Martin-Sheen Movie Reviews
VHS movie reviews for "Martin-Sheen" sorted by average review score:
When the Bough Breaks
Released in VHS Tape by Turner Home Entertai (07 March, 1995)
Average review score: 
'Silence of the Lambs', it's not
Ally Walker moviesI just wanted to comment on the review given by the person From the Phillipines. I have done several querys to find The Profiler tv series on DVD. Will that be coming anytime soon? I would love to see it. Thanks.
ALLY WALKER IS A GREAT PROFILER!!!!!Ally Walker stars as Audrey MacLeah, a profiler from the Texas Rangers helping the Houston Police investigate severed human hands that showed up during a flash-flood. Her lead to the case is a child with psychic abilities locked up in a mental institution. The story also has a sub-plot on how the local police resent MacLeah for being a State Law Enforcer helping them solve the case. The movie is a very good suspense thriller & Ally Walker's acting is terrific. The movie was released in 1993. I only have the video on VHS but would gladly buy the DVD version in an instant!
Interestingly though, Ally Walker later went on to star in the TV series "Profiler" (she played a profiler/forensic psychologist working for the FBI) from 1996 to 1999.
On a personal note, I watched & bought the video of "When The Bough Breaks" because I was so impressed with her performance on "Profiler" (I just had to see all the projects that she's done). I just wish that "Profiler" would be available on video, preferrably in DVD format (with cast & crew commentaries as well as other behind-the-scenes materials)!
D.R.E.A.M. Team
Released in VHS Tape by Monarch Home Video (23 July, 2002)
Average review score:
Eye Candy, not much elseA thinly disguised Charlie's Angels Rip off made for cable and turned into a shortlived series.
The girls are gorgeous, the guys are gorgeous, so there is something to stare at, but the plot, direction, and acting is a yawner. An excuse for models posing.
Pleasant enough, but I suggest getting it used!!!
Gave it for 4 stars, and that is for McShane's performance the was the only bright spot in the acting department.
d.r.e.a.m. team excellent movieI really enjoyed this movie, the tropical location and fast paced action were great. I hope there will be more movies like this one, maybe even sequels. I didn't see the TV show, but would like to order those when they become available.
Stranger in the Kingdom
Released in VHS Tape by Unapix (27 July, 1999)
Jay Craven has made a little niche for himself in dramas of the American Midwest. His 1993 sleeper Where the Rivers Flow North chronicles the standoff between the WPA and a defiant Vermont farmer during the depression. Stranger in the Kingdom, adapted from the novel by Howard Frank Mosher, finds Craven back in Vermont, circa 1952, where a sleepy little town is awakened by the arrival of worldly black pastor Ernie Hudson, fresh from 15 years of service as an Army chaplain. The community doesn't take to their new two-fisted moral policeman, and tongues wag when he takes in a sexy young French Canadian mail-order maid fleeing from her abusive household. When she's murdered the community points its fingers to the minister. As long as the film stays with Hudson, it's a compelling portrait of small-town provincialism turned ugly, but the film's real protagonist is hometown attorney David Lansbury, a fun-loving scamp who confronts his own arrested adolescence while defending Hudson in a Perry Mason-like climax. The film loses its complexity as it turns whodunit, but until then it's a richly populated, well-sketched portrait of rural paradise polluted by ignorance and hate, beautifully shot in autumnal colors. Sean Nelson (Fresh) costars as the minister's son, and Martin Sheen and Henry Gibson appear as attorneys for the prosecution. --Sean Axmaker
Average review score:
Haven't seen this movie but....This movie and book are based on a true story.
Poorly written screenplay, but somewhat charmingI can't fault the actors, although there were some moments... it's just a shame that it couldn't have stuck to the book better - and was marred by some miscasting, and bad pacing. I like the whodunit approach - this movie definately has room for that, I just didn't get sucked in by the canned performances, which I imagine would have gotten a shot of life with a better screenplay. But then again, I'm not a movie person. Just a kid from Vermont.
good film, definitely worth a rental if you're interestedThe third in Jay Craven's series of film adaptations of Howard Frank Mosher novels (the others are 'High Water' (1991), 'Where the Rivers Flow North' (1993), and the upcoming 'Disappearances'.) By far Craven's darkest film to date, telling a story of murder and racism in a small, backwards Vermont town, c. 1950. A nice piece of cinema which is at once both a compelling drama and a well executed whodunit, featuring top-drawer performances (particularly Rusty DeWees, Bill Raymond, and Ernie Hudson.), and an appropriately eerie score by the Horse Flies. Not entirely faithful to the book, but how many films are? Worth at least a rental from anybody who likes a good drama.
A Stranger In The Kingdom
Released in VHS Tape by A-Pix Entertainment (27 July, 1999)
Jay Craven has made a little niche for himself in dramas of the American Midwest. His 1993 sleeper Where the Rivers Flow North chronicles the standoff between the WPA and a defiant Vermont farmer during the depression. Stranger in the Kingdom, adapted from the novel by Howard Frank Mosher, finds Craven back in Vermont, circa 1952, where a sleepy little town is awakened by the arrival of worldly black pastor Ernie Hudson, fresh from 15 years of service as an Army chaplain. The community doesn't take to their new two-fisted moral policeman, and tongues wag when he takes in a sexy young French Canadian mail-order maid fleeing from her abusive household. When she's murdered the community points its fingers to the minister. As long as the film stays with Hudson, it's a compelling portrait of small-town provincialism turned ugly, but the film's real protagonist is hometown attorney David Lansbury, a fun-loving scamp who confronts his own arrested adolescence while defending Hudson in a Perry Mason-like climax. The film loses its complexity as it turns whodunit, but until then it's a richly populated, well-sketched portrait of rural paradise polluted by ignorance and hate, beautifully shot in autumnal colors. Sean Nelson (Fresh) costars as the minister's son, and Martin Sheen and Henry Gibson appear as attorneys for the prosecution. --Sean Axmaker
Average review score:
Haven't seen this movie but....This movie and book are based on a true story.
Poorly written screenplay, but somewhat charmingI can't fault the actors, although there were some moments... it's just a shame that it couldn't have stuck to the book better - and was marred by some miscasting, and bad pacing. I like the whodunit approach - this movie definately has room for that, I just didn't get sucked in by the canned performances, which I imagine would have gotten a shot of life with a better screenplay. But then again, I'm not a movie person. Just a kid from Vermont.
good film, definitely worth a rental if you're interestedThe third in Jay Craven's series of film adaptations of Howard Frank Mosher novels (the others are 'High Water' (1991), 'Where the Rivers Flow North' (1993), and the upcoming 'Disappearances'.) By far Craven's darkest film to date, telling a story of murder and racism in a small, backwards Vermont town, c. 1950. A nice piece of cinema which is at once both a compelling drama and a well executed whodunit, featuring top-drawer performances (particularly Rusty DeWees, Bill Raymond, and Ernie Hudson.), and an appropriately eerie score by the Horse Flies. Not entirely faithful to the book, but how many films are? Worth at least a rental from anybody who likes a good drama.
Straight Up - Helicopters in Action (Large Format)
Released in VHS Tape by Ventura Distribution (25 March, 2003)
Average review score:
Slow, not very interesting or much actionI enjoy the IMAX movies but this one was boring. I expected the usual IMAX thrills which they could have/should have done with helicoptors zooming down, speeding, etc., and there was very little of. It appears they are trying to make them "G" rated. Big disappointment.
Straight Up: Helicopters in Action
Released in Theatrical Release by ()
Average review score:
Slow, not very interesting or much actionI enjoy the IMAX movies but this one was boring. I expected the usual IMAX thrills which they could have/should have done with helicoptors zooming down, speeding, etc., and there was very little of. It appears they are trying to make them "G" rated. Big disappointment.
Spawn
Released in VHS Tape by New Line Studios (04 June, 2002)
Starring: Michael Jai White and John Leguizamo
After being murdered for quitting his role as a ruthless yet moral government assassin, Al Simmons (Michael Jai White) is sent to Hell, where he makes a pact with the demon Malebolgia--if Simmons is allowed see his lover, Wanda, again, he will agree to lead the demon's armies to storm the gates of Heaven. Transformed into a superhuman entity with shape-shifting powers and quick regeneration capabilities, Simmons (soon to be dubbed "Spawn" by Malebolgia's crony, The Violator) returns to Earth and attempts to reunite with Wanda, not knowing that five years have passed. He also seeks revenge on his former boss and killer, Jason Wynn (Martin Sheen), who has made a deal with The Violator to develop a lethal virus to take over the world, where Wynn is promised to be king.
Spawn wages an inner battle between good and evil as he tries to come to terms with selling his soul and what it could mean for humankind. Despite excellent effects and great potential, Spawn seems to come up short. While White certainly displays verve in his characterization of the twisted hero, he cannot overcome some forced dialogue. On the flip side, the usually engaging John Leguizamo portrays the sinister Violator--an evil monster masquerading as a rotund, weird-looking clown--as an irritating lackey who spews overbearing sarcasm and incessantly banal one-liners. Admitted, many of Spawn's action sequences are fun, and the transitions effectively brisk, but more could have been done to explore how Simmons grapples with his humanity in these daunting circumstances. But if you want sizzling action sequences and digital effects, this film should keep you happy. --Bryan Reesman
Average review score: 
An overdose of style over substance..."Spawn" is not a great film. At best, it's average. But it did help to pave the way for new superhero movies like "Spider-Man" and "Daredevil." With its neat-o special effects and really fast pace, this film based on Todd McFarlane's graphic novels (comic books) would be a great movie had the bad guy (Martin Sheen) not been so darn wimpy. Spawn could have seriously kicked some ... had he not been busy crying over losing his wife to his best friend. But the special effects are amazing, and I suppose that's what this film is all about: special effects. Well, there are tons here, ranging from Spawn himself to the fiery pits of Hell, to Satan himself. John Leguizemo is mostly funny as Clown, another of Spawn's nemeses. "Spawn" was definitely one of the better superhero movies of the nineties, but there weren't many good superhero movies in the nineties to begin with, so I don't know if that's a complement or not. See it if you must, but avoid it if you can.
HmmIt's a good film but not as good as the comics or animated series. Nothing too spectacular. Possibly a renter. Slightly recommended.
Get the anime version... Though this is good too...It's OK i guess... everyone says it sucks. But i mean its action stuff is sick. The clown's pretty good though. I've always liked the special effects. Why is it rated R? It's fine exept for if you get it on DVD w/ the Marilyn Manson video which is horrible and gross. Yet again, get the anime version.
Spawn
Released in VHS Tape by New Line Studios (04 June, 2002)
Starring: Michael Jai White and John Leguizamo
After being murdered for quitting his role as a ruthless yet moral government assassin, Al Simmons (Michael Jai White) is sent to Hell, where he makes a pact with the demon Malebolgia--if Simmons is allowed see his lover, Wanda, again, he will agree to lead the demon's armies to storm the gates of Heaven. Transformed into a superhuman entity with shape-shifting powers and quick regeneration capabilities, Simmons (soon to be dubbed "Spawn" by Malebolgia's crony, The Violator) returns to Earth and attempts to reunite with Wanda, not knowing that five years have passed. He also seeks revenge on his former boss and killer, Jason Wynn (Martin Sheen), who has made a deal with The Violator to develop a lethal virus to take over the world, where Wynn is promised to be king.
Spawn wages an inner battle between good and evil as he tries to come to terms with selling his soul and what it could mean for humankind. Despite excellent effects and great potential, Spawn seems to come up short. While White certainly displays verve in his characterization of the twisted hero, he cannot overcome some forced dialogue. On the flip side, the usually engaging John Leguizamo portrays the sinister Violator--an evil monster masquerading as a rotund, weird-looking clown--as an irritating lackey who spews overbearing sarcasm and incessantly banal one-liners. Admitted, many of Spawn's action sequences are fun, and the transitions effectively brisk, but more could have been done to explore how Simmons grapples with his humanity in these daunting circumstances. But if you want sizzling action sequences and digital effects, this film should keep you happy. --Bryan Reesman
Average review score:
An overdose of style over substance..."Spawn" is not a great film. At best, it's average. But it did help to pave the way for new superhero movies like "Spider-Man" and "Daredevil." With its neat-o special effects and really fast pace, this film based on Todd McFarlane's graphic novels (comic books) would be a great movie had the bad guy (Martin Sheen) not been so darn wimpy. Spawn could have seriously kicked some ... had he not been busy crying over losing his wife to his best friend. But the special effects are amazing, and I suppose that's what this film is all about: special effects. Well, there are tons here, ranging from Spawn himself to the fiery pits of Hell, to Satan himself. John Leguizemo is mostly funny as Clown, another of Spawn's nemeses. "Spawn" was definitely one of the better superhero movies of the nineties, but there weren't many good superhero movies in the nineties to begin with, so I don't know if that's a complement or not. See it if you must, but avoid it if you can.
HmmIt's a good film but not as good as the comics or animated series. Nothing too spectacular. Possibly a renter. Slightly recommended.
Get the anime version... Though this is good too...It's OK i guess... everyone says it sucks. But i mean its action stuff is sick. The clown's pretty good though. I've always liked the special effects. Why is it rated R? It's fine exept for if you get it on DVD w/ the Marilyn Manson video which is horrible and gross. Yet again, get the anime version.
Spawn
Released in VHS Tape by New Line Studios (13 May, 2002)
Starring: Michael Jai White and John Leguizamo
After being murdered for quitting his role as a ruthless yet moral government assassin, Al Simmons (Michael Jai White) is sent to Hell, where he makes a pact with the demon Malebolgia--if Simmons is allowed see his lover, Wanda, again, he will agree to lead the demon's armies to storm the gates of Heaven. Transformed into a superhuman entity with shape-shifting powers and quick regeneration capabilities, Simmons (soon to be dubbed "Spawn" by Malebolgia's crony, The Violator) returns to Earth and attempts to reunite with Wanda, not knowing that five years have passed. He also seeks revenge on his former boss and killer, Jason Wynn (Martin Sheen), who has made a deal with The Violator to develop a lethal virus to take over the world, where Wynn is promised to be king.
Spawn wages an inner battle between good and evil as he tries to come to terms with selling his soul and what it could mean for humankind. Despite excellent effects and great potential, Spawn seems to come up short. While White certainly displays verve in his characterization of the twisted hero, he cannot overcome some forced dialogue. On the flip side, the usually engaging John Leguizamo portrays the sinister Violator--an evil monster masquerading as a rotund, weird-looking clown--as an irritating lackey who spews overbearing sarcasm and incessantly banal one-liners. Admitted, many of Spawn's action sequences are fun, and the transitions effectively brisk, but more could have been done to explore how Simmons grapples with his humanity in these daunting circumstances. But if you want sizzling action sequences and digital effects, this film should keep you happy. --Bryan Reesman
Average review score:
An overdose of style over substance..."Spawn" is not a great film. At best, it's average. But it did help to pave the way for new superhero movies like "Spider-Man" and "Daredevil." With its neat-o special effects and really fast pace, this film based on Todd McFarlane's graphic novels (comic books) would be a great movie had the bad guy (Martin Sheen) not been so darn wimpy. Spawn could have seriously kicked some ... had he not been busy crying over losing his wife to his best friend. But the special effects are amazing, and I suppose that's what this film is all about: special effects. Well, there are tons here, ranging from Spawn himself to the fiery pits of Hell, to Satan himself. John Leguizemo is mostly funny as Clown, another of Spawn's nemeses. "Spawn" was definitely one of the better superhero movies of the nineties, but there weren't many good superhero movies in the nineties to begin with, so I don't know if that's a complement or not. See it if you must, but avoid it if you can.
HmmIt's a good film but not as good as the comics or animated series. Nothing too spectacular. Possibly a renter. Slightly recommended.
Get the anime version... Though this is good too...It's OK i guess... everyone says it sucks. But i mean its action stuff is sick. The clown's pretty good though. I've always liked the special effects. Why is it rated R? It's fine exept for if you get it on DVD w/ the Marilyn Manson video which is horrible and gross. Yet again, get the anime version.
Spawn
Released in VHS Tape by Warner Home Video (26 August, 2003)
Starring: Michael Jai White and John Leguizamo
After being murdered for quitting his role as a ruthless yet moral government assassin, Al Simmons (Michael Jai White) is sent to Hell, where he makes a pact with the demon Malebolgia--if Simmons is allowed see his lover, Wanda, again, he will agree to lead the demon's armies to storm the gates of Heaven. Transformed into a superhuman entity with shape-shifting powers and quick regeneration capabilities, Simmons (soon to be dubbed "Spawn" by Malebolgia's crony, The Violator) returns to Earth and attempts to reunite with Wanda, not knowing that five years have passed. He also seeks revenge on his former boss and killer, Jason Wynn (Martin Sheen), who has made a deal with The Violator to develop a lethal virus to take over the world, where Wynn is promised to be king.
Spawn wages an inner battle between good and evil as he tries to come to terms with selling his soul and what it could mean for humankind. Despite excellent effects and great potential, Spawn seems to come up short. While White certainly displays verve in his characterization of the twisted hero, he cannot overcome some forced dialogue. On the flip side, the usually engaging John Leguizamo portrays the sinister Violator--an evil monster masquerading as a rotund, weird-looking clown--as an irritating lackey who spews overbearing sarcasm and incessantly banal one-liners. Admitted, many of Spawn's action sequences are fun, and the transitions effectively brisk, but more could have been done to explore how Simmons grapples with his humanity in these daunting circumstances. But if you want sizzling action sequences and digital effects, this film should keep you happy. --Bryan Reesman
Average review score:
ouch.the hell sequence in this movie, with "the devil" is without a doubt the worst CGI i have ever seen in my life. I think I've seen more convincing effects on atari video games. god this was weak.
I want to violate the little girlie-man who directed thisOh dear. Spawn certainly falls short of everything that made the comic such a big hit. The action sequences are good, yes, but who cares? It's all show and no substance. More could have been done to: show the effect Spawn has on those around him; show his inner conflict, the 'whatever he does is bad' theme present in the comics; make Cogliostro less an interfering Yoda-figure and more of a mentor, the only one who gives a rat's ass about Spawn; make Malebolgia more convincing, and fix the Hell scenes; cut out the random elements which spoil it, such as the Clown's face on the spade, the way the Violator turns into a bookshelf and back again, the way Spawn's cape never seems to know whether it's coming or going.
It was a good idea, the opening sequence is fantastic. The hell vortex? Then the example of Simmons in action? Excellent. You know he's a good guy straight away. But a crap script, horrendous miscasting of Leguizamo as Clown, and a dumbing down of the major themes turned this potential blockbuster into a B-movie nightmare.
It was a good idea, the opening sequence is fantastic. The hell vortex? Then the example of Simmons in action? Excellent. You know he's a good guy straight away. But a crap script, horrendous miscasting of Leguizamo as Clown, and a dumbing down of the major themes turned this potential blockbuster into a B-movie nightmare.
Get the anime version... Though this is good too...It's OK i guess... everyone says it sucks. But i mean its action stuff is sick. The clown's pretty good though. I've always liked the special effects. Why is it rated R? It's fine exept for if you get it on DVD w/ the Marilyn Manson video which is horrible and gross. Yet again, get the anime version.
Up front, to give the movie credit, it was entertaining enough. No boredom. Just nagging thoughts.
Too early in the movie, the parallels to "Silence of the Lambs" become very apparent. That started with the isolated underground captivity of the key informant/psych patient and continued all the way through the confrontation with the villain in the basement.
But even before that comes the nagging impression that police department had simply not done a competent investigation. Does it really take a profiler from the state to see all these July 16 connections?
Then comes the prosecutor's nightmare. Ali simply breaks into the house without a search warrant. With all the things she sees, there goes any hope of a conviction. And this is a trained law enforcement officer?
Does a trained law enforcement officer go into as dangerous an environment as that basement without notifying a dispatcher and asking for some backup? Of course, having backup arrive from two miles away would have ruined the climax of the film.
And so many loose ends....
--The predominace of smoking, even extending to the child patient.
--Unexplained scratch-mauling of the profiler's back.
--The disappearance of the police captain in the middle of the plot.
--The ability of a cop to so effectively hypnotize an autistic child.
--The question of the patient's Jordan/Jennifer identity and reason for the wrist markings when the identity of the other twin seems so apparent.
None of these mar the film's entertainment value. It's only afterwards that one feels diminished by a badly written screenplay.