The Recruit (DVD)
James Clayton is fired up. A bartender by night and computer hacker in the few hours of daylight for which he manages to leave his water bed, the kid is flying high, on a roll with a laid-back lifestyle that suits him just fine. Played by an agile Colin Farrell, Clayton is also a heartthrob with his five o`clock shadow and chiseled pecks. A cushy job offer from Dell computers peaks his interest in securing a professional career, and at the same moment he meets Walter Burke (Al Pacino), a recruiter from the CIA. Though Clayton`s better judgement tells him to stay away from the shady Burke, he is curious to learn whatever he can about his father, who was also a CIA agent, killed in the line of duty. Clayton is sent to an intensive CIA training camp called The Farm, where he quickly learns the gravity of his decision as he undergoes gruelling tests of physical, mental, and psychological strength. His romantic interest in the gorgeous, tough-as-nails Layla (Bridget Moynahan), a fellow trainee, becomes a weakness as the pressure of the tests steadily increases. Finally, without warning, Clayton is thrown into action as he and Burke go head-to-head in a mission that is more dangerous than either of them realize. With top-notch performances from a sly Pacino and a pumped-up Farrell, THE RECRUIT`s best moments come from the intensity resonating between its characters. In addition, the settings and training activities at The Farm give intriguing insights into CIA recruitment and initiation.PG-13"
Director: Roger Donaldson
ACTORS: Al Pacino, Colin Farrell, Bridget Moynahan, Gabriel Macht
Six Degrees of Separation (DVD)
Fifth Avenue socialite Ouisa Kittredge (Stockard Channing) and her purveyor of high-art husband Flan (Donald Sutherland), are pedigree parents of two at Harvard and one at Groton. But the privileged insular world inhabited by the Kittredge family, as well as their public status as distinguished arbiters of culture, makes them easy prey for a consummate con-artist like Paul (Will Smith). One night, he mysteriously shows up at their front door - injured and bleeding- claiming to be Sidney Poitier`s son and a close college crony of the Kittredges` Ivy League progeny. Impressing Ouisa and Flan with his articulate literary expositions, Paul proves to be a sharp-witted, learned young man with epicurean taste and surprising culinary skill. His highbrow facade is so charmingly persuasive, Paul soon has the Kittredges loaning him money, putting him up for the night and taking satisfaction in his appraisal of their posh lifestyle. Much to the Kittredge`s shock Paul is revealed to be a highly persuasive con-man, who has charmed his way into many upper-crust homes along the upper East side with his wit and insider knowledge. As Paul`s plot unravels he becomes an urban legend of the upper crust, a witty anecdote to banter about at cocktail parties. However, he has a profound effect on the many individuals who encounter him, linking them in their shared experience. This film version of John Guare`s highly successful stage play features remarkable ensemble acting and incredibly witty dialogue with an insider`s ear for the excesses and delights of upper crust Manhattan.R"
Director: Fred Schepisi
ACTORS: Stockard Channing, Donald Sutherland, Will Smith, Mary Beth Hurt, Bruce Davison
Enemy at the Door - Series 2 (DVD) Four Disc Set This British series appeared briefly in 1978 and returned for another short run in 1980. The ambitious war drama is set in World War II during the Nazi occupation of the Channel Islands. Combining the dramatic tension cre...
This British series appeared briefly in 1978 and returned for another short run in 1980. The ambitious war drama is set in World War II during the Nazi occupation of the Channel Islands. Combining the dramatic tension created by a talented cast with archival footage of the actual conflict, ENEMY AT THE DOOR achieved a realism rarely seen on the small screen. Particularly groundbreaking is the use of shifting points of view and having major characters give their lives protecting their homeland.
NR"
ACTORS: Alfred Burke, Simon Cadell, Emily Richard, Anthony Head, Bernard Horsfall
Out of the Black (DVD)
From Western Pennsylvania`s coal country comes this suspenseful story of brothers Cole (Tyler Christopher) and Patrick (Jason Widener) who try desperately to solve the mystery behind the senseless death of their father. When loner, Cait comes to town in search of her father, the brothers are quickly drawn to her due to a common cause. Cole especially takes and interest in Cait as love, truth, and redemption finally follow through for all.NR"
Director: Karl Kozak
ACTORS: Tyler Christopher, Sally Kirkland, Dee Wallace Stone, Jason Widener, Sally Struthers
Smoke (DVD)
In 1990, novelist Paul Auster was asked to contribute a Christmas story to the New York Times. The resulting piece, Auggie Wrens Christmas Story, forms the basis for his screenplay for SMOKE. Directed by Wayne Wang and set in a Brooklyn cigar store, Auster expanded the story to include four other characters whose lives intertwine with Auggie Wrens. As Auggie, the manager of the store that serves as a neighborhood meeting place, Harvey Keitel gives a restrained, mellow performance. The other characters, Paul (William Hurt), a blocked writer; Rashid (Harold Perrineau Jr.), a troubled youth; Ruby (Stockard Channing), Auggies former lover; and Cyrus (Forest Whitaker), Rashids long-lost father, form a web of relationships over a few summer days. Auster, who had previously adapted his novel THE MUSIC OF CHANCE into a taut script, here exhibits a loose, almost improvisational style as he lets his characters simply talk about their lives. Wang eschews the big, somewhat melodramatic style he used in THE JOY LUCK CLUB for relaxed, natural direction that allows the actors, who are all terrific, to project an everyday realism seldom seen in American movies. The actual Christmas story appears at the end in a beautiful black-and-white montage, accompanied by a bittersweet Tom Waits song.R"
Director: Wayne Wang
