Many gangland parodies fall flat, but not Jonathan Demme’s marvelous combo of high spirits and murder. Mafia spouse Angela de Marco’s story is goofy comedy with an edge of economic reality: how does one newly-impoverished New Yawk dame make a living for her orphaned son, while avoiding the adulterous attentions of the Big Boss who had her husband iced? Michelle Pfeiffer came into her own, Dean Stockwell has his best adult role and Matthew Modine is uniquely charming as an amorous FBI agent. The tonal balance is abetted by a supporting performances that go every which way: Mercedes Ruehl, Alec Baldwin, Oliver Platt and a slew of Demme regulars. Plus a music score by David Byrne. The disc features three new video interviews.
Married to the Mob
Blu-ray
Fun City Editions
1988 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 104 min. / Street Date September 27, 2022 / Available from Vinegar Syndrome / 39.98
Starring: Michelle Pfeiffer, Matthew Modine, Dean Stockwell,...
Married to the Mob
Blu-ray
Fun City Editions
1988 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 104 min. / Street Date September 27, 2022 / Available from Vinegar Syndrome / 39.98
Starring: Michelle Pfeiffer, Matthew Modine, Dean Stockwell,...
- 9/27/2022
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Stephen King’s Doctor Sleep continues the story of Danny Torrance, 40 years after his terrifying stay at the Overlook Hotel in The Shining. Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson and newcomer Kyliegh Curran star in the supernatural thriller, directed by Mike Flanagan, from his own screenplay based upon the novel by Stephen King.
Still irrevocably scarred by the trauma he endured as a child, Dan Torrance has fought to find some semblance of peace. But that peace is shattered when he encounters Abra, a courageous teenager with her own powerful extrasensory gift, known as the “shine.” Instinctively recognizing that Dan shares her power, Abra has sought him out, desperate for his help against the merciless Rose the Hat and her followers, The True Knot, who feed off the shine of innocents in their quest for immortality.
Forming an unlikely alliance, Dan and Abra engage in a brutal life-or-death battle with Rose. Abra...
Still irrevocably scarred by the trauma he endured as a child, Dan Torrance has fought to find some semblance of peace. But that peace is shattered when he encounters Abra, a courageous teenager with her own powerful extrasensory gift, known as the “shine.” Instinctively recognizing that Dan shares her power, Abra has sought him out, desperate for his help against the merciless Rose the Hat and her followers, The True Knot, who feed off the shine of innocents in their quest for immortality.
Forming an unlikely alliance, Dan and Abra engage in a brutal life-or-death battle with Rose. Abra...
- 10/28/2019
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Check out the super creepy trailer for Doctor Sleep, showing with It Chapter Two.
Even the teaser poster below is super cool.
“Doctor Sleep” continues the story of Danny Torrance, 40 years after his terrifying stay at the Overlook Hotel in The Shining. Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson and newcomer Kyliegh Curran star in the supernatural thriller, directed by Mike Flanagan, from his own screenplay based upon the novel by Stephen King.
Still irrevocably scarred by the trauma he endured as a child at the Overlook, Dan Torrance has fought to find some semblance of peace. But that peace is shattered when he encounters Abra, a courageous teenager with her own powerful extrasensory gift, known as the “shine.” Instinctively recognizing that Dan shares her power, Abra has sought him out, desperate for his help against the merciless Rose the Hat and her followers, The True Knot, who feed off the shine of...
Even the teaser poster below is super cool.
“Doctor Sleep” continues the story of Danny Torrance, 40 years after his terrifying stay at the Overlook Hotel in The Shining. Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson and newcomer Kyliegh Curran star in the supernatural thriller, directed by Mike Flanagan, from his own screenplay based upon the novel by Stephen King.
Still irrevocably scarred by the trauma he endured as a child at the Overlook, Dan Torrance has fought to find some semblance of peace. But that peace is shattered when he encounters Abra, a courageous teenager with her own powerful extrasensory gift, known as the “shine.” Instinctively recognizing that Dan shares her power, Abra has sought him out, desperate for his help against the merciless Rose the Hat and her followers, The True Knot, who feed off the shine of...
- 9/9/2019
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
As promised, Warner Bros. just dropped the final trailer for Doctor Sleep ahead of the movie's release to theaters on November 8th. The follow up to The Shining, Doctor Sleep takes place 40 years after the events at the Overlook Hotel and finds Danny Torrance up against an all-new threat as he attempts to protect Abra from "The True Knot."
“Doctor Sleep” continues the story of Danny Torrance, 40 years after his terrifying stay at the Overlook Hotel in The Shining. Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson and newcomer Kyliegh Curran star in the supernatural thriller, directed by Mike Flanagan, from his own screenplay based upon the novel by Stephen King.
Still irrevocably scarred by the trauma he endured as a child at the Overlook, Dan Torrance has fought to find some semblance of peace. But that peace is shattered when he encounters Abra, a courageous teenager with her own powerful extrasensory gift, known as the “shine.
“Doctor Sleep” continues the story of Danny Torrance, 40 years after his terrifying stay at the Overlook Hotel in The Shining. Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson and newcomer Kyliegh Curran star in the supernatural thriller, directed by Mike Flanagan, from his own screenplay based upon the novel by Stephen King.
Still irrevocably scarred by the trauma he endured as a child at the Overlook, Dan Torrance has fought to find some semblance of peace. But that peace is shattered when he encounters Abra, a courageous teenager with her own powerful extrasensory gift, known as the “shine.
- 9/8/2019
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
“Doctor Sleep” continues the story of Danny Torrance, 40 years after his terrifying stay at the Overlook Hotel in The Shining. Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson and newcomer Kyliegh Curran star in the supernatural thriller, directed by Mike Flanagan, from his own screenplay based upon the novel by Stephen King.
Still irrevocably scarred by the trauma he endured as a child at the Overlook, Dan Torrance has fought to find some semblance of peace. But that peace is shattered when he encounters Abra, a courageous teenager with her own powerful extrasensory gift, known as the “shine.” Instinctively recognizing that Dan shares her power, Abra has sought him out, desperate for his help against the merciless Rose the Hat and her followers, The True Knot, who feed off the shine of innocents in their quest for immortality.
Forming an unlikely alliance, Dan and Abra engage in a brutal life-or-death battle with Rose. Abra...
Still irrevocably scarred by the trauma he endured as a child at the Overlook, Dan Torrance has fought to find some semblance of peace. But that peace is shattered when he encounters Abra, a courageous teenager with her own powerful extrasensory gift, known as the “shine.” Instinctively recognizing that Dan shares her power, Abra has sought him out, desperate for his help against the merciless Rose the Hat and her followers, The True Knot, who feed off the shine of innocents in their quest for immortality.
Forming an unlikely alliance, Dan and Abra engage in a brutal life-or-death battle with Rose. Abra...
- 6/13/2019
- by Stephen Nepa
- Age of the Nerd
“When I was a kid, I bumped into these things… I don’t know about magic. I always called it The Shining.”
Director Mike Flanagan helmed the creepy horror series Netflix’s The Haunting Of Hill House. His upcoming film is Doctor Sleep – the sequel to The Shining.
Warner Bros. Pictures presents, An Intrepid Pictures/Vertigo Entertainment Production, A Mike Flanagan Film, “Doctor Sleep.” Slated for release in North America on November 8, 2019, and globally beginning on October 30, 2019, “Doctor Sleep” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.
The music cue at the end of the trailer from director Stanley Kubrick’s original 1980 classic is perfect!
The director posted his thoughts about being a part of the film on Facebook last year after it’s completion.
“Doctor Sleep” continues the story of Danny Torrance, 40 years after his terrifying stay at the Overlook Hotel in The Shining. Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson and...
Director Mike Flanagan helmed the creepy horror series Netflix’s The Haunting Of Hill House. His upcoming film is Doctor Sleep – the sequel to The Shining.
Warner Bros. Pictures presents, An Intrepid Pictures/Vertigo Entertainment Production, A Mike Flanagan Film, “Doctor Sleep.” Slated for release in North America on November 8, 2019, and globally beginning on October 30, 2019, “Doctor Sleep” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.
The music cue at the end of the trailer from director Stanley Kubrick’s original 1980 classic is perfect!
The director posted his thoughts about being a part of the film on Facebook last year after it’s completion.
“Doctor Sleep” continues the story of Danny Torrance, 40 years after his terrifying stay at the Overlook Hotel in The Shining. Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson and...
- 6/13/2019
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Decades after his harrowing time at the Overlook Hotel, Danny Torrance returns to use the Shine once more in Doctor Sleep, Mike Flanagan's film adaptation of Stephen King's sequel novel to The Shining, and you can now watch the movie's first trailer.
You can watch the trailer for Doctor Sleep below ahead of the film's November 8th release from Warner Bros. Ewan McGregor stars as Danny Torrance in Doctor Sleep alongside Rebecca Ferguson, Bruce Greenwood, Jocelin Donahue, Carl Lumbly, Alex Essoe, and Kyleigh Curran.
“Doctor Sleep” continues the story of Danny Torrance, 40 years after his terrifying stay at the Overlook Hotel in The Shining. Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson and newcomer Kyliegh Curran star in the supernatural thriller, directed by Mike Flanagan, from his own screenplay based upon the novel by Stephen King.
Still irrevocably scarred by the trauma he endured as a child at the Overlook, Dan Torrance...
You can watch the trailer for Doctor Sleep below ahead of the film's November 8th release from Warner Bros. Ewan McGregor stars as Danny Torrance in Doctor Sleep alongside Rebecca Ferguson, Bruce Greenwood, Jocelin Donahue, Carl Lumbly, Alex Essoe, and Kyleigh Curran.
“Doctor Sleep” continues the story of Danny Torrance, 40 years after his terrifying stay at the Overlook Hotel in The Shining. Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson and newcomer Kyliegh Curran star in the supernatural thriller, directed by Mike Flanagan, from his own screenplay based upon the novel by Stephen King.
Still irrevocably scarred by the trauma he endured as a child at the Overlook, Dan Torrance...
- 6/13/2019
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Here’s your first look at the brand new trailer for Chips. Warner Bros. Pictures will release the movie on March 24, 2017.
Dax Shepard (“Hit and Run,” TV’s “Parenthood”) and Michael Peña (“The Martian”) star in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action comedy CHiPs. Shepard also directs from a script he penned based on the characters from the popular ‘70s television series created by Rick Rosner.
Jon Baker (Shepard) and Frank “Ponch” Poncherello (Peña) have just joined the California Highway Patrol (Chp) in Los Angeles but for very different reasons. Baker is a beaten up pro motorbiker trying to put his life and marriage back together. Poncherello is a cocky undercover Federal agent investigating a multi-million dollar heist that may be an inside job—inside the Chp.
The inexperienced rookie and hardened pro are teamed together, but clash more than click, so kickstarting a partnership is easier said than done. But with...
Dax Shepard (“Hit and Run,” TV’s “Parenthood”) and Michael Peña (“The Martian”) star in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action comedy CHiPs. Shepard also directs from a script he penned based on the characters from the popular ‘70s television series created by Rick Rosner.
Jon Baker (Shepard) and Frank “Ponch” Poncherello (Peña) have just joined the California Highway Patrol (Chp) in Los Angeles but for very different reasons. Baker is a beaten up pro motorbiker trying to put his life and marriage back together. Poncherello is a cocky undercover Federal agent investigating a multi-million dollar heist that may be an inside job—inside the Chp.
The inexperienced rookie and hardened pro are teamed together, but clash more than click, so kickstarting a partnership is easier said than done. But with...
- 1/13/2017
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Warner Bros. has revealed the first trailer for Will Ferrell’s upcoming comedy, Get Hard. From director Etan Cohen, the Gary Sanchez-produced pic looks primed to kickstart Ferrell’s slapstick antics, which have been sorely missing from the cinema calendar as of late.
In the movie, the former SNL star appears as hedge fund manager, James. When the millionaire is indicted for fraud, his impending stint in prison fills him with dread. Luckily, Kevin Hart’s Darnell is on hand to prepare James for all of the experiences that await him behind the bars of San Quentin.
With the first preview now available (via Yahoo! Movies), we’re able to get a sense of what’s in store for the timid chappie while he gets himself ready for prison life. As stories go, the premise overall isn’t that enticing. It simply sounds like a re-hash of countless other...
In the movie, the former SNL star appears as hedge fund manager, James. When the millionaire is indicted for fraud, his impending stint in prison fills him with dread. Luckily, Kevin Hart’s Darnell is on hand to prepare James for all of the experiences that await him behind the bars of San Quentin.
With the first preview now available (via Yahoo! Movies), we’re able to get a sense of what’s in store for the timid chappie while he gets himself ready for prison life. As stories go, the premise overall isn’t that enticing. It simply sounds like a re-hash of countless other...
- 12/19/2014
- by Gem Seddon
- We Got This Covered
Here’s your first look at the poster and photos from Get Hard. The film is scheduled to open nationwide on Friday, March 27, 2015.
When millionaire hedge fund manager James (Will Ferrell) is nailed for fraud and bound for a stretch in San Quentin, the judge gives him 30 days to get his affairs in order. Desperate, he turns to Darnell (Kevin Hart) to prep him for a life behind bars. But despite James’ one-percenter assumptions, Darnell is a hard-working small business owner who has never received a parking ticket, let alone been to prison.
Together, the two men do whatever it takes for James to “get hard” and, in the process, discover how wrong they were about a lot of things – including each other.
Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart join forces in the feature comedy Get Hard, also starring Tip “T.I.” Harris, Alison Brie, and Craig T. Nelson.
The film is directed by Etan Cohen,...
When millionaire hedge fund manager James (Will Ferrell) is nailed for fraud and bound for a stretch in San Quentin, the judge gives him 30 days to get his affairs in order. Desperate, he turns to Darnell (Kevin Hart) to prep him for a life behind bars. But despite James’ one-percenter assumptions, Darnell is a hard-working small business owner who has never received a parking ticket, let alone been to prison.
Together, the two men do whatever it takes for James to “get hard” and, in the process, discover how wrong they were about a lot of things – including each other.
Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart join forces in the feature comedy Get Hard, also starring Tip “T.I.” Harris, Alison Brie, and Craig T. Nelson.
The film is directed by Etan Cohen,...
- 11/25/2014
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
(via Kevin Hart’s Facebook page)
Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart are headlining the new comedy, Get Hard, for director Etan Cohen.
The movie is scheduled to open nationwide on Friday, March 27, 2015.
When millionaire hedge fund manager James King (Ferrell) is nailed for fraud and bound for a stretch in San Quentin, the judge gives him 30 days to get his affairs in order. Desperate, he turns to Darnell Lewis (Hart) to prep him for a life behind bars. But despite James’ one-percenter assumptions, Darnell is a hard-working small business owner who has never received a parking ticket, let alone been to prison. Together, the two men do whatever it takes for James to ‘get hard’ and, in the process, discover how wrong they were about a lot of things – including each other.
The film also stars Craig T. Nelson, Alison Brie, and rapper Tip “T.I.” Harris. The movie began...
Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart are headlining the new comedy, Get Hard, for director Etan Cohen.
The movie is scheduled to open nationwide on Friday, March 27, 2015.
When millionaire hedge fund manager James King (Ferrell) is nailed for fraud and bound for a stretch in San Quentin, the judge gives him 30 days to get his affairs in order. Desperate, he turns to Darnell Lewis (Hart) to prep him for a life behind bars. But despite James’ one-percenter assumptions, Darnell is a hard-working small business owner who has never received a parking ticket, let alone been to prison. Together, the two men do whatever it takes for James to ‘get hard’ and, in the process, discover how wrong they were about a lot of things – including each other.
The film also stars Craig T. Nelson, Alison Brie, and rapper Tip “T.I.” Harris. The movie began...
- 3/19/2014
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
It’s been two years. Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms) and Doug (Justin Bartha) are happily living uneventful lives at home. Tattoos have been lasered off, files purged. The last they heard from disaster-magnet Leslie Chow (Ken Jeong), he’d been tossed into a Thai prison and, with him out of the way, the guys have very nearly recovered from their nights prowling the seamy side of Las Vegas in a roofie’d haze, and being kidnapped, shot at, and chased by drug-dealing mobsters in Bangkok.
The only member of the Wolfpack who’s not content is Alan (Zach Galifianakis). Still lacking a sense of purpose, the group’s black sheep has ditched his meds and given in to his natural impulses in a big way—which, for Alan, means no boundaries, no filters and no judgment—until a personal crisis forces him to finally seek the help he needs.
The only member of the Wolfpack who’s not content is Alan (Zach Galifianakis). Still lacking a sense of purpose, the group’s black sheep has ditched his meds and given in to his natural impulses in a big way—which, for Alan, means no boundaries, no filters and no judgment—until a personal crisis forces him to finally seek the help he needs.
- 5/10/2013
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
“Gangster Squad” is a western masquerading as a gangster movie. It takes place in the Wild West — a virtually lawless 1949 Los Angeles — and some very bad dudes hold the town hostage. All the law can do is round up a bunch of good guys willing to be as bad as the bad guys and then run ‘em out of town. As these things go, this Warner Bros. production has an unusually starry cast and striking look with vintage cars and glistening period effects that pop off the screen. To read more about ‘Gangster Squad’ go to honeycuttshollywood.com Opens: January 11, 2013 (Warner Bros.) Production companies: Warner Bros. Pictures presents in association with Village Roadshow Pictures a Lin Pictures/Kevin McCormick production Cast: Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, Nick Nolte, Emma Stone, Anthony Mackie, Giovanni Ribisi, Michael Peña, Robert Patrick, Mireille Enos Director: Ruben Fleischer Screenwriter: Will Beall Based on the...
- 1/12/2013
- by khblog@hollywoodnews.com (Kirk Honeycutt)
- Hollywoodnews.com
Los Angeles, 1949. Ruthless, Brooklyn-born mob king Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) runs the show in this town, reaping the ill-gotten gains from the drugs, the guns, the prostitutes and.if he has his way.every wire bet placed west of Chicago. And he does it all with the protection of not only his own paid goons, but also the police and the politicians he has under his thumb. It’s enough to intimidate even the bravest, street-hardened cop…except, perhaps, for the small, secret crew of Lapd outsiders led by Sgt. John O’Mara (Josh Brolin) and Sgt. Jerry Wooters (Ryan Gosling), who come together to try to tear Cohen’s world apart.
Under the direction of Ruben Fleischer, “Gangster Squad” is a stylish retelling of events surrounding the Lapd’s efforts to take back their nascent city from one of the most dangerous mafia bosses of all time. The film...
Under the direction of Ruben Fleischer, “Gangster Squad” is a stylish retelling of events surrounding the Lapd’s efforts to take back their nascent city from one of the most dangerous mafia bosses of all time. The film...
- 1/11/2013
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Los Angeles, 1949. Ruthless, Brooklyn-born mob king Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) runs the show in this town, reaping the ill-gotten gains from the drugs, the guns, the prostitutes and.if he has his way.every wire bet placed west of Chicago. And he does it all with the protection of not only his own paid goons, but also the police and the politicians he has under his thumb. It’s enough to intimidate even the bravest, street-hardened cop…except, perhaps, for the small, secret crew of Lapd outsiders led by Sgt. John O’Mara (Josh Brolin) and Sgt. Jerry Wooters (Ryan Gosling), who come together to try to tear Cohen’s world apart.
Under the direction of Ruben Fleischer, Gangster Squad is a stylish retelling of events surrounding the Lapd’s efforts to take back their nascent city from one of the most dangerous mafia bosses of all time. The film...
Under the direction of Ruben Fleischer, Gangster Squad is a stylish retelling of events surrounding the Lapd’s efforts to take back their nascent city from one of the most dangerous mafia bosses of all time. The film...
- 1/2/2013
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Have a look at the second trailer for Gangster Squad starring Oscar® nominees Josh Brolin (.Milk,. .True Grit.) and Ryan Gosling (.Half Nelson,. .Blue Valentine.), Emma Stone (.The Help.) and Academy Award® winner Sean Penn (.Milk,. .Mystic River.). After the Aurora, Colorado tragedy, the film was moved to January 2013 and reshoots took place over the past few months in L.A.’s Chinatown. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the scene in question “featured a key action sequence with mobsters bursting through the silver screen of Grauman.s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood with Tommy guns blazing. The bloody gunplay continued in the lobby and courtyard and spilled onto Hollywood Boulevard.”
Warner Bros.’ upcoming 2013 slate also includes The Great Gatsby on May 10, 2013, The Hangover III on May 24, 2013, Man Of Steel on June 14, 2013, Guillermo del Toro’s Pacific Rim on July 12, 2013 and the second installment in the Hobbit franchise, The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug,...
Warner Bros.’ upcoming 2013 slate also includes The Great Gatsby on May 10, 2013, The Hangover III on May 24, 2013, Man Of Steel on June 14, 2013, Guillermo del Toro’s Pacific Rim on July 12, 2013 and the second installment in the Hobbit franchise, The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug,...
- 10/12/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Principal photography is underway on Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ “The Hangover Part III,” the third and final film in director Todd Phillips’ record-shattering comedy franchise.
This time, there’s no wedding. No bachelor party. What could go wrong, right? But when the Wolfpack hits the road, all bets are off.
“The Hangover Part III” reunites Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and Justin Bartha as Phil, Stu, Alan and Doug. Returning to the ensemble are Ken Jeong, Heather Graham, Jeffrey Tambor and, as the guys’ long-suffering wives, Gillian Vigman, Sasha Barrese and Jamie Chung. John Goodman joins the cast as well.
Phillips directs from a screenplay he wrote with Craig Mazin, who also collaborated with him on the screenplay for “The Hangover Part II.” Phillips is producing the film under his Green Hat Films banner, together with Dan Goldberg. Thomas Tull, Scott Budnick, Chris Bender and J.C. Spink are the executive producers.
This time, there’s no wedding. No bachelor party. What could go wrong, right? But when the Wolfpack hits the road, all bets are off.
“The Hangover Part III” reunites Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and Justin Bartha as Phil, Stu, Alan and Doug. Returning to the ensemble are Ken Jeong, Heather Graham, Jeffrey Tambor and, as the guys’ long-suffering wives, Gillian Vigman, Sasha Barrese and Jamie Chung. John Goodman joins the cast as well.
Phillips directs from a screenplay he wrote with Craig Mazin, who also collaborated with him on the screenplay for “The Hangover Part II.” Phillips is producing the film under his Green Hat Films banner, together with Dan Goldberg. Thomas Tull, Scott Budnick, Chris Bender and J.C. Spink are the executive producers.
- 9/10/2012
- by Kellvin Chavez
- LRMonline.com
Who’s game again for one last wild ride with Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis? Well the Wolfpack is hitting the road again and this time all bets are off. Principal photography is underway on Warner Bros. Pictures. and Legendary Pictures. The Hangover Part III, the third and final film in director Todd Phillips. record-shattering comedy franchise. This time, there.s no wedding. No bachelor party. What could go wrong, right? Famous last words.
The Hangover Part III reunites Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and Justin Bartha as Phil, Stu, Alan and Doug. Returning to the ensemble are Ken Jeong, Heather Graham, Jeffrey Tambor and, as the guys. long-suffering wives, Gillian Vigman, Sasha Barrese and Jamie Chung. John Goodman joins the cast as well.
Phillips directs from a screenplay he wrote with Craig Mazin, who also collaborated with him on the screenplay for The Hangover Part II.
The Hangover Part III reunites Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and Justin Bartha as Phil, Stu, Alan and Doug. Returning to the ensemble are Ken Jeong, Heather Graham, Jeffrey Tambor and, as the guys. long-suffering wives, Gillian Vigman, Sasha Barrese and Jamie Chung. John Goodman joins the cast as well.
Phillips directs from a screenplay he wrote with Craig Mazin, who also collaborated with him on the screenplay for The Hangover Part II.
- 9/10/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Yahoo! Movies
Check out the new character poster from Gangster Squad, starring Oscar® nominees Josh Brolin (.Milk,. .True Grit.) and Ryan Gosling (.Half Nelson,. .Blue Valentine.), Emma Stone (.The Help.) and Academy Award® winner Sean Penn (.Milk,. .Mystic River.)
Having seen the film, I can say it is the perfect poster. Without giving anything away, it totally describes the tone and the vibe of Ruben Fleischer’s movie. It does not disappoint and I can’t wait to see it again! Without any words or tagline, you know exactly who these characters are and what you are in store for. Take note future marketing execs….less is more.
Shooting entirely in and around Los Angeles, including in many of the actual locations featured in the story, Gangster Squad is a colorful retelling of events surrounding the Lapd.s efforts to take back their nascent city from one of the most...
Check out the new character poster from Gangster Squad, starring Oscar® nominees Josh Brolin (.Milk,. .True Grit.) and Ryan Gosling (.Half Nelson,. .Blue Valentine.), Emma Stone (.The Help.) and Academy Award® winner Sean Penn (.Milk,. .Mystic River.)
Having seen the film, I can say it is the perfect poster. Without giving anything away, it totally describes the tone and the vibe of Ruben Fleischer’s movie. It does not disappoint and I can’t wait to see it again! Without any words or tagline, you know exactly who these characters are and what you are in store for. Take note future marketing execs….less is more.
Shooting entirely in and around Los Angeles, including in many of the actual locations featured in the story, Gangster Squad is a colorful retelling of events surrounding the Lapd.s efforts to take back their nascent city from one of the most...
- 7/18/2012
- by Melissa Thompson
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, and Nick Nolte star in this first trailer for Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ drama Gangster Squad. Los Angeles, 1949. Ruthless, Brooklyn-born mob king Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) runs the show in this town, reaping the ill-gotten gains from the drugs, the guns, the prostitutes and.if he has his way.every wire bet placed west of Chicago. And he does it all with the protection of not only his own paid goons, but also the police and the politicians who are under his control. It’s enough to intimidate even the bravest, street-hardened cop…except, perhaps, for the small, secret crew of Lapd outsiders led by Sgt. John O’Mara (Josh Brolin) and Jerry Wooters (Ryan Gosling), who come together to try to tear Cohen’s world apart. Gangster Squad is a colorful retelling of events surrounding the Lapd’s efforts to...
- 5/10/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Production continued on the spectacular period sets for the Warner Bros. period crime drama Gangster Squad, based on the newspaper articles by Paul Lieberman about a squad of Los Angeles police officers battling organized crime lords like Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) in the '40s and '50s. The Los Angeles Times visited the Bellflower location of a vacant supermarket transformed by production designer Maher Ahmad into the glamorous Slapsy Maxie’s nightclub, one of the businesses owned by Cohen. Josh Brolin, who plays L.A. cop John O’Mara, shared with The L.A. Times how he sought out his Milk co-star Sean Penn to play Mickey Cohen on the movie.
- 11/25/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Production continued on the spectacular period sets for the Warner Bros. period crime drama Gangster Squad, based on the newspaper articles by Paul Lieberman about a squad of Los Angeles police officers battling organized crime lords like Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) in the '40s and '50s. The Los Angeles Times visited the Bellflower location of a vacant supermarket transformed by production designer Maher Ahmad into the glamorous Slapsy Maxie’s nightclub, one of the businesses owned by Cohen. Josh Brolin, who plays L.A. cop John O’Mara, shared with The L.A. Times how he sought out his Milk co-star Sean Penn to play Mickey Cohen on the movie.
- 11/25/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Production continued on the spectacular period sets for the Warner Bros. period crime drama Gangster Squad, based on the newspaper articles by Paul Lieberman about a squad of Los Angeles police officers battling organized crime lords like Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) in the '40s and '50s. The Los Angeles Times visited the Bellflower location of a vacant supermarket transformed by production designer Maher Ahmad into the glamorous Slapsy Maxie’s nightclub, one of the businesses owned by Cohen. Josh Brolin, who plays L.A. cop John O’Mara, shared with The L.A. Times how he sought out his Milk co-star Sean Penn to play Mickey Cohen on the movie.
- 11/25/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Ruben Fleischer's The Gangster Squad has begun principal photography today for Warner Bros. Pictures' and Village Roadshow. The film stars an amazing cast that includes, Josh Brolin (Milk, True Grit) Ryan Gosling (Half Nelson, Blue Valentine), Emma Stone (The Help) and Sean Penn (Milk, Mystic River).
The film is described as follows:
Los Angeles, 1949. Ruthless, Brooklyn-born mob king Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) runs the show in this town, reaping the ill-gotten gains from the drugs, the guns, the prostitutes and—if he has his way—every wire bet placed west of Chicago. And he does it all with the protection of not only his own paid goons, but also the police and the politicians who are under his control. It’s enough to intimidate even the bravest, street-hardened cop…except, perhaps, for the small, secret crew of Lapd outsiders led by Sgt. John O'Mara (Josh Brolin) and Jerry...
The film is described as follows:
Los Angeles, 1949. Ruthless, Brooklyn-born mob king Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) runs the show in this town, reaping the ill-gotten gains from the drugs, the guns, the prostitutes and—if he has his way—every wire bet placed west of Chicago. And he does it all with the protection of not only his own paid goons, but also the police and the politicians who are under his control. It’s enough to intimidate even the bravest, street-hardened cop…except, perhaps, for the small, secret crew of Lapd outsiders led by Sgt. John O'Mara (Josh Brolin) and Jerry...
- 9/6/2011
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
Shooting begins on the crime drama starring Sean Penn,
Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone
Burbank, CA, September 6, 2011 - Principal photography began today on Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ “The Gangster Squad,” starring Oscar® nominees Josh Brolin (“Milk,” “True Grit”) and Ryan Gosling (“Half Nelson,” “Blue Valentine”), Emma Stone (“The Help”) and Academy Award® winner Sean Penn (“Milk,” “Mystic River”), under the direction of Ruben Fleischer (“Zombieland”).
Los Angeles, 1949. Ruthless, Brooklyn-born mob king Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) runs the show in this town, reaping the ill-gotten gains from the drugs, the guns, the prostitutes and “if he has his way” every wire bet placed west of Chicago. And he does it all with the protection of not only his own paid goons, but also the police and the politicians who are under his control. It’s enough to intimidate even the bravest, street-hardened cop…except, perhaps, for the small,...
Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone
Burbank, CA, September 6, 2011 - Principal photography began today on Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ “The Gangster Squad,” starring Oscar® nominees Josh Brolin (“Milk,” “True Grit”) and Ryan Gosling (“Half Nelson,” “Blue Valentine”), Emma Stone (“The Help”) and Academy Award® winner Sean Penn (“Milk,” “Mystic River”), under the direction of Ruben Fleischer (“Zombieland”).
Los Angeles, 1949. Ruthless, Brooklyn-born mob king Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) runs the show in this town, reaping the ill-gotten gains from the drugs, the guns, the prostitutes and “if he has his way” every wire bet placed west of Chicago. And he does it all with the protection of not only his own paid goons, but also the police and the politicians who are under his control. It’s enough to intimidate even the bravest, street-hardened cop…except, perhaps, for the small,...
- 9/6/2011
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Zombieland was one of the most entertaining films I saw in 2009 and I was eagerly awaiting its arrival on Blu-ray this week. Unlike the George Romero zombie films of the past, Zombieland is a unique blend of “The Odd Couple meets the zombie apocalypse.” Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin have great chemistry together as the last few remaining humans in a world gone zombie.
As a die-hard fan of apocalyptic films such as The Last Man on Earth, The Omega Man and The Quiet Earth, Zombieland takes you into a world that has only recently fallen into chaos and shows how those would react when hordes of flesh eating ghoules are waiting for you around every corner.
As I scrolled through the special features on the Blu-Ray disc, I was excited to see that they had added several features that made the disc worth adding to my vast collection.
As a die-hard fan of apocalyptic films such as The Last Man on Earth, The Omega Man and The Quiet Earth, Zombieland takes you into a world that has only recently fallen into chaos and shows how those would react when hordes of flesh eating ghoules are waiting for you around every corner.
As I scrolled through the special features on the Blu-Ray disc, I was excited to see that they had added several features that made the disc worth adding to my vast collection.
- 2/4/2010
- by Douglas Barnett
- The Flickcast
Zombie movies have been one of the staples of horror cinema for years, known best through George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead. Horror and comedy rarely make a fine mix; one of the very few exceptions was the 2004 hit Shaun of the Dead. A new film enters that exclusive list, Ruben Fleischer’s Zombieland. Tying in a proper balance of gore and laughs, this movie is blood-gushing roller coaster ride that you will not want to get off of.
The story follows ‘Columbus’ (Jesse Eisenberg), a soft spoken college student who is one of few survivors of what’s better known as Zombieland. Quickly he joins an unlikely group of people, like the zombie-killing machine Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), the seductive Wichita (Emma Stone) and the clever Little Rock (Abigail Breslin).
One of the stronger points of the film is not the comedic timing, but the overall pace. There...
The story follows ‘Columbus’ (Jesse Eisenberg), a soft spoken college student who is one of few survivors of what’s better known as Zombieland. Quickly he joins an unlikely group of people, like the zombie-killing machine Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), the seductive Wichita (Emma Stone) and the clever Little Rock (Abigail Breslin).
One of the stronger points of the film is not the comedic timing, but the overall pace. There...
- 10/2/2009
- by Melissa Molina
- Atomic Popcorn
Wearing Western gear—cowboy boots, hat and black coat—actor Woody Harrelson strides up on the (fake) night-shrouded porch of a Texas gift shop filled with American Indian tourist kitsch. Using his sawn-off, double-barreled shotgun, he dings the bell above the entrance to “Kimo Sabe’s” and steps to one side. Like one of Pavlov’s dogs, the now-zombified owner lurches toward the front door. All flesh-chewing instinct, the ghoul doesn’t see Harrelson hiding and gets a head shot from the gun, dropping like a sack of rotting enchiladas.
The kill, as physically shot, is bloodless (no squib used, but splatter may be digitally added in postproduction). It’s a far cry from the gore-drenched chaos and killing Fango witnessed 10 days earlier, when the gutters of Atlanta, Georgia literally ran with blood as first-time feature director Ruben Fleischer supervised a scene of mass mayhem, featuring over 25 zombies attacking screaming,...
The kill, as physically shot, is bloodless (no squib used, but splatter may be digitally added in postproduction). It’s a far cry from the gore-drenched chaos and killing Fango witnessed 10 days earlier, when the gutters of Atlanta, Georgia literally ran with blood as first-time feature director Ruben Fleischer supervised a scene of mass mayhem, featuring over 25 zombies attacking screaming,...
- 7/7/2009
- by no-reply@fangoria.com (Philip Nutman)
- Fangoria
Although it's poised to flex boxoffice muscle when it opens Thursday for Easter-weekend action, "Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous" is neither buff nor fabulous, the high concept more wearying than delightful on the second go-round. Even as agile a performer as Sandra Bullock seems to be straining here amid the repetitive jokes and muddled girl-power message.
Returning screenwriter Marc Lawrence finds a smart, logical hook back into the story of klutzy FBI agent Gracie Hart (Bullock) but merely leads her through familiar paces, the sequel's giddy potential unrealized. A sure sign of trouble: Even a Las Vegas chase scene involving Dolly Parton falls flat.
In the first installment (a Christmas 2000 hit), Hart went undercover as a contestant in the nationally televised Miss United States pageant, leaving one to wonder how she'd ever do undercover field work again. She can't -- but somehow the FBI needs a botched assignment to figure out the obvious. So at the urging of her boss (Ernie Hudson), Gracie the tomboy puts her newfound celebrity to work for the Bureau as "the new face of the FBI," a face adorned with false eyelashes and pink lip gloss. Guiding her through appearances with Regis is stylist Joel; in place of Michael Caine's nuanced image consultant we get Diedrich Bader's obvious, if likable, walking stereotype.
When Miss United States (Heather Burns, reprising her role as ultraearnest, homespun Cheryl) and pageant host Stan Fields (William Shatner, making the most of his brief screen time) are kidnapped in Nevada by not-quite-believable sibling thugs (Abraham Benrubi and Nick Offerman), Gracie jets into Vegas headquarters as the FBI's spokeswoman. Besides her hair-and-makeup people, her entourage includes a pugnacious pit bull of a reluctant bodyguard (Regina King).
That King's character is an agent named Sam Fuller is an odd and distracting nod to the tough-guy independent filmmaker amid this pic's formulaic plot turns, not to mention the pearls and Chanel suits. An hour into the film, when Gracie defies orders and goes undercover with Joel and Sam, a certain comic shtick kicks in, briefly. But mainly the proceedings feel as faux and eager to please as the Vegas renditions of Venice and New York. The inevitable drag extravaganza, though it's a shot of adrenaline, has an air of desperation about it.
When given the chance, Bullock and King are so good at showing the friendless little girls beneath their characters' grown-up swagger that it's a shame they have to spend so much time going mano a mano. And while it's hard to argue with the film's message of female self-reliance, "Congeniality 2" clearly revels in the dumb brawling, playing to some ill-defined middle with the notion that beating people up is cool -- or funny -- when girls do it.
Treat Williams is suitably bureaucratic as Gracie's FBI nemesis in Vegas, presiding over production designer Maher Ahmad's striking neon honeycomb of a situation room. Enrique Murciano makes an impression as a sympathetic, if somewhat slow on the uptake, Nevada agent.
With solid creative support, notably Deena Appel's costumes, helmer John Pasquin ("Joe Somebody") and DP Peter Menzies Jr. orchestrate the proceedings in a straight-ahead manner that works intermittently. But it also underscores the thinness of Lawrence's script, which can take the quips about designer latte and highlights only so far.
MISS CONGENIALITY 2: ARMED AND FABULOUS
Warner Bros. Pictures
Castle Rock Entertainment, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures presents
a Fortis Films production
Credits:
Director: John Pasquin
Screenwriter: Marc Lawrence
Producers: Sandra Bullock, Marc Lawrence
Executive producers: Mary McLaglen, John Kirby, Bruce Berman
Director of photography: Peter Menzies Jr.
Production designer: Maher Ahmad
Co-producer: Gesine Bullock-Prado
Costume designer: Deena Appel
Editor: Garth Craven
Cast:
Gracie Hart: Sandra Bullock
Sam Fuller: Regina King
Jeff Foreman: Enrique Murciano
Stan Fields: William Shatner
McDonald: Ernie Hudson
Cheryl: Heather Burns
Joel: Diedrich Bader
Collins: Treat Williams
Lou Steele: Abraham Benrubi
Karl Steele: Nick Offerman
Carol Fields: Eileen Brennan
Regis Philbin, Dolly Parton
MPAA rating PG-13
Running time -- 115 minutes...
Returning screenwriter Marc Lawrence finds a smart, logical hook back into the story of klutzy FBI agent Gracie Hart (Bullock) but merely leads her through familiar paces, the sequel's giddy potential unrealized. A sure sign of trouble: Even a Las Vegas chase scene involving Dolly Parton falls flat.
In the first installment (a Christmas 2000 hit), Hart went undercover as a contestant in the nationally televised Miss United States pageant, leaving one to wonder how she'd ever do undercover field work again. She can't -- but somehow the FBI needs a botched assignment to figure out the obvious. So at the urging of her boss (Ernie Hudson), Gracie the tomboy puts her newfound celebrity to work for the Bureau as "the new face of the FBI," a face adorned with false eyelashes and pink lip gloss. Guiding her through appearances with Regis is stylist Joel; in place of Michael Caine's nuanced image consultant we get Diedrich Bader's obvious, if likable, walking stereotype.
When Miss United States (Heather Burns, reprising her role as ultraearnest, homespun Cheryl) and pageant host Stan Fields (William Shatner, making the most of his brief screen time) are kidnapped in Nevada by not-quite-believable sibling thugs (Abraham Benrubi and Nick Offerman), Gracie jets into Vegas headquarters as the FBI's spokeswoman. Besides her hair-and-makeup people, her entourage includes a pugnacious pit bull of a reluctant bodyguard (Regina King).
That King's character is an agent named Sam Fuller is an odd and distracting nod to the tough-guy independent filmmaker amid this pic's formulaic plot turns, not to mention the pearls and Chanel suits. An hour into the film, when Gracie defies orders and goes undercover with Joel and Sam, a certain comic shtick kicks in, briefly. But mainly the proceedings feel as faux and eager to please as the Vegas renditions of Venice and New York. The inevitable drag extravaganza, though it's a shot of adrenaline, has an air of desperation about it.
When given the chance, Bullock and King are so good at showing the friendless little girls beneath their characters' grown-up swagger that it's a shame they have to spend so much time going mano a mano. And while it's hard to argue with the film's message of female self-reliance, "Congeniality 2" clearly revels in the dumb brawling, playing to some ill-defined middle with the notion that beating people up is cool -- or funny -- when girls do it.
Treat Williams is suitably bureaucratic as Gracie's FBI nemesis in Vegas, presiding over production designer Maher Ahmad's striking neon honeycomb of a situation room. Enrique Murciano makes an impression as a sympathetic, if somewhat slow on the uptake, Nevada agent.
With solid creative support, notably Deena Appel's costumes, helmer John Pasquin ("Joe Somebody") and DP Peter Menzies Jr. orchestrate the proceedings in a straight-ahead manner that works intermittently. But it also underscores the thinness of Lawrence's script, which can take the quips about designer latte and highlights only so far.
MISS CONGENIALITY 2: ARMED AND FABULOUS
Warner Bros. Pictures
Castle Rock Entertainment, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures presents
a Fortis Films production
Credits:
Director: John Pasquin
Screenwriter: Marc Lawrence
Producers: Sandra Bullock, Marc Lawrence
Executive producers: Mary McLaglen, John Kirby, Bruce Berman
Director of photography: Peter Menzies Jr.
Production designer: Maher Ahmad
Co-producer: Gesine Bullock-Prado
Costume designer: Deena Appel
Editor: Garth Craven
Cast:
Gracie Hart: Sandra Bullock
Sam Fuller: Regina King
Jeff Foreman: Enrique Murciano
Stan Fields: William Shatner
McDonald: Ernie Hudson
Cheryl: Heather Burns
Joel: Diedrich Bader
Collins: Treat Williams
Lou Steele: Abraham Benrubi
Karl Steele: Nick Offerman
Carol Fields: Eileen Brennan
Regis Philbin, Dolly Parton
MPAA rating PG-13
Running time -- 115 minutes...
- 4/20/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Revisiting the exciting milieu of Warner Bros.' 1993 boxoffice smash "The Fugitive", but with one notable difference in the absence of superstar Harrison Ford as the wily good guy on the run, "U.S. Marshals" is a satisfying action extravaganza with Oscar winner Tommy Lee Jones returning as the tough, relentless Chief Deputy Marshal Samuel Gerard.
Stuart Baird ("Executive Action") marshals his troops with finesse, and debut screenwriter John Pogue has come up with inventive ways to pay homage to writer Roy Huggins' characters and the original film.
Produced by Arnold and Anne Kopelson, the wide release won't chase down the big numbers of its predecessor, but it's a sure-fire winner worldwide and should not escape the attention of video renters.
The success of "The Fugitive" was rightly recognized as the dual attraction of Ford's heroic doctor on a quest to clear his name and the professionalism of Jones' driven bogyman to the bad guys. Diverging from the original premise, "U.S. Marshals" lacks the first film's simple, dynamic structure and the strong emotional bonds one forms with the desperate "runner."
Instead, there's a big question as to whose side the current film's fugitive is on. Seen first in a spectacular curtain-raising traffic accident that lands him in the hospital, tow truck driver Sheridan (Wesley Snipes) is battered but in for far worse when the police find a concealed weapon in his truck. Seems the gun was used in a double homicide.
In short order he's put on a prisoner transport plane, and before one can say "Con Air" ten times, an assassin among the convicts tries to shoot him and causes a nasty crash landing instead. Also on board is Gerard, and he helps rescue the survivors after the plane lands on a rural road, flattens a bunch of telephone poles, skids off the road, flips over and lands upside down in the Ohio River.
The plane crash is the analog of the first film's knockout train-and-bus wreck, whose jump-off-the-dam scene is replayed with Sheridan swinging off a building in a move that would have Quasimodo demanding a stunt double. Overall, from the early tracking of the enigmatic Sheridan through the woods near the plane crash to the climactic rounds of cat-and-mouse pursuits and surprise gun battles in New York, Baird and crew successfully keep the tension high despite some confusing plot points.
Sheridan is both a runner and shooter, as Gerard finds out in one point-blank encounter, but it's a bit frustrating the way the audience is kept in the dark about his true identity and how he connects to the murders that one is initially led to believe he knows nothing about. Indeed, the focus is squarely on Gerard and his team, including returnees from the first film Joe Pantoliano, Daniel Roebuck and Tom Wood.
As such, "U.S. Marshals" is a showcase for Jones, and he comes through with another convincing, grounded performance. He's hurt but doesn't take it personally when he's shot at, yet he has an emotional side that comes out when one of his comrades is killed. With a more potent motive for risking life and limb than in the first film, Gerard also makes a mistake or two in figuring out who is the real bad guy.
Kate Nelligan is elegantly authoritative as Gerard's boss. While government agent Robert Downey Jr. is a bit too devious-looking from the outset, the actor has several fine moments playing the outsider on Team U.S. Marshals.
Well mounted in all regards, the elaborate production has a rugged physicality and mostly believable sequences, with the solid contributions of mechanical-effects supervisor Mike Meinardus, visual effects-designer Peter Donen and stunt coordinator Gary Davis.
U.S. MARSHALS
Warner Bros.
A Kopelson Entertainment/Keith Barish production
Director: Stuart Baird
Producers: Arnold Kopelson, Anne Kopelson
Based on characters created by: Roy Huggins
Screenwriter: John Pogue
Executive producers: Keith Barish, Roy Huggins
Co-executive producer: Wolfgang Glattes
Music: Jerry Goldsmith
Director of photography: Andrzej Bartkowiak
Production designer: Maher Ahmad
Editor: Terry Rawlings
Color/stereo
Cast:
Gerard: Tommy Lee Jones
Sheridan: Wesley Snipes
John Royce: Robert Downey Jr.
Renfro: Joe Pantoliano
Walsh: Kate Nelligan
Marie: Irene Jacob
Biggs: Daniel Roebuck
Newman: Tom Wood
Running time -- 131 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
Stuart Baird ("Executive Action") marshals his troops with finesse, and debut screenwriter John Pogue has come up with inventive ways to pay homage to writer Roy Huggins' characters and the original film.
Produced by Arnold and Anne Kopelson, the wide release won't chase down the big numbers of its predecessor, but it's a sure-fire winner worldwide and should not escape the attention of video renters.
The success of "The Fugitive" was rightly recognized as the dual attraction of Ford's heroic doctor on a quest to clear his name and the professionalism of Jones' driven bogyman to the bad guys. Diverging from the original premise, "U.S. Marshals" lacks the first film's simple, dynamic structure and the strong emotional bonds one forms with the desperate "runner."
Instead, there's a big question as to whose side the current film's fugitive is on. Seen first in a spectacular curtain-raising traffic accident that lands him in the hospital, tow truck driver Sheridan (Wesley Snipes) is battered but in for far worse when the police find a concealed weapon in his truck. Seems the gun was used in a double homicide.
In short order he's put on a prisoner transport plane, and before one can say "Con Air" ten times, an assassin among the convicts tries to shoot him and causes a nasty crash landing instead. Also on board is Gerard, and he helps rescue the survivors after the plane lands on a rural road, flattens a bunch of telephone poles, skids off the road, flips over and lands upside down in the Ohio River.
The plane crash is the analog of the first film's knockout train-and-bus wreck, whose jump-off-the-dam scene is replayed with Sheridan swinging off a building in a move that would have Quasimodo demanding a stunt double. Overall, from the early tracking of the enigmatic Sheridan through the woods near the plane crash to the climactic rounds of cat-and-mouse pursuits and surprise gun battles in New York, Baird and crew successfully keep the tension high despite some confusing plot points.
Sheridan is both a runner and shooter, as Gerard finds out in one point-blank encounter, but it's a bit frustrating the way the audience is kept in the dark about his true identity and how he connects to the murders that one is initially led to believe he knows nothing about. Indeed, the focus is squarely on Gerard and his team, including returnees from the first film Joe Pantoliano, Daniel Roebuck and Tom Wood.
As such, "U.S. Marshals" is a showcase for Jones, and he comes through with another convincing, grounded performance. He's hurt but doesn't take it personally when he's shot at, yet he has an emotional side that comes out when one of his comrades is killed. With a more potent motive for risking life and limb than in the first film, Gerard also makes a mistake or two in figuring out who is the real bad guy.
Kate Nelligan is elegantly authoritative as Gerard's boss. While government agent Robert Downey Jr. is a bit too devious-looking from the outset, the actor has several fine moments playing the outsider on Team U.S. Marshals.
Well mounted in all regards, the elaborate production has a rugged physicality and mostly believable sequences, with the solid contributions of mechanical-effects supervisor Mike Meinardus, visual effects-designer Peter Donen and stunt coordinator Gary Davis.
U.S. MARSHALS
Warner Bros.
A Kopelson Entertainment/Keith Barish production
Director: Stuart Baird
Producers: Arnold Kopelson, Anne Kopelson
Based on characters created by: Roy Huggins
Screenwriter: John Pogue
Executive producers: Keith Barish, Roy Huggins
Co-executive producer: Wolfgang Glattes
Music: Jerry Goldsmith
Director of photography: Andrzej Bartkowiak
Production designer: Maher Ahmad
Editor: Terry Rawlings
Color/stereo
Cast:
Gerard: Tommy Lee Jones
Sheridan: Wesley Snipes
John Royce: Robert Downey Jr.
Renfro: Joe Pantoliano
Walsh: Kate Nelligan
Marie: Irene Jacob
Biggs: Daniel Roebuck
Newman: Tom Wood
Running time -- 131 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13...
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