Wednesday, October 22, 2003

MOVIE - MYSTIC RIVER - Review Rating $$$$$ $$$ (OUT OF 10) STARRING -Sean Penn ( Jimmy), Tim Robbins (Dave), Kevin Bacon (Sean), Marcia Gay Harden (Celeste), Sarah Silverman (Patty), Laura Linney (Annabeth) & Emmy Rossum (Katie). DIRECTOR - Clint Eastwood (Space Cowboys, Unforgiven, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Absolute Power & Blood Work). Based on the bestselling crime novel, of the same name, by Dennis Lehane. Mystic River is, without a doubt, a powerful and rich tale of how human nature, past sins and fate can combine to come back to haunt us in ways we could never imagine. Clint Eastwood should be given credit for being as faithful to the book, which I've read, as is humanly possible. Therein, however, lies the rub. Eastwood's respect for the complexity and depth of the original material ultimately produces a film that, at numerous moments, feels like a mechanical, paint-by-numbers video recreation. Ultimately, its the totality of the quality of the performances and the underlying depth of the story that makes Mystic River worth seeing, despite its flaws. Running time - 137 minutes FULL REVIEW & LINKS TO ALTERNATIVE REVIEWS Comments by Halo Scan: 10:39:12 PM     | MOVIE - RUNAWAY JURY - Review Rating $$$$$ $$ (OUT OF 10) STARRING - John Cusack (Nicholas Easter), Gene Hackman (Rankin Fitch), Dustin Hoffman (Wendell Rohr), Rachel Weisz (Marlee), Bruce Davison (Durwood Cable), Bruce McGill (Judge Harkin), Jeremy Piven (Lawrence Green) & Jennifer Beals (Vanessa Lembeck). DIRECTOR - Gary Fleder (Don't Say a Word, Kiss the Girls, Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead & Impostor) Based on the book, of the same name, by John Grisham. You don't have to read too many of my reviews to know that I'm not a fan of movies that play fast and loose with reality. You also probably know that there are exceptions to every rule. Runaway Jury is one of those exceptions. By any definition Runaway Jury is the worst kind of populist fluff that grossly exaggerates and perpetuates common misconceptions about both lawyers and our legal system. Ironically, its the outrageousness of the story that permits a positive recommendation for Runaway Jury. The story is so over the top that disappointment quickly dissolves into enjoyment of this fast paced, well acted "thriller". Despite a preposterous plot and a Hollywood ending Runaway Jury still manages to be entertaining. Running time - 127 minutes FULL REVIEW & LINKS TO ALTERNATIVE REVIEWS Comments by Halo Scan: 10:21:23 PM     |

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