Amazon.com

Meryl Streep tried her hand at action films with this Curtis Hanson film and proved herself quite credible, bringing emotion as well as the willingness to kick butt. She plays a suburban mom and former white-water rafting guide who is taking her family on a raft trip for summer vacation. But overworked Dad (David Strathairn) can't make the trip, so she and her son leave without him--and walk right into trouble. Killers on the run (Kevin Bacon, John C. Reilly) abduct them and force Streep to take them down the most dangerous stretch of river to elude the cops. Hanson understands how to pace and construct this kind of action fodder, but it's strictly formula stuff, enlivened only by the depth of Streep's portrayal and the viciousness of Bacon's character. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (29)

THE WATER IS WIDE
Meryl Streep is certainly an amazing performer. Few actresses can enliven such a formulaic movie as "The River Wild." And yet, Streep's portrayal of Gail is as always brilliant. Meryl uses her exquisite face, and exhibits her continued range of performances in her first (and probably only) "action" role. She is truly the best of our generation's many fine actresses. Kevin Bacon is effectively chilling; Joseph Massello shows a good range for such a young actor; David Straitharn is at first too wooden, but as his character grows, so does his performance; John C. Reilly, as always, is efficiently supportive.
The vistas are beautiful and the final rafting scenes breathtaking. A good if not great film.

Good action, but could have been much better
Meryl Streep does an action heroine turn as Gail, a river guide in an unhappy marriage to David Sraithairn. For a change of pace, they hit the waters, where the family is forced to aid two runaway criminals (Kevin Bacon and John C. Reilly). This is a very different role for Streep, and she manages to make it fit and seems very believable. Bacon is somewhat threatening, and the river action scenes are all very good. BUT, this movie gets bogged down by the hokey plot contrivances (their dog who happens to magically appear at precise moments, Ranger Johnny (Benjamin Bratt, before Law & Order) and other plot holes. Good, but could have been a much better story.

The River Wild
I have enjoyed this movie since the release. I find the music and the scenery just wonderful. The action is great and without all of the flash of the movies today. It is a wonderful movie and I would recommend it for anyone who likes to watch movies.

Kevin and Meryl are wonderful together.......I love this movie!!

Oh boy
Kevin Bacon can so beautifully play a sadist, a charming and vicious creep, a bad guy that it's almost like he's not acting. And Meryle Streep, trying her hand here in an action film, NEVER seems to be acting - she's always stellar, completely immersed in her character. In The River Wild, Streep plays a suburban mom and former white-water rafting guide who is taking her family on a raft trip for summer vacation. She's a bit on the outs with her husband, who is, at the last minute, too busy to go along - so she and her son go it alone - and quickly run afoul of some killers on the lam. Bacon and a buddy, of course. They coerce Streep to take them down a terrifyingly dangerous stretch of river rapids to escape from the pursuing cops.
Marvelous. And Streep did all the river scenes without the use of a stunt double - which, if you've ever been white-water rafting on a Class 4 or 5 river, is utterly amazing.

Delicious for its gender content
I liked this movie because it explores:
1) that women can by physically and psychologically strong
2) that women can face challenges such as whether to possibly mistakenly kill a threatening person
3) that men can be strong around women who are strong
4) that the human spirit is resilient and can overcome extreme challenges

Plus the nature is great, the acting is excellent and the journey is interesting. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A potboiler featuring a demented caretaker and a seemingly hapless suburban family, this isThe Nanny of the 1990s. However, it is much more predictable than that 1965 Bette Davis psychodrama, and more graphic. It works only because Rebecca De Mornay makes us intensely uncomfortable as the disturbed au pair who wants to take care of much more than her employer's well-being.

Annabella Sciorra plays the perfect mother of a flawless family. Her obstetrician, however, is less than wonderful, having enjoyed her examination much more than he should have. When she files sexual harassment charges against the repugnant doctor, he loses face--literally--after shooting himself in the head. Several months later, an ideal nanny shows up at her home. You guessed it--she's the doc's widow.

The movie follows a tried and true formula, with the audience in on everything. However, the story does surprise us in intense and intimate ways. The visit to the obstetrician is one of the creepiest moments in the film. You definitely hear the voice of writer Amanda Silver in a plot concerned with the vulnerabilities of a family, a newborn, a marriage.

Since we know so much up front, there is an overall lack of inventiveness in the plot machinations. It may not jolt us, but De Mornay does. It's unsettling to watch someone who appears so attractive and who behaves so kindly suddenly reveal hideous psychopathic tendencies. Restraining herself from going over the top, she instead oozes such malevolence you'll want to shudder. --Rochelle O'Gorman ... Read more

Reviews (40)

Sick and disturbing realistic thriller
I first watched The Hand That Rocks the Cradle when I was very young. There are some great actors in this movie, such as Rebecca DeMornay, and Ernie Hudson, and Julianne Moore. I rented it a few nights ago, and I felt guilty and disgusted at the very thought of anyone, including myself, being entertined by such a sick film. The acting is fine, but the story is not a made up kind of thing. A story like this happens all the time, not quite as dramatic as the movie, but there are so many sick people out there who manipulate and deceive, and even kill. Rebecca DeMornay plays a sociopathic diabolical deeply disturbed woman seeking revenge on CLaire Bartel, after losing her husband, baby, and home. A sick person seeking revege is not a good mix. You can learn a thing or two from this film. I have learned by own experiences with sociopathic people. Number one is, if a person seems too good to be true, they aren't! No one is perfect and if they seem to be perfect they are definately without a doubt, acting!! If things start to go wrong, bad things, in a pattern, one happening after another, don't ignore it like Claire did. Being naive and blind is opening yourself to the enemy. An easy target is someone who trusts way too fast and opens up way too fast. To hire someone to watch after your kids, never on the third day tell them your life story. Every bit of private information you give them, they can use it against you, if they wanted to. Just like Payton did. There were so many sick things in the movie that made me want to just shut it off. The underwear scene, the greenhouse scene, the perfume on the dress scene, how on earth did she manage to get that far??? Anyone would stop and wonder why such things are happening. Bad luck? No, try a sick twisted person living in your home trying to destroy your life. It's a sick world we live in. That's why nowadays you can do background checks and criminal checks on the people you allow into your house to care for your kids. Always be alert and never ignore your instincts!!!

The Hand that Rocks the Cradle Rules the World!!!
"The hand that rocks the cradle" from 1992 and by Hollywood pictures was a great movie. i remembered it did create a buzz when it came out. the performances were good, but what really got it attention was this vile and almost mesmerizing character of peyton flanders (rebecca mornay). an over the edge psycho who wants to get revenge on one family because of a miscarriage she suffered over the fact that her husband , dr. mott (john de lancie) has been found guilty of sexually foundling his own patients.

Of course dr. mott has dr. mott has had a long history of doing this and his wife knows about it. however his dark secret is exposed by claire bartel (annabella sciorra) who while pregnant gets some unwanted sexually advances by the good old dr.

Bartel then is pointed as the first woman to come out as one of the dr. victim's and this causes a domino effect where other victims come of the closet to talk about the dr. the dr's games are over , however he can't deal with the fact that he has been exposed and going to prison, so he commits suicide (via a gunshot).

Peyton (mornay) loses their baby in the process and when she finds out miss bartel was the first victim to speak out she does what any typical psycho would do, she targets her for her revenge. the expression "hell on wheels" definitely applies here. Peyton's character is quite a sight for sore eyes, i haven't seen a psychotic character like this since glenn close's alex character in fatal attraction.

However, peyton doesn't launch an obvious assault on claire. no she's schemes to get into the family and then killing clare by posing as a nanny for hire in the family.

She then sets up the situation to get hired by making it look like the baby of the Bartel's is choking and thus saving her life. Pathetic. However the Bartels, Clare and Michael (Matt Mccoy) laughingly fall for the lies of Peyton despite the fact that she isn't whom she claims to be but then again the Bartel family is such a naive family that they are easily pluckings for Peyton's revenge.

For instance, Peyton is hired to be the "nanny" even though, she admits she wasn't sent by a nanny agency , she doesn't have clear cut references, and Marlena Craven (Clare's friend) doesn't like her one bit.

That about sums the movie itself in a way. It seems several characters are either too dumb or too naive to see what's going and this in turn leads to the disastrous things that happen at the hands of Peyton.

For example it seems that Clare has a sort of asthma problem and she must take her pills. Well one day, Michael (Matt Mccoy) must turn in an important proposal to his company. Clare volunteers to do it, but when her back is turned, Peyton hides the proposal thus ensuring some problems in the marriage of the Bartels. The stress caused on Clare causes her to have several asthma attacks yet she doesn't see that Peyton is responsible despite the warnings from Marlena or the obvious advances Peyton is making toward Michael. Yes that's right Peyton ever the home-wrecker tries to make sexual advances toward this gullible guy to break up the family.

Add further insult the other person who doesn't believe Peyton's nanny character is who she claims is Solomon (Ernie Hudson from Ghostbusters and Oz). Solomon is a black man who is mentally challenged, yet despite this Solomon has the intelligence to realize Peyton is a psycho. However, Peyton before Solomon has a chance to discuss his suspicions of her, gets rid of Solomon, thus leaving the Bartel family once again an easy target for her.

LOL I made it sound like a soap opera. But all kidding aside "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle" is a very intense psychological thriller. Probably the best that came after Fatal Attraction and was then followed by another thriller about a psycho woman in "Single White Female" with Bridget Fonda.

Revenge Of The Babysitter: The Classic Thriller
The Hand That Rocks The Cradle, released in 1992, seems to have opened up people's eyes to the real evil in some people who masquerade as babysitters or people of friendly nature you can confide in but who only wish to do harm. Although this is downright drama and sensational, the stuff thrillers are made of, some of its content can in fact occur in real life and there have been many a case that has proven true. It was a thriller in the early 90's, although it may appear rather tame by comparison to our present thriller movies. On DVD, the experience is fresh and the sound quality is incredibly good. The DVD features the original trailer and commentary. It stars Rebecca De Mornay as the scheming and murderous baby-sitter Peyton, Annabella Sciorra as Claire, the hapless wife. The story moves slowly, building up tension to a climatic finale.

Peyton's husband, an obstratrician, sexually molests Claire who files a complaint and seeks to get him in jail. The obstratrician commits suicide and triggers a miscarriage in Peyton, who was about to have his child. So, there it is. The set-up. Peyton really does have valid reasons to be angry. She has lost everything -her husband, her baby and her home. But she is so consumed with bitterness and by her desire for revenge that she is stripped of her humanity and becomes an authentic villain so perfect for this type of film. Rebecca De Mornay's non-threatening, beautiful and innocent Caucasian features are a perfect disguise. She takes a job as babysitter to Claire's daughter Emma. Now safe in the family's trust, she conducts scheme after scheme to destroy Claire and to exact revenge. She is breastfeeding Claire's infant to mark the child as hers(Peyton proves that women can be just as territorial as men and just as ruthless, perhaps more so) she wins Emma's trust and affection by forging a false friendship, she frames the black help, who is a bit weak and slow but proves heroic in the finale, by making Claire believe he is sexually molesting Emma -she hides Emma's panties in a drawer in the storage room. She even tries to break up Claire and her husband by making Claire believe that he is having an affair with his old friend and sweetheart (played by Julian Moore who ends up killed in the greenhouse by Peyton) and Peyton even attempts to seduce Claire's husband for herself! There is no stopping her until her come-uppance comes just in time for the ending.

The dangerous "outsider" coming into the safety of a perfectly happy family really works as a thriller in cinema. We cannot sympathize with Peyton, because she is a very corrupt and vicious woman. Although we would like to see Claire, Sciorra's character, be more defensive and try to protect her family and even eliminate the villain herself, we cannot help but worry how it will turn out for her since she is not a very strong woman and is in fact a victim of asthma. The real star of the show is Rebecca De Mornay anyways and so it was fitting that Claire is a weak contrast by comparison to Rebecca's powerfully evil performance. The location was shot in Southern California somewhere near the Hollywood Hills or perhaps a suburban community, is tailor-made for the ambiance of a dark film such as this one. Who'd ever guess that such intense crime could happen in a small town that looks blameless ? The music is effectively chilling, although the composer or music editor seems to have delighted in playing with the theme of innocence mingled with evil- the soprano aria "Poor Wondering One" from the Gilbert and Sullivan opera "The Pirates Of Penzance" is played repeatedly as it seems to be an album that Claire has in her house. At one point, the orchestral score twists the cheerful melody by using darker and menacing instrumental themes
so that "Poor Wondering One" sounds more serious and visceral.
The rest of the music is appropriately detached, shocking and like most other thiller movie scores.

An entertaining time waster
If you have a brain, you'll know how this movie will end up. The demented nanny. The saintly, stuttering black handyman whom she has fired. The mousy, asthmatic wife. The clueless husband. There are few surprises in this movie.

So why three stars instead of zero or one? Well, Rebecca DeMornay is effectively chilling in the role. She's pretty believable as the nanny who has her very real reasons for going off the deep end. (In fact one of the few surprises in the film is that she is given a solid reason for flipping out. In fact, I was kind of rooting for her over the very mousy Annabella Sciorra.)

The scene with DeMornay in the woman's bathroom at the arboretum was great. Her character, Payton, was quite soulless, and she made you feel her chill. She never plays a false note. The stares she gave could stop people in their tracks. You really do think this woman could kill.

Worth watching if your expectations aren't for a Casablanca or Gone with the Wind.

The 90's Classic Thriller About An Evil Babysitter
1992: I was too young to fully appreciate this film when it was first released. At this time in the early 90's, shocking thrillers of suspense dealing with the base instincts of humans for murder and revenge were very popular (Silence Of The Lambs won Best Picture) and the ever popular femme fatale- such as Sharon Stone's portrayal in Basic Instinct. Rebecca De Mornay rose to movie stardom at this time with her performance as Peyton, a vengeful and scheming baby-sitter. Rebecca De Mornay grew up in Europe although she was born in America - her father was the radical conservative talk show host Wally George whose show was popular in independent stations in the 80's and early 90's and who died recently. Opposite De Mornay is Annabella Sciorra, who plays the asthma-ridden but brave and good mother Claire, who has the seemingly perfect suburban dream life- a devoted husband, a daughter and a baby.

After it's been revealed that Claire's obstritician has sexually molested her, he commits suicide rathe than being put in jail. This triggers the consuming obscession for revenge in his widow, Peyton. Peyton takes a job as babysitter for Claire's baby and daughter Emma (played, it seems, by the child actress in Matilda).

Although Peyton comes off as innocent, helpful and utterly harmless, she slowly works her revenge over Claire and her family. She is breastfeeding Claire's baby without her knowledge, winning Emma's affection, gets rid of the African American help who knows too much, and even tries to seduce Claire's husband. The subtle way in which she does her evil is very frightening but the intensity grows most abundantly in the final portions of the film. This is a well-done movie, in almost Hitchcock psychological horror, and is a great adult film. I must stress that this is adult horror and that kids should not watch it. It would make them twice about their "real" babysitter. Of course, although there are a few bad apple babysitters, not all of them are like Rebecca De Mornay's wicked Peyton. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great fun, made even better by bright and talented cast
I first saw Losin' It on HBO in the early 1980's. It seems to have retained a certain something that demands repeat viewings, at least for me. Despite the "name" stars, Tom Cruise (in a pre-Top Gun role) and Shelley (I should have stayed on "Cheers") Long, this fun roadtrip film to Tijuana, Mexico is stolen away from them by Jackie Earle Haley as the sex-crazed, would-be Frank Sinatra, "Dave", who is on a quest for the mythical aphrodisiac, Spanish Fly and John P. Navin, Jr. as the capitalist kid, "Wimp", (my name is "Wendal"!!), who finances the trip in exchange for coming along to buy cheap fireworks to sell back home in California at a premium. One of the funniest scenes in the film takes place during an attempt by "Dave" to buy Spanish Fly in a Tijuana pharmacy. There are all the usual teen sex comedy gags, language and humor and some is unfortunately, quite tasteless and there is some brief nudity, as well. But, the bright and talented cast still manage to shine through and overcome things that might have diminished the efforts of other performers. It's definitely male, adolescent humor and not for all tastes or for those who are easily offended. But, all-in-all, it is a very funny film and is light-years better than other teen sex comedies, such as "Porky's", with it's forgetable cast of mostly unknowns who stayed that way. The exceptional cast of "Losin' It is this film's strength and they carry it. There is also some nice 1950's and 1960's music. I can personally highly recommend it to those who are looking for a fun film.

People think this is funny??
I bought this (luckily used for very cheap) after reading some of these reviews on Amazon. I didn't laugh at anything; the characters were too painfully one-dimensional. Even Cruise in an early part of his career (although post-Outsiders, which was a pretty good performance) was wooden.

The story is pretty standard fare for the "teen adventure comedy" and everything ends on an upbeat note.

A strange thing was that I thought it was set in or around 1983, when it was made - yes, Dave drives a '57 Chevy, but a lot of motorhead kids in my high school (in 1983) did similar. I did notice the Tijuana cop drove a 50's style car (not sure of model) but just assumed that public services in Tijuana couldn't afford anything more modern. But at the end, when they were queued up at customs, ALL the cars were 50s-types. I thought perhaps it was going to be some joke about a classic car rally - but since there wasn't, I can only conclude that this movie was taking place in the late '50s. You wouldn't know it from the story though - only from the cars.

Anyway, even if a TV channel was showing it for free, it's not worth watching. Lame, lame, lame. Watch "The Night Before" starring Keanu Reeves and you will be much more entertained (and intrigued) in a movie that has a similar kind of "high school kids in trouble after hours" feel.

You're Losin' It, Abusin' it if you don't like it
This has to be one of the most underrated teen movies in the 1980's, and I've been a fan of this movie since I was 14 and now that I'm 22, I still love this movie.

The story is about 3 high school seniors Dave (the Frank Sinatra/sex obsessed pal) Woody (the sensitive intellegent person) and Spyder (a tough boy from a broken home) who plan a trip to Tijuana in search of sex, but the plan backfires as Dave's little brother Wendel 'Wimp' comes along with them as well as a runaway bride (Shelley Long)
As they arrive in Tijuana, the boys go out and look for a good time and later they meet the crooked cops, insane marine sailors and junkyard ruffians and they decide to get out of Tijuana and make it across the border.

Even though this movie has a little plot, it's fun to watch this movie and it truly deserves more recognition with today's youth. This movie is alot better than today's teen flicks.

Losin' It loses its widescreen status
A MESSAGE FROM THE WWS:
(THE WIDESCREEN WATCHERS SOCIETY)

What a shame we the public (in this case Shelley Long and/or Losin' It fans) have been ripped off again by getting stuck with the horrible pan-and-scan mode known as "standard screen."

Widescreen has been used by 95% of all movies since 1953, and Losin' It came out in 1983 - yet although it was shot in widescreen we get nothing but standard screen.

Quality-wise, the 5 star rating system regarding DVDs should basically be awarded according to the following levels:

1 star - Standard screen version of widescreen movie, with no trailer or other features.
2 stars - Standard screen version of widescreen movie, with no other features except a trailer.
3 stars - Standard screen version of standard shot movie (most of which were of course done pre-1953.) Trailer and audio commentary could push it to 4 stars.
4 stars - Widescreen version of widescreen movie, with trailer and audio commentary, although maybe not with the cleanest picture or sound.
5 stars - Widescreen version of widescreen movie, with trailer, audio commentary and any other extras, all with perfect artifact-free picture and 5.1 or DTS sound.

Hopefully, Shelley's next movie due out on DVD will at least be in wonderful widescreen. (It is The Money Pit, slated for Feb. 3, 2003.)

And, hey - when are we also going to get a widescreen version of Shelley's masterpiece, Troop Beverly Hills? I think we've waited more than long enough!

~~~

UPDATE: Later in the summer of 2003, Troop Beverly Hills was indeed released on DVD... only in crummy standard screen. Thanks for yet another ripoff, guys.

And for those of you viewers who say you don't like those black widescreen lines at the top and bottom of your TV set, please bear in mind that in the near future all TVs will be widescreen and the big black bars will be virtually gone.

However, when you will try to play a standard screen DVD on the widescreen TV, big black bars WILL appear - this time at the right and left sides, which is a hundred times worse than top and bottom!

Think about it: a massive investment now in standard screen DVDs will in 2015 result in the same scenario as being stuck with hundreds of Beta tapes in 1985!

American teens
"sex and the American Teenager is a dramatic film which unveils the starling effects of the sexual revolution on the youth of America in the 1980's"

"Today's teenagers are more sexually active and begin their sexual life at an earlier age than ever before"

The video lets you see what teenagers think about sex, how they feel that sex will keep the relationship they are in together. It will show how both boys and girls think about it and how their veiws about sex changed from what that thought before they had it the first time to what they know now. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

I would like to point out Russell Crowe WAS born in NZ
I have seen LA Confidential and thought it was an absolutely brilliant movie. I am only 13 and really shouldn't have seen it but saw it anyway. I would like to strongly point out that Russell Crowe was actually born in NEW ZEALAND not Australia as they like to claim he is an Australian! I am pleased to finally let people from all over the world know that.

Thankyou and enjoy Russell Crowes new movie Gladiator and I reccommmend watching LA Confidential

A titanic picture
One of the best movies I have ever seen, and boy I have seen a lot. A masterful performance by the newcomer Crow. A must see.

THE MOST ACCURATE DEPICTION OF L.A.
This movie had it all. The screenplay was to perfection, the acting was superb, and the actors were just right for their parts. All in all, this movie (by my opinion) should have won more than it did. The screenplay and best supporting actress was not enough for this movies excellence. END ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Not in the same league as Hitchcock
This weak and contrived film is a very pale imitation of Hitchcock. It actually begins in a very promising way-Terry Lambert (Steve Guttenberg) is having an affair with his boss's wife (Isabelle Huppert). She witnesses an attack on a woman (Elizabeth McGovern) outside Terry's bedroom window, but he agrees to report it to the police as if he saw it so that their relationship will remain secret. His story (and the film's) begins to fall apart until eventually he is on the run for crimes he didn't commit.

With "L.A. Confidential," writer/director Curtis Hanson would later show that he is capable of crafting top-flight film fare, but he just doesn't make it here. The script is too far-fetched and the character's actions become increasingly implausible until the over-wrought, unconvincing conclusion. The decidedly low wattage of stars Guttenberg and McGovern doesn't help either.

Master trumped by apprentice.
This will probably be the only movie starring Steve Guttenberg that I'll give 5 stars to, so listen up. OK, that was a little harsh. Actually, Steve's tolerable here. He plays a yuppie who commences an affair with his boss's wife (Isabelle Huppert). While a yuppie probably isn't out of his range, French beauty Isabelle Huppert IS . . . but then, in Hitch's *Rear Window*, Grace Kelly was way out of Jimmy Stewart's league. Guttenberg, over and beyond his short-lived bankability in the mid-80's, was clearly a deliberate casting choice by director Curtis Hanson: he's a perfect Everyday Shmo that we can "identify" with, like Stewart's rubes used to be (before the country stopped being so corny). *The Bedroom Window* imitates Hitchcock in more ways than merely casting and the title. It "homages" the Master in the best way: by fashioning an exceedingly clever plot that compares favorably, in many cases MORE favorably, quite frankly, with Hitchock's narrative contrivances. The plot strands get SO involved that it's hardly worth trying to recount them; it's easier to just recommend the movie. *The Bedroom Window* is nothing less than a formally perfect imitation of elements in Hitchcock's best films. Even Guttenberg's perky acting ("I wanna turn myself in!" he chirps on the phone to the cops after he's on the run) is reminiscent of Cary Grant's smirking aplomb in the face of Kafka-esque bad luck in *North By Northwest*. And Elizabeth McGovern's disguise late in the movie recalls Kim Novak transforming physically for the sake of some guy's lust in *Vertigo*. Having said all this, you might be asking, "Why not just watch Hitchcock?" It's the perfect question for Gus Van Zant's pointless, unimaginative, frame-for-frame re-make of *Psycho*. But Hanson brings rancid new things to this genre that Hitchcock tended to avoid, things like individual culpability, black serendipity, and the notion that Doing the Right Thing can backfire on you if you're a compromised person . . . and who isn't? These themes, straight out of novelist Patricia Highsmith's work, provide chocolate for Hitchock's peanut butter. What can I say -- I like Reese's.

A TENSE-FILLED SUSPENSEFUL THRILLER!!!!!!!
I must say that this movie was very good and intelligently written. It does a great job at keeping you guessing what will happen next!!! It has an atmospheric style to it and it delivers the goods!
If you haven't seen this movie, please do!!!
This film was originally released in 1987 and it still holds it's own today!!!!
This movie was exceptional and I am glad that I came across it!!!!
In the style of Alfred Hitchcock, Director/Writer Curtis Hanson has given us this film classic!!!
This is great entertainment that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat!!!

Counterfeit Hitchcock
Start with a shaky premiss, add some unlikely plot twists, some suspense, and a whole bunch of stupidity and what do you have? You have counterfeit Hitchcock. Well, at least the title is close, although The Bedroom Window (1987) is not anything near as interesting as, say, Hitchcock's Rear Window (1954).

I particularly did not like the far-fetched scheme that Terry and Denise came up with at the end to entrap the psycho. And Terry's insistence on that phone booth and only that phone booth from which to call the cops was silly and unnecessary. And his snatching of the police car, ditto.

Not to belabor the stupidities, but when only the defense attorney knows that Lambert wears contacts-not the prosecution, not Sylvia, apparently not himself, and certainly the audience wasn't clued in-then you've got Hitchcock rolling over in his grave as this very important bit of plot knowledge is exposed at the last moment. Director Curtis Hanson should know better. I hope he really did plant the contact lenses somewhere early on as Hitchcock would have, and I just missed them.

Worse offense though was making it appear that Terry wasn't attracted to Denise, even though she was throwing herself at him. Shame on you, Curtis Hanson. Hitchcock would never do that. Not only don't you resolve your subplot, you offend those in your audience who identified with your heroine.

Nonetheless this is not a bad movie. Steve Guttenberg, while no James Stewart (or Cary Grant, for that matter) is agreeable as Terry Lambert, a kind of benign ladies man who seduces his boss's wife, Sylvia, played by the delicate French beauty, Isabelle Huppert. He learns that she was the wrong girl. The right girl is of course Elizabeth McGovern (Denise) although I would prefer it the other way around.

Very watchable...even after a handul of viewings.
This video is a part of my collection, and even though Steve Guttenberg is, as they say, no Jimmy Stewart, there is something about him that is very appealing. You will find this movie to have just the right amount of suspense (and romance) to keep you interested and there are a couple of great supporting actors: Paul Shenar in particular and Wallace Shawn who is a hoot as the defense attorney. Enjoy! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

In a time when it seems that every other movie makes some claim to being a film noir, L.A. Confidential is the real thing--a gritty, sordid tale of sex, scandal, betrayal, and corruption of all sorts (police, political, press--and, of course, very personal) in 1940s Hollywood. The Oscar-winning screenplay is actually based on several titles in James Ellroy's series of chronological thriller novels (including the title volume, The Big Nowhere, and White Jazz)--a compelling blend of L.A. history and pulp fiction that has earned it comparisons to the greatest of all Technicolor noir films, Chinatown. Kim Basinger richly deserved her Supporting Actress Oscar for her portrayal of a conflicted femme fatale; unfortunately, her male costars are so uniformly fine that they may have canceled each other out with the Academy voters: Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey, and James Cromwell play LAPD officers of varying stripes. Pearce's character is a particularly intriguing study in Hollywood amorality and ambition, a strait-laced "hero" (and son of a departmental legend) whose career goals outweigh all other moral, ethical, and legal considerations. If he's a good guy, it's only because he sees it as the quickest route to a promotion. --Jim Emerson ... Read more

Reviews (259)

Another 5 star Classic
It has long been debated - "Can a film noir be made in color?" Many have tried and failed. This film does not. It has all of the classic elements that one looks for in a good ole gangster flick, as well as in a noir flick. This film is shocking in its talent and its craftsmanship. No complaints from me, from the score to the cinematography, from the direction to the casting, everything hits its mark, and brings you along for the ride.

One of the best DVDs yet released; this slick Warner Bros. disc has it all. There are three behind-the-scenes documentaries, including "The L.A. of L.A. Confidential" (an interactive map tour) and "Off the Record," which offers cast and crew interviews. In addition, the disc has a mood-setting, music-only soundtrack; three TV spots; production notes; theatrical trailers; a 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen picture; and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio tracks in English and French. They really packed it in there.

This is the best film of the nineties. Titanic was just an overblown soap compared to this complex mystery/crime drama. The plot twists are jaw-dropping and require the film to be seen several times. The acting and direction are superb! Enjoy.

Very Good Movie, and Well Worth Owning on DVD
"LA Confidential" takes detective film noir in a different direction-something I didn't think could be done. Director Curtis Hanson stated that he wanted the focus of this period piece to be on the characters and dialogue rather than the locations, clothing, cars, etc. I think he got it right for the most part, but the cinematography is so spectacular that you can't help but notice the backdrops against which the scenes are set.

The acting performances in this picture are for the most part first rate: Guy Pearce plays the ambitious Edmund Exley to perfection, Russell Crowe is superb as tough guy detective Bud White, and Kevin Spacey (one of my favorite actors of all time) turns in a stellar performance as the hip narco detective who also acts as a consultant on a Dragnet-like TV series. Strong performances by James Cromwell, Ron Rifkin, and the ubiquitous David Strathairn round out the picture. Although I liked Kim Basinger, I thought she was cast more for her look than for her acting skills. She played the role of a Veronica-lake lookalike prostitute quite well, but hers didn't look like a performance any other competent actress couldn't have pulled off.

The DVD version of this picture is more full of features than any other title I've owned thus far. It includes a documentary about the making of the film which includes cast interviews and clips of Crowe's and Pearce's screen tests. There's also a location map that tells the viewer about each of the major locations where scenes were shot, cast bios, a promo for the soundtrack (featuring some very good early 50's jazz courtesy of Chet Baker and other artists of the era), and the movie can be played with just the soundtrack running. Be warned-the features that come in the DVD version take more time to watch as the movie. But it's well worth the time! "LA Confidential" sets a high standard in terms of what studios should include in DVD's of their pictures. Are you paying attention, Hollywood?

Magnificent
This is magnificent. A top notch cast throughout, Guy Pearce is a revelation, Russell Crowe (not my favourite) is just brilliant, James Cromwell is great. I could go on, so see this for yourself. The attention to detail is second to none, it's atmospheric, pacy, clever and, well, just brilliant.

Buy this today. You will not regret it.

'Off The Record, On The QT And Very Hush Hush'.
If not for a film about a ship hitting an iceberg and going down L.A. Confidential would have been a sure-fire Academy Award Best Picture winner. The best parts of the movie are Kim Basinger in an Oscar winning performance for her role as a Veronica Lake lookalike hooker and Russell Crowe as a fearsome cop who finds a surprising capacity for love.

The genius of the film is the three inter-related stories (hookers cut to resemble movie stars, missing heroin and a murder investigation) in LA of the early 1950's. Cops, prostitution, corrupt politicians and gangsters all touch each others lives and in the tabloid press in surprising ways.

The acting is terrific with James Cromwell, Kevin Spacey, Guy Pierce and Danny DeVito all selling their souls for ambition - and the price to be paid; deserved or not. The costumes and set design are first rate. If you like film noir, or just love well-crafted movies you'll have to look hard to find a better film.

She is Lana Turner
Curtis Hanson's "L.A.Confidential" was the best movie of the year. It had class, acting, story line and macabre plot that was captivating. Though one might find it close to a comic Godfather and a cop-mafia movie, there is more to it. Right from the beginning when they introduce the city of Los Angeles in the "Hush Hush" magazine with Danny DeVito, it starts beautifully. I bet that they can never put together such a set of actors in one movie - Guy Pierce, Kevin Spacey, Kim Basinger and Russell Crowe, perish the thought.

I could not believe that they gave Titanic the Best Picture over this movie, the academy must have had a case of temporary dementia. I have no words for how bad that movie was in comparison. This movie was a masterpiece. Some people might have had problems with the violence. Guy Pierce was fantastic in the way he changes from the budding junior cop to the ambitious detective. This was Russell Crowe's ideal role, the part where he and Pierce go and challenge the DA is hilarious. Kevin Spacey is his usual witty self - his badge of honor role is outstanding. This had excellent screenplay - I was disappointed that it did not get enough oscars. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Excellent movie...Lowe and Spader shine
Very different and dark movie, not what we are used to with Rob Lowe, but he doesn't disappoint. Lowe is outstanding and proves he is much more than a just a great looking actor. James Spader is very good and works well with Rob. This movie never got it's just due, should have been a blockbuster, very under-rated. Check it out!!

surprisingly good
I was never a fan of Rob Lowe, but I can tell you, he is very convincing as a bad guy. James Spader also plays an excellent part. The movie has a great storyline and good actors, what more should you expect?
Even though this movie never got the credit it deserved and many people have never even heard of it, it is a "must see". I can't wait till it comes out on DVD!

Great movie but short features
Check out friends around you, you may end up with a psycho like Alex (played by Rob Lowe). What he does in the movie is quite impressive and psychotic, especially a dirty trick like breaking a tail light and pulling the broken bulb into a fuel tank. If you hit the brake pedal, OOPS! In general, I like the story, I like the casting. Very good performance from both James Spader (as Michael) and Rob Lowe (as Alex). Does Alex do it on purpose to screw up Michael's life? I don't think so. Alex gives Michael what he wants (gals, job promotion), Alex eliminates what Michael's afraid of (getting married). But Michael pisses Alex off and wants him out of his life. Of course Alex rampages, revenges, and takes back everything he gave to Michael. I don't find the movie is too exaggerated; in contrast, I'm convinced that it could happen to anyone of us anytime anywhere. Who knows?

About the DVD, it's a double-sided disc. One side is the 16:9 widescreen format, and the other side is the standard 4:3 format. Quite obvious, it is lacking of extra features. It only comes with subtitles and theatrical trailer. Overall, movie is good but features are short.

Very Good except the soundtrack
I love this film of the nerdy office worker getting influenced by an outsider and stuffing his life up in the process. It's well shot, well edited, fast-paced, but the soundtrack sounds very dated nowadays, which is why it only gets a 4/5. Get it if you want to see Rob Lowe doing some seriously good acting at a time when he was dismissed by the press as nothing more than just a pretty face. Good, scary fun.

Guilty pleasure.
1990's *Bad Influence* provides the film-fan a chance to see what director Curtis Hanson and screenwriter David Koepp were capable of when they had to actually work for a living. (Later "success" for each has borne bitter fruit -- for the aforesaid film-fan, of course: Hanson now makes Eminem movies; Koepp just scripted *Spider-Man*. Enough said.) Hanson's previous film, *The Bedroom Window*, was mostly a by-the-numbers Hitchcock, albeit brilliant, with SHADES of novelist Patricia Highsmith's nastiness. . . . Here, Hanson & Co. veer directly into Highsmith's dark waters, and the result is just smashing. Of course it goes without saying that James Spader's "meek" corporate analyst is never all that innocent to begin with (just like any "hero" in a Highsmith novel, or in any film noir worth its pinch of salt); the fun is in watching HOW the layers of hypocrisy get stripped away, one by one. Hanson's ironical conceit is to have the movie's villain (Rob Lowe) proudly believe that HE'S the one responsible for the Yuppie's corruption. The movie's really about the tragedy of a psychopath. Lowe's wicked drifter is a pretty lonely guy, after all: he wants a friend! Women are his source of income, and can't be an option in terms of an intimate relationship. He meets the yuppie at a beach bar: Spader finds himself in trouble with a 900-lbs gorilla; Lowe extricates him from the trouble by threatening to cut the gorilla's throat with a jagged bottleneck. Of course, he also helps himself to Spader's unattended wallet . . . but once Spader runs into him the next day, Lowe allows himself to befriend the yuppie. With a sort of proud-father generosity, he initiates Spader into the world of L.A.'s underground bars, designer drugs, and decadent call girls. It eventually degenerates into a spree of cheap thrills that include hold-ups of the local burger joints and liquor stores. Hey -- it's Boys Night Out! What's the use of a life, even a criminal one, without no one to share it with? Unfortunately, All Good Things Must Come To An End: Lowe overreaches, and the blood-brothers become antagonists. After the bitter break-up, Lowe behaves petulantly, appropriating Spader's home furnishings like a divorcee in a bitter lawsuit. It's all great, campy fun, with the added bonus of some real menace -- and generous whiffs of decadence from the deepest pits -- thrown in to keep you riveted. The movie's centerpiece is the videotaped murder of a woman: the tape shows the murder occurring off-camera in Spader's bedroom. Horrified, Spader runs to his bedroom . . . to find the door nailed shut! This may be the only case in a movie of suspense being generated by something that has ALREADY HAPPENED. Ingenious! Final thought: I'd wager that aspiring novelist Chuck Paluhnik (sp?) caught this movie one night on HBO or something years ago and was subsequently inspired to write *Fight Club*, a novel (and, later, movie) whose parasitic-friendship theme is suspiciously similar to what's presented here. Bad influence, indeed. ... Read more

Reviews (343)

8-Mile Review
The acting debut of Eminem in "8-Mile" makes for an excellent breakthrough for the popular rap star. Em (real name: Marshall Mathers) is Jimmy Smith (a.k.a. "Rabbit"), a working-class white kid from the racially-divided lines of inner Detriot.

Smith lives in a trailer park with his alcoholic mom and her much younger boyfriend but spends his days, working in a garage, and looks to make ends meet as a rapper. He has two ways of doing this: One, through battle-rapping at a club spot hosted by his best friend, Future, and the other is relying on help from a so-called talent agent.

While this movie is highly entertaining upon first view, it definetly suffers from some horrible writing and real lackluster characters (other than its lead). For some reason, all of Rabbit's buddies have nothing better to do than wait around for him to decide what he wants. It seems rather unlikely that in a movie set in 1995 when white rappers were viewed as jokes, that a handful of Smith's black followers would stand around with nothing better to do than wait on their "white savior". His black militant friend takes the cake as far as "filler" characters go. He seems to just take up space as he waits to throw out a cheesy sterotypical line about being held down. He goes nowhere with these opinions and just seems to stand around, playing the background.

Eminem, himself, is great as Smith but he seems too much like a good character in a movie filled with bad cartoon characters. He's a deep character stuck in SAVE THE LAST DANCE. That's right. This script makes some of the same mistakes as "Last Dance" in its belief that urban kids stand around and talk about "hip-hop lingo" like they are explaining it to a documentarian. To be fair, it's not quite as bad as "Last Dance" but it does get really annoying. The story involving Smith and his mother makes for some good moments but it still doesn't quite make up for such awful characters.

This is actually a real good movie at times but again, the script could certainly have stood to go through a few more re-writes. And while I'm talking, this DVD could have used a lot more special features such as some videos, deleted scenes, and an audio commentary. Don't fear though I'm sure that there will be another release down the road.

Screw You Carl Lentner and Kosmo
Kosmo, you're a racist who can't stand to see a white guy succeed in black entertainment. STFU! And Carl, you're a stuck up a$$hole, who prolly gets ur a$$ kicked at ur school, punk.

8 Mile is a classic HipHop film. All the stars from Eminem to Mekhi to Basinger to Xzibit's cameo to great. This is a modern day rise to the top film. I'm just pissed that you haters can't see the greatness of this film.

By the way, Belly was tight but it wasn't as good(as far as acting) as 8 Mile.

Was this review helpful to you?

EM COMES TO SAVE THE IGNORANT BLACK FOLKS.......
The people who made this movie a success are the same people that buy Em's records and didn't even look at hip-hop as being a legitimate art form till a blonde hair, blue eyed non-threatening white man did it.

Em tramps around with all the black folks in the city as he lives the life of the "oppressed white rapper." the violent black men throw the word "niggah" around, calling each other "faggots" (funny how he uses that word but avoids the N word when he has used that word several times in a song he wrote in 1992), fight each other, showing their stereotypical savagery. what a sad story.... he experiences "racism" and his goals is to triumph over the Negroes and of course he does.

there is a bizarre scene with Kim Basinger's character watching a movie called Imitation of Life, which is classic movie about a multiracial child, I still cant understand the point of this ... there are some implicit racial overtones in this movie that have yet to be talked about.

A side from this vapid storyline the acting is weak except for maybe Kim Basinger... Brittany Murphy is completely unbelievable that she is "down" with the hip-hop crowd. It is embarrassing to see her dance sexy to the hip hop music, i doubt Brittany has ever been in 99% black club in her life.... Em's acting works like Madonna's acting did in Desperately Seeking Susan - it isn't that hard to play yourself .. or is it?

What ashame a movie like this blows up but hip-hop movies like Belly, the Streetz Is Watching or even the legendary Krush Groove cant even touch its success.

I WANT MY MONEY BACK!!!
First of all, I can't stand M&M. But I was foolish and took someone's advice, "you don't have to like m&m to like this," and "m&m is actually a good actor." I gave m&m a chance, and he lost. About four minutes into the rap fight or rhyme feud or whatever the heck they call their little battles, I had to call it quits. Didn't we learn OVER ten years ago that unless you are clowns and intend to look silly (Beastie Boys) white people just look like TOTAL morons rapping. The Proof--Vanilla Ice---looked like a jacka$$--3rd Bass---jacka$$es--THAT'S IT--CASE CLOSED

Eminem's 8 mile...
IS THE BEST MOVIE FROM EMINEM! ALL I SAY IS BUY IT, ITS WORTH YOUR MONEY! I BOUGHT MINE FOR $5.96 AT WALMART! BUY YOUR COPY TODAY! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

This movie kicks great!!!
This movie is a very fun and exciting. The cast doesen't really take itself seriously. Its more for youngsters, but everyone should love this flick! ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Excellent movie...Lowe and Spader shine
Very different and dark movie, not what we are used to with Rob Lowe, but he doesn't disappoint. Lowe is outstanding and proves he is much more than a just a great looking actor. James Spader is very good and works well with Rob. This movie never got it's just due, should have been a blockbuster, very under-rated. Check it out!!

surprisingly good
I was never a fan of Rob Lowe, but I can tell you, he is very convincing as a bad guy. James Spader also plays an excellent part. The movie has a great storyline and good actors, what more should you expect?
Even though this movie never got the credit it deserved and many people have never even heard of it, it is a "must see". I can't wait till it comes out on DVD!

Great movie but short features
Check out friends around you, you may end up with a psycho like Alex (played by Rob Lowe). What he does in the movie is quite impressive and psychotic, especially a dirty trick like breaking a tail light and pulling the broken bulb into a fuel tank. If you hit the brake pedal, OOPS! In general, I like the story, I like the casting. Very good performance from both James Spader (as Michael) and Rob Lowe (as Alex). Does Alex do it on purpose to screw up Michael's life? I don't think so. Alex gives Michael what he wants (gals, job promotion), Alex eliminates what Michael's afraid of (getting married). But Michael pisses Alex off and wants him out of his life. Of course Alex rampages, revenges, and takes back everything he gave to Michael. I don't find the movie is too exaggerated; in contrast, I'm convinced that it could happen to anyone of us anytime anywhere. Who knows?

About the DVD, it's a double-sided disc. One side is the 16:9 widescreen format, and the other side is the standard 4:3 format. Quite obvious, it is lacking of extra features. It only comes with subtitles and theatrical trailer. Overall, movie is good but features are short.

Very Good except the soundtrack
I love this film of the nerdy office worker getting influenced by an outsider and stuffing his life up in the process. It's well shot, well edited, fast-paced, but the soundtrack sounds very dated nowadays, which is why it only gets a 4/5. Get it if you want to see Rob Lowe doing some seriously good acting at a time when he was dismissed by the press as nothing more than just a pretty face. Good, scary fun.

Guilty pleasure.
1990's *Bad Influence* provides the film-fan a chance to see what director Curtis Hanson and screenwriter David Koepp were capable of when they had to actually work for a living. (Later "success" for each has borne bitter fruit -- for the aforesaid film-fan, of course: Hanson now makes Eminem movies; Koepp just scripted *Spider-Man*. Enough said.) Hanson's previous film, *The Bedroom Window*, was mostly a by-the-numbers Hitchcock, albeit brilliant, with SHADES of novelist Patricia Highsmith's nastiness. . . . Here, Hanson & Co. veer directly into Highsmith's dark waters, and the result is just smashing. Of course it goes without saying that James Spader's "meek" corporate analyst is never all that innocent to begin with (just like any "hero" in a Highsmith novel, or in any film noir worth its pinch of salt); the fun is in watching HOW the layers of hypocrisy get stripped away, one by one. Hanson's ironical conceit is to have the movie's villain (Rob Lowe) proudly believe that HE'S the one responsible for the Yuppie's corruption. The movie's really about the tragedy of a psychopath. Lowe's wicked drifter is a pretty lonely guy, after all: he wants a friend! Women are his source of income, and can't be an option in terms of an intimate relationship. He meets the yuppie at a beach bar: Spader finds himself in trouble with a 900-lbs gorilla; Lowe extricates him from the trouble by threatening to cut the gorilla's throat with a jagged bottleneck. Of course, he also helps himself to Spader's unattended wallet . . . but once Spader runs into him the next day, Lowe allows himself to befriend the yuppie. With a sort of proud-father generosity, he initiates Spader into the world of L.A.'s underground bars, designer drugs, and decadent call girls. It eventually degenerates into a spree of cheap thrills that include hold-ups of the local burger joints and liquor stores. Hey -- it's Boys Night Out! What's the use of a life, even a criminal one, without no one to share it with? Unfortunately, All Good Things Must Come To An End: Lowe overreaches, and the blood-brothers become antagonists. After the bitter break-up, Lowe behaves petulantly, appropriating Spader's home furnishings like a divorcee in a bitter lawsuit. It's all great, campy fun, with the added bonus of some real menace -- and generous whiffs of decadence from the deepest pits -- thrown in to keep you riveted. The movie's centerpiece is the videotaped murder of a woman: the tape shows the murder occurring off-camera in Spader's bedroom. Horrified, Spader runs to his bedroom . . . to find the door nailed shut! This may be the only case in a movie of suspense being generated by something that has ALREADY HAPPENED. Ingenious! Final thought: I'd wager that aspiring novelist Chuck Paluhnik (sp?) caught this movie one night on HBO or something years ago and was subsequently inspired to write *Fight Club*, a novel (and, later, movie) whose parasitic-friendship theme is suspiciously similar to what's presented here. Bad influence, indeed. ... Read more

Reviews (259)

Another 5 star Classic
It has long been debated - "Can a film noir be made in color?" Many have tried and failed. This film does not. It has all of the classic elements that one looks for in a good ole gangster flick, as well as in a noir flick. This film is shocking in its talent and its craftsmanship. No complaints from me, from the score to the cinematography, from the direction to the casting, everything hits its mark, and brings you along for the ride.

One of the best DVDs yet released; this slick Warner Bros. disc has it all. There are three behind-the-scenes documentaries, including "The L.A. of L.A. Confidential" (an interactive map tour) and "Off the Record," which offers cast and crew interviews. In addition, the disc has a mood-setting, music-only soundtrack; three TV spots; production notes; theatrical trailers; a 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen picture; and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio tracks in English and French. They really packed it in there.

This is the best film of the nineties. Titanic was just an overblown soap compared to this complex mystery/crime drama. The plot twists are jaw-dropping and require the film to be seen several times. The acting and direction are superb! Enjoy.

Very Good Movie, and Well Worth Owning on DVD
"LA Confidential" takes detective film noir in a different direction-something I didn't think could be done. Director Curtis Hanson stated that he wanted the focus of this period piece to be on the characters and dialogue rather than the locations, clothing, cars, etc. I think he got it right for the most part, but the cinematography is so spectacular that you can't help but notice the backdrops against which the scenes are set.

The acting performances in this picture are for the most part first rate: Guy Pearce plays the ambitious Edmund Exley to perfection, Russell Crowe is superb as tough guy detective Bud White, and Kevin Spacey (one of my favorite actors of all time) turns in a stellar performance as the hip narco detective who also acts as a consultant on a Dragnet-like TV series. Strong performances by James Cromwell, Ron Rifkin, and the ubiquitous David Strathairn round out the picture. Although I liked Kim Basinger, I thought she was cast more for her look than for her acting skills. She played the role of a Veronica-lake lookalike prostitute quite well, but hers didn't look like a performance any other competent actress couldn't have pulled off.

The DVD version of this picture is more full of features than any other title I've owned thus far. It includes a documentary about the making of the film which includes cast interviews and clips of Crowe's and Pearce's screen tests. There's also a location map that tells the viewer about each of the major locations where scenes were shot, cast bios, a promo for the soundtrack (featuring some very good early 50's jazz courtesy of Chet Baker and other artists of the era), and the movie can be played with just the soundtrack running. Be warned-the features that come in the DVD version take more time to watch as the movie. But it's well worth the time! "LA Confidential" sets a high standard in terms of what studios should include in DVD's of their pictures. Are you paying attention, Hollywood?

Magnificent
This is magnificent. A top notch cast throughout, Guy Pearce is a revelation, Russell Crowe (not my favourite) is just brilliant, James Cromwell is great. I could go on, so see this for yourself. The attention to detail is second to none, it's atmospheric, pacy, clever and, well, just brilliant.

Buy this today. You will not regret it.

'Off The Record, On The QT And Very Hush Hush'.
If not for a film about a ship hitting an iceberg and going down L.A. Confidential would have been a sure-fire Academy Award Best Picture winner. The best parts of the movie are Kim Basinger in an Oscar winning performance for her role as a Veronica Lake lookalike hooker and Russell Crowe as a fearsome cop who finds a surprising capacity for love.

The genius of the film is the three inter-related stories (hookers cut to resemble movie stars, missing heroin and a murder investigation) in LA of the early 1950's. Cops, prostitution, corrupt politicians and gangsters all touch each others lives and in the tabloid press in surprising ways.

The acting is terrific with James Cromwell, Kevin Spacey, Guy Pierce and Danny DeVito all selling their souls for ambition - and the price to be paid; deserved or not. The costumes and set design are first rate. If you like film noir, or just love well-crafted movies you'll have to look hard to find a better film.

She is Lana Turner
Curtis Hanson's "L.A.Confidential" was the best movie of the year. It had class, acting, story line and macabre plot that was captivating. Though one might find it close to a comic Godfather and a cop-mafia movie, there is more to it. Right from the beginning when they introduce the city of Los Angeles in the "Hush Hush" magazine with Danny DeVito, it starts beautifully. I bet that they can never put together such a set of actors in one movie - Guy Pierce, Kevin Spacey, Kim Basinger and Russell Crowe, perish the thought.

I could not believe that they gave Titanic the Best Picture over this movie, the academy must have had a case of temporary dementia. I have no words for how bad that movie was in comparison. This movie was a masterpiece. Some people might have had problems with the violence. Guy Pierce was fantastic in the way he changes from the budding junior cop to the ambitious detective. This was Russell Crowe's ideal role, the part where he and Pierce go and challenge the DA is hilarious. Kevin Spacey is his usual witty self - his badge of honor role is outstanding. This had excellent screenplay - I was disappointed that it did not get enough oscars. ... Read more

Reviews (163)

A strange and wonderful gem of a motion picture.
Curtis Hanson's follow-up to his brilliant 'LA Confidential' is equally amazing but in a completely different way. 'Wonder Boys' is a wonderfully skewed comedy, with characters who zig and zag across the screen, weaving in through each others lives, and ultimately finding salvation in each other. Michael Douglas gives his second-great performance of 2000 (the other being in 'Traffic') as Professor Grady Tripp, a chronic pot-smoking, english teacher/author who has had great success in the past with his first novel. Problem is, he can't seem to finish his follow-up and he's been trying for years. He is having an affair with a married chancellor at his school (Frances McDormand in HER sceond great performance of the year, the other being in 'Almost Famous'). His barely-in-the-closet editor (the incredible Robert Downey Jr.) is breathing down his throat and a student of his (Katie Holmes) is trying to get in his pants. Not only that he has the chancellor's dead dog in his trunk, thanks to a mishap with a bewildered, mysterious student of his (Tobey Maguire at his usual excellence) and the car he's driving may or may not be stolen. Over the course of one hellish weekend, Grady Tripp will find out what it means to be in charge of one's own life and the way making a simple choice can change things for the better. The movie rides smoothly from start to finish thanks to great, assured direction by Hanson and smooth screenwriting by Steve Kloves (from the novel by Michael Chabon). It's a truly amazing film, whose character's are so well developed and layered that we never know what to expect of them at any given moment. In fact, anywhere you think this movie might be going at any given time, you will more then likely be wrong. It's surprising and heart-felt, as funny as it is involving, as moving as it is intelligent. And you won't find a better performance then Douglas's in any film this year. It's a true stand-out role for him, a break from his normal obsessive, hard-headed monsters. And he is brilliant. And so is Tobey Maguire, who continues to dazzle with every film. One of the best films of 2000.

EXCELLENT! (as God said, and I think rightly..)
I enjoyed this movie immensely. I'd put it right up there with 'American Beauty', 'Magnolia', and 'Being John Malkovich' as one of my favourite films of recent years. I particularly enjoyed Michael Douglas's performance (yes, I was surprised too) as Grady Tripp (pot-smoking college english professor, dubious literary mentor, and flailing, aging author of the critically aclaimed 7-years-gone novel 'Arsonists Daughter'...)

I really enjoyed the down-beat oddities and subtleties of the film and it's cast of strange but endearing characters (yes, yes, THERE you go!) Frances MacDormand's character (The Chancellor) is the only one who you might be able to call something that resembles a "normal" person, but even SHE, underneith her guise of normalcy, is a pregnant-out-of-wedlock habitual gardener! It gets no better I'm afraid. Robert Downey Jr plays Grady's gay book editor who has a penchant for transvestites and certain relaxing pharmacuticals (Terry Crabtree) to great (and oddly touching) comedic effect. Tobey Maguire plays Grady's morose young student/protege (who lays claim to the uncanny ability of being able to list hundreds of movie suicides in alphabetical order..) I'm Sorry 9-to-5ers. Abandon hope all ye who enter here, It gets no more mundane or ordinary than that. Oh well. But, to be honest, this sort of off-the-wall character development only served to make me even more enamored of the film. Speaking intimately as a very weird person (and speaking FOR MY PEOPLE) I desparately want to see more space-cadets and freaks and kooky-spooks casually represented in feature films. It's all about equality really. We don't all live in caves y'know. We're everywhere amongst you! We shop at your supermarkets! (albeit at strange hours..) We attend your schools! We even write movie reviews for enormous websites you visit late at night! Freakitude is not so uncommon a phenomena.. and my people DEMAND SCREENTIME ... And in 'Wonder Boys' they certainly get it. Kudos to whoever it was that wrote it that way. This film allows itself to positively WALLOW in human quirkiness.

The movie also features a fantastic soundtrack (ALWAYS a bonus..)

Best line?

"You're mad at me.. You're mad because I shot your girlfriends dog."

HIGHLY recommended! :o)

Offbeat ecletic mix of comedy and pathos
Adapted from the novel by Michael Chabon, this offbeat dark comedic drama is set at a college in Pittsburgh, a shabby city of bleak weather and aging buildings. Michael Douglas is cast in the role of Grady Tripp, a college professor long past his prime who lives in haze of marijuana and failing marriages. He's gained weight for this role and his face is lined and drooping, capturing the essence of the character so well that he was able to submerge his movie star image. Tripp is a former "wonder boy" who had been acclaimed for his first novel seven years before. Unfortunately, even though he has written more than 2000 pages on his second novel, he can't seem to bring it to completion even though his New York agent, Terry Crabtree, played by Robert Downey Jr. will be in town for the writer's weekend set up at the college.

Tobey Maguire, the rising young actor who made a name for himself in "The Cedar House Rules" is cast as James Leer, a brilliant and troubled young writer from Tripp's class. And Frances McDormand is cast as the Chancellor of the college who's having an affair with Trip. Katie Holmes plays a student who is interested in Tripp for more than his teaching ability. Other characters fade in and out of the scenes, adding interest and contributing to an eclectic mix and which somehow all add to the cohesive whole. There's a transvestite as well as a professor affixed on Marilyn Monroe as well as a black man in a pompadour hairdo and his waitress wife. And, in addition to the people, there's a vintage car and an old manual typewriter and an electric selectric. There's also a dead dog.

All this is put together in a mix that gently pokes fun at it all, played for pathos and humanity instead of slapstick. And it is all slightly off focus in the marijuana haze created by the professor. I did find it a bit slow and I sometimes dozed off. But the beauty of video is that could wake up and replay the few frames I missed. I was always rewarded because of the subtleties of dialog and nuances of the acting and of the fine direction by Curtis Hanson, whose last film was L.A. Confidential. I recommend this video although it is not for everyone. It's quirky and offbeat and the pace is slow and hazy. But I personally thought it was really good.

Best Michael Douglas role ever
A bit of bad luck at the box office prevented this movie from getting the hype it so richly deserves. Good luck finding roles into which Michael Douglas, Frances McDormand, Tobey Maguire, and Robert Downey, Jr., slip into as effortlessly and brilliantly as they do the ones in this film. With a script that neatly repackages Michael Chabon's excellent novel for the screen, Steve Kloves (lately the screenwriter for the Harry Potter series) shows where he mastered the craft of adaptation. And director Curtis Hanson follows up the tour-de-force of L.A. Confidential with this funnier, more bizarre, and ultimately more enjoyable effort.

On one level, the movie plays out like a drug-induced dream sequence; it's almost implausible that so much would happen during a single weekend. Michael Douglas loses his wife, discovers his girlfriend (McDormand) is pregnant, flees the university at which he and his girlfriend work with his darkest and most troubled student after that student kills his girlfriend's husband's dog and steals Marilyn Monroe's wedding coat, exposes that student to pot and his literary agent of ambiguous sexuality, has his car stolen, loses a 2,000 page manuscript...

Did I mention that his girlfriend is the chancellor and her husband is the chair of the department that employs Douglas?

Yet all these events--and many more--feel very real during the movie. And not in the dreamlike way that anything makes sense while you're sleeping: this movie has the feel of truth. Other reviewers have complained that it's too weird, that each character's eccentricities pile on those of the others until it passes a level of acceptability. But people have quirks; some people are pathological liars, some people just like one kind of shoe, some people can only write in a pink bathrobe. In life we take these quirks for granted in the people we know and love; in Wonder Boys a group of people are thrown together, quirks and all, by fate and common interest and the confines of a very realistic university life. The interplay of their quirks, and the way that people who come to them with sympathetic eyes quickly rally to support one another, makes for a movie that engages, entertains, and provokes thought. If that's not what you look for in a movie, look elsewhere. If it is, prepare to add a new movie to your all-time favorites list.

THE CHOICES WE MAKE IN LOVE & LIFE..
This film is of that quirky, self-aware cadre that makes people easily dismiss it as pretentious, or worse, pointless. But I believe those who ascribe such notions to the movie have clearly missed the plot's subtle nuances, and the humorous undercurrent that permeates the entire theme.

Wonder Boys has that charming yet simple elegance that draws on its real but clumsy characters -- all pretty painstakingly drawn out as we almost live their fumbling lives. Professor Tripp (Douglas) in particular was very credible as just about anyone among us. James Leer's (McGuire) obsession with celebrity suicides is made light of and overcast by his pathological lying. Holmes is appropriately cast to tantalize.

Plus, the score is something to cherish thanks in no small measure to Bob Dylan's superb "Things have changed".

A good chuckle comedy with a wistful look at midlife, decisions to be made or avoided. Recommended for the discerning viewer. ... Read more

Reviews (259)

Another 5 star Classic
It has long been debated - "Can a film noir be made in color?" Many have tried and failed. This film does not. It has all of the classic elements that one looks for in a good ole gangster flick, as well as in a noir flick. This film is shocking in its talent and its craftsmanship. No complaints from me, from the score to the cinematography, from the direction to the casting, everything hits its mark, and brings you along for the ride.

One of the best DVDs yet released; this slick Warner Bros. disc has it all. There are three behind-the-scenes documentaries, including "The L.A. of L.A. Confidential" (an interactive map tour) and "Off the Record," which offers cast and crew interviews. In addition, the disc has a mood-setting, music-only soundtrack; three TV spots; production notes; theatrical trailers; a 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen picture; and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio tracks in English and French. They really packed it in there.

This is the best film of the nineties. Titanic was just an overblown soap compared to this complex mystery/crime drama. The plot twists are jaw-dropping and require the film to be seen several times. The acting and direction are superb! Enjoy.

Very Good Movie, and Well Worth Owning on DVD
"LA Confidential" takes detective film noir in a different direction-something I didn't think could be done. Director Curtis Hanson stated that he wanted the focus of this period piece to be on the characters and dialogue rather than the locations, clothing, cars, etc. I think he got it right for the most part, but the cinematography is so spectacular that you can't help but notice the backdrops against which the scenes are set.

The acting performances in this picture are for the most part first rate: Guy Pearce plays the ambitious Edmund Exley to perfection, Russell Crowe is superb as tough guy detective Bud White, and Kevin Spacey (one of my favorite actors of all time) turns in a stellar performance as the hip narco detective who also acts as a consultant on a Dragnet-like TV series. Strong performances by James Cromwell, Ron Rifkin, and the ubiquitous David Strathairn round out the picture. Although I liked Kim Basinger, I thought she was cast more for her look than for her acting skills. She played the role of a Veronica-lake lookalike prostitute quite well, but hers didn't look like a performance any other competent actress couldn't have pulled off.

The DVD version of this picture is more full of features than any other title I've owned thus far. It includes a documentary about the making of the film which includes cast interviews and clips of Crowe's and Pearce's screen tests. There's also a location map that tells the viewer about each of the major locations where scenes were shot, cast bios, a promo for the soundtrack (featuring some very good early 50's jazz courtesy of Chet Baker and other artists of the era), and the movie can be played with just the soundtrack running. Be warned-the features that come in the DVD version take more time to watch as the movie. But it's well worth the time! "LA Confidential" sets a high standard in terms of what studios should include in DVD's of their pictures. Are you paying attention, Hollywood?

Magnificent
This is magnificent. A top notch cast throughout, Guy Pearce is a revelation, Russell Crowe (not my favourite) is just brilliant, James Cromwell is great. I could go on, so see this for yourself. The attention to detail is second to none, it's atmospheric, pacy, clever and, well, just brilliant.

Buy this today. You will not regret it.

'Off The Record, On The QT And Very Hush Hush'.
If not for a film about a ship hitting an iceberg and going down L.A. Confidential would have been a sure-fire Academy Award Best Picture winner. The best parts of the movie are Kim Basinger in an Oscar winning performance for her role as a Veronica Lake lookalike hooker and Russell Crowe as a fearsome cop who finds a surprising capacity for love.

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