Movie-ManDan

I was 13 when I first saw this film and it was the experience of a lifetime. More than a decade later, I no longer think of this film as high as before, but the 13-year-old in me still loves this.

"Judgement Night" is directed by Stephen Hopkins and stars Emilio Estevez, Cuba Gooding Jr, Stephen Dorff, Denis Leary and Jeremy Piven. It was a surprise to see them pull off good performances in such a gritty film. I didn't know Jeremy Piven at the time and I was not disappointed in his performance.

Family man Frank Wyatt (Estevez) and his younger brother John (Dorff) head to a boxing match in Chicago's city with their pals Mike (Gooding Jr) and Ray (Piven), in Ray's rented RV. Stuck in heavy traffic, Ray takes a short cut and they wind up in the ghetto. When they witness murderer, Fallon (Leary), kill a henchman, the four friends evade Fallon and his goons and fight back when things get tough. This general story remains one of my favourites ever.

In a thirteen-year-old's eyes, "Judgement Night" is outstanding. In an older person's eyes, it is much easier to see the flaws that make you realize this is not a great film. It literally all came down to the writing. If this was remade, it may be better. But this movie is very 90s, so that vibe raises the quality a good amount.

But as it said, the teenager in me still adores this. Four stars for the teenager, three for actuality.

3.5/4.

Sam Mendes is still one of the biggest directors in the world. Tom Hanks is still huge. Daniel Craig is still Bond. And Paul Newman's legacy is still held in high regard. Mendes assembles these actors in what appears to be just a traditional mafia/revenge film we have all seen before. It isn't. This has its very own identity.

Usually contemporary films set decades ago have a very vibrant look to them. Great amount of detail is placed into really selling the time period. If you look at something like "LA Confidential," it is extremely flashy. "Road To Perdition" is much more murky and somber. I may not like movies like this, but the dark look here did not bother me in the slightest. When we do see brightness and sunlight, it feels great.

Set in 1931, Mike Sullivan (Tom Hanks) is the top hitman for mob boss, John Rooney (Paul Newman). John loves Mike more than his own son, Connor (Daniel Craig). At the end of his career before his death, Paul Newman was a scene-stealer in everything he did. This is no different. Well, Hanks really puts up a good fight.

Mike is married and has two sons. He loves them more than anything else in the world. His wife (Jennifer Jason Leigh) may not like the business, but the love for her husband is unconditional. Mike's older son, Mike Jr., has a vague idea of what his father does and, one night, sneaks into his car to peek in on a job. When Mike Sr. Sees his son trying to flee, he swears his son to secrecy. Connor hates Mike and wants his son gone so he can't ever talk, so one night after another job, Connor murders Mike's wife and younger son, narrowly missing Mike Jr. So Mike takes his son on the road to his sister-in-law's house in Perdition. On the road, Mike steals and tries to get mob bosses to delete Connor and family. Meanwhile, Connor hires an outside hitman (Jude Law) to take out Mike.

Tom Hanks is a two-time Oscar winner with "Road To Perdition" being one of his five best. He gave the best performance in the film that I wish was remembered during the Oscars that year. His layered and subdued performance is top-notch.

"Road To Perdition" features great themes that have hardly ever been explored as well as here. John is Mike's father figure, but he loves his wife and sons more. And the theme of the cycle of violence is also expertly displayed. We all know the immortal quote "those that live by the sword shall die by the sword." Mike is a killer seeking revenge on killers. When will this all end? This leads to a shattering ending that fits perfectly. A happier ending would have ruined it all.

3.5/4.

Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert praised this 1996 contemporary western. As someone who loves going back and seeing movies from decades past, I was not disappointed in watching "Lone Star." This is just about perfect and an easy recommendation.

The more a movie has going for it, the easier it is to review. "Lone Star" consists of several genres all juggled surprisingly well: western, mystery, romance, and drama. It also juggles its many themes well too: legacy, father & son, and race relations. Quite often, the more that try to get undertaken, the harder they fall. The genres and themes are done well here.

Chris Cooper is an underrated actor. He won an Oscar for the 2002 film, "Adaptation" but still remains enigmatic. He plays Sam Deeds, the sheriff in a small Texas town. His father was a well-respected lawman (Matthew McConaughey) who Sam did not along with growing up and eventually moved away when he was old enough. He eventually moves back as a middle-aged man where he is elected sheriff, mainly because he is still living in his father's shadow. When a skeleton is found in the desert, Sam suspects it is Charlie Wade--the sheriff when his dad was young. Evidence may agree with his suspicions. As he investigates, Sam digs up secrets that will change him forever.

There is a subplot involving Sam's old girlfriend, Pilar (Elizabeth Peña) who is now a high school social studies teacher. It is also where most of the race stuff is placed. With romance as the subplot, I was surprised at how well this worked. There is also an army subplot that was also interesting, but not needed. So what? It was still very enjoyable and mirrored the main story with Sam and his father. Ron Canada and Joe Morton play the father and son in a rewarding storyline.

Kris Kristofferson plays Charlie Wade. He is a brutal racist who is above the law. Sam thinks it was his father who killed Wade since he had a very good reason to. Kristofferson is the antagonist, but he is much-too interesting to turn away from or to be appalled by. Perfect casting.

"Lone Star" was made by John Sayles. Never heard of him? Me either. That's really too bad because this should have been his breakout film. The directing of this is almost as amazing as the casting. Would this have been better if handled by Robert Altman? Sure, as he handled multiple stories and characters like nobody else. But what we get is still a wonderful experience. I adore this film and do think this is the best contemporary western.

4/4.