Description

Digital VHS (D-VHS) is the first high-definition home video format. These tapes deliver more than double the lines of resolution and 10 times the capacity of DVDs. When played in a D-VHS player attached to an HDTV set, these movies will sound and look better than ever. D-VHS tapes can be played only on D-VHS players. ... Read more

Reviews (242)

An Original Suspense-Thriller
With a fascinating premise, Phone Booth begins with some well-conceived New York City imagery, then taking viewers to the busy life of crude publicist Stu Shepard, played by Colin Farrell. After making a call to Pamela McFadden (Katie Holmes), who he is having an affair with, though she, quite innocently, does not know that Stu is actually married to his wife Kelly, Stu hears the phone booth ring, and he answers the phone. On the other line is a sniper who will shoot him if he hangs up or tells anyone. Soon, after the Caller proves his motive by gunning down a man ready to force Stu out of the booth, the authorities arrive.
A triumph in some fantastic photography and editing, Phone Booth is a modern example of the quick-cut editing seen in most trailers, but does it well. Split-screen technique is usefully inputted here, again displaying the quick pace of this man's life. A jolting, synthesized musical score accompanies the cinematography, and is at just the right level.
The movie is directed by Joel Schumacher, who handles the premise well, and written by Larry Cohen, whose dialogue is realistic. Stars Colin Farrell and Forest Whitaker, Captain Ramey of the NYPD, have a good screen presence that lasts the single-set suspense-thriller. It is Kiefer Sutherland, as the voice of the Caller, who menaces the characters and the viewers with his taunting, threatening tones, who really steals the show. His demands and hateful voice add to the movie.
However, the "urban reality" that the film provides is only stereotypical and clichéd. Teeming with break-dancers, prostitutes, and baseball-wielding pimps, the inner-city portrayal isn't quite believable, and the shouting prostitutes get really annoying. And while it lacks in a truly exciting finish, the film makes up for it with the tension throughout.

Intense
Phone Booth is easily one of the most intense 80 minutes in film history. Word to the wise, never pick up a ringing public telephone.

THE STORY:

Stu Shephard (Colin Farrell) is a Manhattan publicist guilty of a few things: being a somewhat dishonest businessman and lustfully fawning after a young actress, Pamela (Katie Holmes) despite being married. Little does he know that someone's been watching him lust after Pam. When Stu enters his Manhattan phone booth to talk to Pam (as has been his ritual) he's taken hostage by a psychotic sniper (Kiefer Sutherland) who's determined to make "bad men" repent for their unrighteous actions. Things go from bad to worse for Stu when he's accused of shooting a street pimp from the booth and the swat team arrives to take him into custody. Unfortunately for him, the sniper won't let him leave the booth till he confesses his sins.

THE COOL THINGS:

It amazes me that the entire movie takes place on a street corner in a phone booth - all 80 minutes of this movie. It amazes me further that the movie manages to remain engaging and enthralling. The suspense maintained by the movie is very reminiscent of Sutherland's other current big profile work, namely 24.

The sniper character voiced by Sutherland is easily the highlight of the movie. The sniper is obviously a psychotic stalker and killer. However, he is also at the same time an avenging angel with an odd sense of justice.

BEST SCENES:

Well, quite honestly, the whole movie is basically one big scene at the phone booth. At a brisk 80 minutes the movie moves along at a brisk pace and is quite honestly one big thrill ride.

THE DVD FEATURES:

Not much to write home about here. For the DVD you get the now standard director's commentary (great listen) plus the theatrical trailer for the movie.

THE VERDICT:

At a short 80 minutes "Phone Booth" is perfect viewing - a quick but intense thrill ride. Think of it like a quick high, it doesn't last very long but is worth every minute.

Highly Recommended

Not an entire waste of 81 minutes.
This is a movie that I put off watching for a long time, because it sounded really boring. Trap a man in a phone booth, and talk him to death? Yawn.

I finally watched it with the rationale that it is Colin Farrell in the booth, and therefore would not be another "My Dinner with Andre" kind of movie.

While I've seen better movies, this one kept my attention, and I would never consider it to be 81 minutes of my life irretrievably lost. Colin Farrell is brilliant as Stu Shepard, but the rest of the cast fails to register on the "Wow" scale. Katie Holmes is cute, but horribly miscast, and Forest Whitaker won't be putting this one down as one of his better performances. Nobody else even registers, except of course the caller, who has a suitably creepy voice.

The concept is intriguing, as a mystery caller with a wealth of technology and information seeks to right the wrongs of the world, one slime-ball at a time. Worse offenders must have crossed his path, but for some strange reason, he decides to target Shepard for the "crimes" of fantasizing and nearly cheating on his wife, for faking his success, and for not being nice to people in general. After Shepard manages to tip off the police, and they finally realize that something's not right with the scenario, the movie wraps up in an untidy hurry.

The major let down for me was the prominent billing for Keifer Sutherland, even with his face in the cover shot, so you definitely knew something was wrong by the time you got to the end, said end being quite unsatisfying.

Plot holes abound, but if you can get past them, you will enjoy Farrell's performance.

Amanda Richards 7/12/04

Another Kid movie
This movie is supposed to be another action packed thing. But its more like a 2 year olds scary movie. This guy goes in to a phone boothe at a time given and if he puts down the phone hes gonna get shot. Theres this big red dot that stays on him all the time so if he puts down the phone hes gonna get shot.

Flawed but it's has Excellent Direction.
A Sleazy Publicist by the name of Stu Shepard (Colin Farrell), who decide to pick up a ringing phone from a New York City Phone Booth. After he called his Girlfriend/Mistress (Katie Holmes). Once he picked up the phone, Stu starts talking to a Mysterious Deranged Intelligent Person (Voiced by Kiefer Sutherland). Then Stu finds himself on the deadly end of a High-Powered Rifle Scope. Now Stu must outwit a Psychotic Sniper before He's out from the Phone Booth to Freedom.

Directed by Joel Schumacher (8MM, Falling Down, Tigerland) made a Clever, Suspenseful, Taut Dark Comedy Thriller. Farrell gives a Dynamic Performance and a Chilling Voice Work by Sutherland. This film was only shot in 12 Days in December, 2000 and it was release in April, 2003. Which it was probably, the best way to shot the film to keep the mood realistic. DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer (also in Pan & Scan) and an strong-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD has an fine commentary track by the director and the original theatrical trailer. Do not miss this unique psychological thriller. Terrific Cinematography by Matthew Libatique (Abandon, Gothika, Requiem for a Dream). Written by Larry Cohen (It's Alive Trilogy, Guilty as Sin, Q-The Winged Serpent). Panavision. Grade:A-. ... Read more

Reviews (242)

An Original Suspense-Thriller
With a fascinating premise, Phone Booth begins with some well-conceived New York City imagery, then taking viewers to the busy life of crude publicist Stu Shepard, played by Colin Farrell. After making a call to Pamela McFadden (Katie Holmes), who he is having an affair with, though she, quite innocently, does not know that Stu is actually married to his wife Kelly, Stu hears the phone booth ring, and he answers the phone. On the other line is a sniper who will shoot him if he hangs up or tells anyone. Soon, after the Caller proves his motive by gunning down a man ready to force Stu out of the booth, the authorities arrive.
A triumph in some fantastic photography and editing, Phone Booth is a modern example of the quick-cut editing seen in most trailers, but does it well. Split-screen technique is usefully inputted here, again displaying the quick pace of this man's life. A jolting, synthesized musical score accompanies the cinematography, and is at just the right level.
The movie is directed by Joel Schumacher, who handles the premise well, and written by Larry Cohen, whose dialogue is realistic. Stars Colin Farrell and Forest Whitaker, Captain Ramey of the NYPD, have a good screen presence that lasts the single-set suspense-thriller. It is Kiefer Sutherland, as the voice of the Caller, who menaces the characters and the viewers with his taunting, threatening tones, who really steals the show. His demands and hateful voice add to the movie.
However, the "urban reality" that the film provides is only stereotypical and clichéd. Teeming with break-dancers, prostitutes, and baseball-wielding pimps, the inner-city portrayal isn't quite believable, and the shouting prostitutes get really annoying. And while it lacks in a truly exciting finish, the film makes up for it with the tension throughout.

Intense
Phone Booth is easily one of the most intense 80 minutes in film history. Word to the wise, never pick up a ringing public telephone.

THE STORY:

Stu Shephard (Colin Farrell) is a Manhattan publicist guilty of a few things: being a somewhat dishonest businessman and lustfully fawning after a young actress, Pamela (Katie Holmes) despite being married. Little does he know that someone's been watching him lust after Pam. When Stu enters his Manhattan phone booth to talk to Pam (as has been his ritual) he's taken hostage by a psychotic sniper (Kiefer Sutherland) who's determined to make "bad men" repent for their unrighteous actions. Things go from bad to worse for Stu when he's accused of shooting a street pimp from the booth and the swat team arrives to take him into custody. Unfortunately for him, the sniper won't let him leave the booth till he confesses his sins.

THE COOL THINGS:

It amazes me that the entire movie takes place on a street corner in a phone booth - all 80 minutes of this movie. It amazes me further that the movie manages to remain engaging and enthralling. The suspense maintained by the movie is very reminiscent of Sutherland's other current big profile work, namely 24.

The sniper character voiced by Sutherland is easily the highlight of the movie. The sniper is obviously a psychotic stalker and killer. However, he is also at the same time an avenging angel with an odd sense of justice.

BEST SCENES:

Well, quite honestly, the whole movie is basically one big scene at the phone booth. At a brisk 80 minutes the movie moves along at a brisk pace and is quite honestly one big thrill ride.

THE DVD FEATURES:

Not much to write home about here. For the DVD you get the now standard director's commentary (great listen) plus the theatrical trailer for the movie.

THE VERDICT:

At a short 80 minutes "Phone Booth" is perfect viewing - a quick but intense thrill ride. Think of it like a quick high, it doesn't last very long but is worth every minute.

Highly Recommended

Not an entire waste of 81 minutes.
This is a movie that I put off watching for a long time, because it sounded really boring. Trap a man in a phone booth, and talk him to death? Yawn.

I finally watched it with the rationale that it is Colin Farrell in the booth, and therefore would not be another "My Dinner with Andre" kind of movie.

While I've seen better movies, this one kept my attention, and I would never consider it to be 81 minutes of my life irretrievably lost. Colin Farrell is brilliant as Stu Shepard, but the rest of the cast fails to register on the "Wow" scale. Katie Holmes is cute, but horribly miscast, and Forest Whitaker won't be putting this one down as one of his better performances. Nobody else even registers, except of course the caller, who has a suitably creepy voice.

The concept is intriguing, as a mystery caller with a wealth of technology and information seeks to right the wrongs of the world, one slime-ball at a time. Worse offenders must have crossed his path, but for some strange reason, he decides to target Shepard for the "crimes" of fantasizing and nearly cheating on his wife, for faking his success, and for not being nice to people in general. After Shepard manages to tip off the police, and they finally realize that something's not right with the scenario, the movie wraps up in an untidy hurry.

The major let down for me was the prominent billing for Keifer Sutherland, even with his face in the cover shot, so you definitely knew something was wrong by the time you got to the end, said end being quite unsatisfying.

Plot holes abound, but if you can get past them, you will enjoy Farrell's performance.

Amanda Richards 7/12/04

Another Kid movie
This movie is supposed to be another action packed thing. But its more like a 2 year olds scary movie. This guy goes in to a phone boothe at a time given and if he puts down the phone hes gonna get shot. Theres this big red dot that stays on him all the time so if he puts down the phone hes gonna get shot.

Flawed but it's has Excellent Direction.
A Sleazy Publicist by the name of Stu Shepard (Colin Farrell), who decide to pick up a ringing phone from a New York City Phone Booth. After he called his Girlfriend/Mistress (Katie Holmes). Once he picked up the phone, Stu starts talking to a Mysterious Deranged Intelligent Person (Voiced by Kiefer Sutherland). Then Stu finds himself on the deadly end of a High-Powered Rifle Scope. Now Stu must outwit a Psychotic Sniper before He's out from the Phone Booth to Freedom.

Directed by Joel Schumacher (8MM, Falling Down, Tigerland) made a Clever, Suspenseful, Taut Dark Comedy Thriller. Farrell gives a Dynamic Performance and a Chilling Voice Work by Sutherland. This film was only shot in 12 Days in December, 2000 and it was release in April, 2003. Which it was probably, the best way to shot the film to keep the mood realistic. DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer (also in Pan & Scan) and an strong-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD has an fine commentary track by the director and the original theatrical trailer. Do not miss this unique psychological thriller. Terrific Cinematography by Matthew Libatique (Abandon, Gothika, Requiem for a Dream). Written by Larry Cohen (It's Alive Trilogy, Guilty as Sin, Q-The Winged Serpent). Panavision. Grade:A-. ... Read more

Reviews (242)

An Original Suspense-Thriller
With a fascinating premise, Phone Booth begins with some well-conceived New York City imagery, then taking viewers to the busy life of crude publicist Stu Shepard, played by Colin Farrell. After making a call to Pamela McFadden (Katie Holmes), who he is having an affair with, though she, quite innocently, does not know that Stu is actually married to his wife Kelly, Stu hears the phone booth ring, and he answers the phone. On the other line is a sniper who will shoot him if he hangs up or tells anyone. Soon, after the Caller proves his motive by gunning down a man ready to force Stu out of the booth, the authorities arrive.
A triumph in some fantastic photography and editing, Phone Booth is a modern example of the quick-cut editing seen in most trailers, but does it well. Split-screen technique is usefully inputted here, again displaying the quick pace of this man's life. A jolting, synthesized musical score accompanies the cinematography, and is at just the right level.
The movie is directed by Joel Schumacher, who handles the premise well, and written by Larry Cohen, whose dialogue is realistic. Stars Colin Farrell and Forest Whitaker, Captain Ramey of the NYPD, have a good screen presence that lasts the single-set suspense-thriller. It is Kiefer Sutherland, as the voice of the Caller, who menaces the characters and the viewers with his taunting, threatening tones, who really steals the show. His demands and hateful voice add to the movie.
However, the "urban reality" that the film provides is only stereotypical and clichéd. Teeming with break-dancers, prostitutes, and baseball-wielding pimps, the inner-city portrayal isn't quite believable, and the shouting prostitutes get really annoying. And while it lacks in a truly exciting finish, the film makes up for it with the tension throughout.

Intense
Phone Booth is easily one of the most intense 80 minutes in film history. Word to the wise, never pick up a ringing public telephone.

THE STORY:

Stu Shephard (Colin Farrell) is a Manhattan publicist guilty of a few things: being a somewhat dishonest businessman and lustfully fawning after a young actress, Pamela (Katie Holmes) despite being married. Little does he know that someone's been watching him lust after Pam. When Stu enters his Manhattan phone booth to talk to Pam (as has been his ritual) he's taken hostage by a psychotic sniper (Kiefer Sutherland) who's determined to make "bad men" repent for their unrighteous actions. Things go from bad to worse for Stu when he's accused of shooting a street pimp from the booth and the swat team arrives to take him into custody. Unfortunately for him, the sniper won't let him leave the booth till he confesses his sins.

THE COOL THINGS:

It amazes me that the entire movie takes place on a street corner in a phone booth - all 80 minutes of this movie. It amazes me further that the movie manages to remain engaging and enthralling. The suspense maintained by the movie is very reminiscent of Sutherland's other current big profile work, namely 24.

The sniper character voiced by Sutherland is easily the highlight of the movie. The sniper is obviously a psychotic stalker and killer. However, he is also at the same time an avenging angel with an odd sense of justice.

BEST SCENES:

Well, quite honestly, the whole movie is basically one big scene at the phone booth. At a brisk 80 minutes the movie moves along at a brisk pace and is quite honestly one big thrill ride.

THE DVD FEATURES:

Not much to write home about here. For the DVD you get the now standard director's commentary (great listen) plus the theatrical trailer for the movie.

THE VERDICT:

At a short 80 minutes "Phone Booth" is perfect viewing - a quick but intense thrill ride. Think of it like a quick high, it doesn't last very long but is worth every minute.

Highly Recommended

Not an entire waste of 81 minutes.
This is a movie that I put off watching for a long time, because it sounded really boring. Trap a man in a phone booth, and talk him to death? Yawn.

I finally watched it with the rationale that it is Colin Farrell in the booth, and therefore would not be another "My Dinner with Andre" kind of movie.

While I've seen better movies, this one kept my attention, and I would never consider it to be 81 minutes of my life irretrievably lost. Colin Farrell is brilliant as Stu Shepard, but the rest of the cast fails to register on the "Wow" scale. Katie Holmes is cute, but horribly miscast, and Forest Whitaker won't be putting this one down as one of his better performances. Nobody else even registers, except of course the caller, who has a suitably creepy voice.

The concept is intriguing, as a mystery caller with a wealth of technology and information seeks to right the wrongs of the world, one slime-ball at a time. Worse offenders must have crossed his path, but for some strange reason, he decides to target Shepard for the "crimes" of fantasizing and nearly cheating on his wife, for faking his success, and for not being nice to people in general. After Shepard manages to tip off the police, and they finally realize that something's not right with the scenario, the movie wraps up in an untidy hurry.

The major let down for me was the prominent billing for Keifer Sutherland, even with his face in the cover shot, so you definitely knew something was wrong by the time you got to the end, said end being quite unsatisfying.

Plot holes abound, but if you can get past them, you will enjoy Farrell's performance.

Amanda Richards 7/12/04

Another Kid movie
This movie is supposed to be another action packed thing. But its more like a 2 year olds scary movie. This guy goes in to a phone boothe at a time given and if he puts down the phone hes gonna get shot. Theres this big red dot that stays on him all the time so if he puts down the phone hes gonna get shot.

Flawed but it's has Excellent Direction.
A Sleazy Publicist by the name of Stu Shepard (Colin Farrell), who decide to pick up a ringing phone from a New York City Phone Booth. After he called his Girlfriend/Mistress (Katie Holmes). Once he picked up the phone, Stu starts talking to a Mysterious Deranged Intelligent Person (Voiced by Kiefer Sutherland). Then Stu finds himself on the deadly end of a High-Powered Rifle Scope. Now Stu must outwit a Psychotic Sniper before He's out from the Phone Booth to Freedom.

Directed by Joel Schumacher (8MM, Falling Down, Tigerland) made a Clever, Suspenseful, Taut Dark Comedy Thriller. Farrell gives a Dynamic Performance and a Chilling Voice Work by Sutherland. This film was only shot in 12 Days in December, 2000 and it was release in April, 2003. Which it was probably, the best way to shot the film to keep the mood realistic. DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer (also in Pan & Scan) and an strong-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD has an fine commentary track by the director and the original theatrical trailer. Do not miss this unique psychological thriller. Terrific Cinematography by Matthew Libatique (Abandon, Gothika, Requiem for a Dream). Written by Larry Cohen (It's Alive Trilogy, Guilty as Sin, Q-The Winged Serpent). Panavision. Grade:A-. ... Read more

Reviews (242)

An Original Suspense-Thriller
With a fascinating premise, Phone Booth begins with some well-conceived New York City imagery, then taking viewers to the busy life of crude publicist Stu Shepard, played by Colin Farrell. After making a call to Pamela McFadden (Katie Holmes), who he is having an affair with, though she, quite innocently, does not know that Stu is actually married to his wife Kelly, Stu hears the phone booth ring, and he answers the phone. On the other line is a sniper who will shoot him if he hangs up or tells anyone. Soon, after the Caller proves his motive by gunning down a man ready to force Stu out of the booth, the authorities arrive.
A triumph in some fantastic photography and editing, Phone Booth is a modern example of the quick-cut editing seen in most trailers, but does it well. Split-screen technique is usefully inputted here, again displaying the quick pace of this man's life. A jolting, synthesized musical score accompanies the cinematography, and is at just the right level.
The movie is directed by Joel Schumacher, who handles the premise well, and written by Larry Cohen, whose dialogue is realistic. Stars Colin Farrell and Forest Whitaker, Captain Ramey of the NYPD, have a good screen presence that lasts the single-set suspense-thriller. It is Kiefer Sutherland, as the voice of the Caller, who menaces the characters and the viewers with his taunting, threatening tones, who really steals the show. His demands and hateful voice add to the movie.
However, the "urban reality" that the film provides is only stereotypical and clichéd. Teeming with break-dancers, prostitutes, and baseball-wielding pimps, the inner-city portrayal isn't quite believable, and the shouting prostitutes get really annoying. And while it lacks in a truly exciting finish, the film makes up for it with the tension throughout.

Intense
Phone Booth is easily one of the most intense 80 minutes in film history. Word to the wise, never pick up a ringing public telephone.

THE STORY:

Stu Shephard (Colin Farrell) is a Manhattan publicist guilty of a few things: being a somewhat dishonest businessman and lustfully fawning after a young actress, Pamela (Katie Holmes) despite being married. Little does he know that someone's been watching him lust after Pam. When Stu enters his Manhattan phone booth to talk to Pam (as has been his ritual) he's taken hostage by a psychotic sniper (Kiefer Sutherland) who's determined to make "bad men" repent for their unrighteous actions. Things go from bad to worse for Stu when he's accused of shooting a street pimp from the booth and the swat team arrives to take him into custody. Unfortunately for him, the sniper won't let him leave the booth till he confesses his sins.

THE COOL THINGS:

It amazes me that the entire movie takes place on a street corner in a phone booth - all 80 minutes of this movie. It amazes me further that the movie manages to remain engaging and enthralling. The suspense maintained by the movie is very reminiscent of Sutherland's other current big profile work, namely 24.

The sniper character voiced by Sutherland is easily the highlight of the movie. The sniper is obviously a psychotic stalker and killer. However, he is also at the same time an avenging angel with an odd sense of justice.

BEST SCENES:

Well, quite honestly, the whole movie is basically one big scene at the phone booth. At a brisk 80 minutes the movie moves along at a brisk pace and is quite honestly one big thrill ride.

THE DVD FEATURES:

Not much to write home about here. For the DVD you get the now standard director's commentary (great listen) plus the theatrical trailer for the movie.

THE VERDICT:

At a short 80 minutes "Phone Booth" is perfect viewing - a quick but intense thrill ride. Think of it like a quick high, it doesn't last very long but is worth every minute.

Highly Recommended

Not an entire waste of 81 minutes.
This is a movie that I put off watching for a long time, because it sounded really boring. Trap a man in a phone booth, and talk him to death? Yawn.

I finally watched it with the rationale that it is Colin Farrell in the booth, and therefore would not be another "My Dinner with Andre" kind of movie.

While I've seen better movies, this one kept my attention, and I would never consider it to be 81 minutes of my life irretrievably lost. Colin Farrell is brilliant as Stu Shepard, but the rest of the cast fails to register on the "Wow" scale. Katie Holmes is cute, but horribly miscast, and Forest Whitaker won't be putting this one down as one of his better performances. Nobody else even registers, except of course the caller, who has a suitably creepy voice.

The concept is intriguing, as a mystery caller with a wealth of technology and information seeks to right the wrongs of the world, one slime-ball at a time. Worse offenders must have crossed his path, but for some strange reason, he decides to target Shepard for the "crimes" of fantasizing and nearly cheating on his wife, for faking his success, and for not being nice to people in general. After Shepard manages to tip off the police, and they finally realize that something's not right with the scenario, the movie wraps up in an untidy hurry.

The major let down for me was the prominent billing for Keifer Sutherland, even with his face in the cover shot, so you definitely knew something was wrong by the time you got to the end, said end being quite unsatisfying.

Plot holes abound, but if you can get past them, you will enjoy Farrell's performance.

Amanda Richards 7/12/04

Another Kid movie
This movie is supposed to be another action packed thing. But its more like a 2 year olds scary movie. This guy goes in to a phone boothe at a time given and if he puts down the phone hes gonna get shot. Theres this big red dot that stays on him all the time so if he puts down the phone hes gonna get shot.

Flawed but it's has Excellent Direction.
A Sleazy Publicist by the name of Stu Shepard (Colin Farrell), who decide to pick up a ringing phone from a New York City Phone Booth. After he called his Girlfriend/Mistress (Katie Holmes). Once he picked up the phone, Stu starts talking to a Mysterious Deranged Intelligent Person (Voiced by Kiefer Sutherland). Then Stu finds himself on the deadly end of a High-Powered Rifle Scope. Now Stu must outwit a Psychotic Sniper before He's out from the Phone Booth to Freedom.

Directed by Joel Schumacher (8MM, Falling Down, Tigerland) made a Clever, Suspenseful, Taut Dark Comedy Thriller. Farrell gives a Dynamic Performance and a Chilling Voice Work by Sutherland. This film was only shot in 12 Days in December, 2000 and it was release in April, 2003. Which it was probably, the best way to shot the film to keep the mood realistic. DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer (also in Pan & Scan) and an strong-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD has an fine commentary track by the director and the original theatrical trailer. Do not miss this unique psychological thriller. Terrific Cinematography by Matthew Libatique (Abandon, Gothika, Requiem for a Dream). Written by Larry Cohen (It's Alive Trilogy, Guilty as Sin, Q-The Winged Serpent). Panavision. Grade:A-. ... Read more

Reviews (242)

An Original Suspense-Thriller
With a fascinating premise, Phone Booth begins with some well-conceived New York City imagery, then taking viewers to the busy life of crude publicist Stu Shepard, played by Colin Farrell. After making a call to Pamela McFadden (Katie Holmes), who he is having an affair with, though she, quite innocently, does not know that Stu is actually married to his wife Kelly, Stu hears the phone booth ring, and he answers the phone. On the other line is a sniper who will shoot him if he hangs up or tells anyone. Soon, after the Caller proves his motive by gunning down a man ready to force Stu out of the booth, the authorities arrive.
A triumph in some fantastic photography and editing, Phone Booth is a modern example of the quick-cut editing seen in most trailers, but does it well. Split-screen technique is usefully inputted here, again displaying the quick pace of this man's life. A jolting, synthesized musical score accompanies the cinematography, and is at just the right level.
The movie is directed by Joel Schumacher, who handles the premise well, and written by Larry Cohen, whose dialogue is realistic. Stars Colin Farrell and Forest Whitaker, Captain Ramey of the NYPD, have a good screen presence that lasts the single-set suspense-thriller. It is Kiefer Sutherland, as the voice of the Caller, who menaces the characters and the viewers with his taunting, threatening tones, who really steals the show. His demands and hateful voice add to the movie.
However, the "urban reality" that the film provides is only stereotypical and clichéd. Teeming with break-dancers, prostitutes, and baseball-wielding pimps, the inner-city portrayal isn't quite believable, and the shouting prostitutes get really annoying. And while it lacks in a truly exciting finish, the film makes up for it with the tension throughout.

Intense
Phone Booth is easily one of the most intense 80 minutes in film history. Word to the wise, never pick up a ringing public telephone.

THE STORY:

Stu Shephard (Colin Farrell) is a Manhattan publicist guilty of a few things: being a somewhat dishonest businessman and lustfully fawning after a young actress, Pamela (Katie Holmes) despite being married. Little does he know that someone's been watching him lust after Pam. When Stu enters his Manhattan phone booth to talk to Pam (as has been his ritual) he's taken hostage by a psychotic sniper (Kiefer Sutherland) who's determined to make "bad men" repent for their unrighteous actions. Things go from bad to worse for Stu when he's accused of shooting a street pimp from the booth and the swat team arrives to take him into custody. Unfortunately for him, the sniper won't let him leave the booth till he confesses his sins.

THE COOL THINGS:

It amazes me that the entire movie takes place on a street corner in a phone booth - all 80 minutes of this movie. It amazes me further that the movie manages to remain engaging and enthralling. The suspense maintained by the movie is very reminiscent of Sutherland's other current big profile work, namely 24.

The sniper character voiced by Sutherland is easily the highlight of the movie. The sniper is obviously a psychotic stalker and killer. However, he is also at the same time an avenging angel with an odd sense of justice.

BEST SCENES:

Well, quite honestly, the whole movie is basically one big scene at the phone booth. At a brisk 80 minutes the movie moves along at a brisk pace and is quite honestly one big thrill ride.

THE DVD FEATURES:

Not much to write home about here. For the DVD you get the now standard director's commentary (great listen) plus the theatrical trailer for the movie.

THE VERDICT:

At a short 80 minutes "Phone Booth" is perfect viewing - a quick but intense thrill ride. Think of it like a quick high, it doesn't last very long but is worth every minute.

Highly Recommended

Not an entire waste of 81 minutes.
This is a movie that I put off watching for a long time, because it sounded really boring. Trap a man in a phone booth, and talk him to death? Yawn.

I finally watched it with the rationale that it is Colin Farrell in the booth, and therefore would not be another "My Dinner with Andre" kind of movie.

While I've seen better movies, this one kept my attention, and I would never consider it to be 81 minutes of my life irretrievably lost. Colin Farrell is brilliant as Stu Shepard, but the rest of the cast fails to register on the "Wow" scale. Katie Holmes is cute, but horribly miscast, and Forest Whitaker won't be putting this one down as one of his better performances. Nobody else even registers, except of course the caller, who has a suitably creepy voice.

The concept is intriguing, as a mystery caller with a wealth of technology and information seeks to right the wrongs of the world, one slime-ball at a time. Worse offenders must have crossed his path, but for some strange reason, he decides to target Shepard for the "crimes" of fantasizing and nearly cheating on his wife, for faking his success, and for not being nice to people in general. After Shepard manages to tip off the police, and they finally realize that something's not right with the scenario, the movie wraps up in an untidy hurry.

The major let down for me was the prominent billing for Keifer Sutherland, even with his face in the cover shot, so you definitely knew something was wrong by the time you got to the end, said end being quite unsatisfying.

Plot holes abound, but if you can get past them, you will enjoy Farrell's performance.

Amanda Richards 7/12/04

Another Kid movie
This movie is supposed to be another action packed thing. But its more like a 2 year olds scary movie. This guy goes in to a phone boothe at a time given and if he puts down the phone hes gonna get shot. Theres this big red dot that stays on him all the time so if he puts down the phone hes gonna get shot.

Flawed but it's has Excellent Direction.
A Sleazy Publicist by the name of Stu Shepard (Colin Farrell), who decide to pick up a ringing phone from a New York City Phone Booth. After he called his Girlfriend/Mistress (Katie Holmes). Once he picked up the phone, Stu starts talking to a Mysterious Deranged Intelligent Person (Voiced by Kiefer Sutherland). Then Stu finds himself on the deadly end of a High-Powered Rifle Scope. Now Stu must outwit a Psychotic Sniper before He's out from the Phone Booth to Freedom.

Directed by Joel Schumacher (8MM, Falling Down, Tigerland) made a Clever, Suspenseful, Taut Dark Comedy Thriller. Farrell gives a Dynamic Performance and a Chilling Voice Work by Sutherland. This film was only shot in 12 Days in December, 2000 and it was release in April, 2003. Which it was probably, the best way to shot the film to keep the mood realistic. DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer (also in Pan & Scan) and an strong-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD has an fine commentary track by the director and the original theatrical trailer. Do not miss this unique psychological thriller. Terrific Cinematography by Matthew Libatique (Abandon, Gothika, Requiem for a Dream). Written by Larry Cohen (It's Alive Trilogy, Guilty as Sin, Q-The Winged Serpent). Panavision. Grade:A-. ... Read more