Peter-Gallagher Movie Reviews
A WOMAN'S REVENGE
Great non-mainstream filmThe main character, played by Peter Gallagher, has serious integrity issues and a shady past, but you wouldn't know by his charm. He is a drifter running out of second chances, what will happen next? Will he give into temptation again? Has he finally met his match?
Watch and it a see
Underneath Much Under-rated
not for young children...Travelling with Mrs. Hargreves is a young lady, who falls in love with an out-of-work reporter who is determined to get the "real story" out of Mrs. Hargreves. The love story is very charming.
Jim Hensons puppetry is also in the film, but this is not a movie for young children. The puppets are fierce and scary (indeed, very well done) The other reason that this is not an appropriate movie for young children is because it examines the awkward attraction and the Reverand's inappropriate love for young Alice. This is handled very well by the filmakers, keeping the movie in good taste. It is highly recommended for adult fans of Henson, and people who love Alice in Wonderland.
Jim henson does alice in wonderland
*DrEaMcHiLd*
Great All star Cast!
QUIRKY THRILLER REQUIRES UNDIVIDED ATTENTION
vastly underrated!
Great All star Cast!
QUIRKY THRILLER REQUIRES UNDIVIDED ATTENTION
vastly underrated!
Behind The Wit
Alan Rudollph temporarily back in form!Anyway, with "Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle", Herr Rudolph is back in form, going back to his "The Moderns" era, the 20s, but this time, taking a bead on the PSEUDO-bohemian life in flapper era New York, specifically the goings-on amongst the habitués of the Algonquin Round Table and various Condé Nast and New Yorker Magazine writers and editors.
Jennifer Jason Leigh is good as the acerbic Ms. Parker, but I can't help thinking that the somewhat well-known standup comic, Margaret Smith, would not have been a better choice. She has the mien, NATURAL speech pattern and delivery you would expect Dorothy Parker to have had, and her act consists of just the type of bromides and anecdotes you'd expect to come out of that droll lady's mouth. Leigh is just too cute and cuddly to portray such an acid-tongued, distaff reprobate!
However, some of the other actors portraying Algonquin luminaries were picked MUCH more carefully, specifically the two doing Alexander Wolcott and George S. Kauffmann. It is, however, almost disturbing that Campbell Scott, parlaying the famous Robert Benchley, bares not a WHIT of resemblance to HIS target, either in manner or appearance!
However, true to Rudolph form, the era is reproduced flawlessly, from the costuming to the set design and art direction. The writing is witty, esp. for the background male members of the Round Table. However, as good as Leigh is, you get the feeling that she is either trying to hard in the role of Parker, or is just about to nod off, her reading is so lethargic.
Don't get me wrong, I LIKE Jennifer Jason Leigh, I just think that the inimitable Ms. Margaret Smith would have been a much better choice.
Nonetheless, this is Rudolph again at his best....putting the microscope to an artistic microcosm and recreating the setting faithfully. Unlike any other director...Alan Rudolph is the undeniable KING of mood!
You could do much worse than rent or buy this highly atmospheric movie about a woman who is too often ignored in the world of cinema.
"I'll wear my heart on my sleeve like a wet, red stain."Jennifer Jason Leigh rocked the house as angry, drunken, witty Dorothy Parker. The poetry readings interspersed throughout were great, and her perpetual unhappiness really grows on ya so that by the end when she's accepting that award in characteristic Dorothy fashion you're all smiley-faced saying "that's my girl!"
VERY FUNNY COMEDY
A movie for more than soccer-fans.
Awful
"Infinity", infinitely brilliant
A great biographical film of a truly great manThe film centers around the epoch of Richard Phillips Feynman's courtship of and marriage to his 1st wife, Arline. As such, it also touches upon Feynman's "vocation" during World War II, which was being an active member of the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos, New Mexico.
The book is mostly based on Feynman's book called WHAT DO YOU CARE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK? [ISBN: 0393320928, also available @ Amazon.com]. The book is highly recommended for all persons who have an interest in viewing this movie. There are also a few tidbits from SURELY YOU'RE JOKING MR. FEYNMAN [ISBN: 0393316041] and John Archibald Wheeler's GEONS, BLACK HOLES AND QUANTUM FOAM [ISBN: 0393319911]. Both of these latter books are highly recommended to the Feynman enthusiast as well.
The story of Feynman's sublime and fervent love that he felt for his terminally ill wife is nothing short of inspiring. As the great physicist has for many years been one of my most admired personages, it is without embarrassment that I admit this to be one of the few films that has ever made me cry. Even viewers who have never heard of this scientist would be hard-pressed not to be moved by this film.
As a bonus, the film does a good job of incorporating on the margins Feynman's dad, little sister, Joan (who earned a Ph.D. in physics herself from Syracuse university), John Archibald Wheeler, Hans Bethe, a young Henry Bethe and Robert Oppenheimer.
The handful of verbal over-lays are well-placed and do not get in the way of the film's symmetry. Although Broderick has never been one of my favorite actors, he pulled off his portrayal of a young Feynman quite well (if you ignore the fact that his New York accent is a bit inconsistent). It would be nice to see more movies like this in the future.
A great biographical film of a truly great manThe film centers around the epoch of Richard Phillips Feynman's courtship of and marriage to his 1st wife, Arline. As such, it also touches upon Feynman's "vocation" during World War II, which was being an active member of the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos, New Mexico.
The book is mostly based on Feynman's book called WHAT DO YOU CARE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK? [ISBN: 0393320928, also available @ Amazon.com]. The book is highly recommended for all persons who have an interest in viewing this movie. There are also a few tidbits from SURELY YOU'RE JOKING MR. FEYNMAN [ISBN: 0393316041] and John Archibald Wheeler's GEONS, BLACK HOLES AND QUANTUM FOAM [ISBN: 0393319911]. Both of these latter books are highly recommended to the Feynman enthusiast as well.
The story of Feynman's sublime and fervent love that he felt for his terminally ill wife is nothing short of inspiring. As the great physicist has for many years been one of my most admired personages, it is without embarrassment that I admit this to be one of the few films that has ever made me cry. Even viewers who have never heard of this scientist would be hard-pressed not to be moved by this film.
As a bonus, the film does a good job of incorporating on the margins Feynman's dad, little sister, Joan (who earned a Ph.D. in physics herself from Syracuse university), John Archibald Wheeler, Hans Bethe, a young Henry Bethe and Robert Oppenheimer.
The handful of verbal over-lays are well-placed and do not get in the way of the film's symmetry. Although Broderick has never been one of my favorite actors, he pulled off his portrayal of a young Feynman quite well (if you ignore the fact that his New York accent is a bit inconsistent). It would be nice to see more movies like this in the future.
A VERY good film
"Infinity", infinitely brilliant
First 2/3s of movie magnificient last 1/3 falls apartThe basic story focuses on the conflict between two rival groups--the Natives led by Bill "the Butcher" and the Dead Rabbits an Irish immigrant group led by "Priest" (Liam Neeson). Their conflict leads to the death of Priest witnesses by his young son Amsterdam (later played by Leonard DiCaprio). The Butcher arranges to have the child sent to a Reform school where he's raised by Catholic Priests.
Upon his release Amsterdam goes looking for Bill with revenge his primary goal. What Amsterdam finds is a changed world; the Natives control much of the corrupt police force and politicians in the five corners area. Bill is well regarded and, in fact, many of the Priest's old gang members work for Bill now. Amsterdam eventually meets Bill and is treated like a son by Bill. This creates a considerable conflict as Amsterdam has developed a gruding respect for the terrifying Butcher. His life is further complicated when he becomes involved with a woman (Cameron Diaz)who was saved by the Butcher as a child.
The production design is stunning capturing a time in New York's history that had been long forgotten by many of its residents. The shacks, stores and buildings that make up the five corners area have an authentic appearence to them. Scorsese and his production designer Dante Ferretti manage to make the audience not only feel the environment but taste and smell it as well. Director of photography Michael Ballhaus lighting brings a rustic feel to the environment.
The major problem with the film is the screenplay. It clearly passed through a number of hands besides the three screenwriters credited (Jay Cocks, Steven Zallian and Kenneth Lonergon). The first two-thirds of the film are classic Scorsese; there's a vibrantcy to the script missing from the last third. That's the problem with the film--it's two-thirds a classic. During the last act the film literally falls apart and is very narratively disjoined. It's clear that Scorsese had a much longer cut of the film in mind; there's a lot that appears to be missing from the film cut, no doubt, to make the already long running time (167 minutes) functional for a movie theater. Since this is the DVD edition, I'm surprised that Scorsese didn't go back and recut the film adding extended dramatic sequences that might have made the last third a stronger act.
The acting by Daniel Day-Lewis (completely immersed in his character of Bill) is stunning. His falt, slightly rounded New York accent is as much a part of the character as can be imagined. The rest of the cast give varying performances with varying success when it comes to their Irish accents. Leonard DiCaprio makes a valient attempt to equal Day-Lewis but ultimately comes up slightly short of the perfection of Day-Lewis' performance. Still, he's believable in the role and manages to command your attention when he's on screen.
Cameron Diaz also makes a game attempt with her role. Her character really doesn't come to life until the middle of the film. Henry Thomas (E.T., Psycho 4) gives a memorable and solid performance as Amsterdam's friend. It's a role that could have been pushed into the shadows by the lead character but Thomas invests his character with a quiet, powerful presence.
Scorsese's direction is sharp and it's clear he's thought long and hard about how he wanted to present this picture. His confident direction keeps the momentum of the film from dragging and, until the last act, he knows exactly where he's going and what he's trying to achieve.
The DVD transfer is, generally, exceptional. The picture is nearly flawless with few of the digital compression problems that have marred similarly epic films. There's virtually no analog artifacts and the print used here is crisp, clear and clean. The 5.1 sound mix and is also representative of what you might have heard in the theater. There were some problems with the discs. The first disc ends rather abruptly. There's a scene on the second disc where the music is mixed a bit too loud for the sequence and there appears to be other sounds leaking through the mix that shouldn't be there.
The extras are profuse. There's a nicely done costume design feaurette and a sequence where the audience can explore the sets for the film. Additionally, there's a documentary (originally shown on The Discovery Channel)that focuses on this little known time from New York's past. It's much more than a glorified promo for the film. Scorsese's commentary is, shall we, say effusive and interesting. His intelligent comments and observations make the film come alive a second time. While I like U2, I could have done without the music video and would much rather have seen an a couple of interviews with Day-Lewis and other cast members on their craft.
While it's a flawed film, Gangs of New York captures Scorsese in top form throughout most of the film. If the film doesn't hang together the way it should, it's probably due to the fact that Scorsese had to trim more from the film than he would have liked (how else to explain Neeson's appearence in what amounts to a glorified cameo?). Scorsese takes considerable risk in telling the type of story that isn't in vogue with Hollywood any longer. Gangs is an intelligent, well acted drama with a larger than life performance by Daniel Day-Lewis that makes up for some of the films shortcomings. I'd suggest renting it first and, if you like it, move on to purchasing it.
With Scorsese, take what you can get
Who holds sway over the five points?The story of Gangs of New York begins in 1846 when two large gangs try to settle the score for once and all. The first gang is the Dead Rabbits who are led by Priest Vallon (in a short but fine performance by Liam Neeson). The Rabbits are composed mostly of Irish immigrants who are fed up with the hatred and discrimination they are forced to deal with constantly. The other gang is the Nativists led by William "Bill the Butcher" Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis in top form). The ensuing battle leaves the snow-covered streets a deep red and results in Vallon's death. Cutting, now the undisputed boss of all gang activity, no longer allows any mention of the words "Dead Rabbits" to solidify his dominance. A young Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio) witnesses his father's bloody murder, flees, and lives in exile for 16 years. Upon his return to a New York City that is torn asunder with racism, corruption, and a Civil War Draft that threatens to erupt into a conflagration of nearly Biblical proportions; Amsterdam has one thing on his mind: revenge. He seeks to infiltrate Cutting's powerful organization in order to "kill the king in his court".
The real strength of GoNY is its performances. As I said earlier in my review, Neeson and Day-Lewis are great as two bitter rivals. What I really liked was how Cutting always spoke respectfully about Vallon after killing him. A lot of people complained about Dicaprio being miscast. Many say he was awkward and had a dazed look on his face. Well, that's the point. Vallon was basically a young hotheaded punk who had a lot to learn about life. I say without shame that DiCaprio did a good job playing that character. Yet there is one wasted performance: Cameron Diaz. I think she was only in GoNY to provide a love interest for DiCaprio. It wasn't her fault that her character was so poorly realized. But other than Diaz, a fine ensemble with dialogue as sharp as one of Cutting's knives.
GoNY may look a overblown and pretentious when compared to other Scorsese films like Taxi Driver. Yet it tells of a forgotten and important chapter about New York City that to this day remains relevant in this post September 11th world in which we live. It tells of a city that survives and prospers in the face of corruption, hatred, and other calamities. Even those of us who don't live in New York City need to remember this and apply it to our own hometowns.
Overall rating: 4.5 stars
The structure of THE UNDERNEATH, a loose remake of Robert Siodmak's CRISS CROSS, is very interesting. Flashbacks and flashbacks in the flashbacks. It's not as literary as it seems and, at least, it keeps the audience awake without any need of explosions.
Soderbergh does an excellent work with his camera which, in its movements, often reflects the state of mind of the hero, Peter Gallagher. The scene in the hospital, in the last part of the movie, is, technically speaking, an achievement.
Bonus features are of above average-quality with an interesting comparison between the letter-box and the pan and scan version.
A should have a second chance DVD.