Running Scared

Starring:Gregory Hines, Billy Crystal, Steven Bauer, Darlanne Fluegel, Joe Pantoliano, Dan Hedaya, Jon Gries, Tracy Reed, Jimmy Smits, John DiSanti, Larry Hankin, Don Calfa, Robert Lesser, Betty Carvalho, Louis Perez, Ron Cummins, Natividad RÃos Kearsley, John LaMotta, Richard Kuss, Jeff Silverman
Director: Peter Hyams
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Trying to explain the wildly accelerated plot of this non-stop action thriller would be like convincing Quentin Tarantino to retell the saga of The Sopranos in 15-minutes or less. Don't misunderstand, Running Scared wastes little time on the nuanced details that make the violent, narratively precise, and intricately characterized world of The Sopranos so stylish and compelling. But boy, does it have style to spare, not to mention plenty of violence, narrative, and a cast of characters that all engage in a heady battle for your attention. Paul Walker has the unenviable task of fleshing out the role of a low-level mob flunky who's assigned to get rid of a gun that was involved in a bloody drug deal gone bad. When he botches even that little job, it's not just his wife who gets mad at him. Creepily threatened kids, put-upon women who save the day, and an array of pimps, hookers, sleazy gangsters and dirty cops straight ouuta central casting are all part of the intricate jumble of the story (not to mention bullet-time close-ups and a nifty scene that imparts the inherent danger of hockey pucks in a whole new light). It's hard to believe this outlandish piece of ultraviolence came from writer/director Wayne Kramer, the same creative mind that gave us the smooth little caper flick The Cooler. Don't think about that too hard though. Considering the madcap rush of Running Scared's wicked fun and inspired lunacy, you won't have the time to anyway. --Ted Fry

Description

Slick, fast-paced and brutally shocking, this gritty actioner will jolt your senses like nothing else you've ever experienced. Struggling mob hand Joey Gazelle (Paul Walker) finds his life turned inside-out when a "hot" weapon he's in charge of concealing goes missing. With two mafia families and a team of crooked cops watching his every move, Joey sets out on a chilling, bloody pursuit, maneuvering his way through a horrific web of creeps and criminals, praying he can retrieve the gun and make it home to his family -- alive.

Customer Reviews:

GOOD ACTION FILM MUCH BETTER THAN AVERAGE.......2007-05-31

This movie is way better than I expected.The action never stops and the story is interesting enough to keep you in the groove. The DVD transfer is excellent and is a worth a look for sure.

Disappointing.......2007-05-28

I don't know why I expected more out of Running Scared, but I did. The film is written and directed by Wayne Kramer, the same guy who brought us the surprisingly good and stylish The Cooler, but when watching Running Scared, you'll never think that this movie can come from the same guy. Paul Walker plays Joey, a low level mob hood who is charged with the disposal of a gun that was used to ventilate a cop. Next thing you know, his kid and neighbor Oleg (Cameron Bright) discover the weapon which Oleg later uses on his abusive stepfather (Karel Roden). Now Joey has a barrage of mobsters, crooked cops, pimps, drug dealers, euro-trash, and more on his tail. Yeah, the story itself takes a back seat to Kramer's ultra stylish and ultra violent set pieces which continuously up the ante in terms of bloodshed. One scene in particular involving hockey pucks is worth the price of admission alone, but as a whole Running Scared fails. While Kramer's got style to spare, his leading man is what ultimately ruins the film. Paul Walker is not a good actor by any stretch of the imagination. His frequent over-acting is nerve grating, while Kramer's script features plenty of corny dialogue and an abundance of swearing that would make a sailor blush. The rest of the cast, which includes Chazz Palminteri, Johnny Messner, and the Departed's Vera Farmiga, are also wasted as well. All in all, Running Scared may be worth a look for action and adrenaline junkies, but don't expect much from it at all.

Paul Walker best action Movie !.......2007-05-10

Creo que una de mis peliculas favoritas de este actor, complementado con la belleza de Vera Farmiga hacen que esta pelicula de accion te haga permanecer sentado y agitado. creo que la historia esta bien estructurada y contada magnificamente... no dude en comprarla !!

Good, but still Paul Walker..........2007-04-28

I was actually very surprised at enjoying this movie . There are a hand full of seens that are really, really good . The plot is good enough to hold your interest, and the climax is worth the wait. I never had any interest in Running Scared , because it stars Paul(worst actor in the world) Walker . He is one of a increasingly large number of talentless actors who I can't stand to watch . In the spirit of that theme, I will note that he adds nothing significant to this movie. Actually I could think of many actors who could have done a better job with the role . His character, Joey, spends the majority of the movie evading multiple groups of dangerous people who are looking for him , and trying to find a gun that was in his care and was used in two seperate crimes . I would recommend seeing it, and I will probably watch it again myself .

Bizarre and Surreal ... But Also Corny.......2007-03-21

Bottom line: If you're looking for a good popcorn action movie, pick this up ... now! There is no reason to give this movie a bad review, so I'm not going to. It's obvious that the director valued style over substance. But there's nothing wrong with that ... after all ... it is a very visually stylish movie. The ending WAS pretty corny, unecessary, unrealisting, and dragged on for about 15 minutes too long ... but, again, I really think the director was just openly and unabashedly toying with the audience at that point.
Other than that ... there IS a scene in this movie that's so good it also makes the movie a must-see. I wont go into great detail, but it is one of the eeriest scenes I've seen in a film in a long time ... and yet somehow (especially given the graphic nature of the rest of the film) subtle. I mean, Kubrick would have loved this scene ... and so did I, especially because Paul Walker wasnt in it.
Check it out.

Average customer rating:

Fantastic!!
Very entertaining
We lost a great talent when we lost Gregory Hines
Funny, warm, exciting....awesome
"Can I have some more petite marshmellows in my hot cocoa, Mother???"

Running Scared
Starring: Gregory Hines , Billy Crystal , Steven Bauer , Darlanne Fluegel , and Joe Pantoliano
Director: Peter Hyams
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Comic Action | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

48 HRS.
Midnight Run [HD DVD]
Stakeout
Trading Places (Special Collector's Edition) [HD DVD]
Tap (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B00005N89R
Release Date: 2001-10-02

Amazon.com

This moody 1986 buddy picture and police drama represented a change of pace for both stars. Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines play two Chicago police detectives who, feeling gun-shy about the inherent danger of their jobs, contemplate retirement in Florida. They just can't shake the allure of their work, however, particularly when their pursuit of a notorious drug dealer (Jimmy Smits) turns personal and deadly. While there are more than enough light moments generated by the easy and convincing rapport between Crystal and Hines, director Peter Hyams (The Star Chamber, 2010) succeeds in straddling the two disparate moods to create a taut and engaging action picture. --Robert Lane

Description

Dynamite screen team ( CBS Morning News ) Gregory Hines (The Cotton Club, White Nights) and Billy Crystal (City Slickers) star in the motion picture that asks the question, How come the bad guys always drive the good cars? The answer has them Running Scared in this lightning-paced comic thriller. Ray and Danny are the wild men of the Windy City's police force. The pair's unorthodox methods get results in a tough townuntil they come up against Julio Gonzales (Jimmy Smits, NYPD Blue ), a smooth-talking drug dealer who is bucking to become Chicago's first Spanish Godfather. Trying to nail Gonzales, they blow a delicate undercover operation and are sent on a forced vacation to Key Westwhere they discover the good life of warm weather and warmer women. The new locale makes them decide to retire but not before putting Gonzales behind bars first!

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic!!.......2006-11-18

I've never actually seen the movie, but I do love the music video for "Sweet Freedom." If the movie's anything like that, then I'm sure it's hilarious.

Very entertaining.......2006-11-04

Hines and Crystal are excellent as undercover Chicago police officers who are in pursuit of dangerous drug lord Jimmy Smits, hoping to nab him before they retire to Key West. Chemistry between Hines and Crystal is perfect, and the excellent writing and direction provide for a very entertaining buddy action/comedy, one of the best ever made, even 20 years later.

We lost a great talent when we lost Gregory Hines.......2006-03-02

This man could sing, dance and act with the best of them. He was a stand out in this movie. They played off each other very well. The comedy was fast and funny. One of the better buddy/cop films. Enjoy!

Funny, warm, exciting....awesome.......2006-02-11

Whether viewed as a buddy film, a cop movie or a comedy (perhaps even a love story), this movie succeeds big time. The chemistry between Hines and Crystal is great. They seem a natural pairing, not a forced one for humor sake, yet there is plenty of humor.
Jimmy Smits and Joey Pantoliano play great roles. Smits, the crime kingpin Julio Gonzalez, is convincing and realistic. Joey P. as 'Snake', a weasel and small time hood, has his share of humorous moments. Both supply more than just a 'one note' performance.
Even Crystal's onscreen wife (or ex-wife) plays a very underrated role. As the smaller story, it certainly has moments of greatness, too.
The special effects and chase scenes are done well, not too dramatic to be unrealistic. The use of Chicago as the location is brilliant (although I am a Chicagoan).
Even almost 20 years later, this movie still stands as one of my all-time favorites and it should be totally enjoyable for anyone else, too!

"Can I have some more petite marshmellows in my hot cocoa, Mother???".......2005-12-29

Crystal and Hines are terrific in this exciting buddy cop movie based on the Roy Orbison hit.

Fatal Beauty (1987) / Running Scared (1986) (Totally Awesome 80s Double Feature)

Average customer rating:

Fatal Beauty (1987) / Running Scared (1986) (Totally Awesome 80s Double Feature)
Starring: Whoopi Goldberg , Sam Elliott , Rubén Blades , Harris Yulin , and John P. Ryan
Director: Tom Holland , and Peter Hyams
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Description

Disc 1: Fatal Beauty WS Disc 2: Running Scared WS

Average customer rating:

Fantastic!!
Very entertaining
We lost a great talent when we lost Gregory Hines
Funny, warm, exciting....awesome
"Can I have some more petite marshmellows in my hot cocoa, Mother???"

Running Scared [Region 2]
Starring: Gregory Hines , Billy Crystal , Steven Bauer , Darlanne Fluegel , and Joe Pantoliano
Director: Peter Hyams
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

48 HRS.
Midnight Run [HD DVD]
Stakeout
Trading Places (Special Collector's Edition) [HD DVD]
Tap (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B00005V8VO

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic!!.......2006-11-18

I've never actually seen the movie, but I do love the music video for "Sweet Freedom." If the movie's anything like that, then I'm sure it's hilarious.

Very entertaining.......2006-11-04

We lost a great talent when we lost Gregory Hines.......2006-03-02

Funny, warm, exciting....awesome.......2006-02-11

"Can I have some more petite marshmellows in my hot cocoa, Mother???".......2005-12-29

Crystal and Hines are terrific in this exciting buddy cop movie based on the Roy Orbison hit.

Average customer rating:

Running Scared
Starring: Roy Orbison
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000GIWU9K
Release Date: 2006-11-14

Average customer rating:

GOOD ACTION FILM MUCH BETTER THAN AVERAGE
Disappointing
Paul Walker best action Movie !
Good, but still Paul Walker...
Bizarre and Surreal ... But Also Corny

Running Scared
Starring: Paul Walker , Cameron Bright , Vera Farmiga , Karel Roden , and Johnny Messner
Director: Wayne Kramer
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

16 Blocks (Widescreen Edition)
Firewall (Widescreen Edition)
Lucky Number Slevin (Widescreen Edition)
Inside Man (Widescreen Edition)
The Sentinel (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B00005JOTR

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

GOOD ACTION FILM MUCH BETTER THAN AVERAGE.......2007-05-31

This movie is way better than I expected.The action never stops and the story is interesting enough to keep you in the groove. The DVD transfer is excellent and is a worth a look for sure.

Disappointing.......2007-05-28

Paul Walker best action Movie !.......2007-05-10

Good, but still Paul Walker..........2007-04-28

Bizarre and Surreal ... But Also Corny.......2007-03-21

DVD:

DVD

Bourne Identity [WS Explosive Edition] [2002] (REGION 1) (NT

DVD: The Guns of Navarone (Special Edition)

The Blue Angel