clearer than the book
Added 11/1/2009
Sean Penn's acting actually makes the petty crook come alive better than in the book.
Three boys just messing around on the city streets in a poor suburb
are targeted by predatory adults. One of them gets into the car
which the policemen who aren't.
Their lives are forever changed by that one moment.
The boy who gets in and his two friends become grown ups
in a strange way:one a cop, one a crook and the other just
a struggling confused fellow who drinks way too much.
The death of the 19 year old daughter of the crook
brings out old time troubles that had been mostly forgotten,
like a murder and that time locked in the cellar.
What results is a tragedy where again
the third guys gets in another car with two predators.
Who the real killer is comes as a big surprise to everyone.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Overrated garbage with massive yawn factor
Added 10/21/2009
**Warning** Spoilers ahead.
How this pile of rubbish won so many awards is totally beyond me. How it was rated at 87% on rotten tomatoes makes me question humanity. First off, let's start with how bad of an actor Sean Penn is. I just didn't buy any of his anger. At the end when he finds out who the real killers are it doesn't phase him. He never draws you in at all which makes you not really care that his daughter dies. It doesn't help that she hardly has any screen time for us to care about her on a more direct level. Next up is the stupid B plot of Kevin Bacon's estranged wife calling him and not speaking. Really?? It added absolutely nothing other than being a sort of comic relief to the rest of what is going on. Sean Penn's gangster friends also added to the camp factor. Let's not forget the laughable monologue done by his wife at the end. Next up is how the writer underestimates the viewers' intelligence with the incredibly weak attempt at portraying Tim Robbins' character as the killer. Tim's wife in the movie was a one trick pony...quiver and grab at the neckline of her shirt. At the end we find out the two detectives on the case who have left no stone unturned never listened to the 911 tape. The worst part about the movie is that all the loose ends are tied up, and yet...the movie keeps chugging along! If you eat dessert after a meal you don't go back for extra servings of the main course. I would recommend watching this movie only if your life was at stake.
1 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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A triumph in film making but also a tragedy
Added 8/6/2009
For CE this was like Mozart writing Eine Kleine Nacht Musik (A little night music.) It was another quick piece of work he whipped up up one day for the hell of it.in filmaking this film was truly a triumph. But in the ficton of Boston it was a tragedy of misunderstanding wrong timing and impatience. The performances were fonominal. Every time the credits role I love the score. But also every time the credits role I wish Sean could of been a bit sooner so Jimmy wouldn't of killed Dave. that part makes me sad always. But I love CE's movies. He almost never dissapoints. except for Bronco Billy Any which way but loose and every which way but loose. those movies I never cared for. That is all i have to say
0 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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great movie
Added 7/6/2009
Great cast. great movie. I don't want to give it away. I say rent it. I purchased for my girlfriend.She enjoyed it.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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bad soundtrack
Added 5/20/2009
This movie had excellent acting but I missed so much of the dialogue because I just couldn't hear what was being said much of the time. At home with it on my vcr, I turned the sound up to highest and still couldn't make out the actors' words. Most frustrating. Also, if one is looking to see an "entertaining" movie, stay home. There is nothing positive or hopeful about this film.
0 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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clearer than the book
Added 11/1/2009
Sean Penn's acting actually makes the petty crook come alive better than in the book.
Three boys just messing around on the city streets in a poor suburb
are targeted by predatory adults. One of them gets into the car
which the policemen who aren't.
Their lives are forever changed by that one moment.
The boy who gets in and his two friends become grown ups
in a strange way:one a cop, one a crook and the other just
a struggling confused fellow who drinks way too much.
The death of the 19 year old daughter of the crook
brings out old time troubles that had been mostly forgotten,
like a murder and that time locked in the cellar.
What results is a tragedy where again
the third guys gets in another car with two predators.
Who the real killer is comes as a big surprise to everyone.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Overrated garbage with massive yawn factor
Added 10/21/2009
**Warning** Spoilers ahead.
How this pile of rubbish won so many awards is totally beyond me. How it was rated at 87% on rotten tomatoes makes me question humanity. First off, let's start with how bad of an actor Sean Penn is. I just didn't buy any of his anger. At the end when he finds out who the real killers are it doesn't phase him. He never draws you in at all which makes you not really care that his daughter dies. It doesn't help that she hardly has any screen time for us to care about her on a more direct level. Next up is the stupid B plot of Kevin Bacon's estranged wife calling him and not speaking. Really?? It added absolutely nothing other than being a sort of comic relief to the rest of what is going on. Sean Penn's gangster friends also added to the camp factor. Let's not forget the laughable monologue done by his wife at the end. Next up is how the writer underestimates the viewers' intelligence with the incredibly weak attempt at portraying Tim Robbins' character as the killer. Tim's wife in the movie was a one trick pony...quiver and grab at the neckline of her shirt. At the end we find out the two detectives on the case who have left no stone unturned never listened to the 911 tape. The worst part about the movie is that all the loose ends are tied up, and yet...the movie keeps chugging along! If you eat dessert after a meal you don't go back for extra servings of the main course. I would recommend watching this movie only if your life was at stake.
1 out of 2 people found this helpful.
|
A triumph in film making but also a tragedy
Added 8/6/2009
For CE this was like Mozart writing Eine Kleine Nacht Musik (A little night music.) It was another quick piece of work he whipped up up one day for the hell of it.in filmaking this film was truly a triumph. But in the ficton of Boston it was a tragedy of misunderstanding wrong timing and impatience. The performances were fonominal. Every time the credits role I love the score. But also every time the credits role I wish Sean could of been a bit sooner so Jimmy wouldn't of killed Dave. that part makes me sad always. But I love CE's movies. He almost never dissapoints. except for Bronco Billy Any which way but loose and every which way but loose. those movies I never cared for. That is all i have to say
0 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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