National Lampoon's Animal House - 1978

Universal Pictures, Matty Simmons – Ivan Reitman

Directed by John Landis

Cast:

• Larry Kroger – Tom Hulce
• Kent Dorfman – Stephen Furst
• Doug Neidermeyer – Mark Metcalf
• Mandy Pepperidge – Mary Louise Weller
• Babs Jensen – Martha Smith
• Greg Marmalard – James Daughton
• Chip Diller – Kevin Bacon
• John Blutarsky – John Belushi
• Stork – Douglas Kenney
• Hardbar – Chris Miller
• B. B. - Bruce Bonnheim
• Katy – Karen Allen
• Robert Hoover – James Widdoes
• Eric Stratton – Tim Matheson
• Donald Schoenstein – Peter Reigert
• Daniel Simpson Day – Bruce McGill
• Professor Jennings – Donald Sutherland
• Dean Vernon Wormer – John Vernon

Story: College in the 60's. The sweet memories of hard work and study, of reaching forward to succeed. At Faber College, there seems to be a very different agenda. ”Every Halloween the trees are filled with underwear, every spring the toilets explode!” Larry Kroger and Kent Dorfman are two freshmen just entering, and being ambitious young men, they want to pledge a fraternity. But which one? Omega house seems a bit stand offish, but the men at Delta house are more down to earth. Which is to say that's where they end up every evening after soaking their brains in alcohol, face down in the dirt. The Dean wants Delta house off campus, the men of Omega Theta Pi want women to return to the days of being barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen, and the men of Delta Tau Kappa just want to have fun and get laid.

Review: Written by Harold Ramis, Doug Kenney, and Chris Miller (the latter two also appear in the film), this is a classic farce in a deeply American tradition of sarcasm, social criticism, and outright contempt for the establishment. The film is outrageous, with non-stop laughs and bare bones comedy that runs from start to finish, making use of nudity, language, and impossible situations to bring together a comedy that has yet to be conquered. The ensemble cast is incredible, the plot nonsensical, and the stereotypes abound. The Omega's are the final stronghold of exclusivity and class separation. They control the student government, the ROTC, the Greek Council, and anything else they can get their hands on. The Deltas are the wretched refuse, the ones who will not be controlled. But is there some deep social meaning in all this? Not on your life. This film is meant to keep you on the floor in stitches, and that is exactly what it does. Not a film for the kids, and definitely not the film to show your kids the night before they head off to college, unless its to say “Don't do this!”. Put this one in the player, make sure you have a six pack handy, by all means have a copy in your collection.

Real Steel - 2011

Touchstone Pictures, Dreamworks SKG, 21 Laps Entertainment

Directed by Shawn Levy

Cast:

• Charlie Kenton – Hugh Jackman
• Max Kenton – Dakota Goyo
• Bailey Tallet – Evangeline Lilly
• Finn – Anthony Mackie
• Ricky – Kevin Durand
• Aunt Debra – Hope Davis
• Marvin – James Rebhorn
• Cliff – Marco Ruggeri
• Tak Mashido – Karl Yune
• Farra Lemkova – Olga Fonda

Story: A former boxer and now fight promoter and operator is near the end of his ropes. His boxing robot has just been destroyed by a bull in an exhibition fight, he owes money to just about everyone, and his friend and partner is about ready to sell her father's gym, a remnant from the days of human boxing. A process server comes and hands him what may be the best solution to his problem. His ex-wife has passed away, leaving their 11 year old son alone. His sister in law wants to adopt the boy, but since her husband is wealthy, Charlie Kenton acts like he will fight the custody hearing and, Marvin, the husband, offers him $100,000 to let the custody go through, half now, half when they return from Italy at the end of the summer. Charlie takes the money, thinking he will use it to buy another robot and leave his son, Max, with Bailey, his partner, for the summer. But Max has other plans. Together, father and son embark on an adventure that reunites them and inspires Charlie to take up the challenges before him.

Review: Okay, we've had robots who learn to think (Terminator, I,Robot, Bicentennial Man), a plane that learned to think (EDI) and computer systems who have learned to think (Colossus, SkyNet), so why not a robot who learns to box? At least this one doesn't do the thinking for himself, although since there will be a sequel in 2014, who knows. For now, let's concentrate on the plot: the age old story of a father reuniting with his son. Sure, its been done, but when the acting is good and the story is given a new twist, it will keep you entertained, if not enthralled. Jackman brings his talents to the forefront in this role, a departure from the grizzled Wolverine and the computer hacker in Swordfish, and his performance creates the air of reality in the film. Evangeline Lilly is easy to look at and plays the part of the tomboyish woman brought up around athletes, savvy businesswoman, and neglected love interest well. Dakota Goyo fits the role well, and you feel the emotion when he speaks and looks at Jackman. “What's with those eyes?” While his role is small, using James Rebhorn as the husband of the sister in law who wants custody of Max was an excellent move. I have long admired the ability of this character actor to pull you into the scene. And speaking of character actors, Kevin Durand is quickly becoming one of the more versatile players, doing good guys and bad guys with equal skill. Real Steal is a treat for the family, a film that will entertain and surprise you with its ability to bring you in. Too early to tell if it's a collectible, but you never know.

Major League - 1989

Paramount Pictures, Morgan Creek, Mirage

Written and Directed by David S. Ward

Cast:

• Jake Taylor – Tom Berenger
• Ricky Vaughn – Charlie Sheen
• Roger Dorn – Corbin Bernsen
• Lou Brown – James Gammon
• Lynn Wells – Rene Russo
• Willie Mays Hays – Wesley Snipes
• Pedro Cerrano – Dennis Haysbert
• Eddie Harris – Chelcie Ross
• Rachel Phelps – Margaret Whitton
• Susan Dorn – Stacey Carroll

Story: The owner of the Cleveland Indians dies, leaving his ex-showgirl wife the controlling interest in the team. She has a plan: to hire a team of players so bad their attendance will drop below the contract requirements so she can move the team to Miami. Her catcher is Jake Taylor, a former team member whose knees are past their prime, her pitcher is a young hothead just released from the California penal system, and her star hitter is a Cuban refugee who can't hit a curve ball. Her manager is Lou Brown, a guy who has never managed in the major leagues. But as this collection of misfits, has beens, and never weres assembles on the first day of training, He looks at the General Manager and says, “My kind of team, Charlie, my kind of team.” Rachel Phelps continues to try to impede the team with cutbacks in equipment and transportation, until the general manager spills the beans to Lou. When Lou tells the team, they decide the only thing they can do about it is win the whole damn thing.

Review: You have to love films about baseball, especially when they are extremely well written. This is one of those films. Ward has a handle on baseball players and baseball fans that cuts straight to the heart and draws you in. Instead of focusing on a single player, he makes baseball what it ought to be...a team effort. His team is Tom Berenger, who plays the past his prime catcher ready to have one more decent season. Renee Russo is his ex-fiance who has moved on with her life, but is still in love with Jake. Charlie Sheen and Wesley Snipes become the “hotshots” of the rookies, Sheen as the pitcher with the blazing fast ball and a lack of control, nicknamed the Wild Thing, Snipes as Willie Mays Hays, the runner out to score 100 stolen bases in the season. Dennis Haysbert gives an excellent performance as Pedro Cerrano, the Cuban who defected from his native land to practice his religion...voodoo. Harsh language and a couple of scenes of brief nudity drew an R rating from the MPAA, but the teens ought to love it, especially the ones who have played baseball in school. Definitely a collectible.

The Replacement Killers - 1998

Columbia Pictures, Brillstein-Grey Entertainment, WCG Entertainment Productions

Directed by Antoine Fuqua

Cast:

• John Lee – Chow Yun-Fat
• Meg Coburn – Mira Sorvino
• Stan “Zeedo” Zedkov – Micheal Rooker
• Terence Wei – Kenneth Tsang
• Micheal Kogan – Jurgen Prochnow
• Ryker – Til Schweiger
• Collins – Danny Trejo
• Loco – Clifton Collins Jr.
• Hunt – Carlos Gomez

Story: An assassin strolls calmly and purposefully into a crowded club. He walks up to the VIP area, past the guards, and places a single 9mm cartridge with a Chinese character etched into the case on a table. The man behind the table looks up from his line of cocaine and begins to reach for his gun, but by the time he begins to pull it out, the assassin has killed him and his guards and male companions in quick, merciless succession. Cut to a surveillance of a boat approaching the harbor. A well dressed Chinese man is sampling a random taste of a shipment of cocaine when all the police in the world swarm in on him. The man tries to get away, but when he is wounded and trapped, aims at the police officer who is trying not to kill him. The detective is forced to kill the son of a powerful crime lord who enforces his power by killing the families of his opponents. The assassin, who is also trapped to the crime lord under threat of harm to his family, is given a final assignment. “After this, your obligation to me is over.” All he has to do is assassinate the seven year old son of the detective who killed his son. When the assassin cannot complete his task, he becomes the hunted, and must choose between his own safety and the fate of a seven year old boy.

Review: Low angle shots, slow motion scenes, and a host of well chosen techniques show why Antoine Fuqua has become a force of nature in the film industry. The film combines elements of Blade Runner with a dark, gritty plot and a no-nonsense dialogue that keeps you riveted to the screen. The influence of Ridley Scott and John Woo are evident, and the resulting picture stands out as an epic in crime stories. Chow Yun-Fat, a star in the orient and a cult favorite in the US, is John Lee, an unwilling but able assassin bound by duty and honor to his boss, played elegantly by Kenneth Tsang. Mira Sorvino is the hard, independent woman working on the fringe of the law, but careful not to get involved in the business of criminals. Jurgen Prochnow is the trusted right hand man of Mr. Wei (Tsang). Of particular note is Clifton Collins Jr as the street thug who turns informant. Micheal Rooker and Carlos Gomez work well together as the detectives looking to bring down the killers, and both Schweiger and Trejo convince you they are the people your mother warned you about. The action is non-stop, the plot logical and plausible, and the overall effect will draw you into the film sitting on the edge of your seat. Lots of violence, lots of language, not for the kiddies. If you like a fast paced action film with gritty, visceral action, this is it.

The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day - 2009

Stage 6 Films, Chris Brinker Productions

Written and Directed by Troy Duffy

Cast:

• Connor MacManus – Sean Patrick Flanery
• Murphy MacManus – Norman Reedus
• Il Duce – Billy Connolly
• Romeo – Clifton Collins Jr.
• Eunice – Julie Benz
• Detective Greenly – Bob Marley
• Detective Duffy – Brian Mahoney
• Detective Dolly – David Ferry
• Rocco – David Della Rocco
• The Roman – Peter Fonda
• Crew Cut – Daniel Desanto
• Concezio Yakavetta – Judd Nelson
• Doc – Gerard Parkes

Story: For eight years, the Saints have been in Ireland with their Da, and they are all but forgotten in the press, when someone decides to kill a priest in Boston. Their priest. With their signature, no less. The press is all over it, and the man on the street interviews are 50-50 with the opinions. Half the public thinks they did it, half of them don't. Enter the three detectives who helped the boys at the end of the killings, and a new FBI Agent to investigate. A woman this time. A really hot woman. A female Smecker, well dressed and smart. On the trip over, they encounter Romeo, a talented Mexican with ties to the Boston underground who joins up with the boys. When they get to Boston, Romeo sets the boys up with a raid on a Chinese drug gang who is in business with the Yakavetta's. While the hit goes down, the boys leave their signature, and the battle is on. The good guys versus the bad guys, and you'll never guess who shows up at the end.

Review: Ten years ago, Troy Duffy wrote and directed a great little adventure film about fraternal twins who take up a battle against the Mafia, both Russians and Italians. The film ends with the public assassination of the head of the Yakavetta family, with the willing assistance of three cops and an FBI Agent. This film picks up after a period of eight years, when a Catholic priest is slain by a hit man known only as Crew Cut who sets the boys up as the killer. Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus reprise their roles as the MacManus brothers, amateur assassins on a mission. Clifton Collins Jr. adds an interesting character to the film, as the Mexican wannabe who links up with the boys. Julie Benz is nothing less than perfect in recreating the Smecker role from a female perspective. And the addition of Judd Nelson as the current Yakavetta Capo is a great role for the often bemoaned Nelson. With the original detectives, Doc, and Rocco all making guest appearances, this film eclipses the first in action, power, and innovation. If you watched the first one, you have to see this one. If you see this one, you will have to go rent the original. Rated R for violence, language, and brief nudity, the kiddies need to be elsewhere, but the 16 and over crowd will enjoy this as much as us grown ups. Collectible as the set.

The Boondock Saints - 1999

Franchise Films, Brood Syndicate, Fried Films

Written and Directed by Troy Duffy

Cast:

• FBI Agent Paul Smecker – Willem Dafoe
• Connor MacManus – Sean Patrick Flanery
• Murphy MacManus – Norman Reedus
• Detective Greenly – Bob Marley
• Detective Duffy – Brian Mahoney
• Detective Dolly – David Ferry
• Rocco – David Della Rocco
• Il Duce – Billy Connolly

Story: Two Irish Catholic fraternal twin brothers in Boston accidentally kill some Russian mobsters during a bar fight. They turn themselves in, walking into the police station in their hospital gowns and robes as soon as the owner of the bar lets them know the police are looking for them. Because these were Russian mobsters, the FBI is involved and has sent Agent Paul Smecker in to see what they were doing here it the first place. Smecker releases the brothers after hearing the killings were in self-defense. But the MacManus boys are not done yet. Bodies begin to pile up as the Russian mobsters are killed, then the Italians become the target. Smecker begins to suspect the boys, but since they are eliminating the bad guys, he becomes conflicted and wonders if he should arrest them or help them.

Review: Next to Johnny Depp, no one is known for the oddball roles better than Willem Dafoe, and this one is no exception. Smecker is a great detective, although his methods are a bit strange. When we first see him he is well-dressed in a 4 button suit and flowing hair. He examines the crime scene wearing latex gloves he retrieves from a pouch on his belt after inserting the earplugs to his Walkman CD so he can listen to opera while he carefully surveys the evidence. Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus are excellent as a couple of meat packers who play jokes on one another and their co-workers, are well liked and respected, and obviously frugal Catholic boys who work and play hard. They live in a loft in a commercial building in the Irish neighborhood where they live a Spartan life, mattresses on the floor and not a television in sight. The characters merge seamlessly to form a very basic and primitive plot, one that gets under your skin, but there are some moments when you have to wonder what exactly is going on. Not a film for the little ones, or anyone who has a weak stomach when it comes to blood, especially if you rent the Unrated Version. Unless you are into extreme violence for the sake of violence, not a collectible, but worth seeing if you are a fan of vigilante justice.

Flightplan - 2005

Touchstone Films, Imagine Entertainment

Directed by Robert Schwentke

Cast:

• Kyle Pratt – Jodie Foster
• Air Marshal Gene Carson – Peter Sarsgaard
• Captain Marcus Rich – Sean Bean
• Stephanie – Kate Beahan
• Obaid – Michael Irby
• Ahmed – Asaaf Cohen
• Fiona – Erika Christensen
• Therapist – Greta Scacchi

Story: A widow and her daughter are returning to the United States with the body of her husband after a tragic accident. They are aboard the most advanced and largest passenger jet in the world, the A474, a plane the widow knows intimately, since she was on the design team, as was her husband. When they are airborne, the widow and her daughter decide to stretch out on two unoccupied rows in the back of the plane. When the widow awakes, the daughter is missing, and when she tries to locate her, no one has seen the girl. As the widow begins to panic, communications from Berlin tell the Captain there is no record of the little girl boarding the plane, and later that the little girl died along with her husband in the accident. An air marshal is told to restrain the widow to her seat, and a therapist who was on board comes to talk with her, almost convincing her the little girl was not with her, until she shes on the window the heart the little girl had drawn with her finger in the condensation.

Review: If the film stars Jodie Foster, I'm there. I've never seen a bad film with her in it, nor do I ever expect to. I put her in the same category as De Niro, Pacino, and Hopkins, people who know their craft so well they will always deliver a stellar performance. And this film is no exception. The suspense builds slowly, little clues are given, and the characters are all developed in a logical and believable fashion. Sean Bean portrays the perfect, modern day airline captain, a man skilled in customer relations and interaction as well as the mechanics of flight. Greta Scacchi, whose role is brief, is an excellent addition who adds a dimension of compassion and concern to a very tragic situation. Sarsgaard, with his pleasant, professional demeanor, plays an excellent foil to Foster, and their interactions are the bulk of the plot. Definitely a film for the collection, filed next to Rear Window or the Secret Garden. PG-13 is appropriate and correct for the film.

Stealth - 2005

Columbia TriStar, Sony Pictures

Directed by Rob Cohen

Cast:

• Lt. Ben Gannon – Josh Lucas
• Lt. Kara Wade – Jessica Biel
• Lt. Henry Purcell – Jamie Foxx
• Captain George Cummings – Sam Shepard
• Dr. Keith Orbit – Richard Roxburgh
• Captain Dick Marshfield – Joe Morton
• EDI (voice) – Wentworth Miller

Story: In the not too distant future, the U.S. Navy has developed three super advanced planes and manned them with three of their best pilots. We enter as the three are completing the final phase of their land based training. They complete a complex mission at the O'Fallon test range and are assigned to the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln in the Indian Ocean, where they are to link up with their fourth team member, an artificial intelligence plane called EDI (Extreme Deep Invader) with a learning capability. As they are returning from their first mission, EDI is hit by lightning and his artificial neural pathways begin to multiply at an alarming rate, but Captain Cummings is so dedicated to this mission succeeding he orders the place back up without sufficient time to test what has been altered it the AI's intelligence. EDI goes up again, and decides he will carry out attack plans in his memory without authorization, and the three human pilots must attempt to get him back.

Review: While the photography, special effects and acting are all excellent, this film just doesn't give us the resolution we were looking for. The bar scenes, the port visits, and even some of the shots of the main actors at play are there to give us a human identity as opposed to the EDI persona, I guess. But there are unneeded scenes, especially the one of Jessica Biel in a bikini, not that I found Ms. Biel unpleasant to look at, but the scene wasn't needed. The premise of the film has been done before (Frankenstein, Terminator, etc.), and while this film offers some splendid photography and great special effects of the planes and EDI, overall it lacks the authenticity Cohen is capable of. See it once as a rental, and don't forget to return it on time. You need not add this to your collection.

Wag The Dog - 1997

Baltimore Cinema, New Line Cinema, Punch Productions

Directed by Barry Levinson

Cast:

• Conrad Brean – Robert De Niro
• Stanley Motss – Dustin Hoffman
• Winifred Ames – Anne Heche
• Fad King – Denis Leary
• Johnny Dean – Willie Nelson
• Liz Butsky – Andrea Martin
• Tracy Lime – Kirsten Dunst
• CIA Agent Charles Young – William H. Macy
• John Levy – John Michael Higgins
• Grace – Suzy Plakson
• Sgt. William Schumann – Woody Harrelson

Story: Eleven days to the Presidential Election and, Ooops, a scandal arises that could get the president impeached, let alone lose the election! What do you do when you have the entire US government at your disposal and all the money you could ever need? Why you hire the best spin doctor in the country, Conrad Bream, and you let him loose. Bream in turn travels out to Hollywood to enlist the aid of a top producer, Stanley Motss. He brings in the Fad King, the Music Star, and a top fashion designer to plan the media slight of hand of the century. To distract the press from the President's naughty predilictions, they are going to stage a war. Talk about your basic primer on disinformation, this film is a testament to the imagination of those few and privileged who are the only ones who know what really happened...and they aren't talking.

Review: This film is one of the best action comedies I have ever seen. The action begins from the first moment and keeps going throughout. De Niro is brilliant as Bream, the man with the plan who organizes the players from the start. Dustin Hoffman is the witty but self absorbed producer who is constantly talking about his own successes. Every scene is well thought out and believable, which makes it a wonderful mix of fantasy and reality. Anne Heche is a great foil for De Niro's character, Denis Leary is the pitchman, Willie Nelson is the singer-songwriter who is looking for the “back end” on his songs, and Andrea Martin is perfect as the designer. A political comedy that rings all too true in the world of today. A must for any lover of De Niro, and a must for the serious collector. Language, pill popping, and a lot of innuendo make this a no-no for the kiddies, but your teens should see it for their future knowledge of the term “spin doctor”.

Wonder Boys - 2000

BBC, Curtis Hanson Productions, MFF Feature Films Productions

Directed by Curtis Hanson

Cast:

• Professor Grady Tripp – Michael Douglas
• James Leek – Toby Maquire
• Chancellor Sara Gaskell – Frances McDormand
• Terry Crabtree – Robert Downey Jr.
• Hannah Green – Katie Holmes
• Quentin “Q” Moorwood – Rip Torn
• Emily's Father – Phillip Bosco
• Dean Walter Gaskell – Richard Thomas
• Antonia “Tony” Sloviak – Michael Cavadias
• Sam Traxler – Alan Tudyk

Story: Professor Grady Tripp is having a less than perfect day. Seven years ago he wrote an award winning novel, and has been working on a second one. Its up to 2600 pages or so, and it still isn't finished. Emily, his wife, has walked out on him this morning, the morning of the first day of the University's Wordfest, a week long celebration of writers and aspiring writers. His agent is flying in for the event and to see his manuscript, which isn't ready. To top it off, he has a student named James Leek who has talent but seems to alienate everyone in the class with his writing. James is a moody, reclusive young man who idolizes Grady, but is too shy to reveal it. And one of Tripp's students, Hannah, who also rents a room in his house, is making it obvious she is interested. After the opening lecture at the college where a rival author affectionately nicknamed “Q” is speaking, he and the agent along with a transvestite he picked up on the train go to the Chancellor's home for cocktails, where the Chancellor, who is also Grady's mistress, tells him she's pregnant. Grady excuses himself from the party soon after to go outside and relax, when he meets James. He takes the boy in with him to show him a rare collectible, the coat Marilyn Monroe wore on her wedding day, and in the process the Gaskell's dog, a blind pit bull named Poe, attacks him. James is carrying a small .22 automatic pistol and kills the dog. One thing after another continues to pile on until the film reaches a pleasant and unexpected end.

Review: If you are looking for the next action adventure film, this is not your film. If you are looking for the next box office smash or a classic of film making, this is not your film. However, if you are the kind of person who loves a good story, some exceptional acting, and few good puns and jokes thrown in to relieve the tension, this is your film. Michael Douglas portrays his role with a combination of ambivalence and passion that bring a depth the audience can relate to. Frances McDormand gives a strong performance as the woman with a career on the line and an unhappy marriage. Toby Maquire plays a very different role as the confused but talented student and writer who is uncertain about his role in life. Robert Downey Jr is excellent as the agent trying desperately to find that next big book that will put him back in the limelight. And Katie Holmes is perfect in the role of the sultry, not too sexy, not too forward, but available co-ed who wants to get into the professor's bed. The sex in the film is implied, not explicit, but the drug use and language earned the film an R rating, so you might want to make sure the kids are in the rooms before turning this one on. Not particularly collectible, but a wake up call for people who have fallen into a rut.

AVP - 2004

20th Century Fox, Davis Entertainment, Brandywine Productions

Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson

Cast:

• Charles Bishop Weyland – Lance Henriksen
• Alexa Woods – Sanaa Lathan
• Sebastian de Rosa - Raoul Bova
• Graeme Miller – Ewen Bremmer
• Maxwell Stafford – Colin Salmon
• Mark Verheiden – Tommy Flanagan

Story: A private satellite is making a sweep over Antarctica when it discovers a hidden pyramid 2,000 feet below the ice. The owner of the satellite, Charles Weyland, has been searching all his life to make a significant contribution to mankind before he dies. Since money is no object, he hires the best in the world to undertake mission to reach the pyramid first and unlock its secrets. Alexa Woods is a professional guide, normally taking expeditions up mountains, but her expertise in survival is what Weyland wants. At first she refuses the job, stating there is not enough time to prepare the team. When she realizes the alternative will be someone with far less experience, she accepts. They land in Antarctica and take a brief trip to the abandoned whaling station of Razorback Point, abandoned since 1904. They arrive with a drilling team who plans to cut through the ice in seven days, only to find a tunnel already exists. But who made the tunnel, and why? When they reach the bottom of the tunnel and enter the pyramid they discover the secret of the ancient civilizations who built them. This pyramid was a training arena for the Predators, a test to prove they were worthy to enter the hunt. The sacrifices were impregnated with the eggs from the Alien species, then set loose in the pyramid to do battle with the Predators. Our team of explorers discovers much more than they imagined.

Review: I guess Lance is destined to be forever linked to the Alien species. I found the character's middle name of “Bishop” particularly amusing, since that was his character's name in both the second and third Alien movies with Sigorney Weaver. Puns and amusements aside, this film does not disappoint. Lance gives another great performance in his role as the rich, dying man who has spent his life pursuing wealth and now wants to leave a legacy beyond money. Sanaa Lathan delivers a powerful role that is both believable and heroic, without being over the top. Colin Salmon [of the James Bond film Die Another Day] is exceptional as Weyland's assistant and representative. The film moves quickly and the actors are often overshadowed by the creatures as they fight to survive. Violence and gore make this one a no-no for the preteens, but the 14 and up crowd have seen as much gore on their X-Box or PS2, so they should be okay. A good film for lovers of sci-fi, and must have for the Alien and Predator fans.

The Hunt for Red October - 1990

Paramount Films, Nina Saxon Film Design, Mace Neufeld Productions

Directed by John McTiernan

Cast:

• Captain Marko Ramius – Sean Connery
• Jack Ryan – Alec Baldwin
• Captain Bart Mancuso – Scott Glenn
• Captain Vasili Borodin – Sam Neill
• Admiral Greer – James Earl Jones
• Andrei Lysenko – Joss Ackland
• Jeffrey Pelt – Richard Jordan
• Ivan Putin – Peter Firth
• Dr. Yevgeniy Petrov – Tim Curry
• Sonarman Jones – Courtney B. Vance
• Captain Viktor Tupelov – Stellan Skarsgård
• Skip Tyler – Jeffrey Jones
• Admiral Painter – Fred Dalton Thompson

Story: A CIA analyst is trying to figure out what some out of place hatches might be in a new Soviet Submarine. Meanwhile, the commander of that submarine intends to defect with it. The new submarine, named Red October, is a nuclear missile boat with a silent propulsion system that will render it invisible to sonar. In the days of the Cold War, such a threat to the US and NATO would be unacceptable. “Damn thing was built to start a war.” remarks one general at a briefing by the CIA. Upon hearing that the Soviets have announced a renegade submarine commander has taken the boat and intends to launch missiles at the US, the CIA analyst, Jack Ryan, raises the theory that the commander is actually trying to defect with the boat and the Soviets have issued the alert so we will attempt to sink him first. Ryan is sent to investigate his theory, but he is fighting time and the disbelief of his superiors as he attempts to contact the Soviet submarine before it approaches the US. Based on the novel by Tom Clancy, this movie combines action with suspense and adventure, and three out of three ain't bad.

Review: Tom Clancy's stories are the stuff of military legend. This was his first, and it was an amazing introduction for a former insurance broker and graduate of Loyola university who never served in the military. The film offers enough technical information about the equipment of the US Navy that you have to wonder how he got his hands on it. But no matter, however he accomplished it, the film stands out as the best of the genre. Sean Connery and Sam Neill play well together as Captain Ramius and Captain Borodin, and the feeling of the day to day routine of a well-trained submarine crew is consistent throughout the film. Alec Baldwin excels as Jack Ryan, and you have to wonder why he was not chosen for the role in the next two films. His passionate flair for the role convinces you that Ryan is a dedicated man with far more to offer than simply sitting behind a desk analyzing data and writing books. Scott Glenn is exceptional as Bart Mancuso, the commander of a US Fast Attack Submarine in pursuit of the Red October. His professional demeanor never pauses, his bearing is correct for the “Skipper” of a crew at sea, and his commands are precise and clear. Courtney B. Vance adds a dimension as the seasoned sonar operator who persuades his captain that the submarine can be tracked. Fred Dalton Thompson gives a stunning performance as the admiral of a battle group, trying to keep his men from getting killed. The sets are perfect, the photography nothing short of amazing, and the film keeps you riveted to the edge of your seat. With the exception of a few excited phrases and a gunfight at the end, the film is suitable for the entire family. I highly recommend this film for your collection.

Red Dawn - 1984

United Artists, Valkyrie Films

Directed by John Milius

Cast:

• Jed Eckert – Patrick Swayze
• Mattie Eckert – Charlie Sheen
• Robert – C. Thomas Howell
• Erica – Leah Thompson
• Daryl – Darren Dalton
• Toni – Jennifer Grey
• Danny – Brad Savage
• Aardvark – Doug Toby
• Mr. Mason – Ben Johnson
• Mr. Eckert – Harry Dean Stanton
• Strelnikov – William Smith
• Lt. Col. Andy Tanner – Powers Boothe
• Col. Bella – Ron O'Neal
• The Mayor – Lane Smith

Story: We're in Calumet, Colorado, a small town in the Midwest where life is pretty normal. Jed drops off his brother, Mattie and their friend, Aardvark at the local high school and drives off to work in his pickup. All of sudden, during a lecture on Ghengis Khan, the teacher notices something unusual out the window. Men are dropping out of the sky in parachutes. Within seconds the school grounds are transformed into a battlefield and Jed swoops back in to pick up his brother and several other young men who jump into the back of his pickup. As they head for the mountains, they stop by a convenience to grab survival gear and head out on the road, but they encounter a roadblock. As Jed heads across the field, a U. S. helicopter crew intervenes and they escape to the mountains to wait out the battle. Inevitably they are drawn into the fight and become a guerrilla band known as the Wolverines. Their campaign is to harass the enemy and cause as much confusion as possible. This is a classic tale of American resistance and resolve.

Review: Wow, I was browsing through my collection and came across this one. My first thought was how do I relate this film to the present. After all, the Soviet Union and the Cuban Communist threats have faded into history. I guess this is why they are remaking this film using North Korea as the aggressor instead of the Soviet Union. Well, no matter, since the plot of the film is still viable, war from the perspective of the civilians who are trapped behind enemy lines. Patrick Swayze leads a very competent cast in portraying Jedidiah Eckert, a young man in his 20's who must bear the burden of survival for five boys who are with him from the high school. Charlie Sheen does well as his brother (this is long before he decided that life would be better with a drug induced perspective), and C. Thomas Howell is dynamic as the boy who becomes a man. Jennifer Grey and Leah Thompson add a dimension of women in combat, and both do well in the roles, although Thompson fails to convey the angst of a girl who has been molested by the invading soldiers. Powers Boothe gives us a look at a fighter pilot hoping for the best and believing the worst. His plane has been shot down, he doesn't know if his family is still alive, and still he fights to the best of his ability “How did you get yourself shot down?” “It was five to one, I got four!” Harry Dean Stanton gives a brief but powerful performance as Mr. Eckert, Jed and Mattie's father. The photography and scenery are magnificent, and the attention to detail is exceptional. While the violence is enough to keep the pre-teen set away from the screen, the language is good and there are no scenes of nudity or drug use.

We Were Soldiers - 2002

Icon Entertainment International, Motion Picture Production GmbH & Co.

Directed by Randall Wallace

Cast:

• Lt. Col. Hal Moore – Mel Gibson
• Julie Moore – Madeline Stowe
• Maj. Bruce “Snake” Crandall – Greg Kinnear
• Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley – Sam Elliot
• 2nd Lt. Jack Geoghegan – Chris Klein
• Barbara Geoghegan – Keri Russell
• Joe Galloway – Barry Pepper
• Lt. Col. Nguyen Huu An – Duong Don
• Sgt. Ernie Savage – Ryan Hurst
• 1st Lt. Charlie Hastings – Robert Bagnell
• 2nd Lt. Henry Herrick – Marc Blucas
• Sp4 Robert Ouellette – Josh Daugherty
• Capt. Tony Nadal – Jsu Garcia
• Capt. Matt Dillon – Jon Hamm
• Capt. Tom Metsger – Clark Gregg

Story: After a brief introduction showing the slaughter of a French patrol in what was called Indochina in 1954, we move immediately forward to 1965. Lt. Col. Hal Moore has just been assigned to train and command an experimental warfare unit known as Air Cavalry. We see both sides of the unit, the Army officers and men, training and preparing for combat, and the families of the men as well. Hal Moore is a family man, with a loving wife and children from teens to preschool age. Finally, the President orders the troops to take an active role in the struggle in Vietnam, and the 1st Battalion of the 7th Cavalry is sent into action. This is the first encounter between American soldiers and regular Vietnamese Infantry, and the battle is fierce and gruesome. Based on the book by Lt. Col. Hal Moore and Journalist Joe Galloway.

Review: Fair warning. If you are the least bit squeamish about combat scenes, pass on this film. This contains some of the most graphic and realistic scenes since the beach landing in Saving Private Ryan. Once the fighting starts, it is non-stop and horrific, and anyone who thinks combat is in any way glorious or heroic will walk away with an altered attitude. The portrayals are realistic and true, thanks to the technical advise of both the authors, and the performances are human and identifiable. Young men who are thrown into combat, young wives and families who are horrified to learn their husbands and fathers are gone. The “illusion of the first time” is perfect, and from the very beginning you are drawn into the story as if you are observing it unfold. Both Stowe and Gibson give Oscar worthy performances, as does Elliot and the rest of the cast. This is one for your collection, and definitely a film any young man with dreams of being a combat hero ought to see before heading to the enlistment office. It should be obvious this is not a film for the children in the family, but teens above the age of 14 ought to be able to watch without nightmares.

Charlie Wilson's War - 2007

Universal Pictures, Relativity Media, Participant Productions

Directed by Mike Nichols

Cast:

• Charlie Wilson – Tom Hanks
• Joanne Herring – Julia Roberts
• Gus Avrakotos – Phillip Seymour Hoffman
• Bonnie Bach – Amy Adams
• President Zia – Om Puri
• Doc Long – Ned Beatty
• Mike Vickers – Christoper Denham

Story: Ever hear the saying “One man can't make a difference”? Well, apparently they had never met Charlie Wilson. Here's a congressman from a little district in the great state of Texas who apparently has nothing better to do than drink, get laid, and do a lot of favors for other congressmen. Until one of his constituents (the sixth richest woman in Texas), brings him to her house to watch a film on the situation in Afghanistan. After a brief tumble in the bedroom of her mansion, she lets Charlie know she wants him to defeat the Soviets in Afghanistan by manipulating the foreign policy and armed services committees of the Congress. Since he sits on both committees and she is one of his major contributors, he sets out to see what he can do. He begins with a visit to the President of Pakistan, who encourages him to visit the refugee camp in the Peshwar province on the border of Afghanistan. When Charlie sees for himself the desperation and squalor the refugees are living in, he returns to the United States with a personal mission to assist these people in any way he can. Enter his meeting with Gust Avrakotos, a CIA operative in charge the Afghan desk at the CIA. Together they build a covert alliance between Israel, Egypt, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia to funnel Soviet made weapons to the Afghans. Charlie enlists the help of other congressmen, notably Doc Long, to increase the assistance budget for covert operations from five million to half a billion dollars. Based on the true story of how the Soviets were defeated in Afghanistan.

Review: While not a big fan of “docudramas”, I have to take my hat off to the entire cast and crew for this outstanding film. Tom Hanks and Phillip Seymour Hoffman are spectacular in their parts, with just enough witty banter between the two to keep your interest when the film is processing through the necessary political moments. Julia Roberts is her usual beautiful and driven self, the kind of woman who may sleep with you, as long as its on her terms. Amy Adams is wonderful as the senior administrative assistant, a woman with an incredible body and the brains to match. And hats off to Om Puri, Ned Beatty, and Christopher Denham for their contributions as the President of Pakistan, the Majority whip in the Congress, and the CIA wiz kid. The dialogue is interesting and never dull, the photography is perfect, and plot, well, the plot really happened. Nudity and drug use, and disturbing images of children crippled by Soviet anti-personnel devices, as well as detailed stories of war crimes are enough to tell you the little ones shouldn't be around to watch this.

Insomnia - 2002

Alcon Entertainment, Witt/Thomas Productions, Section Eight

Directed by Christoper Nolan

Cast:

• Will Dormer – Al Pacino
• Walter Finch – Robin Williams
• Ellie Burr – Hillary Swank
• Pilot – Oliver “Ole” Zemen
• Hap Eckhart – Martin Donovan
• Chief Nybeck – Paul Dooley
• Fred Duggar – Nicky Katt
• Farrell – Larry Holden
• Rachel Clement – Maura Tierney

Story: A couple of investigators are sent from Los Angeles to Nightmute, Alaska to help solve a murder in a small Alaskan town. That's one story. The other one is they were sent out of town because of an Internal Affairs investigation. So there is tension between the partners already. And the circumstances of the investigation add to them exquisitely. It's summer in Alaska, and for a town so far north, that means no night. Will Dormer, the senior partner, is having a lot of trouble with that, and the lack of sleep causes him to make mistakes. Like shooting into the fog and accidentally killing Hap Eckhart, his partner. While the killer is watching. The constant light, the lack of sleep, the paranoia that Dormer feels all lead to an unholy alliance between him and the killer. Will is caught up in a game of intrigue that can only end in one way.

Review: This is not your typical crime story. Oh, the initial crime, the murder of the young girl, is typical enough, but the players make the whole thing interesting. Al Pacino gives a brilliant performance as Will Dormer, the aging detective with sanguine experience from years of work. Robin Williams is the killer, a run of the mill minor author with poor social skills and a knowledge of forensics from his crime novels. Hillary Swank gives a new dimension to the over anxious rookie who admires Dormer, but hates the way the evidence is pointing. While not your typical crime story, the story brings a psychological depth that few films offer, an insight into the minds of the characters. Language and nudity in context are within the bounds of decency, and these days the film might have gotten a PG-14 rating instead of an R. Highly recommend this for any lover of pulp fiction.

Excaliber - 1981

Orion Pictures, Warner Brothers

Directed by John Boorman

Cast:

• King Arthur – Nigel Terry
• Morgana – Helen Mirren
• Sir Lancelot - Nicholas Clay
• Guinevere – Cherie Lunghi
• Perceval – Paul Geoffrey
• Merlin – Nicol Williamson
• Mordred – Robert Addie
• Uthur Pendragon – Gabriel Byrne
• Gawain – Liam Neeson
• Leondegrance – Patrick Stewart
• Igrayne – Katerine Boorman

Story: Based on the Le Morte D'Arthur, this film combines the romance of the era of knights in armor with the sword and sorcery of the Arthurian legend. Uthur Pendragon has united the nation of England, yet he lusts after Igrayne, the beautiful wife of his former rival. He breaks the truce and has Merlin cast a spell to hide his true identity for one night of passion with Igrayne. But the price of that night is the son who issues from it. The child is Arthur, and Merlin has him raised by a nobleman who raises him with humility and honor. It is Arthur who pulls Excaliber from the stone where Uthur plunged it years before. The young Arthur is now king, and must unite the kingdom once again before he can build his Camelot and wed his beloved Guinevere. Battles are fought, Lancelot engaged as his champion, and the kingdom is prosperous until the failings of the human condition overwhelm them all.

Review: If you enjoy films that reveal the beginnings of famous actors, look no further that Excaliber. The young Helen Mirren shines as the evil half sister of Arthur, Morgana. Liam Neeson shows all the passion and power of later roles as Gawain. Both Gabriel Byrne and Patrick Stewart command a presence in the film that make this a seminal start for both. Nigel Terry and Nicol Williamson are excellent as Arthur and Merlin, although somewhat melodramatic and larger than life, but then again those are the roles they were meant to play. The scenery is beautiful and the photography flawless. What really sets Excaliber apart from others before it are the fight scenes. Knights in armor are slow moving men in heavy metal skins lifting heavy metal objects in an attempt to hit the other fellow before they are themselves hit. There are no swashbuckling moves, no feints or finesse to the battles. These are bloody, brutal fights that ring true in the mind of the audience. Nudity and violence are two reasons for the little ones not to watch, but teens in high school and above should enjoy the film without a lot of smirking and giggling.

The Bone Collector - 1999

Universal Pictures, Columbia Pictures

Directed by Phillip Noyce

Cast:

• Lincoln Rhyme – Denzel Washington
• Amelia Donaghy– Angelina Jolie
• Thelma – Queen Latifah
• Captain Howard Chesney – Michael Rooker
• Detective Kenny Solomon – Mike McGlone
• Eddie Ortiz – Luiz Guzman
• Richard Thompson – Leland Orser
• Detective Paulie Sellitto – Ed O'Neill

Story: A New York City taxi driver is killing people and leaving cryptic clues to his next victims. A young cop, about to take a transfer, is first on the scene of the first murder, Her training kicks in and she preserves the evidence, taking extra care to make sure everything is done correctly, even stopping an Amtrak train from running over some of it. Since the murder victim is a prominent developer and his wife is missing, the detectives are under pressure to locate the wife, so they call on a forensics specialist who is still technically a police officer, even though he has been quadriplegic for nearly four years. His apartment is transformed into a squad room, and the young officer is drawn into the investigation as they accumulate the clues that will lead them to the next body. Battling time, the interference of a NYPD captain, they work together to discover the murderer.

Review: A startlingly good performance by a heretofore rap star brings this exceptional crime drama to life. Queen Latifah is poised, polished, and professional as Thelma, the live in nurse who cares for Lincoln Rhyme, played by Denzel. Rhyme is an academic cop, a forensics expert who's life has been reduced to what he can manage from his bed, with the help of his assistant and nurse. Angelina Jolie is perfect in the role of the young police officer who has talent and is convinced it may lead her toward the same path as her police father. Micheal Rooker plays the Captain, once Rhyme's understudy and now uncomfortable with living in his shadow. Ed O'Neill and Mike McGlone are add the right tone as the more experienced detectives, and Luiz Guzman shines as the talented forensics scientist who analyzes and assesses the physical clues. The film is fluid and never pauses, and the ensemble cast is a testament to both director and casting agent. Definitely not a film for the kiddies, since there is graphic violence and some images that might even disturb adults. If you are a fan of who-dun-its, this film is for you.

Suspect Zero - 2004

Paramount Pictures, Intermedia Films, Lakeshore Entertainment

Directed by E. Elias Merhige

Cast:

• Tom Mackelway – Aaron Eckhart
• Benjamin O'Ryan – Ben Kingsley
• Fran Kulok – Carrie Ann Moss
• Rich Charleton – Harry Lennix
• Harold Speck – Kevin Chamberlin
• Raymond Starkey – Keith Campbell

Story: A serial killer is stalking and killing serial killers, and leaving clues for the FBI. Agent Tom Mackelway of the FBI has been transferred to the Albuquerque, New Mexico office after a lapse in judgment that caused a serial killer-rapist to be set free. On his first day in the new office, he receives the first of many faxes: page after page of missing persons - men, women, children. His supervisor, Agent in Charge Charleton, assigns him to a case with ominous beginning, a car is found on the state line of Arizona and New Mexico with a murdered man inside. The car was pushed exactly to the state line, intentionally placed there to attract the attention of the FBI. Agent Mackelway, along with his partner, Fran Kulok, must follow the clues that lead to a disturbing truth. A former FBI remote viewer is their suspect, and his talents include knowing what the FBI will do next.

Review: In the world of suspense and drama, there are all sorts of sub-genre. File this one under psychic possibilities. Aaron Eckhart is a troubled man, a disgraced agent who the agency has decided can keep his badge, as long as he accepts a post in a remote station, out of the spotlight. Beside the stigma of being an agent who lost control and violated a suspects rights, he has headaches. Constant, severe headaches. And they aren't getting better. His supervisor is used to seeing this kind of agent, he knows the drill, probably left in charge of this office from a past problem of his own.
I've read other reviews that seem to pan this film, and I have to agree it is not for everyone. The premise is unnerving, to say the least. And it is based to some extent in truth. There was a time when the U. S. government conducted experiments in Remote Viewing, a psychic phenomena where people with no prior knowledge of an area are tasked to report on things that are occurring in an enemy camp. The government has said this project was abandoned, since it proved to produce less than accurate results. But what of the remote viewers who were accurate? What happens to someone who is taught to look into the minds of serial killers and is never taught how to turn it off?
Ben Kingsley gives a haunting performance as Ben O'Ryan, a former remote viewer now turned serial killer. Aaron Eckhart is the disgraced agent, targeted by O'Ryan to replace him. It's a film worth watching once if you are a believer in psychic phenomena. Otherwise, you might want to look for something else.

Young Frankenstein - 1974

20th Century Fox, Venture Films, Crossbow Productions

Directed by Mel Brooks

Cast:

• Dr. Frederick Frankenstein – Gene Wilder
• The Monster – Peter Boyle
• Igor – Marty Feldman
• Inga – Teri Garr
• Frau Blücher - Cloris Leachman
• Elizabeth – Madeline Kahn
• Inspector Kemp – Kenneth Mars
• Blind Hermit – Gene Hackman

Story: A descendent of the Frankenstein legacy is alive and living in the U. S.. He is a skilled surgeon and a professor at a medical school, where he has distanced himself from the legacy of his grandfather, Viktor. During a lecture at his university, he is visited by a German accented old man who delivers his father's will to him. He travels to Transylvania, where he is greeted at the railroad station by the grandson of Igor, who has enlisted a young woman to serve as his laboratory assistant. They travel across the countryside to Castle Frankenstein, where they are greeted by the housekeeper, Frau Blücher. As he attempts to sleep, he is visited by the spirit of his grandfather, who convinces him to pursue the “family” business, and drawn by a strange series of events to the laboratory where the original monster was made. What follows next is the recreation of the monster, the anger of the townspeople who have had to put up with the Frankenstein family for five generations, and the final scene where the monster and maker are set back upon their paths.

Review: Mel Brooks is, in my humble opinion, nothing short of a genius when it comes to satire. In this film, he takes a shot at all the old black and white horror films of the 1940's and 1950's, using elements of Dracula (the Castle), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (imprisoned on the wheel), King Kong (the stage scene), and Frankenstein. Gene Wilder, who also co-wrote the Screen Story and Screenplay with Brooks, is the wild eyed, pseudo conservative scientist who is inexorably drawn into the world of his ancestors with little encouragement. Marty Feldman (God bless you, Marty) is priceless as Igor, the misshapen hunchback with a terrific sense of humor and a passion for the ladies. Teri Garr....hmm...one word...Wooof! Perfectly ditzy and blonde, her character adds the perfect setup lines for the dry and witty humor of Wilder and Feldman. The entire cast is fantastic, and the photography in black and white is a treat for anyone who appreciates the medium. The inclusion of the original Frankenstein laboratory equipment with the permission of Kenneth Strickfaden was a particularly nice touch. Now while there is sexual innuendo in the film, the tone is more Vaudeville than lewd, and I think most families could watch this with the kiddies in the room and not be offended. And if you are not aware, Young Frankenstein: The Musical, is currently touring the U. S. and is as entertaining as the original film. See it, love it, own it, and pass it down to your grandchildren as a priceless example of a bygone era where everything was fair game for satire.

Stripes - 1981

Columbia Pictures

Directed by Ivan Reitman

Cast:

• John Winger – Bill Murray
• Russell Ziskey – Harold Ramis
• Louise – Sean Young
• Stella – P. J. Soles
• Sgt. Hulka – Warren Oates
• Captain Stillman – John Larroquette
• Ox – John Candy
• Cruiser – John Diehl
• Elmo – Judge Reinhold

Story: Winger and Russell are a couple of losers in New York City who have no real jobs, no ambition, and no lives. So they're lying around Winger's girlfriend's place watching TV when an ad comes on for the Army. They look at each other and decide, what the hell, let's give it a try. From that point, it is on. Winger gets to his basic training and immediately gets on the bad side of Sgt. Hulka, his drill instructor, and becomes the guy who gets himself and everyone else in trouble. But thanks to Russell, who seems to be able to calm anyone down, Winger becomes the unannounced leader of the platoon. They survive boot camp, head to Italy, and manage to create an international incident without even breaking a sweat. So much for the ingenuity of the American Soldier.

Review: Ivan Reitman is the Mel Brooks of his generation, which means he takes nothing seriously, and this film is the perfect example. Bill Murray is his typical “everyman”, just a plain Joe who is in his late 20's who has no clue what to do with his life. Harold Ramis is his buddy, and the two of them together make enlisting in the Army akin to signing up for Little League. The movie is resplendent with little side jokes and plots. John Candy and his ersatz side kick, played by John Diehl, are constantly doing the Stanly and Ollie routine. John Larroquette plays the typical college graduate who joined the Army to lead men and blow stuff up, and has no clue whatsoever how to do either (Don't laugh too hard, I actually worked with junior Ensigns in the Navy with the same problem). Warren Oats is the only truly straight up character in the entire film, and his attitude is very similar to Bobby Troup's in M*A*S*H (G&* D#$% Army). But you have to love this film, simply because it does what no other film can do, makes a very dangerous and serious profession and turns it into a reflection on the human condition. The film is rated “R” for slight nudity, language, and inferences to drug use, but I think most teenagers can watch this without being corrupted. Definitely a must for any collector of cinema.

Space Cowboys - 2000

Clipsal Films, Mad Chance, Malpaso Productions

Directed by Clint Eastwood

Cast:

• Frank Corvin – Clint Eastwood
• Francis “Hawk” Hawkins – Tommy Lee Jones
• Jerry O'Neill – Donald Sutherland
• Father “Tank” Sullivan – James Garner
• Bob Gerson – James Cromwell
• Sara Holland – Marcia Gay Harden
• Eugene Davis – William Devane
• Ethan Glance – Loren Dean
• Roger Hines – Courtney B. Vance
• Barbara Corvin – Barbara Babcock
• Dr. Anne Carruthers – Blair Brown
• General Vostov – Rade Serbedzija

Story: High above the Earth, a Soviet satellite is about to fall out of orbit. Everyone thinks it is a communications satellite, so no big deal, right? Wrong, the Russians insist this relic needs to be placed back in orbit for reasons of national pride and stability. The problem: its so old, none of the engineers at NASA know how to fix it. But the original engineer, a retired Air Force Test Pilot from 1958, is still alive and knows what to do. He was one of the four members of “Team Daedalus, four Air Force pilots, who were replaced by a chimpanzee before they took their shot at getting into space. And the programs director at NASA is the man who cheated them out of their chance to go. After NASA asks Frank Corvin, the original engineer, to help them prepare for the mission, Corvin comes up with an alternative...let his original team go up in the Space Shuttle and fix the satellite.

Review: Now the cast alone is enough to get me to buy a ticket to this film. Clint Eastwood both stars and directs this fantastic tale with the skill that accompanies every Eastwood film. He knows how to get the best out of his cast, which would hardly be necessary since the cast is what so many critics in the past have called “Star Studded”. Donald Sutherland portrays the group's horn dog, James Garner the kindly country preacher, and Tommy Lee Jones the show-off who never grew up. Marcia Gay Harden is, as always, lovely and charming as the NASA Mission Director who must make sure the group can qualify for the flight. William Devane is the cranky Flight Director, and appearances by Barbara Babcock and Blair Brown make the show a little easier on the eyes, as if that were necessary. The photography is uncanny, and had to incorporate some of NASA's footage of the Space Shuttle and some EVA's (extra vehicular activities) and the entire film breathes realism from start to finish. But that's Eastwood for you. Great show, no problems for the kiddies, and might even inspire a few more astronauts down the road.