Amazon.com

You wouldn't think a movie that's mostly two old guys talking could be athriller, but that's exactly what Man on the Train is. Frenchsinger Johnny Hallyday plays a professional criminal who comes to a smalltown to take part in a robbery. By chance, he meets talkative JeanRochefort (The Hairdresser's Husband), who invites the laconicHallyday to stay at his house because the hotel is closed. The two form anunlikely friendship, each curious about (and envious of) the other's life.But all the while plans for the robbery continue, while Rochefort ispreparing for a dangerous event of his own. The pitch-perfect performancesmake Man on the Train completely involving. Rochefort and Hallydayplay off of each other beautifully; it's impossible to put your finger onwhat makes these subtle, supple scenes so magnetic. Directed with spareauthority by Patrice Leconte (Ridicule). --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Another wonderful French film
Two men of entirely different makes, have a chance meeting in a small French town drugstore. One, a quiet midlife bank robber and the movie's namesake, has arrived by train in order to case the town's bank and prepare a team to rob it. The other, a much older chatterbox, is a retired French teacher, and still tutors children, as well as read poetry and play the piano. The bank robber yearns for a more peaceful and quiet life, whereas the teacher longs for excitement, fearing that his life is close to finishing. The bank robber, by means of unforeseen circumstances, is forced to stay at the teacher's home for the week while he prepares his work. The unlikely pair begin a tender friendship that starts to move both men toward the things they are really looking for in life. By the end of the week, both men have been affected in ways that will change their life for good.

This movie is a character piece. No sex, minimal violence. It moves in a slow but very steady pace. The director recognizes that this is a movie based on dialogue, and the things going on in the two protagonists' heads. It's very enjoyable and yet just another wonderful film coming out of France.

Understated, Curious Character Study.
A stranger arrives in a sleepy French town with plans to rob its bank. The man is Milan (Johnny Hallyday), an aging and world-weary career criminal. When he discovers that the town's hotel is closed, an elderly gentleman invites Milan to stay in his home. The elderly man is Monsieur Manesquier (Jean Rochefort), a retired literature teacher whose life has always been routine, and now the routine is spent mostly alone in his family's lovely but somewhat dilapidated mansion. As these two men spend time observing each other, each man is drawn by curiosity to the other man's lifestyle. They both begin to see long-dormant aspects of their own characters in the other man. As their growing friendship induces in each man a new way of seeing himself, the two men develop a taciturn but deep bond.

"The Man on the Train" is a stereotypical French film in that nothing actually happens overtly. The action is all internal, in the hearts and minds of Milan and M. Manesquier. It is less typical of a French film in that not much is said either. Milan is a laconic character, and M. Manesquier likes to talk but seems to lack anyone to talk to. This is a quiet film that actually seems to distrust language. The story of these two unlikely companions discovering each other in themselves is told through two sensitive, outstanding performances by Jean Rochefort and Johnny Hallyday and through the cinematography of Jean-Marie Dreujou. I could have done with less filtration on some of the outdoor scenes, but Dreujou's cinematography really shines inside M. Manesquier's mansion. The camera work gives the audience the distinct impression of a closed, isolated space in which we are concealed observers of the unusual relationship that is developing between the two men. Fans of character studies will appreciate this little gem of a film. If that's you, "The Man on the Train" is highly recommended. French with English subtitles. There are no bonus features on the DVD, and the subtitles cannot be turned off.

slow and boring
Slow and boring. The first hour and fifteen minutes are nothing but a dawdling and pointless dialogue between two very different strangers who become somewhat of friends. If you are still awake for the last 15 minutes, there is a very brief moment of action. The music is intentionally reminiscent of an American Western but since the film is set in a modern French town, it's a combination that didn't appeal to me in the least. The picture quality is great, however the English subtitles are fixed, and can't be removed. Furthermore the translations aren't completely accurate, and they are often poorly timed.

Great film pity about the fixed English subtitles
The irremovable English subtitles get in the way especially if you are trying to learn a language. Normally subtitles are optional, these are not.

Cute Flick
I loved the characters in this film. The old retired teacher in a small French town, invites a raggedy drifter who is in town (to rob a bank), to stay in his mansion since the local hotel is closed for the season. As the film progresses, each begin to admire the others' way of life. The old teacher, who is a very loveable person, is in love with American western movies, and tries to start fights, but just can't, since he is so well known and respected. The drifter is the silent type who gets a chance to try on slippers for the very first time while with the teacher.
This film really drew me into the protagonists' lives, and though I'm not really sure if there is a definite moral to it, it kept me thinking of my own life, and the choices that I've made, and why I chose what I did. This is a great film if you're looking for something to inspire you into gaining some hindsight.
The acting is terrific, the script is lovely, this is a must-see for all drama aficionados. ... Read more

Amazon.com

French sensation The Crimson Rivers was a serial killer thriller with a difference--it was genuinely thrilling. It was also pretty disturbing, but Jean Reno (The Professional) brought some light to the darkness with his sly performance as dog-phobic detective Niémans. Fortunately, Reno has returned in this highly stylized Luc Besson-penned sequel. Vincent Cassell has not, but Benoît Magimel (The Piano Teacher), as new partner Reda, makes for a decent replacement. Alas, Olivier Dahan isn't in the same league as Matthieu Kassovitz and the story line, which has something to do with the Last Supper, the Maginot Line, and gravity-defying killer monks, is even more convoluted than before. Then there's Johnny Hallyday (The Man on the Train) as a mysterious one-eyed man and Christopher Lee (The Lord of the Rings) as a bad German dude. It's all a little ridiculous, but entertaining nonetheless, and the chase sequences are a treat. --Kathleen C. Fennessy ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Book of Revelation Illustrated for the Movie Audience
While many new writers search for bizarre story material as subject for action thrillers, few have looked to the scariest source of all - St John's Book of Revelation from the Bible.So it is from the pen of Luc Besson ('The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc', 'The Transporter', 'La Femme Nikita') adapting a screenplay from the novel 'Les Rivières pourpres' by Jean-Christophe Grangé that we gain some visualization of the predictions of the Apocalyptic end of the world.And it is as scary as you remember from reading the Bible as a child!

Commissioner Niemans (Jean Reno) partners with Reda (Benoît Magimel - the hunky fine actor from 'The Piano Teacher' and 'The Flower of Evil') to investigate a series of crucifixions linked to a near secret abbey.Because of the ecclesiastic nature of the murders a church scholar Marie (Camille Natta) is called in to advise and it is with her skills as an expert on Revelation that she teaches Niemans and Reda the meanings of the breaking of the various Seals, the four horsemen, the events leading up to the prophesied end of the world, and provides the intellectual backup to the thriller chase sequences attempting to apprehend the monks posing as Angels of the Apocalypse provided by Niemans and Reda.Add to this mix the fact that the Abbey is connected to the Maginot Line from WW II and that a German entrepreneur Heinrich von Garten (Christopher Lee) has for some odd reason purchased the Abbey for this own secret agenda and all of the ingredients for a edge of the seat suspense movie are in place.

Reno and Magimel make a terrific screen team with just the right amount of humanism and humor to allow some tension relief for he story.The special effects are excellent as is the cinematography and musical score.Yes, there is considerable blood and guts as each of the 'surrogate apostles' is murdered, but the camera doesn't linger longer than necessary to make the point.

The problem with the film is that it runs out of steam in the end and gives the feeling that someone called "Cut" making story end far too abruptly.But other than that this is a fairly interesting enactment of the Biblical prophecy of the Apocalypse, updated (?) for the audiences of today!Grady Harp, May 05

An Action-Mystery Masterpiece... That Ends Awkwardly
The second in what I sincerely hope will be a continuing series about a French Police Inspector who specializes in solving wierd murders, this is an extraordinarily well-made film produced by the partnership of Canal Plus, Luc Besson, Johnny Halliday, and Jean Reno, who stars as inspector Niemans.This time out Inspector Niemans is called on to investigate the ritualistic killing of a group of religious zealots.

Like the novel "The da Vinci Code", the script blends Apocalyptic Christian mysticism, neo-Nazis with grandiose dreams, forensic realism, and a buncha good ol' bad boys dressed in cassocks and hoods who hurtle around committing highly athletic mega violent crimes... while hyped to the gills on WWII vintage methamphetamine.

The director, Olivier Dahan, knows his action-movie stuff.There's a foot-chase that runs two minutes plus and rivals in intensity any digitally-pumped-up work that Hollywood has done recently... and a hand-to-hand combat sequence between a dope-dealer and a young policeman that should have the heads of every martial arts afficianado in the audience enthusiastically nodding, "Yes! Yes! Yes!"

The only quibble?The well-plotted story ends too abruptly: an interrupted climax so to speak. :)

Suspense Escapes as Film Unfolds...
Stories about murders and serial killers have always intrigued millions of film viewers through films such as Peeping Tom (1960), Silence of the Lambs (1991), and Se7en (1995).These films often go into great lengths to depict the psyche and the persona of the characters through the killer's hideous acts, which often generates discomfort and disgust.Nonetheless, the audience continues to watch in suspense trying to anticipate what will happen next.Crimson Rivers - Angels of the Apocalypse brings the audience into a visual journey that triggers this macabre interest, but leaves the audience annoyed and empty.

Detective Pierre Niemans (Jean Reno) returns to the criminal environment in this sequel to the Crimson Rivers (2000).This time a monk in a monastery has discovered blood seeping out of a wall, which initially seems to be a pious sign from God.However, Detective Niemans arrives to investigate the seemingly spiritual discovery, as he uncover a freshly crucified body within the wall.The body sets off an investigation of a deliberately meticulous killer with strong Christian values that seem to be one step ahead of Detective Niemans'.

Simultaneously, Reda (Benoît Magimel), a former student of Detective Niemans when he was a professor at the police academy, is coming across a peculiar man who looks and calls himself Jesus.For some reason, someone dressed as a monk attempts to kill the man who calls himself Jesus.Reda tries to arrest the unknown monk, but the monk has unbelievable strength and stamina and escapes Reda's attempt to capture him.

The circumstances bring the student and his teacher back together, as they obtain help from an expert on Christianity and Christian text, Detective Marie (Camille Natta).The three of them begin an investigative journey covered with blood and Christian symbols, which they must deifier in order to get closer to the killer.The clues lead them closer to the suspect, but not without putting their own lives in jeopardy as it seems that the killer is a highly trained murderer.

Crimson Rivers begins with an interesting premise with a gruesome murder in a monastery; however, as the story moves along the audience is introduced to new facts which make much of the film seem rather dimwitted and awkward.It feels as if the director did not completely think through his ideas before presenting them to the audience or that he began working with a script that only was in the draft stage.There is definitely potential in the story, but it all falls apart through the new facts and a painful awareness of what will happen next.

IT WASN'T THAT BAD!
a bizzare series of murders are somehow connected to religious icons of the past. commisioner neimans, a rebellious detective and a beautiful expert on religion uncover a sinister plot that could bring about the end of the world.
DVD has minimal special features, but in my opinion, is worth the watch.

Flat and Superficial Thriller with Flashy Images
'Crimson Rivers -- Angels of the Apocalypse' ('Les Rivieres Pourpres 2: Les Angels de L'Apocalypse') has little to do with the first one except that the new film has Inspector Niemans played by Jean Reno, the star of the original.Instead of Vincent Cassel, the task of his partner is given to Benoit Magimel, and the script is written by Luc Besson, known for 'The Fifth Element.'Perhaps more interesting are the names of the guest stars, Johnny Hallyday ('The Man on the Train') and, look,legendary Christopher Lee, Count Dracula, or Saruman of 'LOTR.'

The story is the original of Besson, which means nothing original.A dead body of a man is found in the 'Room No 13.' of one secluded monastery, and the way of burial is, as you see, nothing ususal, like a cat in Poe's famous story.While tough detective Niemans investigates the case, mysterious killer(s?) keep on murdering the victims according to their ownrituals.

Before a younger cop Reda (Magimel, very good) joins in Niemans's investigation, following the suspect of another strange case, we know where the film is going to lead us.The film's mystery includes, as the title suggests, a biblical theme, and it is not hard to guess the motives of the serial killing.And when Christopher Lee appears as a minister of Germany (he is playing a German), and talks about the days of WW2, now you know Besson is not the most creative writer in the world.

[MAKES ME DIZZY] The film is directed by Olivier Dahan, whose previous works I have not seen yet.But obviously he does not like the time-tested, traditional method of filmmaking, and seems to have refused to use storyboards.In short, the entire film looks like a 100 minute MTV show, French version.

The images of the film are always restless, as if trying to test our patience.The camera often shows slanted picture, and whenever it wants, it starts to rotate without particular meaning.Though unique places (like Maginot Line) are additional merits to the banal story, and the dark, dump, atmosphere of the place is very realistic, these precious moments are scatterd among the pointless and thrill-less script that offers no interest except blood and body count.

Some of the stunts are memorable, the chase scene between Maginel's cop and the high-jumping assassin in particular.Whoever he or she may be, the stunt deserves special mention.But alas, the director meddles with the stuntperson's great job, with cut, cut, cut, and the silly camerawork that, I firmly believe, should be banned in making any action parts in future.And poor editing (which reminded me of the streetcar chase scenes of 'The Rock' which gave me a headache).Sometimes I cried, 'What's going on?'

Reno and Magimel are good, but the acting is not their best, and the same can be said about the legendary actor Lee.And the run-of-the-mill story of Besson, who has written as many as three scripts in 2003 alone, needs a more twisted plot, like that of the original, and what a disappointing ending, which makes no sense whatever.Though there are some fleetingly exciting moments, the flat and incredibly convinient conclusion would exactly tell you why Besson can write so many screenplays. ... Read more

Description

Historians may never agree about where and when rock 'n' roll was born, but they do agree that an entrepreneur in the world of music named Sam Phillips began a revolution and spawned a legacy when he created Sun Records. This Memphis-based success story defined some of the most appealing roots of American popular culture with such seminal artists as Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and so many others, all reprised in this two-hour American Masters film with such performers as Paul McCartney, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and Live, many accompanied by Elvis' original sidemen, Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana. Highlights include a moving rendition of "Lonely Weekends" with Jerry Lee Lewis and Matchbox Twenty, and an emotional reunion of old Mississippi Delta musicians. Songs: That's All Right (Paul McCartney), Honey Don't (Ben Folds Five), Rock n' Roll Ruby (Mark Knopfler), I Walk the Line (Live), My Bucket's Got a Hole in It (Robert Plant & Jimmy Page), Blue Suede Shoes (Johnny Hallyday), Who Will the Next Fool Be (Zucchero), Cry, Cry, Cry (Third Eye Blind), Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee (Malcolm Yelvington and Kid Rock), Lonely Weekend (Matchbox Twenty). ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Excellent item with a few flaws.
THIS IS A GREAT DVD OVERALL. THE INTERVIEWS AND
CONVERSATIONS OF PAST "SUN RECORDS" STARS AND SAM PHILLIPS ARE VERY INTERESTING BUT WHERE WAS JERRY LEE LEWIS FOR THESE
SESSIONS? I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY WITH "REVIEWER" BILL TAYLOR THAT "MATCHBOX TWENTY'S" TREATMENT OF CHARLIE RICH'S "LONELY WEEKENDS" WAS EMBARRASSING TO SAY THE LEAST - SHOULD HAVE JUST
LET JERRY LEE LEWIS DO IT! HOWEVER, ZUCCHERO DID DO A PRETTY
GOOD VERSION OF RICH'S "WHO WILL THE NEXT FOOL BE?" AND THEN THEY LEFT IT OFF THE "CD" EDITION OF THE MUSIC AND USED ANOTHER
SINGER! I WOULD RECOMMEND THE "A & E" BIOGRAPHY OF SAM PHILLIPS FOR THOSE WHO LIKED THIS - AN EXCELLENT PRESENTATION WRITTEN BY
PREMIER ROCK CRITIC "PETER GURALNICK."

Riveting! Great show!
For a documentary this one's pretty long. But I never looked at my watch. I'd lean forward to hear better. I loved 'Good Rockin' Tonight'! In addition to the priceless conversations between Rufus Thomas, Sam Phillips, Scotty Moore, Sonny Burgess, Billy Lee Riley, etc., the old songs covered by current artists is great. Among others, Paul McCartney sings 'That's All Right, Mama" with Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana playing behind him, for cryin' out loud!

Kudos.

Good Rockin' Forever
Good Rockin'Tonight is a moving experience! I couldn't sit still. The film is a musical trip through time,a fascinating story, performed by a tapestry of players. Good Rockin', rock on!

it rocks!
I saw this last year on American Masters and I loved it. I just ordered it. Just to see Billy Lee Riley and Sonny Burgess perform was enough to add this to my collection. Paul McCartney playing with Scotty Moore and DJ Fontana was as close as we will ever get to the Beatles jamming with Elvis. This was fun and informative.... kudos to the filmakers.

Good Rockin,but not GREAT rockin!!!
I found this documentary to be interesting in that all the regional artists who ,for the most part didn't make it to national stardom,or did and didn't maintain that place on the ladder for long all seem to blame Sam Phillips for their plight!Billy Lee Riley couldn't say enough about how ol'Sam shot his career down the tubes,of course,in other forums I've heard Roy Orbison,Johnny Cash,Carl Perkins,and Jerry Lee Lewis claim the same.Obviously there must be something there,however,some of those went on to stardom and have maintained it.The musical performances taped here are decent,just not very exciting,the reviewer for this DVD says that there is a touching version of Charlie Rich's tune "Lonely Weekends" done by Matchbox 20 and some geezer called "the Killer"...well there was nothing "touching" about it,insulting was more the word if you ask me!Charlie Rich wrote that tune,had a hit with it in the late 50's and Jerry Lee Lewis revived it in the 70's and had a hit with it,Charlie is dead,and after the treatment that the Sun Wildman ,Jerry Lee gets in this re working of Sun history,he may as well be,as he gets about 10 seconds of screen time in this "history of..whatever! To get to where the producers of this piece take us,one would think that Carl Perkins,Johnny Cash, and Elvis were the only noteworhty happenings in this studio(,at one time Jerry Lee was given some acknowledgemnt of his contributions too,)sure is great how fickle we can be! Aside from this ranting of mine,I enjoyed the exposure that Charlie Rich gets here,as well as Rufus Thomas,and the Burnett trio.Rocky Burnett comes across as a real gentleman.This is really fascinating stuff,however,if this is all you know about the happenings at Sun studio,do some reading ,listen to some music from that studio,track its talent pool, and then come back to this presentation as it isn't all it appears to be,Sun was known for its raw,reckless way of producing music,most of the music made here is polite stuff,recorded mostly somewhere else,maybe a statement as to the international impact of this music? Maybe,maybe not.Do I recommend this work,sure do! Why? Its a great place to start learning about music,the South,social mores,shifting paradiams,(maybe I'm reaching here,cause I really want to be positive) and more,but remember,its a starting place,not the end all...and maybe one day the makers of this documentary will let us in on what they were trying to accomplish with this mostly mish mash of bitter recollections,snubs,and tepid music,some celebration,some legacy. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

THIS MOVIE IS A RIOT
This movie had me on the floor. I can't remeber the last time I laughed so much watching a comedy. Gerard is hysterical and Harvey Keitel is a fantastic. The story is very clever. A group of dim-witted French thieves are sent to Chicago to steal a necklace and end up going to the wrong house and robbing the head of the mafia (Keitel). From there things get worse as our French heros struggle to get out of the windy city and find their way home. There are several scenes where you'll find yourself laughing out loud... especially when Keitel calls
his number one on the phone (see the movie and you'll know what I mean). The acting is great and the cast seems to have had a great time making it. All in all, this film does exactly what it's supposed to do: Entertains and makes you laugh.

Wickedly Funny
God, this movie is funny.

There is one thing I would like to point out: Many people refer to this as a foreign film, and I guess technically it is since it was made by a Canadian company, but I feel this is misleading and many people will think it is a foreign language film, when it is not. The first few minutes of the movie are in French with English subtitles, but after that the entire movie (except for one scene) is in English.

I have to say that making an English-speaking film with French actors was a gamble - but it was a gamble that pays off big-time. These guys are so funny they reduce you to tears. Crime Spree is a unique twist on an old genre. I highly recommend it for everyone who like to laugh.

Genuine Laughs ... worth a rental
I don't know how I stumbled onto this DVD, but my blind purchase (I do that sometimes) was a success. There are some moments in this movie that are laugh-out-loud funny. All of the French actors in this film are legends in France for one reason or another (some of them are famous music artists) and the nearly always excellent Harvey Keitel and Abe Vigoda also star.

The French thieves appear to be bumbling idiots at first, but despite appearances they get it together as the movie progresses, so don't expect non-stop slapstick humour. The laughs are sometimes in the more subtle situation-comedy moments. There are some tense and surprisingly violent scenes too. At times the script was clichéd ("you must either be brave or very stupid to be here") and I also felt like a better editor could have salvaged some of the jokes (and punchlines)...there were a few times where there were pauses before or after a joke that felt a bit too: oh i see, you want me to laugh now, right?. I also dislike the premise in movies, where everyone is a potential traitor (which is a cheap and easy way for allowing lots of plot twists to complicate things).

The DVD: Nothing except for the director & producer commentary, which is, by the way, very interesting. And I don't mean that in a good way. I advise you to NOT listen to the commentary, because you may suddenly notice a lot more flaws in the film that more seasoned directors (who, granted, probably would have bigger budgets) would have not let go unnoticed. The director/writer Brad Mirman is not a dumb guy, but he's clearly inexperienced and perhaps a bit too pleased with his (debut?) film -- ie. 'oh I love this next scene'.

Look past my complaints, this film has a fresh and funny approach on a tired (mafia & fish out of water) theme, with funny and inspired performances all round. Recommended.

A good laugh
Crime Spree is brilliant parody of many film genres (crime/mafia, fish out of water, comedy of errors). The performances by Gérard Depardieu (Daniel Foray), Albert Dray (Raymond Gayet), Johnny Hallyday (Marcel Burot), and Renaud (Zero) were excellent.

A fun movie
If you enjoyed watching likeable wannabe crooks bumble around in movies like "Snatch" and "Lock, Stock, and two Smoking Barrels," this movie belongs in the same bin. Not as good in my opinion, but still really funny.

A bunch of entry-level criminals from France can't ever do anything right, so their boss sends them to Chicago for one last chance at a big job. This job goes worse than their previous work, and they find themselves at odds with the Chicago mafia (led by Harvey Keitel and Abe Vigoda) and a street gang.

The plot is not as twisted and surprising as other movies, but it's original as far as I can tell. You might guess at what is going to happen if you are one of those types trying to figure it out, but at least you won't feel like you are watching something you have already seen, and you will laugh all the way. On the other hand, people like me will be thrilled all the way. ... Read more