Sean-Penn Movie Reviews

George C. Scott plays the probably unstable headmaster (think of a postwar Patton about to lose his last job); he is both admirable and scary. Timothy Hutton, who some feel did not handle this role well, plays one of the lead cadets. I think he did the role justice, as his character is torn between honor, being faithful to his school and headmaster, dealing with his friends' differing views on how to handle the situation, and finding a sane way out of an insane situation. Tom Cruise plays one of Hutton's friends, and thinks that they should hold the school, no matter what the cost. Sean Penn plays another friend, who seeks a bloodless resolution, no matter what.

Some reviewers criticize the film because the cadets are portrayed as both villains and heroes. I disagree; I see the kids being portrayed as what they are supposed to be: not-yet-adults with strong ideals put in a no-win situation. Are they supposed to surrender their school/home to keep the peace, even if it violates their ideals and sense of justice? Or, do they kill off the police to hold their honor, while becoming murderers? They have no good choice, yet they have to choose. And, they have a charismatic, if somewhat fanatical and unstable role model. They behave as I would expect them to in such an awful situation.

Overall, this is a memorable, good film, although not great or epic. It tackles important issues in a crucible of crisis.

What I thought of it was...this is a nothing movie. Okay, maybe that's harsh, but I kept thinking, "what exactly was it that I had liked about the movie back in 1986?" for I found it boring, disturbing and sad. I did not like the bad language in it. Or the fact of the Nicholas Cage character drinking all the time. Or his inability to be kind to the girl he impregnated... The portrayal of nudity bothered me. Even bare chests on men I find inappropriate. The love scenes I just skipped over on fast forward. I got to thinking, when will this movie end?... none of this movie really moved me, except to feel sad... I think the story had much potential to be a good story. One can tell a story very effectively and not shove all the sin in your face. After viewing this... for some reason it made me feel sad, and it was also upsetting to witness the nudity etc. From now on I will stick to the old classics, and leave the modern movies I thought I liked, just memories in my past.

The movie's most telling scene is after Callie (Elizabeth McGovern) is angred by Henry & Nicky (Nicolas Cage) when they make fun of their school's emergency preparedness drill. Callie takes Henry to a veteran's hospital, where she delivers library books to soldiers recovering from amputations (and likely worse). Henry is visibly scared at the sight of these guys, not much older than he is, who will now go through life with a new, horrific perspective.

After the visit, Henry becomes angry with Callie. He shows her - and the audience - that bravado DOES have a place in dealing with impending terror, and that there are many ways to look at the complexities of war. At the end of the film, when both boys jump on the train that may take them to their deaths, the resilience of the human spirit goes with them, and they impart some of their courage to those left standing at the station. A classic film, with a timely message.

"Racing With The Moon" is a light, generally appealing film that shows of loss of teenage innocence and pleasure, when Penn and McGovern go skinnydipping in a lake and make love for the first time....

The film is an exploration at its' core of the most fundamental human emotions and motivations. Courage, love, honor, devotion, sacrifice, ambition, fear, adherence to principle, compromise, cynicism, acceptance, hope, malice, humanity, morality, and doubt just to name a few. And all of these with respect to oneself and others.

All that notwithstanding it is a brilliantly crafted film. Fabulous imagery and cinematography plus perfectly orchestrated music for the drama that it accompanies. The beauty of the music and scenery is a perfect contrast to the horrors and harsh realities of war. And it was designed to illustrate just that contrast. How can such a miraculous and beautiful creation be brought to the level of a killer or an animal willing to do anything just to survive? That's the fundamental question.

Though the film is not loaded with action, the action sequences are spectacular and capture the chaos, fear and uncertainty that many combat situations certainly must be.

For me this is almost a once in a lifetime film. The last film I saw that I felt this strongly about was the Shawshank Redemption. In short, this is quality work. Not action packed, or excessively graphic but thoroughly thought provoking and dramatic. Mr Malick is to be highly commended.

I'd definitely rate it as one of the 5 best films I have ever seen.

Malick's direction is simply genius; utilising the tranquil scenery to great effect whilst, at the same time, creating some of the most breathtaking action-sequences to be put on 35mm. Editing is top-notch- bearing in mind that Malick apparently filmed around 1,000,000 feet of footage! And, indeed, the acting itself is remarkable. Nolte, Penn and Chaplin are pure class as is Elias Koteas but Jim Caviezel steals the show with his perception of the spiritual Private Witt; someone who we feel 'at one' with throughout the film.

The use of multi voice-overs from numerous characters awards the picture with a great sense of dimension that crosses the proverbial board of mixed emotions. In doing so, it also goes against the notion of the classic Hollywood narrative; forming it's own unique structure that one has never before witnessed on screen.

The 170 minutes quite literally fly by. Certainly, one would be hard-pressed to come across a finer motion picture of the 90's and, one feels, the history of cinema.

This epic masterpiece deserves to be placed on a par with 'Citizen Kane' and 'The Third Man' and the very least you could do is to invest in your very own copy and behold in the pure splendour that is 'The Thin Red Line'. It's a difficult task describing such a film; it really does have to be seen to be believed...very few words would do it justice.

The film is an exploration at its' core of the most fundamental human emotions and motivations. Courage, love, honor, devotion, sacrifice, ambition, fear, adherence to principle, compromise, cynicism, acceptance, hope, malice, humanity, morality, and doubt just to name a few. And all of these with respect to oneself and others.

All that notwithstanding it is a brilliantly crafted film. Fabulous imagery and cinematography plus perfectly orchestrated music for the drama that it accompanies. The beauty of the music and scenery is a perfect contrast to the horrors and harsh realities of war. And it was designed to illustrate just that contrast. How can such a miraculous and beautiful creation be brought to the level of a killer or an animal willing to do anything just to survive? That's the fundamental question.

Though the film is not loaded with action, the action sequences are spectacular and capture the chaos, fear and uncertainty that many combat situations certainly must be.

For me this is almost a once in a lifetime film. The last film I saw that I felt this strongly about was the Shawshank Redemption. In short, this is quality work. Not action packed, or excessively graphic but thoroughly thought provoking and dramatic. Mr Malick is to be highly commended.

I'd definitely rate it as one of the 5 best films I have ever seen.

Malick's direction is simply genius; utilising the tranquil scenery to great effect whilst, at the same time, creating some of the most breathtaking action-sequences to be put on 35mm. Editing is top-notch- bearing in mind that Malick apparently filmed around 1,000,000 feet of footage! And, indeed, the acting itself is remarkable. Nolte, Penn and Chaplin are pure class as is Elias Koteas but Jim Caviezel steals the show with his perception of the spiritual Private Witt; someone who we feel 'at one' with throughout the film.

The use of multi voice-overs from numerous characters awards the picture with a great sense of dimension that crosses the proverbial board of mixed emotions. In doing so, it also goes against the notion of the classic Hollywood narrative; forming it's own unique structure that one has never before witnessed on screen.

The 170 minutes quite literally fly by. Certainly, one would be hard-pressed to come across a finer motion picture of the 90's and, one feels, the history of cinema.

This epic masterpiece deserves to be placed on a par with 'Citizen Kane' and 'The Third Man' and the very least you could do is to invest in your very own copy and behold in the pure splendour that is 'The Thin Red Line'. It's a difficult task describing such a film; it really does have to be seen to be believed...very few words would do it justice.

The film is an exploration at its' core of the most fundamental human emotions and motivations. Courage, love, honor, devotion, sacrifice, ambition, fear, adherence to principle, compromise, cynicism, acceptance, hope, malice, humanity, morality, and doubt just to name a few. And all of these with respect to oneself and others.

All that notwithstanding it is a brilliantly crafted film. Fabulous imagery and cinematography plus perfectly orchestrated music for the drama that it accompanies. The beauty of the music and scenery is a perfect contrast to the horrors and harsh realities of war. And it was designed to illustrate just that contrast. How can such a miraculous and beautiful creation be brought to the level of a killer or an animal willing to do anything just to survive? That's the fundamental question.

Though the film is not loaded with action, the action sequences are spectacular and capture the chaos, fear and uncertainty that many combat situations certainly must be.

For me this is almost a once in a lifetime film. The last film I saw that I felt this strongly about was the Shawshank Redemption. In short, this is quality work. Not action packed, or excessively graphic but thoroughly thought provoking and dramatic. Mr Malick is to be highly commended.

I'd definitely rate it as one of the 5 best films I have ever seen.

Malick's direction is simply genius; utilising the tranquil scenery to great effect whilst, at the same time, creating some of the most breathtaking action-sequences to be put on 35mm. Editing is top-notch- bearing in mind that Malick apparently filmed around 1,000,000 feet of footage! And, indeed, the acting itself is remarkable. Nolte, Penn and Chaplin are pure class as is Elias Koteas but Jim Caviezel steals the show with his perception of the spiritual Private Witt; someone who we feel 'at one' with throughout the film.

The use of multi voice-overs from numerous characters awards the picture with a great sense of dimension that crosses the proverbial board of mixed emotions. In doing so, it also goes against the notion of the classic Hollywood narrative; forming it's own unique structure that one has never before witnessed on screen.

The 170 minutes quite literally fly by. Certainly, one would be hard-pressed to come across a finer motion picture of the 90's and, one feels, the history of cinema.

This epic masterpiece deserves to be placed on a par with 'Citizen Kane' and 'The Third Man' and the very least you could do is to invest in your very own copy and behold in the pure splendour that is 'The Thin Red Line'. It's a difficult task describing such a film; it really does have to be seen to be believed...very few words would do it justice.

If that's what you like in a movie, this is your movie.

I started to feel slightly relieved when I thought that this mightn't be an exploration of men's psychological make-up, but rather a satire on Hollywood movie executives. However concern started creeping back in when I realized these could be some of the brains behind what we consume on TV and at the movies.