George-Dzundza Movie Reviews

"Above Suspicion" offers both a plausible plot and realistic character portrayals. The dilemma of the story becomes apparent when a family man's (Bakula's) past comes back to haunt him, consequently tearing his life and his family apart. His wife (Sciorra) becomes more and more unsure of her husband as the story progresses. "Above Suspicion" has the qualities of an intense psychological thriller, as well as a heart warmer. It's a must see for almost any movie fan. Just don't confuse this "Above Suspicion" with the film starring Christopher Reve!

If you are looking for a good laugh, get this movie! An oldie, I've been looking for it on cable for 10+ years. Beverly D'Angelo, Beau Bridges, William Devane, Jessica Tandy, Hume Chroyn, David (?) (the guy who played "Sledgehammer") and other character actors you'll recoznize. One of the funniest scenes has George Dzunda smelling women's panties.

When will this movie be issued on dvd

When will this movie be issued on dvd

Clint Eatwoods in the 90's just got better and better as a director. This is wonderfull movie and I cant wait for it to be released on DVD

Clint Eastwood captures the machismo and bravado and the wit of John Huston perfectly and he gets some of the elegance and the grace which he also had in abundance and which made him one of the most interesting of characters. A more complex actor may have given a more layered performance but its pretty hard not to admire what he does with the role. Eastwood is also a legend but of a different type and from a different era and his own legend status may have interfered with the filmgoing publics ability to accept him in this role playing not himself(as we always assumed he was doing)but a different legend. I think it works very well though. You can tell Eastwood is examining his own mythic stature as he examines Hustons.
The last scene of the movie has Eastwood/Huston sitting in his directors chair ready to shoot the first scene of African Queen. The movie documents Hustons conflicting desires to be both a man who lives life fully and to be an artist. The two urges come into conflict when Huston must cater to the studio executives who want to control what he does. His endless battles with studio representatives is great comedy. He enlists the young screenwriter "Pete" as an ally, or attempts to. (Pete is the one who eventually writes the book this movie is based on.) Huston wants Pete to be as fearless as he is and Pete is taken in by the charm of the great director but not all the way in. Pete is his own man, and Huston encourages that but also comes up against it when they disagree. Sometimes Hustons willfullness is heroic as when he acts out of principle. In one of the best scenes of the movie a blonde socialite makes some antisemitic remarks unaware that Pete is Jewish. Huston defends his screenwriter and friend but not immediately, rather using all his charm and guile (which is dropped only at the last minute) he tells the blonde socialite a long story about another blonde socialite and there is no way for this antisemitic blonde socialite not to know just who the story is about... you will never forget the tell off after you have seen it. Other times however the willfullness just seems like simple childishness and irresponsibity and is at least one of the contributing factors in an accidental death. Eastwood/Huston gets beaten up pretty good in one scene(which proves just how far he'll go) and he wears the scars like badges through several scenes. You can't help like him and admire him for going through life in such cavalier fashion but you are also kind of sickened at times that he is so egocentric and callous towards others. So it is an unusual movie with a lead character that you both do and don't like. Its not what people expect from Eastwood. Its deeper, more complex. It is a thinking mans biography- adventure movie. Hustons African escapade begins as an outward journey to conquer and therby prove his greatness as a man by killing an elephant and ends with him coming to his senses... finally. Only by going too far far too many times does he realize how destructive his megolomania really was. Great character study, and great looking film. My favorite Eastwood movie.

Clint Eastwood reaches his summit, both as an actor and a director in White Hunter, Black Heart. A penetrating, highly involved movie, based on facts. Eastwood playnig the lead is a self-centered, megalomaniac movie-director, who sacrifices everything and everybody around him during a trip in Africa, just to fulfill his own ambition to shoot an elephant. His obsessive behaviour leads to ultimate destruction, when at the last moment, he finds himselve unable to shoot, getting his African guide killed in the progress.Eastwood is excellent as the charming, but egoistical director. Jeff Fahey is surprisingly good as his writer friend and the supporting cast, portraying among others real life actors Katherine Hepburne and Humphry Bogard are so realistic it is difficult to believe that they are not really the people they pretend to be. A work of art in every meaning of the word.

Clint Eatwoods in the 90's just got better and better as a director. This is wonderfull movie and I cant wait for it to be released on DVD

Clint Eastwood captures the machismo and bravado and the wit of John Huston perfectly and he gets some of the elegance and the grace which he also had in abundance and which made him one of the most interesting of characters. A more complex actor may have given a more layered performance but its pretty hard not to admire what he does with the role. Eastwood is also a legend but of a different type and from a different era and his own legend status may have interfered with the filmgoing publics ability to accept him in this role playing not himself(as we always assumed he was doing)but a different legend. I think it works very well though. You can tell Eastwood is examining his own mythic stature as he examines Hustons.
The last scene of the movie has Eastwood/Huston sitting in his directors chair ready to shoot the first scene of African Queen. The movie documents Hustons conflicting desires to be both a man who lives life fully and to be an artist. The two urges come into conflict when Huston must cater to the studio executives who want to control what he does. His endless battles with studio representatives is great comedy. He enlists the young screenwriter "Pete" as an ally, or attempts to. (Pete is the one who eventually writes the book this movie is based on.) Huston wants Pete to be as fearless as he is and Pete is taken in by the charm of the great director but not all the way in. Pete is his own man, and Huston encourages that but also comes up against it when they disagree. Sometimes Hustons willfullness is heroic as when he acts out of principle. In one of the best scenes of the movie a blonde socialite makes some antisemitic remarks unaware that Pete is Jewish. Huston defends his screenwriter and friend but not immediately, rather using all his charm and guile (which is dropped only at the last minute) he tells the blonde socialite a long story about another blonde socialite and there is no way for this antisemitic blonde socialite not to know just who the story is about... you will never forget the tell off after you have seen it. Other times however the willfullness just seems like simple childishness and irresponsibity and is at least one of the contributing factors in an accidental death. Eastwood/Huston gets beaten up pretty good in one scene(which proves just how far he'll go) and he wears the scars like badges through several scenes. You can't help like him and admire him for going through life in such cavalier fashion but you are also kind of sickened at times that he is so egocentric and callous towards others. So it is an unusual movie with a lead character that you both do and don't like. Its not what people expect from Eastwood. Its deeper, more complex. It is a thinking mans biography- adventure movie. Hustons African escapade begins as an outward journey to conquer and therby prove his greatness as a man by killing an elephant and ends with him coming to his senses... finally. Only by going too far far too many times does he realize how destructive his megolomania really was. Great character study, and great looking film. My favorite Eastwood movie.

Clint Eastwood reaches his summit, both as an actor and a director in White Hunter, Black Heart. A penetrating, highly involved movie, based on facts. Eastwood playnig the lead is a self-centered, megalomaniac movie-director, who sacrifices everything and everybody around him during a trip in Africa, just to fulfill his own ambition to shoot an elephant. His obsessive behaviour leads to ultimate destruction, when at the last moment, he finds himselve unable to shoot, getting his African guide killed in the progress.Eastwood is excellent as the charming, but egoistical director. Jeff Fahey is surprisingly good as his writer friend and the supporting cast, portraying among others real life actors Katherine Hepburne and Humphry Bogard are so realistic it is difficult to believe that they are not really the people they pretend to be. A work of art in every meaning of the word.

Clint Eatwoods in the 90's just got better and better as a director. This is wonderfull movie and I cant wait for it to be released on DVD

Clint Eastwood captures the machismo and bravado and the wit of John Huston perfectly and he gets some of the elegance and the grace which he also had in abundance and which made him one of the most interesting of characters. A more complex actor may have given a more layered performance but its pretty hard not to admire what he does with the role. Eastwood is also a legend but of a different type and from a different era and his own legend status may have interfered with the filmgoing publics ability to accept him in this role playing not himself(as we always assumed he was doing)but a different legend. I think it works very well though. You can tell Eastwood is examining his own mythic stature as he examines Hustons.
The last scene of the movie has Eastwood/Huston sitting in his directors chair ready to shoot the first scene of African Queen. The movie documents Hustons conflicting desires to be both a man who lives life fully and to be an artist. The two urges come into conflict when Huston must cater to the studio executives who want to control what he does. His endless battles with studio representatives is great comedy. He enlists the young screenwriter "Pete" as an ally, or attempts to. (Pete is the one who eventually writes the book this movie is based on.) Huston wants Pete to be as fearless as he is and Pete is taken in by the charm of the great director but not all the way in. Pete is his own man, and Huston encourages that but also comes up against it when they disagree. Sometimes Hustons willfullness is heroic as when he acts out of principle. In one of the best scenes of the movie a blonde socialite makes some antisemitic remarks unaware that Pete is Jewish. Huston defends his screenwriter and friend but not immediately, rather using all his charm and guile (which is dropped only at the last minute) he tells the blonde socialite a long story about another blonde socialite and there is no way for this antisemitic blonde socialite not to know just who the story is about... you will never forget the tell off after you have seen it. Other times however the willfullness just seems like simple childishness and irresponsibity and is at least one of the contributing factors in an accidental death. Eastwood/Huston gets beaten up pretty good in one scene(which proves just how far he'll go) and he wears the scars like badges through several scenes. You can't help like him and admire him for going through life in such cavalier fashion but you are also kind of sickened at times that he is so egocentric and callous towards others. So it is an unusual movie with a lead character that you both do and don't like. Its not what people expect from Eastwood. Its deeper, more complex. It is a thinking mans biography- adventure movie. Hustons African escapade begins as an outward journey to conquer and therby prove his greatness as a man by killing an elephant and ends with him coming to his senses... finally. Only by going too far far too many times does he realize how destructive his megolomania really was. Great character study, and great looking film. My favorite Eastwood movie.

Clint Eastwood reaches his summit, both as an actor and a director in White Hunter, Black Heart. A penetrating, highly involved movie, based on facts. Eastwood playnig the lead is a self-centered, megalomaniac movie-director, who sacrifices everything and everybody around him during a trip in Africa, just to fulfill his own ambition to shoot an elephant. His obsessive behaviour leads to ultimate destruction, when at the last moment, he finds himselve unable to shoot, getting his African guide killed in the progress.Eastwood is excellent as the charming, but egoistical director. Jeff Fahey is surprisingly good as his writer friend and the supporting cast, portraying among others real life actors Katherine Hepburne and Humphry Bogard are so realistic it is difficult to believe that they are not really the people they pretend to be. A work of art in every meaning of the word.

Clint Eatwoods in the 90's just got better and better as a director. This is wonderfull movie and I cant wait for it to be released on DVD

Clint Eastwood captures the machismo and bravado and the wit of John Huston perfectly and he gets some of the elegance and the grace which he also had in abundance and which made him one of the most interesting of characters. A more complex actor may have given a more layered performance but its pretty hard not to admire what he does with the role. Eastwood is also a legend but of a different type and from a different era and his own legend status may have interfered with the filmgoing publics ability to accept him in this role playing not himself(as we always assumed he was doing)but a different legend. I think it works very well though. You can tell Eastwood is examining his own mythic stature as he examines Hustons.
The last scene of the movie has Eastwood/Huston sitting in his directors chair ready to shoot the first scene of African Queen. The movie documents Hustons conflicting desires to be both a man who lives life fully and to be an artist. The two urges come into conflict when Huston must cater to the studio executives who want to control what he does. His endless battles with studio representatives is great comedy. He enlists the young screenwriter "Pete" as an ally, or attempts to. (Pete is the one who eventually writes the book this movie is based on.) Huston wants Pete to be as fearless as he is and Pete is taken in by the charm of the great director but not all the way in. Pete is his own man, and Huston encourages that but also comes up against it when they disagree. Sometimes Hustons willfullness is heroic as when he acts out of principle. In one of the best scenes of the movie a blonde socialite makes some antisemitic remarks unaware that Pete is Jewish. Huston defends his screenwriter and friend but not immediately, rather using all his charm and guile (which is dropped only at the last minute) he tells the blonde socialite a long story about another blonde socialite and there is no way for this antisemitic blonde socialite not to know just who the story is about... you will never forget the tell off after you have seen it. Other times however the willfullness just seems like simple childishness and irresponsibity and is at least one of the contributing factors in an accidental death. Eastwood/Huston gets beaten up pretty good in one scene(which proves just how far he'll go) and he wears the scars like badges through several scenes. You can't help like him and admire him for going through life in such cavalier fashion but you are also kind of sickened at times that he is so egocentric and callous towards others. So it is an unusual movie with a lead character that you both do and don't like. Its not what people expect from Eastwood. Its deeper, more complex. It is a thinking mans biography- adventure movie. Hustons African escapade begins as an outward journey to conquer and therby prove his greatness as a man by killing an elephant and ends with him coming to his senses... finally. Only by going too far far too many times does he realize how destructive his megolomania really was. Great character study, and great looking film. My favorite Eastwood movie.

Clint Eastwood reaches his summit, both as an actor and a director in White Hunter, Black Heart. A penetrating, highly involved movie, based on facts. Eastwood playnig the lead is a self-centered, megalomaniac movie-director, who sacrifices everything and everybody around him during a trip in Africa, just to fulfill his own ambition to shoot an elephant. His obsessive behaviour leads to ultimate destruction, when at the last moment, he finds himselve unable to shoot, getting his African guide killed in the progress.Eastwood is excellent as the charming, but egoistical director. Jeff Fahey is surprisingly good as his writer friend and the supporting cast, portraying among others real life actors Katherine Hepburne and Humphry Bogard are so realistic it is difficult to believe that they are not really the people they pretend to be. A work of art in every meaning of the word.

After seeing this movie for the first time, I drew so many comparisons between this movie and Apocalypse Now, which I had considered the best war movie ever made. Both showed the madness of and heartlessness of war. Marlon Brando and George Dzundza played superb psychos who followed or enlarged their orders. Martin Sheen and Stephen Baldwin played soldiers who finally agreeded that war is insane. Whereas Martin Sheen eventually kills the beast (Marlon Brando), Stephen Baldwin attempts to do the same. Jason Patrick and Steven Bauer play the other two tankers and are so similar to the other river boat soldiers in Apocalypse Now. Whereas Martin Sheen's ship mates learn too late about the absurdity of war, Jason Patrick and Steven Bauer manage to... The Afghan's show true spirit as they wage a personal war against the T-62, while the tank crew wage a personal war against their commander, who would kill them rather than leave his tank to be destroyed. The action is terrific and the supporting cast is excellent, especially the female Afghan's. They are just as tough, if not tougher than the males. To the famales, revenge is sweet. Whereas the men would just as soon shoot the enemy, the females would rather take their time and extract their own justice on the tank crew. Perhaps the longest living memory of the movie surrounds the music. I do not recall ever feeling so alone listening to the music. It was eerie and defined the lonliness of Afghanistan. The single shrill of the music really defined the arrid land and at time,the hopelessness, of the struggle. But they never gave up. I hope that you feel the same, concerning the music. I compare it to some of that of Tangerine Dream. Eerie but worth remembering. I would give the edge to The Beast strictly for the music. It is or was about time that Russia's Vietnam was portrayed back in 1988. By all means, see this movie and enjoy the music. Both are first rate and extremely haunting. You will remember both.

...and I've seen quite a few. This is a movie that encloses human drama within the reality and hardship of war. As far as action, it is cruel and realistic, just like the real thing. You can watch this movie over and over and still wonder how they could combine so much action with so much intelectual content. I bet you could sit an action fan and a movie critic and get completely different opinions afterwards. Both guys would be quite impressed by the picture. Technically it sticks to reality quite well. Weapons, aircraft and the tank (real Russian T-62)are fully operational, and actors seem to have received good training in all procedures. You really have to be an Afghan war vet to notice tiny small details like shells comming out of the turret, and projection of rocket explosions, which may not be accurate to the real thing, but, this movie is excellent!! More than excellent. The only reason why this movie could not make it to the top was its deep political message, which, in this millenium, will not be of any importance at all. Watch it... you will want to have it.

Kevin Reynolds directed this film with a script by William Mastrosimone. Although stylized and a little exaggerated, the film is a great at showing how techonology doesn't always get the upper hand in certain environments: nowhere is this truer than in Afghanistan. The rugged mountainous and desert terrain is mostly inhospitable and full of hiding places for guerrilla fighters such as the Mujahadeen.

I found Jason Patric to be the least believable character in this story. I'd find hard to believe that a Soviet tank driver, even if he were to disagree with his superiors or the war, would suddenly join the Afghans in fighting his compatriots; this would be just as unlikely as an American soldier disagreeing with his superiors and then joining the North Vietnamese. The best performance was that of George Dzundza who played the hard and tempered tank commander. The movie follows the tank as it wanders lost through the desert like a wounded animal being stalked by hunters. The film has a definite cat and mouse theme to it.

Altogether an enjoyable action movie that is well paced with good acting.

Crimson Tide is a high adrenaline drama, with a solid cast, and a terrific and engaging plot. Probably the best submarine movie since Hunt for the Red October, Crimson Tide does everything it can to create instant suspense and interest in this movie and it succeeds. The movie stars Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman, who play off each other brilliantly.

Washington plays Hunter, the Executive Officer (Exo) of the submarine U.S.S. Alabama. Hunter is the play it straight, humble but serious, follow the rules kind of officer. Hunter follows his conscience and what he knows is right, and is not easily persuaded. This is the trademark character of almost every character Washington plays, with the exception of his role in Training Day.

Hackman plays Capt. Ramsey, the hard-nosed, bull-headed, confrontational captain of the very same submarine. Ramsey doesn't believe in advice or even his conscience, just his orders and making no exceptions. Hackman, whose personna often comes across as arrogant and head strong, is a the exact kind of actor one would want for this part.

As noticed, Ramsey and Hunter are almost opposites, which leads us to the conflict of characters. It's analogy can be described as hot air and cold air mixing...and one should know what that forms. This is picked up very early in the film, when Ramsey is interviewing Hunter to be his next Exo.
This was the signal that Ramsey is not easily impressed nor does he truly think highly of Hunter. A problem that does not go away throughout the film.

The plot is a little complicated, but it can be summarized. Basically, it's about Russian rebels who seize Russian warheads. These rebels then begin making threats towards America and Japan. Enter the US Navy, deploying it's nuke subs all across the world to be prepared to launch if needed. The U.S.S. Alabama is among them.

I think this is a terrific plot and I think the movie did an admirable job in attempting to make it appear real or quite very possible. They did this by including live footage (obviously from other wars), interviews with the madman or leader of the rebels, and creating a series of events that quite possibly could occur. I was really impressed with how they did all this in the beginning of the movie, so we all got a sense of what the movie was going to be about.

Unfortunately, I'm not all that impressed with some of the criticism given to this film from fellow reviewers. The biggest gripe is that this film does not portray submariners accurately, that the way they acted is not possible and it's a slap in the face to our Navy. Look, I have no doubt that there are inaccuracies in how Navy personel are "supposed" to act or how submarine life persists. But that doesn't mean it's a slap. It just means it isn't portrayed accurately.

Not to mention, this criticism is over-blown and it isn't what the movie is about. I think people who get all upset over this film, as far as the portrayal of submariners, need to get a grip. This film is about two things that not even the US Navy is immune to: human judgment and human error. In order for that concept to be applied in this sense, you can't have all the submariners acting all perfect and do nothing wrong and create no conflicts on board. This is a drama. That stuff must occur otherwise it's a boring movie. So wake up, get off your high horse, and just enjoy the movie. The movie is about a broader scope than the portrayal of our Navy. The movie is about the possible break down of our system, the break down of officers, and the forever curse of human misjudgment.

This film will make you think, and that's what I like about it. You're entertained and you think about this movie during and after you see it. This movie was made to create drama at the ultimate expense in the worst of times. So if you want to see what I consider the best submarine movie out there, go see Crimson Tide.

What do you get when you combine two great masters of understated acting (Hackman and Washington) with a great plot and tight directing? You get Crimson Tide.

Denzel Washington plays a new XO (Executive Officer) to a quirky, battle-tested sub captain, played admirably (ok, bad pun) by Gene Hackman. Captain Ramsey of the USS Alabama is idolized by his crew. His quirks (keeping a Jack Russel terrier on board) are tolerated by the Navy--after all, Ramsey is a real hero. Ramsey is suspicious of Harvard-educated Hunter, (Washington) who like many younger officers, has not been tested in battle. On the surface, Ramsey seems to approve of Hunter, but the skillful Hackman shows suspicion and jealousy gleaming dully beneath the pleasantries.

The plot is a timely one: a renegade former Soviet nation gets the codes to nuclear missiles and threatens to lob them at the US. An authenticated decoded message to the USS Alabama puts the ship on full alert--at a level not seen since the Cuban missile crisis. The follow up command comes in to launch the sub's own missiles to destroy the enemy silos. But then a series of incidents occurs and the sub is isolated from the chain of command. And enemy subs, commandeered by the renegade nation, are lurking in the same waters.

The events that follow are exciting; the premise of following orders and correct command is a deep dilemma. This film is in the best tradition of Das Boot, Run Silent, Run Deep and Red October. Is it the best of the submarine films? Could be. After seeing it, I really wanted to own the DVD, and if you like films of this genre, you will too.

This was the first sub movie I ever saw and I loved it! Gene Hackman was great as always and Denzel was fantastic as the Alabama's XO. The story was quite interesting however it intrigues me to read the book because I know there is stuff that they must have left out of the movie. I saw this in the theatre and that was awesome in itself because Hans Zimmer did such a fine job with the music and the sounds of the ship were all around you. If you want something entertaining without loading down with "naval stuff" see this. You'll enjoy it.