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Patterns, a review by Antares

Le Samourai (1967) 4/5 - I got this DVD from my state's library exchange program and unfortunately, the DVD wasn't in the greatest shape. At least six times it stopped, then skipped forward to a clearer section of the disc, and of course this only happened at key moments in the film. Beyond that annoying problem, I loved this film. I have come to be an ardent admirer of French gangster films as of late and this film is one that I'm definitely going to re-visit in the future, when I can procure a better copy. I'm pretty sure my rating will increase too.

Patterns (1956) 4.5/5 - Everyone thinks of Rod Serling as the creator of The Twilight Zone, but prior to that seminal TV science fiction/horror show, he was an award winning writer for live television. The screenplay that brought him his first taste of fame was Patterns, a drama set in the executive boardroom of a Manhattan corporation. The broadcast was so popular that it was repeated a few weeks later and plans were made to make a big screen version. The ability to expand the original work from just under one hour to ninety minutes only increased the tension in this superb drama. This is first rate writing that keeps you glued to the verbal action onscreen and never lets up for a moment during its ninety minute duration. Van Heflin, Ed Begley and Everett Sloane are so incredible in their performances, you'll wonder how none of them were honored with Oscar nominations.

The Rabbit Trap (1959) 3/5 - TCM was showing films last night that focused on the corporate world, and after Patterns came this B-movie starring Ernest Borgnine. Basically it's about a draftsman who is struggling to get ahead under a boss whom he thinks takes him for granted. It was OK, but the theme of the film wasn't exactly abstract. The trap that Borgnine sets in the woods for the rabbit is meant to convey Borgnine's situation in his company. His dilemma over whether or not to return to the woods to set the rabbit free or keep his job wasn't too subtle in its delivery. But again as in many other films, Borgnine shows his emotional range and proves that he is one of the more underrated actors in film history.

(From Antares' Short Summations on January 11th, 2011)

Speed, a review by DJ Doena

Director: Jan de Bont

Keanu Reeves    ...    Officer Jack Traven
Dennis Hopper   ...    Howard Payne
Sandra Bullock   ...    Annie Porter
Joe Morton   ...    Capt. McMahon
Jeff Daniels   ...    Det. Harold 'Harry' Temple
Alan Ruck   ...    Stephens

Synopsis: Jack and Harry work with the L.A. Police Bomb Squad and they just managed to save 13 people from a rigged elevator. They believe the bomber to be dead until he calls again. Now he has mined the bus 2525 which will explode as soon as it drives faster than 50 miles per hour and then falls under that speed limit. While Harry tries to find the bomber, Jack tries to rescue the passengers - among them Annie Porter, who drives the bus.

My Opinion: A cool piece of action cinema with a lot of car stunts (and a flying bus!). It's watch-worthy based alone on the sheer amount of things, cars, planes and subways that get destroyed over the course of this movie.

(From DJ Doena's movie watchings 2010 on January 30th, 2010)

Tom's TV Pilots marathon, a review by Tom

Action: The Complete Series (1999/United States) IMDb | Wikipedia Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (United States) Length: 293 min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo, Commentary: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Subtitles:

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Plot:
Way too edgy for network TV, this funny, uncensored, naming-names series peels off the glitter of Hollywood moviemaking and exposes the duplicitous but totally addictive, behind-the-scenes truth. Campy, uncesored and very controversial, this "too-close-to reality" show features guest stars that include Keanu Reeves, Salma Hayek, Scott Wolf and Sandra Bullock.

Superstar producer Peter Dragon (Jay Mohr, host of TV's "Last Comic Standing") builds his stellar career on the three pillars of show business - prostitution, nepostism and dishonesty. Adding to that an ego as big as a Beverly Hills mansion, the aptly named Dragon and his cohorts manage to be politically incorrect, backstabbing, phony, petty, pissy and most of all -- ingeniously funny!

Action
1.01 Pilot
Writer: Chris Thompson (Writer)
Director: Ted Demme
Cast: Jay Mohr (Peter Dragon), Illeana Douglas (Wendy Ward), Jarrad Paul (Adam Rafkin), Jack Plotnick (Stuart Glazer), Buddy Hackett (Uncle Lonnie), Keanu Reeves (Himself), Lee Arenberg (Bobby G.), Cindy Ambuehl (Jane Gianopolis), Michelle Hurd (Gina), Gavin Polone (Dodi), Richard Burgi (Cole Riccardi), Sara Paxton (Georgia Dragon), Hector Contreras (Manny Sanchez), Johnny Grant (Himself)

Not a bad series and not a bad first episode, but I never quite grew to like it. Maybe it's because Jay Mohr plays a prick so well, that it's hard to get invested in the character

Rating:

(From Tom's TV Pilots marathon on March 25th, 2011)