Breathless (1983)

 

When Jesse Lujack steals a car in Las Vegas and drives down to LA, his criminal ways only escalate - but when will it end?

From memory: Disappointing, superfluous remake of the Jean-Luc Godard classic reduces to the original's story into a fast-paced superficial crime story, all modern-looking and shiny colorful, but without any substance whatsoever (which may have been Jim McBride's intention, but still isn't anymore exciting).

Halliwell (no star): "Fashionable amalgam of sex and violence, borrowed from A Bout de Souffle but far too long after the event." 

Maltin**: "Remake of landmark 1960 Godard film...but lacks its sociological potency. Gere's kinetic performance is something to see, but his character...soon grows tiresome."

 

The Double (2011)

A retired CIA operative is paired with a young FBI agent to unravel the mystery of a senator's murder, with all signs pointing to a Soviet assassin.

Run-of-the-mill spy thriller with at least one twist too many; only fairly entertaining.

Maltin BOMB: "Awkward, amateurish, sometimes laughable thriller is bad from the word "go", clearly not filmed where it takes place...Inauspicious directing debut..."

Days of Heaven (1978)

A hot-tempered farm laborer convinces the woman he loves to marry their rich but dying boss so that they can have a claim to his fortune.

From memory: The strikingly beautiful cinematography of this period movie is almost a character of its own as it underscores its achingly romantic story.

Halliwell****: "Visually a superb slice of period life, it has an emotional force that emerges slowly from the conjunction of the vast landscape and its reticent intruders, who have fled from the dark of the city to find no peace in the country."

Maltin***1/2: "Exquisite mood piece...its visual beauty almost overwhelms the story - which is second priority here."

First Knight (1995)

Lancelot falls in love with Guinevere, who is due to be married to King Arthur. Meanwhile, a violent warlord tries to seize power from Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.

Very professionally produced adaptation of the saga, good production design, excellent cinematography and some solid performances, but Richard Gere is a quite dubious casting choice for Lancelot.

Halliwell (no star): "This is less the medieval epic it attempts to be, and closer in spirit to A Yankee in King Arthur's Court, thanks to Gere's American gigolo masquerading as Lancelot; it lacks passion and there is no feeling that anything is worth fighting or dying for."

Maltin***: "Handsome, sweeping, romantic adventure saga...Awkward narrative moments (and the casting of a contemporary-sound American as Lancelot) outweighed by the overall intelligence of William Nicholson's script, John Box's breathtaking production design, Jerry Goldsmith's majestic score, and the splendid performances by Ormond and Connery. Camelot has never looked so magical."

American Gigolo (1980)

A Los Angeles male escort, who mostly caters to an older female clientèle, is accused of a murder which he did not commit.

From memory: The crime story is merely the background for a highly stylish exposure of a shallow, ultimately forlorn character - and his slow redemption.

Halliwell (no star): "Thoroughly unattractive wallow on the seamy side of Los Angeles, with none of Midnight Cowboy's passion."

Maltin BOMB: "Schrader presents his weakest variation yet on his favorite theme, the seamy side of American life. Feeble morality play, posing as a thriller, is further undermined by neurasthenic acting and some of the unsexiest sex scenes ever."

The Flock (2007)

A retiring vigilant employee of the department of public safety is training his young female replacement and has to track down a missing girl who he is convinced is connected to a paroled sex offender he is investigating.

Stylish character study amidst a serial killer whodunit with some good performances and lesser thrills.

On renewed viewing:  Thriller works more through the star performances and less with suspense.

Arbitrage (2012)

A troubled hedge fund magnate desperate to complete the sale of his trading empire makes an error that forces him to turn to an unlikely person for help.

Superior drama that manages to tell ist story with hardly any action; the supporting cast is excellent, but it's Richard Gere who gets extra credit for portraying a slippery, and thoroughly objectionable character and giving him some charisma.

Maltin**1/2: "Gere is perfectly cast in this credible, well-crafted debut fiction feature for writer-director Jarecki...But if you don't care what happens to Gere - and we didn't - the whole thing seems a bit empty."

I'm Not There (2007)

Ruminations on the life of Bob Dylan, where six characters embody a different aspect of the musician's life and work

Primal Fear (1996)

 

 

An altar boy is accused of murdering a priest, and hotshot lawyer tries to prove his innocence.

Effective crime-courtroom drama with a multi-playered plot with a malicious twist ending; Edward Norton outplays the rest of the (otherwise adeqaute) cast.

Halliwell (no star): "An implausible thriller with a twist at its end, but one that diminishes all that has gone before, so that an audience is more likely to feel cheated than surprised."

Maltin***: "Gere gives a solid performance in one of his very best roles...Newcomer Norton is also very impressive. Film loses some of its impact by going on too long and by following unrelated story tangents. Still, an intelligent, absorbing drama."

Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977)

 

 

A dedicated schoolteacher spends her nights cruising bars, looking for abusive men with whom she can engage in progressively violent sexual encounters.

 

Well-made movie with a male chauvinist message about promiscuous women, but worth the watch for Diane Keaton's outstanding performance.

Halliwell (no star): "Exploitative and very boring sex melodrama which doesn't even make one believe in its central character."

Maltin*1/2: "Sordid rewrite (by director Brooks) of Judith Rossner's novel begins as intelligent study of repressed young girl, then wallows endlessly in her new "liberated" lifestyle. Keaton's performance outclasses this pointless movie."