Reviews (15)

It just gets better and better.
Some David Mamet films have incredible notoriety amongst the literate set (Glengarry Glen Ross, Oleanna, House of Games). His 2 Oscar noms (Wag the Dog, The Verdict) as well as his non-nominated script for The Untouchables have him firmly established with Hollywood's power base as well.

For my money, the oft-overlooked Homicide is a true Mamet gem--startling in its genius.

Put simply, Homicide is a revealing look at a man's journey into himself. Many will be distracted by the subject matter and tune out, but try to hang on.

Joe Mantegna's Bobby Gold is a tough cop who denies his Jewish lineage, until a low priority murder investigation into an aged Holocast survivor forces him to re-evaluate his entire existence. The resulting destruction of the man is cruel and never-ending,...and brilliant.

William H. Macy, an until-now bit player, gets a well-deserved promotion to #2 man among the strong supporting cast as Gold's partner and sounding board.

The intricacies of the plot, the subtleties of the subtext, as well as the perfunctory Mamet attention to detail may mean a second, or third look is necessary for the viewer to get straight with what's going on------- but take the time, if you can, it just keeps getting better and better.

It just gets better and better.
Some David Mamet films have incredible notoriety amongst the literate set (Glengarry Glen Ross, Oleanna, House of Games). His 2 Oscar noms (Wag the Dog, The Verdict) as well as his non-nominated script for The Untouchables have him firmly established with Hollywood's power base as well.

For my money, the oft-overlooked Homicide is a true Mamet gem--startling in its genius.

Put simply, Homicide is a revealing look at a man's journey into himself. Many will be distracted by the subject matter and tune out, but try to hang on.

Joe Mantegna's Bobby Gold is a tough cop who denies his Jewish lineage, until a low priority murder investigation into an aged Holocast survivor forces him to re-evaluate his entire existence. The resulting destruction of the man is cruel and never-ending,...and brilliant.

William H. Macy, an until-now bit player, gets a well-deserved promotion to #2 man among the strong supporting cast as Gold's partner and sounding board.

The intricacies of the plot, the subtleties of the subtext, as well as the perfunctory Mamet attention to detail may mean a second, or third look is necessary for the viewer to get straight with what's going on------- but take the time, if you can, it just keeps getting better and better.

Where's the DVD!?!?
This is a great film, and one of the few in the ever-shrinking list of films I want on DVD but are not released. I'm so tired of watching this on a crappy VHS, especially because the photography by Juan Ruiz-Anchia (also of glengarry glen ross)is so beautiful. Attention whomever owns the rights to this! Lets have a DVD!!
-note to amazon.com; it would be nice if there were a link as you have on many other titles to submit my email to be notified when this is available on DVD!

Mind Games
Anyone familiar with David Mamet and his use of the English language will understand his dialogue is poetry and not meant to reflect conversation. This is not a murder mystery, it's not about cops and bad guys. Homicide is about events in our lives that appear to be coincidence but set us in motion to discover ourselves, the meaning of our existence and our purpose.

Not well told
Basically the director couldnt tell the story well enough and had to read the other critic explainations to get somewhat a understanding of the film plot. The movie had two plots going on at once and both are unrelated to the other case. The lead role was played by Joe Mantegna. The movie dialogue was oddly done and looked almost fake. The dialogue was so plain everyone had the same emotion. The movie tries to make a change in Joe's character but does a terrible transformation of his character. His change in character was not realistic at all. I will not make this a spoiler as the other reviews do a good job of explaining the film. Really the director did a poor job of making me excited enough about the racist overtones in the movie and I think the directors whole point was to make you excited about the racism of Jews versus anti-Jews.

In my opinion this film was really dumb and the ending was anti-climatic. I do not recommend people to view this film because it is not worth their time. ... Read more

Reviews (45)

Good movie. Could have been great.
This movie could have been a lot better if it had a more competant director. Today it looks dated in places, and some of the dialogue delivery approaches camp at times (again, blame Mr Winner). Plot: after his wife and daughter are attacked by muggers (one being Jeff Goldblum)and Bronsons wife is stomped to death and his daughter raped and obscenely "tagged" with a can of spray paint, architect & Korean war conscientious objector Bronson acquires a gun on a business trip to Arizona and returns home to New York to embark on a one man vigilante rampage blasting street scum into oblivion. Bronson and Vincent Gardenia both give good perfomances, and the rape scene still has the power to jolt you out of your seat, but every time I see DEATH WISH I keep thinking of how it could be updated and remade... better. Still the fun of the series is to cheer Bronson on whenever he wastes some scumbag. This was the precursor to such revenge flicks as I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE and MS .45.

The Dark Knight.
It's hard to remember now, but there was a time when Michael Winner was just another director, one who produced some decent b-movies before having a freak hit that caught the mood of America at the time. 'Death Wish' was the hit - it elevated Charles Bronson to iconhood, and even today Winner's increasingly-laughable films have 'From the Director of 'Death Wish'' on the posters. This is the closet he ever got to creating a classic piece of cinema. This is based on a book, although the emphasis has been changed. Whereas the 'hero' of the novel was presented as a dangerous man who had eventually lost all reason, here, Bronson is basically Batman - Dirty Harry without restraint. As such, it's ambivalent. On the one hand, there's a primal kick in watching Bronson blow away thugs, but on the other hand it's hard to believe that real-life would be so clear-cut, and subsequent witch-hunts of paedophiles, satanists and rock fans show that it's hard to put rage back into the bottle from whence it came. The sequels became increasingly-harder to take seriously, and the bazooka-toting 'Death Wish 3' is a modern classic of silliness. As with all Winner's films, it looks like a television movie, and as with all Bronson's films, Bronson is Bronson - an older, grizzled tamplate for Schwarzenegger et al, he acts not as Paul Kersy but as Charles Bronson, movie star. It is, at the very least, interesting.

Your Typical Evening On A Saturday!
GREAT ACTING BY CHARLES BROSNAN! ENJOYABLE TO WATCH. REALLY GREAT CINEMATIC PIECE!

carbolic acid
This is the original in the Death Wish series,and its still the best.Paul Kersey(Bronson)is devastated after his wife and daughter are raped and killed,he goes on a killing rampage of revenge.As he dispatches each thug with his own brand of justice,we cheer their deaths from Kersey`s trusty 32 caliber revolver.This film is a favorite of vigilante justice supporters.

CONTROVERSY IS GOOD.
I don't remember too many films from the 1970's the earned an entire OP/ED page in the N.Y. Times, but this urban classic did. Controversy proved to be good box office and Bronson became a superstar as Paul Kersey. DEATH WISH is a taunt thriller that sparked more than one water cooler discussion in 1974. Michael Winner worked this one into a poster child for street justice and inspired more than a few real life imitators (the ad campaign boasted: "Paul Kersey is going to kill 3 muggers tonight: One for his murdered wife, one for his raped daughter and one for you!"). What was more unfortunate is that DEATH WISH became a parody of itself with 4 awful sequels. Forgot the rest, cheer for Bronson here everytime he caps a bad guy. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Mediocre and pretty unconvincing.
David Caruso must be one of the least convincing leading/tough guys to come down the pike in a long time. His partnership with Kelly Lynch, an equally squeaky-clean looking tough gal, means Cold Around the Heart lacks any of the sense of noir and suppressed menace that it is so obviously straining for. There's a lot of forced swearing, but nobody's heart is really in it. Are there still characters in movies who will do anything for a woman if she touches their hand? Oh yes. A pile of cliches built on a foundation of ...cliches. Ouch.

Great Movie!
Wow! This movie is really good. It's got a great cast and the story line is good. And seeing Chris Noth on screen ain't that shabby either!

Much more than it seems.
With all due respect to Mr. Maltan, this is a movie layered with viewing enjoyment. The dialogue alone is worth the price of admission - so to speak - but the real jewel of the film is in the character Jude. Kelly Lynch does an outstanding job as an intriguing character. I was enthralled with her, every time she spoke a word. The joke on the audience is, she IS smart - smarter than any female character I've seen portrayed in a long, long time. ... Read more

Amazon.com

David Mamet's 1987 directorial debut was this mesmerizing study ofcontrol and seduction between two kinds of detached observers: a gambler who is also a con artist, and a psychotherapist who is also an emerging pop-psych guru in the book market. The latter (played by Lindsay Crouse) meets the former (Joe Mantegna) when one of her clients is driven to despair from his debts to the card shark. Mantegna's character agrees to drop the IOUs in exchange for Crouse's attention at the seedy House of Games in Seattle, a mecca for con men to talk shop and hustle unsuspecting customers. The shrink gets so caught up in the arcane rules and world view of her guide over subsequent days that she observes--with no false rapture--various stings in progress inside and outside the club. Mamet's story finally becomes a fascinating study of two people protecting and extending their respective cosmologies the way rival predators fight for the same piece of turf. The psychological challenge is compelling; so is the stylized dialogue, with its pattern of pauses and hiccups and humming meter. Mostly shooting at night, Mamet also gave Seattle a different look from previous filmmakers, turning its familiar puddles into concentrations of liquid neon and poisonous noir. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (48)

A classic yes, but Crouse's acting is miserable...
As one other reviewer here very accurately put it: "we've become smarter since this movie was made". Especially when we've since seen mega-stunners like the "Usual suspects" or "Sixth Sense", movies that took the "film with a twist"-genre to a whole new plataeu.
A hotshot psychologist finds out the hard way that her trade doesn't cut it much down at the streets when she becomes emotionally (and otherwise) involved with a con-man and his circuit. As she's awed by all the "rules" and even more so the tricks that make the con-world spin, she asks to be "shown more", only to see that being shown more includes being caught in an invisible and catastrophic spider web. I don't want to give the plot away since this is obviously the strength of the film, but "House of Games" was one of the premier twist films for the time it was made, even if it might seem dated today.

Some of the twists might (emphasis on the "might") be somewhat predictable but that would be the case only for the very initiated viewer.

Mamet has got some great scripts under his belt, but if there's one thing that seriously undermines his film hee (he also directed it) is the acting of J.Crouse. While Joe Mantegna (the other lead in the movie) is in my opinion absolutely great, Crouse gives a half-dead performance, wooden and surreally uninspired, especially when one considers that she was acting (?) a part in a solid story. Were it not for her terrible performance this movie would be elevated into whole new heights.

Some people thought that the dialogue was problematic, but in my view it's exactly the bizzarity of the dialogue that makes the "House of Games" all the more special. The dialogues are unique in the way things are being said and not in what is being said.

But otherwise, this is a great film, also in a historical way, since it provided a cue for many scriptwriters since, with maybe better results but this doesn't diminish this film's importance.

Well worth its reputation and the time you'll invest in watching it.

Love It Every Time We See It
This is a very intricate movie written and directed by David Mamet. Unlike lesser talents, he can make a convoluted story totally understandable to the viewers yet surprise you every step of the way. Lindsay Crouse, his then real life wife, played the woman psychiatrist who has just written a bestselling book and become the toast of the intelligentsia in New York. She's also had quite a bit of money roll in from her book. One of her young male patients exhibits great distress and she discovers he is in mortal danger because he owes some big guys in crime a lot of money that he can't pay. Although she's not supposed to become personally involved with patient's lives, this time she decides to talk to the head man in question and see if she can reason with him for her patient's welfare. That crime man is played by Joe Matagna who does a tour de force acting job showing every facet of this con man, trickster character. The psychiatrist is attracted to him and Mantagna can make this guy attractive. But there is no doubt that he can be a very bad guy and an expert con man. You find yourself drawn further and further into the con games going on until they seem like one of those Russian nesting dolls which keep breaking down into yet more dolls. Hubby and I have seen this film about 4 or 5 times and we always enjoy it. I can't tell you anymore though without giving too much away. Let the film work its own mesmerizing magic on you.

"Trust no one"
David Mamet's "House of Games," is another of that director's giant flip jobs. I've been working my way through the Mamet catalogue, and one can't help but feel the director sees the world itself as a giant con. Well, that's perhaps a bit simplistic, but Mamet does cling, in movie after movie, to some core principles. One of these is that you must trust no one. In "Spartan," "The Spanish Prisoner," and "House of Games," this very line is uttered, usually by a villain to an innocent. This sounds like a negative credo, but it really isn't. First, consider who's issuing the warning: the villain. Will the innocent learn from experience? And will the learning result in corruption? (Important questions for Mamet.) Second, trusting yourself and knowing yourself (weaknesses included) in a dangerous world is advisable, necessary, in order to survive . I have to believe Mamet is a big reader of Joseph Conrad.

The story behind "House of Games," involves Lindsay Crouse as Margaret Ford, a doctor and popular author. Her "big book" is titled "Driven," about compulsive and addictive personalities. It doesn't take long to figure out the book is about herself. So driven is Margaret that she is beginning to make Freudian slips in her conversations, slips that reveal dark corners of her own personality. She may be heading for a breakdown - and a teaching colleague warns her, tells her she must slow down. But "slowing down" comes as another writing project presents itself, seemingly accidently due to the dilemma of a patient , when Margaret is introduced to the world of the Con at a local bar and pool hall called "House of Games." This introduction comes at the hands of Mike (Joe Mantegna), a handsome and slick con man who is willing to provide a tour - though he does warn her: "Trust no one."

To reveal any more would be telling. Like all Mamet films, the dialogue is essential. I don't think I've ever seen a director make such interesting use of dialogue. On one level the dialogue in all of Mamet's films (that I've seen so far) is seemingly stilted. But it works! Why? I can only attribute this to Mamet's precision as a director. What seems stilted, comes across instead as elevated speech - as in Shakespeare. Mamet is a dramatic poet who no doubt has Shakespeare's great maxim engraved upon his mind, and present in the framing of each scene: "Suit the action to the word, and the word to the action." (Good actors must love working with this guy.) So pay attention, there's no fat in a Mamet film, and always plenty to ponder. "House of Games" is no different. See it.

Don't believe these reviews!
It may be due to the fact that I was only 7 when this film premiered, but I found House of Games to be atrocious! The acting was laughable (Lindsay Crouse was dull and wooden, while Montagna's lines came across comically though not usually intended to be so), the plot was entirely transparent (just imagine - getting conned by con men), and the character development left much to be desired.
An interesting side-note, however, is that this movie reminds viewers just how much influence tobacco companies had on movie houses back in the '80s. The whole film is one long drag off a Camel, and even Granny happily lights Crouse's cigarettes with her vintage lighter.
Do not purchase this movie without first watching it!

"Look Out for The Tell...."
....or, "The Large Con consists of a series of Small Cons put in an 'attractive' order".

....or, "Everybody's got a little bit of small con in them. Well, some folks have larger cons..."

I saw this movie again and, despite my distaste for certain aspects of the Mamet approach (He wishes actors to read the dialog as written, without emoting too much. The emoting is somehow brought across in the words. In my opinion sometimes the dialog comes off as more staccato than true life, but who am I? Mamet is the world renown author/director, here. I am simply a hack reviewer--but I digress)...this, I think, is a very cool movie with a lot going for it. The chemistry with Crouse and Mantegna is subtly packaged...the cool psychologist becomes child like to the swaggering, but one step from being oily, con-man. She wanted so much to believe that she was being allowed in a world of secrets, privy to only a few, so she trusted this guy to Father her thru this mesh of crosses and double-crossings.

Those moments with the con-artist to her were romantic, exciting, hell, downright sexy and she was feeling more alive than the sterile clinical environment offered to her as a psychologist. Until, that is, The Big Tell gave her a kick in her nether regions.

What makes the movie a surreal experience is that on one level anyone who is in movie making and story telling (or sometimes health services like psychiatry/psychology) is some what of a con artist that we all surrender to one way or another. And we in the audience usually have to remind ourselves to Look Out for The Tell...do you see where I'm going with this? Good. Remember then. And see this movie. It's a good one. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

The greatest "Don" - Don Ameche in subtle mob masterpiece!
Don Ameche has always been a great actor who has portrayed in role after role something most actors never achieve: Elegance. In this role of Gino, a humble cobbler, Mr. Ameche achieves something even more sublime: Quiet elegance, coupled with gracious charm that defeats even the worst intentions of all those who would want to harm this truly GENTLE man. Joe Mantegna, as Gino's "foil", is equally wonderful as a basically ignorant man with a great heart who is obviously in the wrong profession. Mamet's (and Shel Silverstein, of all people!) screenplay and direction are flawless: his story is filled with suspenseful and humorous moments piled up one after another, and all are surprising - to us as well as to Gino! Nothing is as it seems, and the finale is truly inspired! Before this film I was not impressed with Mamet's work, neither on film nor on stage. I may still not care for Mamet's work. But, "Things Change" changed my view of what he can do with a good story and great actors, at least for now. However, as Ameche/Gino says: "things change." One reviewer has compared this film to Peter Sellars "Being There", and I think the comparison is a good one. Although we are not dealing with an idiot in this movie, Mamet's film does show that (most) people will react positively to a positive impulse and allow the good in themselves to surface over avarice and other human errors. And, like Gino, this is a very gentle movie. There is virtually no violence, no rabid car chases, no steamy sex, and, much to my personal amazement, virtually none of the profanity that has littered Mamet's scripts (his profanity, in my opinion, has crippled his work for many people). Above all, though, this is Don Ameche's film. His quiet elegance, charm, and subtle humor create a character who lives in the memory long, long after the film is experienced. This movie, and his performance, are to be cherished and watched again and again. Hurrah that it is on DVD!

Mamet proves that THINGS CHANGE
David Mamet has always been a fimmaker whose most unique asset is his control of the english language... (Or maybe more accurately, 'Mamet's English Language') Well, this film looks like a Mamet film, especially with favorite performers like Ricky Jay, Joe Mantegna and William H Macy (in a blonde punk hairstyle...). But, it is less of a language film than a touching and slight odd-couple comedy. This matching a mob enforcer with a sicilian shoemaker in Lake Tahoe. Don Ameche is a totally charm in the film, each moment displaying the innocence of a shoemaker. That innocence is misinterpreted as cold-hearted mafiosa control. The film is a wonderful distraction but lacks the brain of other Mamet films like HOUSE OF GAMES and OLEANNA. The DVD has a nice widescreen transfer and an original mono audio track. Remneber, Things Change.

Three thumbs up!
Undoubtly David Mamet lived a glorious decade in these eighties. House of games , the untouchables a scripter and this one.
Don't wonder if this movie belongs to cult movie status. It's a witty comedy about an inept , poor experienced and low level gangster who suffers the consequences of his acts when he goes against the orders to take an old shoe - shine boy on one last fing just before the latter goes to prison being not guilty.
Notice this disfunctional state of mind of this rookie gangster, follows the ancient rule about the wisdom of the experience , despite this statement is not always true all the times , but it does in this case.
The laughable side about the sordid universe that surrounds the underworld has been so irreverently told as in this case.
Don Ameche (Coccon) and Mantegna (House of games and Alice) give a fine performance.
Don't miss this funny comedy. A winner film.

Change To Another Movie
Joe Mantegna and Don Ameche star in this drama/ thriller/ comedy directed by the overrated David Mamet. Like most Mamet movies, "Things Change" tries to clever, unusual and oh-so-surprising, but unfortunately the overall effort is nothing more than a dull, tedious and uninspired achievement. The acting is alright and the direction competent enough, yet the plot just drags endlessly and fails to present a memorable and remarkable moment. The last ten minutes are somewhat interesting and present enough dramatic tension, still that doesn`t make for the boring hour that precedes it. "Things Change" has little or nothing going for it, delivering an intantly forgettable cinematic experience.

There are more compelling things around.

pretty good
I gave this film four stars, kind of as an homage. Joe Montenga and Don Ameche were both pretty good, they made me chuckle; a star apiece.
The other two stars, just on general principle, have to go to the writer.
Shel Silverstein wrote this! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Interesting side of the Atlanta Child Murders
This is an interesting 'true-crime' movie. The infamous Atlanta Child murders of 1979-1981 were suspiciously all pinned on Wayne Williams. This film shows the journey of two reporters from Spin Magazine (not exactly a credible source of criminal investigation) who travel to Atlanta to look deeper into the case. Quite a few conspiracy theories emerge. One theory, based on testimony from the locals, is that the kids were all involved in a child porno ring connected with the city's leaders, and were all killed to keep it from being uncovered. The primary theory that the reporters pursue is the organization of a white-power, ku klux klan group that murdered the children out of racial bias. The controversy occurs when a lead detective throws this out because he thinks it will start a race war if it's true. There are interesting demographics here because Atlanta was a thriving city and had a black mayor.
Drawbacks to the movie are present. Hines and Belushi do a bang-up job of overacting and consistently threaten the story with their poor drama skills. Also, hardly anything is said about Williams and his conviction, so I couldn't really tell if the arguments being made had any value. Nonetheless, an interesting movie with lots of information. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Steven Seagal plays a Chicago cop who takes on CIA types in this action thriller from Andrew Davis(The Fugitive). Davis brings muscle to the project, including some strong set pieces that make Seagal (who also co-wrote and co-produced the film) look awfully good. Costars Pam Grier and Sharon Stone give a big assist in that department, too, yet nothing can really mitigate such ridiculous moments as Seagal's getting profound with a villain in his raspy monotone: "You think you're above the law. But you're not." The DVD release includes full-screen and widescreen presentations, production notes, trailers, optional Spanish soundtrack and optional French and Spanish subtitles.--Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Thrilling, best in it's genre...
This movie is among the the best and most thrilling of the post Harry Callihan, 1980's genre of cop movies. As Nico Toscani, a naturally macho yet morally upright and skilled cop (who is also ex-CIA and former Aikido instructor), Seagal is impressive and yet so refreshingly believable. The short martial arts action sequences are first rate - no drawn out Hong Kong formula stuff. The cafe jazz music score is memorable and rightly paced for the exciting car tailing sequences through downtown Chicago.

Nico Toscani's Sicilian background adds to the color of the drama. There are even hints of his family background being not too far removed from the wiseguys. I mentioned Nico being macho. I'd like to qualify this by saying that he's not devoid of charm and his role is less one-dimentional than one would expect. The tough-guy persona is just a facade for an individual with strong convictions and a democratic political outlook. Equally competent is Nico's partner, Delores Jackson, played candidly by the veteran Pam Grier. The main villain, the pure evil CIA doctor Zagon, is played by the veteran villain actor Henry Silva.

Don't expect any critics' choice awards for this movie, because the script does have its share of cliches. Seagal plays a cop who is on to something very big, defies higher authority and, as expected, is taken off the case - like in so many other cop movies of the genre. The outcome is predictable. You know that good is going to triumph over evil in this movie. Despite it's predictability, the plot is fresh and to a great extent realistic. Most importantly it's entertaining.

There are surprisingly bold political statements made in this movie about the dubious role played by the CIA in the affairs of many a third world country. These statements are not too far fetched and must never be underplayed when you consider the "blowback" - CIA jargon for repercussions - being felt to this day. There are far too few movies being made these days that hold the government accountable. Unfortunately it's usually the ordinary citizen who becomes the indirect victim to the follies of an agency whose modus operandii includes criminal conduct and whose agents operate "Above the Law".

The impressive and ship-shape Seagal in this movie inspires you to ditch your six-pack of beer for a six-pack of Gatorade. He inspires you to reach into your closet for your old karate uniform or gym gear and to whip yourself back into physical and mental shape. Too bad Seagal has physically floundered since then. He does have the potential to stay there. One would hope that he would take his cues from Eastwood and Bronson, both of whose careers have had them stay in shape and play lead roles well into their sixties and seventies.

First and (easily) Best Seagal Movie
Once upon a time, an ex-CIA martial arts master quit the CIA and wrote a movie with a new plot but a character that seemed a lot like the writer

Steven Seagal is best known for his action movies, in particular the parts where he does his hand to hand thing. In his case, he's an aikido expert, and that's hard to explain. Most martial arts movies talk about Kung Fu and Tae Kwan Do where people punch and kick and you can generally tell what's going on. Aikido, on the other hand, is about redirecting an opponent, making him basically want to fall down. In the movie, it looks a lot like a bad guy rushes as Seagal, he touches them with his little finger and then they decide to throw themselves in the air in ways you thought were impossible. The moves take, oh, about two seconds to perform, with Seagal's part being only about 2 microseconds. If you want to watch Seagal in classic aikido action, be prepared to pause, slow motion and rewind. It's amazing looking and absolutley bizzare (since being marveled by the movie, i have gone out and studied aikido, and it seems even more impressive, although realistic, now)

The movie's about an ex-CIA officer turned Chicago cop (and, in my opinion, an extremely unlikeable one; that macho Italian family man thing to me just looks like a dull-witted bully control freak). He runs into some old CIA friends from 'nam who are doing naughty things

This movie has a plot, and a darn good one at that. It's a very, very interesting movie, much unlike, say, all the big budget movies he did after this one. While his later movies are bad jokes, new age mantras and B-movies, this one is really, really good. There are only a realistic number of fight scenes (gosh, i wish there were more, but that would have changed it from a drama to an action film, which this really isn't), but they are wonderful

Bottom line, this movie is awesome. i don't know if Seagal wrote and directed the later films he did (he was close to a one man production company on this one), but i wish he'd turn down those big budget formula films he's been doing and go back to doing the realistic, semi-autobiographical films like this one. He's mostly considered a joke now, but when this movie came out, when he was Seagal the writer and not Seagal the action hero, he was revered, and for good reason

Seagals explodes into cinema!!!
Great score, great story, great action. This is Seagals best film next to Under Seige. Too bad he fizzeled out after a coupla good ones. Charles Bronson remains King of the genre. Check out The Mechanic and Death Wish 2 and 4....

SEAGAL'S FIRST MOVIE IS NOT TO BE MISSED!
A COP [STEVEN SEAGAL] BATTLES POLICE CORRUPTION AND DRUG DEALING. THIS WAS SEAGAL'S FIRST MOVIE. IT HAS SOME VERY GOOD ACTION SCENES. THIS IS AN ESSENTIAL MOVIE FOR ANYONE WHO LIKES TO COLLECT SEAGAL MOVIES OR ACTION MOVIES IN GENERAL. THIS MOVIE IS ALSO GOOD FOR ANOTHER THING, IT SHOWS US THE OLD STEVEN SEAGAL WHO LOOKED TOUGHER AND WAS IN BETTER SHAPE, UNLIKE TODAY.
I ADVISE ALL ACTION FANS TO ADD THIS TO THEIR COLLECTION NOW!

typical but decent
It's always fun to watch Steven Seagal beat [up] 10 people at once, then start running like a 5 year old girl. Yes this is a cheesey action movie with all the usual formulas, but Seagal seems to be a better actor than people like Chuck Norris, Vann Damme, Arnold, and Sly. His wisecracking remarks are definitely better than all the stupid one-liners in those other guys' movies. This was Seagal's first movie. If you've never seen one of his movies, this would probably be the best one to star with. Also a great supporting cast like Henry Silva (what a suprise, he's the lead villian!) Chelcie Ross (Harris from Major League) Pam Grier, Sharon Stone (she can't act, but she's okay here), and those same 2 cops that are in all the other movies filmed in Chicago. (The Fugitive, Code Of Silence, etc) ... Read more

Reviews (41)

"The greatest thrill is not to kill, but to let live"
Truer words were never spoken. This movie deftly illustrates both the inate similarities and disturbing rifts between mankind and the animals with which we share this planet. A sincere, moving, and thought provoking drama that paints a vivid cinematic picture of compassion for all living things.

What makes this movie so great is the way all of its characters are portrayed. There is no clear villian or hero, but rather simple creatures following their basic instincts, including the humans. Our first impulse is to judge the humans (played wonderfully by Jack Wallace and Tcheky Karyo) as evil, but really pay attention and you'll find they are quite, well, human. The bear characters, Youk (cub) and Bart (grizzly) portray emotions and feelings stronger than any other animal in any movie I've ever seen. They truly steal the show here.

But the obvious difference in the sides is that while the bears kill only for survival, humans kill for recreation, which, as this movie clearly intended to say, is wrong. ... Maybe they'd benefit from watching this movie, from experiencing the change and lesson Karyo's character goes through, and discovering that indeed, the greatest thrill is not to kill, but to let live.

Bambi, only hairier.
I KNOW what you're thinking... How could all these freaky people feel so strongly about a movie about a BEAR ??, and with almost no dialogue. Well, this is a FABULOUS movie, for adults as well as children.(Maybe more so.) It shows that, with a beautiful, simple story, and no computerization, that a terriffic movie can still be made. This movie is not only beautifully filmed amongst breath-taking natural locations, but has wonderful and true lessons about man and animals, and our supposed superiority over them. You will fall in love with the little orphaned bear cub as he struggles to survive the assaults of hunters, elements, and other beasts. As you're watching it, those tears are welling up in your eyes because you realize the little fellow is only searching for what we're all searching for, someone to love and protect us in this harsh world. (You ARE, so don't deny it!) The little bear who played "the bear" deserved at least the same academy award that Judy Garland received for "The Wizard Of Oz", best actor in a juvenile role. When I first saw this film, which was by accident, I was surprised at how moved I was by it. And, amazed at what the film makers got the animals to so realistically do. Well, on viewing it again recently, I was just as impressed, and just as overwhelmed. By the last five climactic minutes, I was blubbering right on schedule. You will be too.(I'm crying now thinking of it, I need to get a life!) I don't own it, but I've decided I have to buy it, it's just too good not to be re-watched every so often. You don't have to be an animal lover (I am,... you should be), to love this movie. A pure, wonderful, heart-tugging, simple but powerful film, definatley a classic. Watch it with those you love.

Excellent nature film
Wonderful film with the animal's point of view. This has funny moments,tender moments,goofy moments and some very tense moments.
This also includes some beautiful scenery.

Definitely get this one!

How did they do it?!
During whole movie I couldn't stop wonder how did they film all this amazing actions with bears. You really start to believe that bears 'act'. The scenery where the action takes place (British Columbia) is gorgeous. The main character, the bear cub, is unbelievably cute. The main message of the movie is very straighforward: let them live. I had some issues with the way the message was delivered, which annoyed me just a little. It was to simplified, too cliche. I would understand if this movie was for children but it's really not and PG-13 rating is right. Still, amazing beautiful movie.

RUN LITTLE GUY, RUN!
An uplifting, intelligent movie that does not portray hunters in the usual stereotypical way. This film teaches the lessons of compassion, partnership and honor in the actions of both the bears and the hunters.

That little cub will grab your heart and never let go. At the end I was shouting, "Run! Run!" ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Warm-hearted with a wicked twist...
I was flipping through movie channels on cable the other day and I came across Sparkler. Boredom made me watch it, even though I missed the beginning, but I was hooked immediately. The chemistry between the cast was incredible. I love Park Overall and I don't think any other actress could have played Melba. Freddie Prinze, Jr. and Jamie Kennedy were also really good. I was especially impressed with Steven Patrarca. His portrayal of Joel was very moving. The scenes of him coming out to Trent (Kennedy) were done really well. Although the plot was far-fetched it was well-written. I was also really impressed with the direction. There weren't any useless scenes in the movie and everything had a point. I wouldn't recommend this movie for younger people, but if you are looking for a warm-hearted comedy with a bit of a wicked twist, then Sparkler is definitely a movie you need to see.

better than i expected
I rented this movie after seeing Jamie Kennedy on the cover. I thought that it sounded pretty weird, but I still rented just so that I could see him in a new movie. It was predictable, but stil enjoyable. Like another reviewer said, a bit racy at times. The acting was good, and the directing wasn't bad either. I think Jamie's character was the best one though...oh well, maybe I'm just biased since he's so cute. =D

Life is like Gambling.
This movie I sort of didn't connect to much with based on the usual interest I have on movies,

Although I can say it was an interesting plot-line where one can interpret that life doesn't always go as planned and it did have lots of funny moments and I was continually following along & the plot line didn't stray from the original goal.

But truely, every one should see this at least once, it is funny,
and it does show you how things can be connected in the end.

Deborah Elliott

Actually A Very Good Movie
I was flipping through the channels late one night and this movie was just starting on Starz. I decided to give it a shot and loved it. It's the story of a woman who catches her husband cheating on her with her best friend so she decides to go out and celebrate her new singleness. When she goes out she meets three men who are on their way to Las Vegas but are stuck in the town for awhile while they waiting for their flat tire to be fixed. She mistakes their pity as friendship and goes to Las Vegas to be with them and look up an old school mate who is now a stripper. A funny movie that moves quickly and has alot of charm and good acting. The ending is a little far fetched but this is a worthwhile movie.

this movie was awful and reeked of a horrible plot
ok, i love freddie and jamie, but this movie blew. the plot was terrible, the acting was second rate. and, the filming was weird. the accents were fake. it was COMPLETELY unrealistic. for those of you who hate wasting your time, you'll hate this movie. but, for those of you who like movies simply because of their stars, you'll like it. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Right Up There
The Killing Jar turned out to be a neat little "B" movie, complete with just the right amount of excitement, good acting, and suspense. It had me wondering all the way to the end. Lots of gore, if you are turned off by such things, but just right for me. The only flaw that I noticed is that at the end, they left some strings untied, such as did a couple of the guys who were very badly wounded actually die, or not. Otherwise, I enjoyed it, and I'm glad that I purchased it. My kind of flick!

A Surprisingly Good Thriller!
I saw this movie the other day on cable and thought it was done really well. The opening scenes with the flashbacks were great, and the music was errie. The performances were pretty good as well. It definitely kept my attention until the very end. I thought I knew who the killer was, but as in all good thrillers, I was wrong. I'm glad I could purchase this movie from AMAZON, a surprisingly good thriller that I'm glad I own!

Errie, Suspense, Thriller
The Killing Jar is a B-Budget movie with a very good story line. The Scenes are run smoothly, and details in the story are tightly used to tell the story. Great performances by the Leads, and in particular Tamlyn Tomita, who's character didn't have to be asian to fill this role. Often, when asian characters are in the story it's because the story calls for it. Her character could have been played by anyone, and that is good for an Asian actress to be able to play parts outside of being Asian ... Read more

Amazon.com

Now here's a switcheroo: In a movie about a mild-mannered police photographer who is befriended by a swaggering gangster, Bill Murray plays the gangster and Robert De Niro plays the photographer. Directed by John McNaughton from a script by Richard Price, this comedy-drama has its moments but never quite lifts off. De Niro plays a shy type nicknamed Mad Dog who accidentally saves Murray's life. In gratitude, Murray "gives" him a girl, Glory (Uma Thurman), who is supposed to satisfy his needs and make him feel good. Instead, the photographer falls in love with her. When the gangster wants her back, the photographer says no, triggering an unlikely showdown. Murray is scarily funny as a mobster who wants to be a standup comic, but De Niro plays this nonentity as, well, a nonentity. Thurman is luminous; who wouldn't want to fight over her? --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (17)

A Little Known Gem
I found MAD DOG & GLORY completely by accident. I didn't even know it existed and, judging from the little written about it on this page, not many people do. However, a bored look into DeNiro's filmography got me interested in watching this.

I wasn't disappointed. DeNiro plays a quiet cop (ironically nicknamed Mad Dog) who saves a small-time gangster (played with zest by Bill Murray) during a holdup. As thanks, Murray "lends" one of his bar girls to DeNiro for a week. However, DeNiro's character falls in love with the girl (Glory, played by Uma Therman) and refuses to let he go back to Murray.

That's the premise. It seems like a basic love story, but the complexity of MAD DOG & GLORY lies in its characters and dialogue. Scenes that would otherwise drag with tedium are injected with a strong script and characters that are well crafted.

in protest
the only reason i'm typing this is to offset the hyperbolic one-star review below. i didn't run from the theater shouting 'incredible' after seeing mad dog, but when i saw it in a store... used, i bought it. i run it in the background often, and i've watched it intently about 4 times. this movie is funny, well-paced (slow!), and NOT painful. is it believable? no. nice atmosphere though. in my opinion, there are enough good characters and moments to justify the price. deniro's cop buddy, mike, is entertaining and different. the hood guys are amusing. the music is soothing and classic. i enjoyed watching deniro's personality change on the job after getting a little; that scene was a blast. bottom line? don't believe a review which criticizes in the harshest terms but, after proclaiming the task hopeless, doesn't even begin to justify its view. that's lazy, and it's unfair to a movie which was obviously made with care and affection. i like this film very much.

Mad Dog and Glory very disappointing comedy
"mad dog and glory" don't let the catchy title and blockbuster cast of robert deniro, uma thurman, and bill murray fool you, this is a bad movie from 1993. yes despite this talent of stars, the movie is a big let down for fans of deniro's and thurmans. however bill murray gives perhaps one of his comedic/dramatic performances ever. in fact not surprising

as far deniro goes though, his performance is bloody awful. some people say an actor acts "effortlessly" when he gives a good performance, however in deniro's case that seems to be opposite as their is hardly any acting all. however, this stems from the fact that most of the characters in mad dog and glory are utterly weak and pathetic, with the exception of murray.

In fact i still found the movie hard to watch despite murray's performance. the plot of the movie is that bumbling cop (deniro) name mad dog doobie stumbles onto a robbery in progress. he sees a man holding up a liquor store with a tall man (murray) as the hostage. murray's character is a riot, telling mad dog to blow away the sucker like dirty harry.

Mad dog doesn't and the assailant escapes, though i believe he is captured later on though that isn't relevant here.
Murray's character as we learn is a top and tough mafia boss named frank milo. milo is quite a character almost larger than life, he demands respect and if you cross him your dead.
milo though loves mad dog as he has just saved his life in this holdup. milo knowing that mad dog is a cop (although not a good one) offers his services as a mafia boss to mad dog.
Dobie refuses using one of the few morals he has, however milo comes up with another proposition, he wants to be dobie's "friend". lol in fact he wont take no for an answer.
dobie accepts for the mean time, not seeing any harm in that.

Milo eventually introduces the lame brain cop to his new girl "Glory" (Uma Thurman) an attractive woman who we learn is Milo's main squeeze, however better put, she is a prostitute, she is one of many objects that Milo owns".
When Dobie sees Glory and Milo offers "Glory's" services (i.e sex). Dobie refuses. It seems this cop actually lives up to his mom of being clean unlike other corrupt cops or is he?

(Some possible spoilers)

Well not exactly, despite Dobie's claim that he is a good cop and he is sworn to upload the law, he breaks his own rules and laws and decides to "borrow" Glory. When he is through with the companionship, he agrees to give her up.
Trouble is he doesn't. When Milo comes looking for Glory an altercation erupts that basically sets up the conflict and what happens in the rest of the movie. Milo wants Glory back at any price. He is willing do anything including messing up Dobie's life to do it.

I actually made that sound more interesting that it really is. "Mad Dog and Glory" is essentially a part black comedy and part dramatic film. Problem is I wasn't really in the areas I should of probably because of the set of repugnant characters on screen no matter how dysfunctional and stupid they are.

A cop who despite his own morals decides to break them when it suits em, doesnt obviously appeal to me or audience. Glorys character despite being the "victim" of sorts doesn't always come out. In a couple of scenarios her reactions dont have the reactions that a victim would have.

However as far as performances go I definitely think Uma Thurman did a much better job and any good critic could see that as her character is much more complex that Deniro's.

A woman whose caught in the middle of the bad situation and whose life depends on what she'll do next is pretty interesting. However the Glory character despite isn't as well developed as that. She gives in too easily to intimidation and greed instead of firmly making a decision one way or other.

Now the Milo character (Bill Murray) is great, in fact this character is hilarious as hell, despite his presence of being a Mafia boss, who can kill anyone at will and get away with it, hes extremely funny and clever. During one point, he fools the donut eating precint where Dobie works into thinking that he is a "baker" and that he is an old friend of Dobie's. LOL During other instances, he sends it goons to do his dirty work against Mad Dog in such a vile pathetic way that it's almost a joke. Murray is great as this character, for his performance the movie is worth watching.

However again, "Mad Dog and Glory:" is still a heavily flawed film, you kinda what your gonna get in the film and Deniro's utterly, weak, spineless and hypocritical character almost leave you feeling dry and bitter by the end of the film. Hell you want this character to die by the end of the film. It's awful, one of a long string of weak characters that Deniro would play in the 1990's up until "Analyze This".

The movie was directed by John McNaugton if you never of him that's because he's not that good. Hes made a dozen or so films however only really two stand out in my mind "Wild Things" (1998) and "Henry Portrait of A Serial Killer" (1986) with Michael Rooker which is by far the scariest and best movie about serial killers in general (forget about that trash called "Monster" with Charlize Theron) this movie is the real thing.

Uma Thurman of course is hot , she's sizzling ever since she and Quentin Tarantino, did "Kill Bill" everyone seems to be hopping on the Uma Thurman bandwagon, yet a couple of years they were writing her of after she a couple of flops like "The Avengers". Hilarious

A strange but good movie
For people who have been walking around with a conception of Bill Murray as a funny nice guy, this movie is a wake up call. Those who would speculate that Murray vs. DeNiro would be a cinematic mismatch would be correct, but likely for the wrong reason. Murray steals the movie and DeNiro can't match him. The better actor is Murray. Slowly but surely people are starting to understand that Murray is a fine actor with an amazing presence.

This is a GREAT film especially w/the usual roles reversed!
1st off let me say I have alot of trouble with the reviewer whom
said that "Cape Fear" "really hurt DeNiro's career."

To me nothing could be further from the truth! I also disagreed
vehemently with the 'professional critics' whom said things about
DeNiro's performance in "Cape Fear" like the one whom said DeNiro's performance was "overboard" & that, "He was chewing the
prop scenery, up, with his over the top performance."

This is ridiculous, and DeNiro's performance as the unstopable
Max Cady, to me is one of his finest performances! But to the review:

I always thought "Mad Dog and Glory" was a great film & a great vechicle for the great DeNiro...& a superb performance!

What a novel idea to switch roles from DeNiro's 'always'(seemingly)playing the hated bad guy, & allowing him to play a somewhat cowardly policeman, & to have the
similarly always used for comedy, Bill Murray play the underworld figure!

DeNiro's work as that other than a 'tough guy' or 'mobster' was always dismissed by 'critics' & film goer's until his roles in films "Meet The Parents" or "Analyze This". I knew DeNiro could play ANY role in a great way ever since I saw the early film "Bang the Drum Slowly"(where DeNiro plays a sickly southern
boy baseball catcher)or an even earlier film that 'apparently" NO
ONE else saw, "The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight", a low budget film based on the Jimmy Breslin novel, that DeNiro actually saves!!

The plot of "Mad Dog & Glory" is a solid one, and gets2 fine
actors(DeNiro & Murray)to play roles the viewer's are unacustomed
to seeing them in! I thought DeNiro's Mad Dog was brilliant, as was Murray's 'gangster! Also, Ms. Thruman's role is very good as is that of David Caruso(who's career has really been mostly in the tank after he left "NYPD Blue", a curse that seems to follow
everyone that leaves!(Just look at Kim Delaney-Nick Tuturro-Jimmy Smits, to name a few!) Caruso's part of the tough as nails
partner to Mad Dog is 1 of his best!

This is another of my many favorite films by Mr. DeNiro, and there are ALOT of them out there. Unfortunately DeNiro, much like his friend & cohort director Martin Scorsese,often have had their great performances & directorial jobs, slighted by the
snobbish "Academy Award" people! That's not that big a deal because this is usually offset by both winning awards from either the Cann Film Festival, or NY & L.A. film critics awards
along with others!

If you love a good story, & fine acting check out "Mad Dog & Glory" it's a film worthy of praise. I'd give you my list of other great film performances by DeNiro, & films by Scorsese, but we be here all day! Steven ... Read more

Reviews (4)

ANARCHY TV- An Equal Opportunity Satire
Channel 69 is a religious cable channel which is suddenly taken over by a group of young social anarchists, whose aim is to jump-start the social revolution by means of televising nude aerobics. Sound strange?
Well, this is the premise, in a nutshell, of ANARCHY TV. In this sometimes achingly funny little movie, the satire is equally aimed at all fronts-the Religious Right, Social Conservatives, Politicians, Televangelists,Law Enforcement, as well as politically correct, bleeding heart pseudo-liberal protest marchers in search of any cause about which to raise a placard and march in the streets. By focusing on the manipulative tactics of both sides of the political spectrum, ANARCHY TV successfully exposes the folly within each of these camps. While most of the cast seems wooden (Dweezil Zappa sleep walks through most of this film, and Alan Thicke never breaks out of his one note characterization of the Uber-Conservative), there are some very fine turns here too, most notably by Jonathan Penner, whose blend of the serious and the absurd help to keep the story from disintegrtaing into slapstick.
Although much of the movie is a wild comic ride with lots of unexpected turns around each corner, the story falls apart in the last 10 minutes, leaving this reviewer to wonder why such a biting satirical gem as ANARCHY TV lost its bite in the end.

Jonathan Blanks' Anarchy TV
Director Blanks brings Frank Zappa's children onboard in a decadent ninety minute comedy that entertains.

Channel 69 is the local public access station that plays shows like "Political Jeopardy" and "Eat Me." The shows lambast the establishment, and push free speech and individualism. It is run by cute couple Jerry (Jonathan Penner) and Natalie (Jessica Hecht), hilarious paranoid Frank (Matt Winston), Katie (Moon Zappa), and Sid (Dweezil Zappa). Natalie is also a teacher, working her political agenda into subversive elementary school plays, much to the principal's (Mink Stole) chagrin.

Natalie's dad is Reverend Wright (Alan Thicke), who buys the television station, disowns his daughter, and throws the group out onto the street. They try to protest their plight, but no one seems to care as no one was watching them in the first place. They hold a couple of disastrous rallies, where all their friends butt heads about their personal beliefs. They are thrown in jail, and eventually bailed out by Oriental prostitute/fan Tiffany (Tamayo Otsuki).

As the Christian station broadcasts on their station, the group hatches a new plan. They take the station by force and begin broadcasting their stuff again, much to the yawns and indifference of the viewing public. Even the police and press do not care. Frank discovers a safe in the station that holds the key to all his off-the-wall beliefs, and sets about breaking the combination.

Tiffany suddenly gets a great idea, and viewers begin tuning in- nude aerobics will do that. Soon, the little station terrorists find themselves to be media darlings, and people tune in, shedding their inhibitions and clothes as well. Eventually the film ends in Frank's shooting, as he discovers proof that the government executed radical Abbey Archer (George Wendt) with microwaves.

The film plays like a goofball version of "UHF." The film makers wisely lampoon conservatives as well as liberals, but usually spends way too much time beating it into their audience. The final few minutes, featuring the shooting, brings down all the silly fun of the film, and really ends on a sour note. The entire government-as-assassins angle absolutely fails.

Moon and Dweezil Zappa are very funny in supporting roles, as is Ahmet as an abusive cop. Matt Winston is a riot as paranoid Frank, questioning everyone's motives. The sketches in the film run hot and cold, but it helps that a middle ground is found. If you are offended by a joke one minute, Blanks finds something for you to laugh at the next. Actually, with free speech and personal freedom being preached, the political group who come off best in the film are the libertarians, not anarchists.

"Anarchy TV" is not great, but it has more laughs than some big screen successes, and contains off color humor that works better than any "American Pie" film. I recommend it, unless full frontal nudity (both sexes) and anti-establishment humor really bothers you...

This is unrated, and contains mild physical violence, mild gun violence, strong profanity, very strong female nudity, strong male nudity, strong sexual references, drug abuse, drug references, and adult situations.

Great film, funny stuff, but do we need the nudity?
I loved this movie, but the gratuitous nudity was a bit of a turn-off. It had nothing to do with the story and seemed like the director's way of jacking up the rating. I'm a big musical fan of the various Zappas and was happy to see Moon, Dweezil, Ahmet, and Diva in a film together. Dweezil Zappa's character is refreshingly sarcastic and the entire cast of Anarchy TV is very funny. This spoofish movie is a definite fave. The public access show "Eat Me" is my favorite, with some foul-mouthed kiddies that make the movie complete.

Funny stuff.

Anarchy TV
The film is a quite funny and refreshingly affirmative counter-culture take on religious hypocracy, police brutality and racism. It contains an amusing send up of so-called family values. I took my 14 year old son to see it. It is a healthful antedote to the banal and unimaginative twaddle on TV and in the movies. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

The worst movie I have ever seen
I could not believe that anyone could make a film as bad as this one until I actually saw it. Even 6 years after seeing it no other movie has come close to the depths that this movie reached. I read the other reviews and I am convinced that they were all written by the people involved in the film because no one in their right mind could sit through this without screaming at the screen. I cannot get this film out of my head, but for all the wrong reasons.

A bit slow...
Spoilers - A slow movie with two, similar and parallel, stories set 30 years apart. Kind of predictable except it is one of the few non-porn movies where a brother and sister aren't killed for commiting incest. Instead, the husband turns away and leaves the two lovers embracing at the end of the movie.

Scary for Grown Ups!
Before "Leaving Las Vegas" Mike Figgis directed this rather nasty adult thriller which features Kim Novak's most recent film appearance to date. She's brilliant in this small part as a dying woman reunited with the son she gave up for adoption. As she slips into morphine induced dementia, he stumbles into...incest?...adultery?...ghosts?... I'm not sure but anyway, my blood ran cold for weeks. This is recommended especially to people who miss Ken Russell's exuberant directorial excesses!

Contorted Love
The word Liebestraum has two meanings in German, "Dream of Love" or "Dreaming While Loving." Neither meaning would seem to be a suitable title for this dark film about obsessions and sins, and the ripple effects visited and revisited upon family members --unless it is that true love remains, in the end, out of reach. Liebestraum is also the title of a romantic musical piece by Schumann. A jazzed-up and decidedly unromantic, contorted version of the piece helps open the film. So perhaps the metaphor here is contorted love.

From the start, there is such a creepy and unnatural chill in the relationship between the featured lovers that I could not care about them or their situation. I actually suspected the twisted nature of the ties between them and some other characters halfway through the film, but was not bored after that. There is that much going on, what with the plot twists and trying to understand the meanings (or not) of all the really odd happenings in the film --like a letter falling off of a sign or the crude sherrif taking an unbeliabely long wiz'. Plus, my suspicions weren't confirmed and fully explained until the very end.

I did care about the fate of a frozen-in-time, caste iron building and also, oddly enough, about the man in charge of its demolition. A good man gone bad or a bad man with heartfelt remorse? Or both?? The feelings of this conflicted character are played out in the best five minutes of the film; the bar scene, and is one of the examples of why Bill Pullman is among the very best actors working today. There is a more recent film, The Guilty, in which he again manages to bring out the heart and complexities of a seemingly unsympathetic character. But in that film he was the star, rather than having just a handful of scenes to create that feat, as in Liebestraum.

SEXY KEVIN MAKES THIS A LITTLE GEM
I saw this film for the second time the other night. It is one of those films that people seem to have missed and I think it is quite difficult to get into or understand the first time you see it. But, having said all that if you stick with it is a sexy pot boiler of a film - that has a few plot twists/complications along the way. All the actors concerned, Kevin Anderson, Bill Pullman, etc are all really good, helped by a lot of sexual tension from the main characters. Basically the plot is that Kevin Anderson's character goes to see his dying mother in hospital and while he's back in his home town bumps into one of his old friends and his wife. His old friend (Bill Pullman) is knocking down an old building that is very different architecturally (it is made of cast iron) and Kevin Anderson is an architectural journalist, so this is of interest to him..........

There, now I've started you off - I'm not going to say anymore, except there some surprises to come! I know my description of the plot thus far may make the film sound boring - but believe me this is not a boring film! I do not want to give any of the plot away. Final verdit: very film noirish.

Love from Kevin Anderson's new fan - he's gorgeous!! ... Read more

Reviews (71)

Witty and Smart
"State and Main" is a David Mamet movie, and it shows. While more light-hearted than most of the his other works, it shares their stylized writing, understated cinematography, and brilliantly cynical humor. The movie follows the misadventures of a Hollywood film crew as they try to make a movie in small-town America, spinning locals and movie people alike into a whirlwind of hilarity.

Featuring an ensemble cast of excellent actors (Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Rebecca Pidgeon, David Paymer, William H. Macy, Sarah Jessica Parker, Alec Baldwin, Clark Gregg, and Julia Stiles, among others), "State and Main" relies on their energy and fast-paced paced interaction to keep the laughs coming. The characters they play are caricatures (the noble writer, the slick director, the skirt-chasing actor, the greedy producer), but they are nevertheless believable. The very absurdity of the characters is entertaining, but the humor is intelligent - there's nothing slapstick about this.

In fact, if the movie has a weakness, it is this very intelligence; at times, the writing seems a little self-conscious, the smartness a little stilted. Nevertheless, I'd much prefer a comedy to be too smart than not smart enough, and "State and Main" leans that way if it leans at all.

Aided by a punchy soundtrack, the film gets off to a quick start and maintains its pace throughout. The dialog has a staccato rhythm, and the lines are delivered with beautiful comedic timing. The underlying themes of second chances and the transience of the American Dream are clear, but unobtrusive.

I truly feel that this movie is an underrated masterwork, and I recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone who likes to laugh. I've watched "State and Main" at least five times, and it remains funny and engaging on each viewing - something I find very rare in a film. Buy this movie today, or rent it, or borrow it - you won't regret it.

David Mamet does it again
STATE AND MAIN is a clever pastiche on Hollywood and celebrity which is handled wonderfully by a superb cast and a cracking script by mastermind David Mamet.

The cast and crew of a big-budget film descend on a small New England town to take advantage of some of the province's picturesque places.

The brash director (William H. Macy) certainly has his work cut out for him as he juggles the production with his cast and crew's various emotional hang-ups. There's the heart-throb star (Alec Baldwin) who has a penchant for young girls, the gushing starlet (Sarah Jessica Parker) who is so eager to please but then refuses to do her contracted nude scene; and the sensitive, first-time screenwriter (Philip Seymour Hoffman).

But the real standout role is that of the wonderful Rebecca Pidgeon, who plays the local bookstore owner. She gives a glowingly understated performance.

Also featuring Charles Durning, Patti LuPone, Julia Stiles and Clark Gregg, STATE AND MAIN is a fantastic movie that is a real charmer.

Mainly Funny
Phillip Hoffman is searching for purity. Unfortunately his play has been purchased by a wild Hollywood movie crew, and they're off and shooting in Waterford, Vermont because Main Street is already there. It's cheaper than building a set. Then the town's folks, New Englanders, dry and pragmatic, mingle with Hollywood slime balls, daft, smooth-talking director, William H. Macy and screen idol, young girl chasing, Alex Baldwin. Sarah J. Parker of Sex in the City fame plays the nymphomaniac actress bedding everyone in sight. Small town smart girl Rebecca Pigeon and writer Hoffman make the necessary changes in the script and then they fall in love. A scandal threatens the shoot and somebody forgets the mayor's dinner party. There's plenty of manic fun here. I recommend for a good laugh. Also, is it just I or is William H. Macy the best actor in the world.

Not very good...
...But it gets one star for the brief moments that Ricky Jay has in the film and another for portions of Alec Baldwin's performance. Overall this is a stinker. Mamet is not a good director. He should stick to writing.

Enjoyable and fun
State and Main is a witty, intelligent, and funny movie. Worth owning. ... Read more

Reviews (45)

Good movie. Could have been great.
This movie could have been a lot better if it had a more competant director. Today it looks dated in places, and some of the dialogue delivery approaches camp at times (again, blame Mr Winner). Plot: after his wife and daughter are attacked by muggers (one being Jeff Goldblum)and Bronsons wife is stomped to death and his daughter raped and obscenely "tagged" with a can of spray paint, architect & Korean war conscientious objector Bronson acquires a gun on a business trip to Arizona and returns home to New York to embark on a one man vigilante rampage blasting street scum into oblivion. Bronson and Vincent Gardenia both give good perfomances, and the rape scene still has the power to jolt you out of your seat, but every time I see DEATH WISH I keep thinking of how it could be updated and remade... better. Still the fun of the series is to cheer Bronson on whenever he wastes some scumbag. This was the precursor to such revenge flicks as I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE and MS .45.

The Dark Knight.
It's hard to remember now, but there was a time when Michael Winner was just another director, one who produced some decent b-movies before having a freak hit that caught the mood of America at the time. 'Death Wish' was the hit - it elevated Charles Bronson to iconhood, and even today Winner's increasingly-laughable films have 'From the Director of 'Death Wish'' on the posters. This is the closet he ever got to creating a classic piece of cinema. This is based on a book, although the emphasis has been changed. Whereas the 'hero' of the novel was presented as a dangerous man who had eventually lost all reason, here, Bronson is basically Batman - Dirty Harry without restraint. As such, it's ambivalent. On the one hand, there's a primal kick in watching Bronson blow away thugs, but on the other hand it's hard to believe that real-life would be so clear-cut, and subsequent witch-hunts of paedophiles, satanists and rock fans show that it's hard to put rage back into the bottle from whence it came. The sequels became increasingly-harder to take seriously, and the bazooka-toting 'Death Wish 3' is a modern classic of silliness. As with all Winner's films, it looks like a television movie, and as with all Bronson's films, Bronson is Bronson - an older, grizzled tamplate for Schwarzenegger et al, he acts not as Paul Kersy but as Charles Bronson, movie star. It is, at the very least, interesting.

Your Typical Evening On A Saturday!
GREAT ACTING BY CHARLES BROSNAN! ENJOYABLE TO WATCH. REALLY GREAT CINEMATIC PIECE!

carbolic acid
This is the original in the Death Wish series,and its still the best.Paul Kersey(Bronson)is devastated after his wife and daughter are raped and killed,he goes on a killing rampage of revenge.As he dispatches each thug with his own brand of justice,we cheer their deaths from Kersey`s trusty 32 caliber revolver.This film is a favorite of vigilante justice supporters.

CONTROVERSY IS GOOD.
I don't remember too many films from the 1970's the earned an entire OP/ED page in the N.Y. Times, but this urban classic did. Controversy proved to be good box office and Bronson became a superstar as Paul Kersey. DEATH WISH is a taunt thriller that sparked more than one water cooler discussion in 1974. Michael Winner worked this one into a poster child for street justice and inspired more than a few real life imitators (the ad campaign boasted: "Paul Kersey is going to kill 3 muggers tonight: One for his murdered wife, one for his raped daughter and one for you!"). What was more unfortunate is that DEATH WISH became a parody of itself with 4 awful sequels. Forgot the rest, cheer for Bronson here everytime he caps a bad guy. ... Read more