Flatliners - 1990

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Stonebridge Entertainment

Directed by Joel Schumacher

Cast:

• Nelson – Kiefer Sutherland
• David Labraccio – Kevin Bacon
• Rachael Mannus – Julia Roberts
• Joe Hurley – William Baldwin
• Randy Steckle – Oliver Platt
• Winnie Hicks – Kimberly Scott
• Billy Mahoney – Joshua Rudoy
• Anne Coldren – Hope Davis

Story: Five medical students are searching for proof of something beyond death. Nelson, the experiment's innovator and the leader of the five, has devised a plan to kill himself, temporarily, and be revived after a minute and a half of documented death. His classmates will then revive him and he can relate what happened. The experiment goes as planned, but there is one unforeseen complication. He brings his past sin with him. One by one, the students undergo the same experience, but they stay dead longer each time, and each of them brings something back with them. Each person finds the resolution in confronting the past, and each with terrifying results.

Review: Every time I think about this film, I have this flashback of Wednesday Addams about to electrocute Pugsly while playing a game called “Is there a God?” The premise of the film is that one could view the afterlife and come back with the ability to report on their findings. The idea that a medical school would admit or retain anyone who had these tendencies, let alone allow a sizable amount of expensive equipment to go unaccounted for, is ridiculous. Given that, I have to say the film has merit, but it is certainly not the merit of a sound plot. The acting, however, is superb, and every cast member should be applauded for their ability to rise to the occasion in this somewhat palatable “horror” film. Kiefer's ability to maintain his character's persona is exceptional, breaking at just the right moment in the film. Julia Roberts certainly gives us a performance rivaling her work in previous films, as well as adding an interesting perspective to the idea of guilt and redemption. Kevin Bacon is the glue than binds this band together, with his ability to maintain the focus of the five on the problems they are facing. Oliver Platt provides an interesting sort of comic relief, and William Baldwin brings his boyish demeanor into play with his particular sin, although you have to wonder how that character ever got into medical school. The sets really give us the “horror” feeling, and you have to give Joel Schumacher his props for his camera angles and framing of the these spooky rooms and buildings. Rated R for violence, sexual references and scenes, and language, definitely not one for the younger set. Wouldn't want to give anyone ideas.

A Few Good Men - 1992

Castle Rock Entertainment, Columbia Pictures Corporation

Directed by Rob Reiner

Cast:

• Lt. JG Daniel Kaffee – Tom Cruise
• Col. Nathan R. Jessup – Jack Nicholson
• Lt. Cdr. JoAnne Galloway – Demi Moore
• Capt. Jack Ross – Kevin Bacon
• Lt. Jonathan Kendrick – Keifer Sutherland
• Lt. Sam Weinberg – Kevin Pollack
• Lt. Col. Markinson – J. T. Walsh
• Col. Jeffrey Barnes – Noah Wylie
• Lance Cpl. Harold Dawson – Wolfgang Bodison
• PFC Louden Downey – James Marshall
• Cpl. Carl Hammaker – Cuba Gooding Jr.

Story: In Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, a young marine dies in an apparent homicide and two marines are accused of murdering him. A litigator with Internal Affairs, JoAnne Galloway, requests that she be assigned as lead counsel for the defendants. She feels the incident is a “Code Red”, a banned form of unit punishment that has gotten out of hand. The command assigns a young Lt. JG Daniel Kaffee to the case instead. Kaffee has a reputation for plea bargaining and the command feels it is best this case be dealt with quickly and quietly to save the military any embarrassment. Through a series of slick, subtle maneuvers, Galloway becomes involved with the case and accompanies Kaffee and Weinberg, his second chair, to Cuba to investigate the incident. When they arrive, the officer in charge of the unit, Lt. Kendrick, gives them a less than hospitable tour of the crime scene, and the commanding officer and his staff are less than forthcoming concerning the incident, leading Kaffee to believe there is more than meets the eye in this situation. After the lead prosecutor, Captain Ross, offers to knock the charges down to involuntary manslaughter with a two year sentence and release in six months, Kaffee realizes the military does not want this to go to trial. After letting the accused know their offer, and the offer being refused, Kaffee enters a plea of not guilty for his clients, and this trial is on.

Review: A Few Good Men is the epitome of performance for every member of the cast. And what a cast it is. Tom Cruise give the best performance of his career as Daniel Kaffee, the young JAG attorney with a reputation of plea bargaining and taking the easy way out. Demi Moore is incredibly adept as the driven, passionate attorney who lacks the skill to be a successful litigator, but possesses the insight to motivate Cruise's character. Kevin Pollack is the low key foil to Cruise, and his role in the film heightens the tension with a palatable air. Jack Nicholson is nothing short of phenomenal as the arrogant, powerful Marine commander who believes he is untouchable. Kevin Bacon is both Cruise's friend and his opponent and plays the quintessential professional attorney who must represent his client without “passion or prejudice”. Frankly, I could write a paragraph for every character in the film, but if you haven't seen this incredible movie, you need to. Rob Reiner proves beyond a shadow of a doubt his ability to bring out the best in every actor. The end result is a film which requires no explosions, no fluff, no extraneous diversions to be timeless. Rated R for language, this incredible piece of art is one that will be talked about for years to come. Collectible in every sense of the word, and without it, you do not have a collection.