Joel-Schumacher Movie Reviews

Flatliners is a thriller. Medical students play with death and religious beliefs by stopping their hearts (flat-lining) and later having a friend bring them back from death. Terrific film! STEPMOM is Susan Saradon playing an ingredibly nasty role as an ex-wife who is forced to deal with her hubby's new one - - in that the new one is involved with Susan Saradon's kids. This tale is accurate for those who have every been involved with nanny or second-round marriage families. Wonderful story, terrific performances. Another item for my family's Christmas list.

The Incredible Shrinking Woman came out in 1981 and the movie actually more or less reflected the consumerist attitudes of the time, the dawning of the Reagan administration. The movie wasn't too well liked by the critics, they thought that Lily Tomlin didn't give it her full here and that the script was simply so-so, but actually I thought the movie makes perfect sense. Here Lily Tomlin plays a housewife named Pat Kramer who starts to shink thanks to an intolerance of chemicals in her household items. What was really silly of the film was the gorilla, because it wasn't a real gorilla at all but a person in a gorilla suit. Anyway, this movie is basically a satire on Reagan-era American consumerism and materialism, and I think they did a good job at getting that message across, regardless what the movie critics said of it. Lily Tomlin might be a fine comedienne, but it's too bad that her movie output has been rather inconsistent, ranging from critically acclaimed and well liked films like Nashville (w/Henry Gibson, like Tomlin, a Laugh-In alumni, and Keith Carradine) and All of Me (w/Steve Martin) to total stinkers and box office bombs like Moment by Moment (w/John Travolta). And while the Incredible Shrinking Woman was thought of by the critics as another misguided adventure by Lily Tomlin, it's really a lot better than the critics will let you believe, so give it a watch.

I was 6 years old the very first time i saw this movie!I loved it then and I still love it now!!!Lily Tomlin is hilarious and I would recommend this movie to young or old!!

Movies like this come along as often as pearls in clams, really they do. This movie is actually more of a drama with slapstick mixed in. To this day I stand by what I've said for a long time, Lily Tomlin is overlooked for her abilities outside of her comedic straightjacket. This film is so childishly humorous, and at the same time very saddening. In the end, you feel all warm all over and are really satisfied. Unfortuantely, one of the other reviews below reveals the ending, but oh well, just try not to look at that if you don't want to know. This is an essential movie, and you should try to locate it in the video store or here on Amazon if it becomes available again. Excellent movie, you will not regret a single penny you spend on it.

Four and a half stars, actually.

VERONICA GUERIN is based on real events. It's the second screen telling of the story, the first being WHEN THE SKY FALLS (2000) starring Joan Allen.

In this version, Cate Blanchett stars in the title role as the Dublin journalist on Ireland's leading newspaper, who takes it as her personal mission to expose the burgeoning drug trade in the mid-1990's. Her stubborn probing brings her onto the radar of some very hard and violent men, in particular one John Gilligan (Gerard McSorley). Guerin persists despite escalating threats and violence to her person. It's a matter of public record that she was gunned down in her car on June 26, 1996 while waiting at a traffic light, the depiction of which assassination is initiated during the first few minutes of the film.

VERONICA GUERIN is a revelation. Call it naivete, but I never suspected that Ireland had such a vicious and violent drug problem. I mean, didn't St. Patrick drive out the snakes?

Cate Blanchett is perhaps one of the very best dramatic actresses in film today. She doesn't just act her role, she becomes one with it. She is the single best reason to see this movie, and the reason that I'm giving 4.5 stars to an otherwise 3-star production. But why not five?

Blanchett's Guerin persona is glamorous, exuberant, witty, and flirtatious - I think I'm in love. However, I've the sneaking suspicion that the scriptwriters embellished the personality of the murdered reporter to make it play better to the audience. If they did, they'd no good reason to have done so since Veronica's two-year battle against drug dealing scum is by itself a front-page story of incredible heroism - or incredible foolishness. Perhaps the world would be a better place had it more of such fools.

I intend to rent WHEN THE SKY FALLS for a different perspective. Joan Allen is another extraordinary talent, but she doesn't have the glamour that might otherwise skew a necessarily gritty and tragic story.

It's a shame that VERONICA GUERIN played in my local theaters for so short a period. Blanchett's performance may very well earn her an Oscar nomination for best actress.

Veronica Guerin was a very strong and dedicated woman. She was determined to do a job that made a difference. She was successful, too bad it was at such a high cost. Reviewers have been critical of her drive to expose the drug lords, saying she "put her family in danger." Would they have said the same things if she had been a man?
I really liked seeing her interactions with the street characters, especially Colin Farrell. I am glad he did the cameo. I bet it will draw alot of veiwers in who would not of otherwise gone to see the movie. Maybe we could all look at people we see on the streets a little differenly.
I thought the music was especially good. I bought the CD just for the 10 year old boys version of "Fields of Athenry", but I find I enjoy all the music.
Joel Schumacher does a wonderful job yet again.

Leaving the theater, after watching Veronica Guerin, you have to ask yourself, WHY? Why did an Irish journalist, who had no experience in investigative reporting, suddenly want to take on the top Drug Lords in Dublin? Why did she push herself so hard and so fast, that she had little time for her husband and six-year-old son? Since Veronica was such a loner, without many friends, and worked out of her home, the WHY quwstion will probably never be answered.

Amazon.com's reviewer wrote "Veronica Guerin is an adequate tribute that could, and should have been exceptional. But he didn't explain how. This is where a wonderful, exciting movie could have been exceptional. Cate Blanchett did a fantastic, Oscar-worthy job in the title role, and it's not her fault that the screenplay did not give her a chance to explain her motives.

Accents are no problem for the rest of the cast, as they are some of Ireland's top-notch actors. Gerard McSorley (In The Name of the Father), as the tough drug trafficker John Gilligan, turns in a stellar performance once again. Ciaran Hinds, as John Traynor (The Coach), is Veronica's chief informant. But can she count on all his information to be accurate? He is working for Gilligan, who is the only gangster Guerin does not supply with a nickname.

An earlier Irish film (2000), on the life of Veronica, called When The Sky Falls, starring American actress Joan Allen, did a slightly better job of explaining her motives, by having them discussed by her bosses at the Sunday Independant, her husband, and to some extent, her son. This movie did not even try, even though it had a great opportunity, with Oscar winner Brenda Fricker(My Left Foot), playing Veronica's mother. Watching their scenes together, you kept wondering when they would discuss her dangerous occupation? But it never came up.

This film is very accurate in using the real names and nicknames of the Drug Lords, and follows the true story of how Veronica's all-out effort to bring down the drug traffickers gets her in so much trouble. She is shot at in her home, and then shot in the thigh, and finally beaten up by drug dealer John Gilligan, who has her murdered, when she exposes him in her paper, despite his warnings that he would kill her if she did.

Other Irish crime movies that lead up to the Veronica Guerin era (1994 to 1996), are The General, starring Brendon Gleason, which I highly recommend, and Ordinary Decent Criminal, starring Kevin Spacey, which is one of the worst movies I have ever seen, so bad that it was not even released to theaters in this country. Both films are based on Martin Cahill (The General), Ireland's most famous regular criminal, who did not deal in drugs, but was interviewed by Veronica, before he was killed by the IRA in 1994.

Veronica Guerin, which I highly recommend, does contain some graphic violence, drug use, and much foul language, which you can excuse, when you know that's just the way they talk in Dublin. It is only 138 minutes long, but should have been longer. Those extra minutes could have been used to explain the Why's!

When this movie came out in the eighties, I dont think many people realized that it would become a classic film from that decade. Its not just a good vampire movie, its a good movie...period.

Jason patric and Corey Haim are brothers whos mother has moved them to be with their grandfather. Their new home is Santa Clara, otherwise known as the murder capital of the world. While there the older brother Michael (Patrick) meets a gang of teenagers who just happen to be vampires responsible for most of the murders. The younger brother Sam (Corey Haim) runs into a couple of self professed vampire killers. The fact that they are twelve doesnt douse their intensity. Michael appears to be on his way to becoming a vampire and the only way to stop it from happening is to kill the head vampire (The identity of which is revealed at the climax of the movie)

The movie flows nicely with a good script. The acting is good, the effects are good, the music is great. The humor throughout the movie adds some chuckles without forcing it. It all gels together into the best vampire movie I have ever seen. (My humble opinion).

The movie is one of my top ten favorites, but I was a little dissapointed with the DVD. There are very few extras, just a trailer and some production notes. Still worth adding to your DVD collection, but I have my fingers crossed for a collector's edition.

As one of two teenage vampire movies released in 1987, (the other was the miserable "Near Dark")"The Lost Boys," is a hip, modern retelling of the vampire myth set in a Southern California setting. Brothers Michael (Patric) and Sam (Haim) are the newcomers to the small seaside town of Santa Clara, which is known as the murder capital of the world due to the mysterious disappearances of many town residents.

At the town's amusement park, Michael gets himself involved with a gang of vampires, who appear as normal street punks. Meanwhile Sam, meets the Frog Brothers, who run a comic book store at night, but are vampire hunters by day. After Michael himself becomes a vampire due to drinking the blood of a vampire, he is determined to find a way to save himself, the girl he loves, and his family from the impending danger that lurks them.

Directed by Joel Schumacher ("Batman Forever," "Batman & Robin," "Flatliners," etc.), the film's appeal to teenagers is due to its young cast, great soundtrack, and great, yet campy storyline. Dianne Wiest is excellent as Michael and Sam's mother, and Kiefer Sutherland in one of his first major roles is wicked as David, the leader of the gang.

Keep an eye out for a pre-"Bill & Ted's Excellent Adveture" Alex Winter as Marco, one of the vampires. This film also marked the first collaboration of the two Cories, Cory Haim & Cory Feldman, in a string of movies they made together in the 1980's ("License to Drive," "Dream A Little Dream," etc.) that capitalized on their teen-idol status. Reportedley, Jason Patric (who is Jackie Gleason's grandson) hates it when fans mention this movie as one of his best works, but the truth is it still remains one of the late 1980's cult classics.

If you like a funny, yet scary movie in the same tradition as "Scram," then check out this movie. It gave me many memories watching it on DVD as it did when I first saw it at the theater.

Vampires are alive and well in Santa Cruz and they might just be dating your mom!

When this movie came out in the eighties, I dont think many people realized that it would become a classic film from that decade. Its not just a good vampire movie, its a good movie...period.

Jason patric and Corey Haim are brothers whos mother has moved them to be with their grandfather. Their new home is Santa Clara, otherwise known as the murder capital of the world. While there the older brother Michael (Patrick) meets a gang of teenagers who just happen to be vampires responsible for most of the murders. The younger brother Sam (Corey Haim) runs into a couple of self professed vampire killers. The fact that they are twelve doesnt douse their intensity. Michael appears to be on his way to becoming a vampire and the only way to stop it from happening is to kill the head vampire (The identity of which is revealed at the climax of the movie)

The movie flows nicely with a good script. The acting is good, the effects are good, the music is great. The humor throughout the movie adds some chuckles without forcing it. It all gels together into the best vampire movie I have ever seen. (My humble opinion).

The movie is one of my top ten favorites, but I was a little dissapointed with the DVD. There are very few extras, just a trailer and some production notes. Still worth adding to your DVD collection, but I have my fingers crossed for a collector's edition.

As one of two teenage vampire movies released in 1987, (the other was the miserable "Near Dark")"The Lost Boys," is a hip, modern retelling of the vampire myth set in a Southern California setting. Brothers Michael (Patric) and Sam (Haim) are the newcomers to the small seaside town of Santa Clara, which is known as the murder capital of the world due to the mysterious disappearances of many town residents.

At the town's amusement park, Michael gets himself involved with a gang of vampires, who appear as normal street punks. Meanwhile Sam, meets the Frog Brothers, who run a comic book store at night, but are vampire hunters by day. After Michael himself becomes a vampire due to drinking the blood of a vampire, he is determined to find a way to save himself, the girl he loves, and his family from the impending danger that lurks them.

Directed by Joel Schumacher ("Batman Forever," "Batman & Robin," "Flatliners," etc.), the film's appeal to teenagers is due to its young cast, great soundtrack, and great, yet campy storyline. Dianne Wiest is excellent as Michael and Sam's mother, and Kiefer Sutherland in one of his first major roles is wicked as David, the leader of the gang.

Keep an eye out for a pre-"Bill & Ted's Excellent Adveture" Alex Winter as Marco, one of the vampires. This film also marked the first collaboration of the two Cories, Cory Haim & Cory Feldman, in a string of movies they made together in the 1980's ("License to Drive," "Dream A Little Dream," etc.) that capitalized on their teen-idol status. Reportedley, Jason Patric (who is Jackie Gleason's grandson) hates it when fans mention this movie as one of his best works, but the truth is it still remains one of the late 1980's cult classics.

If you like a funny, yet scary movie in the same tradition as "Scram," then check out this movie. It gave me many memories watching it on DVD as it did when I first saw it at the theater.

Vampires are alive and well in Santa Cruz and they might just be dating your mom!

This movie is such a touching tender movie. Granted it is based on an adulterous affair, but that element is overshadowed by the love you can feel coming through the characters. I don't think I have ever seen Ted Danson act finer than this. It shows he has true acting range. Isabella, nothing needs to be said about her other than she has once again has proven herself a true star. As much as you would love to hate Sean Young and William Peterson, you can't help but grow to like them, as you watch their characters develop.Excellent acting job on both their parts. The settings are beautiful, the directing was wonderful. I highly recommend this movie to anyone that wants to feel good about and believe in the power of true love. BRAVO to the entire cast of tis amazingly sweet movie!!!!

For once Ted Danson does himself justice as an actor. Of course he is helped by the delectable Isabella Rossellini and the superb Sean Young in a love story with a difference. Danson is a dance instructor, Rossellini a housewife who become cousins by marriage when they meet at the wedding of her mother to his uncle. At the same wedding Danson's wife played by Sean Young meets Rossellini's husband, handsomely portrayed by William Petersen. An affair ensues and it is only a matter of time before their respective spouses find out. But when Danson and Rossellini do find out they decide on a perfect revenge. They pretend that they too are having an affair. This is done gently, with great humour and many funny moments, like when Danson buys Rossellini a hat because her husband "hates them" and Rossellini does the same with boxer shorts and it's not long before their philandering partners are getting a taste of their own medicine. Add to this Danson's crotchety father ably played by Lloyd Bridges who turns up when his brother dies of a heart attack, as well as Danson's teenage son who wants to be a horror movie director, and you have a delightful comedy filled with great moments that leave you chuckling away whilst at the same time wiping away the occasional tear from your eye. The story line could be complicated but isn't though it might take you a few minutes to sort out who is related to whom in the film! It is a nice love story about how two people who fall in love and have to make up their mind whether they stay together or try to make their marriages work. As well as this you have the blossoming love between Rossellini's mother (now widowed) and Danson's father, watch the scene when Danson's son helps his grandfather get ready for his first date, it's hilarious. All in all this is a great film and the music score is absolutely brilliant. So for a film that is gentle, funny and touching don't look any further, "Cousins" is all you need.

This is a great movie. Definitely one to own.

Movie Critics are morons. All of these characters ARE stereotypes, as are the characters in 85% of Hollywood's movies today. Panning this movie for it's blatent use of these cliched people kind of misses 'the point' they were looking for. People are ugly, racist, and selfish. This man (with serious emotional problems) takes a look around his world (downtown LA) and slowly begins breaking down. How many of us can identify with the idea of the American Dream gone wrong? Being menaced by a gang? Being lied to by advertising? 'they lie to everybody'. Micheal Douglas portrayal of a Joe Blow gone bad is mesmerizing. Unlike 'Payback', I actually found myself rooting for the 'bad guy'. What Douglas does is ugly, what we all see everyday is ugly. Robert Duvall (as mentioned before) is rock solid.

The DVD's main benefit is crystal clear audio and video. It features scene selection and the trailer. Had it included a few extras (Like a MD or RD commentary track, I'd rate it a 5). This movie is about the 'average man' in a cruddy world who can't take it anymore. He could have been someone you worked with, or saw when you're getting off the bus, or waitied in line behind. And THAT was the point of this movie.

In this excellent film, Michael Douglas plays Bill Foster, an everyday man working in the everyday world, although he is not the example of the American Dream (which to you older folks, no one ever is). He is divorced, has a high level of rage, has been downsized from his defense worker job, and is being scr##ed over by the system. One day, sitting in his car in a traffic jam during a heat wave, he snaps, and starts to walk home through gangland. He first encounters trouble with the system through a Korean shopkeeper, who charges 85 cents for a can of soda. When the shopkeeper attacks Foster, he takes his bat and smashes up the store, which after he leaves, attracts the attention of the LAPD. Along the way, he accquires a bag of weapons, and the movie becomes real interesting...

We all understand what is going through Foster's head, mainly because when a bad day hits its peak, we all, deep down, want to do that to our aggressors. Michael Douglas is great as Foster, while Robert Duvall is equally as great as the detective on his last day, determined to stop Foster. The DVD, however, is horrible (I only got it because it was in the bargain bin). The video and sound are excellent, but the extras are severly lacking. All there is is a trailer that focuses on the comedy elements of the film. A commentary and TV spots would
have been nice! Great movie, lousy DVD.

FALLING DOWN
(1993, R)

Bill Foster\ D-FENS: Michael Douglas
Prendergast: Robert Duvall
Beth: Barbara Hershey
Amanda Prendergast: Tuesday Weld
Sandra: Rachel Ticotin
Nick: Fredric Forrest

Director: Joel Schumacher
Writer: Ebbe Roe Smith

MOVIE: 5
VIDEO: 5
AUDIO: 5
EXTRAS: 2
MENUS: 3
OVERALL: 5

Michael Douglas as a nerd-gone-psychotic...living at home with his totally oblivious mother...flashbacks of his wife and child who could not stand the "horsey" he made her ride when she was a toddler....

Robert Duvall's shrew wife demanding he be home on time for dinner.....and going ballistic when his female partner answers his phone...

This film has it's stereotypes, but it was entertaining. I especially liked the fast food restaurant scene, when MD demanded BREAKFAST! Also when he went up on the freeway demanding the DOT workers to answer "why" the road was being torn up.....his bungling of the rocket launcher (and the kid telling him how to fire it) was totally comical!

Ahhh, Michael, what a gorgeous NERD you made! ;)

"A tale of urban reality". It's not like this round our bit of urban. Michael 'nepotism' Douglas stars as either a victim of modern society frustrated to the point of madness by the callousness of a post-industrial wilderness where the rights of the individual are challenged at every turn and decency and civility are lost in a maelstrom of consumerism and corporate heartlessness, or a self-obsessed moany nutter - take your pick.

The best bit is right at the start in the convenience store because the Korean bloke's hilarious, but it's got a good cast including Robert Duvall and Barbara 'obvious nickname' Hershey.

The best part of this movie happened in the army/navy supply store. The guy Nick played his part so well that one couldn't help but be impressed. Even the most politically correct people can't help but laugh at him. Nick was the movie and well someone should tell Duval to play another role besides a cop.

Falling Down...a movie that I bought after hearing about the main character, Bill (his name is said maybe once or twice in the whole movie). Bill does everything I want to do. He holds up a resturant hostage (sort of) after being just a few minutes late to order a breakfast, smashes up a small store that charges too much for a can of Coke, stab and shoot a Nazi because he smashed his daughter's birthday present (that really made me mad, I don't like seeing kid's stuff broken), and much more.

The whole movie has a real weird vibe to it. Maybe because it takes place on a hot day, when Bill gets out of his car in the middle of this massive traffic jam, and goes home. After that, he goes on his own little quest to make it home for his daughter's birthday. The only problem is, a lot of people side track him, and that's when he stops dealing with it. Bill is awesome. I want to be his friend. I swear this movie is like a game. Every time he pays a "visit" to a place, he gets a new weapon. A baseball bat, butterfly knives, a gym bag full of guns, a rocket launcher, everything. Bill is the man as far as I'm concerned.

There's more to the movie than that, as it's about Bill and a cop who is on his last day before retirement. His part of the movie's ok, but Bill is where the action's at. In the end, the two meet, and it's a very sad ending for such a good movie. All Bill wants to do is go home, and all the cop wants to do is have a good last day and make it home ok.

The DVD has no real extras worth mentioning, but that doesn't matter, this is one of the best movies I've seen all year. Michael Douglas is now a king in my book.

Anyone who's familiar with John Hughes-type 80's movies will be pleased to see a lot of familiar faces in this movie....... Ally Sheedy, Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez, Andrew McCarthy, Demi Moore, etc. The only difference is that this story involves post college-graduates instead of high school teenagers, and that this story wasn't done by John Hughes. I must say I enjoyed the movie a lot, but I didn't quite relate to a lot of the characters as I did in films like The Breakfast Club. The character Emilio Estevez plays is obsessed with Andie McDowell, and I just didn't buy the idea that someone in real life in his position would do the stupid things he does in this movie. Then of course there's Rob Lowe's character of which I can let speak for itself. The drama is good and I liked the music score a lot, but I would recommend this only as a rental. This decision still doesn't sway me from being a big Brat Pack fan though. Let's hope that many of the other famous 80's teen dramas/comedies can get a decent DVD release like St. Elmo's Fire did.

Three of the five Brat Packers featured in "The Breakfast Club" as people who never talk to each other at school (Judd Nelson, Ally Sheedy and Emilio Estevez) star here as part of a group of 7 recent Georgetown graduates trying to make it in post-college life in Washington, DC.

Sheedy and Judd play Leslie and a young couple who have moved in together --he would like to marry her so that he will finally stop cheating on her. Andrew McCarthy is Judd's best friend who has a hard time finding a date and has to admit to himself he is in love with Sheedy. Estevez is a waiter/law student in love with an older doctor (Andie MacDoweel) whom they knew in college. Demi Moore is a party-girl full of self-made drama, a counterpoint to the doomstruck irresponsible father/husband played by a punked-out Rob Lowe. Mare Winningham is the virginal social services worker who can't figure out what she wants, although sh eknows it's not what her father tells her to want.

Set in DC, the film features a lot of incidents endemic to the city (Jules partying in a hotel with some Arab royalty.) The Georgetown streets where the bar St Elmo is still there, although the actual bar scenes were shot in a restaurant called The Round Table in another neighborhood. Funny how the same problems that affect these young people are what they call a "quarter-life crisis" today, as when Jules says "I never thought I would be so tired at 22."

"St. Elmo's Fire" is my favorite 'Brat Pack' movie. With an all-star cast, how can you go wrong? First you have Rob Lowe who is simply gorgeous as Billy, a guy who can't decide what he's going to do after graduating college. He plays the sax (quite well I might add) for fun and sometimes for money.

Then you have Julie (Demi Moore in a wonderful performance), who is very high-strung after learning about her father's marriage to another woman. Her life is basically like kettle with hot water that is about to boil. She's happy then she's sad, then she's manic...She's everything! But she does a wonderful job.

I loved seeing Judd Nelson and Ally Sheedy together. After seeing "The Breakfast Club," I never thought I'd see them as a couple. They are cute together and the scenes they share are fun to watch.

Emilio Estevez's performance was just as wonderful as the others. He falls in love with a doctor (Andie McDowell) who is already involved with someone else, but he's determined to make things go his way. It doesn't work, but watching him try to make it work is just as much fun.

Andrew McCarthy is a lot of fun to watch. Everyone thinks he's gay because he doesn't have a girlfriend and doesn't date very much. It's a typical stereotype, but I got over that. The end of the movie proves that he is not gay. Mare Winningham gives a stunning performance as a girl who comes from a very wealthy family. She loves Billy but her father wants her to marry a successful businessman. Since she is 'daddy's girl,' she doesn't want to disappoint him.

Overall, this movie is just fun to watch and listening to the director's commentary is great. You get to learn about all these things that went on behind the scenes and what roles the actors were originally up for.

John Grisham novels are difficult to rate as movies. On one hand Grisham's work translates to well to pop culture that his books are almost cinematic. On the other, the "book-is-never-as-good-as-the-movie"-ism applies. Some of Grisham's books have been quite good- "The Firm" was a terrifically exciting movie (Tom Cruise was letter-perfect for the role of Mitch McDeere), and "The Rainmaker" (which gave Matt Damon his start) certainly surprised me with a touching story of an underdog who upsets the system. Some have been mediocre to bad- "The Pelican Brief" and "The Chamber" fit the latter category, "The Client" the former. "A Time to Kill", in my opinion, is the best of them all because the author gives his audience a tough choice to make about what justice is. Pack in some sterling acting performances and this is one pretty darn good movie.

The plot? After his young daughter is viciously raped and assaulted by rednecks (no, John Rocker doesn't have a cameo), Samuel L. Jackson guns down the two assailents on their way to court. He is subsequently put on trial by the local DA, and defended by an idealistic white attorney. Jackson's trial becomes a swirling tempest for local hatreds to be aired.

Director Joel Schumacher certainly surprised me with good work, despite being the man who made "Batman & Robin". It helps to assemble some serious acting talent- Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Spacey (the DA) are both recognized actors (Spacey having won an Oscar for "The Usual Suspects", and Jackson is *long* overdue for getting one himself), so the big surprise was Matthew McConaughey's sterling performance as the idealistic, passionate attorney who defends Jackson. McConaughey is a terrific actor- laid back, easy-going but with just enough passion and intensity. This movie put him on the map and it is easy to see why he is a talent in demand. Sandra Bullock and Ashley Judd have roles here but don't make much of an impression. Donald Sutherland and Keifer both have parts too- the former as Matthew McConaughey's mentor (a role he's quite good in, incidentally) and the latter as a local redneck.

Finally, a word about the plot: the best movies give us a sticky problem that can't be resolved easily. The tricky choice in "Crimson Tide" is a beautiful example of a decision that could go either way and gives the audience something to debate about afterwards. Here we're given a tricky choice- vengeance or justice? Do we acquit Samuel L. Jackson because in our hearts he did what we all would do in his place? Or do we punish him for taking the law into his own hands? It's a rough choice to make, and the movie refuses to give us an easy answer.

Well done.

Any movie can write a good story. Any movie can have a good cast. Not any movie can combine a brilliantly written script with the top notch performances of a well assembled cast. This film caused various emotions to surface within myself and in those that I watched this film with.

"A Time to Kill" is the story of Carl Lee Haley (Samuel L. Jackson) whose 10 year old daughter is raped, beaten and left for dead. Haley takes the law into his own hands and kills the men that commited the terrible crime. On trial for murder Haley calls upon lawyer Jake Birgance (Matthew McConaughey) to defend him. This leads to a very intense trial that sparks the worst that man can do. Murder, corruption, fraud, assualt, racism... and all these things are outside the court room. A brilliant war in the court room between the Defence Attorney (Kevin Spacey) and Brigance ensues. Donald Sutherland, Oliver Platt, and Sandra Bullock all play crucial roles on Brigance's legal team. Charles S. Dutton plays a magnificent role as the town's Sheriff. Keifer Sutherland, Nicky Katt, and Doug Hutchison are all great in their roles and really display their acting abilities by portraying characters that you can't help but hate. There are other actors such as Ashley Judd, Anthony Heald, Chris Cooper, Brenda Fricker,Kurtwood Smith and Patrick McGoohan play important roles and each bring something unique to the film.

"Can a black man receive a fair trial in the south"? This is the questions that plagues this movie. This movie will touch on most emotions. Issues involving the NAACP, the Ku Klux Klan, and modern law courtroom tactics help bring much emotion to a movie that has so much to begin with. I am convinced that this is one of Sam Jackson's best performances. I was moved to tears when his character was with his daughter.

This is a film that deals with the issues that most don't like to talk about. The issues of racism operating in this day and age is the primary background for this movie and it is dealt with appropriately, accurately, objectively, and honestly. This is not just another court room movie. This is about people and their issues with one another based on their pre-concieved notions and judgments. This film seems to center around one main point that is discussed about half way through the movie; two men who come from different worlds come together for one fight and their desires are wrapped up in the simple sentence, "when are our kids (1 black, 1 white) going to play together"? I don't think this film could have ended better than it did.

Moral issues + Outstanding Acting + A Great Script = A Movie that you can't not see

This movie is one of my favorites and I highly recommend that everyone see it because it is thought provoking and it forces you to put yourself in the charracter's shoes and think about what you would do. The movie begins with the brutal rape of a little black Mississippi girl by two white men. The girls's father Carl Lee, played by Samuel L. Jackson, then shoots and kills the guys- in the courthouse, mind you. Matthew McConaughey plays Carl Lee's attorney, Jake Brigance. The plot line continues with bouts including the KKK and the NAACP. Something notable that I really like is the exposing of the NAACP's arrogance and crookedness that happens all too often in real life. Carl Lee's jury ends up being all whites and mostly older men, something the defense desperately didn't want. But because of a heart wrenching final argument by Brigance, the guilty-leaning and seemingly racist jury finds Carl Lee Hailey innocent. All of the actors do a great job in this film. Kevin Spacey is the prosecutor and Sandra Bullock plays Brigance's legal aid, whom he almost ends up having an affair when his wife (Ashley Judd)leaves town for her and their daughter's safety. If nothing else, you've got to see this movie for the fact that Matt McConaughey is the leading man. He is so hot! Though my personal belief is that Carl Lee should've been found guilty because, no matter how sorry I feel for him and his family, he took justice into his own hands and killed two men. This is America. We can't have that. But A Time To Kill is a must see if you haven't viewed it yet. Bravo!