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 Last Castle - 2001

DreamWorks SKG, Robert Lawrence Productions

Directed by Rod Lurie

Cast:

• Lt. Gen. Eugene Irwin – Robert Redford
• Col. Winter – James Gandolfini
• Yates – Mark Ruffalo
• Capt. Peretz – Steve Burton
• Gen. Wheeler – Delroy Lindo
• Dellwo – Paul Calderon
• Cpl. Ramon Aguilar – Clifton Collins Jr.
• Beaupre – Brian Goodman
• Doc Lee Bernard – Frank Military

Story: A respected and illustrious General pleads guilty to a charge of disobeying a direct order from the President of the United States that results in the loss of several men. He is sentenced to spend ten years in “The Castle”, a military prison. The warden, Col. Winter, is a fan of sorts, and a collector of civil war memorabilia. Upon his arrival, the Gen. Irwin is escorted to the warden's office and given his initial interview. Upon being asked what he expects of his time at the prison, he answers “To do my time and go home.” The warden appears satisfied with this answer, and asks the General if he would autograph a copy of a book he wrote on military tactics. While the warden is looking for the book, he overhears the General commenting negatively on the Colonel's collection. This incident sets the tone for the remainder of the story, where the Colonel uses sadistic treatment of the men to provoke an incident to have the General removed to a different facility. But the Colonel underestimates the loyalty of the General's friends and the willingness of men who are being mistreated to rise to a higher level, once true leadership is given.

Review: Despite the setting, this movie has little to do with prisons. Rod Lurie's vision, combined with the extraordinary talents of Robert Redford and James Gandolfini, is a morality play set in the most unlikely of locations. We have a man who has risen to the height of his potential, the Colonel, who will never advance above that rank, and is bitter with his role in life. He is an administrator among soldiers who wanted to be a soldier and was instead given the task of maintaining order at a prison. That he could show leadership by helping these men to regain their self respect and dignity has escaped him, and he is content to amuse himself by creating situations which lead to the prisoners becoming the animals he believes them to be. When the General comes to his prison, he thinks he has found a kindred spirit who can appreciate his manipulation of the men. To his disappointment, he finds the General a thoughtful and honorable soldier who has chosen to accept his punishment without excuse or explanation. While the Colonel must fight to maintain control, his methods and his intellect lack humanity and understanding. The General is given control by the prisoners because of his intellect and understanding. He offers the prisoners the one thing the warden cannot, dignity. Rated R for language and violence, this film is not for everyone, and certainly not for the very young. It is, however, an essential element in the creation of a leader, and should be seen by anyone who aspires to lead.

Undisputed - 2002

Amen Ra Films, Millennium Films, Hollywood Partners

Directed by Walter Hill

Cast:

• Monroe Hutchen – Wesley Snipes
• George “Iceman” Chambers – Ving Rhames
• Mendy Ripstein – Peter Falk
• A. J. Mercker – Michael Rooker
• Jesus “Chuy” Campos – John Seda
• Mingo Pace – Wes Studi
• James “Ratbag” Kroycek – Fisher Stevens
• Warden Lipscomb – Denis Arndt
• Darlene Early – Amy Aquino

Story: Heavyweight Champion of the World George “Iceman” Chambers has a few problems. He's been convicted of rape, he's a high profile prisoner that no one wants, and he is one egotistical, arrogant ass. He's sent to Sweetwater, an isolated prison in the Mojave desert in California. Sweetwater is also where the current heavyweight champion of the prison system, Monroe Hutchens, is housed, along with a former underboss to Meyer Lansky, Mendy Ripstein. Ripstein is an aficionado of boxing, old enough to remember the days of bare knuckle fights. He is under the protection of La Emme, the Mexican prison gang. Through his connections, he sets in motion a plan to stage a fight between Chambers and Hutchens. Chamber's lawyers only want to get him out so he can start fighting again and make some money to pay his bills. After some negotiations, the date is set, and the fight is on.

Review: As boxing movies go, this is somewhere in the middle of the pack. The action is compressed into three or four incidents, with the story focusing on the characters. A considerable amount of the footage is about the “Iceman” the rape charge. Walter Hill uses a combination of flashbacks to relate to what is going on in the character's mind at the time. Peter Falk has that “mob” arrogance of the original gangsters, defiant even in prison. Rhames and Snipes are polar opposites, one brash and arrogant, one steely and cold. Michael Rooker plays a dispassionate head guard who realizes the limits of his authority. The characters are fleshed out just enough to become real. Shot at the High Desert State Prison in Nevada, a modern facility to house prisoners serving long terms and confinement problems, there is no question about authenticity of the surroundings. The cast performs well as an ensemble, and the film resolves well with the final bout. Definitely not for the kiddies, the language alone would do that, and a collectible if you love boxing, Wesley Snipes, or Ving Rhames.