DVD Collectors Online

L.A. Confidential, a review by Jon

L.A. Confidential *****
5 out of 5

A while ago in another thread, I suggested that Titanic was the right film to win the Best Picture award over L.A. Confidential because it was old- fashioned romantic fantasy that Hollywood was built on. That's rubbish. Since I last saw both films I've seen a lot more Film Noir and while it was always an under-valued genre, it's even more clear to me now just how superb this modern entry is. In fact, it is a gem to judge older Film Noir by and can stand alongside classics like A Touch of Evil or Double Indemnity. Titanic is excellent, but still bloated and predictable (and no, not because the boat sinks!) and while melodrama was one of the foundations of Hollywood in the 50s, no-one remembers them. This, is a proper film for proper film fans. The stories deep-rooted ties with L.A. at the height of Hollywood glamour is the icing on the cake.

It's easy to have rose-tinted spectacles and assume that modern versions of a long-forgotten staple of cinema simply can't be as good, but like Unforgiven before it, L.A. Confidential is a defining example of its genre. Much of this is thanks to the hard-bitten novel it's based on by James Ellroy, whose wonderful story is perfect Noir, especially in the Femme Fatale of never-better Kim Basinger; she is dangerous to the men around her, but vulnerable as well. It entwines beautifully with Hollywood legend (even notorious Johnny Stompanato is featured, along with Lana Turner in a very funny scene!).

Basinger is a high-class escort, who looks like Veronica Lake, and the key for the L.A.P.D. to uncover David Strathairn's sleazy business and his corrupted political friends. It comes down to three men to go above and beyond, played to perfection by Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce and Kevin Spacey, and it's a joy to watch these three because none were the superstar actors they are now, so the roles are not compromised in the slightest. They're supported by James Cromwell as Captain Dudley Smith and Danny DeVito as sleazy Sid Hudgens. The cast is simply note-perfect throughout.

They're helped by the wonderful dialogue in Brian Helgeland's and Curtis Hanson's screenplay. What is it with Helgeland? He's either churning out gold like this and Payback, or guff like Sin Eater. But even harder to understand is Hanson, who also directed. Apart from the fantastic Wonder Boys, he's done nothing else of note. The earlier River Wild was fun, but Die Hard on-a-river is something anyone can do.

The film is gorgeous to look at, with the production never looking fake, and there are moments that can take the breath away, especially the climax (cinematographer Dante Spinotti coming into his own) or Bud White losing his temper and destroying an office! Like everyone else involved, Jerry Goldsmith finds his best form and produces a score to match the pacing, ever-present, but never over-powering.

L.A. Confidential is very special indeed and much of it is down to Hanson, somehow making a film that you think Scorcese could easily have done, yet I'd suggest doing it better, so utterly convincing is his picture of the sleaze and corruption behind the red carpet culture. His Goodfella's style opening doesn't feel as indulgent as that oft-overrated film and the pacing is sharper where it needs to be. I'm not saying Hanson could pull off something of Taxi Driver standards, but he proves here he can mix it with the best of them. So where is he? Apparently this was the film he dreamed of making, so perhaps he is content. And perhaps he should be, because this film is so brilliant, yet everyone involved makes it look easy. It has a style and rhythm other films can only dream of. The Academy should be deeply ashamed.

(From Jon's Random Reviews on August 15th, 2009)

Bionic Showdown , a review by addicted2dvd

Bionic Showdown (1989/United States) Director: Alan J. Levi Writing: Michael Sloan (Screenwriter), Brock Choy (Screenwriter) Length: 92 min. Rating: NR Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: None

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Stars:
Lindsay Wagner as Jaime Sommers
Lee Majors as Col. Steve Austin
Richard Anderson as Oscar Goldman
Sandra Bullock as Kate Mason
Jeff Yagher as Jim Goldman
Martin E. Brooks as Dr. Rudy Wells

Plot:
A bionic spy steals top-secret information from the Pentagon and Steve Austin and Jaime Sommers are put under suspicion. Meanwhile, Dr. Rudy Wells completes his latest Bionic project Kate Mason (Sandra Bullock), a former paraplegic who receives cybernetic implants that make her the strongest fastest woman alive. When Oscar Goldman is kidnapped by enemy agents, it's up to Jaime, Steve and Kate to save him and stop the Bionic spy from causing an international incident at the World Unity Games.

Extras:

• Scene Access

While I haven't seen this since I made my DVD off an old recording... I have seen the actual movie before. But probably not since the original airing back in '89. Of course back then I didn't know who Sandra Bullock was... just that she was a cute girl in the movie. And now of course she is one of my all-time favorites. Being a fan of both bionic series... I loved every minute of this TV Reunion Movie. This is the second of 3 reunion movies that they made (which I have recordings of all 3). And watching this movie today puts me in the mood to watch the other 2 as well... but I can't do that as I need to stick to this marathon. Being a good 10 to 12 years after the series the effects are a bit better. I really liked the storyline... this is definitely a great way to waste an hour and a half. I highly recommend... especially if you are a fan of the old series.




(From Tuesday Mini-Marathon: Happy Birthday Sandra Bullock! on July 26th, 2011)

"Due South" marathon, a review by Tom

3.12 Mountie on the Bounty - Part 1 (1998-03-15)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), John Krizanc (Story By), Paul Gross (Screenwriter), R.B. Carney (Screenwriter)
Director: George Bloomfield
Cast

(From "Due South" marathon on January 4th, 2010)