Resurfaced Short Reviews, Part XI

These are Resurfaced short or quickie reviews written in 2002 or earlier. For more information, please visit this link: Resurfaced Reviews.

L.A. Confidential

Rating

Director

Curtis Hanson

Screenplay

Brian Helgeland, Curtis Hanson (Novel: James Ellroy)

Length

2h 18m

Starring

Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, James Cromwell, Kim Basinger, Danny DeVito, David Strathairn, Ron Rifkin, Matt McCoy, Paul Guilfoyle, Paolo Seganti

MPAA Rating

Basic Plot

A Crime Syndicate gone, L.A.’s Finest are trying to win back their reputation AS the ‘Finest.’ Introduce Mr. Ed Exley, new graduate, searching to venge his father’s death through law enforcement. Bud White, strong man, whose partner is kicked out of the force because of a insane prison riot started by himself. Jack Vincennes, liaison to Hollywood, arrests only for money and publicity…and bribes. Just add a sleezy tabloid editor, porn ring operator, Hollywood Star look-a-like, some corrupt cops and several plot twists.

Review

This film reads like a great novel, enthralling to the end. Rarely do films come out that are of such high quality, especially in a year of event pictures that turned out to not be. This is only the second original motion picture this year that I have given an A to, that’s rather sad, especially since it’s October. The acting in the film is some of the best ever put on screen, especially the performance of Guy Pearce, who I remember very well from The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. I couldn’t believe that during the entire film, I only thought at the beginning, who are these actors, from then on I was completely engrossed in watching the characters, not the actors. I didn’t even have a problem with Kim Basinger, probably giving one of her greatest performances. The credits are so confusing, it’s hard to pick out who’s a lead and who’s supporting, of the lead three, Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce, only Spacey would I drop to Supporting over the other two in lead. Not only one of the greatest films of the year, but definitely one of the smartest and well-done crime films of recent memory. If only they could make more movies like this, I’d go to the movies a hell of a lot more often.

Awards Prospects

Major contender in the categories of Picture, Actor, Supporting Actor, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Original Dramatic Score, Film Editing, Cinematography, Art Direction/Set Decoration and Costume Design

Review Written

Unknown

Police Academy

Rating

Director

Hugh Wilson

Screenplay

Neal Israel, Pat Proft, Hugh Wilson

Length

1h 36m

Starring

Steve Guttenberg, Kim Cattrall, G.W. Bailey, Bubba Smith, Donovan Scott, George Gaynes, Andrew Rubin, David Graf, Leslie Easterbrook, Michael Winslow, Debralee Scott, Bruce Mahler, Ted Ross, Scott Thomson, Brent Van Hoffman, Marion Ramsey

MPAA Rating

Basic Plot

A group of good-hearted but incompetent misfits enter the police academy, but the instructors there are not going to put up with their pranks.

Review

A funny film that unfortunately spawned a long line of sequels, Police Academy was most funny when it pulled its practical jokes or when it used its string of coincidental incidents to make a hilarious scene. Not much else is noticeable about the film, just keep an eye on the supporting cast, that’s where you find the comedy. Just remember, it’s a screwball comedy and shouldn’t be taken for much more.

Review Written

Unknown

Beetlejuice

Rating

Director

Tim Burton

Screenplay

Michael McDowell, Larry Wilson, Warren Skaaren

Length

1h 32m

Starring

Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O’Hara, Winona Ryder, Sylvia Sidney, Roubert Goulet, Dick Cavett, Glenn Shadix, Annie McEnroe, Maree Cheatham, Tony Cox, Susan Kellermann, Adelle Lutz, Jack Angel

MPAA Rating

Basic Plot

When a newlywed couple befall a tragic accident not long after purchasing a new housey are sent to the netherworld where they are assigned to haunt their old house. New tenants arrive and decide they wish to completely redo the entire house, but that’s not what they had in mind. The couple, failing to achieve the results they are looking fory call upon an exorcist for the living, named Betelgeuse. Rather than ease the situation, he infuriates it and even tries to kill the residents, which is what the young couple don’t want to do. Also along for the ride is Lydia (Winona Ryder) curious and morbid, she insists on speaking with the haunting residents of the attic and inevitably gets herself into trouble.

Review

With delicious visuals, intriguing acting, wonderful music from the master himself, Danny Elfman and the gothic touch of the superb Tim Burton, Beetlejuice is a fun ride. Twists and turns and marvelous humor are the highlights of this gothical supernatural voyage that only Burton could have brought us. Spend moments laughing and in awe as the master of bizarre weaves one of the most memorable tales of our time period.

Review Written

Unknown

Die Hard

Rating

Director

John McTiernan

Screenplay

Jeb Stuart, Steven E. de Souza (Novel: Roderick Thorp)

Length

2h 12m

Starring

Bruce Willis, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson, Paul Gleason, De’voreaux White, William Atherton, Hart Bochner, James Shigeta, Alan Rickman, Alexander Godunov, Bruno Doyon, Andreas Wisniewski, Clarence Gilyard Jr., Joey Plewa, Lorenzo Caccialanza, Gerard Bonn, Dennis Hayden, Al Leong, Gary Roberts, Hans Buhringer, Wilhelm von Homburg, Robert Davi, Grand L. Bush

MPAA Rating

Basic Plot

Tough New York cop John McClane finds himself in a tight situation when an office building in Los Angeles is taken over by terrorists. Apart from himself, everyone else in the building – including his wife – is held at gunpoint while their captors spell out their demands. The F.B.I. are called in to survey the situation, but John McClane has other plans for the terrorists…

Review

Subpar on few levels, this sometimes witty and usually surprising film holds up a short bar for action and adventure films to jump over. Performances are good and the story is suitable, however sometimes you just feel like there should be some kind of substance behind the film, but don’t quite run into it.

Review Written

Unknown

The Witches

Rating

Director

Nicolas Roeg

Screenplay

Allan Scott (Book: Roald Dahl)

Length

1h 31m

Starring

Anjelica Huston, Mai Zetterling, Jasen Fisher, Rowan Atkinson, Bill Paterson, Brenda Blethyn, Charlie Potter, Anne Lambton, Jane Horrocks

MPAA Rating

Basic Plot

A young boy, recently orphaned, is taken to England by his grandmother. At a hotel in which they are staying, a group of witches have gathered to prepare a plot to rid the world of all children.

Review

Great visual effects and makeup and a delicious performance by Angelica Huston are the highlights of this film about witches on a mission. Angelica Huston is known for great performances and this is especially evil. Not since Cruella De Vil has there been a villainess like this. Jim Henson works his magic on the film and its visual appeal, effects and makeup make the film what it is.