Con Air -1997

Touchstone Pictures, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Kouf/Bigelow Productions

Directed by Simon West

Cast:

• Cameron Poe – Nicholas Cage
• Duncan Malloy – Colm Meaney
• U.S. Marshall Vince Larkin – John Cusack
• Baby O – Mykelti Williamson
• Billy Bedlam – Nick Chinlund
• Cyrus “The Virus” Grissom – John Malkovich
• Garland Greene – Steve Buscemi
• Diamond Dog – Ving Rhames
• Pinball – Dave Chappelle
• Guard Bishop – Rachel Ticotin
• Johnny “23” Baca – Danny Trejo
• Swamp Thing – M. C. Gainey
• ”Sally Can't Dance” Martinez – Renoly Santiago
• Tricia Poe – Monica Potter

Story: A U. S. Army Ranger is released from his tour of duty, but on the night of his return, three men at a local bar attack him and he is forced to defend himself, killing one of the men in the process. He is sentenced to 7-9 years in a federal prison, and is being transported by a U. S. Marshall flight to his point of release. The flight he is on is packed with some of the most notorious prisoners in the system on their way to a supermax prison, and as soon as the plane is in the air, the prisoners take over the flight. Cameron Poe, the released prisoner, must find a way to protect a female guard from being raped and keep his diabetic cellmate alive while trying to foil the plans of the prisoners, led by Cyrus “The Virus” Grissom, a sociopathic murderer who claims he has killed more men that cancer.

Review: The plot is thin, and I mean almost anorexic. No way would any court convict a decorated veteran in a three to one fight of anything other than self defense, especially with witnesses in the bar testifying the three men started it. The “well oiled machine” of the U. S. Marshall's service would never employ a guard that taunts prisoners or uses ethnic slurs to address them. Every character is overblown, every scene charged with organizational and procedural errors, and the lack of intervention by higher authorities is outrageous. All that being said, Con Air is a true action-adventure thrill ride, one of those Jerry Bruckheimer films you can't stop watching. Casting alone is worth the watch, with Cage, Malkovich, Cusack and the rest providing for intense moments, dialog, and entertaining quips sure to delight. Emphasis on the Action part of the genre, this film is rated R for violence and language, and deserves it. All the right elements for a great fun film, and collectible for all the Bruckheimer fans.

City Hall - 1996

Castle Rock Entertainment, Columbia Pictures

Directed by Harold Becker

Cast:

• Mayor John Pappas – Al Pacino
• Deputy Mayor Kevin Calhoun – John Cusack
• Marybeth Cogan – Bridget Fonda
• Alderman Frank Anselmo – Danny Aiello
• Judge Walter Stern – Martin Landau
• Abe Goodman – David Paymer
• Paul Zapatti – Tony Franciosa
• Larry Schwartz – Richard Schiff

Story: Politics is the business of keeping your ear to the ground, even when you've already been elected. Case in point: an idealistic young man from the south hooks up with the Mayor of New York City to become second in command. As the right hand man, its up to him to let the Mayor know what's important and what is going to be on the news. Without warning, a narcotics cop meets with a known drug dealer and cousin of a notorious mob boss, and they both end up dead, along with an innocent bystander, a six year old African American boy. An investigation ensues that threatens to unearth a long hidden pattern of corruption that leads to the highest levels of NYC government, and may shatter the illusions of the well meaning but naive deputy mayor.

Review: This film did not do well at the box office, probably because the drama is mostly in the dialog. There are a few tense moments, but most of the suspense and tension in the film come from Pacino's dynamic personality and Cusack's charm. Which is not to say the film is without merit. As a political thriller, it is probably more accurate in the way events are handled than most. You see the people in the mix, you see the steps that have to be taken, and you see the politics involved. Pacino's soliloquy at the funeral of the murdered child is nothing short of incredible, but soliloquy is what Al does best. Splendid performances by Aiello, Landau, Paymer, and Schiff fill out the plot with color and flair, and almost make up for the lackluster Fonda and the much too stereotypical Franciosa. Not at the top of my list, but definitely not at the bottom. Collectible if you are a lover of Pacino or Cusack, rated R for language and violence.