Adapted from Cornelius Ryan's 1974 novel, this film tells the story of the Allied failure that was Market Garden. While it meanders a bit too long, taken as a whole this is a solid war film containing good performances from it's impressive cast. Like other war films made during this time (The Eagle Has Landed, Midway, Tora! Tora! Tora!, etc.) this is deeply influenced by The Longest Day and follows its production template: it is loaded with brand name actors, has a narrative that forks in a dozen directions and sports a run time that is nearly as long as the war itself.


Related Reviews:
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Saving Private Ryan (1998)
The Goebbels Experiment (2005)


Other Critic's Reviews:
eFilmCritic
FilmCritic.com

Labels: Anthony Hopkins, Elliott Gould, film, Gene Hackman, James Caan, Laurence Olivier, Michael Caine, movie review, Robert Redford, Ryan O'Neal, Sean Connery

This isn't a film for everyone. Its smart and engaging but may be too slow and internalized for some audiences. Gene Hackman gives a brilliant performance as Harry Caul, a private investigator who is hired to spy on a corporate executive's cheating wife and her lover. Caul, already consumed with being secretive, even to those closest to him, becomes even more cautious when the investigation of the lovers turns dangerous. Supported by solid performances by John Cazale, Robert Duvall, Teri Garr and Harrison Ford, Hackman presents a fully developed and intriguing portrayal of paranoia and isolation. Outside of the first two Godfather films, this stands as one of Francis Ford Coppola's best works.


Related Reviews:
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Hoosiers (1986)
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DVD Verdict
Reel.com

Labels: film, Francis Ford Coppola, Gene Hackman, Harrison Ford, movie review, private detective

It's interesting, at least to me, to watch older trailers to see how marketing has changed over the years. The hard-boiled dialog and their lingering on the plot is different than what we would get if this trailer were cut today. These days we'd have brooding opening and then a focus just the action portions - the car chasing the train and the shootout. I like how this attaches itself to Popeye Doyle's character at the opening.

The film itself is a classic and should be seen, at the least, for Gene Hackman's performance as well as the aforementioned chase. Both are standouts in a great production.






Screenwriter: Ernest Tidyman (Shaft)
Director: William Friedkin (Sorcerer)
Actors: Gene Hackman (Unforgiven) and Roy Scheider (Jaws)

Labels: cops, film, Gene Hackman, movie trailer, William Friedkin

Maybe the best sports film of all time. Following the rise of a small town basketball team, this film inspires and entertains. Gene Hackman gives a top notch performance as the troubled head coach Norman Dale. An absolute must-see for anyone who loves sports.


Related Reviews:
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Mystery, Alaska (1999)
The Greatest Game Ever Played (2005)


Other Critic's Reviews:
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Christian Spotlight

Labels: basketball, Dennis Hopper, film, Gene Hackman, movie review, sports movie

Labels: Faye Dunaway, film, Gene Hackman, movie trailer, Warren Beatty