Sean-Penn Movie Reviews

One of the best films of the 1980's, At Close Range tells the true story of the Johnston Family gang (changed here to Whitewood) which terrorized Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania in the 1970s by stealing tractor parts and generally being hoods. While the story may sound not too compelling, this film gets a huge boost from some great ensemble acting. This is the movie that got me over my aversion to Sean Penn and Christopher Walken delivers one of the most believably evil people in movies. I grew up in the town this all took place in and Bruce Johnston (Christopher Walken=Brad Whitewood) lived next door to my Uncle. And my Uncle said that Walken nailed this guy's persona. Scary Thought. What saves At Close Range from being just another crime movie is the flair that James Foley brings to the direction. It's often gorgeous, thank to Juan Ruiz Anchia's brilliant cinematography and in no small part to Patrick Leonard's haunting score, keyed to the melody of Live to Tell. How come there was never a soundtrack? Do yourself a favor, check it out and be reminded that evil does exist and in forms more insidious and banal than serial killers and possessed little girls.

The First time I saw this film in 1986. It bothered me for day I couldn't shake the feeling it left me with. 14 years later it's just as moving. Christopher Walken and Sean Penn are simply amazing as a father and son who have never known each other and only truly know each other after it is far to late for Penn's character to save himself or anyone else. Walken Plays Brad Whitewood Sr. A Career criminal in a small town Sean Penn Plays Brad Jr a nobody trying to become somebody and win his fathers approval at the same time. The result is disasterous. The film is beautifully photographed and directed by James Foley who also directed the brilliant "After Dark My Sweet". So if your looking for a film that you'll be talking about days after you've seen it. This is it.

1986 had so many good movies. The Hitcher, Top Gun, Aliens, Stand By me, Platoon,and then there was At Close Range. This movie had a good story line and Sean Penn gave his best performance ever. This will always be a classic from the 80's.

It seems that films are highly rated if they do an effective job showing the gritty, underbelly of our lives - this film does that well. But that is all it does consistently well. But the story, while having a great premise, the director does not take us deep into the souls of these characters. Sean Penn was too subtle and Naomi Watts was "acting" to much. Benicio Del Toro was excellent. The story is non-linear, and does come together well about mid-way through. Unlike Momento, I do not see why that technique is used in this film, except to foreshadow events a little. I think it keeps depth and soul from building. Mystic River is better.

From the Mexican writing-directing team behind the Oscar-nominated Amores Perros comes this explosive, emotionally charged English-language drama, which interweaves stories about Christine, a single mother and former drug addict (Naomi Watts); Paul (Sean Penn), a terminally ill professor, who was (and may still be) Christine's lover; and Jack (Benicio Del Toro), a reformed ex-convict.

21 GRAMS pertains to the cultural belief that when a human being dies, they weigh exactly 21 grams less which is attributed to the soul leaving the body. 21 GRAMS also pertains to the incessant questions of how individuals affect others, and what we take away with us at our death. It reveals the complex emotions of grief, loss, anger, betrayal, faith, and love of three strangers who are linked forever under unfortunate circumstances.

Shot in non-chronological order, the beginning of this film is a jumbled mess that makes little to no sense. But patience and attention is awarded when various pieces started to come together towards the end. 21 GRAMS is a wonderful, powerful film which aims to rescue the audience from other theatrical offerings. Highly recommended.

"21 Grams" is a thespians' paradise. Sean Penn, Benecio Del Toro, and Naomi Watts deliver 80% or more of all the dialogue in this film. And it's really saying something that Penn - the actor's actor - gets pushed to the side a bit by Del Toro and - especially - Watts. She's the real revelation here. I see now that she was just taking a little, breezy holiday in Merchant-Ivory's recent "Le Divorce." She's nothing short of stunning here at the moment of her true heartbreak: her face goes ghostly white and she collapses on her Dad. Never has acting looked so life-like. You almost want to look away because it feels like you're peering in on someone's real-life pathos. It's that good. If that one scene alone doesn't garner Ms. Watts an Academy Award nomination, I'll be shocked.

The other thing worth noting here is director Alejandro González Iñárritu's deep respect for the intelligence of his audience. He's taken a fairly straightforward sequence of events and arranged them in sharply non-linear fashion. For close to hour, you're sitting there wondering *how* these three seemingly unconnected individuals will come to know each other in such a violent way (because González Iñárritu shows you the penultimate moment of their confrontation at the very start).

When the moment comes that you piece it together - and those who follow along can do so a couple of minutes prior to the key event - well, a chill runs up your spine. How many directors can do that?

Thank you, Alejandro, for your faith in the intelligence of your fans and for giving us something better than the watered-down mainstream fare that often comes out of Hollywood.

First off, kudos to Rhino for salvaging this cult film from the 1980s. While you're at it ... howzabout doing the same for Valley Girl, Real Genius or April Fools Day! :)

All in all, I'm pretty pleased with this release

The animated bios are for Debby, Sam Jones, E.G Marshal, Howard Hessman and Penn & Teller. They consist of headshots from the movie accompanied by things like Date-of-Birth and filmographies.

The slide show is much like the animated bios, but consist only of about 10 photos or so.

While I am glad to have a "clean" copy to watch now, I do have two small complaints.

1). Sadly, the DVD is full-frame as opposed to letterbox.

2). The transfer, while somewhat clean, does possess some signs of age. I'm sure Rhino did the best they could with whatever print they had. It just might've been my TV, but it did seem to be somewhat darker than my VHS version

I highly recommend this to any Deb-heads out there or fans of 80s cult films.

My Chauffeur is a classic 80's romantic comedy. Deborah Foreman as Casey Meadows is quirky, cute and lovable. Sam Jones as "Battle" is the ultimate rich brute, until Casey's cuteness and lovability break him down. This is a cute movie that people still talk about today. Worth checking out.

I discovered this movie in the 80's while working at a TeleVid, a VHS and Beta rental store (REMEMBER Beta!!). This movie is hysterical and SO quotable. Deborah Foreman reminds me of an adorable grownup Shirley Temple. Like another reviewer, I thought The Wigs were excellent and have sought out their music a few times over the years. This movie should be viewed as a time capsule from the 80's, rather than an example of exemplary filmmaking. ENJOY it's humor and cheesiness. Who'd ever think we'd be waxing nostalgic about those years. Sigh...

Who's idea was it to combine the talents of the world's two worst actors, Sam Jones and Deborah Foreman? Foreman breaks off into silly accents and facial expressions at the drop of a dime, and Sam Jones was his usual non-emotive self. Terrible storyline, and somehow suckered Penn and Teller to take part. Not even worth a star. Absolutely no continuity whatsoever. Should get a minus rating.

I discovered this movie in the 80's while working at a TeleVid, a VHS and Beta rental store (REMEMBER Beta!!). This movie is hysterical and SO quotable. Deborah Foreman reminds me of an adorable grownup Shirley Temple. Like another reviewer, I thought The Wigs were excellent and have sought out their music a few times over the years. This movie should be viewed as a time capsule from the 80's, rather than an example of exemplary filmmaking. ENJOY it's humor and cheesiness. Who'd ever think we'd be waxing nostalgic about those years. Sigh...

I havent seen this movie in years but still find myself quoting it. I love it, have just ordered it, cant wait to see it again.

Based on a true story, the film details how two young men sold U.S. secrets to the Soviets in the mid-seventies during the height of American apathy and disillusion.

Taken from the excellent non-fiction book by Robert Lindsey, director John Schlesinger's film does a fine job of creating the feeling and temperament of the time but stumbles in a couple of important areas, though the leads, Timothy Hutton as Christopher Boyce and Sean Penn as Daulton Lee, are in terrific form.

Boyce was the "falcon" as he dabbled in falconry, Daulton the "snowman" due to his dealing cocaine, or snow.

Boyce was the oldest of a large Catholic family whose father was retired FBI. Boyce was given a job too quickly with TRW, at the time working with the CIA on secret projects. Working from the "Black Vault," Boyce eventually decided to sell the information he saw to the Soviets. His drug dealing childhood friend Lee became the courier who transported the data to the Russian Embassy in Mexico.

While the story flows well on screen, the film cannot deliver what the novel makes apparent, namely WHY Boyce became a traitor. Other minor nitpicks include a scene (that never occured in real life) of Boyce seeing his ex-girlfriend Alana before impending arrest added for schmaltz effect only, and a badly edited moment of him ripping apart a gift from his co-workers that leaves the viewer puzzled.

However, everything else is fine. The cast is superb, particularly Pat Hingle as Boyce's father. The look of the film is true to the era it occured in. Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays produced a compelling score, collaborating with David Bowie on the theme song.

This is not an action film, and the better for it. Instead The Falcon And The Snowman gives the viewer psychological insight into espionage. It does not go far enough but is a solidly enjoyable film and deserves your attention.

this true life storey was good, timothy hutton and sean penns
portrayal of..wannabee spies , was a tale that needed to be told in modern day america, showing the powers that be...that it can still happen....sell out your country for the almighty dollar

I enjoyed this movie immensely. It was fairly true to life and very well done. Hutton and Penn are terrific and Schlesinger does an excellent job in directing.
For those of you that are curious, Christopher Boyce will be released from a halfway house in San Francisco on March 15, 2003. He will be paroled after 25 years in prison, including spending time in SuperMax in Colorado, alongside Oklahoma City bombers Timothy J. McVeigh and Terry L. Nichols, and the Unabomber, Theodore J. Kaczynski. (Information taken from the LA Times story "The Falcon and the Fallout" by Richard A. Serrano, published March 2, 2003.)

Based on a true story, the film details how two young men sold U.S. secrets to the Soviets in the mid-seventies during the height of American apathy and disillusion.

Taken from the excellent non-fiction book by Robert Lindsey, director John Schlesinger's film does a fine job of creating the feeling and temperament of the time but stumbles in a couple of important areas, though the leads, Timothy Hutton as Christopher Boyce and Sean Penn as Daulton Lee, are in terrific form.

Boyce was the "falcon" as he dabbled in falconry, Daulton the "snowman" due to his dealing cocaine, or snow.

Boyce was the oldest of a large Catholic family whose father was retired FBI. Boyce was given a job too quickly with TRW, at the time working with the CIA on secret projects. Working from the "Black Vault," Boyce eventually decided to sell the information he saw to the Soviets. His drug dealing childhood friend Lee became the courier who transported the data to the Russian Embassy in Mexico.

While the story flows well on screen, the film cannot deliver what the novel makes apparent, namely WHY Boyce became a traitor. Other minor nitpicks include a scene (that never occured in real life) of Boyce seeing his ex-girlfriend Alana before impending arrest added for schmaltz effect only, and a badly edited moment of him ripping apart a gift from his co-workers that leaves the viewer puzzled.

However, everything else is fine. The cast is superb, particularly Pat Hingle as Boyce's father. The look of the film is true to the era it occured in. Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays produced a compelling score, collaborating with David Bowie on the theme song.

This is not an action film, and the better for it. Instead The Falcon And The Snowman gives the viewer psychological insight into espionage. It does not go far enough but is a solidly enjoyable film and deserves your attention.

this true life storey was good, timothy hutton and sean penns
portrayal of..wannabee spies , was a tale that needed to be told in modern day america, showing the powers that be...that it can still happen....sell out your country for the almighty dollar

I enjoyed this movie immensely. It was fairly true to life and very well done. Hutton and Penn are terrific and Schlesinger does an excellent job in directing.
For those of you that are curious, Christopher Boyce will be released from a halfway house in San Francisco on March 15, 2003. He will be paroled after 25 years in prison, including spending time in SuperMax in Colorado, alongside Oklahoma City bombers Timothy J. McVeigh and Terry L. Nichols, and the Unabomber, Theodore J. Kaczynski. (Information taken from the LA Times story "The Falcon and the Fallout" by Richard A. Serrano, published March 2, 2003.)

Based on a true story, the film details how two young men sold U.S. secrets to the Soviets in the mid-seventies during the height of American apathy and disillusion.

Taken from the excellent non-fiction book by Robert Lindsey, director John Schlesinger's film does a fine job of creating the feeling and temperament of the time but stumbles in a couple of important areas, though the leads, Timothy Hutton as Christopher Boyce and Sean Penn as Daulton Lee, are in terrific form.

Boyce was the "falcon" as he dabbled in falconry, Daulton the "snowman" due to his dealing cocaine, or snow.

Boyce was the oldest of a large Catholic family whose father was retired FBI. Boyce was given a job too quickly with TRW, at the time working with the CIA on secret projects. Working from the "Black Vault," Boyce eventually decided to sell the information he saw to the Soviets. His drug dealing childhood friend Lee became the courier who transported the data to the Russian Embassy in Mexico.

While the story flows well on screen, the film cannot deliver what the novel makes apparent, namely WHY Boyce became a traitor. Other minor nitpicks include a scene (that never occured in real life) of Boyce seeing his ex-girlfriend Alana before impending arrest added for schmaltz effect only, and a badly edited moment of him ripping apart a gift from his co-workers that leaves the viewer puzzled.

However, everything else is fine. The cast is superb, particularly Pat Hingle as Boyce's father. The look of the film is true to the era it occured in. Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays produced a compelling score, collaborating with David Bowie on the theme song.

This is not an action film, and the better for it. Instead The Falcon And The Snowman gives the viewer psychological insight into espionage. It does not go far enough but is a solidly enjoyable film and deserves your attention.

this true life storey was good, timothy hutton and sean penns
portrayal of..wannabee spies , was a tale that needed to be told in modern day america, showing the powers that be...that it can still happen....sell out your country for the almighty dollar

I enjoyed this movie immensely. It was fairly true to life and very well done. Hutton and Penn are terrific and Schlesinger does an excellent job in directing.
For those of you that are curious, Christopher Boyce will be released from a halfway house in San Francisco on March 15, 2003. He will be paroled after 25 years in prison, including spending time in SuperMax in Colorado, alongside Oklahoma City bombers Timothy J. McVeigh and Terry L. Nichols, and the Unabomber, Theodore J. Kaczynski. (Information taken from the LA Times story "The Falcon and the Fallout" by Richard A. Serrano, published March 2, 2003.)

This movie dead man walking is a very controversial but impressive movie.It has a lot of different views invloved you get to see both sides of the story and feel both sides as well.It proves that we are all human and that we all all bleed the color red.It proves that love overcomes anything and that faith still in fact does exist.It also deals a lot with hope and pain.If you really want to watch a movie that makes you think and feel then I definetly reccomend this one its a dead winner!!!

I saw this in my High school law class. We had just finished discussing the death penalty. I had always been an eye for an eye person, but this movie is so brilliantly presented. It never assumes the role of being too sympathetic to the condemned Sean Penn nor does it outright say he deserves to die. Instead of doing the usual, director Tim Robbins presents every side of the issue, allowing for one of the best masterpieces of the film. The murder scene is never too graphic but is still chilling. My favorite scenes were Sarandon's attempts to win Penn over to Christianity, Penn's moments with his family, and Sarandon singing to Penn as he is being led to the execution chamber. I havenot yet bought this, but it will be in my collection very soon.

Table all pre-conceived notions of whether Capital Punishment is wrong or right. Set aside your personal opinions on how society views convicted killers. DEAD MAN WALKING examines all sides of the coin, from the eyes of the victims, their families, the legal system, religious counselors and finally the convict himself.

Sean Penn is almost scary in his portrayal of Matthew Poncellet. With convincing facial expressions, voice and demeanor, Penn nails every scathing, miserable characteristic of a "white trash" criminal with no remorse for his chosen way of life and his lack of respect for everything and everyone in his world. By the film's end, your heart can't help but bleed for him in is agony, but what a pity it took the tragedy of murder to bring him to his knees.

Susan Sarandon perfectly portrays a kind and gentle Sr. Helen Prejean (who makes a cameo appearance in the film at a candlelight demonstration outside the prison).

WARNING: This movie is very painful to watch, and certain scenes of violence, aside from the final execution by lethal injection, may disturb the faint-hearted.

"State of Grace" is very loosely based on an actual gang of Irish-American criminals called the Westies who terrorized Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood from the 70's to the mid-80's.

In "State of Grace" Terry Noonan (Sean Penn) returns to his old neighborhood after an absence of twelve years. There he is reunited with his best friend, Jackie Flannery (Gary Oldman), an alcoholic and extremely violent member of an organized criminal gang led by Jackie's older brother, Frankie (Ed Harris.) Noonan is also reunited with his first love, Kathleen Flannery (Robin Wright), who is the younger sister of Jackie and Frankie. Although the Flannery brothers are puzzled by Noonan's 12 year disappearance, they are satisfied that he is now currently on the run from the law due to a botched drug sale which they believe resulted in two murders, and allow him to join in their criminal enterprise. Of course, infiltrating Frankie's gang is the purpose of Noonan's return to NYC because he is actually a Boston cop who has volunteered to help bring down this criminal organization. However, Noonan finds himself conflicted by old loyalties to his neighborhood's code against informants, his rekindled love for Kathleen, and his friendship with Jackie.

Noonan's conflict between his loyalty to his past and his present duty is just one of several conflicts presented in the movie. Frankie Flannery is shown as a ruthless criminal without one shred of loyalty to anyone. Frankie lives in a squeeky clean suburb in New Jersey while making a living extorting the working people of the grungy Hell's Kitchen. Frankie also is anxious to make an alliance with an Italian crime family in order to really make a move into the upper echelons of organized crime. Frankie will allow NOTHING to interfere with this alliance. Jackie, on the other hand, is all about loyalty to his family and the neighborhood. Jackie sees himself as a sort of Robin Hood protecting the old neighborhood from the incursions of yuppies and other various outsiders. Jackie's loyalty to old friends and his older brother's ruthlessness eventually come into conflict. Also drawn into the maelstrom is Kathleen who ran away from the old neighborhood to escape its squalor and her brothers' criminal lives. However, she finds herself drawn back into it by her old love for Noonan, and she is not sure if that is what she wants. Of course, Noonan finds himself in the center of all these conflicts and eventually it all leads to disaster.

"State of Grace" screams IRISH. From the moment Noonan walks into a bar to the strains of The Pogues' "White City" to the final shootout, which is filmed to the song "O Wearing of the Green" and juxtaposed with shots of the NYC St. Patrick's Day parade, the film is one Irish cliche after the other. Also look out for "homages" to the classic Irish-American gangster film- Jimmy Cagney's "The Public Enemy." The scene in which Jackie walks behind the bar and starts breaking stuff is just one of several scenes taken from Cagney's classic Irish gangster film.

I first seen this movie soon after it was released (VHS) and was very impressed considering most people hadn't heard of it. It was refreashing to see a director who finally wanted to make a movie about the Irish Mob, who afterall were the longest established organised crime group in NY. I strongly disagree with a reviewer from Medford, NY who described Oldman's character as somewhat over the top. In my opinion, this is Oldman's finest performance to date! Having read many books on the Westside Irish Mob (as they refered to themselves) including The Westies by T.J English, Oldman brought the real life character Mickey Featherstone to life on our screens in Oscar style fashion! Believe me , these characters are not your average Italian style gangster; slick-back hair, well dressed killers. Most of these men had no such delusions of grandeuer when it came to how they looked. Many were hard drinking heroin addicts who if hadn't been shot, would have killed themselves anyway! These story lines have a much harder edge than your average Italian/Jewish gangster film because of a notorious drug and drinking culture that the other two etnic crime groups considered to be sloppy and unprofessional. Other films such as Southie have tackled these issues also, portraying a family from the projects coming to terms with alcoholism, drug abuse and gun culture. Don't get me wrong, I love Goodfellas and The Godfather but you have to admit, you won't beat the Irish when it comes to telling a story with typically unique ingredients. Jonau, indeed, could have been far more brutal in his portrayal of these men. Storys of a victem's head being taken on a pub crawl of the westside are now legendary. Ed Harris and Sean Penn turn in fantastic performances also, but Gary Oldman steals the show. I couldn't believe it when I found out shortly after watching the movie that Oldman is infact English. His portrayal of what is generally accepted to be Mickey Featherstone, is awsome! Those of you used to your typical Italian gangster movie be prepared for a crash landing into the world of psycotic, alcoholic, drug addicted killers! No dyed hair and flashy suits here! Just cold blooded, knee jerk reaction murder!

It's unfortunate that this movie received so little marketing and went largely unnoticed. First off, amazing cast. Sean Penn, Ed Harris, Gary Oldman, Robin Wright, and John Turturro star in this movie.

Sean Penn gives one his best performances as Terry Noonan, who goes undercover into New York's Irish mob. He was selected because his childhood friend, Jackie (Oldman), is one of the top Lieutenants, and Jack's older brother Frankie (Harris) is the boss. Noonan quickly becomes encompassed in a life he had forgotten, and falls back in love with Frankie & Jackie's younger sister Kathleen (Wright), who is trying to get away from the life her brothers have chosen. Turturro plays the cop/mentor for Terry who has to try and convince he's doing the right thing.

When Frankie has another childhood friend (John C Reilly) killed, Terry has to figure a way to take Frankie down, but is conflicted due to his love for Jackie and Kathleen. I won't spoil the rest, but that's a synopsis of what the movie is about. It's about love, hate, betrayal, and revenge.

Penn gives a remarkable performance as the conflicted cop (similar to Donnie Brasco), and Oldman plays a bad guy that everyone loves. Harris plays the role of a cold, ruthless mob boss with perfection. Wright & Turturro give above average performances as co-stars, and the remaining actors are well cast.

To sum it all up, one of the best Organized Crime movies of all time and starring 4 men who have been nominated for Academy Awards. Above average plot, great cinematography, brilliant acting, and a very original ending, make this movie a must for all mob movie fans, and recommendation to all others.

Films that depict the life struggles of persons with mental or physical disabilities almost automatically tug on the heartstrings of any sensitive viewer. I AM SAM does no less, and it does so with the masterful talents of Sean Penn and Michelle Pfieffer and an amazingly talented little girl named Dakota Fanning (she has deep, incandescent blue eyes that evoke a talent far beyond her years).

Sean Penn stars as Sam, a mentally-challenged Starbucks clerk who excitedly clings to the role of father when the homeless woman he gets pregnant skips out on him. Somehow (the movie never tells), he manages to display the skills to bring Lucy up to seven years old (when the narrative of the film swings into full play).

The incredibly lovely Michelle Pfieffer does an admirable job pouring life into a vastly underwritten role. As a jetset lawyer, she's torn between her job, her role as a wife, and her role as a mother ... all of which she, arguably, is failing at. However, Ms. Pfeiffer manages to give her character, Rita Harrison, a sense of reality and a sense of history that lifts an otherwise secondary role into a more interesting person, one that the viewer wants to get to know. Sadly, the scenes of development with her husband and her son were either never written, never filmed, or left on the cutting room floor.

Dakota Fanning, as Lucy, is simply marvelous. A true talent in the making, she manages to steal every scene she's in without a touch of mirth to her performance.

Laura Dern pops up in the obligatory cameo-sized role, and, when her mother-wannabe sentiments forces her to face the bittersweet reality of choosing between breaks, the viewer feels her pain.

All in all, I AM SAM is not a great picture, as it feels more like a big budget Lifetime or perhaps HBO-cable movie, but it's passable entertainment with some acting heavyweights showing their stuff.

I Am Sam is one of the best films I've seen in a long, long time.

Sean Penn has certainly come a long way in his acting career from surfer dude Jeff Spicolli in (Fast Times at Ridgemont High) to the incredibly powerful performance he gives as a mentally challenged father who fights for the custody of his daughter Lucy.

I Am Sam will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it will make you realize that the best thing you can do for any child as a parent is show them love and affection. Michelle Pfieffer's character, as Penn's lawyer, goes through a transformation in the film. She begins as a cold hearted, money hungry woman who seems to care about nothing but her job and herself. However after meeting sam she is transformed into a caring, loving human being.

If you want a great movie, with a great story, a lot of emotion and Academy Award worth acting then you MUST SEE I Am Sam. If your the emotional type may I suggest you get your box of tissues ready because you'll need them.

Dakota Fanning is brilliant in this film, her follow-up to her successful debut in "Harry Potter and The The". She is a ray of sunshine in an otherwise dreary and dull world. Too bad nine-year-olds cannot be President-I'd vote for her in a heartbeat! Is it possible that she is a visitor from another planet? Is she a living Powerpuff Girl? All I know is I dug her ripping guitar solo at the "Concert For George" during "It's A Small World"-Lindsay Lohan, eat your heart out! And so what if she recently lost her two front teeth? Now we know what to get her for Christmas! Dakota is God!

UltraLord has spoken!