5 comments about Tremors 4 - The Legend Begins/Tremors.

1. The film may be called Tremors 4, but this is very much a prequel to the three movies seen thus far and the TV Series. This film is set in 1889 pretty much 100 years before the events in the first film. In this film Hiram Gummer (Michael Gross aka Burt Gummer in the previous movies and series) a rich, high class snob who owns the silver mines. Its here that the Legend begins as whilst mining the workers employed by Hiram stumble upon the origins of the Grapoids, and subsequently begin to disapear. Hiram can't get the local town people of Rejection to help him kill the Grapoids preventing him from mining, so he has to hire a lean guman. Black Hand Kelly arrives in town, collects his fee and then with Hiram sets about taking on the Grapoids.
   This is a good film and a vast improvement over the poor series and the very low budget third movie. Michael Gross is on the ball again, playing the Great Grandfather of his better known Character Burt. The film does well to show the change in character of the Gummer's, from snooty businessmen to crazed gun-loving hunters. Also the fact the film moves away from the heavy CGI use seen in the TV Show and 3rd Film and goes back to the Anamatronic Puppet effects seen in the first two films does a lot to make the action more believable and steer it back towards the first movies quality.
   The only slight downers with the film would be its slow start and the action seens are a little on the short side. Another thing I didn't like is that with this being a 'Straight to Video' production it has a low budget so the cast is pretty much as cheap as possible, so there is some really bad acting. However it didn't stop me from enjoying this film as I have the others in the series. I can only hope they keep the stories coming and hope for Tremors 5.
   If you're a fan of the Tremors films you'll love this one as its better than the other two movies, but is not as good as the first probably due to the bigger budget and the star cast. Its a step back in the right direction however and is certainly a good film to pass a an hour or two.



2. The original Tremors was a modern-day Western in many respects, with stars Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward playing the two cowboys who became monster hunters against their will. Michael Gross (Family Ties) played against type as the slightly-skewed survivalist who never saw a firearm he didn't like (or own). Gross carries the lead role in "Tremors 4" as Hiram Gummer, Burt's grandfather, a true "Eastern dude" in fancy dress who must travel to Rejection (not Perfection) Nevada to find out why his silver mine has suddenly stopped producing.
   
   Hiram Gummer is much closer to Gross's "euridite gentleman" persona that he played so well on Family Ties, and the veteran actor has a lot of fun with the role as the story unfolds. The desperate town actually hires a real live gunslinger to "fill the monsters full of lead", yet it is Hiram who must eventually save the day. There's a genuineness to this film in its respect for its characters and subtle reverence to the pioneer spirit of the 1800's that takes this film to a higher level, echoing the days of classic Western TV shows like Gunsmoke. The Chinese couple with their young son are the town's immigrants, the forebears of storekeeper Walter Yang in the first film, and the townspeople as a whole form a nice ensemble around Hiram Gummer's increasingly desperate efforts to save the town.
   
   As in the original, there is a rootin'-tootin' showdown with the monsters, complete with a cannon(!) that is worthy of Gunfight at the OK Corral, only messier. Director SS Wilson wisely limited the use of CGI here in favor of the more traditional special effects used in the first film, which allows the monster scenes to broaden instead of detract from the story.
   
   In the end the stalwart townspeople win after amassing a sizable body count, but we are shown the birth of Perfection Nevada as they repaint the name on their recently-built water tower, and Hiram receives a wedding gift from his bride-to-be: a brand-new Gatling gun. (He's a lousy shot, you see.) Of course, they all agreed to never tell anyone about the "dirt dragons" they had vanquished, otherwise the town would never grow!
   
   An excellent bookend on the series, and the only sequel that's proven worthy of the original film. Highly recommended.



3. I don't know how many other movie franchises can make this claim. Having three worthy sequels is a major feat! This installment may be the best since the first film, with a good mix of chills and laughs! The monsters are much more convincing than the last film with no CGI and there are plenty of jabs at the series. If you are a fan of these films, this is another good entry.



4. The best that can be said about this film is that it is better than Part 3, which was the nadir in this series that managed to produce two good films before taking a nosedive. This time the action moves to the Old West, where the burrowing graboids (this time christened "dirt dragons" or something like that) have killed all the workers at a silver mine near the town of Rejection. Prissy Eastern mineowner Gummer (Michael Gross), an ancestor of the later gun nut, comes out to investigate why profits from the mine have declined so precipitously.
   
   Although the change of era is inspired, this film just seems to be going through the motions. I wouldn't have expected the filmmakers to get even two good films out of the premise of burrowing worm monsters, but going for four was definitely overreaching. There is a lot of self-referential jokiness that might appeal to fans of the franchise, but I found it tiresome. I find myself hoping that the subsequent TV series won't be released on DVD because my [...]-retentive tendencies will probably force me to watch it in the interests of completeness.



5. When first saw this movie, I thought it was as good as the origional Tremors movie and had charachter development, an entertaining storyline, and plenty of scares, laughes, and suspense.
   
   Plot;
   
   The movie starts out in 1889, beginning in a mine where someone is suddenly pulled up and, when is pulled down, is found with his head eaten off.
   It is later revealed that seventeen workers were killed in that one day, and most of the people of what is known as Rejection Valley (soon to be changed to Perfection) flee from their homes, leaving less than ten people there.
   Desperate, the remaining people telegram a message for help, and get a response that the owner of the mine is coming, and, becom excited, hoping that this owner will help them with their current predicament, but are highly dissapointed to find out that the owner, Hiram Gummer, is no more than a snappy, well-spoken, bossy man who loves making bad jokes, pulling pranks, has no idea about the "Wild West," (as they call it) doesn't carry a weapon, and can't even ride a bicycle!
   When Hiram and some other surviving miners go of to investigate the mine and find body parts in a very small mine, Hiram decides that there is now no threat and they set up camp for the night.
   When two of the people on the trip are killed, Hiram's new friend Juan Pedilla kills one of the attackers, which turns out to be what will be known as a Baby Graboid, but is what they call a "Dirt Dragon", and upsets the people of Rejection greatly, so they telagram for a qualified gunfighter, waiting over a month before a one named Mr."Black Hand" Kelly comes in and goes on a trip with Hiram and Juan, where they find how the "Dirt Dragons" have hatched so quickly; the hot springs near the mine, where they also discover the eggs of the Graboids.
   When they spend the night in a cabin, they are attacked by fully-grown Grabiods, and telegram a message for help, and are rescued by one of the people from Rejection, Ms. Christine Lord and are pursued.
   When they get back, however, Hiram leaves, but when he hears that the people of Rejection are in serious trouble, he sells the only thing he has in the world, and gets weapons to defend Rejection, and comes back, so, when the Graboids come, everyone is ready. Hiram kills one of the Graboids by blowing a hole in its head with a punt gun, but is snatched by the second oneand dragged underground. The second one is impaled when another resident, Tecopa, bangs a saw in the ground, and, as the Graboid rushes to eat him, impales itself on the saw. The third Graboid becomes smart, avoiding all of their traps, until they manage to attach its tail to the old steaming train, and, in its attempt to go underground, is blown up.
   The people of rejection rejoice, and Hiram comes to terms with them on;
   
   a.) no one can ever know about the "Dirt Dragons"
   b.) since Tecopa's statue was destroyed by the Graboid, they will get
   a new statue that looks like him (since the other didn't look like him at all)
   The movie ends with Ms. Lord presenting Hiram with a new gun, and Hiram having fun shooting at cans.
   This is a highly recommended movie!

4 comments about Snl: B.O. Chris Rock.

1. I'm writing this review in response to another reviewer (so far there is only one so HI!).
   
   THIS GUYS HAS NO IDEA ABOUT WHAT THE HELL HE IS TALKING ABOUT!
   First off, Chris Rock is funny. Anybody who's seen and actually paid attention to his standup and sketches should know that. Which is probably why he managed to make it to #5 on Comedy Central's "100 Greatest Standups of All-Time". His social commentaries and life stories are hilarious. Period.
   
   Now, for the juicy "your a dumb@$$ part!" The way you said Chris Rock wasn't funny at the Oscars, Dude! Is this Sean Penn I'm talking to?!? If so I'd just like to say SPICOLI!
   
   When you said that SNL will never topple MADtv and In Living Color's minority humor, SNL is the godfather of minority humor, starting a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away with a little Richard Pryor & Chevy Chase sketch in which they threw racial slang terms at each other.
   
   Eddie Murphy is annoying? I find that very weird to say considering you praised Aries Spears, who spends more than half of the time given to him on MADtv doing impressions of Eddie Murphy doing impressions. Watch any episode and it's always there!
   
   "Sorry but SNL will never beat Laugh-In, In Living Color (which had Jim Carrey and J Lo before they were FAMOUS) or MadTV!!"
   That doesn't make a bit of sense! So I made a list of people on SNL who were not so famous before their big breaks on SNL:
   
   Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Billy Crystal, Martin Short, Jon Lovitz, Dennis Miller, Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman, Kevin Nealon, Mike Myers, Ben Stiller, Chris Farley, Tim Meadows, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, David Spade, Robert Smigel, Norm Macdonald, Jay Mohr, Molly Shannon, Janeane Garofalo, Sarah Silverman, Jim Breuer, Chris Kattan, Cheri Oteri, Colin Quinn, Will Ferrell, Tracy Morgan, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey. And that's just the cream of the crop! Plus, as you can tell, they just keep comin'! By the way, Jennifer Lopez only danced.
   
   *Drops The Mic*



2. I bought this dvd thinking it was hillarious. I was very dissapointed. Didn't have the funnies you think.



3. First off, Chris Rock is funny. Really funny! I haven't seen him on SNL (I lost interest in that show a long time ago) but I was really looking forward to this DVD.
   
   The best parts is when Chris Rock is NOT doing comedy sketches. The comedy was not funny at all. The only parts worth laughing at were lines not spoken by Chris Rock. If this was the best Chris Rock did on SNL then I'd had to see what didn't make the cut.
   
   But what was funny was his social commentaries and correspondent reports. Chris Rock is the master at commenting on what is wrong with what goes on in this country.
   
   If you rent or buy this then expect to not be entertained through most of the show. But the rare funny moments are worth hanging out for.



4. I Am 11-Years Old, and Proud To Say I Love S.N.L.'s Chris Rock, his 4 Years on The Show Provide laughter, Comedy and Music: Especially, The Biggest Sketches of Him: Chris Rock's Guide To Surviving The Apollo (If You Are White), Nat X, and 2-Live Crew's Luther Campbell, Chris Rock was The 90's Eddie Murphy, and Eddie Murphy even Discovered him in 1987, and got him a Place in The 1990-1991' Season of The Show. I Love Chris Rock, and He Makes Spoofs off of Everybody and was a Popular and the Still on The Track (never a hasbeen), Comedian.

No comments about Doctor Dolittle/Garfield: The Movie.

2 comments about CyberTracker [Region 2].

1. what else can i say but.....perfection. My faith in sci-fi was damaged with movies like terminator (1&2) The alien series and other horrid movies like predator. But low and behold a blessing comes in the form of CYBER TRACKER. This is the best movie i have ever seen, I will never understand why it was not nominated for oscar(s) It could have won in any catergory drama, comedy, action, and romance. Don the dragon Wilson gives possibly the best performence since John gertyue in Killer clowns from outer space. From the looks of it GOD himself did the special effects, not since Toxic avenger 4 have i seen effects like these. They were 2 say the least captivating. Not to mention the score James horner knows nothing about music compared to this guy. I dont know what else to say, you have to check his gem out for your self. and if you have time check out CYBER TRACKER2, CYBERNATOR(which is included in the great sci-fi double pack with cybercity) and cyborgcop please e-mail me back with your own personal reviews oh yeah it's a great country when you can get BIRD ON A WIRE, CYBERTRACKER, AND LEORNARD PART 6 ON DVD, BUT CANT GET STARWARS INDIANA JONES, FORREST GUMP, OR JURASSIC PARK AMONG OTHER CLASSICS THANX ALOT MR. LUCAS AND MR SPEILBERG COCK



2. With a movie starring Don The Dragon Wilson and Richard Norton, you don't expect great production values, and Cybertracker is a low budget movie, with futuristic technology that probably seemed old when it was released in 1994 and a story that echoes Terminator and RoboCop. But the story is entertaining and it has some good fights and should please most fans of cheesy low budget action/sci-fi movies.

5 comments about Greyfriars Bobby: The True Story of a Dog.

1. Having been to Edinburgh and seen the statue of Bobby, this film had some meaning for me. Film makers - including Disney - just don't make films like this anymore, probably because society has changed so much since this was filmed in 1960.
   
   There is no violence, no swearing, the dog is real, and there is no animation - it's a sweet film that'll gently tug on your heart strings. It's innocence is so very touching and it's a classic example of the type of films my parents grew up watching and that I can now appreciate.
   
   If you're a dog lover then it'll warm your heart, and if you want to show your children a sweet film that will show them a bit of history, won't frighten them, or teach them bad habits then Greyfriar's Bobby is just the ticket.



2. Enough has been said elsewhere about what a charming, heart-rending tale this is, so, just to be different, I would like to draw your attention to the scene where the tenement children turn up at court with seven shillings in pennies, half-pennies and farthings to pay Bobby's licence fee and thus save his life.
   
   The scene is set in 1867, but when the coins are poured out on the table in court, you will see that several of the pennies bear the old, veiled head of Queen Victoria which did not appear until 1893. Furthermore, if you freeze that scene, and play it frame by frame, you will notice miscellaneous coins from the reigns of George V and George VI, whose reigns did not begin until 1910 and 1936 respectively.
   
   Admittedly it is highly unlikely that these latter coins would have been noticed by anybody, but the old, veiled head of Queen Victoria on some of the pennies is glaringly obvious. In 1961, when this film was made, coins of all monarchs, from Victoria onwards, were still in general circulation in varying quantities.
   
   Greyfriars Bobby is still a delightful film, but watching out for the coins will perhaps add a little bit of extra interest.



3. This is a sentimental animal lovers movie. Based upon a true story it delivers on all counts.



4. Walt Disney's 1961 classic Greyfriars Bobby is one of the most heartwarming and enchanting classic ever to be brought to the screen. Therefore, you can imagine my astonishment when I purchased the DVD only to find out that the entire narration by the star, Donald Crisp, is completely missing from the print. I come from a cinema industry background and remember the film vividly on its original and subsequent re-releases, and when it became available on VHS tape I immediatey purchased it and have enjoyed it again, many times over, complete with the narration on the VHS version. The narration by Donald Crisp is meant to start about 9 minutes into the film, as he becomes both narrator and the voice of the dog. One of the most important parts of the narration, and the story, is what happens to the dog after the events, which was originally all explained in the theatrical and VHS versions, but is completely missing on the DVD version, and therefore an important part of the emotional thread is also missing. I recommend that you watch the complete VHS version and totally avoid the incomplete DVD copy. Walt Disney would be disgusted at the way they have treated one of his most cherished classics.



5. I have three Scotish surnames in my ancestry. So I could not pass up a tour to see the British Isles this past summer with our church choir. The trip finale was to sing in the magnificent St. Giles Cathedral just a block or so down from Greyfriar's courtyard and Abbey. The impressive Scotish National Museum is just across the street. A statue errected to Bobbie is in the fork in the street just in front of two businesses named for the beloved animal. Inside the wrought iron gates is Bobbie's grave site and a walk down to the right is John Grey's grave stone paid for by "the American friends of Greyfriar's Bobbie". It is coming close to half a century ago when I saw the disney movie. I have to admit that it was the most touching experience for me there in downtown Edinburgh. What a powerful movie for such feelings to well up inside of me so many years (decades) later! I took some high definition video along the sidewalk in front of the address. I will try to post it as a video review if I can get it stepped down to a lower resolution.

5 comments about Guarding Tess [Region 2].

1. Comedy, drama, and presidential families docu-drama, this movie has everything except nude sex, bloody violence, and profanities.



2. Maclaine plays a former First Lady who is a real piece of work, Cage is a Secret service man, the storie is funny and touching at the same time, I think is one of their best movies.



3. Shirley McLaine is really convincing in this role as a rather difficult aging public figure, the widow of the deceased VP. Her co-star was a good match as well. I loved the movie.



4. That's the answer everyone gives Tess Carlisle (MacLaine) if they know what's good for them.
   
   SAIC (that's Special Agent in Charge) Doug Chesnic wants to leave Tess' detail. He's been there three years and he wants to go back to Washington where the action is. Well, and besides, Tess Carlisle is driving him nuts.
   
   He gets as far as the Director of the Secret Service's inner office only to be told that Mrs. Carlisle called the President and wants him back. What choice has he, but to go.
   
   Doug thinks he's going to be tough on her, but the battle of wills between the two of them has none other than the President mediating when Tess can't win herself.
   
   The film's a battle royale between two very strong-willed characters, but in the end when the chips are down, these two people take care of each other.
   
   "Guarding Tess" is one of those surprise films that ends so well the bickering at the front's almost erased. It's just a good watch occasionally when you need to take some stress off.



5. THis is a favourite and a fun movie. Shirley MacLaine does a wondeful performance of an ex-First Lady who knows she is in the middle of nowhere with not much of a life. Nicolas Cage is great as the annoyed head of her security detail. The DVD arrived quickly and in great shape.

No comments about Pepper - Agent OOX - She's a Secret Agent, Single, with a Double Bed and Lots of Undercover Action. (Erotic).

5 comments about Guarding Tess.

1. Comedy, drama, and presidential families docu-drama, this movie has everything except nude sex, bloody violence, and profanities.



2. Maclaine plays a former First Lady who is a real piece of work, Cage is a Secret service man, the storie is funny and touching at the same time, I think is one of their best movies.



3. Shirley McLaine is really convincing in this role as a rather difficult aging public figure, the widow of the deceased VP. Her co-star was a good match as well. I loved the movie.



4. That's the answer everyone gives Tess Carlisle (MacLaine) if they know what's good for them.
   
   SAIC (that's Special Agent in Charge) Doug Chesnic wants to leave Tess' detail. He's been there three years and he wants to go back to Washington where the action is. Well, and besides, Tess Carlisle is driving him nuts.
   
   He gets as far as the Director of the Secret Service's inner office only to be told that Mrs. Carlisle called the President and wants him back. What choice has he, but to go.
   
   Doug thinks he's going to be tough on her, but the battle of wills between the two of them has none other than the President mediating when Tess can't win herself.
   
   The film's a battle royale between two very strong-willed characters, but in the end when the chips are down, these two people take care of each other.
   
   "Guarding Tess" is one of those surprise films that ends so well the bickering at the front's almost erased. It's just a good watch occasionally when you need to take some stress off.



5. THis is a favourite and a fun movie. Shirley MacLaine does a wondeful performance of an ex-First Lady who knows she is in the middle of nowhere with not much of a life. Nicolas Cage is great as the annoyed head of her security detail. The DVD arrived quickly and in great shape.

5 comments about Love Don't Cost a Thing [Region 2].

1. yhis movie is the best in the world! i have been watching it non-stop for 5 days in a row and i'm not bored o f it yet! i love christina milian and nick cannon is halarious. when he says "morning, dime pices!" i laughed so hard! and when he said he was "going to the beach to check out some breezies and kick it with his crew" was really funny too i love this movie and anyone who says `ootherwise needs to be taken out and shot!



2. I was set against watching this movie for it looked generic and stupid, but it was a lazy day Saturday and it was on TV so I gave it a shot and much to my enjoyment it wasn't half bad. I've always felt Nick Cannon was funny, but it was Christina Milian who really impressed me. She's a very talented young girl, with her acting as well as her singing, and she brings the best of both here in this film. I will say though that I am not a fan of Steve Harvey and I don't really think he'll ever do something I enjoy...his character to me was nothing special and would have preferred he be played by anyone else, but alas, he didn't take away anything from the film so he was tolerable.
   
   The film itself is a remake of the '87 comedy `Can't Buy Me Love', which I've never seen but probably will rent just for kicks. It's a story about Alvin (Cannon) who's the super smart nerd in school who wishes that just once he could experience popularity. When Paris (Milian), one of the most popular girls in school, damages her mother's car and needs help in a hurry Alvin is there is offer his assistance in exchange for a chance to be cool. Paris agrees to fake a two-week relationship with Alvin in order to get him in with her crowd and then they'll split up publicly and continue with their newfound lives.
   
   Over the course of the film the predictable plot thickens, for we all know that Alvin and Paris will fall in love and end up together, but how this happens of course will have it's twists and turns and they will try and make us believe they won't get together but we all know how it will end. That said, it's still a fun ride, with great chemistry between the two leads, Cannon showing great comedic range and Milian giving us warmth in what could have been a very generic role. Bottom line is, while it's nothing new, it's still a fun way to spend an afternoon.



3. god, this movie rocks! almost the whole movie makes me laugh and christina milian is smokin' hott throughout the entire movie. she was so hot during the beach scene i thought i was gonna lose it! the part where he sprays the binaca in his eyes was halarious! go see or buy this movie cause i love it and the ending has some hott lip action. i just wish i was the guy [alvin] so i could make out with her and hang with her for 2 weeks. too bad i don't have $1500 bucks! anyway, i LOVE this movie and it's cute, insparational, and halariously funny.



4. Great plot, pretty good cinemotgraphy, and no matter what age you are, you'll be rolling on the floor laughing. This film will probably be a hit with those under 21, but as I said before the anyone will enjoy the humor.



5. I got a good deal and a fast delivery. I would buy from person again.

5 comments about Absence of Malice [Region 2].

1. When this movie came out, I was a reporter at a daily newspaper. I went to "Absence of Malice" fully prepared to hate it. Instead, I came away thinking that it was an accurate and believable portrayal of what happens in a newsroom. To this day, I am bothered that journalists too often fail to understand the impact their words have on people's lives. Most journalists I've known prefer to insulate themselves from the public and never hear about the negative effects of the stories they write. I highly recommend this movie to anyone interested in how reporters and editors operate.



2. How unbelievable is it that Paul and Sally would end up in bed after Newman's friend, (played by Melinda Dillon), commits suicide because of the news story Sally's character writes. The dialog between Gallagher, (Newman), and Carter, (Field), is pointed, dynamic and, frankly, brilliant, but it shouldn't be happening in the bedroom. It doesn't make any sense. The quirky Elliot Rosen, (played brilliantly by Bob Balaban) is the engine driving this bus off a cliff. To Wit:
   
   FBI Agent Eddie Frost (Arnie Ross): What the hell's going on?
   
   Elliott Rosen (Balaban): Good question. You oughta join the FBI. I don't know either.
   
   Frost: It doesn't make any sense.
   
   Rosen: Got any ideas?
   
   Frost: Sure, early retirement.
   
   Rosen: I got a couple. I want 24 hour surveillance on Gallagher, not close. And I want taps on three phones; Gallagher's warehouse, Gallagher @ home..., Quinn's house.
   
   Frost: Wait a minute. Where are we going to find a judge who'll let us tap Quinn?
   
   Rosen: I'm not gonna ask a judge.
   
   Frost: It's no good in court.
   
   Rosen: I'm not in court. Not yet.
   
   Frost: You really think Gallagher bought him.
   
   Rosen: I don't know. You think he's for sale?
   
   During the entire conversation Rosen is animatedly chewing gum and spinning a rubber band between his hands. What a performance.
   
   Of course the curtain finally comes down when Asst. U.S. Attorney General James A. Wells (portrayed masterfully by Wilford Brimley) hits town with a U.S. Marshall and a stenographer in tow and puts an end to the whole charade and Elliot Rosen's career. If you haven't seen this film or haven't seen it in a while, see it now.



3. Paul Newman is cast as a businessman whose only links to organised crime are tenuous at best -via an uncle (Luther Adler -excellent as ever)-but because he is the son of a long dead mobster ,is believed by a hotheaded Federal prosecutor (Bob Balaban)to possibly be able to help them crack an ongoing investigation that has stalled .This investigation revolves around the disappearance of a prominent mobster in Miami where the action takes place .
   
   Seeing an opportunity and untramelled by such niceites as ethics he leaks the news of Gallagher's possible "complicity"to an ambitious journalist ,Megan (Sally Field).She swallows the bait and writes a story full of iron clad innuendo implicating Gallagher ,a tale splashed all across the front pages .The story comes close to destroying his life and tragedy follows in its wake.With a contrite Megan as ally -she and Gallagher having become romantically involved-he decides to strike back at the people who have so cavalierly treated him and his family .
   
   The work raises key questions of media responsibility ,and sadly ,fudges them at key points but the movie is still poilished ,literate entertainment which would work well on a double bill with All The President's Men as it is a counterpart to that movie in some ways While the Bernstein/Woodward movie amounted to a hagiographic portrait of journalists this tends towards a more jaundiced viewpoint and is for my money the more interesting piece as a result
   
   Performances are uniformly excellent with Balaban especially outstanding .This repays watching if only for the way it asks us to look at issues of media ethics and mores .It sharply portrays the downside to irresponsible investigative reporting and corrects the glib Hollywood l notion that journalists are heroes-sometimes ,sure ,but they can do a lot of harm and this movie entertainingly ecposes this aspect to the fourth estate.



4. I enjoyed this movie immensely. It points up the contrast between human beings as they are and as they are portrayed in newspapers when they become newsworthy. Great performances by Newman and Field.



5. I can't improve on the first sentence from W.Corse's excellent 2/3/05 review:
   
   "Absence of Malice is one of my all-time favorites, and the first "older" movie that I grabbed when it was finally released on DVD. In my opinion this is one film that should be required viewing for every journalism major in the USA. "
   
   Some of other reviewers' comments make my eyes cross.
   (1) The movie is "slow"? (Not if you're paying attention to Paul Newman's brick-by-brick implementation of an utterly brilliant revenge.)
   (2) Sally Fields doesn't look too good? (I think she looks better in this film than she's ever looked.)
   (3) The "attraction" between Newman/Field is silly/implausible/the film's weak spot? (I disagree. The scenes with these two are some of the best written/best acted you'll ever see: the uneasy tentativeness, attraction sparring with distrust. Is Newman using Fields? Fields using Newman? Both? Neither? I'm still not sure.)
   
   One reviewer called it the ultimate "get even" story, and--along w/The Shawshank Redemption- it is just that. The scenes of the final hearing, Wilfred Brimley presiding, belong on the short list of Great Movie Denouements.
   
   The media pretty much ignored it when it came out (go figure :o). It was a little before its time, but it will outlast them all.