Reviews (9)

Not as good as I remembered
I saw this on cable a few years back and I really enjoyed it. I like Michael Caine in about anything. I couldn't wait for it to be released on DVD and I was a bit disappointed on second viewing. I think there is something to be said about expectations. It wasn't bad on second viewing, but I loved it the first time.

Punchy stinging black comedy of the workplace
Here's where Michael Caine shines, as a corporate exec who gets passed over for the promotion he's so feverishly expecting he'll get in favor of a young Turk--well played by Peter Reigert--who lords it over Caine's character in subtle (and not so subtle) ways. Caine's wife, also well played by Swoosie Kurtz, one of the great unknown American stage and film actresses, is a serious [problem] to him. So he has two people in his life who are supremely annoying.

What does he do? Well, let's just say that his solution to these two problems ends in the population of the world changing, shall we?

The dialogue in this very smart blackly comic thriller is sharp as a razor; it's a lot of fun to watch Mr. Caine give us his best as a put upon exec who's more than capable of flying into a rage at the drop of a hat and of executing his very sneaky and well thought out plans for revenge. Also on hand is Elizabeth Perkins, an equally intelligent office colleague who attracts Caine in more ways than one, but does not suspect him of any wrongdoing at all. That is, until...

One of the best office comedies around, A Shock to the System is a stinging portrait of greed and selfishness in America--for my money, far better than the somewhat overblown Wall Street. This is a movie that gives you a great evening's entertainment and part of the reason for that may be to secretly exact vengeance upon those corporate bigwigs who've prevented you from getting a job for so long, given this miserable economy.

Great job. Highly recommended.

Play Naughty; Win Big
Michael Caine is marvelous when playing a happy villain. He was impossibly beautiful as a young man, but middle aged Michael with serious bags under his eyes and a slight weight problem has an air of wounded vanity, as if he can't quite understand how things went wrong.

Caine, as Graham Marshall, is a fairly successful marketing director with an expensive home, an expensive and slightly boring wife, and is desperately anticipating a promotion for his many years of diligence. He is stunned when he is passed over for a young, brash associate. Graham has an epiphany when a particularly smarmy panhandler enrages him, and Graham impulsively shoves him off the subway platform in the path of an oncoming train. No one has seen him and Graham muses on his "magical" powers. He quickly and cleverly dispatches the wife and the business rival, gets rid of his white elephant of a house in the suburbs, boards the pets and gets a tasteful apartment in Manhattan. Though homicide Lt. Laker (Will Patton with a splendid Long Island accent) is suspicious, nothing can be proved. Graham not only gets the promotion, he has his eye on taking over the company, dispatching his rivals on his upward climb.

What keeps the tension intact is the victims are not cartoon-like villains. The wife is irritating, but not evil. The youngster who beat him out for the promotion is vulgar, but it is clear he is clever and competent. We just cannot help but cheer Graham on his nefarious way. Michael Caine's glee and satisfaction are catching.

There is more than a whiff of Alec Guinness's "Kind Hearts and Coronets" in Caine's performance, but Michael Caine has a knack for villainy all his own. "Shock to the System" may be a trifle of a movie, but it is a highly enjoyable trifle. ....

Michael Caine is brilliant in this black comedy.
You're here so you're probably a Michael Caine fan. So, the crux of the issue is; Is this a performance you need to see? The answer is yes. If you're a fan of Michael Caine's you HAVE to buy this film. He is absolutely brilliant in it. No other actor could have pulled this off. The wicked, sly, dark humor, the subtlety, killing people and making you believe it, laugh
about it, and actually root for him. Caine nails it. If you're a Caine fan, you're not looking for some big obvious slap-stick comedy, you're looking for something a little more off-beat and
original. You found it. Enjoy.

Defines black humor
This is a witty, morbidly funny movie. It's weak in spots, andthe occult "magician" comments in Michael Caine's voice-over narration is perhaps a little misplaced. But it is an original movie, and entertaining, and as Michael Caine said when making it, "The thing is, this guy is murdering people, BUT YOU ARE ON HIS SIDE." After seeing this movie, you might find yourself looking at conniving rats in your life and thinking back to this movie! Even though Michael Caine plays an Englishman, it takes place in New York, and is a VERY American piece, in that it shows the absolute subtext of all American life is that you MUST be a success. I've seen this movie a number of times. The humor is twisted. But good... ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Not as good as I remembered
I saw this on cable a few years back and I really enjoyed it. I like Michael Caine in about anything. I couldn't wait for it to be released on DVD and I was a bit disappointed on second viewing. I think there is something to be said about expectations. It wasn't bad on second viewing, but I loved it the first time.

Punchy stinging black comedy of the workplace
Here's where Michael Caine shines, as a corporate exec who gets passed over for the promotion he's so feverishly expecting he'll get in favor of a young Turk--well played by Peter Reigert--who lords it over Caine's character in subtle (and not so subtle) ways. Caine's wife, also well played by Swoosie Kurtz, one of the great unknown American stage and film actresses, is a serious [problem] to him. So he has two people in his life who are supremely annoying.

What does he do? Well, let's just say that his solution to these two problems ends in the population of the world changing, shall we?

The dialogue in this very smart blackly comic thriller is sharp as a razor; it's a lot of fun to watch Mr. Caine give us his best as a put upon exec who's more than capable of flying into a rage at the drop of a hat and of executing his very sneaky and well thought out plans for revenge. Also on hand is Elizabeth Perkins, an equally intelligent office colleague who attracts Caine in more ways than one, but does not suspect him of any wrongdoing at all. That is, until...

One of the best office comedies around, A Shock to the System is a stinging portrait of greed and selfishness in America--for my money, far better than the somewhat overblown Wall Street. This is a movie that gives you a great evening's entertainment and part of the reason for that may be to secretly exact vengeance upon those corporate bigwigs who've prevented you from getting a job for so long, given this miserable economy.

Great job. Highly recommended.

Play Naughty; Win Big
Michael Caine is marvelous when playing a happy villain. He was impossibly beautiful as a young man, but middle aged Michael with serious bags under his eyes and a slight weight problem has an air of wounded vanity, as if he can't quite understand how things went wrong.

Caine, as Graham Marshall, is a fairly successful marketing director with an expensive home, an expensive and slightly boring wife, and is desperately anticipating a promotion for his many years of diligence. He is stunned when he is passed over for a young, brash associate. Graham has an epiphany when a particularly smarmy panhandler enrages him, and Graham impulsively shoves him off the subway platform in the path of an oncoming train. No one has seen him and Graham muses on his "magical" powers. He quickly and cleverly dispatches the wife and the business rival, gets rid of his white elephant of a house in the suburbs, boards the pets and gets a tasteful apartment in Manhattan. Though homicide Lt. Laker (Will Patton with a splendid Long Island accent) is suspicious, nothing can be proved. Graham not only gets the promotion, he has his eye on taking over the company, dispatching his rivals on his upward climb.

What keeps the tension intact is the victims are not cartoon-like villains. The wife is irritating, but not evil. The youngster who beat him out for the promotion is vulgar, but it is clear he is clever and competent. We just cannot help but cheer Graham on his nefarious way. Michael Caine's glee and satisfaction are catching.

There is more than a whiff of Alec Guinness's "Kind Hearts and Coronets" in Caine's performance, but Michael Caine has a knack for villainy all his own. "Shock to the System" may be a trifle of a movie, but it is a highly enjoyable trifle. ....

Michael Caine is brilliant in this black comedy.
You're here so you're probably a Michael Caine fan. So, the crux of the issue is; Is this a performance you need to see? The answer is yes. If you're a fan of Michael Caine's you HAVE to buy this film. He is absolutely brilliant in it. No other actor could have pulled this off. The wicked, sly, dark humor, the subtlety, killing people and making you believe it, laugh
about it, and actually root for him. Caine nails it. If you're a Caine fan, you're not looking for some big obvious slap-stick comedy, you're looking for something a little more off-beat and
original. You found it. Enjoy.

Defines black humor
This is a witty, morbidly funny movie. It's weak in spots, andthe occult "magician" comments in Michael Caine's voice-over narration is perhaps a little misplaced. But it is an original movie, and entertaining, and as Michael Caine said when making it, "The thing is, this guy is murdering people, BUT YOU ARE ON HIS SIDE." After seeing this movie, you might find yourself looking at conniving rats in your life and thinking back to this movie! Even though Michael Caine plays an Englishman, it takes place in New York, and is a VERY American piece, in that it shows the absolute subtext of all American life is that you MUST be a success. I've seen this movie a number of times. The humor is twisted. But good... ... Read more

Reviews (2)

VERY GOOD - BEAUTIFUL SCENERY
After failing to accomplish his 'last hit' a CIA hitman (Bryan Brown) decides he wants to retire from the business. However, he finds that is not as easy as he expected. Unknowingly, he becomes involved with the daughter of the target of his last hit with some very surprising consequences.

Bryan Brown is excellent as Michael Grant. Filmed in the beautiful countryside of New Mexico.

INTRIGUING - GREAT PLOT
Intriguing story line. A CIA assassin, (Brown) decides that he has had enough and backs out on his last hit. He gets involved with the daughter of his target.

However, being able to retire from the agency is a little more difficult than he imagines with surprising consequences. Brown is, as usual, very good as Michael Grant.

Beautiful scenery, set in the hills of New Mexico.

When is the sequel???? ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Not as good as I remembered
I saw this on cable a few years back and I really enjoyed it. I like Michael Caine in about anything. I couldn't wait for it to be released on DVD and I was a bit disappointed on second viewing. I think there is something to be said about expectations. It wasn't bad on second viewing, but I loved it the first time.

Punchy stinging black comedy of the workplace
Here's where Michael Caine shines, as a corporate exec who gets passed over for the promotion he's so feverishly expecting he'll get in favor of a young Turk--well played by Peter Reigert--who lords it over Caine's character in subtle (and not so subtle) ways. Caine's wife, also well played by Swoosie Kurtz, one of the great unknown American stage and film actresses, is a serious [problem] to him. So he has two people in his life who are supremely annoying.

What does he do? Well, let's just say that his solution to these two problems ends in the population of the world changing, shall we?

The dialogue in this very smart blackly comic thriller is sharp as a razor; it's a lot of fun to watch Mr. Caine give us his best as a put upon exec who's more than capable of flying into a rage at the drop of a hat and of executing his very sneaky and well thought out plans for revenge. Also on hand is Elizabeth Perkins, an equally intelligent office colleague who attracts Caine in more ways than one, but does not suspect him of any wrongdoing at all. That is, until...

One of the best office comedies around, A Shock to the System is a stinging portrait of greed and selfishness in America--for my money, far better than the somewhat overblown Wall Street. This is a movie that gives you a great evening's entertainment and part of the reason for that may be to secretly exact vengeance upon those corporate bigwigs who've prevented you from getting a job for so long, given this miserable economy.

Great job. Highly recommended.

Play Naughty; Win Big
Michael Caine is marvelous when playing a happy villain. He was impossibly beautiful as a young man, but middle aged Michael with serious bags under his eyes and a slight weight problem has an air of wounded vanity, as if he can't quite understand how things went wrong.

Caine, as Graham Marshall, is a fairly successful marketing director with an expensive home, an expensive and slightly boring wife, and is desperately anticipating a promotion for his many years of diligence. He is stunned when he is passed over for a young, brash associate. Graham has an epiphany when a particularly smarmy panhandler enrages him, and Graham impulsively shoves him off the subway platform in the path of an oncoming train. No one has seen him and Graham muses on his "magical" powers. He quickly and cleverly dispatches the wife and the business rival, gets rid of his white elephant of a house in the suburbs, boards the pets and gets a tasteful apartment in Manhattan. Though homicide Lt. Laker (Will Patton with a splendid Long Island accent) is suspicious, nothing can be proved. Graham not only gets the promotion, he has his eye on taking over the company, dispatching his rivals on his upward climb.

What keeps the tension intact is the victims are not cartoon-like villains. The wife is irritating, but not evil. The youngster who beat him out for the promotion is vulgar, but it is clear he is clever and competent. We just cannot help but cheer Graham on his nefarious way. Michael Caine's glee and satisfaction are catching.

There is more than a whiff of Alec Guinness's "Kind Hearts and Coronets" in Caine's performance, but Michael Caine has a knack for villainy all his own. "Shock to the System" may be a trifle of a movie, but it is a highly enjoyable trifle. ....

Michael Caine is brilliant in this black comedy.
You're here so you're probably a Michael Caine fan. So, the crux of the issue is; Is this a performance you need to see? The answer is yes. If you're a fan of Michael Caine's you HAVE to buy this film. He is absolutely brilliant in it. No other actor could have pulled this off. The wicked, sly, dark humor, the subtlety, killing people and making you believe it, laugh
about it, and actually root for him. Caine nails it. If you're a Caine fan, you're not looking for some big obvious slap-stick comedy, you're looking for something a little more off-beat and
original. You found it. Enjoy.

Defines black humor
This is a witty, morbidly funny movie. It's weak in spots, andthe occult "magician" comments in Michael Caine's voice-over narration is perhaps a little misplaced. But it is an original movie, and entertaining, and as Michael Caine said when making it, "The thing is, this guy is murdering people, BUT YOU ARE ON HIS SIDE." After seeing this movie, you might find yourself looking at conniving rats in your life and thinking back to this movie! Even though Michael Caine plays an Englishman, it takes place in New York, and is a VERY American piece, in that it shows the absolute subtext of all American life is that you MUST be a success. I've seen this movie a number of times. The humor is twisted. But good... ... Read more

Description

The Blue Diner is a film about food, memory, language, and caskets.It is the story of a Puerto Rican mother and daughter living together in Boston and the difficulties they encounter when the daughter, Elena, mysteriously loses her ability to speak Spanish, her first language. Everyone has a theory about the origin of Elena's misfortune, but no one knows for certain what has caused the tragic and absurd event. As Elena's language disappears, her boyfriend's painting inexplicably appears at the Fine Arts Museum where her mother works. In a misguided attempt to obtain an artist's visa, his actions unleash a world of misunderstanding and trouble for Elena and her mother. As the relationship between mother and daughter deteriorates, the two women are forced to confront each other and their murky past. A haunting song, a missing father, and a plate of fried brains help to reunite Elena, her mother, and her language. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Finally a Solution for Satisfying Bilingual Audiences!
As the Hispanic/Latino population grows in the US we are gifted with more and more movies in Spanish from Spain, Argentina, Mexico, and other Latin American countries. Some directors have attempted to maintain one language for these films and present them with subtitles. That always seems like the director doesn't pay attention to the need for bilingual status, especially in such states as California. Thus it is a special pleasure to view THE BLUE DINER, a dandy little film that is honest, deals with issues of immigrant perceptions and problems as well as trials and triumphs, and delivered in a bilingual spoken format. Jan Egleson wrote and directed this well paced story about a Puerto Rican mother (Miriam Colon) who moves to Boston, working proudly in housekeeping at a museum to pay for her daughter Elena's education (Lisa Vidal). Meche (the mother) speaks little English; her daughter has gone to school and has a good job in a mortuary where her skills as being bilingual allow her to climb the 'corporate ladder'. She is dating the owner of the mortuary Brian (John Mulcahy) who is attempting to learn Spanish. Elena's heart secretly belongs to Tito (Jose Yenque), a fellow Puerto Rican, who works as an artisan making caskets to support his real dream of becoming established as a fine artist. Elena's duplicity of response to Brian and to Tito is complicated by her mother's demand that she court only the 'Americano' with all the supposed success that implies. The secret of Elena's father's identity and history begins to play into the love triangle, Tito sneaks one of his paintings into the museum where Meche works the night shift, Meche is blamed for the breech in museum security, the tension produces a 'stroke' in Elena whose only symptom is that she is unable to speak or understand her native tongue of Spanish, and it is only through the loving intervention of Papo (William Marquez) at his home base Blue Diner that all ends well.

The story is delightful, the actors are excellent, but the major pleasure of this film is that it is respectfully half in English and half in Spanish. Subtitles are provided, of course, but the conversations encourage us to try to understand both languages. I think this shows profound respect for the audience and it is to Egleson's credit that this film succeeds so well. A good story, with significant social commentary, and very well acted.

A great movie!
This is an excellent film about culture, love and life in general. This film appeals to all people and brings up some great questions about the challenges of losing one's culture to the "American Way."

FINALLY A FILM THAT SHOWS US LATINOS AS HUMANS
I was overjoyed to see the depth of the characters in this film. There they were in all their humanity and joy - they were latins! Finally, an american film that shows latins not as prostitutes, gangsters, etc. I am very proud these people made this film. I hope many non-latin americans get to see it and discover that we are just like they are! The story is very simple but elegant in its simplicity and is full of humor and some moments of despair. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Overall, a Satisfying Hillerman Adaptation
"Coyote Waits", brought to the small screen by the same team that produced the lamentable "Skinwalkers", is a satisfying experience for Tony Hillerman fans, for fans of movie mysteries in general, and for folks interested in the portrayal of Native Americans, in this case the Navajo (Dine'). It would appear that the writers listened to the complaints about "Skinwalkers" and came up with a story that adheres much more closely to Hillerman's plot and to the author's portrayal of his main characters, particularly Jim Chee (played by Adam Beach) and Joe Leaphorn (Wes Studi). Like any novel adapted into a two-hour movie, there are conflations of characters and substantial trimmings in the narrative. Nonetheless, the major plotlines in the book are dealt with here in a generally satisfactory way, although the climax was a bit too pat based on the information that the viewer was given during the course of the investigation into the death of Officer Delbert Nez. The principal character change in the film involves the substitution of Leaphorn's wife Emma(who died in the earlier book) for Professor Borbonnette, a change that is not particularly jarring in this context. Kept intact from the book is the relationship between the traditionalist Chee (studying to be a haatali, or medicine man) and the rationalist Leaphorn (firmly in touch with his own Dine' culture, but deeply skeptical of some of its beliefs). All in all, the treatment accorded to "Coyote Waits" bodes well for future productions in the series. Hopefully, "Thief of Time" will be next.

"Perhaps we don't solve anything."
"We just rearrange the mystery"

For those who have read the book you will notice many instances where the story is altered and people moved around. The most striking is that Emma is still alive and the cat (Slim) is back. They had to add the character of Slick Naki to cut out about an hour of skinwalker investigation. I can say no more without giving away the mystery.

Jim Chee sits drinking coffee while partner Tribal Policeman Delbert Nez meets his demise. Chee catches the obvious perpetrator. A Navaho shaman, with a bottle in one hand and THE gun in his belt. Case closed.

Because of his guilt at not backing up his partner and at the insistence of Chee's on again and off again relationship with the defending attorney, Janet Pete, Chee must find out for him self what happened and if he may have made a mistake.
Because of a relationship through is wife, Emma, with Ashie Pinto's (the defendant) clan, and her insistence that Ashie is being railroaded, Joe Leaphorn must also investigate from a different angle. Emma helps in the investigation and lends support to Joe.

Both men are pushed into what looks like an endless number of overlapping mysteries of which the murder of Delbert Nez is just one. They - and we - must deal with the history of the CIA and that of witches. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Kevin Bacon Rocks!
I am amazed that I had never heard of this film before - it is really exceptional! I picked it up because it won a Sundance prize, and now I know why - the acting is fantastic and the story is really interesting, with a good twist at the end. Definitely worth checking out.

Excellent--Worth the 16 year wait!!
I was afraid this production was obscure enough it would never make it to video or DVD. The sets, staging and props are fantastic and capture the feeling of late 1950's southern California perfectly but that's minor compared to the talented casts' performance which is beyond 5 stars. It all comes together to create an amazing film that most are probably not aware of.

The DVD with its extras offers great insight into the making of this film. "The Making of Lemon Sky" with director Jan Egleson takes you through the creative process from start to finish and lets you in on why the finished product is so captivating and moving.

This is Kevin Bacon at his best. But the entire cast is riveting without exception. If you haven't seen or heard of "Lemon Sky" treat yourself to a unique film experience. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Finally a Solution for Satisfying Bilingual Audiences!
As the Hispanic/Latino population grows in the US we are gifted with more and more movies in Spanish from Spain, Argentina, Mexico, and other Latin American countries. Some directors have attempted to maintain one language for these films and present them with subtitles. That always seems like the director doesn't pay attention to the need for bilingual status, especially in such states as California. Thus it is a special pleasure to view THE BLUE DINER, a dandy little film that is honest, deals with issues of immigrant perceptions and problems as well as trials and triumphs, and delivered in a bilingual spoken format. Jan Egleson wrote and directed this well paced story about a Puerto Rican mother (Miriam Colon) who moves to Boston, working proudly in housekeeping at a museum to pay for her daughter Elena's education (Lisa Vidal). Meche (the mother) speaks little English; her daughter has gone to school and has a good job in a mortuary where her skills as being bilingual allow her to climb the 'corporate ladder'. She is dating the owner of the mortuary Brian (John Mulcahy) who is attempting to learn Spanish. Elena's heart secretly belongs to Tito (Jose Yenque), a fellow Puerto Rican, who works as an artisan making caskets to support his real dream of becoming established as a fine artist. Elena's duplicity of response to Brian and to Tito is complicated by her mother's demand that she court only the 'Americano' with all the supposed success that implies. The secret of Elena's father's identity and history begins to play into the love triangle, Tito sneaks one of his paintings into the museum where Meche works the night shift, Meche is blamed for the breech in museum security, the tension produces a 'stroke' in Elena whose only symptom is that she is unable to speak or understand her native tongue of Spanish, and it is only through the loving intervention of Papo (William Marquez) at his home base Blue Diner that all ends well.

The story is delightful, the actors are excellent, but the major pleasure of this film is that it is respectfully half in English and half in Spanish. Subtitles are provided, of course, but the conversations encourage us to try to understand both languages. I think this shows profound respect for the audience and it is to Egleson's credit that this film succeeds so well. A good story, with significant social commentary, and very well acted.

A great movie!
This is an excellent film about culture, love and life in general. This film appeals to all people and brings up some great questions about the challenges of losing one's culture to the "American Way."

FINALLY A FILM THAT SHOWS US LATINOS AS HUMANS
I was overjoyed to see the depth of the characters in this film. There they were in all their humanity and joy - they were latins! Finally, an american film that shows latins not as prostitutes, gangsters, etc. I am very proud these people made this film. I hope many non-latin americans get to see it and discover that we are just like they are! The story is very simple but elegant in its simplicity and is full of humor and some moments of despair. ... Read more