list http://www.spout.com/ Recent community activity around The Talented Mr. Ripley on Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 http://www.spout.com/films/The_Talented_Mr_Ripley/135300/default.aspx Title: The Talented Mr. Ripley
Year: 1999
Director: Anthony Minghella
Plot: After the Oscar-winning The English Patient, writer/director Anthony Minghella attempted another tricky literary adaptation with The Talented Mr. Ripley, which features heartthrob Matt Damon cast against type as a psychopathic bisexual murderer. Tom Ripley (Damon) is a bright and charismatic sociopath who makes his way in mid-'50s New York City as a men's room attendant and sometimes pianist, though his real skill is in impersonating other people, forging handwriting, and running second-rate scams. After being mistaken for a Princeton student, Tom meets the shipping tycoon father of Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law), who has traveled to the coast of Italy, where he's living a carefree life with his father's money and his beautiful girlfriend, Marge (Gwyneth Paltrow). Dickie's father will pay Ripley 1,000 dollars plus his expenses if he can persuade Dickie to return to America. As Ripley and Dickie become friends, Tom finds himself both attracted to Dickie and envious of his life of pleasure. In time, he decides that he would rather be Dickie Greenleaf than Tom Ripley, so rather than go back to his life of poverty, Ripley impulsively murders Dickie and assumes his identity. The Talented Mr. Ripley was based on the first of a series of novels featuring Tom Ripley written by Patricia Highsmith; the story was previously filmed in 1960 as Purple Noon, with Alain Delon as Ripley. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Times Tagged: 81
Number of Lists: 43
Number of blog posts: 5
SpoutRating: 3
]]>Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:11:21 GMTThe Talented Mr. Ripley1999Anthony MinghellaAfter the Oscar-winning <a href=/films/93948/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'>The English Patient</a>, writer/director <a href="/players/P___102995/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Anthony Minghella</a> attempted another tricky literary adaptation with The Talented Mr. Ripley, which features heartthrob <a href="/players/P____16762/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Matt Damon</a> cast against type as a psychopathic bisexual murderer. Tom Ripley (Damon) is a bright and charismatic sociopath who makes his way in mid-'50s New York City as a men's room attendant and sometimes pianist, though his real skill is in impersonating other people, forging handwriting, and running second-rate scams. After being mistaken for a Princeton student, Tom meets the shipping tycoon father of Dickie Greenleaf (<a href="/players/P___230573/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Jude Law</a>), who has traveled to the coast of Italy, where he's living a carefree life with his father's money and his beautiful girlfriend, Marge (<a href="/players/P____54871/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Gwyneth Paltrow</a>). Dickie's father will pay Ripley 1,000 dollars plus his expenses if he can persuade Dickie to return to America. As Ripley and Dickie become friends, Tom finds himself both attracted to Dickie and envious of his life of pleasure. In time, he decides that he would rather be Dickie Greenleaf than Tom Ripley, so rather than go back to his life of poverty, Ripley impulsively murders Dickie and assumes his identity. The Talented Mr. Ripley was based on the first of a series of novels featuring Tom Ripley written by Patricia Highsmith; the story was previously filmed in 1960 as <a href=/films/65266/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'>Purple Noon</a>, with <a href="/players/P____87436/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Alain Delon</a> as Ripley. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide81Tag Target (>10)4353http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t19512xuyrt.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/The_Talented_Mr_Ripley/135300/default.aspxFilm http://www.spout.com/blogs/shaunhuston/archive/2008/4/2/26876.aspx Post By: ShaunHuston
Post To: ShaunHuston filmblog
Post Date: 4/2/2008 1:01:29 PM
Body: I was not moved myself to write about Anthony Minghella following his shocking and tragic death, but if i had been, I'd like to think that I would have written something as pitch perfect as this piece by Asad Raza on 3 Quarks Daily. Minghella isn't one of my favorite filmmakers, but we do own The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) and I can certainly appreciate his other films, including The English Patient (1996), a movie that has been subject to far too much post-hoc revisionist criticism, especially after that Seinfeld episode. Originally posted on:Short-Circuit Signs
]]>Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:01:29 GMTShaunHustonShaunHuston filmblog4/2/2008 1:01:29 PMI was not moved myself to write about Anthony Minghella following his shocking and tragic death, but if i had been, I'd like to think that I would have written something as pitch perfect as this piece by Asad Raza on 3 Quarks Daily. Minghella isn't one of my favorite filmmakers, but we do own The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) and I can certainly appreciate his other films, including The English Patient (1996), a movie that has been subject to far too much post-hoc revisionist criticism, especially after that Seinfeld episode. Originally posted on:Short-Circuit Signs http://www.spout.com/blogs/sarcastig/archive/2007/8/2/17081.aspx Post By: sarcastig
Post To: As cool as a Fruitstand
Post Date: 8/2/2007 4:00:47 PM
Body: Alain Delon is breathtakingly gorgeous. I probably could have watched him, photographed and frequently shirtless like he is here, reading the proverbial phonebook, and I still would have been captivated.It seems shallow to point it out. But in fact, in Plein Soleil, the first film adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr. Ripley, Delon's beauty is essential. He has not just an amazing physique, but also an angelic face, a face that seems incompatible with his fundamentally evil nature. If we look just at his actions, then Ripley is a monster, a callous and cold-blooded killer with purely selfish motives, who doesn't even seem to understand love, just desire. But because we're so used to associate evil with ugliness, and beauty with truth and goodness, we go along with his story, try to understand him, try to justify his actions to ourselves, to be able to look at him and admire him without guilt.This is a very different Ripley than Matt Damon's in Mingella's 1999 film. His Ripley was mostly a cypher, someone so empty that he needs to adapt someone else's personality and life to know who to be. He was a chameleon first and foremost, though admittedly the homoerotic subtext was also a big part of that film, a bigger one than it is in Plein Soleil. Delon's Ripley is more nefarious, also a little pathetic especially in the beginning, ultimately more evil in nature but because of his beauty also more alluring.I liked The Talented Mr. Ripley, especially for Jude Law's amazing performance. It's the more suspenseful movie of the two. But this one digs deeper somehow. Highsmith created a fascinating character in Ripley, one whose motivation is so obscure many different interpretations are possible, a character also who makes for intriguing films. Ripley's Game, with John Malkovich in the titular role, is an underseen little gem, and I still very much want to see Hopper's take on the character in The American Friend. So far though, Plein Soleil is the Ripley film I like best. Originally posted on:As cool as a Fruitstand
]]>Thu, 02 Aug 2007 20:00:47 GMTsarcastigAs cool as a Fruitstand8/2/2007 4:00:47 PMAlain Delon is breathtakingly gorgeous. I probably could have watched him, photographed and frequently shirtless like he is here, reading the proverbial phonebook, and I still would have been captivated.It seems shallow to point it out. But in fact, in Plein Soleil, the first film adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr. Ripley, Delon's beauty is essential. He has not just an amazing physique, but also an angelic face, a face that seems incompatible with his fundamentally evil nature. If we look just at his actions, then Ripley is a monster, a callous and cold-blooded killer with purely selfish motives, who doesn't even seem to understand love, just desire. But because we're so used to associate evil with ugliness, and beauty with truth and goodness, we go along with his story, try to understand him, try to justify his actions to ourselves, to be able to look at him and admire him without guilt.This is a very different Ripley than Matt Damon's in Mingella's 1999 film. His Ripley was mostly a cypher, someone so empty that he needs to adapt someone else's personality and life to know who to be. He was a chameleon first and foremost, though admittedly the homoerotic subtext was also a big part of that film, a bigger one than it is in Plein Soleil. Delon's Ripley is more nefarious, also a little pathetic especially in the beginning, ultimately more evil in nature but because of his beauty also more alluring.I liked The Talented Mr. Ripley, especially for Jude Law's amazing performance. It's the more suspenseful movie of the two. But this one digs deeper somehow. Highsmith created a fascinating character in Ripley, one whose motivation is so obscure many different interpretations are possible, a character also who makes for intriguing films. Ripley's Game, with John Malkovich in the titular role, is an underseen little gem, and I still very much want to see Hopper's take on the character in The American Friend. So far though, Plein Soleil is the Ripley film I like best. Originally posted on:As cool as a Fruitstand http://www.spout.com/blogs/marymcilwain/archive/2007/7/13/13846.aspx Post By: marymcilwain
Post To: Dollar Video Curator
Post Date: 7/13/2007 4:00:21 PM
Body: James Who-horn you ask? The Curator has so many movies with this guy in it, it’s rather ridiculous. Let's put it this way: what HASN'T he done, who HASN'T he co-starred opposite? 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon our ass. Most importantly, we have yet to actually see him in a starring role, and he therefore qualifies to appear in the Curator’s Co-star Hall of Fame. And what a Hall-of-Famer he is! Tall and gangly, with a sparkly tinge of mean in the eye, James shines most strong at playing domineering fathers, clever villains, stuffy lawyers and sneaky politicians with an agenda of their own. His receding hair line and hook nose make him the perfect receptacle to dump all your dislike into, thus saving your good graces for the starring celebs. Once again, a taken-for-granted talent bubbles to the top of the Curator’s melting-pot shelves of video. Let us discuss the many roles of The Talented Mr. Rebhorn. Check him out: The Game, The Talented Mr. Ripley, & Independence Day Viewing Order Importance: “W” The Game“Admit to yourself it sounds intriguing.” James cuts a fabulously tricky figure in The Game, starring as a company rep for Consumer Recreation Services. Here James has the important role of explaining to the most moronic of viewer the very plot of the movie, with a smile, wink and nudge. When Michael Douglas repeats back the question, “I feel guilty when I masturbate,” our James replies, “Hey I don’t write the questions. I just analyze the answers,” so nonchalantly you wouldn’t even mind him analyzing your own masturbations. When the tables are turned, his true character is revealed, the simpering “it’s not my fault” guy, who leads Michael back to the scene of the crime, as it were. He is enjoyable to the very end, with his finale being the embodiment of “that wacky party guy,” hamming it up and dancing the night away at the wrap party, pointy hat and all. The Talented Mr. Ripley“There’s female intuition, and then there’s fact.” Our James here is a rich, self important man who abhors his son Jude Law’s lifestyle. Where son likes Italy, jazz, boating and a life of sexual promiscuity ease, dad feels that may be somewhat irresponsible. Hence, he enlists the help of Matt Damon, a young man who is everything his own son ain’t. Dad has no problem funding THIS kid’s lifestyle however, providing him the means to track down and live it up with son, till things go bad with son anyway. The not nearly as talented Matt pulls the wool over practically everybody’s eyes, less the lovely Gwennth Paltrow. Our James though, ever the man’s man, puts Gwenny and her “intuition” in their place, lets Matt off the hook, and neatly wraps up his role by continuing to fund the partying lifestyle of Mr. Ripley. Independence Day“That’s not exactly true.” In the film titled after the most sacred day of the American year, Rebhorn plays the Secretary of Defense opposite Bill Pullman as President. The Curator doesn’t know how the rest of you feel about Bill Pullman as Prez btw, but we venture to say Pullman is about as presidential as Dennis Kucinich. However, we digress. The aliens are set to completely destroy all earthlings here, unless humans can somehow band together for one big hurrah. Rebhorn plays Albert Nimziki, a former CIA officer and the current Secretary of Defense. James really takes it for the team here, having been cast as the least like-able character outside of the aliens, including Randy Quaid, the drunk, redneck, dumb-ass crop duster. But that’s what our James is for, really. His suggestions are not taken to heart, he is fired near the end of the movie, and concludes his screen time by saying “I’m not Jewish.” Too which he is responded with, “Nobody’s perfect.” Love him or leave him, but respect the Rebhorn, he’s pretty dang good at it what he does. Rated: Double R for Rebhorn Rulez! Originally posted on:Dollar Video Curator
]]>Fri, 13 Jul 2007 20:00:21 GMTmarymcilwainDollar Video Curator7/13/2007 4:00:21 PMJames Who-horn you ask? The Curator has so many movies with this guy in it, it’s rather ridiculous. Let's put it this way: what HASN'T he done, who HASN'T he co-starred opposite? 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon our ass. Most importantly, we have yet to actually see him in a starring role, and he therefore qualifies to appear in the Curator’s Co-star Hall of Fame. And what a Hall-of-Famer he is! Tall and gangly, with a sparkly tinge of mean in the eye, James shines most strong at playing domineering fathers, clever villains, stuffy lawyers and sneaky politicians with an agenda of their own. His receding hair line and hook nose make him the perfect receptacle to dump all your dislike into, thus saving your good graces for the starring celebs. Once again, a taken-for-granted talent bubbles to the top of the Curator’s melting-pot shelves of video. Let us discuss the many roles of The Talented Mr. Rebhorn. Check him out: The Game, The Talented Mr. Ripley, & Independence Day Viewing Order Importance: “W” The Game“Admit to yourself it sounds intriguing.” James cuts a fabulously tricky figure in The Game, starring as a company rep for Consumer Recreation Services. Here James has the important role of explaining to the most moronic of viewer the very plot of the movie, with a smile, wink and nudge. When Michael Douglas repeats back the question, “I feel guilty when I masturbate,” our James replies, “Hey I don’t write the questions. I just analyze the answers,” so nonchalantly you wouldn’t even mind him analyzing your own masturbations. When the tables are turned, his true character is revealed, the simpering “it’s not my fault” guy, who leads Michael back to the scene of the crime, as it were. He is enjoyable to the very end, with his finale being the embodiment of “that wacky party guy,” hamming it up and dancing the night away at the wrap party, pointy hat and all. The Talented Mr. Ripley“There’s female intuition, and then there’s fact.” Our James here is a rich, self important man who abhors his son Jude Law’s lifestyle. Where son likes Italy, jazz, boating and a life of sexual promiscuity ease, dad feels that may be somewhat irresponsible. Hence, he enlists the help of Matt Damon, a young man who is everything his own son ain’t. Dad has no problem funding THIS kid’s lifestyle however, providing him the means to track down and live it up with son, till things go bad with son anyway. The not nearly as talented Matt pulls the wool over practically everybody’s eyes, less the lovely Gwennth Paltrow. Our James though, ever the man’s man, puts Gwenny and her “intuition” in their place, lets Matt off the hook, and neatly wraps up his role by continuing to fund the partying lifestyle of Mr. Ripley. Independence Day“That’s not exactly true.” In the film titled after the most sacred day of the American year, Rebhorn plays the Secretary of Defense opposite Bill Pullman as President. The Curator doesn’t know how the rest of you feel about Bill Pullman as Prez btw, but we venture to say Pullman is about as presidential as Dennis Kucinich. However, we digress. The aliens are set to completely destroy all earthlings here, unless humans can somehow band together for one big hurrah. Rebhorn plays Albert Nimziki, a former CIA officer and the current Secretary of Defense. James really takes it for the team here, having been cast as the least like-able character outside of the aliens, including Randy Quaid, the drunk, redneck, dumb-ass crop duster. But that’s what our James is for, really. His suggestions are not taken to heart, he is fired near the end of the movie, and concludes his screen time by saying “I’m not Jewish.” Too which he is responded with, “Nobody’s perfect.” Love him or leave him, but respect the Rebhorn, he’s pretty dang good at it what he does. Rated: Double R for Rebhorn Rulez! Originally posted on:Dollar Video Curator http://www.spout.com/blogs/jlgdrd/archive/2007/6/29/12541.aspx Post By: jlgdrd
Post To: Wicked Fun
Post Date: 6/29/2007 1:06:00 AM
Body: "Spiv " is a word the British use for someone who gets by on their wits (Americans might say "hustler" or "con") and could describe Dean Page's struggles with upward mobility in Duncan Roy's AKA. From the true story of Page's intuitive rise to comfort and privilege Roy has spun an affecting fable on self-respect, wealth, aristocracy and true class. Think of merging Pygmalion, The Talented Mr. Ripley and Catch Me If You Can, but resulting in a film successful on its' own terms. AKA is foremost about the caste system that makes self-esteem difficult if you must earn your own livelihood. Compared to the didacticism of Brecht and Shaw it is subtle and surprisingly revelatory, without the usual depiction of the moneyed class as depraved and menacing. On the contrary, in AKA we find unlikely heroes, numerous villains, plenty of blame to go around and spivs at every plateau.Early in the film, Dean's father kicks him out, ostensibly because he is gay, or perhaps because he piques his dad's sense of inadequacy, but as we suspect, crucial information is withheld and his mother is either too scared or subjugated to intervene. Spurred by desperation and a keen desire to move up in the world, he soon learns that his youth and fetching appearance are a currency that will carry him far. Finding legitimate attempts to better himself thwarted by those who only wish to degrade him, he learns the ropes of confidence and expediency, appropriating the identity of a nemesis in the bargain. When applying for a position at a Parisian Art Gallery, his chances look pretty bleak. He finds by changing his lineage that a job is secured, even if his qualifications haven't changed.A masterstroke of plotting is the charming American hustler named Benjamin. He is a character foil, to be sure, to Dean and to David Glendenning, who employs him for diversion and recreation. Benjamin is a hustler, to be sure, and Peter Youngblood Hills plays him with great finesse and allure. Benjamin falls in love with Dean, and as he points out much later, they have more in common than Benjamin realizes. Though when Benjamin insists that Dean move into their upscale Island of the Lost Boys, he tells Dean it's because "You're one of us." And it's okay, it works when we don't know if he means, rich, queer or on the make. Probably all three. Benjamin's character is essential because he begs the question of choosing between self-esteem and survival. When you're repeatedly told your worthless, you learn to subsist on jobs others are too proud to accept. When Dean has learned how to turn the trick, and pass himself off as Lord Gryffoyn, it's Benjamin who triggers his despicable conduct, who shows us the cost of Dean's transformation. Hills himself is exceptionally cute, but far more than a pretty face, he takes what could have been another excessive, pathetic stereotype and makes Benjamin unforgettable. His climactic scene with Matthew Leitch is positively wrenching.I expect much will be made of AKA's triple image technique, and rightly so. (Ironically the multiple screen is only optional on The DVD) It is projected on a single screen, as usual, but with three centered, adjacent, horizontal images. You could compare Carrie, where DiPalma used double and triple images at the payoff sequence and completely blew it, or The Pillow Book, in which Peter Greenaway used inset images to tremendous exponential effect. Duncan Roy uses this device successfully, I believe. There were times when I thought some of the photography redundant, but others when it brought in parallel information that made the events more intriguing. Chiefly it serves to show us differing points-of-view at the same time, an effect presumably not possible with a traditional two-shot. Roy also uses the multiplicity to chart various distances between camera and subject, usually Dean. Could it have worked just as well with a sequential shuffle of single, persistent images? Possibly. After the first twenty minutes it no longer called attention to itself and that is reason enough for validation.AKA transcends the underpinnings of its' predecessors. It is not funny, like Pygmalion, or jaunty, like Catch Me If You Can, or grim like The Talented Mr. Ripley. It surpasses melodrama with intense clarity and pathos. It does not seek to drag the sorrow from us, but picks its' instances of confrontation and trauma carefully, appealing to the audience's recognition of the deeper truths. And, strangely enough (considering that Mr. Roy is telling his own personal story) it doesn't deal in moral relativism. When he has his epiphany he returns home and pays his debt to society. The tagline could read, AKA: The last place you'd expect to find a moral compass.
]]>Fri, 29 Jun 2007 05:06:00 GMTjlgdrdWicked Fun6/29/2007 1:06:00 AM"Spiv " is a word the British use for someone who gets by on their wits (Americans might say "hustler" or "con") and could describe Dean Page&#39;s struggles with upward mobility in Duncan Roy&#39;s AKA. From the true story of Page&#39;s intuitive rise to comfort and privilege Roy has spun an affecting fable on self-respect, wealth, aristocracy and true class. Think of merging Pygmalion, The Talented Mr. Ripley and Catch Me If You Can, but resulting in a film successful on its&#39; own terms. AKA is foremost about the caste system that makes self-esteem difficult if you must earn your own livelihood. Compared to the didacticism of Brecht and Shaw it is subtle and surprisingly revelatory, without the usual depiction of the moneyed class as depraved and menacing. On the contrary, in AKA we find unlikely heroes, numerous villains, plenty of blame to go around and spivs at every plateau.Early in the film, Dean&#39;s father kicks him out, ostensibly because he is gay, or perhaps because he piques his dad&#39;s sense of inadequacy, but as we suspect, crucial information is withheld and his mother is either too scared or subjugated to intervene. Spurred by desperation and a keen desire to move up in the world, he soon learns that his youth and fetching appearance are a currency that will carry him far. Finding legitimate attempts to better himself thwarted by those who only wish to degrade him, he learns the ropes of confidence and expediency, appropriating the identity of a nemesis in the bargain. When applying for a position at a Parisian Art Gallery, his chances look pretty bleak. He finds by changing his lineage that a job is secured, even if his qualifications haven&#39;t changed.A masterstroke of plotting is the charming American hustler named Benjamin. He is a character foil, to be sure, to Dean and to David Glendenning, who employs him for diversion and recreation. Benjamin is a hustler, to be sure, and Peter Youngblood Hills plays him with great finesse and allure. Benjamin falls in love with Dean, and as he points out much later, they have more in common than Benjamin realizes. Though when Benjamin insists that Dean move into their upscale Island of the Lost Boys, he tells Dean it&#39;s because "You&#39;re one of us." And it&#39;s okay, it works when we don&#39;t know if he means, rich, queer or on the make. Probably all three. Benjamin&#39;s character is essential because he begs the question of choosing between self-esteem and survival. When you&#39;re repeatedly told your worthless, you learn to subsist on jobs others are too proud to accept. When Dean has learned how to turn the trick, and pass himself off as Lord Gryffoyn, it&#39;s Benjamin who triggers his despicable conduct, who shows us the cost of Dean&#39;s transformation. Hills himself is exceptionally cute, but far more than a pretty face, he takes what could have been another excessive, pathetic stereotype and makes Benjamin unforgettable. His climactic scene with Matthew Leitch is positively wrenching.I expect much will be made of AKA&#39;s triple image technique, and rightly so. (Ironically the multiple screen is only optional on The DVD) It is projected on a single screen, as usual, but with three centered, adjacent, horizontal images. You could compare Carrie, where DiPalma used double and triple images at the payoff sequence and completely blew it, or The Pillow Book, in which Peter Greenaway used inset images to tremendous exponential effect. Duncan Roy uses this device successfully, I believe. There were times when I thought some of the photography redundant, but others when it brought in parallel information that made the events more intriguing. Chiefly it serves to show us differing points-of-view at the same time, an effect presumably not possible with a traditional two-shot. Roy also uses the multiplicity to chart various distances between camera and subject, usually Dean. Could it have worked just as well with a sequential shuffle of single, persistent images? Possibly. After the first twenty minutes it no longer called attention to itself and that is reason enough for validation.AKA transcends the underpinnings of its&#39; predecessors. It is not funny, like Pygmalion, or jaunty, like Catch Me If You Can, or grim like The Talented Mr. Ripley. It surpasses melodrama with intense clarity and pathos. It does not seek to drag the sorrow from us, but picks its&#39; instances of confrontation and trauma carefully, appealing to the audience&#39;s recognition of the deeper truths. And, strangely enough (considering that Mr. Roy is telling his own personal story) it doesn&#39;t deal in moral relativism. When he has his epiphany he returns home and pays his debt to society. The tagline could read, AKA: The last place you&#39;d expect to find a moral compass. http://www.spout.com/blogs/marymcilwain/archive/2007/6/26/12279.aspx Post By: marymcilwain
Post To: Dollar Video Curator
Post Date: 6/26/2007 6:47:49 PM
Body: James Who-horn you ask? The Curator has so many movies with this guy in it, it’s rather ridiculous. Let's put it this way: what HASN'T he done, who HASN'T he co-starred opposite? 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon our ass. Most importantly, we have yet to actually see him in a starring role, and he therefore qualifies to appear in the Curator’s Co-star Hall of Fame. And what a Hall-of-Famer he is! Tall and gangly, with a sparkly tinge of mean in the eye, James shines most strong at playing domineering fathers, clever villains, stuffy lawyers and sneaky politicians with an agenda of their own. His receding hair line and hook nose make him the perfect receptacle to dump all your dislike into, thus saving your good graces for the starring celebs. Once again, a taken-for-granted talent bubbles to the top of the Curator’s melting-pot shelves of video. Let us discuss the many roles of The Talented Mr. Rebhorn. Check him out: The Game, The Talented Mr. Ripley, & Independence Day Viewing Order Importance: “W” The Game“Admit to yourself it sounds intriguing.” James cuts a fabulously tricky figure in The Game, starring as a company rep for Consumer Recreation Services. Here James has the important role of explaining to the most moronic of viewer the very plot of the movie, with a smile, wink and nudge. When Michael Douglas repeats back the question, “I feel guilty when I masturbate,” our James replies, “Hey I don’t write the questions. I just analyze the answers,” so nonchalantly you wouldn’t even mind him analyzing your own masturbations. When the tables are turned, his true character is revealed, the simpering “it’s not my fault” guy, who leads Michael back to the scene of the crime, as it were. He is enjoyable to the very end, with his finale being the embodiment of “that wacky party guy,” hamming it up and dancing the night away at the wrap party, pointy hat and all. The Talented Mr. Ripley“There’s female intuition, and then there’s fact.” Our James here is a rich, self important man who abhors his son Jude Law’s lifestyle. Where son likes Italy, jazz, boating and a life of sexual promiscuity ease, dad feels that may be somewhat irresponsible. Hence, he enlists the help of Matt Damon, a young man who is everything his own son ain’t. Dad has no problem funding THIS kid’s lifestyle however, providing him the means to track down and live it up with son, till things go bad with son anyway. The not nearly as talented Matt pulls the wool over practically everybody’s eyes, less the lovely Gwennth Paltrow. Our James though, ever the man’s man, puts Gwenny and her “intuition” in their place, lets Matt off the hook, and neatly wraps up his role by continuing to fund the partying lifestyle of Mr. Ripley. Independence Day“That’s not exactly true.” In the film titled after the most sacred day of the American year, Rebhorn plays the Secretary of Defense opposite Bill Pullman as President. The Curator doesn’t know how the rest of you feel about Bill Pullman as Prez btw, but we venture to say Pullman is about as presidential as Dennis Kucinich. However, we digress. The aliens are set to completely destroy all earthlings here, unless humans can somehow band together for one big hurrah. Rebhorn plays Albert Nimziki, a former CIA officer and the current Secretary of Defense. James really takes it for the team here, having been cast as the least like-able character outside of the aliens, including Randy Quaid, the drunk, redneck, dumb-ass crop duster. But that’s what our James is for, really. His suggestions are not taken to heart, he is fired near the end of the movie, and concludes his screen time by saying “I’m not Jewish.” Too which he is responded with, “Nobody’s perfect.” Love him or leave him, but respect the Rebhorn, he’s pretty dang good at it what he does. Rated: Double R for Rebhorn Rulez! Originally posted on:Dollar Video Curator
]]>Tue, 26 Jun 2007 22:47:49 GMTmarymcilwainDollar Video Curator6/26/2007 6:47:49 PMJames Who-horn you ask? The Curator has so many movies with this guy in it, it’s rather ridiculous. Let's put it this way: what HASN'T he done, who HASN'T he co-starred opposite? 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon our ass. Most importantly, we have yet to actually see him in a starring role, and he therefore qualifies to appear in the Curator’s Co-star Hall of Fame. And what a Hall-of-Famer he is! Tall and gangly, with a sparkly tinge of mean in the eye, James shines most strong at playing domineering fathers, clever villains, stuffy lawyers and sneaky politicians with an agenda of their own. His receding hair line and hook nose make him the perfect receptacle to dump all your dislike into, thus saving your good graces for the starring celebs. Once again, a taken-for-granted talent bubbles to the top of the Curator’s melting-pot shelves of video. Let us discuss the many roles of The Talented Mr. Rebhorn. Check him out: The Game, The Talented Mr. Ripley, & Independence Day Viewing Order Importance: “W” The Game“Admit to yourself it sounds intriguing.” James cuts a fabulously tricky figure in The Game, starring as a company rep for Consumer Recreation Services. Here James has the important role of explaining to the most moronic of viewer the very plot of the movie, with a smile, wink and nudge. When Michael Douglas repeats back the question, “I feel guilty when I masturbate,” our James replies, “Hey I don’t write the questions. I just analyze the answers,” so nonchalantly you wouldn’t even mind him analyzing your own masturbations. When the tables are turned, his true character is revealed, the simpering “it’s not my fault” guy, who leads Michael back to the scene of the crime, as it were. He is enjoyable to the very end, with his finale being the embodiment of “that wacky party guy,” hamming it up and dancing the night away at the wrap party, pointy hat and all. The Talented Mr. Ripley“There’s female intuition, and then there’s fact.” Our James here is a rich, self important man who abhors his son Jude Law’s lifestyle. Where son likes Italy, jazz, boating and a life of sexual promiscuity ease, dad feels that may be somewhat irresponsible. Hence, he enlists the help of Matt Damon, a young man who is everything his own son ain’t. Dad has no problem funding THIS kid’s lifestyle however, providing him the means to track down and live it up with son, till things go bad with son anyway. The not nearly as talented Matt pulls the wool over practically everybody’s eyes, less the lovely Gwennth Paltrow. Our James though, ever the man’s man, puts Gwenny and her “intuition” in their place, lets Matt off the hook, and neatly wraps up his role by continuing to fund the partying lifestyle of Mr. Ripley. Independence Day“That’s not exactly true.” In the film titled after the most sacred day of the American year, Rebhorn plays the Secretary of Defense opposite Bill Pullman as President. The Curator doesn’t know how the rest of you feel about Bill Pullman as Prez btw, but we venture to say Pullman is about as presidential as Dennis Kucinich. However, we digress. The aliens are set to completely destroy all earthlings here, unless humans can somehow band together for one big hurrah. Rebhorn plays Albert Nimziki, a former CIA officer and the current Secretary of Defense. James really takes it for the team here, having been cast as the least like-able character outside of the aliens, including Randy Quaid, the drunk, redneck, dumb-ass crop duster. But that’s what our James is for, really. His suggestions are not taken to heart, he is fired near the end of the movie, and concludes his screen time by saying “I’m not Jewish.” Too which he is responded with, “Nobody’s perfect.” Love him or leave him, but respect the Rebhorn, he’s pretty dang good at it what he does. Rated: Double R for Rebhorn Rulez! Originally posted on:Dollar Video Curator http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/murder/MemberTagFilms.aspxmurder
Number of films tagged: 8748

Number of people who tagged: 157

Number of times used: 831

]]>Sun, 20 Dec 2009 18:42:29 GMT8748157831Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/friendship/MemberTagFilms.aspxfriendship
Number of films tagged: 6791

Number of people who tagged: 154

Number of times used: 980

]]>Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:42:20 GMT6791154980Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/music/MemberTagFilms.aspxmusic
Number of films tagged: 4341

Number of people who tagged: 144

Number of times used: 481

]]>Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:51:44 GMT4341144481Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/Boring/MemberTagFilms.aspxBoring
Number of films tagged: 177

Number of people who tagged: 105

Number of times used: 207

]]>Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:44:27 GMT177105207Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/intense/MemberTagFilms.aspxintense
Number of films tagged: 162

Number of people who tagged: 81

Number of times used: 249

]]>Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:07:45 GMT16281249Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/suicide/MemberTagFilms.aspxsuicide
Number of films tagged: 1828

Number of people who tagged: 80

Number of times used: 185

]]>Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:40:50 GMT182880185Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/thriller/MemberTagFilms.aspxthriller
Number of films tagged: 201

Number of people who tagged: 74

Number of times used: 247

]]>Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:01:30 GMT20174247Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/suspense/MemberTagFilms.aspxsuspense
Number of films tagged: 129

Number of people who tagged: 66

Number of times used: 189

]]>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:28:43 GMT12966189Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/obsession/MemberTagFilms.aspxobsession
Number of films tagged: 1134

Number of people who tagged: 64

Number of times used: 136

]]>Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:00:49 GMT113464136Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/deception/MemberTagFilms.aspxdeception
Number of films tagged: 1090

Number of people who tagged: 55

Number of times used: 123

]]>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:18:11 GMT109055123Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/identity/MemberTagFilms.aspxidentity
Number of films tagged: 595

Number of people who tagged: 53

Number of times used: 91

]]>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:43:41 GMT5955391Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/italy/MemberTagFilms.aspxitaly
Number of films tagged: 527

Number of people who tagged: 46

Number of times used: 66

]]>Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:13:42 GMT5274666Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/slow/MemberTagFilms.aspxslow
Number of films tagged: 92

Number of people who tagged: 46

Number of times used: 106

]]>Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:42:26 GMT9246106Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/pregnancy/MemberTagFilms.aspxpregnancy
Number of films tagged: 1306

Number of people who tagged: 44

Number of times used: 110

]]>Sun, 20 Sep 2009 05:22:12 GMT130644110Tag http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/clever/MemberTagFilms.aspxclever
Number of films tagged: 57

Number of people who tagged: 40

Number of times used: 74

]]>Sat, 20 Jun 2009 14:40:08 GMT574074Tag