The Informant! (2009) R
Based upon the true story of a bipolar PhD working undercover for the FBI, Mark Whitacre (Matt Damon) blew the whistle on ADM and the largest price fixing scheme in agri–business. It is a dark comedy in which Whitacre’s good intentions, pressure from FBI, lying to cover his tracks, bizarre personal behavior and poor personal judgment lead to his being indicted for price fixing, wire fraud, tax fraud. He violated his immunity agreement with the FBI and really believed he would lead ADM when the dust settled. Some see him as a criminal, some a hero. View the movie judge for yourself.
The Informant!
August 31st, 2010The Hunt for Red October
August 27th, 2010The Hunt for Red October (1998) PG
Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin star in this adaptation of Tom Clancy’s bestselling book and they get it right. Many movies based on a book do not succeed. The suspense and tension of the book are intact in this movie. The underwater shots of the giant submarine, the confusion of whom to trust, and more all lead to a blistering but satisfying conclusion. Perk up your summer with a little underwater excitement.
Breakheart Pass
August 24th, 2010Breakheart Pass (1975) PG
Starring Charles Bronson, Jill Ireland, and Ben Johnson, Breakheart Pass is a combination of mystery and action and is set in the old West. It was adapted from an Alistair MacLean novel. Many of his titles have been adapted for film – The Guns of Navarone, Force 10 from Navarone, and Where Eagles Dare are among the most famous.
A crowded troop train is on its way to Fort Humboldt to relieve the fort. At a brief stopover, two of three officers on the train mysteriously disappear and the train acquires two new passengers, John Deakin (Bronson) an accused murderer and arsonist and in the custody of marshal Pearce (Johnson). Along the way, more people disappear or die mysteriously. Who is the killer and why are people being murdered?
I think this is one of Bronson’s best films and one of the best murder mysteries I have ever seen. (Do not read the back of DVD because you will the find the film more enjoyable and the mystery more difficult to solve.)
The photography in this film is beautiful and the film score gives the feeling of a moving train. The film may also interest sports buffs as Archie Moore (former light heavyweight champion), Doug Atkins (former Chicago Bear), and Joe Kapp (former Minnesota Viking) all have supporting roles – and all three performed well in this film.
If you like mysteries or westerns, you will enjoy this film.
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
August 20th, 2010Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (2009) PG-13
A thriller/mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat and engrossed until the end. The plot is based on an interesting premise – a journalist suspects a district attorney has been tampering with evidence in many of his cases in order to win convictions. He devises a plan to catch him in the act, with the hopes of winning a Pulitzer Prize for his investigative reporting. Michael Douglas is great as the D.A., and once again personifies the abuse and corruption of power.
A Room with a View
August 17th, 2010
A Room with a View (1986) R
In this romantic tale, young Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham-Carter) takes a trip to Italy with her fretting, old-maidish cousin Charlotte (Maggie Smith). Among the interesting people Lucy meets is a middle class father (Denholm Elliott) and his introspective moody son George (Julian Sands). A picnic in the country, the heat of the day, and a kiss between Lucy and George changes Lucy forever. This is a witty and beautifully imagined filming of the E. M. Forester novel.
