Change Your Image
Steven Barker
Reviews
Sidewalks of New York (2001)
Oh... My... God... No...
Someone needs to tell Ed Burns that he should stick to what he does so well, playing disaffected young men. He should NEVER be allowed to helm another such self indulgent movie EVER AGAIN. What a waste of so many very, very talented actors, Burns included! This film wobbles from pseudo Alfie "to camera" monologues via badly improvised arguments and painfully drawn self analysis! This is just not the sort of film that it is possible to watch, without squirming in your seat. It is saved only by a touchingly gentle performance from Rosario Dawson, as a jilted wife who becomes pregnant during an in ill-advised liaison with Ed Burns character. If this were a report card it would say CHARACTERIZATION: Absent STORY: Must try harder DIRECTION: Would welcome some!
Kiss of Death (1995)
A fine film, with many merits.
While it doesn't have the originality or gravitas of the original, upon which this version is based, this is a fine film which was much maligned on it's original release. David Caruso is in fine teeth grinding form as the parolee, wringing out every last drop of the pain caused by the death of his wife and the trauma of separation from his baby daughter and using this to drive onward with his revenge on the criminals responsible.
The film also gives Nicholas Cage, yet another, opportunity to over act as the gang bosses' lunatic son, which is amoungst the more disappointing aspects of the film, unfortunately the largest disappointment was provided by, the usually solid and brilliant, Samuel L Jackson as the cop intent on proving Caruso's claims, to be a crook gone good, as a lie. However there is a fantastic cameo from, soon to be Oscar winner, Helen Hunt as Caruso's alcoholic wife.
All together a very well presented film with moody visuals and gritty dialogue. It doesn't have much of a twist, but that isn't an absolute in film making. Enjoy!