AL Pacino and John Cazale pair well together just as they do in The Godfather and The Godfather Part II. It would have been a delight to see the two perform together in other films, if not for Cazale's early and unfortunate death. Pacino is superb as the cheerleading bank robber trying to control a chaotic and dangerous situation. Charles Durning is believable as the nice cop attempting to calm the storm and his own overly eager police snipers. Way ahead of its time for bringing attention to transgender issues, this film treats the subject with dignity and respect.
Reviews
71 Reviews
Foyle's War
(2002–2015)
Keep Calm and Carry On
2 July 2021
Michael Kitchen is superb as the title character in this unique crime drama set during WWII. Aided by the great supporting cast of Honeysuckle Weeks and Anthony Howell, Kitchen solves crime in the sleepy town of Hastings on the south coast of England. Foyle never gets rattled and rarely loses his cool, but he always manages to outfox the foxes in the chicken coop for the common good of humanity. Foyle is a man with a moral compass who doesn't preach, rather he leads by example. He may not be the first choice to lead a pep rally, but he certainly would be the first choice to lead a detective squad.
Wallander
(2008–2016)
Crime with a bottle of red
27 June 2021
He's great at solving crime, but not very good at resolving his personal problems. Kenneth Branagh is wonderful as the title character in this British version of the Swedish series. Branagh plays an alcoholic police detective who doesn't understand why his wife left him while his daughter, played well by Jeany Spark, attempts to nudge him into moving on with his life. However, it is difficult to move on when your mistress is a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. The series is a slow burn and a delight to watch with a strong supporting cast. The Swedish version is also recommended if you don't mind subtitles. (Watch Jeany Spark in the British series Collateral. She is fantastic.)
Broadchurch
(2013–2017)
Riveting
27 June 2021
Motion pictures about disappearing children are difficult to watch and this series is no different. With that said, this drama is very well-done and the cast is superb. Jodie Whittaker is outstanding as the grieved mother and Andrew Buchan is great as the father looking for vengeance. David Tennant is wonderful and provides the comic relief, albeit at times awkward, the heavy narrative needs. Olivia Coleman has the most complex role, and she shows her brilliant talent throughout her complicated storyline.
Bodyguard
(2018– )
Strong Start, Anticlimatic End
26 June 2021
This series starts strong with a griping opening sequence that will propel you into the story. The narrative adeptly builds tension and suspense while delivering intense action sequences. Richard Madden is great as the title character, as he juggles his high-security job and PTSD disorder while attempting to cling to his failing marriage. Sophie Rundle is delightful in her role as Madden's wife. Unfortunately, the script fails to explain in detail why their marriage is in trouble, which makes the marital conflict seem forced. The scene-stealer is Keeley Hawes, who is fantastic as the Home Secretary in need of a government security detail. Her character is so strong and important to the narrative that the series feels like it's about her, which makes the resolution of the series anticlimactic.
Happy Valley
(2014–2023)
The Wright Stuff - Brilliant
25 June 2021
Sally Wainwright creates a powerful and amazing police drama about a woman near her wits end as she grapples with the release of her daughter's rapist, the emotional problems of her grandson, and the addiction recovery of her sister. Sarah Lancashire plays this police officer and delivers an exceptional performance from the first scene, which is a fantastic introduction of a character if there ever was one. Siobhan Finneran, who played Miss O'Brien on Downton Abbey, is great and almost unrecognizable as the chemically-dependent sister. James Norton really shows his dynamic skills as the rapist after playing a vicar on Grantchester. Katherine Kelly also shows great range when compared to her role on Coronation Street. Steve Pemberton plays anxiety very well as a misguided husband and father. And, to top it all off, you can't go wrong with having Kevin Doyle a member of the cast.
Marcella
(2016–2021)
This is a great show
25 June 2021
A great crime thriller about a female detective out to catch the bad guys while being gaslighted within her own home. Anna Friel is spectacular as the title character and delivers an amazing performance as a single mom balancing her work and home life. Nicholas Pinnock plays a great role with a wonderful performance that will catch you off guard with his poker face. Ray Panthaki is great as the cynical police boss, which shows he has developed his range as an actor since his days on EastEnders. It's a fun thrill ride you don't want to miss.
Paranoid
(2016)
It doesn't mean they're not out to get you
24 June 2021
It's a crime drama with a tone problem. The tone problem comes from the awkward and melodramatic romantic subplot between the lead detectives, and the odd construction of Indira Varma's character, which is the fault of the writer. Varma delivers a great performance even though the bad dialogue written for her role makes her character codependent on men. The relationship between her and her longtime boyfriend is forced, in order to manufacture conflict with her detective partner, and not believable. The series would have been better served by focusing on the role corporate corruption played in the crime. Christiane Paul, Polly Walker, and Kevin Doyle offer strong performances in their supporting roles.
North by Northwest
(1959)
Classic Hollywood Thriller
23 June 2021
This classic Hollywood thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat and only gets more intense as the story builds to its climax. One of Hitchcock's best films, produced from an outstanding screenplay written by Ernest Lehman, with a great cast, including outstanding performances by Eva Marie Saint and Cary Grant. Saint is particularly brilliant paired against villains well-played by James Mason and Martin Landau. You will need to pay attention, as this film is not for the distracted viewer and doesn't beat you over the head with today's on-the-nose dialogue to keep the viewer abreast of the story.
On the Waterfront
(1954)
A Story of Redemption
22 June 2021
A Hollywood classic about a self-proclaimed bum who does what he's told to do, by corrupt union bosses, until romantic love intervenes causing him to seek redemption and reclaim his dignity. The cast and their performances are outstanding, which shouldn't be too much of a surprise once you realize they all came from The Actors Studio in New York. Eva Marie Saint holds her own among the male-dominated cast and testosterone-driven storyline. Praise must be given to screenwriter Budd Schulberg who went to great lengths to research the dynamics of the mob-controlled docks to write this Oscar-winning screenplay.
Magnum, P.I.
(1980–1988)
America's James Bond
21 June 2021
If you're looking for 1980s escapist fun, then you might as well start right here because Thomas Magnum is America's James Bond. The demographics for this series is male, as the characters do form a bit of a blue-collar boy's club, which includes the two Doberman Pinschers, named after the Greek gods Zeus and Apollo, and the never-seen estate owner Robin Masters. Magnum likes the easy life and just gets by with enough clients to keep his fridge stocked with American beer. He's a Vietnam veteran who drives a Ferrari, lives on a Hawaiian beach, and has somehow escaped the effects of PTSD. What's not to like? Plus, there are great guest stars like Talia Balsam, Ernest Borgnine, Carol Burnett, Dick Butkus, Ted Danson, Dana Delany, José Ferrer, Morgan Fairchild, Ian McShane, Melora Hardin, Erin Gray, and more. There is enough comedy and intrigue sprinkled in to keep you entertained.
Avatar
(2009)
Egomania Runneth Over
21 June 2021
The self-proclaimed King of the World is on a mission to become the highest-grossing filmmaker in history. In order to achieve this cheap dream, story takes a back seat to visual effects and gadgetry. Avatar, and its soon to be released litter of siblings, is an amusement park ride set in a movie theater. The only thrills missing are vibrating seats and the environmental aromas of the moon. Perhaps Disney can accommodate and add a VR version of the film in addition to the IMAX version, 3D version, and Happy Meal version.
Slumdog Millionaire
(2008)
A. Outstanding - Final Answer
21 June 2021
Walking out of the movie theater one knew this film would win several Academy Awards because the film is outstanding. It boggles the mind to think this film almost didn't get made because most in Hollywood thought it would not make any money. Much praise should be given to the brave person at Fox Searchlight who said yes to the production. The adult leads were good, but recognition needs to be given to the actors who played the younger versions of the main characters because their performances were absolutely wonderful. Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, Ayush Mahesh Khedekar, Rubina Ali, Tanay Chheda, Ashutosh Lobo Gajiwala, and Tanvi Ganesh Lonkar have bright futures. And even if they do not pursue acting careers, their performances should be remembered. Anil Kapoor is a magnificent scene-stealer as the antagonistic game show host.
Rain Man
(1988)
Bill 2.0
18 June 2021
In 1981, Mickey Rooney won an Emmy for his performance in a TV movie called Bill. Rain Man is basically a retelling of that story, according to Barry Morrow, who wrote both scripts. So it should not be too much of a surprise to learn Dustin Hoffman won an Oscar for his performance and Morrow won an Oscar for basically the same story. Regardless, the film did shed light on autism, which was not as commonly known or publicly discussed as it is today. Hoffman is superb and well-deserving of the Oscar. The character played by Tom Cruise could have been played by any other A-List actor.
The Equalizer
(1985–1989)
The Original Equalizer
18 June 2021
Before online streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, et al. Began creating original content, the broadcast networks produced quality television series. Compared to today's standards this show doesn't seem too violent, but in the late 1980s it caused quite a stir. Led by classically-trained British actor, Edward Woodward, who plays a dapper vengeance-seeking vigilante, this series is a gritty crime drama that doesn't pull any punches; in fact, it lands quite a few. Woodward received five Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. It is a crime he lost one year to the acting hack Bruce Willis. Unfortunately, the 2021-reboot of this series is disappointing and verges on the comically absurd. Stick to the original.
Raiders of the Lost Ark
(1981)
Classic Action & Adventure
18 June 2021
This film is an action-adventure classic that entertains any audience of any age. Harrison Ford embodies the franchise character stretching over a forty-year period. The role of Indiana Jones was initially offered to Tom Selleck, but he declined due to his commitment to Magnum, P. I. It is a testament to Ford's stardom that he can continue to attract audiences to the franchise regardless of whether or not the script is any good. A couple of the subsequent Indy films have suffered from bad storylines and poorly written scripts. Credit Lawrence Kasdan for writing a great script to start the franchise. It's a fun and entertaining movie best enjoyed with a bowl of popcorn.
Apocalypse Now
(1979)
Apocalypse Now and again and again
17 June 2021
This Vietnam War epic is a must-see for lovers of war dramas. The only trouble is which of the three versions to watch. The original version, from 1979, runs 2 hours 27 minutes. The "Redux" version, released in 2001, runs 3 hours 16 minutes, and the "Final Cut" version, released in 2019 for the 40th Anniversary, runs 3 hours and 2 minutes. There are a couple reasons why Francis Ford Coppola would re-cut and re-release the film twice. Directors are notorious for wanting final cut over their films, but are at the behest of the studio, so they want to show you all the other scenes they shot. The majority of the time Director's Cuts do not make the film better, meaning they make it worse. Coppola has another reason to keep re-cutting and re-releasing this film: money. He actually owns the rights to the film, which allows him to generate more revenue with each subsequent release. Regardless, the first version from 1979 is the one to watch.
Amadeus
(1984)
Rock Me, Amadeus
17 June 2021
The film is a delightful romp through music history directed by Milos Foreman. Even if you are not a classical music fan, the film will entertain you with its themes of jealousy and revenge, witty dialogue, and great performances by the cast. The story will give you an appreciation for a musical genius who struggled to make a living as an artist even though he worked in environments surrounded by immense wealth. If you like the movie and enjoy foreign films, then take a look at The Firemen's Ball (1967), written and directed by Foreman.
The Silence of the Lambs
(1991)
I'll have the veal
17 June 2021
While walking out of the movie theater, in 1991, any cinephile had to have known they had just watched the film that would win the Academy Award for Best Picture. An outstanding narrative was delivered by an amazing cast of talented actors and craft technicians. Jodie Foster and Sir Anthony Hopkins both won Oscars as did director Jonathan Demme and screenwriter Ted Tally. Ted Levine gave a tremendous performance, in his depiction of the psychopathic serial killer, and should have received a Best Supporting actor nomination. What cinephiles may have missed was the cameo by Roger Corman as the FBI Director.
Thelma & Louise
(1991)
Cinematic Brilliance
16 June 2021
Callie Khouri pens an outstanding screenplay for which she won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. An unfortunate story too many woman understand, Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis are marvelous in their roles as women seeking independence and an escape from spousal abuse. Sexually assaulted outside of a bar, Davis' character is aided by Sarandon in an outlaw escape from patriarchy. Some saw this film as "male-bashing" to which an appropriate response would be many of the male characters should be bashed. Regardless of what fascist entertainment critic Kyle Smith wrote about the film in 2016, the film succeeds as an outstanding societal commentary and work of cinematic brilliance.
Tootsie
(1982)
Hilarious!
16 June 2021
One of the best comedies of all-time, which is why it did not win more Academy Awards. Jessica Lange deservedly won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar, but Dustin Hoffman lost to Ben Kingsley for Gandhi, which is a crime. Hoffman is brilliant in his performance as the title role, playing three different characters. Granted, the third characters arrives briefly at the end of the film, but it's still more than Kingsley. Teri Garr and Charles Durning shine in their supporting roles, delivering excellent performances. Bill Murray and Dabney Coleman enhance the comedic narrative to a Hollywood classic.
When Harry Met Sally...
(1989)
Yes, (people of any gender) can be friends
15 June 2021
A modern romantic-comedy classic about friendship, romance, and where to draw the line. Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal are wonderful and a pleasure to watch, as they lead a terrific cast including a great performance by Bruno Kirby, who plays Crystal's best friend. Even though the story focuses on a heterosexual couple, its main question can apply to any friendship. It's a light and fun popcorn flick worth watching with your significant other.
The Birdcage
(1996)
Simply Divine
15 June 2021
Based on the 1983 Tony Award-winning musical La Cage aux Folles, The Birdcage is a hilarious look at a gay couple's attempt to impress their son's future in-laws by pretending to be straight. Wonderfully directed by Mike Nichols, Robin Williams and Nathan Lane are superb and deliver memorable performances. Gene Hackman plays a convincing intolerant right-wing father to his daughter played by Calista Flockhart, before her Ally McBeal fame. Hank Azaria steals every scene with his brilliant performance.
Way ahead of its time
15 June 2021
This fun and delightful film will bring a smile to your face and laughter into your life. Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce, and Terence Stamp are outstanding in this film that was way ahead of its time. There are a few themes running through the narrative, but the ones that are most prevalent are compassion and tolerance. The humanity exhibited in the film is refreshing and is delivered with a mature silliness. Priscilla is worth your time and will lead you to think about its relevance in the world today.
Muriel's Wedding
(1994)
Make sure to RSVP to this wedding
14 June 2021
Every so often a delightful and entertaining film arrives by surprise, and Muriel's Wedding is one of those surprises. A dark comedy about a young woman's desire for independence and acceptance, Toni Collette is magnificent as the title character; it is no wonder this film launched Collette's amazing career. Equally brilliant is Rachel Griffiths, who plays Collette's friend and supporter, as Griffiths' performance is excellent. Supporting cast members Bill Hunter, Jeanie Drynan, Dan Wyllie, and Gabby Millgate are fantastic as members of Collette's immediate and dysfunctional family. Before his stellar performance in Rake, Matt Day offers an impressive delivery as Collette's paramour.
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