Cold Around the Heart

John Ridley should stick to coming up with basic plotlines for other people to turn into good (or, in the case of "Three Kings", great) movies. If this film is any indication of his undiluted intent as a screenwriter then it serves as a case in point as to why some scripters just shouldn't be allowed to sit in the director's chair. The plotting is tiresome and utterly implausible in too many places (Caruso's escape from the hospital is ridiculously easy - and where does he get the money for the used car immediately afterwards? I suppose the cops just let him keep that big fat wad of bills in his hip pocket). And what is the point of having Stacy Dash's character narrate this whole inane, seen-it-a-million-times-and-always-done-better story? The only reason I can figure is that it fits in with all the other tired, overused 'noir' cliches with which this film overflows. One more thing: I swear I am gonna go ballistic the next time one character says to another character who has clearly just come out of hair and make-up, "You look like s--t." Talk about hackneyed dialogue! Give me a break...

A 90's Bonnie and Clyde-type flick. This movie is loaded with cliches, inane dialog and lousy acting.

The only saving grace is the always superb John Spencer as the lonely, creepy (but strangely loveable) Uncle Mike

Cold Around the Heart: Very good movie. Had me guessing about who really the trigger man in the holdup was. Who was the one that wasn't playing with a full deck of cards. Would have been nice if they did a flashback of the holdup. I would have picked a different woman to play Jude, but Kelly Lench did an ok job. David did a good job in his part. And Stacey Dash did a great job. I would love to get the movie on dvd or blu ray but can't seem to find it anywhere. So I got it on VUDU. Or should I say Fandango Now. Alot of the good movies are hard to find but they seem to be over seas in other countries. But I really enjoyed the movie and just watched it without trying to pick it apart for faults. Ending was very good.

This is an interesting film with weaknesses and strengths already cited by many. But I'm on the side of good rather than weak.

Cliches abound, but in the context of the characters, perhaps understandable since they're easier to use than real communication. This movie is about virtue versus the "bad seed". Who is and who isn't. The low life quest where everyone is out for themselves continues throughout with twist after twist.

I found it a plus overall, even though some story transitions were puzzling if not far- fetched. I was entertained.

If you are a fan of modern film noir attempts, this will be worth a look. There are enough plot twists to make it fun to guess if the last one you've seen is indeed the last. The characters are appropriately selfish and dark and there are moments of inventive dialog, though much of it is fairly straight forward.

David Caruso does his patented "I'm going to look you right in the eye and tell you exactly how things are" bit several times. Kelly Lynch does her patented "Don't I look hot in sunglasses?" bit several times. These were pluses for me, may be minuses for others.

Overall 6-7 out of 10.