Description

A police inspector, investigating a string of sex crimes, succumbsto the wiles of some of the prostitues he questions. He finds that he has much in common with the murderer he's pursuing. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Be prepared for some X-rated Clint!!!
"Tightrope" contains some of the most graphic material ever seen in a Clint Eastwood film (eg: bondage scenes, homosexuality, sadomasochism). Definitely not for viewers under 16, even though I've had the movie since I was 11!!! Don't let the graphic material turn you off though because this film contains one of Clint's few great performances. His character's vulnerability has only been matched in two other movies that I know of (eg: In The Line of Fire, The Outlaw Josey Wales) and he should have at least been nominated for an Academy Award. Clint Eastwood plays Wes Block, a New Orleans detective who has been assigned to catch a serial sex killer. While on the trail, he finds himself sinking into the world of prostitution and other weird sexual fetishes. When the killer strikes too close to home (literally), Block forces himself out of his hole and the final battle between the cop and the killer has some very shocking and extremely violent scenes. "Tightrope" is indeed one of Clint's finer movies, even better than most in his "Dirty Harry" series. Warning: This film is strictly for adults.

Class: Thriller, Species : Coitus Kinky
Tightrope opens with the familiar credits that mark most of Clint Eastwood's films : Malpaso films presents...over an arial shot of car crossing a bridge. What is most surprising about this film is that writer/director Richard Tuggle uses the familiar framework of the "serial killer" movie to explore themes of guilt, sadomasochism, sexism and paranoia. Even more surprising is the fact that he explores those qualties in his hero, not the killer.

Eastwood stars as Wes Block, a New Orleans cop investigating the murders of several prostitutes who were tortured, raped and strangled. On his journey through the brothels of the city we sense that he has been there before, not as cop, but as a customer. Eastwood has the usual throwaway lines that have made his Harry Callahan character so famous, as when a prostitute apporches him "Want some honey?", "I don't eat sweets" he replies. But where Callahan draws knowing smirks from the audience, Block only draws gasps. Eastwood lets us know that any outward confidence he projects is merely a mask over his guilt. This leads to an early riveting scene where he interviews a hooker about her murdered friend "Did she mention anybody using handcuffs?" he asks. "I think it was a cop, maybe it was you" she jokes. The look on Eastwood's is face is one of such anguish, that he may even suspect himself. This one of Eastwood's best and bravest performances.

The scenes in the brothels and over the corpses are contrasted with surprisingly warm domestic scenes of Block the single parent raising his two daughters. The contrast is alarming, and the children are perhaps the only reason why he hasn't gone over the edge just yet. There is a particularly chilling suggestion in Tightrope that Block maybe vicariously living his fantasies through the killer.

On a physcological level the film is an original, where it falters is the plot. Perhaps inorder to get the film made, Tuggle was forced to add all the well worn cliches, such as the obligatory chase climax and the unmasking of the killer. He also has a tendancy to hammer home his points, as in the unnessecary dream sequence where Eastwood imagines he is the killer.

Some could persuasively argue the film wallows in excesses of depravity. I would disagree, an exploitation film tries to find a token story to hold acres of naked flesh and gore. A real film is driven to these taboo places BY its story. Tightrope is a real film. In its moody and intelligent way it suggests an innate depravity within the mildest of men.

Kinky,Kinky, Kinky Clint...
Man, what can be said about a southern detective walking the thin line between deviance and virtue, honor and sluttiness, father and "Whose your Daddy?", well, Clint does it well.
Great story of Clint as a detective hot on the trail of a killer who may be hot on Clint's trail. Some great one-liners, plenty o' nakedness, action, and cute kids. This movie actually makes you feel dirty, but in a good way. I saw rent it, buy it, put it under your pillow, drop it off on your co-workers desk and tell them that a good time awaits them. Hopefuly you won't get fired.

late.

Dark, Menacing, and Ambiguous
To me, this film is even more impressive today than it was when I first saw it. Frankly, when seeing it 20 years ago, I was thrown off-balance by the character whom Eastwood plays, Wes Block, a police detective in New Orleans. He pursues a serial killer of prostitutes, a psychopath with whom he seems to share similar psycho-sexual preoccupations. Presumably this was a risky part for Eastwood to take on. Under skillful but deferential direction by Richard Tuggle, he explores with great skill certain depraved tendencies within himself which were much more shocking in 1984 than they seem to be, unfortunately, two decades later. Block's personal situation is complicated even more by the fact that he a single parent, raising two daughters. It is also important to remember that his personal conduct creates the risk of compromising his professional integrity as a law enforcement officer. For these and other reasons, Block is a much more enigmatic character than, for example, Harry ("what you see is what you get") Callahan.

In the role of Beryl Thibodeaux, Genevieve Bujold portrays a criminal psychologist who is attracted to Block as they work together even as she begins to sense and then contend with at least some of the demons which torment him. So much of this film occurs (both literally and symbolically) in darkness. Even a trained professional such as Thibodeaux is frustrated in her attempts to understand someone for whom she feels sincere affection. Special credit should be given to Bruce Surtees for superb cinematography which is coordinated seamlessly with the often depressing storyline. He had worked with Eastwood in previous films which include Dirty Harry (1971), Play Misty for Me (also 1971), Pale Rider (1975), and The Outlaw Josie Wales (1976). The supporting cast is excellent, notably Eastwood's daughter Alison who plays his older Amanda in the film, and Dan Hadeya as Detective Molinari. Eventually, after the serial killer kidnaps Amanda Block, her distraught and enraged father pursues her to a riveting conclusion when....

Others are much better qualified than I to express this opinion but I think Wes Block is a character which begins a new transition for Eastwood the actor. Thereafter, the characters he plays tend to be of the "sadder but wiser" variety, much less self-assured, more fatalistic in their view of the world, skeptical and sometimes cynical, reluctant to trust anyone or anything, and are -- for me, therefore -- much more interesting. This is an especially upsetting film which has lost little (if any) of its dramatic impact. Twenty years after its initial release and probably because I have become a grandfather, there are certain situations in Tightrope which are even more upsetting now than ever before.

Eastwood as ghost director
Eastwood replaced Tuggle as director after, I believe, one day of torpid self-doubting direction. Tuggle maintained directorial credit, though this film is directed by Eastwood himself. And it shows. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Computer scientist Hannon Fuller (Armin Mueller-Stahl) finds something extremely important. Knowing that he's marked for assassination, he leaves a message in the virtual reality world he's designed, hoping it will be found by colleague Douglas Hall (Craig Bierko). Hall is a suspect in Fuller's murder and indeed finds a bloody shirt in his house, with no recollection of what he did the night before. Hall plunges headlong into Fuller's world (a re-creation of 1937 Los Angeles) to try to unravel the slaying and is soon knee-deep in confusion and trouble. What this film lacks in character depth and plot cohesiveness it makes up for in special effects and high concept. Fans of films like Blade Runner, Dark City, eXistenZ, and even the game Sim City should find this appealing. Of course, there's the question of letting the computers do all the heavy lifting in films while the humans walk through the plot (an all-too-familiar scenario in 1999), but the re-creation of '30s Los Angeles is certainly something to see, pallid script and acting or not. The Thirteenth Floor is a stylish modern-day noir that raises questions about technology versus reality, all the while wrapped up in a murder-mystery story line. --Jerry Renshaw ... Read more

Reviews (101)

A cult film fave
This is a stunning movie, simply overshadowed by the realease of "Matrix" about the same time. Not that "Matrix" wasn't great, but "Thirteenth Floor" deserved a lot more attention. Maybe just too cerebral for some--this is thought provoking and requires astute attention. While others have mentioned "Dark City" and "eXistenz," this is my favorite of the three. The photography is stunning, the production values make "eXistenz" look like a student film, and 1930's Los Angeles is beautifully realized. The use of color palette to distinguish the different realities is more effective on DVD than VHS tape. Craig Bierko, Armin Mueller-Stahl, and Vincent D'Onofrio (who is unrecognizable from his stint in "Men in Black")are all riveting. I found the ending to be clever, staying true to the theme of the movie while playing out the love affair. This warranted a satisfying second viewing to assure that all the pieces of the puzzle fit together. Give it a try.

I rented it; I bought it!
By the time I had seen this film on video, I had already seen the two films it is often compared to, THE MATRIX and DARK CITY, and although I have enjoyed both of these motion pictures on numerous occasions, I still find that I can always watch THE THIRTEEN FLOOR and get drawn back in.

It could very well be that what other reviewers are critical of about this movie is what actually makes me like it all the more; namely that science fiction that makes up a large part of the story line is not so complicated as to overpower the film noir-like quality this movie also possesses. The plot remains simple yet provocative, particularly after one encounters the plot twist near the end of the movie.

And it is that plot twist that provides one of the reasons why I slip this DVD of this movie into my player twice as often as I do those other two films..... With The Matrix and with Dark City, I am made to question the reality of the environment I live in; with The Thirteenth Floor, I am forced to examine the very foundation of my own existance. Deep concepts indeed...and from such a simple movie too!

Besides that, I loved Fuller's 1937 simulation world, from the slightly sepia cast that colored everything, to the slightly edgy quality of the music in the cabaret (The program, like all computer programs, still had a few bugs in it....).

OK...I will agree that the plot, though simple, still managed to show more depth than any of the characters within it ....and the scene at the very end of the film could have been fleshed out more. BUT with that one star taken away, I still would recommend this movie....

Rent it and see it and find out I mean. Get a copy for your collection when you want to see it again.....I did.

Awesome
Why do people keep saying this is a MATRIX ripoff? This movie is based on the novel SIMULCRON-3 that was written in 1962!!

I think that predates the MATRIX by a few years. Plus, the MATRIX isn't all that original anyway as even communicated by the screen-writers. Can you say PKD?

The movie that keeps you wanting more
If you haven't seen the film then go out and rent it first because it's not for everyone, espicially if your very much a matrix fan because this film doesn't go as deeply as you'd like it.
The reason I gave this film a 4 star is because it's gengre is rarely done well or for that matter done right. Like the matrix, it travels deep into the human mind to create a feeling of unease and distrust. In that I mean that one shouldn't believe what they see all at once until they've seen it all. Although the film doesn't have that element of serious intrigue like the matrix it still in it's own way gives you just what your looking for in terms of a sci-fi film without all the special kick ass moves that matrix is so well known for. Instead the film deals with how a good technological invention can turn deadly then moves into a field of smoken mirrors in which what you've seen has completely changed it's meaning and once again you are forced to replay the story line in your head to understand how it all works.
By the end of the film (which I will not tell you because that would be wrong) you are left with this sense of "awww" in which you think "geeez, I would have never guessed" which is just what the Matrix did for most people. Of course, I shouldn't be comparing two (as far as I'm concerned) completely different types of sci-fi films but these days if you haven't seen the matrix and your interested in this film then go out and rent it. Besides it does you no good to be out of the loop.
Anyway, to get the point across thier are some great performances in this film and often your left wondering where the next plot twist will lie. Although their were other wonderful actors in the film, I loved espicially Vincent D'onofrio just because he's the perfect villian and innocent bistandard all in once. Truely this film is as much a mystery of the sci-fi gengre as the Matrix is to Neo so do try to rent it and if you like it think of buying it. It never hurts to have a wide variety of sci-fi films at home!
Thank you! enjoy!

It was OK
I saw the Matrix and Reloaded before viewing this movie (just to clear the air). I liked it but it was very predictable. One other reviewer mentioned that this film left out the FX in order to be more of a thinking film. Think about what? The Matrix was rich in philosophical, theological, psychological, mathematical, and spiritual content. This movie had dablings, but not much. My wife absolutly HATED this movie. I though it was ok. There was no real "AHA!" moment (though I know where the directors wanted you to say AHA!). Perhaps I'm a bit biased to the Matrix, but this movie did not go as deep and simply skimmed the surface of "what is real". Next on my list is eXistenZ. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Not Like Any Other Molly Ringwald Movie You've Seen!
This is not a typical brat pack movie. 80's music doesn't blare in the background, there isn't a group of characters that seem to stay together in films. But, it's just as good as all of the other brat pack movies. There is only one brat pack member, and one is all it needs- Molly Ringwald.
Molly plays a high school senior named Darcy who is in love. Her boyfriend, Stan is played by Randall Batinkoff. Even though he is not a popular actor, he really shows talent in this film. When a night of passion in the rain leads to Darcy getting pregnant, they are faced with an important decision. Her mom says abortion, his parents say adoption. Stan and Marcy say "we're keeping it". When they are shunned from the family, they are forced to grow up quickly- marriage, jobs, bills and putting off college are all things this couple go through in the name of love. But will this love for eachother be enough to keep their family together?
This is a serious movie that looks at teenage pregnancy. It's not intended to be used as a brochure, but just as a fictional "what-if". Molly Ringwald really shows true talent in this movie, dealing with more than just missed birthdays and a day of dentention. Although this film was made in the mix of the other 80's cult flicks, this one sticks out as a source of seeing the true talent that Molly has.

Teen Struggle & Love
For Keeps where shall I start. For Keeps is one of those 80's movies that would fit perfect on The Lifetime Network. Molly Ringwald stars as Darci Elliot and Randall Batinkoff stars as Stan Bobrutz (intentional hard to spell and pronoucne name, it is the butt of several jokes in the film). The two high school sweethearts are sent fast forward into adult hood when Darci becomes pregnant. They struggle to stay together. I think this film is great because it shows young people just how hard things can be when you introduce a baby into the picture. It is not one of those happily ever after stories, Stan and Darci go through some real hard times. The movie itself takes a real awkward turn towards the end with Darci pushing Stan to pursue his dreams without his knowledge, but the movie will entertain those in 6th grade and up. Its a bit pricey but it is good for educational use and for the 80's fan building their collection.

Comfort Movie
I LOVE this movie and I was so worried it would never get to DVD since not many people have even heard of it. Its one of those movies that you can watch in your PJ's over and over. I just think of it as a comfort movie, I'm sure plenty of people would think thats crazy but I really like it =o)

i love the 80's
I must admit I am anti- molly ringwald. I think she was way overrated, but this movie is very good.

Sweet story about consequences and sticking it out
Nice film. Molly Ringwald delivers as do her costars. What happens when two highly ambitious, smart teenagers do the unthinkable and get pregnant??? Yes, that's the question. Nice look at how far you will go for love, what really matters, and how to work things out. Some nice realism regarding pregnancy and its aftermath. Entertaining. ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Magical Tale of Man "Possessed" by Friendly Spirits
Robert Downey Jr. is wonderful as the man who became the medium for 4 people who died in a bus accident at the same moment the hero was born. As a child these "friends" were known only to him, eventually leading to psychiatric evaluations because paretns, teachers et al insisted something had to be wrong with this child. While still a small child, the "spirits" decide it's time for him to be "without his special fiends"...until at about age 30 they suddenly make contact again. They need a favor. 4 favors. Each one of the foursome died before they could take care of some importnat unfinished business. In order to go to Heaven and rest in peace, their "little friend" would need to allow each of them to enter his body (since they are only souls) to accomplish their missions. -- The 4 scenarios are beautiful expressions of love and kindness, and although disrupting the young man's (love) life emmensely, in the end he too is richer from the turbulances. -- This is a wonderul fantasy, a big winner with romantic movie lovers. I have watched this film several times and will enjoy it again and again. The widescreen DVD version is particularly enjoyable. Five stars for this gem of a movie! *****

Heartwarmed story and Robert's talent!
The story is a little curious and strange,but nice. The 4 ghosts are not scarely,but kind and unique. The boy playing as the childhood is excellent! My brother,mother,and I was moved with his acting and had a tear dropped within the first 30-40 minutes of this film. And Robert Downey Jr. plays remarkably well. I admit he is one of the greatest actors in the world. He could brilliantly change his voice,ways of talking/walking for 4 ghosts and his own role. His singing is good,too. He is a gifted and talented actor. I hope he never will abuse any drugs. Anyway,I really liked this movie. It's truely recommends.

Played me like a violin
This movie is definitely schmaltzy, of this there can be no question. However, as another reviewer so eloquently stated said, it works. After all, it's not so often that one feels quite so shamelessly manipulated by a movie yet remains wearing a smile to the end.
The four actors comprising the four "limbo-ed" souls are excellent in their own right, with Tom Sizemore being especially good in a comical role quite unlike his other star turns. Elizabeth Shue must be one of my favourite heroines (you could tell she had it even back in "The Karate Kid"), and it is downright unbelievable that she hasn't appeared in any major releases as of late. She is utterly winning in her appearance here. Still, even her performance is eclipsed by Robert Downey, Jr., whose ability to capture his fellow actors' personal mannerisms (or I should say their characters' mannerisms) is a lesson in the art of imitation/impersonation. The sheer talent of Mr. Downey is a joy to behold, and it is a tragedy for the acting community (and the audience) that such a phenomenal actor has been so shackled by drugs and forced to act in such dreck as "Gothika".
"Heart and Souls" is a marvellous movie, well worth the 5 stars given. It reeled me in hook, line, and sinker.

Heart And Souls (1993)
This is one of my favorite movies. I was only eight years old when I first saw it and ever since then, it has been on of my favorite movies.

A bus accident claims the lives of Harrison (Charles Grodin) (a frustrated opera singer is overcome by stage fright), Julia (Kyria Sedgwick) (a young woman who has let the love of her life walk out on her), Milo (Tom Seizmore) (a burglar with a guilty conscience), and Penny (Alfre Woodard) (a single mother who must leave her kids to work the night shift). The accident occurs at the exact moment a newborn baby boy was brought into the world: Thomas Reilly. Harrison, Julia, Penny, and Milo become ghosts and are immediately drawn to Thomas. They become friends with Thomas. The problem is, only Thomas can see and hear them.

When Thomas turns seven years old, the four ghosts realize that they are getting Thomas into trouble. They must sadly fade out of his life. 27 years go by and Thomas (Robert Downey, jr.) is a hard-working business man, who is in a relationship with a young woman (Elisabeth Shu). The relationship isn't going well, for he is driving her away. The four ghosts realize why they are connected to Thomas: They need him to help resolve one thing in their lives before they died. The problem is, in order to help them, they must take over his body.

You'll all enjoy this heart warming comedy. I have many times. Buy this and you'll be watching over and over again.

Heart and Souls
This is a funny yet simple movie, great for the whole family since there is not a lot of bad language or sex. Just a great, fun, cute film to enjoy over and over. Robert Downey Jr does a great job as do all the other players in this movie. ... Read more

Description

The life of a successful novelist (played by Vanessa Bell Calloway) begins to unravel when the IRS threatens her with the possibility of serving jail time for tax evasion.She seeks refuge with family and friends and tries to get her life back on track, but soon finds that the fame and fortune of her public life now causes her to do things she never suspected she was capable of doing. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

ANOTHER GREAT MOVIE FROM BET
THIS MOVIE IS JUST ONE OF MANY THAT I HAVE PURCHASED AND ENJOYED BY BET. AS ALWAYS,THE MOVIE IS WELL PRODUCED. THE ACTING AND CAST ARE SUPERB AND IT IS WORTH PURCHASING.

BET Films Finally Gets Something Right!
I recently bought this DVD and I really enjoyed it. I always loved Vanessa Bell Calloway. She's a great actress who's been underrated for way too long. I was happy to see her in a starring role. It's been a while.

The film starts off with Nikita Harrell, a famous novelist whose life begins to fall flat once she realizes she could be put in prison for not paying taxes. From that point on, the brilliant yet self-absorbed and mean-spirited Nikita steps on everyone who gets in her way in order to fix her own problems. One night when she's struggling with her latest manuscript she comes to a revelation: she wants to travel to Africa to see the motherland and find herself again. Nikita learns that a trip is not the only answer and turns her attitude around.

This film was lovely and hit close to home because I am an author myself. Nikita was a very selfish woman who learned the hard way that a bad life doesn't give you the right to treat people wrong. She learns to lean on the people who love her instead of running away from them. This is a beautiful family drama. I laughed and cried. My only complaint was that the film wasn't longer. I am not a big fan of BET film adaptations because the ones I've seen were not impressive. A Private Affair is the only BET film I would recommend to anyone. It's light-hearted yet dramatic and just plain fun. Vanessa Bell Calloway has chemstry with everyone she encounters and she convinced me of her part completely. Fans of intelligent black films should definitely get this movie. It's a movie no Vanessa Bell Calloway fan should miss.

Dramatic
I enjoyed this movie. I was it could have continued a little longer. Another good BET Movie. Way to go BET. ... Read more

Description

A poignant, uplifting fable about a young girl and her relationship with a mute boy who dreams of flying. Together they learn if you wish hard enough, anything is possible.Year: 1986Director: Nick CastleStarring: Lucy Deakins, Jay Underwood, Bonnie Bedelia, Fred Savage ... Read more

Reviews (27)

A juvenile that will deeply touch adults
First, this is one of the greatest arrays of juvenile acting talent I've seen. Jay Underwood leads the group in a poignant portrayal, ably supported by Lucy Deakins...there is chemistry between the two.

Fred Savage adds just the right comic element, to soften the darker aspect of the movie.

And then, there's the fantasy element. At first, I was disturbed by the sheer fantasy that isn't revealed until the climax of the film. It just seemed as to realistic a film to have such an ending. And yet, I found it somehow refreshing, and yet it's the fantasy which in spite of the title, just didn't come off for me, and that's the only reason for my not feeling that it deserves five stars.

All in all, though, this is a movie to watch and to enjoy. There's just enough real life sense of tragedy in the young people's background here to keep it from being overly sweet.

This FIlm Was Extremely Enchanting
The Boy Who Could Fly was the most interesting movie to me when I saw it in its original release. I thought it was creative and inventive and it went on the premise that what you believe in - can be real.

It's completely fiction and almost science fiction but it works. Jay Underwood plays a boy orphaned because of plane accident. He becomes a recluse and a mute. Then his new neighbor a young girl who is also his age befriends him.

Convinced she can help him she makes an effort to communicate with him. He is a social misfit, however, he has one gift and talent that he keeps hidden well - he can fly.

A great premise and some good special wire effects (perfected because of the Superman films) the film is very simple but it has a sweet and warm chocolaty center. Bruce Broughton did a wonderful score for the film.

Special note: If you go to see a movie at the Hollywood's El Capitan - it is the score from this film that you hear as they open the curtains to view each movie. It is a wonderful score and cue that goes well with the film.

Not on DVD yet, but if it ever does - I hope it has extras. Nick Castle (The Last Starfighter) did well on this one!

Sweet and Uplifting!
After moving into a new house, the Michaelson family discover that an autistic boy named Eric lives next door. Milly Michaelson(Lucy Deakins) befriends Eric(Jay Underwood) and learns that ever since Eric's parents died in a plane crash, he pretends to fly. Eric lives with his Uncle Hugo Gibb(Fred Gwynne from The Munsters) who is not fit to take care of Eric because he is often drunk. As a result, Eric is occasionally institutionalized since it is feared that his pretending to fly will harm him. Thanks to Mrs. Sherman(Colleen Dewhurst) - Milly and Eric's school teacher, Eric is brought back home. Mrs. Sherman one day asks Milly to help Eric. Milly keeps a daily journal on her efforts which seem fruitless. Near the end, Eric tries to escape from the people who come to institutionalize him, and Milly follows trying to help Eric escape. They end up on the roof of their school, Taft High. Unfortunately, they are followed onto the roof and have nowhere else to run. They walk towards the edge of the roof, threatening to jump!

The magical ending of this great movie will surely leave you with goosebumps and exhilarate you.

Milly: We're all a little like Eric. Maybe we can't soar off into the clouds. But somewhere, deep inside, we can all fly.

Also in the movie are Fred Savage from "The Wonder Years," who plays Milly's small brother, and Mindy Cohn from "The Facts of Life," who plays Milly's neighborhood friend.

Highly recommended. A great family movie.

MONA, AND HER CATTY FRIENDS
The Boy Who Could Fly, was a very good movie, but my favorite character was Mona, and when she threw the volleyball at the main girl from the movie. Her presense in the film had everything to do with the movie.

Remember when this was the standard for kid's films?
"The Boy Who Could Fly" is such a rarity in the genre. This is not so much a kid's movie, as it is a full-blooded drama that happens to have kids as characters. It tells the story of a family, suffering the loss of their father/husband. The decline in income requires them to move into a "fixer upper" home in a quiet residential neighborhood. The eldest child, Millie (beautifully played by Lucy Deakins) becomes fascinated with the teenage autistic boy next door, Eric (Jay Underwood) who sits in his window all day and pretends to fly. Through circumstances at school, Millie takes him on as a "project." As her kindly teacher(Colleen Dewhurst) points out, "Doctors haven't been able to get a word out of him. Maybe a friend could." She tries to draw him out of his condition through every day activities, and over time, the form a very close connection, and even fall in love. Meanwhile, Millie must deal with the burdens of home, trying to reconcile the suicide of her father, and her very stressed out and grief-stricken mother(the wonderful Bonnie Bedelia), who is trying to get back into the work force.
While there is certainly more to the story than this, it would be a shame to spoil details for those who have not seen this film. It is uncommonly intelligent, charming, and very moving. It speaks in the language of children, without ever becoming condescending or silly, even when the film's more fantastic elements are revealed. The story and its characters feel real. Their grief feels real. Their longing to believe in happy endings feels real.
The performances are outstanding. Lucy Deakins and Jay Underwood are entirely convincing. It's so rare to see a teenage girl portrayed with this kind of uncynical intelligence. Underwood's Eric barely has any lines in the film, but instead, like a young Harrison Ford, communicates so much in his face that we hardly notice. This is a teen romance for the ages.
The adult players are also fine. Bonnie Bedelia, one of the most convincing actors or our era, plays Charlene as tough yet fragile, nurturing but flawed. The late Colleen Dewhurst is lovely and compassionate as Mrs. Sherman.
Surprisingly the film has been written and directed by Nick Castle, known for such disappointments as "Mr. Wrong" and "The Last Starfighter." He is better known as being the 1st actor to play Michael Myers in the original "Halloween." This is his best film by far. He should try to make more films along these lines. We sure need them.
I hope people will show this film to their kids some day. It is a reminder that films about kids used to be intelligent and authentic, not lobotomized, as I feel they have become over the past 15 years. This film still gives me hope, and gives me the excuse to dream. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Don't Blankety-Blank With Jack Murphy!
He throws his groceries at carjackers! He gargles mouthwash! He hates mayonaise! He's an alcoholic! He has a girl 104 years younger than him, hitting on him! His ex wife is a stipper! And he's framed for murder! He's Jack Murphy, a no nonsense cop framed for murder, trying to clear his name...tra-la, tra-la. The plot is as cliche as it can be, but this is Bronson, baby! Us devoted Bronson fans watch his films because he's in them and we all love the charm and presence he brings to the run of the mill 80s action formula. Actually, we could all care less what it's about as long as Bronson's kicking some butt and shooting people from time to time. This film is no exception and will please the diehard Bronson lover in us all. Plus, this movie's got one of the coolest villians that Bronson's been up against. This woman is crazy and dangerous as hell. In one scene she drowns some poor schmuck in a bathtub, then decides to throw a lamp in the tub for some added zing! I hate to sound repetitive, but ah, the 80s! Get Murphy's Law, brothers and sisters. It's a wonderful piece of bric-a-brac for your Bronson collection.

Perhaps Bronson's best 80s flick
A solid and very entertaining mid 80s Charles Bronson actioner.

Rivalled only by "The Evil That Men Do" and "10 to Midnight" for the accolade of Bronson's best movie after his 70s heyday.

I've watched this film several times and always enjoy it. Kathleen Wilhoite makes a sparkling and memorable debut and was seen recently in the first season of "24".

Bronson fans are very unlikey to be disappointed in what is - like many later Bronson pics - pretty standard good action fare elevated by the great man's personal charisma. Therefore, this film is perhaps unlikley to ensnare any new converts.

murphys law
charles bronson plays jack murphy he is trying to stop a killer jack murphy bronson is framed for murder of his wife he has no choise to escape and find the real killer the movie is full of action and thrilling game of hide and seek the movie is directed by j lee thompson and is one of bronson better older movies a must for all bronson fans

charles bronson as a cop BLAH BLAH BLAH.....
been there done that seen it. let's move on! typical boring bronson actioner. it is very unpleasant to see bronson during the opening credits get outta bed depressed, pooped, going to the bathroom, guzzle mouthwash, and spit out in yucky fashion. there went my dinner when i saw it on tv. plus the climax w/ bronson chasing the female assassin + some goofy mobsters + a crooked cop in hollywood's famous bradbury building just drags and drags and drags... kathleen wilhoite is cute and ok but where is she now...? haven't seen her since ROAD HOUSE. want a better police thriller? go see NARC on DVD now!

This Murphy's Law? (...)
Charles Bronson is Jack Murphy, a cop under going a bitter divorce who is framed for a series of murders. Since no one believes him, Jack busts loose to solve the crimes himself. Trouble is there is a foul mouthed girl young enough to be his granddaughter handcuffed to him. The two join forces and, as they unravel the clues, the hunters become the hunted. It's the energetic performances by the two female leads (Carrie Snodgress as the revenge seeking killer and Kathleen Wilhoite as the foul mouthed girl handcuffed to Murphy) that lift this routine thriller above the average. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Mmm... Delightful. Like great chocolate!
So okay... Not all movies can hit you between the eyes. But you also want to be able to enjoy a different type of movie. One that's mellow, that's subtle, that lies on your tongue and slowly melts... One of those movies is this one. Subtle. Delightful. Funny. Just like great chocolate!

not too bad
this is one of htose movies... you can watch it.. but it doens't mean much.. Laura Flynn Boyle plays a barmaid married to a former ball player. While she stays with a hispanic artist named jesse (ironic.. cuz i know soem one liek that too)whom she falls in love with while she left her hubby cuz hes keeping all of their disability money... basically a story of how laura and another con man help get the money that he owes her.. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

HARD TO ENJOY
It is with a heavy heart that I write a bad review for a Robert Townsend film. But, quite frankly, it must be done. The script is pretty good. It's not original by any means but it was well thought out and the acting was great. But it was really hard to enjoy any of this movie's good attributes because it's very difficult to watch. I'm not certain if it was poorly filmed or the transfer to DVD was done by someone who wasn't highly skilled. The film had a grainy quality to it but it didn't seem intentional as if done in a semi-documentary style. Many times you would hear dialog between two charactors who were barely visible. Their faces would be more than half way off the screen leaving the viewer with nothing to see but blue sky. What made it so bad was that I watched the trailer of this movie on the DVD which was very clear and in widescreen (which the film is not). Is this really the same man who is responsible for "The Five Heartbeats", "Hollywood Shuffle" and "Meteor Man"? I may have enjoyed this movie more if it wasn't so hard on the eyes.

A lawyer's rage sets a bloodbath in motion.
A lawyer is enraged at how dealers, rapist and killers skirt the law. One night he puts together a packet naming a dozen thugs that should've been sent to the syringe and not the street. His anger subsided he returns to his good suburban life. Until one morning he sees someone shambling towards him, drenched in someone else's blood. It is one of his colleagues, who received the packet and has begun the slaughter. This is Townsend's best film. This is Townsend as a hybrid of spike lee/quentin tarantino. The Action, the story, the cast. They keep you rooted to your seat till the bloody end. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

HARD TO ENJOY
It is with a heavy heart that I write a bad review for a Robert Townsend film. But, quite frankly, it must be done. The script is pretty good. It's not original by any means but it was well thought out and the acting was great. But it was really hard to enjoy any of this movie's good attributes because it's very difficult to watch. I'm not certain if it was poorly filmed or the transfer to DVD was done by someone who wasn't highly skilled. The film had a grainy quality to it but it didn't seem intentional as if done in a semi-documentary style. Many times you would hear dialog between two charactors who were barely visible. Their faces would be more than half way off the screen leaving the viewer with nothing to see but blue sky. What made it so bad was that I watched the trailer of this movie on the DVD which was very clear and in widescreen (which the film is not). Is this really the same man who is responsible for "The Five Heartbeats", "Hollywood Shuffle" and "Meteor Man"? I may have enjoyed this movie more if it wasn't so hard on the eyes.

A lawyer's rage sets a bloodbath in motion.
A lawyer is enraged at how dealers, rapist and killers skirt the law. One night he puts together a packet naming a dozen thugs that should've been sent to the syringe and not the street. His anger subsided he returns to his good suburban life. Until one morning he sees someone shambling towards him, drenched in someone else's blood. It is one of his colleagues, who received the packet and has begun the slaughter. This is Townsend's best film. This is Townsend as a hybrid of spike lee/quentin tarantino. The Action, the story, the cast. They keep you rooted to your seat till the bloody end. ... Read more