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Presumed Innocent, a review by Rich

Presumed innocent



PRESUMED INNOCENT, like most of director Alan J. Pakula's films is also a complex character study. Based on a best-selling novel by Scott Turrow, the courtroom murder mystery tells the story of prosecutor Rusty Sabich (Harrison Ford) who is accused of murdering his former mistress, the beautiful and ambitious Carolyn Polhemus (Greta Scacchi). All the physical evidence points to him, and Sabich's "golden child" character is in deep trouble. His marriage, too, is in jeopardy as new twists of events leave his wife Barbara doubting Ford's innocence, and Sabich's boss Raymond Horgan, who is running for reelection, simply wants the killer caught before his campaign suffers. Ford's performance (somewhat against type based on previous roles) is excellent as the beleaguered attorney who seeks an end to his nightmare, calling acerbic defense lawyer and rival (Raul Julia) to his rescue. Cinematographer Gordon Willis (THE GODFATHER) and Pakula, who collaborated previously on KLUTE, have created a film of shadow and darkness in which great performances keep the audience riveted right up to the unnerving ending.

Slightly dated suspense drama, with a satisfying plot twist at the end, albeit the killer was obvious after about half an hour. Ford has been in better films, this movie coming probably at the peak of his career, but a solid supporting cast and good direction aid in the endeavour.
This has all the right elements, but is missing a certain something to make it a truly memorable classic.
 


(From Riches Random Reviews on January 13th, 2009)

Bay of Blood, a review by Jimmy

Title: Bay of Blood (1971)

Genre: Horror
Director: Mario Bava (Black Sunday)           
Rating: Unrated
Length: 1h24
Video: Widescreen
Audio: English
Subtitles: No Subtitles

Stars:
Claudine Auger (Thunderball)
Luigi Pistilli (For a Few Dollars More)
Claudio Camaso (Vengeance)
Anna Maria Rosati (Silvia e l'amore)
Chris Avram (L'Ossessa)   

Plot:
An elderly heiress is killed by her husband who wants control of her fortunes. What ensues is an all-out murder spree as relatives and friends attempt to reduce the inheritance playing field, complicated by some teenagers who decide to camp out in a dilapidated building on the estate.

We continue with the review of the films countain in the second Mario Bava Boxset released by Anchor Bay. I will not repeat what I've already said, but I really recommand to everyone interested in italian cinema to take a look at Bava's works.

This one start like the usual Giallo by a mysterious murder at the beginning (a very imaginative one), but the murderer is immediatly reveals. Since this is not usual we know that something isn't right and not long after the murderer got a taste of his own medicine. We are not on a Giallo ride, but we are in for one of the first slasher movie (if you have seen a lot of them, you will see where they stole their idea). As usual with the Italian movie we have an international cast, the foreigner here is Claudine Auger a beautifull French actress (Miss France 1958). The movie was filmed in italian and in english so no dubbing this time, but the english dialogue doesn't sound natural (I would have prefer to watch the Italian version subtitle). As usual with Bava the cinematography is excellent (many visuals hint and one of the best camera effect that I've seen : four fast zoom in and a fast zoom out after). The supporting cast is good too : particullary Leopoldo Trieste and Laura Betti. The special effect are well done.

Another strong recommandation and a movie that I suggest to you Pete since this one is really in your taste range.

Also known as Twitch of the Death Nerve
One of the original 74 video nasties in the UK

Rating :

Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqIV5Ye68wQ

(From The little known movie review depot on June 11th, 2008)

Sliders Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

13. MURDER MOST FOUL
On a world where R&R takes the form of Fantasy Island-style vacations, The Professor finds himself in the role of a detective.

My Thoughts:
This is a very good episode. One of my favorites. I like the whole Jack the Ripper storyline. And having Professor Arturo being a Sherlock Holmes like character was good.

My Rating:

14. SLIDE LIKE AN EGYPTIAN
On a world where ancient Egypt never fell from grace, the Sliders are experimented on and terrorized by a giant scarab beetle.

My Thoughts:
Another good episode. This is the first time (that I remember at least) that they missed the slide. I also enjoyed the life after death experience that Quinn went through.

My Rating:

15. PARADISE LOST
The Sliders land in a town where no one lives to be over 35 ... for good reason.

My Thoughts:
Another one of my favorite episodes. It is like a twist on the Tremor movies.

My Rating:

16. THE EXODUS (Part 1)
An Earth is threatened by a passing pulsar, and sliding is being developed as a way to save some Americans - but Colonel Rickman, in charge of deciding who stays and who goes, is also mysteriously and systematically putting people into comas.

My Thoughts:
Another excellent episode. And the introduction of Maggie... who is to become the newest regular slider. I like how you see multiple worlds in this episode as they search for a new world for the survivors of the doomed world.

My Rating:

(From Sliders Marathon on September 1st, 2009)