship, creepy monster, lots of action, sexy heroine...and lots of blood and guts give this tasty morsel five stars on my list. Enjoy!

Won't Make You That Sick After All
Virus didn't exactly light up the box office, during its original theatrical run, back in 1999. It was panned by most critics as nothing more than schlock. While it's not a great sci-fi film, it is better than I thought it would be, and deserves a spot on anyone's rental list.

When a sea going tug boat is crippled by a typhoon, the crew has little choice but to ride it out. They soon discover a high tech Russian ship with a lone surrvivor aboard. The crew tranfers to the Russian vessel, where Captian Robert Everton (Donald Sutherland), Navigator Kit Foster (Jamie Lee Curtis), and Steve Baker (Billy Baldwin), soon discover that something deadly has taken over the ship's systems. They must now fend off attacks from "water warriors" who have manifested, to stay alive.

At first glance, the story sounds positively absurd, and it is. But thanks to director John Bruno, who won an Oscar for his effects work on James Cameron's underwater(logged) adventure The Abyss, and Curtis, the film stays afloat. Based on an original Dark Horse Comics story, the film moves at lightning speed, which helps mitagate some of its problems. Sutherland is also fun to watch, as he chews enough scenery, for two films. And I was very delighted to find the effects were darn good (Bruno's expertise came in handy) too.

The DVD extras are pretty much standard fare, given the response, the film got from folks. There's a by the numbers Electronic Press Kit (EPK) style making of featurette. You also get to see a couple of nice deleted scenes to go through. Production notes, the theatrical trailer, weblinks to Dark Horse, and film highlights top off the bonus material.

As I say, Virus doesn't light up the world of cinema, but it does have just enough to make it a decent rental. *** and a half stars

An underrated, action-packed thriller
I put off watching Virus for some time because of the general sense of mediocrity it seemed to generate in many viewers and, more importantly, the fact that it features not only Jamie Lee Curtis, who is not my favorite actress, but also a Baldwin brother (William). After watching it, though, I have to say that Virus is really not a bad movie at all. Certainly, there is a lot of Alien-type stuff going on, but there is plenty of action, a fair smidgeon of gore, and reason to hope that maybe, just this once, a Baldwin character might not survive to the end. Sherman "Is that Cuba Gooding, Jr.?" Augustus and Marshall Bell deserve a lot of credit for injecting some comedy and realism into this movie, but it is Joanna Pacula, in the role of Russian science officer Nadia Vinogradiya, who really steals the show, in my opinion. She certainly far outshines Jamie Lee Curtis, whose character has almost no depth whatsoever.

The trouble starts on Mir, as some sort of fast-moving cloud of energy takes over the space station and gets sent along for the ride down to a Russian scientific receiving vessel somewhere in the Pacific, where it puts on a light show to beat the band. Days later, a salvage boat led by the hopelessly annoying Captain Everton (Donald Sutherland in one of his lesser performances) tries to drag a barge through a hurricane; the boat makes it to the eye of the storm, where it discovers a large Russian ship dead in the water. The crews board the Russian vessel, finding no signs of the crew, and eyes start to widen at the thought of the money to be earned for salvaging this gigantic scientific ship. After they turn the power back on, they come to discover two life forms stowed away onboard, however. One of them is the ship's science officer Nadia Vinogradiya; the other is something not of this world. This alien life force needs electricity to function, and once the ship is powered back up it gets to work building all kinds of little robots who in turn build bigger robots, all of which work to destroy all humans on the vessel; in a nice little twist, man has become the virus to be eliminated. You can imagine what ensues. The humans fight to survive, giving the increasingly powerful alien life force a pretty good fight, even after their numbers start to dwindle and familiar faces in the form of Borg-like creatures turn their sights on the human intruders. I didn't care much for the ending, especially since all the wrong characters survived, but one British captain of another vessel delivers a classic six-line comment that did much to better my mood.

Virus is by no means a classic, but the film does deliver a suspenseful, pyrotechnic-laced good time. Jamie Lee Curtis in particular is put through the wringer, while Joanna Pacula is just terrific. I'm really not sure why many people hold this film in such low regard, as I found it both interesting and enjoyable. In my humble opinion, this is definitely an underrated motion picture. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

A Must for Any Julie Andrews or Noel Coward Fan
This recent release is a must-have for any Julie Andrews or Noel Coward fan. The ensemble cast, including Collin Firth, Jeanne Tripplehorn, William Baldwin, Sophie Thompson and Stephen Fry breathe life into this Noel Coward drawingroom comedy originally written for the stage. The film's script remains true to the play; yet the occasional changes to the play's dialogue fit so seamlessly into the original dialogue that one would never know that it had been changed. Sophie Thompson's acting talents are clearly apparent in her transformation from Felicity's (Julie Andrews' character) servant to a "friend of the family" to disguise her real identity from her sister (Jeanne Tripplehorn's obnoxious character) and would have been Oscar material had the film been released originally in movie theaters, rather than going directly to cable television. But the center of the universe is Felicity, the matriarch of the family around whom the entire plot seems to revolve. Julie Andrews was born for the role of Felicity, and her performace does not disappoint. The actors in this film at times give very subtle emotional coloring to their roles merely by a glance or grimmace. There is no question who is in charge of THIS manor! Anyone who finds the differences between Brits and Americans amusing will find this film an excellent choice. The film has a happy and amusing ending and is well worth waiting for.

Relatively amusing.
This is a drawing room comedy based on a play by Noel Coward. Having not read it, I must presume it would come off better as a stage play rather than a movie. Not that this is bad, really...Just that its not as good as it should be. The British cast (Julie Andrews, Colin Firth, Stephen Fry and Sophie Thompson) play their roles flawlessly, the Americans (William Baldwin, Jeanne Tripplehorn) less so.
The plot: a member of the British nobility (Andrews) is dismayed when her son (NOT Colin Firth as some OTHER reviewers would have you believe)becomes engaged to a movie star (Tripplehorn) whose ex(Baldwin) follows her to England to reunite.
Stephan Fry as the butler, and Sophie Thompson as "milady's" companion/secretary are wonderful; as are the various actors and actresses who make up the staff of the manor. Likewise, Colin Firth gives a hilarious performance of her gay nephew, who aids and abets in the eventual reunion. The upstairs-downstairs feel of the film adds to the confusion; a welcome distraction from the Balwin/Tripplehorn storyline. It is so obvious that these two are trying to be amusing, that they fail entirely. In contrast, the others, who do it so effortlesly, succeed admirably.
All in all, light & fluffy, but nothing to rewatch again and agiain (unless, as I always do, you simply want another look at Colin).

I Enjoyed A Lot; Hubby Stayed Out Of Room
Hubby didn't even enjoy what he was hearing on the other side of the house coming from this movie. However, I'd had a hard day, was totally exhausted and needed something extremely light and frothy so I could completely zone out. This fit the bill perfectly. It is an English ensemble drawing room type comedy. Julie Andrews plays a dowager countess in 1953 whose son, the Earl, decides to marry an American movie star. The countess and her nephew (played by Colin Firth) set the stage to seemingly welcome the couple back to their home but really to break them up. Helping them along are William Baldwin, playing an American movie star who was the woman's former boyfriend, plus the countess's maid who knew the woman film star in her earlier life. Slight? You bet but it was just what the doctor ordered.

If you like "Philadelphia Story," you'll like this too
I got this on a lark (basically because of the price, and I needed something to bring my order to $25 for free shipping, plus anything starring Julie Andrews HAS to be worth while, right?). Good choice! This has turned out to be one of my all-time favorites! Every time I watch it I appreciate more and more how smart and well executed this little farce is. Polished script (obviously, from Noel Coward), amazingly good casting of the Brits (the maid Moxie is the REAL star--she positively makes the film), and drop-dead gorgeous sets. Certainly nothing much happens in the end--it's all about what happens in the middle. If you require "action" (read chases, explosions, blood) or "evil threatens good" or earth-changing conclusions, this film is not for you. But if you like smart comedy with hilarious dialog and some truly memorable inspired acting, you'll LOVE this whimsey film. A GREAT new serendipitous addition to my DVD library!!

Relatively Good
Miranda Frayle leaves her boyfriend for an English nobleman. When the two announce their engagement, the press has a field day. Some things don't change. Miranda was hiding her past because she feared that she would be discovered and dissed. She wanted more than what she had and that was fame and fortune. She really loves her movie star boyfriend he won't do.
"Relative Values" is a good movie to watch because it deals with family, social upbringing, and personal conflicts. Jeanne Tripplehorn does a great impression of a movie starlet and Colin Firth is superb in his performance as a gay nobleman. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Better than the first. Still flawed, though.
...P>A quick synopsis...I liked this much better than the first...the characters weren't as dull or paper-thin. There was more going on in this movie. It was not just "let's see how fast we can get to the next scene with guys in their underwear". The plot is flawed by silly dialouge, and bad direction. Not really a horror movie...it still delivers on a small level...

7 out of 10

Another homoerotic horror film from DeCoteau
This is the second film in the "Brotherhood" series of low budget homoerotic horror films directed by David DeCoteau. I preordered it on the strength of the amazingly sexy stills and trailer I've seen. It looks as if this will be even more fun than the first Brotherhood. Cuter guys, more underwear scenes, two warlocks in the bedchamber with one woman, etc. By the way, if you're interested in the original entry in the series please be aware that there are several films with the same or similar titles. If you're looking for sexy vampires running around in their boxer briefs then you want the one directed by DeCoteau, who also made the infamous "Voodoo Academy". ... Read more

Amazon.com

After her success with Basic Instinct, Sharon Stone opted for familiar territory with this campfest that purports to be a sexualized thriller about voyeurism but in reality is more of an excuse to get Stone and costar William Baldwin out of their clothes. Rear Window it ain't. Stone plays it drab and quiet as a successful career woman on the rebound from a bad marriage who moves into a mysterious Manhattan high-rise. Once there, she discovers that she has a few admirers: a hunky and enigmatic neighbor (Baldwin), a popular writer of crime novels (Tom Berenger), and someone who seems to enjoy watching her every move on the building-wide surveillance system. And is one of them the serial killer who's stalking the comely female tenants? Scripted by the erstwhile Joe Eszterhas (Basic Instinct and Jagged Edge), Sliver follows the standard Eszterhas plot line of a protagonist suspecting that his or her lover may or may not be a vicious killer, the tension mounting as clue upon clue is discovered. Unlike both Instinct or Edge, though, Sliver delivers little suspense, thanks in part to a reshot ending that changed the original identity of the killer in the Ira Levin novel and confounded students of rational thought. However, if you're looking for an unintentionally funny thriller with loads of extraneous nudity, Sliver is an enjoyably huge hunk of cheese. --Mark Englehart ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Stone in yet another over-charged sex-thriller.
This super-sleazy sex-mystery features Sharon Stone as a lonely book editor who moves into a handsome, slender Manhattan apartment building(the "Sliver" of the title), and later learns that it is the scene of a series of brutal and unsolved murders. Unfortunately, this filmization of Ira Levin's reasonably suspenseful novel focuses more on Stone's steamy relationship with practicing voyeur William Baldwin rather than the mystery/suspense angle. This muddled mess was obviously an ill-fated attempt to cash in on the success of "Basic Instinct" and attract that same audience, but it was all for naught because "Sliver" still crashed and burned at the box-office. Admittedly, there are several hot and heavy sex scenes, but they would be more at home in a hardcore skin flick rather than a film like this that tries to pass itself off as a suspenseful murder mystery. The unrated version features several minutes worth of even more sexually explicit material. If you're going to buy it, get the unrated version since the few sex scenes are the film's only real virtue anyway.

SLIVER, WANNA WATCH?
Sliver is a fantastic film. The best out of all the erotic thrillers filmed between the years of 1987-1995, preferably the time in which the Erotic Thriller genre was big. Ending with Eszterhas's JADE. Eszterhas (Basic Instinct, Jade, Jagged Egde) wrote Sliver. A film starring Sharon Stone as Carly Norris, stuck in this age of loneliness after coming out of a 7 year bad marriage. Moving into a slick and sleek sliver apartment building, she is warmly welcomed by all of it's tennants. Including, Vida Warren a woman with a dark double life. Gus Hale, a man that is willing to tell all dirty little secrets. Zeke Hawkins a handsome young man that takes a sexual interest in Carly, FAST. And Tom Berenger a classy writer, with a macho jerk attitude. When Carly gets involved, very involved, with Zeke she begins to learn that inside the walls of this building hides a secret that could reveal everything. With an ending so fast paced it will blow right by you, but a very satisfying ending if I do say so in the least. Again, buy SLIVER in the unrated version, sit down and relax in the darkness and remember that there is no place more frightening than home...

Very sexy but empty
There was a time when movies were slicker than they are now, when they pushed the buttons of sexuality/abhorrent sex. This is a lot about voyeurism and the thrill of being stalked. Sharon Stone was of course capitalizing on the Basic Instinct success. Billy Baldwin is very attarctive and they make a sexy couple but it didn't make a good movie. The soundtrack is amazing though!

LONELINESS - exemplified !!!
Few films have a matching soundtrack.This is one of those few.
The script is strong.The pace is quick.Actors/Actresses have done a commendable job.It's all about people , who have made good money - stable lifestyle - those who are already out of the daily rat race - who now have time for some mischief & pleasure.And , a rare combination of Money & Loneliness formulates a unique approach to life.This is it.The best that the people of this status can do in life.The beginning is simply superb - mystery commences right from shot 1 - excellent dialogue quality - absolutely no useless chatter - just to the point action & dialogues.A great addition to the collection - for sure.

So much for the "erotic thriller" genre
Sharon Stone is Carly Norris, one of those sucessful types who, in Hollywood's mind, must be tortured by insecurity and self-loathing. She's just moved into a new building which, for its stark loveliness, leaves her feeling even more unsettled than usual. (Because Joe Ezsterhaus perpetrated the script, the regular denizens of the building are into rough and otherwise generally unconventional intercourse. Closer to Carly are two suspicious admirers ' Lanford (Tom Berenger), a hardboiled crime novelist, and the building's owner, Zeke (Billy Baldwin). Lanford telegraphs his problems in the way he introduces himself ' running into people while jogging in Central Park. Zeke has a bigger problem ' he's wired the building for sight & sound, using a hidden control center stacked with monitors and recorders on which to view whatever's going on in his building (lover's pressuring their mates into rougher sex; parents molesting their children, women shaving, etc..) When suspicion exuded by the characters isn't enough to get the story going, a string of murderers is tossed in. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Daming Evidence
WhAT I CAN'T UNDERSTAND IS HOW COME THERE WERE SO MUCH DAMING EVIDENCE TO CONVICT ROBERT CHAMBERS OF MURDER AND HE STILL GOT THE CHANCE TO PLEAD GUILTY TO A LESSER CHARGE OF MANSLAUGHTER. STRANGULATION IS A RESULT OF CONTINOUS PRESSURE, SO HOW COULD IT BE AN ACCIDENT?. WAS THE JURY STUPID OR WHAT? I REMEMBER A JUROR SAYING THERE WASEN'T A CLEAR CUT PATH TO SHOW MURDER. WHAT MORE DID THEY WANT? BRUISING ALL OVER JENNIFER LEVIN'S BODY, STRANGULATION MARKS, PROVING SHE WAS BEATED AND STRANGLED. ... Read more

Reviews (60)

Firehouse Fairy Tale...
Ron Howard's Backdraft, is a film that centers on the lives of two brothers. Their father, a Chicago firefighter, was killed on the job when they were young boys. As adults, the McCaffreys, are both members of fire department. The elder brother Stephen (Kurt Russell), nicknamed "Bull", is a veteran firefighter, who prefers taking on a fire head on. His younger brother Brian (William Baldwin), is a recent graduate into the department, and though he seeks to serve out of his brother's shadow, he finds himself assigned to Bull's stationhouse. While Bull is something of a legend within the department, all is not perfect in his life, as estranged from his wife (Rebecca DeMornay), he lives on his father's old dry docked boat.

The family drama is set against a subplot, involving a series of suspicious fires that are being investigated by the fire department's arson specialist, Lt. Rimgale (Robert De Niro). A local Alderman (J.T. Walsh) responsible for budget cutbacks to the department, is pressing Rimgale for answers. After another clash with his big brother, Brian transfers to Rimgale's arson investigation unit.

Once this occurs, the story expands to become more than just a sibling rivalry, as the focus shifts to the investigation of arson and other matters. De Niro, Baldwin, Walsh and Donald Sutherland, who plays a crazed imprisoned arsonist, then assume more primary roles. The physics of a backdraft are quite fascinating, and the results spectacular and explosive. The film does feature some fine special effects and stunts, related to the fire fighting scenes. The identity of the arsonist, and the reasons for the crimes, may not be very credible, but the film proceeds towards a spectacular and emotional finish. In the end, it all comes back to the two brothers, and the special bond between firefighters.

The film does have its flaws. Baldwin (28) and Russell (40) are a bit of a mismatch as brothers, with more of an age difference as adults, than it appeared when they were children. The incident where Brian mistakenly rescues a mannequin is simply ridiculous. And the attempts to attribute to fire almost metaphysical qualities, may be something only firemen can truly appreciate. While the film's focus does bounce around a bit between drama, adventure and suspense, overall the presentation is still worth seeing. The DVD however offers very little in the way of extras.

Great special effects, plus a moving ending
"Backdraft is the story of two brothers. After the death of their firefighter father, older brother Steven (Kurt Russell) follows Dad's footsteps into the Chicago Fire Department. Younger brother Brian (William Baldwin) bounces from one scam or get-rich-quick scheme to another. But Brian eventually winds up back in Chicago in the Fire Department, and in Steven's Co. 17, no less. They go back and forth for a while, until finally Steven drives Brian out of the department and into arson investigation. Brian winds up working for an arson investigator (Robert De Niro) investigating a series of murders-by-arson.

This movie features a stellar cast, giving mostly excellent performances. Special notice should be given to Russell, in what I think is his best performance ever. J.T. Walsh gives an excellent supporting performance as the sleazy Alderman Swayczak, as do Rebecca De Mornay as Steven's estranged wife and Scott Glenn as Firefighter "Axe" Adcox. Donald Sutherland is especially creepy, yet charming as an imprisoned arsonist to whom De Niro and Baldwin go to for advice on identifying the arsonist. Baldwin and Jennifer Jason Leigh (playing Brian's girlfriend and Swayczak's aide) could have held up their parts better, but that doesn't detract from the movie as a whole.

The fire is the real star of this movie. The special effects are truly incredible, and have to be seen to be believed. This movie boasts the best effects I've ever seen in a non-science-fiction movie. Whoever the effects man is should have won an Oscar for the fire scenes in this movie.

Some may criticize the ending for being overly sentimental, but every single time I see this movie, I get choked up during Steven's last scenes. As an older brother, I really identified with Steven and how he wants the best for his brother, but he isn't quite sure of the line between pushing him to improve and pushing him down.

The special effects alone are worth getting this movie, but director Ron Howard put together an all-star cast that (mostly) managed to put together a movie in which the plot isn't entirely overshadowed by the effects. All in all, a very good movie that's well worth your $15.

Predictable but watchable
Backdraft sticks to convention and only innovates in its special effects. The plot is rather contrived and provides the excuse for the filmmakers to play with fire -- lots of it.

Hollywood inferno.
"Backdraft" is Hollywood's version of the firefighter's life. The men are blue collar, ordinary guys who are at times heroic and other times cowardly, men who fight fires because it's their job. Being a Hollywood movie, however, most of the men are in-shape, rugged masculine types who cruise to an alarm call with rock music blasting from the fire engine stereo system and who fight fires that contain surprisngly little smoke. Kurt Russell is not altogether likeable in this film, and yet he carries his two roles off successfully with his familiar macho persona. William Baldwin is the standout character, and shows a vulnerable side to the world of firemen that is usually not seen on film. Pyrotechnics are first rate, although there are many more explosions and a lot less smoke than in real-life fires. Another slick film from Opie Taylor.

respectable movie
I was a fire fighter 82-83, and i seen the movie when it was in the theatre, i liked it a lot, in fact i used to work but a few blocks away from the china town station on cermak road where some of the footage was shot, it dealt with fire house comrades, dealt with " hero syndrome", i was not expecting a techical as it really suppose to be movie, but the heroism displayed by
the fire fighters are 5 star commendable. ... Read more

Reviews (41)

Surprisingly good
I bought this movie recently when I saw it at a store, and realized it was a Julia Roberts film I actually had never heard of. I own many of her movies, and since she and Kiefer Sutherland are two of my favorite actors, I decided to give it a shot.
The first thing that grabs you about this movie is the suspense. Come on, medical students experiencing clinical death (Flatlining) and trying to come back is not a very serene situation to begin with. But when they outbid each other for length of time when deciding who gets to go next, even the viewer begins saying to his/herself "oh, God, don't let him die!!" (I did anyway). With each gorgeous young actor wanting to be dead longer than the previous, it really puts you at the edge of your seat. As if this weren't enough, all these people that "died" and came back begin being haunted by their past sins and misdeeds, and are mentally, even physically, harmed by them.
This movie features Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Bacon, Julia Roberts, Billy Baldwin and Oliver Platt in much younger, and more dangerous, roles than I've seen most of them play. It's a great movie for a younger audience, and probably only for people with a more open mind to horror and death. A last note: Kiefer Sutherland has a great first line.

An unique, different, thrilling film from Schumacher.
When a young, bright but dangerous and ambititous medical student (Kiefer Sutherland) with his fascination with life after death, if there's such a thing. When he convinces four of medical collegues friends (Julia Roberts, Kevin Bacon, William Baldwin & Oliver Platt) to expierment in a reckless by temporality shut down (flatline) thier heart and brain functions and actually surviving after being dead for a few minutes but once, they had that expiernce, each and one of them, bring something back in thier world from the personal guilt, they have and have to face thier demons and reality, they live in.

Directed by Joel Schumacher (The Lost Boys, A Time to Kill, Phone Booth) made an unusual film with an great premise by Peter Filardi (The Craft), which it does pays off quite well. Not everyone will love this strange film with the heart of a supernatural story but it's Schumacher's moody style and energy keeps this alive with Jan de Bont's Excellent Cinematography. Fine Performances by the Cast, including Joshua Rudoy as the Ghost, who haunts the soul by One of the Medical Students. Fine music score by James Newton Howard (The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Sings). DVD's has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an strong Dolby Stereo 2.0 Surround Sound. DVD only extra is a Collector's Booklet. This film is Produced by Two-Time Oscar-Winner:Micheal Douglas (One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, Star Man). Excellent Production Designs by Eugenio Zanetti (What Dreams May Come, The Haunting). Panavision. Grade:A-.

A classic.
This has to be my favorite Kiefer Sutherland movie. The basic idea is that five medical students "flatline" themselves to see what happens when you are technically dead. What they get is not what they expect. Consequently, their past comes back to haunt them until they can atone for their actions. A great Sci-fi thriller, but not for people who are into really scary movies. 'Flatliners' has a great cast and acting. This is a movie worth watching on a rainy day.

Highly Thrilling and Original
This film by far is one of the best when it comes to originality. Five med students (Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, Kevin Bacon, William Baldwin, and Oliver Platt) want to know what really lies beyond death. One by one they each flatline for a short time to see if they can come back with the answers to life and death. What they get is far more than they would have ever expected. One by one their sins are brought back to haunt them until they make amends with their past. The dark lighting and music keep you entranced throughout the film. The only thing that I have to complain about on this Dvd is the lack of special features. It at least should of had the Trailer, however, other than that, this movie is a "should buy." Great acting by the five lead actors that have now made great names for themselves.

A different but good movie.
Honestly I never heard of this movie until a few months ago. I am a pretty big fan of Keifer Sutherland and some of his movies and of course his tv show 24. So about a month ago I blindly bought this movie just for the hell of it. The Flatliners stars Julia Roberts, Kevin Bacon, one of the Baldwins, and of course Keifer.

The Flatliners itself is a pretty cool movie with a different concept than those in its genre. It deals with young medical students experimenting to find out if there is an afterlife. Once they come back from the afterlife they are haunted by the other side.

This is one of the ultimate "Do not do this at home" movies. Although after I saw it I couldn't help from asking my friends "How much money would you do it for", lol. I bet one you see this you will be asking your friends.

One area where it is lacking though is the DVD itself is lacking any kind of special features, interactive menus, and a decently layed out chapter selection. In all honestly the movie is pretty good but the DVD is terrible compared to other newer DVDs. To me things like that make a difference. The fact that it is cheap makes up for it though.

I think if you enjoyed movies such as Stir of Echoes, The Sixth Sense, Vanilla Sky, or even the Mothman Prophies (underrated movie) you probably will enjoy this movie. At times it is dark and sorta twisted but it always stays on track and never bores you. Definetly check this movie out if you are a fan of Keifer Sutherland, Kevin Bacon or Julia Roberts because they all shine in this movie.

Movie grade - B+
DVD Grade - D- ... Read more

Amazon.com

Definitely not for everyone, this film by Reb Braddock (executive produced by Quentin Tarantino) has become a cult favorite--but only for the cult that enjoys its humor dark, twisted, and deeply bloodstained. Angela Jones is a young woman in Miami who is so obsessed with the crimes of a local serial killer (William Baldwin) that she takes a job working for a company that cleans up murder scenes, just to get closer to him. She digs the work, learning the tricks of a trade that is focused on removing unsightly bloodstains that come in multi-pint-size pools. Braddock and cowriter John Maass craft a nerve-racking finale in which the killer romances the cleaner, with surprising results. Not for the squeamish. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (13)

curdled
Watchable, but not very entertaining. If you want a good dark comedy watch The Doom generation or Blood Simple. This movie falls short in too many ways to describe. The acting is mediocre at best, and the storyline drags. The concept is interesting, but they just don't do enough with it. Would do fine as a short film, but at feature lentgh it becomes, stretched too thin

The Funniest Film Noir Ever
Do you ever pick up one of those movies at the video store and say, "Wow, this is going to be so terrible that I just have to see it!" Well, I do, and that's exactly what I said about "Curdled". I was so wrong - this film is fantastic! Originally a short film, Curdled struck Tarentino like lightning and he promptly urged (forced) Braddock to make it into a feature length movie. I would not ordinarily apply such a cliché phrase as "wickedly funny" to anything, but that is exactly what this film noir is. Gabrielle (magnificently performed by Angela Jones) is teetering on the brink of an obsession with serial killers. Her consuming desire to understand the mind of a murderer motivates her to land a job with a post-murder cleaning service. Her new occupation allows her the opportunity to get closer to the crimes than she had anticipated. This film is out of this world, if you don't mind the sight of blood and laughing at crazy people, that is. I giggle sadistically to myself even now at the thought of it. Oh yeah, William Baldwin is in it.

finally!
Ive been waiting for this to hit dvd for awhile,Ever since I watched the vhs I was hooked.This thing aint for everyone thats for sure.You gotta have a dark sense of humor or just hang it up and watch something else.The dvd is fully loaded.It has:the short film it was based on,deleted scenes,commentary,plus a gallery,tv ads,a kelly preston tv show,plus alot more.its a shame there arent more people who know about this great flick.

Best special features ever!
This is the same fun, quirky black comedy that all the other reviews mention. Thankfully, the DVD is letterboxed, and has truly extensive special features; among them:

* Commentary by the director and producer (co-writers Reb Braddock and John Maass),
* a making-of featurette complete with brief interviews with cast and crew,
* the 30 minute short film that caught Quentin Tarantino's attention at a film festival in Italy,
* the even shorter 'Baby Curdled' - a film school directing project by John Maass,
* an extensive photo gallery mostly consisisting of candid shots of the cast and crew,
* deleted scenes and an alternate ending,
* the original theatrical trailer,
* by far the coolest interactive menu - watch for the fly!
* the commercials and made-for-tv movie that are seen in the film,
* the 'dance of death' rehearsal - you have got to see this!
* probably more than I'm not recalling

Most features have an introduction/explanation by director Reb Braddock.

SMILY-FACE BLACK COMEDY CAN'T DISGUISE THAT IT'S A DUD.
This is a Tarantino movie. He didn't write or direct it, but executive-produced it. Surely must have been a blooper, because although it wallows in blood (don't all of his endeavours, predictably?) and scrambles to put a "just kidding" face on its darker impluses (don't all of his endeavours, again?), it never quite manages to emerge as a coherent or compelling film.

Angela Jones (the taxi driver in Pulp Fiction if you recall) is a Columbian in California smitten with murders. She takes up a job as a cleaning maid, not your ordinary maid but with a niche-business company that cleans up messes on crime scenes. On one of those scenes, she meets up with a real psychopath killer -- played with as straight a face as possible by Billy Baldwin -- who likes to hack women for dessert.

Intriguing pretext. Unfortunately, the actual movie while neat in bits and parts, is overall quite a boring fare. Jones, the ever so murky maid, has a grating type of naivette about her which is funny probably to people who like to see their women cutesy and hyper-melodramatic, but is annoying to me.

Not sure why this dud was produced. But sounds like with the likes of Kill Bill Quentin may well be developing a real taste for such gore which, if unsuccessful, can be shrugged off under the garb of "oh, it was a black comedy" or a spoof or some such weak-kneed toss-off.

(P.S. The movie goes by the name of "Fetish" in Japan) ... Read more