Blood Work (DVD) Full Frame BLOOD WORK, starring Clint Eastwood as retired FBI agent Terry McCaleb, is a mystery thriller about a serial killer whose latest victim was the organ donor responsible for McCaleb`s recent heart transplant. When the victim`s...
BLOOD WORK, starring Clint Eastwood as retired FBI agent Terry McCaleb, is a mystery thriller about a serial killer whose latest victim was the organ donor responsible for McCaleb`s recent heart transplant. When the victim`s sister, Graciella (Wanda de Jesus), delivers this strange news to him and asks for his help, he has no choice but to answer her call, against his doctor`s wishes. While frisky LAPD officers try to keep McCaleb away because his top-notch profiling skills make their efforts seem feeble, and McCaleb`s physical strength and stamina are limited more than ever before, it seems as if the case is destined to go unsolved. But McCaleb`s conscience weighs too heavily upon him to let the murderer go free, and the only way to clear his mind and find peace is to throw his full energy into the investigation. McCaleb lives on a boat and is well-acquainted with a lazy, drunken young man, Buddy (Jeff Daniels), who lives on a boat in the same berth, so he enlists Buddy as his driver and assistant. What ensues is an excellent police drama that leads McCaleb through an extensive process of analyzing evidence, questioning people related to the crimes, and breaking codes, and results in a chilling and totally unexpected climax.
R"
Director: Clint Eastwood
ACTORS: Clint Eastwood, Wanda De Jesus, Jeff Daniels, Anjelica Huston, Tina Lifford
Going All the Way (DVD)
MTV director emeritus Pellington tackles Dan Wakefield`s eponymous novel about disenchanted young Army grunts returning to the stultifying blue-collar environs of circa-1954 Indianapolis after a Korean tour of duty. Disillusioned vet Sonny (Davies), while confused about his future, also struggles with repressive Fundamentalist parents and his own sexual coming-of-age, taking solace in his friendship with the more worldly Gunner (Affleck). McGowan (SCREAM) and Weisz (THE MUMMY) play the girls of their dreams. Winner of Sundance Special Recognition accolades for production designer Therese DePrez.R"
Director: Mark Pellington
ACTORS: Jeremy Davies, Ben Affleck, Jill Clayburgh, Amy Locane, Rachel Weisz
Fist of Vengeance (VHS) Clam Shell Chinese mine workers are being cruelly suppressed by the Japanese, and a Chinese officer is sent to the scene. In an effort to hide the evil truth, the East Asia society decides to hire a samurai to kill the diligent young C...
Chinese mine workers are being cruelly suppressed by the Japanese, and a Chinese officer is sent to the scene. In an effort to hide the evil truth, the East Asia society decides to hire a samurai to kill the diligent young Chinese investigator.
NR"
ACTORS: Yasuaki Kurata
Bartleby (DVD)
Former musician Jonathan Parker makes his feature film directorial debut with a modern retelling of the Herman Melville classic, BARTLEBY THE SCRIVENER. The off-kilter comedy follows the boss of a public records company (played by David Paymer), whose life slowly begins to unravel when he hires a new employee. The quiet and reserved clerk, Bartleby (Crispin Glover), is at first a welcome addition to the office, especially when compared to the distracting presences of sultry secretary Vivian (Glenne Headly), macho Rocky (Joe Piscopo), and whiny Ernie (Maury Chaykin). But when the boss`s requests for Bartleby to perform any tasks other than filing, his enigmatic replies of, I would prefer not to, begin to test everyone`s patience. The situation becomes more troubling when the boss learns that Bartleby has, in fact, begun to sleep in the office. Fed up with his inability to perform the simplest of tasks, he fires Bartleby, who remains in the office nonetheless. Finally, the boss moves locations in order to break free from the mysterious void of a man, who has formed a strange attachment to the building. This doesn`t provide a refuge from Bartleby`s presence, however, which continues to haunt him at every waking moment. A colorful and quirky tale, BARTLEBY features another bizarre performance from the always-eccentric Glover.
This film screened as part of the 2001 New Directors/New Films series organized by the Film Society of Lincoln Center in New York City.PG-13"
Director: Jonathan Parker
ACTORS: Crispin Glover, David Paymer, Glenne Headly, Joe Piscopo, Maury Chaykin
Rascal (DVD)
This heartwarming comedy is based on the autobiographical novel by Sterling North, which has become a young adult classic. Bill Mumy (LOST IN SPACE) stars as Sterling, a young boy going on a summer vacation who is looking forward to spending some time with his family. Unfortunately, Sterling`s father is too busy to keep him entertained, and he is left to his own resources. However, Sterling finds a companion when he adopts a wild raccoon and attempts to domesticate it. Sterling dubs his new friend Rascal, and the experiment is a modest success at first. Unfortunately, Rascal begins to upset the neighbors with his mischievous behavior, forcing Sterling to make some difficult decisions.G"
