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| 21. In Cold Blood Director: Jonathan Kaplan | |
![]() | list price: $9.98
(price subject to change: see help) Asin: 6305263213 Catlog: Video Sales Rank: 19117 Average Customer Review: US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan |
Reviews (5)
But having just re-read the book and viewing this version almost immediately thereafter, I can tell you that it does take considerable libterties with the text. It compresses two secondary characters into one (Myrt and Bess), which detracts from one of the book's considerable virtues--its astute portrait of small town life. Its psychological portrait of the killers is a little clumsy as well. The book's fascinating revelation of Perry Smith's recurring fantasy of being rescued by an enormous parrot-like bird is hinted at, briefly, during the course of a awkwardly portrayed seizure he experiences in a restaurant. It's heavy handed at best and, since the matter is dropped afterwards, is no doubt meaningless to anyone who hadn't already read the book. On the other hand, the cast is good. Anthony Edwards certainly must have relished playing a bad guy for a change, and Eric Roberts and Sam Neill are always worth watching (although, as others have noted, Roberts is not really physically right for his role as the diminutive Smith). But they and the rest of the capable cast are dealing with a pretty mediocre screenplay. Cinematographically, however, the film is quite well done, and director Jonathan Kaplan, who assisted Jodie Foster in getting her first Oscar, does well by his cast here. It's been a long time since I've seen the original screen version of the film, but I recall that that film was extremely powerful. It's hard to imagine any remake doing it justice. That this one comes off OK speaks well for the director, cinematographer and cast. But it also seems to have blown its opportunity to make a more expansive statement than its predecessor. That's a shame.
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| 22. Brokedown Palace Director: Jonathan Kaplan | |
![]() | list price: $9.98
our price: $9.98 (price subject to change: see help) Asin: B00003Q42Y Catlog: Video Sales Rank: 92777 Average Customer Review: US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan |
Reviews (66)
The characters are so unbelievable (except Danes of course). Fathers who allow their daughters to rot in jail. A private American lawyer hanging out in Bangkok who wiffs of second-hand Graham Greene novels ready to bail out the girls for a price. A friendship between the two girls that you really have to question in the face of what happens to them, and an ending that will leave you totally exasperated. I don't suppose this was based on a true story. Rather, the director seemed in search of some gravitas and needed to concoct an ending that would carry with it the emotional weight he imagined would be the case in such a situation. But, it is simply too incredible to believe that Danes' character would sell herself in this way.
This film is not about prison or about life in prison. It is not about drug smuggling. Criticizing it on this is like saying that Pirates of the Caribbean is a horrible movie because it doesn't represent an accurate portrayal of shipboard life. It is a stunningly beautiful and well done (at points artistic) portrayal of the depths of friendship and the strength of human character ("if you are lying..."). The sets and acting are wonderful, the examination of the Thai legal system seemed fair (regardless of whether those are the actual conditions in prison, I am not qualified to judge nor do I care for the purposes of this film), and there were several underlying moral questions without clear answers. Which is another thing: this movie doesn't leave you with all of the answers. Nothing is left accidentally dangling, but there are several things left for you to chew on.
Most importantly, I think that anyone who is a first time traveler or planning on backpacking throughout Southeast Asia really should see this film. Darlene and Alice were typical girls from USA Suburbia. They had just finished school (like many who are about to do a gap year or some backpacking) and went to Thailand because it was exotic, different, faraway... They really didn't know much about Thai culture before they set out. Sadly, they stayed in Thailand for much longer than they had planned to -- locked up in a women's prision (probably Lard Yao), for carrying drugs. Without devulging the plot, it is fair to say that they were innocent. Again, another harsh reminder that if you are heading to Southeast Asia (or really any developing area), you need to be really careful. Watch this, read Sandra Gregory's "Forget you Had a Daughter," and don't try anything stupid (or don't be coerced, tricked, etc). Southeast Asia is a wonderful place, and you will have a blast. Just know that there are consequences if you are caught with anything.
Okay, there is one reason I did not give this film a one star. If a young teeny bopper adolescent girl crazed over Claire Danes can learn a lesson about flying off to an unknown place without understanding that country's laws, and stop thinking it's so cool to go away with her best gilfriend and live it up in another exotic locale...then all is not wasted. Otherwise...this movie was really sad. Not as entertaining as the commericals lead me to believe. The girls were too incredibly naive and arrogant while in another country. Depressing stuff. ... Read more | |
| 23. Truck Turner Director: Jonathan Kaplan | |
![]() | list price: $9.98
(price subject to change: see help) Asin: B000003U0B Catlog: Video Sales Rank: 90855 Average Customer Review: US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan |
Reviews (7)
Truck Turner is an ex-football player, and now a bounty-hunter. With his partner Jerry, nothing can stop them. Nothing. If you are disliked by him, pray it ends soon -- because his huge fists are flying to you right in the face! But one day his botched job getting a guy named Gator leads to his being THE most wanted man for the gangsters. They attack him, his office, and his room even, but now it's Turner's turn to pay back!!! Frankly, the film is too violent, and one scene made me cry "Oh, PLEASE! DON'T HANG THAT!" But Hayes is well-cast and credible as a no-nonsense bounty-hunter, and actions are good. But the most memorable is Nichelle Nichols's "madam," whose foul-mouthed acting completely shatters the good old memory of "Star Trek" fans. (Where did our Uhula go? Or, is this what she really wanted to do?) Another impressive point is director Jonathan Kaplan, who sometimes gives strong emphasis to darker nuance of his direction (maybe overdirection, some say) later seen in his Jodie Foster film "The Accused." The fate of Yaphet Kotto is captured in a very bleak way, which reminds us of Christopher Walken in a very violent noir "The King of New York." Though I don't share the enthsiastic praise of other reviewers, "Truck Turner" is a great action film, which is raised higher one notch above than average blaxploitaion films. If there should be a sub-genre like "bounty-hunter movies," this comes to the top alongside with more comical "Midnight Run." If you don't know the details of bounty-hunting and bailbonding, you may not enjoy the film fully. In that case, you might as well see Trantino's "Jackie Brown," in which another icon Pam Grier showcases her great talent as the title heroine.
Truck Turner is a great part of the blaxploitation genre and of action films in general. Isaac Hayes makes a great action hero and I wish he had made more films like this. Isaac also provides for one of the funkiest soundtracks ever, maybe better than Shaft. The film is exciting from beginning to end and Truck finds time to romance his lady and to make some jokes in between. One of the funny scenes include when Truck and his partner go to pick up a prisoner from a military base and they have to break through the check point. When the security guards start shooting at Trucks car, he hopes they shoot his left tire out because he needs a new one real bad. Guess what, not only do they shoot the left tire out but they have to put the new one on for him! The rest of the time you will be laughing when you hear all the words that Nichelle Nichols has learned since Star Trek!
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| 24. Over the Edge Director: Jonathan Kaplan | |
![]() | list price: $24.95
our price: $24.95 (price subject to change: see help) Asin: B00005YEGC Catlog: Video Sales Rank: 47258 Average Customer Review: US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan |
Reviews (61)
This movie brings back so many memories. I'm 32 and my older brother was the embodiement of this movie. My parents were pre-baby boomers and had no idea how to deal with the drugs, the hair, the clothes.......people then really thought that their kids were aliens. There was none of the innocence that kids in the 60's had. I was 7 in 1979 and remember the teenagers.......hanging out everywhere!! The high schools in Long Island NY where I grew up were a disaster. The kids REALLY seemed this out of control!! It seemed so dark back then, but looking back what was the big deal? Kids will be lazy screw ups, especially if you let them. There was still a lot of this in the early to mid 80's when I was a teen, amongst some segments of kids, but there was a bit more optimism. Anyway, this movie is a pure, dark, cultural time capsule of the late 70's. The kids were about as real as they could be, everything is exaggerated and blown out of proportion, and it is pure genius!! I played this movie for a friend who is English, and he just didn't get it. Life in England in the 70's must have been different. The sprawling suburban landscape is a pretty American phenomenom. When is the DVD coming out? ... Read more | |
| 25. Love Field Director: Jonathan Kaplan | |
![]() | list price: $6.94
(price subject to change: see help) Asin: 6305812306 Catlog: Video Sales Rank: 25292 Average Customer Review: US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan |
Reviews (5)
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| 26. Mr. Billion Director: Jonathan Kaplan | |
![]() | list price: $19.99
our price: $19.99 (price subject to change: see help) Asin: B000228STQ Catlog: Video Average Customer Review: US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan |
Reviews (2)
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| 27. Immediate Family Director: Jonathan Kaplan | |
![]() | list price: $19.98
(price subject to change: see help) Asin: B00008F242 Catlog: Video Sales Rank: 100438 Average Customer Review: US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan |
Reviews (4)
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| 28. Over the Edge Director: Jonathan Kaplan | |
![]() | list price: $9.99
(price subject to change: see help) Asin: 6302249546 Catlog: Video Sales Rank: 102299 Average Customer Review: US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan |
Reviews (61)
This movie brings back so many memories. I'm 32 and my older brother was the embodiement of this movie. My parents were pre-baby boomers and had no idea how to deal with the drugs, the hair, the clothes.......people then really thought that their kids were aliens. There was none of the innocence that kids in the 60's had. I was 7 in 1979 and remember the teenagers.......hanging out everywhere!! The high schools in Long Island NY where I grew up were a disaster. The kids REALLY seemed this out of control!! It seemed so dark back then, but looking back what was the big deal? Kids will be lazy screw ups, especially if you let them. There was still a lot of this in the early to mid 80's when I was a teen, amongst some segments of kids, but there was a bit more optimism. Anyway, this movie is a pure, dark, cultural time capsule of the late 70's. The kids were about as real as they could be, everything is exaggerated and blown out of proportion, and it is pure genius!! I played this movie for a friend who is English, and he just didn't get it. Life in England in the 70's must have been different. The sprawling suburban landscape is a pretty American phenomenom. When is the DVD coming out? ... Read more | |
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