Suicide Kings - 1997

Artisan Entertainment

Directed by Peter O'Fallon

Cast:

Carlo Bartolucci / Charlie Barret – Christopher Walken

Lono Veccio – Denis Leary

Jennifer – Nina Siemaszko

Avery Chasten – Henry Thomas

Max Minot – Sean Patrick Flannery

Brett Campbell – Jay Mohr

T. K. - Jeremy Sisto

Ira Reder – Johnny Galecki

Lydia – Laura San Giacomo

Elise Chasten – Laura Harris

Story: Okay. So this well connected former mobster turned respectable citizen walks into his favorite bar at his favorite hotel and two well dressed punks are sitting at his reserved booth. Charlie Barret, formerly Carlo Bartolucci, turns to the bartender to see what's happening. The punks start to give the bartender some lip, so Charlie pops up and starts to be gracious when the punks, Avery Chasten and Max Minot, recognize him and begin to apologize and offer to buy him a drink. After a little encouragement, Charlie sits in the booth and joins them, and they are joined by their friend, Brett Campbell. The boys make a little small talk with Charlie, and then explain they are meeting Avery's father for dinner and invite him to join them. Since Avery's dad is a well connected financial adviser, Charlie agrees to join the three for dinner, but as they are driving along in Avery's mother's Mercedes, suddenly the boys in the back toss a strap around Charlie while one of them tries to subdue him with chloroform. Charlie is a former mob boss, and does not go quietly, but eventually they get him unconscious and drive him to the house of Ira Reder, a friend who has no idea what they had planned. When Charlie comes around, he is strapped to a chair, and his pinkie finger with his ring has been removed. Avery tells him his sister has been kidnapped, and the kidnappers have begun to send her back in pieces, and for every piece they get of the sister, Charlie is going to lose a piece unless he helps them recover Avery's sister.

Review: A couple of years back, I was looking through a copy of Maxim magazine and I found a list of 20 films saved by having Christopher Walken in them. As you have probably guessed, Suicide Kings was among the 20, actually, I believe it was number 3.

This was Peter O'Fallon's premiere film for the big screen (he has since made only one other, although he continues to direct numerous television series), and there are a lot of things that might have gone a little better. The dialog is weak in spots, the premise of a “made guy” going off with a bunch of preppy kids is a little off the wall, and the overall feel of the film drags from time to time. But that doesn't mean it is a total failure.

As a matter of fact, just the opposite. Needless to say Walken and Leary come off exceptionally well, and the remainder of the cast is believable. Johnny Galecki comes off as Johnny Galecki, which is to say his dialog and acting are better suited to his current role in Big Bang Theory than to the big screen. Jay Mohr, well, I never have like Mohr, so I can tell you his character is passable, but he never quite rises to the level needed for his part. Henry Thomas and Sean Patrick Flannery both give good performances, and are really the two character who draw your interest. Jeremy Sisto as the medical student tending to Walken is more than adequate to the role, and you can see the young actor's ability flourishing into the actor he has become.

As to the film itself, the plot, once you get past the implausible part, is good and moves pretty well, although there is a lot of exposition that seems pointless until you get to the very end. By then, unfortunately, you lose interest, unless you are a die hard Walken fan (guilty as charged).

Since I have the DVD (yes, I pulled it out of the bargain bin at WalMart), I've watched the alternative endings and listened to O'Fallon's comments, and the one that struck me the most was his comparison of the final scene of the film to one in The Usual Suspects. Hmmm. Not even close, Pete.

Rated R for violence, language, torture, and some nudity, this film is one you might want to rent just to see why television directors who are really good at their jobs should stick to television. Definitely a renter, not a keeper, and then only if you are interested in coming away with a very unsatisfied feeling from a movie.

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.

Shooter - 2007

Paramount Pictures, Di Bonaventura Pictures, Grosvenor Park Impact Productions

Directed by Antoine Fuqua

Cast:

• Bob Lee Swagger – Mark Wahlberg
• Nick Memphis – Michael Pena
• Col. Isaac Johnson – Danny Glover
• Sarah Fenn – Kate Mara
• Jack Payne – Elias Koteas
• Alourdes Galindo – Rhona Mitra
• Michael Sandor – Rade Serbedzija
• Sen. Charles Meachem – Ned Beatty

Story: A Marine Sniper and his spotter are assigned to a covert operation with the CIA in Africa. As the team they are covering is withdrawing, they take out enemy targets, but they are much larger and better equipped than they were led to believe. During the battle, the spotter is killed, but the sniper, Sgt. Bob Lee Swagger, manages to escape without the support of the team in charge of the operation. Two weeks later, the CIA operative in charge suddenly disappears without a trace, and Swagger retires. Three years later, Swagger is living alone in the mountains, his only companion his dog. He gets a visit from Col. Johnson who wants Bob Lee to plan an assassination of the President in order to prevent the real thing from taking place, or so he is told. Systematically, Bob Lee is framed for the assassination of an African Archbishop who is on the dais with the President during a speech in Philadelphia, and he enlists the aid of his spotter's ex-wife and a suspended FBI agent to get to the bottom of the matter and prove his innocence.

Review: Don't you wish guys like this existed? Along the lines of Batman and The Punisher, this character is the epitome of a modern “superhero” who survives attempt after attempt to kill him and ultimately knows the game of war better than the professionals. Mark Wahlberg is exceptionally suited to this role as the rough and tough Marine disillusioned at his country's treatment and sanctioning of “black ops” while abandoning the men who carry them out. Michael Pena is the young FBI agent overcome by Wahlberg as he is making his escape from the men trying to kill him. Pena develops the character with finesse, so you believe the transition he undergoes from FBI agent to Swagger's assistant and contemporary. Kate Mara as Sarah Fenn is refreshing and believable, moving from confusion to commitment to rage in her efforts to help Swagger. Elias Koteas is the brutal, cold and ruthless enforcer whose experiences have led him to believe he is above the law. Both Danny Glover and Ned Beatty are impeccable as Col. Johnson and Sen. Meachem, the villains behind the scene, all more villainous because the operate under the guise of law. Overall the film is quick and tight, with clearly defined good guys and bad guys, and the cinematography, photography, and script are a perfect fit. Rated R for violence, language, and sexual sadism, it is sad to say the teens have probably seen this level of violence in the online games they play, but the little ones probably don't need to see it. Collectible if you like action genre films, or just like good stories.

Revenge - 1990

New World Pictures, Rastar Films

Directed by Tony Scott

Cast:

• Michael “Jay” Cochran – Kevin Costner
• Tiberon “Tibey” Mendez – Anthony Quinn
• Miryea Mendez – Madeline Stowe
• Caesar - Tomas Milian
• ”Texan” - James Gammon
• Rock Star – Sally Kirkland
• Amador – Miguel Ferrer
• Ignacio – John Leguizamo

Story: “Jay” Cochran has come to the end of the line with the Navy. The F-14 pilot has turned in his papers and is ready to take a vacation to his cabin in Mexico to try to discover what he wants to do with the rest of his life. His friend and tennis partner, Tiberon (spanish for Shark) Mendez has invited him to his estate, to play tennis and go hunting. “Tibey” is a powerful man in his district and is heavily involved in the local politics. At home, he has a beautiful young wife named Miryea. She wants children, he does not. They have an arranged marriage and she is a trophy wife for Tiberon, but she is his wife. Cochran soon realizes two things: She is very bored in her marriage, and he is falling in love with her. Despite the danger of being with another man's wife in a Latino culture, Cochran and Miryea begin an affair that can only have one ending. When they are caught together at his cabin, Tiberon has Cochran beaten, his cabin burned, and his wife given to a brothel. Left for dead, Cochran is determined to find Miryea, at any cost.

Review: So much for Shakespeare being the only true writer of tragedy, or was that the Greeks? No matter, this film is a true tragedy with the roles being portrayed with an air of believability rarely witnessed in today's films. Set in the Latino culture where men of wealth are expected to have female “friends” but their women are to remain faithful, the real drama her lies in the danger of violating this taboo. Kevin Costner's portrayal of the Navy pilot and Vietnam veteran who has spent the last twelve years of his life piloting fighter jets is remarkable. He is the man without a vision of his future, a man seeking meaning in the world and hoping to find the reality of his life. But with no purpose in his life, he quickly becomes enamored of the beautiful Madeline Stowe, the bored and unhappy wife of his “best friend”, played by Anthony Quinn. Quinn is the wealthy and dangerous maker of politicians, and an associate of many people in power, but he is also both hated and feared by the common people. Around these three principles are Miguel Ferrer, John Leguizamo, and Sally Kirkland, an impressive trio of character actors who lend a hand to Costner in his search for Stowe. This is not a film with a happy ending, and the question you must ask yourself at the end is who is responsible? Rated R for violence, nudity, language, and sexual situations, this is definitely not for the teens or the children, and while I have a copy, I will leave it to you to decide to include it in your collection.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy - 2011

Studio Canal, Karla Films, Paradis Films

Directed by Tomas Alfredson

Cast:

• Control – John Hurt
• Jim Prideaux – Mark Strong
• George Smiley – Gary Oldman
• Percy Alleline – Toby Jones
• Toby Esterhase – David Dencik
• Roy Bland – Ciaran Hinds
• Bill Hayden – Colin Firth
• Jerry Westerby – Stephen Graham

Story: In the early 1970s during the Cold War, the head of British Intelligence, Control, resigns after an operation in Budapest, Hungary goes badly wrong. It transpires that Control believed one of four senior figures in the service was in fact a Russian agent - a mole - and the Hungary operation was an attempt to identify which of them it was. Smiley had been forced into retirement by the departure of Control, but is asked by a senior government figure to investigate a story told to him by a rogue agent, Ricky Tarr, that there was a mole. Smiley considers that the failure of the Hungary operation and the continuing success of Operation Witchcraft (an apparent source of significant Soviet intelligence) confirms this, and takes up the task of finding him. Through the efforts of Peter Guillam, Smiley obtains information that eventually leads him to Jim Prideaux, the agent at the heart of the Hungary fiasco...David Brain

Review: If you're looking for Bond or Bourne style action, this is not your film. This is a film about the reality of intelligence and espionage, not a flamboyant skit of shooting after shooting. However, if you liked The Good Shepherd or J. Edgar, you will find this film as intriguing as I did. This is an intricately laced film about the number one rule of spying: Trust No One. Gary Oldman is superb in this low-key thriller as George Smiley, the intelligence operator destined to become Control. Violence is at a minimum, but the fascinating web of deceit and revelations is worth a couple of hours of your time. Rated R for language and some violence, and subject matter, not necessarily a collectible.

Columbiana -2011

Europa Corp., TF1 Films Production, Grive Productions

Directed by Olivier Megaton

Cast:

• Cataleya – Zoe Saldana
• Marco – Jordi Molla
• Ross – Lennie James
• Danny Delany – Michael Vartan
• Emilio Restrepo – Cliff Curtis
• Don Luis – Beto Benites
• Fabio – Jesse Borego
• Alicia – Cynthia Addai-Robinson

Story: In Columbia, the 9 year old daughter of a man who works for a drug lord watches as her parents are murdered and narrowly escapes with her life. She goes to an address her father has given her for emergencies, where events are set in motion and she arrives at the home of her uncle. When asked what she wants to do, Cataleya replies she wants to kill Don Luis, the drug lord. Her uncle is also involved in the underworld, and teaches her all he can about the skills she will need to accomplish her mission. We move ahead a decade, where the adult Cataleya is not a bloodied professional hit woman. She continues to seek Don Luis, who has surrendered to the DEA and the CIA in exchange for information. When she finally locates her objective, the battle is bloody and devastating.

Review: Zoe Saldana as a hit woman, a professional killer. As improbable as that may seem, she pulls it off, showing us a very different side of her abilities than we have seen in previous films. Perhaps it is the directing abilities of Olivier Megaton, or the writing of Luc Beeson, but there is a fluidity in this film that leads the audience into the realm of probability. The casting is exceptional, and the supporting roles for her character give an air of excitement and credibility to an otherwise mundane story of revenge. Of particular note is the lack of sexploitation so often associated with these types of films. While the sex is implied, there are no explicit scenes, and no frontal nudity tossed in as titillation, which is refreshing in itself. The action scenes are interspersed with enough exposition to keep the plot interesting, and Cataleya's character is nicely developed throughout the story. Rated PG-13 in the theaters, there is an unrated version in the video stores which contains more blood and gore. Violence, language, “disturbing scenes”, and sexuality are the caveats here, so the little ones should probably be tucked in before the teens and parents put this one in the player. While I don't see this one as particularly collectible, it isn't a waste of your time if you're looking to be entertained.

Seraphim Falls - 2006

Icon Productions

Directed by David Van Ancken

Cast:

• Carver – Liam Neeson
• Gideon – Pierce Brosnan
• Hayes – Michael Wincott
• Railroad Foreman – Xander Berkeley
• Minister Abraham – Tom Noonan
• Parsons – Ed Lauter
• Henry – Kevin J. O'Connor
• Kid – John Robinson
• Madame Louise – Angelica Huston
• Rose – Angie Harmon
• Charon – Wes Studi

Story: It is three years after the end of the Civil War. Carver, a former Confederate officer, is on a manhunt. He is chasing Gideon, a former Union officer, the man he holds responsible for the death of his wife and family. His four hired guns are warned not to kill him, aim for his limbs only. But capturing Gideon proves a bit more complicated than it would appear. He is a highly resourceful man, able to live in the wild. Along the way, they encounter homesteaders, traders, robbers, and a railroad crew, and while several times it appears Gideon is at the end of his rope, he manages to escape. Carver is driven by pure revenge, Gideon by pure survival. Who will win in the end?

Review: A morality play with two Irishmen as Civil War soldiers? As improbable as that may seen, this film opens quickly with a pursuit through the snowy mountains of the Sierra Nevada mountains and continues across to the desert. Liam Neeson portrays Carver, a former Confederate officer who had returned to his wife and family and put away his uniform, only to be discovered by the Union, who sent Gideon (played by Pierce Bronson) to arrest him. After a series of unfortunate mistakes, Carver's wife and family are burned alive in their home while Gideon watches helplessly. Bronson's performance is a man running from an unspeakable horror and his part in it, Neeson's performance is the man who has allowed revenge to consume him. The remainder of the cast is solid in their performances. Angelica Huston and Wes Studi have interesting roles as surreal traders along the way in the desert, and you have to ask yourself if they are really there, or simply the facilitators of this climax between our two subjects. Tom Noonan gives an exceptional performance as the minister who is leading a flock to better fields. Rated R for violence and language, this is a film that will intrigue the intellectual and die hard oater fans alike. Collectible if you are a western or civil war fan, or just like watching Pierce and Liam hide their accents.

Slipstream - 2007

Strand Releasing, Destination Films, Samson Films

Written and Directed by Anthony Hopkins

Cast:

• Bonhoeffer – Anthony Hopkins
• Bonnie – S. Epatha Merkerson
• Lily – Lana Antonova
• Gina – Stella Arroyave
• Mort / Phil Henderson / Patrolman - Michael Clarke Duncan
• Bette Lustig – Fionnula Flanagan
• Barbara – Camryn Manheim
• Himself – Kevin McCarthy
• Ray / Matt Dobbs / Patrolman – Christian Slater
• Geek / Jeffy / Dr. Geekman – Jeffrey Tambor
• Harvey Brickman – John Turturro

Story: An actor and would-be screenwriter, who at the very moment of his meeting with Fate, comes to discover that life is random and fortune is sightless. He is thrown into a vortex where time, dreams, and reality collide in an increasingly whirling slipstream. It's a surreal and dreamlike tale of one man's journey. Written by Gregg Brilliant (borrowed from IMDb)

Review: What goes through a screenwriter's mind? When does everything merge into everything else and become one huge canvas where you can draw from everything at once? This is the premise, I gather, of the film. Anthony Hopkins has written and directed a stream of consciousness surreal film that allows us, the viewer, to evaluate the actions and scenes for what they mean, which could be something or nothing at all. The casting of the film is brilliant, with Christian Slater, Jeffrey Tambor, S. Epatha Merkerson, and others too numerous to mention all giving a performance of lifetime in a film which really doesn't have a plot at all. Is this the movie that flashes before one's eyes at the moment of transition? Rated R for language and some violence, this is definitely not for the timid or the weak, and certainly not one for the Entertainment Tonight set. Don't get me wrong, I like to be entertained as much as the next guy, but watching Slipstream is more like attending a showing of Dali's paintings or reading a Virginia Woolf novel. This one gets into your head. Collectible like the volumes of Shakespeare you have on your shelf, you have to open your mind to the possibilities.

Trust_ - 2010

Millennium Films, Nu Image Films, Dark Harbor Stories

Directed by David Schwimmer

Cast:

• Will – Clive Owen
• Lynn – Catherine Keener
• Annie – Liana Liberato
• Doug Tate – Jason Clarke
• Gail Friedman – Viola Davis
• Charlie / Graham Weston – Chris Henry Coffey
• Peter – Spencer Curnutt
• Katie – Aislinn DeButch
• Al Hart – Noah Emmerich

Story: A cautionary tale that exposes the reasons for parents to educate their children on the dangers of online relationships. Annie, an innocent fifteen year old with a good family and loving parents, is deceived into thinking she is chatting with a boy her own age. After they have been chatting a while, he tells her he is actually in college. They continue their online relationship until she reveals her parents will be out of town for a weekend, then he asks for a meeting at the local mall where she lives, telling her he will be in town. When she finally meets Charlie, he is much older, but her inexperience allows her to be sucked into his lies and his pretended feelings for her. He convinces her to get into his car, takes her to a motel, and connives her into surrendering her virginity. She is so ashamed she fell for this deception she denies it is rape. The incident comes to light because a friend saw her in the mall with the man and reported it to the school, who called the police. Annie's father is lost in his emotions, and instead of confessing his shame at not knowing what was happening, is focusing on the man instead of his daughter.

Review: I would hope every student in every elementary school in the country would be required to watch this exceptional film. David Schwimmer proves himself as capable behind the camera as in front of it in this story of the internet and what can happen when more information that is prudent is revealed. Clive Owen gives a powerful performance as the father who discovers too late his daughter is the victim of an internet predator. Catherine Keener is equally as powerful as the mother who is trying to keep her family together. Liana Liberato assures us with this performance she will be rising on to many more films. The tone of the film, the tempo, even the photography is beyond reproach and why this wasn't nominated for content alone is beyond me. This is a dark and totally believable film, and the context and content are fitting for this electronic world we live in. Parent or child, you need to see this film if you are an internet user. Rated R for language, sexual situations and innuendo, and some violence, this film will hit you to your core and scare the hell out of you, especially if you are the parent of a teenage girl. Collectible for the family, and loan it to the school for their use.

Blitz - 2011

Lionsgate, Davis-Films, Current Entertainment

Directed by Elliot Lester

Cast:

• Brant – Jason Statham
• Nash – Paddy Considine
• Weiss – Aiden Gillen
• Falls – Zawe Ashton
• Dunlop – David Morrisey
• Radnor – Ned Dennehy
• Roberts – Mark Rylance

Story: Someone nicknamed the Blitz, is killing police officers in London. Only problem is, he is doing a bang up job of it. A detective, Brant, is assigned to the case, but is told to be inconspicuous if he can, since the police are getting a lot of heat in the papers about their brutality. Brant has just returned from suspension and taking some time off to help his inspector, Roberts, bury his wife. Blitz wants the publicity and contacts a local reporter, Dunlop, who sits on his contact information. Then a street informant, Radnor, discovers information about Blitz's identity and tries to shake down the newspaper for a reward. Again, Dunlop tries to use the information before notifying the police. Meanwhile, other police officers are killed. When Dunlop finally does reveal his knowledge to the police, Blitz has had time to hide all the evidence. But the police are not done yet.

Review: I guess London needed a Dirty Harry, so they came up with this one. Jason Statham is an English Clint Eastwood/Bruce Willis combo in this action packed thriller about a cop killer on the loose. Paddy Considine does an excellent job portraying the temporary station commander who is assigned after the current commander, played by Mark Rylance, is placed on bereavement leave after the death of his wife. Aiden Gillen is Blitz, the cop killer with a mission of vengeance for the officers who incarcerated him before. Overall, the plot is nothing new, the good guys are chasing the bad guy, life goes on, and good triumphs over evil. But the action scenes are crisp and well done, as is the photography. This is not the glitzy, shiny world of 007, where everyone dresses to the nines and the royals are out on display. These are the mean streets of London, and Jason Statham is the cop who breaks the rules to keep the citizens safe. Rated R for violence, some nudity, language, and some drug use, this one is definitely not a collectible, but worth an evenings entertainment.

A Perfect World - 1993

Warner Bros. Pictures, Malpaso Productions

Directed by Clint Eastwood

Cast:

• Chief Red Garnett – Clint Eastwood
• Robert 'Butch' Hayes – Kevin Costner
• Sally Gerber – Laura Dern
• Phillip 'Buzz' Perry – T. J. Lowther
• Terry Pugh – Keith Szarabajka
• Bobby Lee – Bradley Whitford
• Tom Adler – Leo Burmester
• Paul Saunders – Bruce McGill

Story: Two prisoners break out of a Texas jail in the early 1960's. One is just trying to get away, the other is an idiot who is hell bent on going out Texas-style, guns blazing. While looking for a different car, they happen on a single mom and her daughters and son in a residential area. They take the son hostage and escape in the car they came in. The next morning, while getting some supplies, Butch kills Terry for trying to sexually assault the boy, Phillip. By this time the U. S. Marshalls have been alerted and Chief Red Garnett, who is in charge of the manhunt, commandeers the Governor's latest equipment as his command post. The governor has sent a specialist in criminal behavior, Sally Gerber, to aide in the recapturing of the prisoners. The FBI has sent Bobby Lee to assist, but as a sniper. Butch and 'Buzz' steal a yellow Ford sedan and make their way across the back roads of Texas, trying to avoid roadblocks and escape. Marshall Garnett and his crew try to figure a way to get the boy out safely, while the Governor of Texas is making as much political currency as he can.

Review: Clint Eastwood's perspective on the human condition is remarkable. In this film he takes the best of each cadre of the cast and seems to make the entire thing about everyone's agenda. Keith Szarabajka is the perfect sociopath, and you can tell he is not long for the film. Kevin Costner is not a career criminal, just a wild youth who got sent up on the recommendation of Garnett years ago, a recommendation he is now regretting. Eastwood and Dern are the realists on the Law Enforcement side, trying to cope with a situation while dealing with the politics of the situation. Bradley Whitford should really be in the prison uniform, but instead plays the FBI sniper who is intent on proving to everyone his testosterone levels are up to the task. Throughout the film, the relationship between Costner and Lowther is the principle theme, and you can tell Costner's character is basically a decent person, although there are some things in his understand of life that need a little adjustment. The end of the film is as powerful as the beginning, and this early Eastwood epic ranks up there with Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby as a powerful film with a subtle, but provocative message. Rated R for violence, language, and sexual content. If you are an Eastwood fan, you are going to want this one for your collection.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - 2011

Columbia Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Scott Rudin Productions

Directed by David Fincher

Cast:

• Mikael Blomkvist – Daniel Craig
• Lisbeth Salander – Rooney Mara
• Henrik Vanger – Christopher Plummer
• Martin Vanger – Stellan Skarsgard
• Dirch Frode – Steven Birkoff
• Erika Burger – Robin Wright
• Anita Vanger – Joely Richardson
• Cecilia Vanger – Geraldine James
• Dragan Armansky – Goran Visnjic

Story: A renown Swedish investigative reporter, Mikael Blomkvist, who has exposed the illicit dealings of a major financial player is taken to court and successfully sued. He resigns from his position at his newspaper and is approached by a retired industrialist to investigate the forty year old mystery of his granddaughter's disappearance. As he investigates, he finds there are many skeletons hidden in this family's closet, including the family Nazi's, but most of his leads are ending in dead ends. Mikael decides he requires assistance. The industrialist had Mikael's background checked prior to hiring him, so Mikael demands to see the report. Having read things that could only be discovered by an adept hacker, he insists on hiring this individual as his assistant. Lisbeth is a very different individual, a thin, goth appearing girl with multiple piercings and tattoos, including a large dragon across her left shoulder. We see enough of her life to know she is a hard individual who cares little for the conventions of society, and has a very mean temper. But she is an adept researcher who knows how to analyze information, and together, Mikael and Lisbeth must piece together the mystery of the disappearance of Vanger's granddaughter.

Review: Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig form an interesting and unusual pair in this thriller based on the book by Swedish author Stieg Larsson. There is a lot of exposition at first, since the characters are new and their lives complicated, to say the least. And frankly, at just under two and one half hours, I would not be a proponent, but this film is an exception. The background of the characters, especially Lisbeth's, is required to understand the darkness of not only the family being investigated, but the investigators themselves. The depth of Lisbeth's darkness can be seen in the way she deals with a purse snatcher in the subway, and with the abusive state appointed clerk who administers her funds after her guardian is hospitalized. Christopher Plummer is superb as the retired industrialist who only wants closure to the disappearance of his granddaughter, an event he might have put out of his mind except that every year on his birthday he receives the same gift she gave him before she disappeared. Stellan Skarsgard gives a wonderful performance as the incompetent grandson who is ruining the company, and Joely Richardson is magnificently understated in her role. Perhaps the most impressive player is Daniel Craig, who continues to astound us with his range and depth of ability. To transition from the hard, emotionless Bond to this role is a total reversal of character, but one we have seen before in Defiance and Lara Croft. Craig, I believe, is the next actor to be added to the list of phenomenal performers like DeNiro, Hopkins, Pacino, and a scattered few more. Lastly, Rooney Mara impresses me with her ability to remain detached yet empathic in this role. Overall, this film is a wonderful peek into the dark underbelly of the human condition, and a must see for fans of Hitchcock, Craven, and the other masters of horror who have gone before. Rated R for graphic violence, rape, torture, language, and sexuality, I would hazard to say this film belongs in your collection if you are a fan of the detective genre.

Blade: Trinity - 2004

New Line Cinema, Shawn Danielle Productions Ltd., Amen Ra Films

Written and Directed by David S. Goyer

Cast:

• Blade – Wesley Snipes
• Whistler – Kris Kristofferson
• Hannibal King – Ryan Reynolds
• Abigail Whistler – Jessica Biel
• Danica Talos – Parker Posey
• Drake – Dominic Purcell
• Jarko Grimwood – Paul “Triple H” Levesque
• Dr. Edgar Vance – John Michael Higgins
• Ray Cumberland – James Remar
• Sommerfield – Natasha Lyonne
• Zoey – Ginger Broatch (as Haili Page)

Story: The Vampires, as usual, are up to no good. Not only have they finally located the final resting place of Drake, the original Vampire (known as Dracula or Dagon), but they've managed to set up Blade so he kills a familiar, and they get it on tape. So now Blade has to deal with law enforcement as well as Vampires, and when they raid his base, they capture him while Whistler is killed in the process. Blade is being held in police headquarters when a group of vampire hunters named the Night Stalkers intervenes for a rescue. When they complete the rescue, Blade discovers Whistler was in cahoots with this group as backup for Blade in case something happened to him. The group includes an ex-vampire named Hannibal King and an adept archer named Abigail Whistler...Whistler's daughter. This group is tech savvy and has advanced weaponry and a plan to thwart the vampire nation, a biological weapon called Daystar. The only problem? The DNA from the turned vampires is too thinned out to be of use. Unwittingly, the vampires have brought back the only source of vampire DNA pure enough to make Daystar effective: Drake.

Review: Wesley Snipes and Kris Kristofferson reprise their roles and the hybrid vampire hunter and his partner / armorer. While this film lacks some of the more visceral elements of the first two, it makes up in action what it lacks in darkness. Dominic Purcell is perfect in the role of Drake, the true immortal who is risen from his sleep by the desperate Danica Talos, played by Parker Posey. Parker does a nice job if you take into account a vampire like that might be a bit on the emo side, and the sarcasm between her and her former lover, played nicely by Ryan Reynolds, plays a major part of the script. Reynolds role is non-stop smart ass, and it suits him well. Triple H does an adequate job as the strong arm vampire, but my advice to Paul is not to give up his day job. Jessica Biel shines as Whistler's daughter, and her acting is one of the saving graces of the film. All in all, we do have to remember this is a comic book based in an alternate universe (Canada qualifies, I do believe) and the characters are two dimensional, which is expected. The cinematography and photography are great, the action scenes are exceptional, and we get the impression Blade may not come back to the screen. But who knows, there may be another threat coming up soon. Rated R for violence, language, and brief nudity (Jessica Biel in the shower....oh yeah), this is a collectible is you are a fan of Blade or just a fan of the comic (graphic novel) genre.

Knockaround Guys - 2001

New Line Cinema, Lawrence Bender Productions

Directed and Written by Brian Koppelman ,David Levien

Cast:

• Matty Demaret – Barry Pepper
• Chris Scarpa – Andy Davoli
• Johnny Marbles – Seth Green
• Taylor Reese – Vin Diesel
• Teddy Deserve – John Malkovich
• Sheriff Decker – Tom Noonan
• Benny “Chains” Demaret – Dennis Hopper
• Brucker – Kevin Gage

Story: Matty Demaret is 13 years old, and he has to make a decision. Teddy Deserves has Benny Boulevard in a basement trussed up like a prize turkey and tells Matty this is the guy responsible for his dad, Benny Chains, being in prison. Teddy hands Matty a gun and tells him its time to step up and be a man. But Matty is 13 years old, and can't pull the trigger.
Now Matty is in his early twenties, and he and his three friends are finding life just a little more difficult than they thought. Matty has the education and some experience in sports and wants to become a sports agent, but when his dad's name is brought up, its “thanks, but no thanks”. Chris Scarpa runs his dad's restaurant, Taylor Reese works as an vending machine distributor, and Johnny Marbles is a cokehead who has his own airplane. Their fathers, all old school mafia, have brought them up “privileged”, so they have never been involved with the dirty end of the business. Matty, since he can't get a job in his field, decides he wants to work for his father. A job comes up, a job that requires almost no effort. Benny needs a loan, and the guy loaning the money is in Seattle. Matty gets Marbles to fly out to Seattle to pick up the money and fly straight back. But when he stops for fuel in Wibaux, Wyoming, he gets paranoid when he sees the local sheriff and his deputy in the terminal and drops the bag in the baggage for a departing flight. Marbles screws up, and Matty, Scarpa, and Taylor have to fly out to Wibaux to find the bag and the money before the local authorities do.

Review: This films proves the consistency of Murphy's Law. If anything can go wrong, it will, at the worst possible time. Barry Pepper, Vin Diesel, Seth Green and Andy Davoli are all the privileged sons of mob bosses and it shows. They are caught in between their fathers' world and the straight word, and neither world has a place for them it seems. Dennis Hopper and John Malkovich play the boss and underboss to the hilt, two old school “Gumbas” who have a heavy rep and a lot of street cred. When Matty and his “crew” are finally given a chance to prove themselves, Marbles, who swears he is off the nose candy, screws up and forces them to come to his location to bail him out. Seth Green is Marbles, and out of the entire cast, he is the most believable character. I mean, face it, Seth Green has made a living out of being the perpetual screw up, and will likely continue in that role forever. Barry Pepper makes an effort to come off as the crew leader, but he is relying on everyone else to make decisions and call the shots for him. Vinnie comes off as a typical enforcer, a street thug who does have one of the best scenes in the film when he beats the hell out of Brucker, the small town hood who “runs” Wibaux. Andy Davoli has the smoothness of Hugh Hefner when it comes to the ladies, but lacks the mobster mentality. You have to ask yourself what he is doing in the crew. Tom Noonan gives an adequate but two dimensional performance as the Sheriff, and the entire movie comes off like a bad cartoon. Rated R for violence, drug use, and language, this one can stay on the shelf for a long time before anyone rents it, and then its gonna be someone who really likes one of the great actors in the film. Not collectible, and I am sure some of these actors are trying to buy up the copies.

Find Me Guilty - 2006

Yari Film Group Releasing, Bob Yari Productions, Syndicate Films International

Directed by Sidney Lumet

Cast:

• Jackie DiNorscio – Vin Diesel
• Nick Calabrese – Alex Rocco
• Ben Klandis – Peter Dinklage
• Sean Kierney – Linus Roache
• Judge Finestein – Ron Silver
• Bella DiNorscio – Annabella Sciorra
• Marina DiNorscio – Aleksa Palladino

Story: Based on the true story of 1986-87 trial The United States v. Anthony Accetturo et al., this film focuses on Giacomo “Jackie Dee” or “Fat Jack” DiNorscio, the convicted drug dealer and distributor for the Lucchese family. This fictionalized account (names changed to protect the innocent?) gives us a character study of probably the last “stand up” guy in the mafia. Jackie is already serving a thirty year sentence for possession with intent to distribute cocaine when he is called to the federal prosecutor's office and offered a deal: Testify against your mob associates and we will cut time off your sentence, maybe even set you up with witness protection. Jackie tells Kierney, the prosecutor, in no uncertain terms to go to hell, and the trial is on. Kierney takes in personally, having all privileges revoked from Jackie in prison, including his old beat up recliner removed from his cell, which he has due to a bad back. During the trial, we witness the treatment of DiNorscio, who has chosen to represent himself, by the feds, by the judge, and by his peers. While most of the co-defendants remain friends with Jackie, Nick Calabrese, the “Don” of the Lucchese family, is rude and abusive to Jackie, blaming him for almost every nuance of the trial that appears not to go in their favor. There are some moments of comedy when Jackie talks to the jury, but the real drama comes when this mobster confronts the witnesses against him, including his own cousin, who tried to murder him in his home.

Review: If you were expecting another action adventure film with Vinnie Diesel, guess again. This film is one where Vin has to act, and I mean act. And he does it amazingly well. The plot is well laid out and sets a logical foundation from start to finish. While a failure at the box office, this film is one of the great underground sleepers everyone who is interested in the real history of the “Mafia” in the US should see. Vin portrays “Jackie Dee” DiNorscio, probably one of the last “Stand Up” guys in the mob, unwilling to sell out his friends and family to get a reduced sentence. In the courtroom, he is a fly in the ointment, and a pain in the judge's rear end. As his own attorney, he makes procedural and other mistakes the defense attorney's are uncomfortable with. While most of the other mobsters are okay with Jackie, Alex Rocco (as Nick Calabrese, Don of the Lucchese family) is brusque, rude, and downright condescending to him, accusing him of selling out for a deal. Throughout the trial, Vinnie remains solid, and is supported by Ben Klandis (played by Peter Dinklage). Dinklage gives an amazing performance as the dwarf attorney who is surprisingly adept at presenting his case. Ron Silver is prefect as the judge, showing only as much emotion as he needs, and trying to be fair in his rulings. Linus Roache shows us the firm, determined persona we were used to when he took over for Jack McCoy in the final seasons of Law and Order, and this was not his first time working with Vin. They were previously together in The Chronicles of Riddick. Annabella Sciorra and Alexa Palladino are also excellent in their roles as Jackie's wife and daughter. And Hat's Off to the casting department for presenting us with a list of Italian names not seen since the Godfather films. I guess they felt you had to be Italian to understand what was up at the time. Rated R for language and some brief but brutal violence, this may not be a film for the family, but it is definitely one for Vin fans and anyone who likes an unpretentious legal docudrama. Collectible? Depends on your taste.

Live Free or Die Hard - 2007

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Dune Entertainment, Ingenious Film Partners

Directed by Len Wiseman

Cast:

• John McClane – Bruce Willis
• Thomas Gabriel – Timothy Olyphant
• Matthew Farrell – Justin Long
• Mai Linh – Maggie Q
• FBI Dep. Director Miguel Bowman – Cliff Curtis
• Trey – Jonathan Sadowski
• Frederick 'Warlock' Kaludis – Kevin Smith
• Lucy Gennero McClane – Mary Elizabeth Winstead
• Agent Molina – Zejlko Ivanek

Story: The FBI cyber security section is suddenly hacked. It is a momentary glitch, but the deputy director wants to find out what happened, so he tells his agents to get every known hacker capable of doing this and bring them in for questioning. Since they are spread out and the FBI lacks some local resources to bring them all in, the enlist the help of local agencies, including the NYPD. John McClane is in Rutgers, checking up on his daughter, who is currently not speaking with him (sort of a pattern with John and women in general), when he gets the call to go pick up young Matthew Farrell, a hacker in the general area. When he gets to Farrell's apartment, they are about to leave when gunfire erupts, aimed at Farrell. John manages to kill three of the bad guys and escape with Farrell, and heads to Washington DC to deliver the young hacker. When he gets there, he finds the FBI building has been evacuated due to an Anthrax alarm, and everything in the country run by computer is going haywire. They soon discover the source of the disaster, a disgruntled federal employee who has a plan to destroy the entire US monetary system as his revenge for his dismissal. Once again, John McClane must save the day using only his wits and the help of two unlikely sources, a computer hacker named Matt, and an underground cyberwarrior code named Warlock.

Review: Twelve years have passed and the franchise proves just as viable as it ever was. Talk about enduring star quality. Bruce Willis is just as flippant and entertaining as he was in Die Hard, still a cop, still in New York (although there was that brief stint in LA), and still fighting with the women in his family, this time with little Lucy Generro, who has grown into a very attractive young lady. The symmetry of the characters is perfect, and Wiseman certainly knew and understood the passion of the Die Hard films (at his age, he probably grew up watching them, he was 15 when the original came out). Justin Long portrays the cyber nerd Matt Farrell, and he does an excellent job in recreating the foil for McClane's character. Mary Elizabeth Winstead was certainly the right actress to portray McClane's daughter, as feisty and abrupt in the character as Willis. Timothy Olyphant is exceptional as the cyber genius whose knowledge of the computer systems in the government gives him the background to disrupt a nation. Cliff Curtis is great as the FBI Deputy Director of Cyber Security, and adds a wonderful facet to an otherwise typical role as the law enforcement officer who always seems to be at odds with McClane. Since John is more proactive, he is always a step behind, but at least he reacts more quickly once he sees the problem. The plot moves at lightning speed in this latest (last?) installment of the franchise, and the action is exceptional. Rated PG-13 for violence and a brief sexual situation, this film is a wild ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Absolutely collectible for the set, and for any fan of great action films.

Die Hard with a Vengeance - 1995

Cinergi Pictures Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Directed by John McTiernan

Cast:

• John McClane – Bruce Willis
• Simon Gruber - Jeremy Irons
• Zeus Carver – Samuel L. Jackson
• Joe Lambert – Graham Greene
• Connie Kowalski – Colleen Camp
• Insp. Walter Cobb – Larry Bryggman
• Ricky Walsh – Anthony Peck
• Katya – Sam Phillips

Story: A peaceful morning in New York City. That is until a bomb explodes and takes out a department store along the entire block, causing cars to be thrown into each other and lots of really pissed off New Yorkers. At headquarters, police are trying to coordinate clean up efforts when they get a call from “Simon” who wants to speak with John McClane. Our hero is currently on suspension, but not today. “Simon” informs Inspector Cobb if McClane is not available to play a game of Simon Says with him, he will continue to set off bombs in New York City. They locate McClane, attempt to sober him up, and leave him in the middle of Harlem for the first part of Simon's game. He is to stand in the middle of Harlem wearing a sandwich board and his underwear with the message “I Hate Niggers” on the board. Zeus Carver, a shop owner across the street from where he has been dropped, sees McClane and attempts to get him off the street before local black thugs notice the sign. An altercation does take place, but the two manage to commandeer a taxi and head back to police headquarters, where Simon informs them via telephone they will both be required to complete his game. Simon runs McClane and Carver all over town, apparently for no reason until the FBI tells McClane this is none other than Simon Gruber, the brother of Hans Gruber who McClane dropped off the Nakatomi tower. John figures this is a ruse, and works with the police and Zeus to thwart their efforts.

Review: YEAH! John McTiernan back at the helm. Not that Renny did a horrible job, but this Die Hard comes back to the energy level of the original. John and Holly are heading toward their inevitable divorce, John is back in New York, and now we introduce a couple of wild cards into the mix. Samuel L. Jackson plays Zeus Carver, a businessman in Harlem who does not like white people. Jeremy Irons plays Simon Gruber, the brother of Hans using his desire to take revenge on McClane as an elaborate diversion from his real goal, a robbery of international proportions. Graham Greene and Colleen Camp add a nice flair with their roles, and Bruce gives us an interesting perspective on McClane's development. Like the previous two films, the action is non stop and the good guys prevail, but it is never that simple. There is always one more thing to do. Rated R for violence, language, and a brief passionate encounter. Collectible if you love Willis or just want to have the entire set.

Die Hard - 1988

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Gordon Company, Lawrence Gordon Productions

Directed by John McTiernan

Cast:

• John McClane – Bruce Willis
• Holly Gennero McClane – Bonnie Bedelia
• Hans Gruber – Alan Rickman
• Joseph Takagi - James Shigeta
• Karl – Alexander Godunov
• Sgt. Al Powell – Reginald VelJohnson
• Chief Dwayne Robinson – Paul Gleason
• Richard Thornburg – William Atherton

Story: John McClane, a New York cop, lands at LAX to begin a Christmas vacation with his estranged family. His wife, Holly, works for the Nakatomi Corporation, a hugely successful Japanese company in the final stages of completing their 35 story skyscraper in LA. Argyle, a limo driver, takes John to the building, where he discovers his wife is still listed under her maiden name. He arrives by elevator to the 30th floor, where he is greeted by Mr. Takagi, Holly's boss. Unknown to all, a group of terrorists has arrived in the building as well, and they systematically cut all connections to the outside world. Hans Gruber and his band of thugs enter the party and immediately take everyone hostage, except John McClane, who manages to escape to another part of the building. He singlehandedly attempts to thwart the terrorists / thieves through a battle of attrition, and the results are one of the strangest Christmas stories of all time.

Review: Okay, so who am I to argue with success? Obviously this franchise has proven immensely popular, given the further proliferation of Die Hards 2, 3, & 4. John McClane is Willis' most popular character, and a natural extension of his role in the television series Moonlighting with Cybil Sheppard. McClane is a street cop, a no-nonsense, shoot first ask questions later police officer who apparently gets the job done in the style of Dirty Harry. Alan Rickman is exceptional as Hans Gruber, the ex-terrorist with aspirations of becoming wealthy no matter how many lives are lost. As in most McTiernan action films, there is little background or lead in, just enough to let you know who the players are, and the action quickly starts and barely pauses. Bonnie Bedelia is excellent in her role as Holly Gennero, the top executive with people skills and a sense for reasonable control. She is the perfect executive who thinks of her people first and attempts to maintain calm under duress. Alexander Godunov plays Karl, the hot-headed terrorist on a mission to kill McClane for killing his brother. While no one will ever consider the Die Hards as Oscar worthy films, they are fun and exciting, and definitely collectible. Rated R for some brief nudity, drug use, and a whole lot of gratuitous violence. Like Vin said in xXx, “....think Playstation...Blow shit up!”

Pitch Black - 2000

Polygram Filmed Entertainment, Interscope Communications

Directed by David Twohy

Cast:

• Richard B. Riddick – Vin Diesel
• Carolyn Fry – Radha Mitchell
• William J. Johns – Cole Hauser
• Abu “Imam” al-Walid – Keith David
• Paris P. Ogilvie – Lewis Fitz-Gerald
• Sharon “Shazza” Montgomery – Claudia Black
• Jack / Jackie – Rhiana Griffith

Story: A space freighter is making a long haul, the crew and passengers in suspended animation, when disaster strikes. A meteor shower sends bullet sized fragments through the hull, waking the crew, or what's left of them. The captain is dead before he even leaves his chamber, and the second officer and docking pilot have to think fast to save their lives and the lives of the passengers. When it is over, only the docking pilot and a handful of passengers remain alive, and they are on a hostile planet with no apparent foliage or water, and three suns. One of the passengers is a murder on his way back to prison, the enigmatic Richard B. Riddick, another the bounty hunter bringing him back to prison. Riddick escapes his bonds and flees the company, but the others are more concerned with finding water and trying to find shelter. Zeke has taken upon himself the duty of burying the corpses they can find, but when he does he is attacked and killed by something. The blame immediately falls on Riddick, but when he is captured he denies killing Zeke. Soon the castaways discover a deserted mining camp with a shuttle they might be able to use for escape, but they also discover a horrifying secret. The planet is inhabited by creatures who can only hunt in darkness...and the planet is about to go into total eclipse.

Review: The plot in this film is pretty straight forward, and certainly not original in the scheme of science fiction. The characters are somewhat predictable, with the Imam leading and caring for his three teenaged followers on a great Hadj to New Mecca, the docking pilot having her first “command” thrust upon her, the bounty hunter a junkie hooked on pain killers, the entrepreneur who cares more about his cargo that the situation, a kid traveling alone, a provocatively beautiful woman who is apparently traveling for work, and a hard core killer with eyes that glow and the ability to see in the dark. Okay, so that last character isn't so predictable. As a matter of fact, Vin Diesel portrays a thinking killer who displays none of the classic psychotic behaviors we are used to in a “villain”. Instead, Riddick is a cold, calculating man who carefully reads the people around him. Radha Mitchell is excellent in her role, letting the inexperience of command shake her confidence while she attempts to lead the group into the right decisions. Keith David is the man of God, the man who always finds the hope in the situation and tries to encourage others to do the same. Cole Hauser is a perfect sociopath, coldly deciding who should be sacrificed as long as he survives. The film moves at a good pace, makes one or two logical flaws in the plot, but overall entertains and apparently creates a memorable character in the form of Riddick, who we see next in The Chronicles of Riddick, our next review. Rated R for violence and gore, and language, this film is collectible for Vin Diesel fans and anyone who likes good science fiction.

The Shining - 1980

Warner Bros. Pictures, Hawk Films, Peregrine

Directed by Stanley Kubrick

MY 100TH POST! Cast:

• Jack Torrance – Jack Nicholson
• Wendy Torrance – Shelly Duvall
• Danny Torrance – Danny Lloyd
• Dick Halloran – Scatman Crothers
• Stuart Ullman – Barry Newman
• Delbert Grady – Phillip Stone
• Lloyd the Bartender – Joe Turkel

Story: Jack Torrance is a writer looking for a place where he can be alone to work on his novel. The Overlook hotel seems like the ideal location. The Overlook is located high in the mountains in Colorado, and when the winter snows set in, the roads become impassable. The hotel ownership hires one man to stay for the winter, doing odd repairs and rotating the heat to prevent mother nature from taking a hold while the place is unoccupied. But when Jack, his wife Wendy, and their son Danny move in, strange things begin to happen. Danny Torrance has some psychic powers, and the spirits at the Overlook are determined to contact him and his folks to make them permanent guests of the Overlook.

Review: Combine director Stanley Kubrick with writer Stephen King and the acting talents of Jack Nicholson and Joe Turkel, and you have one of the all time classic horror films of the modern age. This thriller is subtle and nearly misleading as we open. Long shots of open highways winding through incredibly beautiful scenery, incredibly appointed rooms with lush beauty, and some small background moments to give you a little insight into the characters. But once the preliminaries are over, the film begins to step up the pace. Little Danny is having visions, as is Jack, and the characters are portrayed like all the characters in King's books...unremarkable until affected by the evil that is the Overlook. Nicholson is incredibly powerful as Torrance, a man with little moral background, a recovering alcoholic and child abuser who has already injured his son. Slowly but surely he is drawn into the Overlooks plans through the manipulations of Lloyd the Bartender, exceptionally portrayed by Joe Turkel. While Shelly Duvall's character is two dimensional and somewhat weak, she nonetheless manages to pick up the gauntlet of the challenge and we witness a transformation from the weak-willed, battered wife to a mother intent on saving her child. While the MPAA did not have the rating system in place at the time, this film would be an should be rated R for language, brief nudity, and scenes of horror and violence. Definitely collectible, they will be talking about this film for years to come as one of Nicholson and Kubrick's greatest achievements.