Vin Diesel’s 2003 action thriller A Man Apart has recently surged to the top of the Tubi streaming chart, defying more than two decades of terrible reviews from critics to find a new audience. The words “free streaming” and “Vin Diesel action movie” really do combine to make a strangely attractive prospect to many casual viewers scrolling for something to pass a couple of hours. Best known for iconic roles in franchises like Fast & Furious and Riddick, Diesel’s earlier work in A Man Apart offers a darker and more emotional story for the actor to handle. Unfortunately, critics seem to prefer it when he is just driving like a boy-racer and blowing things up.
Directed by F. Gary Gray, who would later collaborate with Diesel on The Fate of the Furious, A Man Apart tells the story of DEA agent Sean Vetter, a man looking for revenge over...
Directed by F. Gary Gray, who would later collaborate with Diesel on The Fate of the Furious, A Man Apart tells the story of DEA agent Sean Vetter, a man looking for revenge over...
- 12/22/2024
- by Anthony Lund
- MovieWeb
They say any story worth telling is worth telling twice. It is an adage Hollywood heartily believes in, with an increasing number of new films being adaptations of existing IP, from comics to games, to older films. Oscar-nominated filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, the mastermind behind previous remakes including Suspiria and A Bigger Splash, inspired by La Piscine, recently revealed to Variety the intention behind his next film, which is going to be a remake of Scarface.
"People claim that I do only remakes, but the truth of the matter is cinema has been remaking itself throughout its existence. It's not because it's a lazy way of not being able to find original stories. It's alway about looking at what certain stories say about our times."
When people think of Scarface, they're usually thinking of the 1983 film starring Al Pacino playing the role of Cuban refugee Tony Montana, whose violent and colorful...
"People claim that I do only remakes, but the truth of the matter is cinema has been remaking itself throughout its existence. It's not because it's a lazy way of not being able to find original stories. It's alway about looking at what certain stories say about our times."
When people think of Scarface, they're usually thinking of the 1983 film starring Al Pacino playing the role of Cuban refugee Tony Montana, whose violent and colorful...
- 7/11/2020
- by Neeraj Chand
- MovieWeb
We've lost another big screen star as character actor Geno Silva has reportedly passed away. With a career spanning decades, one of Silva's most notable roles includes playing the hitman who dispatches Tony Montana in Scarface in one of cinema history's all-time biggest moments. According to reports, Silva died at his Los Angeles home on Monday due to complications from a form of dementia called frontotemporal degeneration. He was 72 years old.
Silva was born on Jan. 20, 1948, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. As an actor, his most recognizable role is perhaps that of the henchman nicknamed "The Skull" in the classic gangster movie Scarface. In the hit movie, The Skull is a silent hitman hired by drug lord Alejandro Sosa (Paul Shenar) to take out iconic character Tony Montana (Al Pacino), which he does in the climax of the film. Although many of his colleagues are taken out in the process, it's...
Silva was born on Jan. 20, 1948, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. As an actor, his most recognizable role is perhaps that of the henchman nicknamed "The Skull" in the classic gangster movie Scarface. In the hit movie, The Skull is a silent hitman hired by drug lord Alejandro Sosa (Paul Shenar) to take out iconic character Tony Montana (Al Pacino), which he does in the climax of the film. Although many of his colleagues are taken out in the process, it's...
- 5/18/2020
- by Jeremy Dick
- MovieWeb
Geno Silva, best known for his role in 1983’s Scarface, has died. He was 72. The actor died at his home on May 9 from a form of dementia called frontotemporal degeneration, according to various news outlets. Silva is most famous for playing The Skull in Scarface, who’s the silent hitman who takes out Tony Montana […]
The post Geno Silva, Who Played The Skull In ‘Scarface,’ Dies At 72 appeared first on uInterview.
The post Geno Silva, Who Played The Skull In ‘Scarface,’ Dies At 72 appeared first on uInterview.
- 5/18/2020
- by Marie Fiero
- Uinterview
Former WWE Superstar Shad Gaspard, one-half of tag team Cryme Tyme, has gone missing after being dragged out to sea by a strong undertow in the Marina Del Rey Beach area.
Gaspard, 39, was swimming with his 10-year-old son when lifeguards began rescuing swimmers from the dangerous waters around 4 p.m., according to TMZ. Gaspard’s son was saved, the outlet added, after the ex-wrestler instructed lifeguards to help the boy first before coming back for him.
Officials also told TMZ that they believe Gaspard “did submerge” in the ocean.
Also Read: Geno Silva, 'Scarface' Actor, Dies at 72
Representatives for the Los Angeles County Fire Department did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
Local Fox reporter Mario Ramirez tweeted on Monday that divers have resumed their search for Gaspard.
La County Sheriff’s divers just resumed the search for 10-year-old boy’s father who was caught in strong rip currents yesterday.
Gaspard, 39, was swimming with his 10-year-old son when lifeguards began rescuing swimmers from the dangerous waters around 4 p.m., according to TMZ. Gaspard’s son was saved, the outlet added, after the ex-wrestler instructed lifeguards to help the boy first before coming back for him.
Officials also told TMZ that they believe Gaspard “did submerge” in the ocean.
Also Read: Geno Silva, 'Scarface' Actor, Dies at 72
Representatives for the Los Angeles County Fire Department did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
Local Fox reporter Mario Ramirez tweeted on Monday that divers have resumed their search for Gaspard.
La County Sheriff’s divers just resumed the search for 10-year-old boy’s father who was caught in strong rip currents yesterday.
- 5/18/2020
- by Tony Maglio and Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
Folk rock musicians the Indigo Girls are getting the first documentary film of their 30-plus year career thanks to director Alexandria Bombach and Multitude Films.
The film doesn’t have a specific release date or title, and Bombach said in a statement it will be completed in “early 2021.” The Indigo Girls release their 15th studio album, “Look Long,” on May 22.
Since forming the band in 1985, Indigo Girls duo Amy Ray and Emily Saliers have become global queer icons and received awards for both their musical talents and social activism. The pair won a best contemporary folk recording Grammy Award in 1991 for their song “Hammer and a Nail” and received a Pell Award For Lifetime Achievement in the Arts in 2019. Their eponymous second studio album went double platinum in 1989.
Also Read: Geno Silva, 'Scarface' Actor, Dies at 72
The documentary will include “nearly forty years of video archive that has been locked away in Amy’s basement,...
The film doesn’t have a specific release date or title, and Bombach said in a statement it will be completed in “early 2021.” The Indigo Girls release their 15th studio album, “Look Long,” on May 22.
Since forming the band in 1985, Indigo Girls duo Amy Ray and Emily Saliers have become global queer icons and received awards for both their musical talents and social activism. The pair won a best contemporary folk recording Grammy Award in 1991 for their song “Hammer and a Nail” and received a Pell Award For Lifetime Achievement in the Arts in 2019. Their eponymous second studio album went double platinum in 1989.
Also Read: Geno Silva, 'Scarface' Actor, Dies at 72
The documentary will include “nearly forty years of video archive that has been locked away in Amy’s basement,...
- 5/18/2020
- by Samson Amore
- The Wrap
Geno Silva, an actor best known for playing the silent assassin that took down Tony Montana in 1983’s “Scarface,” has died. He was 72.
The actor died in his home in Los Angeles on May 9 of complications from a form of dementia known as frontotemporal degeneration, something he had suffered with for the last 15 years, his family told The Hollywood Reporter).
In “Scarface,” Silva played The Skull, the man who finally brings down Al Pacino’s character in the bloody climax to Brian De Palma’s 1983 film, all without uttering a word.
The actor died in his home in Los Angeles on May 9 of complications from a form of dementia known as frontotemporal degeneration, something he had suffered with for the last 15 years, his family told The Hollywood Reporter).
In “Scarface,” Silva played The Skull, the man who finally brings down Al Pacino’s character in the bloody climax to Brian De Palma’s 1983 film, all without uttering a word.
- 5/18/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Geno Silva, who is best known for his role as The Skull in Brian De Palma’s Scarface died on May 9 in Los Angeles of complications from frontotemporal degeneration. He was 72.
Silva was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on January 20, 1948. He went on to have a career on stage and screen. In Scarface (1983), his character is one of the most memorable characters as he is the one who kills Al Pacino’s Tony Montana during the movie’s climax.
He also appeared in David Lynch’s critically acclaimed neo-noir Mulholland Drive (2001) starring Naomi Watts. His credits also include many big-banner movies such as Steven Spielberg’s Amistad (1997) and The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) as well as A Man Apart (2003) from F. Gary Gray, 1941 (1979) and Tequila Sunrise (1988).
His television credits include Hill Street Blues, Days of Our Lives, Key West, Walker Texas Rangers, Star Trek: Enterprise and Alias. In 1994, he...
Silva was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on January 20, 1948. He went on to have a career on stage and screen. In Scarface (1983), his character is one of the most memorable characters as he is the one who kills Al Pacino’s Tony Montana during the movie’s climax.
He also appeared in David Lynch’s critically acclaimed neo-noir Mulholland Drive (2001) starring Naomi Watts. His credits also include many big-banner movies such as Steven Spielberg’s Amistad (1997) and The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) as well as A Man Apart (2003) from F. Gary Gray, 1941 (1979) and Tequila Sunrise (1988).
His television credits include Hill Street Blues, Days of Our Lives, Key West, Walker Texas Rangers, Star Trek: Enterprise and Alias. In 1994, he...
- 5/18/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Geno Silva, the character actor perhaps best known for playing The Skull, the hitman who takes out Al Pacino's Tony Montana in the explosive climax of Scarface, has died. He was 72.
Silva died May 9 at his home in Los Angeles of complications from frontotemporal degeneration, a form of dementia, his family announced.
During his four-decade career, Silva also could be seen in Luis Valdez's Zoot Suit (1981) — he was in the 1979 Broadway production opposite Edward James Olmos — Robert Towne's Tequila Sunrise (1988); Steven Spielberg's Amistad and The Lost World: Jurassic Park, both released in 1997; David ...
Silva died May 9 at his home in Los Angeles of complications from frontotemporal degeneration, a form of dementia, his family announced.
During his four-decade career, Silva also could be seen in Luis Valdez's Zoot Suit (1981) — he was in the 1979 Broadway production opposite Edward James Olmos — Robert Towne's Tequila Sunrise (1988); Steven Spielberg's Amistad and The Lost World: Jurassic Park, both released in 1997; David ...
- 5/17/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Geno Silva, the character actor perhaps best known for playing The Skull, the hitman who takes out Al Pacino's Tony Montana in the explosive climax of Scarface, has died. He was 72.
Silva died May 9 at his home in Los Angeles of complications from frontotemporal degeneration, a form of dementia, his family announced.
During his four-decade career, Silva also could be seen in Luis Valdez's Zoot Suit (1981) — he was in the 1979 Broadway production opposite Edward James Olmos — Robert Towne's Tequila Sunrise (1988); Steven Spielberg's Amistad and The Lost World: Jurassic Park, both released in 1997; David ...
Silva died May 9 at his home in Los Angeles of complications from frontotemporal degeneration, a form of dementia, his family announced.
During his four-decade career, Silva also could be seen in Luis Valdez's Zoot Suit (1981) — he was in the 1979 Broadway production opposite Edward James Olmos — Robert Towne's Tequila Sunrise (1988); Steven Spielberg's Amistad and The Lost World: Jurassic Park, both released in 1997; David ...
- 5/17/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
1976: Pat wanted to stop seeing Faith on Ryan's Hope.
1981: Guiding Light's Jennifer made a courtroom confession.
1986: Santa Barbara's Mason was shocked his father was well.
1995: General Hospital's Monica met 11-year-old Emily."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1936: Radio soap opera Dan Harding's Wife premiered. It ran until on NBC Radio until February 10, 1939. Isabel Randolph starred as Rhoda Harding.
1958: On The Edge of Night, Roy Benson called Fitzsimmons to tell him trouble was brewing.
1967: On Another World, Liz (Audra Lindley) encouraged...
1981: Guiding Light's Jennifer made a courtroom confession.
1986: Santa Barbara's Mason was shocked his father was well.
1995: General Hospital's Monica met 11-year-old Emily."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1936: Radio soap opera Dan Harding's Wife premiered. It ran until on NBC Radio until February 10, 1939. Isabel Randolph starred as Rhoda Harding.
1958: On The Edge of Night, Roy Benson called Fitzsimmons to tell him trouble was brewing.
1967: On Another World, Liz (Audra Lindley) encouraged...
- 1/20/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1976: Pat wanted to stop seeing Faith on Ryan's Hope.
1981: Guiding Light's Jennifer made a courtroom confession.
1986: Santa Barbara's Mason was shocked his father was well.
1995: General Hospital's Monica met 11-year-old Emily."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1936: Radio soap opera Dan Harding's Wife premiered. It ran until on NBC Radio until February 10, 1939. Isabel Randolph starred as Rhoda Harding.
1981: Guiding Light's Jennifer made a courtroom confession.
1986: Santa Barbara's Mason was shocked his father was well.
1995: General Hospital's Monica met 11-year-old Emily."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1936: Radio soap opera Dan Harding's Wife premiered. It ran until on NBC Radio until February 10, 1939. Isabel Randolph starred as Rhoda Harding.
- 1/20/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has revealed its 276-member-strong class of 2013.
The list, published by The Hollywood Reporter, includes actors, cinematographers, designers, directors, documentarians, executives, film editors, makeup artists and hairstylists, "members-at-large," musicians, producers, PR folks, short filmmakers and animators, sound technicians, visual effects artists, and writers.
Jason Bateman, Rosario Dawson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Milla Jovovich, Lucy Liu, Jennifer Lopez, Emily Mortimer, Sandra Oh, Jason Schwartzman, and Michael Peña are among the roster of actors, while "The Heat" and "Bridesmaids" helmer Paul Feig made the directors' cut.
"We did not change our criteria at all," says Academy president Hawk Koch of this year's larger-than-usual class. "Yes, this year there is a tremendous amount of women, a tremendous amount of people of color, people from all walks of life. This year, we asked the branches to look at everybody who wasn't in the Academy but who deserved to be.
The list, published by The Hollywood Reporter, includes actors, cinematographers, designers, directors, documentarians, executives, film editors, makeup artists and hairstylists, "members-at-large," musicians, producers, PR folks, short filmmakers and animators, sound technicians, visual effects artists, and writers.
Jason Bateman, Rosario Dawson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Milla Jovovich, Lucy Liu, Jennifer Lopez, Emily Mortimer, Sandra Oh, Jason Schwartzman, and Michael Peña are among the roster of actors, while "The Heat" and "Bridesmaids" helmer Paul Feig made the directors' cut.
"We did not change our criteria at all," says Academy president Hawk Koch of this year's larger-than-usual class. "Yes, this year there is a tremendous amount of women, a tremendous amount of people of color, people from all walks of life. This year, we asked the branches to look at everybody who wasn't in the Academy but who deserved to be.
- 7/4/2013
- by Laura Larson
- Moviefone
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today the 276 members of the entertainment industry invited to join organization. The list includes actors, directors, documentarians, executives, film editors, producers and more. Of those listed below, those who accept the invitations will be the only additions to the Academy's membership in 2013. "These individuals are among the best filmmakers working in the industry today," said Academy President Hawk Koch in a press release. "Their talent and creativity have captured the imagination of audiences worldwide, and I am proud to welcome each of them to the Academy." Koch also told Variety, "In the past eight or nine years, each branch could only bring in X amount of members. There were people each branch would have liked to get in but couldn't. We asked them to be more inclusive of the best of the best, and each branch was excited, because they got...
- 6/28/2013
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
The Academy just added 276 Oscar voters.
That’s 100 more than last year, and part of an easing of a longstanding cap on the number of new members allowed to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences each year.
AMPAS usually adds between 130 and 180 new members, replacing those who have quit or passed away. The membership now stands around 6,000.
Jason Bateman, Jennifer Lopez, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emmanuelle Riva, and Chris Tucker are among the actors who have been invited to join, the organization announced today.
Other interesting additions: the musician Prince, Girls and Tiny Furniture writer/director/actress Lena Dunham,...
That’s 100 more than last year, and part of an easing of a longstanding cap on the number of new members allowed to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences each year.
AMPAS usually adds between 130 and 180 new members, replacing those who have quit or passed away. The membership now stands around 6,000.
Jason Bateman, Jennifer Lopez, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emmanuelle Riva, and Chris Tucker are among the actors who have been invited to join, the organization announced today.
Other interesting additions: the musician Prince, Girls and Tiny Furniture writer/director/actress Lena Dunham,...
- 6/28/2013
- by Anthony Breznican
- EW - Inside Movies
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to join the organization to 276 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures. Those who accept the invitations will be the only additions to the Academy’s membership in 2013.
“These individuals are among the best filmmakers working in the industry today,” said Academy President Hawk Koch. “Their talent and creativity have captured the imagination of audiences worldwide, and I am proud to welcome each of them to the Academy.”
The 2013 invitees are:
Actors
Jason Bateman – “Up in the Air,” “Juno”
Miriam Colon – “City of Hope,” “Scarface”
Rosario Dawson – “Rent,” “Frank Miller’s Sin City”
Kimberly Elise – “For Colored Girls,” “Beloved”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt – “Lincoln,” “The Dark Knight Rises”
Charles Grodin – “Midnight Run,” “The Heartbreak Kid”
Rebecca Hall – “Iron Man 3,” “The Town”
Lance Henriksen – “Aliens,” “The Terminator”
Jack Huston – “Not Fade Away,” “Factory Girl”
Milla Jovovich – “Resident Evil,...
“These individuals are among the best filmmakers working in the industry today,” said Academy President Hawk Koch. “Their talent and creativity have captured the imagination of audiences worldwide, and I am proud to welcome each of them to the Academy.”
The 2013 invitees are:
Actors
Jason Bateman – “Up in the Air,” “Juno”
Miriam Colon – “City of Hope,” “Scarface”
Rosario Dawson – “Rent,” “Frank Miller’s Sin City”
Kimberly Elise – “For Colored Girls,” “Beloved”
Joseph Gordon-Levitt – “Lincoln,” “The Dark Knight Rises”
Charles Grodin – “Midnight Run,” “The Heartbreak Kid”
Rebecca Hall – “Iron Man 3,” “The Town”
Lance Henriksen – “Aliens,” “The Terminator”
Jack Huston – “Not Fade Away,” “Factory Girl”
Milla Jovovich – “Resident Evil,...
- 6/28/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is extending invitations to join the organization to 276 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures. Those who accept the invitations will be the only additions to the Academy’s membership in 2013. “These individuals are among the best filmmakers working in the industry today,” said Academy President Hawk Koch. “Their talent and creativity have captured the imagination of audiences worldwide, and I am proud to welcome each of them to the Academy.” The 2013 invitees are: Actors Jason Bateman – “Up in the Air,” “Juno” Miriam Colon – “City of Hope,” “Scarface” Rosario Dawson – “Rent,” “Frank Miller’s Sin City” Kimberly Elise – “For Colored Girls,” “Beloved” Joseph Gordon-Levitt – “Lincoln,” “The Dark Knight Rises” Charles Grodin – “Midnight Run,” “The Heartbreak Kid” Rebecca Hall – “Iron Man 3,” “The Town” Lance Henriksen – “Aliens,” “The Terminator” Jack Huston – “Not Fade Away,” “Factory Girl” Milla Jovovich – “Resident Evil,...
- 6/28/2013
- by Josh Abraham
- Hollywoodnews.com
A Man Apart
Opens Friday, April 4
Nearly two years after principal photography, New Line is releasing "A Man Apart", hoping the movie might benefit from the box office muscle developed by its star, Vin Diesel, in his subsequent production, the extreme actioner "XXX". The film will probably satisfy his action-movie fans, though those unaware of the film's history may wonder why the actor has regressed to such a bare-bones thriller, albeit one with stylish flourishes. Why an "X" following "XXX"?
"A Man Apart" plays all the usual angles: the nonconformist cop who steps outside the law to avenge his wife's murder; the blurring of the line between the bad and good guys; the drug deals made in topless bars; the climactic chase through the sewers. We've seen all this before, but F. Gary Gray directs with a determination that style will win out over substance. It doesn't, but the energy he brings to the venture makes a pedestrian movie look far sharper than it deserves.
The opening sequence details how Drug Enforcement Administration agents Sean Vetter (Diesel) and Demetrius Hicks (Larenz Tate) take down a Baja drug cartel biggie (Geno Silva in the aging-gentleman-drug-dealer mode pioneered by Fernando Rey in "The French Connection"). While the DEA in Los Angeles celebrates with nonstop partying at Sean's Malibu beach house -- on a drug agent's salary he has a house in Malibu? -- an elusive figure calling himself Diablo lays claim to the Baja cartel with bloody killings and hijackings. Apparently believing he doesn't stand a chance of success unless he takes out Sean, a hit is ordered. But the assassination goes awry, and Sean's wife (Jacqueline Obradors) is killed.
Once Sean recovers from his own wounds, he goes berserk, turning into a badass with a hair-trigger temper and complete disregard for anyone's civil rights. This is tolerated for a while, but after playing Russian roulette with a suspect's skull and roughing up a pretty-boy drug dealer (Timothy Olyphant), Sean is suspended by a superior officer (Steve Eastin). So Sean enlists his old gangster pal from the 'hood (George Sharperson) to go after Diablo outside the law.
While illogic reigns, the only point to any of this is to get to the chases, shootouts and general mayhem. Gray's dexterous style creates the impression of nonstop movement with a mobile camera, aerial shots, smooth editing and a fine sense of pace.
Diesel, sporting a goatee worthy of a North Beach poet, barges through the movie with the sass his fans have come to expect -- that barely controlled fury and ironic smile on his face implying complete control of any situation. All other roles are designed as people for Diesel to react to -- or against. Olyphant is amusingly flamboyant, while Tate makes a good sidekick even if his willingness to go along with his partner's extralegal moves makes little sense.
Technical credits are superior to the material.
A MAN APART
New Line Cinema
A Vincent Newman & Tucker Tooley and Joseph Nittolo Entertainment production
Credits:
Director: F Gary Gray
Screenwriters: Christian Gudegast, Paul Scheuring
Producers: Tucker Tooley, Vincent Newman, Joseph Nittolo, Vin Diesel
Executive producers: Michael De Luca, Claire Rudnick Polstein, F Gary Gray
Director of photography: Jack N Green
Production designer: Ida Random
Music: Anne Dudley
Co-producer: George Zakk
Costume designer: Shawn Barton
Editors: Bob Brown, William Hoy
Cast:
Sean Vetter: Vin Diesel
Demetrius Hicks: Larenz Tate
Jack Slayton: Timothy Olyphant
Stacy Vetter: Jacqueline Obradors
Memo Lucero: Geno Silva
Mateo Santos: Juan Fernandez
Ty Frost: Steve Eastin
Big Sexy: George Sharperson
Running time --110 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
Nearly two years after principal photography, New Line is releasing "A Man Apart", hoping the movie might benefit from the box office muscle developed by its star, Vin Diesel, in his subsequent production, the extreme actioner "XXX". The film will probably satisfy his action-movie fans, though those unaware of the film's history may wonder why the actor has regressed to such a bare-bones thriller, albeit one with stylish flourishes. Why an "X" following "XXX"?
"A Man Apart" plays all the usual angles: the nonconformist cop who steps outside the law to avenge his wife's murder; the blurring of the line between the bad and good guys; the drug deals made in topless bars; the climactic chase through the sewers. We've seen all this before, but F. Gary Gray directs with a determination that style will win out over substance. It doesn't, but the energy he brings to the venture makes a pedestrian movie look far sharper than it deserves.
The opening sequence details how Drug Enforcement Administration agents Sean Vetter (Diesel) and Demetrius Hicks (Larenz Tate) take down a Baja drug cartel biggie (Geno Silva in the aging-gentleman-drug-dealer mode pioneered by Fernando Rey in "The French Connection"). While the DEA in Los Angeles celebrates with nonstop partying at Sean's Malibu beach house -- on a drug agent's salary he has a house in Malibu? -- an elusive figure calling himself Diablo lays claim to the Baja cartel with bloody killings and hijackings. Apparently believing he doesn't stand a chance of success unless he takes out Sean, a hit is ordered. But the assassination goes awry, and Sean's wife (Jacqueline Obradors) is killed.
Once Sean recovers from his own wounds, he goes berserk, turning into a badass with a hair-trigger temper and complete disregard for anyone's civil rights. This is tolerated for a while, but after playing Russian roulette with a suspect's skull and roughing up a pretty-boy drug dealer (Timothy Olyphant), Sean is suspended by a superior officer (Steve Eastin). So Sean enlists his old gangster pal from the 'hood (George Sharperson) to go after Diablo outside the law.
While illogic reigns, the only point to any of this is to get to the chases, shootouts and general mayhem. Gray's dexterous style creates the impression of nonstop movement with a mobile camera, aerial shots, smooth editing and a fine sense of pace.
Diesel, sporting a goatee worthy of a North Beach poet, barges through the movie with the sass his fans have come to expect -- that barely controlled fury and ironic smile on his face implying complete control of any situation. All other roles are designed as people for Diesel to react to -- or against. Olyphant is amusingly flamboyant, while Tate makes a good sidekick even if his willingness to go along with his partner's extralegal moves makes little sense.
Technical credits are superior to the material.
A MAN APART
New Line Cinema
A Vincent Newman & Tucker Tooley and Joseph Nittolo Entertainment production
Credits:
Director: F Gary Gray
Screenwriters: Christian Gudegast, Paul Scheuring
Producers: Tucker Tooley, Vincent Newman, Joseph Nittolo, Vin Diesel
Executive producers: Michael De Luca, Claire Rudnick Polstein, F Gary Gray
Director of photography: Jack N Green
Production designer: Ida Random
Music: Anne Dudley
Co-producer: George Zakk
Costume designer: Shawn Barton
Editors: Bob Brown, William Hoy
Cast:
Sean Vetter: Vin Diesel
Demetrius Hicks: Larenz Tate
Jack Slayton: Timothy Olyphant
Stacy Vetter: Jacqueline Obradors
Memo Lucero: Geno Silva
Mateo Santos: Juan Fernandez
Ty Frost: Steve Eastin
Big Sexy: George Sharperson
Running time --110 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 3/31/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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