Reviews (2)

GREAT MOVIE!!
I'm not a Tom Cruise fan but this gets two thumbs up! Saw it twice in the theater, and am gonna buy it on DVD and watch it again!!

Micheal Mann will do it again
I know this movie will be awesome this is a Micheal Mann movie. Just look at the list of movies he's made Manhunter, Heat (one of my all time favorites), The Insider (another one of my all time favorites), and Ali. In all Micheal Mann's movies there are alway's awesome plot's, plot twists and performances. Ten years ago Tom Cruise was an awesome bad guy in Interview with the vampire, and again Tom Cruise will be awesome as a bad guy. I know Jamie Foxx who is always good, and Mark Ruffalo will put on good perfomances. So be ready for a night on the town. ... Read more

Reviews (55)

Sneakers...Sneaks in 5 Stars!!
SNEAKERS is a great caper flick with minimal violence and an ensemble cast one would never expect would ever be put on screen. Who would think that a movie would contain the likes of Robert Redford, Dan Aykroyd, David Strathairn (Eight Men Out, League of Their Own), Mary McDonnell (Dances with Wolves), River Phoenix (Dog Fight, Stand by Me), and the great Sidney Poitier to boot. It's fun, light, and suspensful. Redford heads a group of high tech misfits who troubleshoot and hack security systems. They are hired by a renegade government agency to steal a device that can decipher electronic coded messages developed by a mathematical genius, but get caught up into something more sinister than they bargained for as people begin getting kidnapped and murdered. Great characters including Dan Aykroyd's tailor made 'Mother' who sprouts off any conspiracy theory at whim, David Straithairn's blind hacker 'Whistler' whose ears can "see" more than anyone's eyes and whose only need in life is peace and good will towards his fellow man, and a great cameo by Ben Kingsley as the vengeful 'Cosmo' who is behind all the evil doings. Overall, a great cast, great script and first class entertainment!!

Conspiracy Theory?
Other movies that have tried (and failed) to cover hacking/conspiracy theories have one fatal flaw. Instead of trying to be entertaining, as movies should be; they take their cues from the mainstream media and try to scare the audience to death with images of cival liberties being taken away as fast as some on screen hacker can type into a not-so-secure government database.

Sneakers on the other hand shows us what the government(and people pretending to be the government) is capable of through the eyes of very entertaining yet somewhat believable characters in the industry. From a phone phreak to an ex cia man, their group covers the gambit in skills and personalities. Redford leads an allstar cast as a good looking social engineer who talks his way past security in lieu of hacking. Dan Akroyd gives a performance unparalelled except maybe for his character in Gross Pointe Blank.

So if you are in the mood for something completely different from the Net, Conspiracy theory, and Masterminds, then this is the movie for you.

Loved it, seen it uncountable times, just upgraded to DVD version. James *Too Many Secrets* Stewart

A strong, intellectually intriguing movie
When I first saw this movie I was expecting something completely different. Being a software developer, I was expecting the standard stereotype of eccentric not-in-touch-with-reality radical leftist computer nerds. What I got instead was a bunch of really fun characters that I thoroughly identified with and who covered the gamut of personality types. The plot was somewhat believable (the core plot device notwithstanding) and the choices the characters made to come out on top were also fairly enjoyable, such as the sightless gentleman driving the van down a steep embankment to save his buddies with only radioed instructions to keep him on track. What few persons have mentioned, however, in these reviews is that the movie also has a winning soundtrack. Its theme is quite catchy and emminently memorable. Pay no attention to the gentleman who says the movie isn't worth anything. This movie was meant to be a cut above the rest and it succeeded. If someone was unable to enjoy it, then I unashamedly chalk it up to his small mind.

Superlative Film; DVD is Lacking in Supplements
I currently own the original Widescreen Edition (1998 Universal). I'll buy the 2003 Collector's Edition, but I'm very disappointed by the paucity of extras: This movie is too good to have this few DVD extras.

One of my favorite movies of all time, for all of the same reasons listed by others here. I own the original DVD, which was released in 16:9 anamorphic, quite ahead of its time.

Unfortunately, it's painful to see a favorite movie come out on DVD with so few Special Features. This was a wasted opportunity, considering the quintessential ensemble cast that made this movie as fun as it is. The movie's 11 years old, and while I'm glad Universal thought enough to re-release it earlier this year with director Phil Alden Robinson doing a commentary track, I think there's much more that could have been done. I can understand the difficulty in tracking down such an incredible ensemble cast after 11 years. But as a consumer, I can say: this movie is too good to have this few DVD extras.

I *will* buy this new version for the following reasons: It's under $15, my existing copy is worn from repeated use, and I have been hoping for extras such as Robinson's commentary. I am, however, disappointed at the waste of potential on Universal's part: The quality of this movie deserves a DVD with a lot more to it.

5 stars for the movie, 2 stars for the extra features.

Great Film, Fair DVD
This film is an example of what an ensemble cast of A-list actors can do when they have fun with a project. While their acting has been better in other films, their camaraderie carries the film. Clocking in at over 2 hours, the film becomes muddled in parts, but your interest in the characters keeps you from becoming overly impatient with it. Equal parts "Charade" and "WarGames" the movie keeps you guessing at who's who and what the character's true motivations are, while the technology doesn't get out of hand (most solutions are low- not high-tech).

For a Collector's Edition, the supplementary material on the DVD is disappointing. The high point is the commentary: the detailed reminiscences of the director and writers are informative and enjoyable. The "Making of" documentary is pleasant, but doesn't build much on the commentary; the comments of the cast don't expand beyond telling who the characters are (only Ackroyd describes anything he brought to his character beyond the writers' amalgam of 70s and 80s phone phreaks and social engineers). The single theatrical preview is nice, but with along with the bonus materials in general, you feel there should have been more. The only other item on the Bonus Materials section is a "Recommendation" for "other films you might enjoy": Field of Dreams (same director/writer), Spy Game (also with Redford), and The Sting (Redford again, with James Earl Jones' father); there aren't previews of these films, just three small DVD cases sharing the screen. No deleted scenes (although several are described in the commentary). No outtakes (you know there had to be some serious hijinks on the set). No scripts or scene comparisons to show the film's decade-long evolution. Not even an Easter egg to reward devoted hackers.

Buy this disc for the movie, not the bonus materials. It's a lot of fun and the cast is a "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" player's dream. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Wonderful film finally available...
In this film we have: The alcoholic son; the homosexual son who is trying to be heterosexual to please himself and his family; the overlooked daughter and her husband with marital issues; the ultra conservative, emotionally unavailable father who is extremely hard on his children; and the mother who cares WAY too much what other people think and would rather hide behind a lie she has known for quite sometime. Not to mention the poor girl who thinks her fiance is straight, has to face her own pain in finding otherwise.
For a TV movie, this film is great. This is about a dysfunctional family. It is not only a "coming out" story, but also about an alcoholic son portrayed by Jim Carrey, who, along with the daughter's husband, seem to be the only people who can see how screwed up the family really is. The gay son, who on this occasion, brings home his new fiance, is forced to come out of the closet. He is so used to trying to put a pretty face on everything and not showing things for what they really are...which he seems to get from his parents. Basically, all at one time the s--t hits the fan, so to speak. It is definitely not an uplifting film, but shows how a dyfunctional family who hides their secrets and refuse to come to terms with their problems, will eventually fall apart and have to find a way to rebuild again, on different terms, through unconditional love and support. This is a wonderful film to show teenage children the dangers of alcoholism, and how important it is to love and support your children unconditionally regardless of their issues and sexual orientation. It can show the catastrophic results that can and usually will occur when people don't face their problems. What should parents care more about, their family image or their children? This would be great to show Jr. High, High School, and College students. I saw it when I was in high school and it helped me tremendously. I then showed it to a friend in college struggling with his sexuality and his religious parents who would not accept him. He came to terms with it as did his parents. They now accept him for who he is. Just goes to show how facing your problems and trying to understand an issue, will only help you and your loved ones in the future.

woah
i just bought a bootleg tape of this a couple weeks ago and now i kind of regret it. ill just say that this movie is surprisingly great for a tv movie and its one of jim carrey's best performances. cant wait to see what special features come with it.

what the... hmmm... now will you lookie at that...
this 1992 made-for-tv movie was excellent, but, who really ever expected to see it anywhere but bootlegged on ebay? i hope to see more details soon, specifically what extras are going to be included. william mcnamara and jim carey (yep, "the" face) were both very good in this dramatic coming-out story. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Robert Clayton Dean (Will Smith) is a lawyer with a wife and family whose happily normal life is turned upside down after a chance meeting with a college buddy (Jason Lee) at a lingerie shop. Unbeknownst to the lawyer, he's just been burdened with a videotape of a congressman's assassination. Hot on the tail of this tape is a ruthless group of National Security Agents commanded by a belligerently ambitious fed named Reynolds (Jon Voight). Using surveillance from satellites, bugs, and other sophisticated snooping devices, the NSA infiltrates every facet of Dean's existence, tracing each physical and digital footprint he leaves. Driven by acute paranoia, Dean enlists the help of a clandestine former NSA operative named Brill (Gene Hackman), and Enemy of the State kicks into high-intensity hyperdrive.

Teaming up once again with producer Jerry Bruckheimer, Top Gun director Tony Scott demonstrates his glossy style with clever cinematography and breakneck pacing. Will Smith proves that there's more to his success than a brash sense of humor, giving a versatile performance that plausibly illustrates a man cracking under the strain of paranoid turmoil. Hackman steals the show by essentially reprising his role from The Conversation--just imagine his memorable character Harry Caul some 20 years later. Most of all, the film's depiction of high-tech surveillance is highly convincing and dramatically compelling, making this a cautionary tale with more substance than you'd normally expect from a Scott-Bruckheimer action extravaganza. --Jeremy Storey ... Read more

Reviews (184)

Identity Crisis
ENEMY OF THE STATE is a high-intensity thriller directed by Tony Scott (TOP GUN). Washington D.C. Attorney, Robert Dean (Will Smith) is unknowingly given a piece of evidence that ties a top official in the National Security Agency, (Jon Voight) to a political murder. All at once Dean's life is taken away from him and he is a man on the run. The only way that he can stay one step ahead of his lethal pursuers is to listen to a mysterious opperative (Gene Hackman) and he doesn't exactly trust him either. I think that the movie is saved from being too predictable, thanks to Will Smith and Gene Hackman, you really care about these two characters. Voight's bad guy is your typical bad guy in this film. But he isn't as memorable as, let us say, Dennis Hopper in SPEED or Alan Rickman in DIE HARD. The action is well staged and had enough punch to keep everythings moving. Produced by Jerry Bruckhiemer, the film is better than I anticipated it was going to be when I first heard about it during its theatrical run.

The only extras on the DVD, (aside from the trailer), are 2 mini-featurettes on the making of the film They seem ok but still are nothing more than EPKs (electronic press kits) If you like Smith and Hackman (and who doesn't?) than this is a keeper. This film is what I like to call a "true popcorn eating movie"

A Nice Surprise
I rented this expecting it to be totally mediocre, but at least worth a 3$ rental. I was pleasantly surprised to find this very watchable, thrilling, and something I'll probably rent again. Will Smith is great and easy on the eyes. All the acting was very good, though Jon Voight has popped up in so many movies lately I am starting to get tired of him. I didn't figure out how it was going to end, and the final showdown, plus how the main characters outwit the bad guys was great. Tom Sizemore I didn't recognize at first since he's put on so much weight, but he was fantastic. I give the writers extra points for not going for the cheap shot and having the bad guys kill Gene Hackman's kitty (if they had, I would have only given this movie one star, and probably not watched the rest). I thought that they did kind of beat you over the head with the "SURVEILLANCE IS BAD" message. After the first half hour it was like, ok, I get the idea guys. The various fictional super-sophisticated tracking devices were cool, and Tony and Ridley Scott always shoot their films beautifully. Oh, and the woman who played Will Smith's wife kicked a$$!

Enemy of the State (1998)
Director: Tony Scott
Cast: Will Smith, Gene Hackman, Jon Voight, Regina King, Loren Dean, Jake Busey, Barry Pepper.
Running Time: 127 minutes.
Rated R for violence and language.

Another producer Jerry Bruckheimer/director Tony Scott thrill ride without substance, this time pitting family man lawyer Robert Clayton Dean (played by Will Smith in a ho-hum performance) against a technologically-driven government. Not knowing that the trivial meeting with an old friend would cause him so much trouble, Dean gets sucked into a conspiracy case involving a rogue National Security Agent (Jon Voight) who killed a United States congressman because he accidentally received a video tape with footage of the murder. With incredible surveillance techniques and technology, Voight is able to track all of the lawyer's moves and keep tabs on him.

Our hero's life is turned upside down until he meets up with a stealthy former NSA active named Brill (played very well by Gene Hackman). With the assistance of Brill, Dean attacks the government head on and must learn the truth in order to save his life. Director Tony Scott brilliantly uses the camera to portray his views, jolting the characters through a series of incredible chase scenes, rip-roaring explosions, and intense firearm combat, but ultimately "Enemy of the State" focuses solely on the unbridled advances in special effects abilities that it keeps the audience from understanding the story and getting involved with the characters. Smith is only adequate in his first major "dramatic" role, while Hackman and Voight pick up some of the slack in their devilishly effective parts. A must-see if you are into big explosions and dynamite cinematography, but one to leave on the shelf if over-acting and a mediocre script are an annoyance.

For what it is, perfect
Enemy of the State is a breakneck thriller that genuinely keeps you on the edge of your seat and is a real nail-biter. It is incredibly well-constructed for what it is: slick, well-shot, gloriously pacey and even with a dash of interesting social question in there. Granted, often it is incredibly implausible, and his ability to sit back and be happy at the end despite all the carnage of what has happened, make it a little laughable, but the fact is, thats not the point with this kind of film - the point is it is truly thrilling, stylish and cool. You really get deep into it.

Will Smith is startlingly good in his best performance since Six Degrees Of Seperation - if only he would turn in these great performances in credible, interesting films more often, and is well supported by a strong cast that includes Gene Hackman, Jamie Kennedy and Jack Black amongst others. This comes highly reccomended for an evening's entertainment and is truly exhilirating and packed with plot and intrigue that puts most regurgitated, lame excuses for a storyline to shame. Great stuff.

Excellent
I strongly recommend you buy or at least rent this fantastic film. It's got it all, suspense, action and even comedy for the lad-eez, as Will Smith might say. It's got excellent pacing and great suspense. The storyline is a little implausible, but it's hollywood so just chill out and expect it. Kick back and watch this rollercoaster ride of a film.
Great performance from Will Smith, his best to date in fact, suggesting there is more than just comedy and Bad Boyz to his routine. And Gene Hackman too - what more could you want?
If i was Roger Ebert, i'd give it two thumbs up!
The DVD is loaded with extrea special features too, and that makes the DVD in particular a must. Don't just buy this film, make sure you get it on DVD.
I give it 8/10, but cos i'm generous i'll round it up to 5 stars, including those great DVD features. ... Read more

Description

A CIA agent (Modine) and Clemens, a super intelligent chimp trained in martial arts, break out of a secret testing lab which turns primates into soldiers. With evil henchmen on their trail they go into hiding in the house of a local boy and his mother. Clemens is captured and the new friends team up to attempt a daring rescue. With hilarious animal antics and exciting action, Funky Monkey is fun the whole family can enjoy. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Super Cute!
I hadn't heard of this movie, but my husband got it for my little girl who loves monkey's and this movie is funny and really cute. Fun for the whole family!

All monkey, no funky.
Look at the box for this movie. Isn't that just the happiest monkey you've seen since Diddy Kong? Dispite being in a combat suit, he's happy, and waving towards the viewer. That's the monkey on the box. The monkey in the movie however, is a total jerk, and not funky in the slightest bit. Yeah, this is a kid's movie. But I fail to see what kind of kid this movie's for. Segments with the monkey doing things are drawn out, almost like something should've happened a few times before it actually does. Add in yet another side-story about a boy who gets a dad during this misadventure (I seem to be seeing tons of those lately), and you have one of the most trite things to come out of Hollywood. C'mon Warner Bros., I expected more from you guys. EvenGilbert Gottfried's short appearence couldn't help this movie in the slightest bit.

The movie starts out with two guys breaking into a building of some sort. What it exactly is, we're not sure. But they enter a room from the ceiling Mission Impossible-style, just dangling above security lasers, in attempt to steal a crystal banana. Enter the monkey: Clemens (because that's the best name for a monkey). He's with them, and drops a banana through the lasers, which sets off the security system. All hell breaks loose, and the secuity guards enter, but are all taken out by a guy in a monkey suit. Literally. Clemens magically doubles in size, his legs are much longer, and he's taking out everyone like Nancy Carrigan. He and the two others escape back to headquarters where Clemens is put away for future testing. His partner, McCall, won't have this, and frees Clemens by driving a motorcycle through a huge window directly in front of Clemens' cell. Great room placement there. 8 minutes into the movie, the opening credits are still rolling in, and we're wondering what's going on. It turns out that Flick, the guy in charge of the place Clemens was being held, is making super simian soldiers. Yes, it is as stupid as it sounds. Apparently, Clemens is the only one that's been a success, as we never see the other monkeys until later on in the movie. McCall and the monkey make way towards a zoo, where he hopes to release Clemens after vaccinating him, so he can live a normal life and not be taken away again. Once more, Clemens takes out everyone in the room, including Tommy Davidson (thank god). While running loose in the zoo, he encounters a boy, Michael, who was earlier tortured by bigger kids on scooters while riding his bike. The two share a moment, and become buddy-buddy. McCall and Clemens stay at Michael's house to evade Flick and his goons while trying to escape and let the world know about his evil plans.

I got a headache just typing that up, and that's not even halfway into the movie. Michael's mostly in the movie to give viewers something else to not care about. He's a tiny kid, 'can't be more than 90 pounds, and is in highschool. The coach comes up to him, asking him to tutor the football team so they don't fail, and can play in the games that season. He agrees as long as he can get a spot on the team, official or not. He just wants a uniform to impress a girl, one that ALREADY likes him. Later on, Michael and Clemens get into a fight with bikers with matching outfits because Michael hits one with a football. This leads to a Crouching Tiger fight where they fly tens of yards with a kick from a tiny monkey leg. After this, they bond even more in a montage of Twister, milkshake making, dancing in their underwear ala Tom Cruise, vigerously pumping Super Soakers, playing naked doctor, and more. Or at least I think that last one happened. I like to think it did anyway. Flick's henchmen were supposed to capture Clemens, but failed a few times as the movie progresses. So he calls in the Chow Brothers, a trio of Asian assassins who have the power, when together, to get beat up by a 14 year old and a monkey in a 3-minute time span. This power rivals the usefulness of Aquaman's. 56 minutes into the movie, we're introduced to a CG background of a sunset, becuase it's so hard to tape actual sunsets these days, what with them not being CG and all, and soon, Gilbert Gottfried shows up. He plays Dr. Spleen, and quotes Planet of the Apes in a priceless moment, doing what he does best. Sadly, he's in the movie for all of 2 minutes, and is never seen again. What it came down to was that this was just a bad movie. The acting was all bad, especially by McCall, who is the new Bill Paxton as far as I'm concerned. If you watch Twister, and then Funky Monkey here, it's uncanny how similar the two are. There's the obligatory romance between McCall and Michael's mom, who never even mentions if she's married or not. Nitwit henchmen of Flick's who should've been fired long before getting an assignment like this. A monkey who never does anything but fight and play football. And that's the whole movie. Nothing ever really happens to make us care for Clemens. He could've been taken away and never released for all I care. He just wasn't well-liked. Always doing his own thing and making Michael lie to the girl he has a crush on. Yes, a MONKEY makes a HUMAN lie here. We're all goin' down.

The picture and audio quality were what I'd expect from a direct-to-video movie. Fuzzy and tolerable. Though the music does step up a notch halfway though, it's nothing you'd want to impress people with using your big sound system. Sometimes though, voices were hard to hear, and I was forced to use captions/subtitles.

There are no special features. None. Not even a trailer, which doesn't surprise me, as this movie was never advertised as far as I know. You get the audio set-up, and a chapter selection on the main menu in addition to playing the movie. This saves you an' me both some time in this category.

If you want a fun animal movie, get something with Wishbone. If you want a family/animal movie, get Babe or Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey. If you want something that makes you want to push yourself down the stairs, by all means, get Funky Monkey. Even now, after the movie's over and I type this, I'm trying to figure out why they put "funky" in the title. There was nothing funky about this monkey. Even his fashion sense was plain. What a loser of a monkey. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Overall, a Satisfying Hillerman Adaptation
"Coyote Waits", brought to the small screen by the same team that produced the lamentable "Skinwalkers", is a satisfying experience for Tony Hillerman fans, for fans of movie mysteries in general, and for folks interested in the portrayal of Native Americans, in this case the Navajo (Dine'). It would appear that the writers listened to the complaints about "Skinwalkers" and came up with a story that adheres much more closely to Hillerman's plot and to the author's portrayal of his main characters, particularly Jim Chee (played by Adam Beach) and Joe Leaphorn (Wes Studi). Like any novel adapted into a two-hour movie, there are conflations of characters and substantial trimmings in the narrative. Nonetheless, the major plotlines in the book are dealt with here in a generally satisfactory way, although the climax was a bit too pat based on the information that the viewer was given during the course of the investigation into the death of Officer Delbert Nez. The principal character change in the film involves the substitution of Leaphorn's wife Emma(who died in the earlier book) for Professor Borbonnette, a change that is not particularly jarring in this context. Kept intact from the book is the relationship between the traditionalist Chee (studying to be a haatali, or medicine man) and the rationalist Leaphorn (firmly in touch with his own Dine' culture, but deeply skeptical of some of its beliefs). All in all, the treatment accorded to "Coyote Waits" bodes well for future productions in the series. Hopefully, "Thief of Time" will be next.

"Perhaps we don't solve anything."
"We just rearrange the mystery"

For those who have read the book you will notice many instances where the story is altered and people moved around. The most striking is that Emma is still alive and the cat (Slim) is back. They had to add the character of Slick Naki to cut out about an hour of skinwalker investigation. I can say no more without giving away the mystery.

Jim Chee sits drinking coffee while partner Tribal Policeman Delbert Nez meets his demise. Chee catches the obvious perpetrator. A Navaho shaman, with a bottle in one hand and THE gun in his belt. Case closed.

Because of his guilt at not backing up his partner and at the insistence of Chee's on again and off again relationship with the defending attorney, Janet Pete, Chee must find out for him self what happened and if he may have made a mistake.
Because of a relationship through is wife, Emma, with Ashie Pinto's (the defendant) clan, and her insistence that Ashie is being railroaded, Joe Leaphorn must also investigate from a different angle. Emma helps in the investigation and lends support to Joe.

Both men are pushed into what looks like an endless number of overlapping mysteries of which the murder of Delbert Nez is just one. They - and we - must deal with the history of the CIA and that of witches. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Take off your thinking caps and toss 'em in a corner, 'cuz you won'tneed 'em when you're watching this deliriously dumb thriller from 1997. Bruce Willis stars as a demoted FBI agent who comes to the aid of an autistic boy whose mind holds a potentially deadly secret. It seems that by gazing on a puzzle magazine and making order out of a hidden system of numbers, the 9-year-old autistic boy (Miko Hughes) has accidentally deciphered a sophisticated top-secret government code. This makes him the prime target of the ruthless bureaucrat (Alec Baldwin, in one of his silliest roles), and Willis comes to the rescue. This formulaic thriller sets up this plot with a lot of entertaining urgency, but you can't give any thought to Mercury Rising or the whole movie collapses under the weight of its own illogic and nonsense. The redeeming values are the performances of Willis, young Hughes, and newcomer Kim Dickens as a woman who agrees (perhaps too easily, it seems) to aid Willis in his plot to outmaneuver the bad guys. Mercury Rising is not a waste of time compared to other formulaic thrillers, but its entertainment value depends on how much you enjoy being smarter than the movie. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Amazon.com

This enjoyable thriller, written and directed by Phil Alden Robinson (the screenwriter of Field of Dreams), follows a raggedy group of corporate security experts who get in over their heads when they accept an assignment poaching some hot hardware for the National Security Agency. Robert Redford plays the group's guru, an aging techno-anarchist who has been hiding from the feds since the early 1970s; his companionable gang of freaks includes Dan Aykroyd, David Strathairn, Mary McDonnell, the late River Phoenix, and Sidney Poitier, as a veteran CIA operative turned "sneaker." The technological black box that everybody is after, an array of computer chips that can decode any encrypted message, isn't a very plausible invention, but it's a serviceable McGuffin, and the megalomania of the master plotter played by Ben Kingsley has more resonance than most. Modest inferences can be drawn about the very latest high-tech threats to civil liberties. --David Chute ... Read more

Reviews (55)

Sneakers...Sneaks in 5 Stars!!
SNEAKERS is a great caper flick with minimal violence and an ensemble cast one would never expect would ever be put on screen. Who would think that a movie would contain the likes of Robert Redford, Dan Aykroyd, David Strathairn (Eight Men Out, League of Their Own), Mary McDonnell (Dances with Wolves), River Phoenix (Dog Fight, Stand by Me), and the great Sidney Poitier to boot. It's fun, light, and suspensful. Redford heads a group of high tech misfits who troubleshoot and hack security systems. They are hired by a renegade government agency to steal a device that can decipher electronic coded messages developed by a mathematical genius, but get caught up into something more sinister than they bargained for as people begin getting kidnapped and murdered. Great characters including Dan Aykroyd's tailor made 'Mother' who sprouts off any conspiracy theory at whim, David Straithairn's blind hacker 'Whistler' whose ears can "see" more than anyone's eyes and whose only need in life is peace and good will towards his fellow man, and a great cameo by Ben Kingsley as the vengeful 'Cosmo' who is behind all the evil doings. Overall, a great cast, great script and first class entertainment!!

Conspiracy Theory?
Other movies that have tried (and failed) to cover hacking/conspiracy theories have one fatal flaw. Instead of trying to be entertaining, as movies should be; they take their cues from the mainstream media and try to scare the audience to death with images of cival liberties being taken away as fast as some on screen hacker can type into a not-so-secure government database.

Sneakers on the other hand shows us what the government(and people pretending to be the government) is capable of through the eyes of very entertaining yet somewhat believable characters in the industry. From a phone phreak to an ex cia man, their group covers the gambit in skills and personalities. Redford leads an allstar cast as a good looking social engineer who talks his way past security in lieu of hacking. Dan Akroyd gives a performance unparalelled except maybe for his character in Gross Pointe Blank.

So if you are in the mood for something completely different from the Net, Conspiracy theory, and Masterminds, then this is the movie for you.

Loved it, seen it uncountable times, just upgraded to DVD version. James *Too Many Secrets* Stewart

A strong, intellectually intriguing movie
When I first saw this movie I was expecting something completely different. Being a software developer, I was expecting the standard stereotype of eccentric not-in-touch-with-reality radical leftist computer nerds. What I got instead was a bunch of really fun characters that I thoroughly identified with and who covered the gamut of personality types. The plot was somewhat believable (the core plot device notwithstanding) and the choices the characters made to come out on top were also fairly enjoyable, such as the sightless gentleman driving the van down a steep embankment to save his buddies with only radioed instructions to keep him on track. What few persons have mentioned, however, in these reviews is that the movie also has a winning soundtrack. Its theme is quite catchy and emminently memorable. Pay no attention to the gentleman who says the movie isn't worth anything. This movie was meant to be a cut above the rest and it succeeded. If someone was unable to enjoy it, then I unashamedly chalk it up to his small mind.

Superlative Film; DVD is Lacking in Supplements
I currently own the original Widescreen Edition (1998 Universal). I'll buy the 2003 Collector's Edition, but I'm very disappointed by the paucity of extras: This movie is too good to have this few DVD extras.

One of my favorite movies of all time, for all of the same reasons listed by others here. I own the original DVD, which was released in 16:9 anamorphic, quite ahead of its time.

Unfortunately, it's painful to see a favorite movie come out on DVD with so few Special Features. This was a wasted opportunity, considering the quintessential ensemble cast that made this movie as fun as it is. The movie's 11 years old, and while I'm glad Universal thought enough to re-release it earlier this year with director Phil Alden Robinson doing a commentary track, I think there's much more that could have been done. I can understand the difficulty in tracking down such an incredible ensemble cast after 11 years. But as a consumer, I can say: this movie is too good to have this few DVD extras.

I *will* buy this new version for the following reasons: It's under $15, my existing copy is worn from repeated use, and I have been hoping for extras such as Robinson's commentary. I am, however, disappointed at the waste of potential on Universal's part: The quality of this movie deserves a DVD with a lot more to it.

5 stars for the movie, 2 stars for the extra features.

Great Film, Fair DVD
This film is an example of what an ensemble cast of A-list actors can do when they have fun with a project. While their acting has been better in other films, their camaraderie carries the film. Clocking in at over 2 hours, the film becomes muddled in parts, but your interest in the characters keeps you from becoming overly impatient with it. Equal parts "Charade" and "WarGames" the movie keeps you guessing at who's who and what the character's true motivations are, while the technology doesn't get out of hand (most solutions are low- not high-tech).

For a Collector's Edition, the supplementary material on the DVD is disappointing. The high point is the commentary: the detailed reminiscences of the director and writers are informative and enjoyable. The "Making of" documentary is pleasant, but doesn't build much on the commentary; the comments of the cast don't expand beyond telling who the characters are (only Ackroyd describes anything he brought to his character beyond the writers' amalgam of 70s and 80s phone phreaks and social engineers). The single theatrical preview is nice, but with along with the bonus materials in general, you feel there should have been more. The only other item on the Bonus Materials section is a "Recommendation" for "other films you might enjoy": Field of Dreams (same director/writer), Spy Game (also with Redford), and The Sting (Redford again, with James Earl Jones' father); there aren't previews of these films, just three small DVD cases sharing the screen. No deleted scenes (although several are described in the commentary). No outtakes (you know there had to be some serious hijinks on the set). No scripts or scene comparisons to show the film's decade-long evolution. Not even an Easter egg to reward devoted hackers.

Buy this disc for the movie, not the bonus materials. It's a lot of fun and the cast is a "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" player's dream. ... Read more

Description

Five second-grade kids who don't follow strict rules by their school principal Brinway are dubbed "Stinkers" by him.On the class visit to an aquarium, the Stinkers decide that a sea lion called Slappy doesn't feel too good there, "free" him, and plant him into Brinway's hot tub. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Same movie?
Dear hell! Did you people see the same movie? Did I miss something? "Well acted"? "Great for kids"? For the love of all that's holy upon this green earth this has to be one of the worst traveling road shows caught on film! People in the theater were jumping off their chairs praying audibly that they might be lucky enough to land on their necks and die!!! Whole families were bidding tearful goodbyes to one another before leaping to their collective doom.

One weary parent told me to take my children and leave: "Someone's got to tell the story of what happened here!" Luckily I did, otherwise no one but the ushers would know of the horror known simply as "Slappy and The Stinkers."

A Great Kid's Movie
I bought this movie for my younger sister, who is eight, and she just loves it.Even the grown-ups laugh along with this movie.

Reviewed by12 year old Mara
I've been in love with this movie ever since it released in 1997!!! The movie is about a group of kids who are called the stinkers named by their opera obsessed school principal who takes the school to the kids to the aquarium and they meet Slappy. He seamed depressed and they make up their minds to free him not knowing the adventure they're getting into. Believe it or not only 3 out of the 5 become famous the dark haired weird talking boy becomes Otto Rocket of Rocket Power, the dark skinned boy becomes a old friend of Ren on Even Stevens, and the chubby hat wearing boy appears a few times on the Amanda Show.

Slappy and The Stinkers
Well,My family borrowed the movie, Slappy and the stinkers for our local Library.Mom just thought we would like it because there was a seal and children in it. It looked like just an ordinary Childrens video.
My family loved this movie, we have watched it over and over again. I have asked for this movie for Christmas with high hopes I will get it.Unfortunately we have to return the movie back to the Library today.
I think the part where the kids and the seal use Mr.Brinway
house to keep the seal and to give the seal a place to swim and eat because he doesn't get home until late.The kids and Slappy have a real fun time until they almost get caught by Mr. Brinway.The funny thing is Mr. Brinway gets locked out of his house while checking the door after the doorbell rings.(He is in a very skimpy bathing suit.That is a very funny part . I also like the part when the kids are running from the mean guy who they think is trying to kill them and they get away on the luge with the boat they made from an bathtub and curtains. It is so funny. It is deffinately a family movie for all to enjoy.

Slappy and The Stinkers
Well,My family borrowed the movie, Slappy and the stinkers for our local Library.Mom just thought we would like it because there was a seal and children in it. It looked like just an ordinary Childrens video.
My family loved this movie, we have watched it over and over again. I have asked for this movie for Christmas with high hopes I will get it.Unfortunately we have to return the movie back to the Library today.
I think the part where the kids and the seal use Mr.Brinway
house to keep the seal and to give the seal a place to swim and eat because he doesn't get home until late.The kids and Slappy have a real fun time until they almost get caught by Mr. Brinway.The funny thing is Mr. Brinway gets locked out of his house while checking the door after the doorbell rings.(He is in a very skimpy bathing suit.That is a very funny part . I also like the part when the kids are running from the mean guy who they think is trying to kill them and they get away on the luge with the boat they made from an bathtub and curtains. It is so funny. It is deffinately a family movie for all to enjoy. ... Read more

Description

Writer/director Wes Craven (Scream 1, 2 and 3) returns to the darkest shadows of Elm Street in the seventh film in the Freddy Krueger series. Winner of a Golden Scroll for Outstanding Achievement from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror, this spine-tingling tale reunites original Nightmare stars Robert Englund, Heather Langenkamp and John Saxon as "reel" Freddy invades the real world, with deadly results. But don't worry, Freddy fans. It's only a movie...or is it? ... Read more

Reviews (128)

Very good!
This is very original, with the original Wes Craven spice. This enters when Heather is working on the seventh Freddy Kruegar movie with Robert Englund (who plays himself and Freddy Kruegar) and Wes Craven, when Freddy is trying to reach into the real world by Heather's son. She then tries to stop Freddy once and for all, before he kills again. Very good, very scary. Rated R for violence-related gore and language.

Gee, I wonder where he got the idea for Scream 3 from....
Don't get me wrong, this is a great movie and all, but it just can't compare to the predecessors. Even the ones that came after the original still were better than this one. At the times when I would expect someone to die, they didn't. In the past, just about everyone in the movie died except for maybe one person. In this everyone lived excpet maybe one person. It was a massive disappointment. I think he could have done a better job of ending the series. Plus it just shows how unoriginal Wes Cravens Scream3 is. It is pretty much the same idea. Movie on a movie set. Yawn. It could have been better.....so much better.

really great
this one is probably the best of them all.when i was about to get this movie i thought it would have like a whole lot of violence like the 2nd-6th.but it didnt.but whenever heather langenkamp's son,Miko Hughs,came in the movie just got kinda......cheesy.cause the kid dont know how to act at all.but other than that the movie was cool

Very Original!
As a new Nightmare movie is being made, actress Heather Langenkamp finds herself being stalked by "Freddy Krueger". Weird things start to happen when "Freddy" tries to leap from the movie, to the real world.

The idea for the movie is very original, because the setting is set in the "real world". In this movie, Freddy gets a new look, and the way it ended leaves a possible sequel. If you don't know what Robert Englund (he plays Freddy Krueger) looks like without the make-up, go see this movie!

Definitely the best since the first
A wonderfully done film with great performances by Heather Langenkamp and Miko Hughes. Miko Hughes performance sent chills down my spine. I can not believe this the same young actor who had an reoccuring role on Full House, one of the worst TV series ever. He is up there with Haley Joel Osment and Elijah Wood for great young actors. Heather Langenkamp pulls of the role to a "T". Her nightmares and the confusion they are causing between the lines of reality and dreams is something she has obviously done before, but she is more believeable now. The most chilling scene is when Miko Hughes, who plays Dylan, attacks his Mother, Heather Langenkamp, with his own version of Freddy's glove. In my opinion if a kid can pull off doing such a role, they cause more chills than adults, because in these kind of films you expect it to be an adult. Truly, a well crafted film, one of Craven's best. GRADE: A- ... Read more

Description

Running away from the twisted violence of his family, Tyler Briggs moves to a secluded beach town where he spent time as a child. As he begins his new life, his brothers show up looking for trouble. They assault his girlfriend, brutalize his friends, and that's just the beginning... ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Wow--Incredibly Awful
First of all, why does this movie list for over $20?? This movie had to be a major letdown for all involved, an unremarkable addition to anyone's resume. The actors obviously attended the Keanu Reeve's School of Acting--I kept waiting for the "dude" to come out of the surf at any moment. I think the director became confused with the story, and it's obvious the production ran out of money before completion. I'm sure there were several yards of footage left on the proverbial "cutting- room-floor", because there seemed to be a lack of continuity throughout the film.

The only redeeming quality (and hence the only reason I rated it 2 stars instead of 1) was Denis Leary. While I don't care for him much as an actor or person, he did a fine job in what was otherwise a horrible film. Michael Vartan, the main character (also from Never Been Kissed and ABC's "Alias") was simply OK, but nothing he or Leary could do could resurrect this movie.

I put this on the level of "Eye of the Beholder"--star power with star suckage. Here's a mental note to myself next time--stay away from "dramas" that costar Jon Lovitz & Emilio Estevez. Blockbuster, I want my $3.99 back.

What did i just watch?
I'm sorry. I love Alias and thought "heh! the guy from Alias is in this movie. Maybe it's worth watching." Well, I was most definitely wrong. Why?

-It doesn't make any sense. Why are is the family there? Why are some of the family more stupid and irritating than others (besides the main one)? How the hell did those two guys die?

-The acting in the movie was overall very bad. Maybe a D. The only people saving the movie (hahaha) was Dennis Leary and Michael Vartan. Leary actually had some character and Vartan had character during the first half of the film and in the second half of the film he seemed liked he was making a cameo every ten minutes. He totally diappears in the movie.

-What are with the cameos? Jon Lovitz and Julie Delpy? Yeah, they were useless. Where they intended to be comic relief? Well, they weren't funny. And, he's the best cameo yet. Emilio Estevez who was front dvd case and starring status. He appears for so little of the movie that we dont even know what he is supposed to be. A beach bum? No idea.

-The characters were quite an embarassment. Seriously, the only character with a brain were Wurher (the character, not her acting), Vartan, and Leary.

-There seems to be missing scenes scattered about. How did their couples relationship occur? How did the baddies die? What are they doing in town? Why is this movie so dumb?

-I paid 10 bucks to watch this. Blockbuster owes me 20. double for bothering to watch the movie.

not bad
this movie wasnt that bad. it was good. Michael Vartan did a great job in the lead and Denis Leary as he always is was dynamite. along with Kari Wurher(who was good) makes up for a some what of a powerful picture that had flaws, non the less the premise is great and some scenes are hard to swallow. strickly for fans of Vartan or Leary

So, so bad
What a waste of time! Michael Vartan must have been broke when he took this part because it was just such a bad story. And kind of annoying how he kept asking his father and brothers to leave his house and they kept saying "no, we can't do that right now"- ugh! Just kick them out! Call the cops! Then Emilio Estevez, in the movie for about 2 minutes, no idea why. Denis Leary is the only one giving this dead movie mouth to mouth to breathe some kind of life into it, something! Overall awful.

Falling asleep on the beach
I came to this movie with low expectations after reading the reviews on this site. Sand is not a great movie, but it's not terrible, as in say, The Sum of All Fears was a terrible movie. I think Sand achieves on the level it was meant to achieve. I suppose it's "real" enough to be boring.
The plot is fairly thin. A young man who looks like an alumnus of Beverly Hills 90210 or Dawson's Creek leaves home after his mother's funeral. From what we learn early on about his dad and half-brothers, it's perfectly understandable wanting to be as far away from them as possible.
He arrives at a small town on the Californian coast where he gets a job and befriends some surfer boys who seem to have nothing better to do than get stoned on the beach. Unfortunately, his family follows him and his idiot brothers attempt to rape his new girlfriend, starting a feud with the surfer boys that spirals out of control.
This movie is definitely a post-Tarantino effort, aspiring to the same mix of "deep" and silly conversations that ordinary people have, as with Kari Wuhrer's conversation with the male lead about "coming home." Sand also boasts an odd assortment of character players a la Tarantino, in the form of Harry Dean Stanton, Emilio Estevez, Jon Lovitz and Julie Delpy. Denis Leary does his usual Irish gansta bit.
The best things about this movie were the ever hot Kari Wuhrer (even though she's a bit old to be playing a fresh out of college grad) and Kayce Martin as the male lead's mother, seen only in flashback. Kayce reminds me of Jayne Heitmeyer from Earth: Final Conflict. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Julie Barnes (Claire Danes), Pete Cochrane (Giovanni Ribisi), andLincoln Hayes (Omar Epps) have one thing in common: They're young adults on the wrong side of the law, arrested for crimes of robbery, grievous bodily harm, and arson. Taken in by mentor and father figure Captain Adam Greer (Dennis Farina), they are assigned to a special task force working undercover for the police--the logic being that these kids can get into the hip young establishments that the older, more cynical officers can no longer infiltrate. Ill-suited to each other and chastised by their peers, this rogue squad is forced to come together when they uncover a seedy world of police corruption. Not knowing who to turn to, the kids are left with their wits and street cunning (they're not allowed to carry guns) to overcome mounting odds against their survival.

With Hollywood facing increased pressure in 1999 to curb its screen violence, this film arrived with perfect timing. The only problem is the film was aimed at an audience that never saw the early-1970s TV series that inspired it, and this dubious recycling resulted in paltry returns at the box office. Nevertheless, this is an enjoyable action movie with some noteworthy performances--especially from Omar Epps, who shines with strength and vulnerability, like a young Laurence Fishburne. The energetic camera work and throbbing soundtrack also stand out, alongwith some retro styling and a plot that's refreshingly free of excessive violence or gratuitous special effects.--Jeremy Storey ... Read more

Reviews (29)

MORE CORN & ONIONS
This movie really blows! It's among the worst I've ever seen. Not recommended.

Pretty Good if You're Bound and Gagged for Two Hours
Mod Squad is nothing to watch on purpose mind you. It's one of those bad films that requires no thinking at all to get through. That's probably why you could be watching it for over an hour and not even realize what anyone in the scenes are doing. This is the worst ripoff of a television series I have ever seen. The characters didn't act anything like the originals. Omar Epps rocked and as a black person I was embarrassed he even took a part in the mess. He is too good of an actor to even think of taking a role where he had so little to do. Ribisi was unnoticable as the " dumb " one of the group. His lines were supposed to be funny but he only ended up making me more bored. Claire Danes was stylish for once but she tried too hard to be sexy and once again her acting barely passed. With many more exciting young actresses out there I was surprised that someone thought Claire Danes who played Julie like a ditzy tramp could be smart enough to be a cop. This is the movie that proved Danes is not leading lady material. She does much better as a supporting actress. This was awful and unless you've got the hots for any of these three people don't waste your time. Poor Omar, thank goodness he went on to better roles. If you like new adaptations of old shows, I'd watch the new Charlie's Angels movies. They may not be perfect but at least they aren't boring.

Embarrasing.
For those who don't know, the premise of the TV show was that these three troubled kids had some attitude but were actually decent, sympathetic characters. And they had as their "father figure", Captain Greer.

Just copy that formula, with Clarie Danes--who IS cute--and bingo, instant hit.

But no. First we kill off the guy who's supposed to watch over them. Next, we make them unsympathetic slackers. Finally, add a dash of silly, dated dialog like "Solid, man". (Which sounded ridiculous, even in the 60s, trust me).

I don't know who Giovanni is but he should get some sleep and try breathing through his nose so he can close his mouth occasionally. Even when he isn't talking his mouth is open.

Didn't they give any thought to the lack of chemistry between these actors--and how unappealing they are in these roles? I'd send them back to prison.

more like 2 in a half
this movie has 3 good leads in the roles of Julie, Pete and Linc. but theres some funkyness and stupidity in some of this one, especially in Michael Lerner's Howard character, the man who dances with Omar Epps. Giovanni Ribisi is the stand out here as Pete, hes crazy and likable. my favorite scenes with him are teh scene with the carwash and the ones where he has the gun, hes so great with the gun, Claire Danes looks delicious in her black undies and Epps is buffer then ever. a good view and I having seen the tv show its based on though I hear its kinda good and corny.

Negative Stars Apply
First of all, Peggy Lipton's Julie would have whipped Claire Danes' Julie two times over and thrice on Sunday. How such a cool TV show could go bad as a movie boggles the mind. Ribisi's a great actor, but he's totally miscast at Pete. Same goes for Omar - not the Linc I had in mind AT ALL!!

Seriously, those of us who actually paid money to see this dribble weren't going in for Masterpiece Theatre. What we got was the thrill of telling everyone we know that we paid to see one of the worst films of all time. Yippee. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Beware of the terrible Tropopkin
I enjoyed watching this movie when it first came on the Disney Channel and I still enjoy watching it today. Alan Thicke gives a great performance as Todd's uptight father, a man who is so grounded in reality he doesn't even know what it means to use his imagination. Robin Riker is fabulous as the seductive and evil Denise Gore, who in reality of course is a monster. It was nice seeing Corey Feldman in this movie, who is so hilarious as Phlegm, the rock musician, head banging freak, and Amy Dolenz is equally good as Wendy, Phlegm's girlfriend and Todd's object of affection. I thought that the makeup and the special effects in this movie were actually quite good, the acting was very believable and there were some very funny moments in it. Also look for other great performances by John Astin as the priest and George Gaynes as Todd's grandfather. A wonderful movie, one that the whole family should watch.

WHO LET THE TROPOPKINS OUT??!
Holy cow! I read these other reviews & decided to rent this flick, and I was blown away like a gang-banger in a shootout w/ a SWAT team. This movie is DA BOMB! Yes, it's that good. Alan Thicke was brilliant, so was Amy Dolenz (Yowza!) but also was the priest (Gomez), I'm not sure what was up w/ his disappearing glasses & all but he held this together. I really enjoyed the fight scenes, especially w/ the midnight paper boy. But I will say that this movie leaves you guessing until the 70 yr. old camper runs out yelling "I need O2!". Do yourself and society a favor and rent this movie! NOW!!!

TROPOPKIN MANIA
If dancing monsters, red headbands, flying gargoyles and numerous catchphrases are what you crave, then Stepmonster is the flick for you! I mean, what DOESN'T this movie have? Corey Feldman, though in a small part, makes this movie work. Not to mention George Gaynes and Alan Thicke. Of course, Todd, the gargoyle-killa who swings a mean bat, makes you understand his situation, whether it be setting his alarm for 11:46 pm, hoping for his mother to return or keepin his eye on the gargoyle! The plot does keep you on the back of your seat, and the violence is a bit below par, the climatic ending is HUGE!! With the help of Alan Thicke, C.Feldman, and Punky Brewster's dad. ENJOY!!

dude!
I first saw this movie in 1993 when it came on the disney channel. D-U-D-E, it was so cool and immediately i was hooked. unfortunately, the movie never came on again. i waited for two years to see it and when it finally came on, i had to go to a wedding and only saw the first five minutes. i was heartbroken becasue i never saw the movie again for another three years. that time i taped it--and i've had it ever since, watching and enjoying it

Stepmonster
Todd Dougherty Has An Immagination Driven By Comic Books...When Todd Accuses His New Stepmother To Be A Tropokin, a Comic Book Monster Who Can Take The Form Of a Human, Of Course, No One Beleives Him...When Neighborhood Friends Turn Up Dead, Todd Springs His Plan Into Action, Attempting To Prevent This Monster From Marrying His Dad (Alan Thicke) And Running His Life...Enjoyable For All Ages With Good Acting All Around...Starring Corey Feldman, And Ami Dolenz ; ) ... Read more

Reviews (48)

Autism and Encryption. Bruce Willis as partially human.
No doubt underdeveloped and that's a shame because this movie had true potential for being an exquisite story. Hollywood might be surprised what a large audience it could hook with more in-depth characters, less violence and deeper development of themes. Nevertheless, I found this movie taking a hopeful prototypical step away from the tidal wave of macho-action-violence sans substance films that we have endured ad nauseum.

The theme of autism was handled superficially, leaving the viewer with too little information, but the highly structured life-style, the eternal sidelong glance and the savant quality of the autistic boy were certainly intriging aspects in the movie. The beginning of a relationship between Bruce Willis and the boy was also a meaningful element which speaks to a potential in autistic individuals rarely recognized.

In addition, a reader of the book, SIMPLE SIMON, upon which this movie is based, writes an enlightening review about encryption and the powers of the U.S. government which may be accessed at the Amazon site for this book.

It would be nice to know if Hollywood is ever listening. Good storytelling can be extremely satisfying for the audience; without total formulaic stereotyping and without losing dollars. Perhaps the makers of MERCURY RISING might take another small step toward good story telling with their next movie by developing the themes and characters equally well as the action and violence.

The mercury steadily rises in Mercury Rising
I can't believe that "Mercury Rising" isn't more popular of a movie. A 9 year old autistic boy cracks the national security code that everybody thought was impossible to break. Art (Bruce Willis) takes it upon himself to protect the kid from some government officials who want the boy dead.

There might be some minor gaps in the storyline of "Mercury Rising," but nothing that does anything to hurt the movie in my opinion. This movie shows how great of an actor Bruce Willis really is and the boy does a great job too. The effects are also well done and the movie has good suspense.

If you like good suspense movies, I recommend getting "Mercury Rising."

IQ Falling
This one could easily serve as Exhibit B in any indictment of knee-jerk Hollywood anti-Americanism. Exhibit A would have to be a better film.

The premise concerns an autistic child who is able to sightread extremely high-order classified ciphers. He's accomplished exactly that with the National Security Agency's latest version, which he's accessed through one of the lamest plot twists imaginable. (They've placed it in a puzzle magazine to beta-test it--no, I'm not making this up.)

So great -- the NSA hires the kid and turns him loose on Chinese, French, and other unfriendly ciphers, right? No they do not. Wake up -- this is Hollywood. They send goons out to kill him, which is where Bruce Willis, playing a conflicted law-enforcement officer of uncertain antecendents, comes to the rescue. From there on it's the standard huggermugger--unnecessary hairbreadth escapes, elite assassins who turn dopey at the most convenient moment, all-but-omniscient villains who can't see the obvious trap at the climax, etc.

The acting was phoned in. Willis can do many things well, but he can't do conflicted. For some peculiar reason, the guy who fed Buscemi into the wood chipper in "Fargo" has his hair dyed black in this one. All traces of quirkiness evident in his performance for the Coens has vanished here.

The sole exception to the overall blandness is provided by the Bloviator himself, Alec Baldwin. Perhaps the film's major offense is the implication that whole scheme is being carried out in support of Iraqi agents working against Saddam. (Kind of getting a jump on Fatboy Moore here.) Baldwin repeats this contention several times during the film, very impressively, too. With conviction, you might say.

All in all, this is a film that makes "Enemy of the State" look good. A clearer recommendation I cannot provide.

A great concept, utterly defanged of any real meaning
There was an article about a script writer's journey in getting his picture made. I sympathize with the guy. He was down on his luck, his rent was three months overdue, and his wife was getting seriously pissed off.

The plot of his script was simple. It was about an autistic boy named Simon who can read the secret codes embedded in crossword puzzles. In other words, he took a common urban myth and wrote a script about it. Not original, but certainly compelling. Add Bruce Willis to the mix and you have a big budget movie.

Then one day, his agent called. He was nervous. A major studio was offering a six figure number for the movie. When other movie studios heard about it, a war of escalation ensued. Soon, they were trying to outbid each other. The price kept climbing and climbing and climbing.

Finally, the agent had enough. The script was sold. Presumably, the scriptwriter got to stay married and pay off his rent. And, I hope, socked the money away into savings. Because this movie sucks.

The movie went through several title changes, a sure sign that there's a problem. It was originally supposed to be Simon Says, but the execs changed it because nobody knew what that meant. So they changed it to Mercury Rising instead. As Dr. Evil would say, "Riiiight."

There's a few problems. One of them is translating onto screen the depiction of code. Apparently, the movie decides code decryption sounds like a high-pitched whining sound. Perhaps it's an accurate parallel, but it's not fun to listen to.

Simon's autism is depicted a little too accurately. His parents are killed early on, so Simon's on his own and fairly incapable of doing much besides wailing his head off when touched. This is very accurate. This does not make for a pleasant movie.

Willis' character is the usual -- haggard, determined, violent. He isn't much more than that. He gets tangled up in the plot (FBI vs. "Government Bad Guys") and calls in favors.

The bad guys show a distinct lack of common sense. It's so blithly nonsensical that it's not even worth the energy to describe the inconsistencies. Suffice it to say, the bad guys show a boogeyman-like ability to pop up anywhere when convenient, and a surprising inability to do it when it might impair the protagonist.

What bugged me most is that ultimately, this movie could have been about ANYBODY who happened to know Something Secret (TM). It wasn't about the boy's ability to crack code, it was about Bruce Willis' character protecting an innocent. Like in Eraser. Like in Enemy of the State. Like in a dozen other movies. Only in Enemy of the State, the main character's skills actually were USEFUL in the plot. Simon never gets to exercise his code-cracking abilities more than once (to meet one of the soon-to-be-dead informants).

Even in portraying an autistic person, Rain Man and Cube still managed to make the character worth liking instead of utterly pathetic.

The other problem is that the villain's execuse is -- *GASP! -- being a patriot to protect undercover agents in Iraq. Well, that dates the movie just a little bit. Not their fault, necessarily, but certainly the movie loses its sting. In addition, the whole concept of "sacrificing one for the good of all" is a little more strict these days. Ask an American if an autistic boy's life should be spared to save thousands of agents attempting to stop terrorism and more than half will doom the boy.

I can understand why the studio execs bid on the idea. It was a great concept but utterly defanged of any real meaning, failing to utilize its characters, its high-minded ideals, or even its action scenes in a way that makes us care about anybody in the movie. Yes, even an autistic little boy.

LOW BLOOD PRESSURE
Bruce Willis returns in the role of a loose cannon, demoted by the FBI after a hostage situation goes tragically awry. Willis is great in these kind of roles, eliciting both a strong macho appearance, but with an inner sensitivity that evades other actors. Willis' scenes with Miko Hughes as the autistic Simon are the highlights of the film, as is the supporting performances by Chi McBride as Willis' buddy and Kim Dickens as a young lady who gets involved in the situation. Alec Baldwin is smarmy again as the villainous NSA director. The main problem I found with this picture is director Harold Becker's meandering pacing and inability to maintain a tight level of suspense. The climax is great, but wading through some really slow scenes hurts it overall.
Not a great film, but a good one. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

BIG CAUTION
LOOK OUT,
The review for this movie actually refers to the 2001 Kidman movie. This 1997 title of the same name IS NOT THE KIDMAN MOVIE. Be warned

p.s Have you seen Lost and Delirious yet. Excellent movie!

others rocks
This film was a lot of fun, reminiscent of classic 80s teen flicks with a little bit of Grease thrown in. Most memorable is the soundtrack. Great songs! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

BIG CAUTION
LOOK OUT,
The review for this movie actually refers to the 2001 Kidman movie. This 1997 title of the same name IS NOT THE KIDMAN MOVIE. Be warned

p.s Have you seen Lost and Delirious yet. Excellent movie!

others rocks
This film was a lot of fun, reminiscent of classic 80s teen flicks with a little bit of Grease thrown in. Most memorable is the soundtrack. Great songs! ... Read more