The Devil's Own (1997) Review

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(More customer reviews)I saw this film in the theatres and liked it well enough. Seeing it again on DVD really helped my comprehension of it.
I thought the story was told well. The filmmakers showed the contrast between the sad bitterness and violence that Brad Pitt's character endures (and embraces), and the warm loving home that Harrison Ford opens to him. We the viewers sympathise with Pitt's character, even though we know -- he's gone too far. Where can he go when he's already gone too far?
The story was well-told, the acting well-done. I am no expert on Irish accents, but I wasn't overly bothered with Brad Pitt's. I thought he did a fine job, in both his acting and his accent. Harrison Ford, as usual, gives an excellent performance. I wished I could have seen more scenes with Margaret Colin (who plays Ford's wife) because she's always good. Treat Williams did a fine job as a menacing arms dealer.
Special kudos go out to James Horner for the musical score. The first time I saw this film, I was so impressed by the music so I trotted out and bought the CD soundtrack; it's been one of my favorites ever since. Horner isn't always my #1 favorite film composer (but he's usually fine) but this beautiful Irish-themed score is something special. It supports the film admirably (which is the whole purpose of soundtrack scores) but is heart-wrenchingly exquisite to listen to on its own.
I recommend this film. Perhaps it has a few flaws, but I really enjoyed it (and was moved by it) the second time around.

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Troy (Two-Disc Widescreen Edition) (2004) Review

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(More customer reviews)Features 2 new extras: "Troy In Focus" a 23 minute interview and a new 5 minute introduction by Wolfgang Peterson. Most of the other special features have been ported over from the previous edition.
First the most important question is whether or not this double dip is worth it? Absolutely because the additional footage only enhances the film giving it additional depth. The transfer is striking (regardless of which format)as well. In many respects this isn't a double dip because we get a film that is superior to the original version.
Unlike "The Illiad" Wolfgang Petersen's film "Troy" seemed too short and for good reason; Petersen had to trim the film down to a shorter length for its theatrical release. Luckily Warner gave Petersen the opportunity to revisit this epic film and add more meat to the bones of a film that had the look of an epic but was missing much of the emotional depth.
Petersen restores roughly 32 minutes to the film giving additional depth to the various relationships in the film. While "Troy" isn't a perfect epic, it's much improved. James Horner's score is still occasionally obtrusive but the overall impact of Petersen's film with its marvelous performances from Brian Cox (who steals almost every scene he's in), the quiet power of Eric Bana and even the gravity of Pitt as Achilles is far more effective than the previous version.
Image quality is superb for both the DVD and Blu Ray verisons of the film (the Blu Ray, of course, gets the nod because the images are much sharper, crisper with better definition but the DVD isn't too shabby either). Audio for the Blu Ray is presented lossless while the DVD's audio sounds terrific given the limitations of the format. Colors are a bit bolder here than on the previous version to my eyes.
It appears that a lot of the special features from the previous edition have been ported over and the only new things are the introduction by Petersen as well as a retrospective 23 minute interview where Petersen discusses the genesis of the original film and this project.
This film version much more closely resembles what he had in mind when he took on the project. Greek mythology purists will find some of the changes disturbing but some of the changes enhance the film pulling the strands of the story together a little tighter.

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Brad Pitt picks up a sword and brings a muscular, brooding presence to the role of Greek warrior Achilles in this spectacular retelling of The Iliad. Orlando Bloom and Diane Kruger play the legendary lovers who plunge the world into war, Eric Bana portrays the prince who dares to confront Achilles, and Peter O'Toole rules Troy as King Priam. Director Wolfgang Petersen recreates a long-ago world of bireme warships, clashing armies, the massive fortress city and the towering Trojan Horse.DVD Features:FeaturettePhoto galleryTheatrical Trailer

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Legends of the Fall (Special Edition) (1995) Review

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(More customer reviews)This review refers to the Special Edition DVD(TriStar/Columbia)
Right from the start of this film, Director Edward Zwick and Cinematographer John Toll, take us on a magnificent journey through some of the most breathtaking vistas,shot mostly on the Stoney Indian Reserve near Calgary.Viewed throughout with James Horner's score is a beautiful experience right in your own living room.
Three brother's, their love for each other,their father, and for one woman is the main focus of the story. Tristan is the middle son, his father's favorite, he is as wild as the Montana country where they live in the early 1900's. It is he who we follow on a journey of darkness, enlightenment and finally self-discovery.It is an epic story,that follows the lives of the Ludlow family for many years, through WWI,passion, secrets,tragedies, and bonds.
The tale is narrated by Gordon Tootoosis, a Chief of the Cree nation, who was mentor to Tristan and taught him well the ways of becoming one with nature.
Starring in this Cinematic treat are Brad Pitt(Tristan), Aidan Quinn,Henry Thomas, Sir Anthony Hopkins(Col. Ludlow), and as the woman they all love Julia Ormand(Suzanne).All turning in superb performances.
The DVD is as much of a treat as the film itself. The film won an Academy Award for Best Cinematoghraphy in 1994 and it really shows on this edition. Colors are perfect,picture immaculate, and the sound(in 5.1 Dolby Digital)completes the total home theatre package.
It is in widescreen. There's a ton of special features, including the making of featurette, some great commentary by Zwick and Pitt, and more. The movie can be played in several languages or with subtitles.
If you've never seen it,this film has something for everyone, war, romance,western adventure,action,drama It will sweep you off your feet, and you will want to watch it again. If youve already seen it you will not be dissapointed with the transfer to this DVD
Hopkins and Pitt also team up again in:Meet Joe Blacksee my review for film details
Enjoy.....Laurie

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Star Power Pack (Legends of the Fall / A River Runs Through It / The Devil's Own) (1997) Review

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(More customer reviews)Legends of the Fall and A River Runs Through It are just beautiful movies! The scenery is gorgeous, the stories are epic, and of course Brad Pitt is easy on the eyes! If you like dramas and want to get lost in a great story, all of these movies will pull you in and make you think.

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Ocean's Eleven (Widescreen Edition) (2001) Review

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(More customer reviews)"Ocean's Eleven" is a Ferrari of a movie: cool, stylish, and classy. And if, like a Ferrari, it doesn't always work, that's OK - who will complain when it's so stylish?
The premise is lifted right out of the 1960 Rat Pack original: Danny Ocean (George Clooney, suave as hell) is released from prison, and plots to steal over $163 million from the vault of a Las Vegas casino during a heavyweight fight. He recruits his old buddy Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt), and they put together a dream team of crooks, each of whom has a specialty. There's a computer geek, a demolition expert, a con man, a pickpocket, and so on.
And, of course, there's Danny's ex-wife, Tess (Julia Roberts), who's now involved with the manager (Andy Garcia) of the casino Danny intends to rob. So, Danny's not only after money - he wants his girl back as well. But she's having nothing of it, as evidenced by this neat dialogue piece:
Danny: "I've paid my debt to society."
Tess: "Funny, I haven't gotten my check yet."
Dialogue like that is one of the great pleasures of this movie; watching it delivered by the likes of Clooney, Roberts, Pitt and the stellar supporting cast (Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Carl Reiner, Elliott Gould, et al) is the other.
And, in fairness, it's a good thing that the dialogue and acting is so good, because as a pure caper flick, "Ocean's Eleven" is, to be charitable, a little thin. In the best caper movies ("The Heist" comes to mind), the theft itself is the star of the movie - the intracicies, the backup plans, the intrigue. In "Ocean's Eleven," we're expected to believe that a casino with over $150 million in its vault wouldn't have a backup power generator, or that the vault's security system wouldn't have a motion sensor.
But criticisms like that are akin to nitpicking that red Ferrari 575 because it has a small trunk - the point isn't realism, it's style, and like a Ferrari, "Ocean's Eleven" has it in droves.

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Danny Ocean likes his chances. All he asks is that his handpicked squad of 10 grifters and cons play the game like they have nothing to lose. If all goes right, the payoff will be a fat $150 million. Divided by 11. You do the math.DVD Features:Audio Commentary:Feature-length audio commentary with stars Matt Damon, Brad Pitt and Andy Garcia Feature-length audio commentary with director Steven Soderbergh and screenwriter Ted GriffinDVD ROM Features:DVD-ROM enabled -- "In or Out" Game and web linksDocumentaries:Behind-the-scenes documentary HBO First Look: "The Making Of Ocean's Eleven" Behind-the-scenes documentary: "The Look Of the Con", an inside look at the fashion in Ocean's ElevenInteractive MenusScene AccessTheatrical Trailer

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Ocean's Twelve (2004) Review

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(More customer reviews)I saw Ocean's Eleven, reluctantly, and fell in love. It opened the door for me to be able to tolerate George Clooney and Brad Pitt (although 12 Monkeys and Fight Club continue to be his best work). That being said, Twelve was NOT Eleven.
This does not make it bad, just different. The difference though being a rather large one. Instead of one tremendously clever caper, we have three blase ones with alot of down time in between. And herein is where I think alot of people torched this film. They wanted to see the exact same genius of the first script and instead got Ocean and crew palling around Europe. This film is by no means a mind buster, but it IS an enjoyable film with some rather entertaining times and the same type of story one would expect the writers to come up with for this crew.
All in all, not the best one out of the group, but I challenge anyone who bashed this film for not being as good as the first one to give me a series of films that consistently IMPROVED upon itself. There have been A LOT of letdown sequels out there, I would not go so far as saying this one was a letdown. Eleven was 5 stars........this one is four, for simply being a fun film as long as you can sit back and not start making Ocean's Eleven comparisons. Sure it bears the namesake, but it is NOT the same film. And honestly, it does a great job showing just how clever Terry Benedict can be as the villain. One of Andy Garcia's best roles, albeit short lived.
I got to apologize for reviewing the film itself instead of the product, but I honestly felt this was being unfairly represented by alot of the reviews. Hope this helps give some counterpoint. And FYI, the disk is great I simply wish it had a little more meat. Not alot in the way of extras

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They're back. And then some. Twelve is the new eleven when Danny Ocean and pals return in a sequel to the cool caper that saw them pull off a $160 million heist. But 160 million doesn't go as far as it used to. Not with everyone spending like sailors on leave. Not with a mysterious someone stalking Danny and crew. It's time to pull off another stunner of a plan?or plans. With locations including Amsterdam, Paris and Rome, the direction of Steven Soderbergh and the original cast plus Catherine Zeta-Jones and others, Twelve is your lucky number.

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