Martin-Sheen Movie Reviews

This 1983 NBC mini-series may well be the best of its kind and remains probably the definitive Kennedy docu-drama. The film is confined to the brief years of the presidential administration, and is refreshingly honest in retelling the Bay of Pigs fiasco, the presidential philandering and, of course, the drama of that fateful final day. Martin Sheen is magnificent, as usual, in the title role, and he plays his presidential role with a believeable human quality that the real man thought of his constituency as the disenfranchised. As the first lady, Blair Brown's portrait of Jacqueline Kennedy is riveting and haunting as impressed throughout with her voiced-over prophecy of her "appointment with death." Beyond the two leads, a stellar supporting cast is headed by the late E.G. Marshall as the Kennedy patriarch, Joe Sr., John Shea as RFK and the late Vincent Gardenia in a sinister turn as FBI head J. Edgar Hoover. But this film belongs to Sheen and Brown, and together they ignite a sense of glamour and vitality that defined the real couple. Brown, especially, however, is mesmerizing, and her accomplishment here is a must-see. There are apparently two versions on the market, the original and an edited time-condensed version. Stay away from the shorter one. The editing is so bad that continunity is sacrificed, and all we get is a jumbled mess. The original is well worth the five or so hours to watch it, and its an impassioned account of the successes and shortcomings of the Camelot administration.

I normally do not wax this liberal in my video tastes, but I must confess an afinity for Sheens' deliveries. This outing is helped by a worth antagonist (Peter Reigert), who seems to get cast in dead-suit type roles. The core plot of minor-abuse is handled with heart, and the speech at the end is worth the rental price.

This is a movie about seceret tests done on Military soldiers.
Even the soldiers were not told what was really being done to them.
Guniea pigs is what they were being used as!
This movie shows how the military/government had the soldiers place animals
(and later themselves)near ground zero of atomic bombs that were really
used in the Nevada desert to see
the many results that would occur...

All the hubbub surrounding the July 2, 1999 release of Spike Lee's "Summer of Sam", pales in comparsion to this film. For historical accuracy and the real story behind the killings, this is the one to see.

Whereas Lee's film uses the Son of Sam murders as a backdrop for his urban morality tale, "Out of The Darkness" is equal parts family drama and thriller, but focuses mostly on the actual killings, the criminal investigation, and the eventual arrest of David Berkowitz by the cop who broke the case.

Martin Sheen gives a memorably intense and down-to-earth performance as the detective and family man who feverishly turns over every conceivable stone in a race to find the killer before he strikes again.

Shot on location in NYC, the movie is filled with wonderful realism and great dramatic moments. The fact that it all actually happened only makes it more compelling.

Although the subject matter is grim, the film is worth viewing if just to see Sheen during the calm yet bone-chilling interrogation scenes near the film's end.

Credit needs to be given to whoever cast the actor that played Berkowitz: talk about a SCARY performance. It's made all the creepier if only because he chose to play "the Son Of Sam" as he truly was: the kind of guy you'd least suspect.

Also, kudos to director Jud Taylor for knowing when to keep the tone of the film suspenseful, eerie and dark, without sacrificing what is also a very moving story about the value of love and family.

If you want historical accuracy and a story that reflects what happened, skip Lee's flick, and rent this one or buy it. You won't regret it.

Leonard Maltin says in his review that Scott's transition from peaceful rancher to killer is unconvincing and, in part, I agree. The first violent encounter seems abrupt and jarring. But. The reasons for the transformation are convincing and the set-up is, unlike most modern movies, at least logical. The rage thus engendered is portrayed with convincing implacability. In most of his performances, George C. Scott has more than a touch of rage just under the surface; in this film, he lets it out. The primary flaw, as I see it, is that although the plot line itself is more or less plausible, somehow the supporting actor roles are not convincing, and that I would guess is due more to Scott's directing debut than the actors themselves. Nonetheless, it is a muted but powerful portrayal of a father's searing rage and the look on Scott's face as he scorches down the road on a motorcycle is one that is hard to forget. If this is one of your favorite actors, this is an important film.

Catch-22 is probably my all-time favorite novel and favorite movie. I constantly read reviews of the film version claiming that it doesn't quite reach the level of insanity the novel elevates to and that it is clouded and too literal. I know, there are a lot of things that one just cannot believe are not in the movie, like General Peckem or ex-P.F.C. Wintergreen or Hungry Joe screaming in his sleep whenever he is off combat duty again or Chief White Halfoat waiting to die of pnuemonia and threatening to slit Flume's throat ear ot ear or the chaplain's morbid, introverted struggles or Yossarian censoring letters as Washington Irving. But you can't put EVERYTHING in a movie. I love this movie a lot. I think it sort of becomes its own thing, apart from the novel. Plus, it does bring across the main points and feelings of the novel. In fact, I'm surprised how understandingly Mike Nichols directs and the actors act and the dialogue is executed. Just watch the scene near the beginning where Yossarian is arguing with Dobbs, Orr, McWatt, Milo, Aarfy, and Nately about his persecution complex. It comes off like a ballet of words. I don't think this movie is too heavy, as Leonard Maltin reviews in his book, because the novel is heavy. The novel is not JUST a cute farce (which is what makes it so great). I think the movie has the right tone. I also think the actors are brilliant. Alan Arkin, to me, is the only man who could ever play Yossarian. He is Yossarian. The moment of his performance that stands out for me is right at the start when he's stabbed in the side. He gasps, almost comically, in a disbelief, in such a pure shock that he has just, to his knowledge, been killed (and that's the last thing he wants to happen to him ever, literally). He stumbles to the ground wide-eyed after the disbelief and denial fades and stretches on the ground as if the eventual prophecy of his impending doom has been answered and there's finally nothing to do but accept it. Dying isn't an option for him, but they finally got him. He practically looks at the audience and asks "Do yo believe this?" It's like all of Yossarian's contradictions that were written in the novel are mimed in one brilliant moment of acting. And the rest of the cast is great, too. Orson Welles as Dreedle, Bob Newhart as Major Major (his single greatest performance), Charles Grodin as the slimey Aarfy, Art Garfunkel as Nately, Sheen as Dobbs, Bob Balaban as Orr, Buck Henry (who adds some very funny dialogue of his own. "I've never caught a piece of shrapnel...") as Korn, Norman Fell, Richard Benjamin, Jon Voight, Peter Bonerz, and, my favorites, Jack Gilford as Doc Daneeka, Martin Balsam as Cathcart, and Anthony Perkins (forget about Norman Bates) as Chaplain Tappman (name-change). Just listen to Perkins when he tells Cathcart's receptionist who he is, like he detests saying his own name and he doesn't like admitting he's him. "I'm...Chaplain Tappman." Overall, this is a great movie, despite the literary omissions. I think it's a forgotten classic that was never once remembered, and I feel it should get its classic status as a great film adaptation. Let's have a 30th anniversary next year and re-release it in the theaters. Whaddya say, fellas? (I'd give it five stars, but I just don't believe in the five-star system.)

As most of the other reviews have stated, this movie is not really the novel, nor could it be. As with any major literary work, there must be sacrifices for translation to cinema. Thus the movie stands alone as a work in its own right. Things that are fantastic about the movie: the casting of Alan Arkin as Yossarian; the texture and color of the cinematography, expertly communicating much of the feel one gets from reading the novel. Best in the movie: the scene of Snowden spilling his guts. It communicates without dialog the horror, the fear, the stark truth of life and death, as the engines drone deafeningly in Yossarian's ears, drowning out even his own screams. Worst in the movie: the ommission of so many brilliant characters and scenes. No, it's not the novel, but it's an interesting take, Mike Nichols' excellent adaptation of a very difficult subject.

Overall, the book carried over nicely to film. There is obviously no way the movie could have the same scope and depth of the book, but it did a good job with what it had. I thought that Alan Arkin was perfect. He IS Yossarian. I was happy to see that a lot of important scenes from the book made the film. However, these scenes weren't always done what I felt was correctly, and this is why I gave it 4 stars. Call me spoiled since I read the book first. This is a great movie that ranks right up with MASH as the important anti-Vietnam War films. I thought this was a very good movie, and if I had seen the movie without reading the book I probably would have given it 5 stars.

Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico was a good movie. But by 1997 when this movie came out people are just tired of all the post Tarantino-espe movies. This had the basic plot, robbery gone bad, Criminals fight with each other, one of the guys is an undercover cop, Mob wants them, FBI want them, and of course one of the mob guys is a deranged psycho (Martin Sheen in this movie) and of course the big shoot out at the end.

The action and violence is really well done. Opening shoot out and the ending shootout is great and really makes up for the rehash plot.

Vincent Gallo was just wrong for the part. He isn't a great actor to begin with, but you just didn't care for him or the love
of he had for his girlfriend. The closing sequence just didn't get me as it should have.

Martin Sheen is not believable as "Psycho finger cutting" Mob main bag man. You just could not take this scene seriously.

Rod Steiger has as a small role as a crime boss and puts on a scene stealing performance.

Worth renting, but not worth putting in your collection. If you like gory shootouts then this movie is for you though.

Overall I thought the movie was great! It possesses a decent story line as action movies go with some dramtical parts that burst into fist clenching action. Keifer Sutherland played a great psycho. The affection that the main character has for his girlfriend seems somewhat misplace at times but absolutly necesary for the great ending. I recommend watching this movie at least once.

Truth or consequences was well done for this type of hard core movie. Very gritty and true to life. It showed just how people like this can get deeper and deeper in a bad situation and how hard it is to get out of it. Kiefer did a great job of showing the human side of the lead characters and weaving in some comedic lines and situations that helped make the true grittiness of the story more tolerable. He also did an excellent job playing the low life "Curtis." Although I would have rather seen him play the lead guy, of which he would have done perfectly, since he's such a versatile actor. But all the actors did a great job in their parts. If you can't handle violent, gritty, reality movies, I don't recommend this. Otherwise, this is for you.
In reference to the above review: "Good first try"--- If you knew your facts, you'd know that Kiefers' Directorial debut was a wonderful human interest movie called "Woman Wanted." Since these movies are so completely opposite of each other, it proves that just like the excellent versatile Actor that he is, he can also Direct anything, and do an excellent job! Thanx for listening.

Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico was a good movie. But by 1997 when this movie came out people are just tired of all the post Tarantino-espe movies. This had the basic plot, robbery gone bad, Criminals fight with each other, one of the guys is an undercover cop, Mob wants them, FBI want them, and of course one of the mob guys is a deranged psycho (Martin Sheen in this movie) and of course the big shoot out at the end.

The action and violence is really well done. Opening shoot out and the ending shootout is great and really makes up for the rehash plot.

Vincent Gallo was just wrong for the part. He isn't a great actor to begin with, but you just didn't care for him or the love
of he had for his girlfriend. The closing sequence just didn't get me as it should have.

Martin Sheen is not believable as "Psycho finger cutting" Mob main bag man. You just could not take this scene seriously.

Rod Steiger has as a small role as a crime boss and puts on a scene stealing performance.

Worth renting, but not worth putting in your collection. If you like gory shootouts then this movie is for you though.

Overall I thought the movie was great! It possesses a decent story line as action movies go with some dramtical parts that burst into fist clenching action. Keifer Sutherland played a great psycho. The affection that the main character has for his girlfriend seems somewhat misplace at times but absolutly necesary for the great ending. I recommend watching this movie at least once.

Truth or consequences was well done for this type of hard core movie. Very gritty and true to life. It showed just how people like this can get deeper and deeper in a bad situation and how hard it is to get out of it. Kiefer did a great job of showing the human side of the lead characters and weaving in some comedic lines and situations that helped make the true grittiness of the story more tolerable. He also did an excellent job playing the low life "Curtis." Although I would have rather seen him play the lead guy, of which he would have done perfectly, since he's such a versatile actor. But all the actors did a great job in their parts. If you can't handle violent, gritty, reality movies, I don't recommend this. Otherwise, this is for you.
In reference to the above review: "Good first try"--- If you knew your facts, you'd know that Kiefers' Directorial debut was a wonderful human interest movie called "Woman Wanted." Since these movies are so completely opposite of each other, it proves that just like the excellent versatile Actor that he is, he can also Direct anything, and do an excellent job! Thanx for listening.

When a Therapist (Martin Sheen) lost his wife in a Accidential Death. He and His Son (Harley Cross) are starting a new life together. When a Mystery Cult Figures has chosen the Therapist Son to be in a Sacrifice to a Voodoo Cult Running Rampant in New York City.

Directed by Oscar-Winner:John Schlesinger (Midnight Cowboy, Eye for an Eye) made a fine Suspense Thriller mixed the Supernatural Theme. Strong Performances by the Cast, including:Helen Shaver, Richard Masur, Elizabeth Wilson, Lee Richardson, Harris Yulin and Jimmy Smith. Sharply Written by Mark Frost, Based on a Novel by Nicholas Conde. DVD's has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1) transfer and an fine Dolby Stereo 2.0 Surround Sound. DVD Extras are an Teaser Trailer and the Original Theatrical Trailer. This film proves to have a Striking Climax. This is a well done film. Grade:A-.

The impact of this movie is a combination of shock and acceptance of actual beliefs. The excellent acting punctuates it. If ever a film deserved to be on DVD this is it!

who cares about santaria and how true it was protrayed? not me. The movie is about boys being murdered by a cult for sacrifies that will give them power. Fast moving with very good acting. keeps you on edge. The boy does very good acting and the movie is very entertaining. Wanna get scared and have a good movie to watch on Friday night? Well this is it. Does not have all the blood and guts of a slasher movie. But plot moves foward at a good click and I liked it. Not very expensive and would make a good addition to your video library. Thumbs up, own it today.

Charlie Sheen produced this home movie starring his father (Martin Sheen), his uncle (Joe Estevez) and himself. This is a B-minus film about dirty cops involved in a drug deal. Almost everything about this film is second rate. The story is predictable and unoriginal. The dialogue is mindless and insipid. The photography is dull and the music is awful. The only redeeming elements are the stunts and pyrotechnics, which are reasonably well done.

The acting is mediocre at best. Charlie Sheen is often embarrassingly bad, leaving his dad to carry the film. Uncle Joe is just a throw in to keep the family employed and adds nothing to the film. The three drug goons are wretched.

Charlie Sheen's once bright career continues to grind gears with this clunker. I rated it a 4/10. Action lovers might enjoy it, but others will want to pass.

Let me start by saying I'm a big fan of Martin Sheen and his clan. So I enjoyed seeing Martin, Charlie, and especially Martin's brother Joe Estevez (the resemblence is so strong you'll know when you see him) together in this film. I have to admit that the script was just terrible. The actors did what they could with it, but even Martin's always excellent acting couldn't redeem it.(Clearly he did this film only as a favor for his son.) I love Charlie Sheen and I know he was a creator of this film, but I can't lie - sometimes it's just painfully bad. That being said, it's worth watching for Sheen fans. I loved Joe and wish he was in more movies with Martin.

This movie is a must-see for anyone who wouldn't dream of missing an episode of West Wing. Martin Sheen does for the police force what he has done for the Presidential office- show us what it could and should be- as a dedicated cop and family man. Never a dull moment. Great action scenes, including an explosive ending.