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)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, a review by addicted2dvd

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Year: 2001 Length: 152min. Director: Chris Columbus Stars: Daniel Radcliffe Rupert Grint Emma Watson

Plot:
Harry Potter learns on his 11th birthday that he is the orphaned son of two powerful wizards and possesses magical powers of his own. At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry embarks on the adventure of a lifetime, discovering a world of magic and fantasy where he is destined to live.

My Thoughts:
This is the first time I have watched this movie since I first got 5 years ago. So it was really like watching it for the first time again. It is a fun movie... I enjoyed it. I can see why my daughter enjoys these movies so much. Even though this is a rather long movie you don't realize it while watching it as the time flies without you even realizing it.



(From Weekend Movie Marathon: 11/28 - 11/30 on November 29th, 2008)

My PILOT Marathon, a review by Rich

MIRACLES - COMPLETE SERIES - THE FERGUSON SYNDROME



Premiered: January 27, 2003   
Paul Callan works as an investigator of miracles for the Archdiocese of Boston. Growing weary of his job and the tests it places on his faith, he takes a leave of absence and travels to Arizona to work on an Indian Reservation. While there, Father Calero calls him and asks him to investigate a young boy, Tommy Ferguson, who supposedly has the power to heal others. Skeptical at first, Paul meets with Tommy and witnesses his abilities. He discovers that the young boy is dying, and that every time he heals another, his own health deteriorates. He also learns that his path and Tommy's are somehow inexorably linked. When Paul is in a potentially fatal car crash, Tommy uses his power for the last time, and gives his own life to save Paul. As Tommy heals him, Paul sees the words, "God Is Now Here" written in his own blood. His faith renewed, Paul returns to the church but the Monsignor dismisses his findings, causing him to resign. Paul is then approached by a stranger named Alva Keel who tells him that he is not alone in his experience. There have been 6 others who witnessed hemography, but they instead saw the words, "God is Nowhere." Keel urges Paul come to work with him at Sodalitas Quaerito, an organization devoted to searching for the truth.

Hmmmm, not sure what to make of this yet, it was rather flimsy and extremely far-fetched, but had a certain appeal that made you want to see some more. It was an average beginning to a series I believe was canned within a year. Very little is revealed about Alva's secret organisation, and both his and the Paul Callan character appear to have good potential.
Not a classic, but nor is it a duffer. Average!







(From My PILOT Marathon on May 27th, 2008)