JakeStevens Blog

What A Cast!

Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]

Under discussion:

China Moon (1994)

I bought this a few weeks ago when a local Hollywood Video store was closing (I think I paid one dollar for it...maybe less). What a steal! Ed Harris, a VERY young looking Benicio Del Toro and most of all, a mesmerizing and jaw-droppingly beautiful Madeleine Stowe keep the pace brisk in this somewhat predictable thriller. The performances of the above mentioned actors is what keeps this film from sinking like a dead body into the bog of other similarly-themed films, but doesn't quite make it to masterpiece level (ala Double Indemnity or Casablanca). I would say this would make a good Sunday night rental.

Posted Thursday, January 10, 2008 12:31 AM by JakeStevens | with 0 comments

A Striking Film From The Vaults That Shouldn't Be Forgotten

Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]

Under discussion:

All the King's Men (1949)

I think a film like this holds up WONDERFULLY, ESPECIALLY in today's uber-corrupt political arena. I'm curious to see the remake (Anthony Hopkins is a personal favorite of mine). I've got a feeling that this may be the better film, though. Broderick Crawford did an EXCELLENT job of portraying the Huey Long clone Willie Stark, and my only gripes are the acting is often hammy (as is the case in a lot of earlier films) and the ending comes up with disappointing brevity. Apart from that, though, I can see why this won the Best Picture Oscar back in the day.

Posted Thursday, January 10, 2008 12:25 AM by JakeStevens | with 0 comments