For Hire

For Hire


Starring:Rob Lowe, Joe Mantegna, Bronwen Booth, Charles Powell, Steve Adams, Jack Langedijk, Marie-Josée Longchamps, Jean-Louis Roux, John Dunn-Hill, Carl Alacchi, Robert Ozores, Howard Rosenstein (II), Neil Kroetsch, Ralph Allison, Susan Glover, Burke Lawrence, Larry Day, Howard Bilerman, Richard Jutras, Mark Camacho
Director: Jean Pellerin
Studio: Geneon Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Description
Mitch Lawrence (Rob Lowe), a Chicago cabby and would be actor, is a man whose dreams are starting to fade. He's got a loving and pregnant wife and a decent clientele, including the successful writer Lou Webber (Joe Mantegna), but overall his life is one of quiet frustration, even desperation. When he is diagnosed with inoperable cancer, he agrees to kill a drug dealer who has been threatening Webber in order to set up a nest egg for his wife and the baby. But Mitch soon realizes he is caught up in a deadly game of manipulation and betrayal, and he is forced to fight back. Rob Lowe, Joe Mantegna
Spenser For Hire - the Movie Collection
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Spenser for Hire - the movie collection
  • Robert Urich is Great!!
  • Spencer For Hire
  • Spenser For Hire
  • Weak Lifetime movies undercut great 80's TV series
Spenser For Hire - the Movie Collection
Starring: Robert Urich , Avery Brooks , Cynthia Dale , Ross Petty , and Hayley Tyson
Director: Joseph L. Scanlan , Paul Lynch , and Andrew Wild
Manufacturer: Rykodisc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

GeneralGeneral | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video
GeneralGeneral | Television | Genres | DVD | Video
Benskin, TyroneBenskin, Tyrone | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Brooks, AveryBrooks, Avery | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Crewson, WendyCrewson, Wendy | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Dale, CynthiaDale, Cynthia | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Fitzpatrick, RichardFitzpatrick, Richard | ( F ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
( M )( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video | Ma, James | Ma, Margaret | Ma, Tzi | Ma, Wu | Maberly, Kate | Mabius, Eric | Mac, Bernie | MacCorkindale, Simon | MacDonald, Ann Marie | MacDonald, Gordon | MacDonald, Ian | MacDonald, J Farrell | MacDonald, Jeanette | MacDonald, Jennifer | MacDonald, Kelly | MacDonald, Norm | MacDonald, Pirie | MacDonald, Scott | MacDonald, Shawn | MacDowell, Andie | MacFadyen, Angus | MacFarlane, Seth | MacGill, Moyna | MacGinnis, Niall | MacGowran, Jack | MacGraw, Ali | MacGuire, Marlena | MacInnes, Angus | MacIntosh, Jay W | MacIntosh, Keegan | MacKaill, Dorothy | MacKay, Don | MacKay, John | MacKay, Michael Reid | MacKenzie, Evan | MacKenzie, Phillip | MacKenzie, Robert | MacKichan, Doon | MacKie, Allison | MacLachlan, Janet | MacLachlan, Kyle | MacLaine, Shirley | MacLane, Barton | MacLaren, Fawna | MacLean, Peter | MacLeod, Gavin | MacMahon, Aline | MacMurray, Fred | MacNee, Patrick | MacNeill, Peter | MacNicol, Peter | MacQueen, Melanie | MacRae, Duncan | MacRae, Gordon | MacRae, Michael | MacVittie, Bruce | Macann, Rodney | Macarthur, James | Macaulay, Charles | Macaulay, Marc | Macbride, Donald | Macchio, Ralph | Machado, John | Machado, Justina | Machado, Maria | Machado, Mario | Macht, Stephen | Mack, Allison | Mack, Bob | Mack, Helen | Mack, Marion | Mack, Wilbur | Macollum, Barry | Macopson, Dwayne | Macpherson, Elle | Macready, George | Macy, Bill | Macy, William H | Madalone, Dennis | Madigan, Amy | Madison, Guy | Madoc, Ruth | Madonna | Madsen, Michael | Madsen, Virginia | Mae, Vanessa | Maffei, Joe | Maffia, Roma | Magee, Patrick | Mager, Jad | Maggio, Pupella | Magnani, Anna | Magnier, Pierre | Magnuson, Ann | Magre, Judith | Maguire, George | Maguire, Oliver | Maguire, Tobey | Magwili, Dom | Mahaffey, Valerie | Mahal, Taj | Maharis, George | Maher, Bill | Maher, Joseph | Mahler, Bruce | Mahoney, Jock | Mahoney, John | Mailer, Norman | Mailer, Stephen | Main, Marjorie | Mainprize, James | Majorino, Tina | Majors, Lee | Makeba, Miriam | Makepeace, Chris | Makkena, Wendy | Mako | Mako, Kieu Chinh | Mala | Malagu, Stefania | Malahide, Patrick | Malanowicz, Zygmunt | Malcolm, Christopher | Malden, Karl | Malet, Arthur | Malet, Laurent | Malfitano, Catherine | Malhotra, Pavan | Malick, Wendie | Malik, Art | Malina, Judith | Malinger, Ross | Malkovich, John | Mallon, Jim | Malloy, Matt | Malm, Mona | Malmsteen, Yngwie | Malmsten, Birger | Malone, Dorothy | Malone, Jena | Malone, Joseph | Malone, Nancy | Malone, Randal | Maloney, Michael | Maloney, Peter | Malota, Kristina | Maltin, Leonard | Malyon, Eily | Mammone, Robert | Man, Method | Man, Cheung | Man, Hayley | Manard, Biff | Manchester, Melissa | Mancini, Al | Mancuso, Nick | Mandan, Robert | Mandel, Howie | Mander, Miles | Mandrell, Barbara | Mandylor, Costas | Mandylor, Louis | Manetti, Larry | Manfredi, Nino | Mangano, Silvana | Manheim, Camryn | Manilow, Barry | Mankuma, Blu | Mann, Byron | Mann, Hank | Mann, Leslie | Mann, Terrence | Manne, Shelly | Manners, David | Manni, Ettore | Manning, Marilyn | Manning, Ruth | Manoff, Dinah | Manojlovic, Miki | Mansfield, Jayne | Mansfield, John | Manson, Alan | Manson, Ted | Mantegna, Joe | Mantel, Henriette | Mantell, Joe | Mantell, Michael | Mantle, Mickey | Mantooth, Randolph | Manville, Lesley | Manz, Linda | Manzano, Miguel | Mar, Maria Del | Mara, Adele | Mara, Mary | Marais, Jean | Marceau, Marcel | Marceau, Sophie | March, Eve | March, Fredric | March, Jane | Marchand, Guy | Marchand, Nancy | Marchiano, Bruce | Marcil, Vanessa | Marco, Paul | Marcoux, Ted | Marcovicci, Andrea | Marcus, Richard | Marescotti, Ivano | Margo, George | Margolin, Janet | Margolin, Stuart | Margolis, Cindy | Margolis, Mark | Margolyes, Miriam | Margret, Ann | Margulies, David | Margulies, Julianna | Mari, Atsumi | Mariano, John | Marich, Michael | Marie, Buffy Sainte | Marie, Constance | Marie, Jeanne | Marie, Lisa | Marietto | Marin, Cheech | Marin, Gloria | Marin, Rikki | Marinaro, Ed | Marini, Lou | Marinker, Peter | Marino, Dan | Marino, Ken | Marius, Robert | Mariye, Lily | Mark, D Neil | Markham, Kika | Markham, Monte | Markland, Ted | Marks, Alfred | Marks, Shae | Marley, Ben | Marley, Bob | Marley, Cedella | Marley, John | Marlo, John | Marlow, Lucy | Marlowe, Hugh | Marlowe, Linda | Marlowe, Scott | Marner, Richard | Maroney, Kelli | Marotta, Rick | Marquand, Christian | Marquardt, Peter | Marquette, Ron | Marquez, Michael | Mars, Kenneth | Mars, Shelly | Marsalis, Branford | Marsalis, Wynton | Marsden, Jason | Marsden, Roy | Marsh, Ali | Marsh, Carol | Marsh, Garry | Marsh, Jean | Marsh, Mae | Marsh, Marian | Marsh, Matthew | Marsh, Michele | Marsh, William | Marshal, Alan | Marshall, Brenda | Marshall, Garry | Marshall, Herbert | Marshall, James | Marshall, Kathleen | Marshall, Ken | Marshall, Larry | Marshall, Paula | Marshall, Penny | Marshall, Ruth | Marshall, Sarah | Marshall, Sean | Marshall, Tully | Marshall, William | Marsico, Tony | Marteau, Henri | Marteen, Rachel Jean | Martel, Arlene | Martell, Donna | Martell, Lusa Repo | Martells, Cynthia | Martial, Jacques | Martin, Andrea | Martin, Damon | Martin, Dan | Martin, Dean | Martin, Dewey | Martin, Duane | Martin, Durville | Martin, Eugene | Martin, George | Martin, Jared | Martin, Jean | Martin, Kellie | Martin, Maria | Martin, Mary | Martin, Nan | Martin, Pamela Sue | Martin, Pepper | Martin, Ross | Martin, Rudolf | Martin, Steve | Martin, Strother | Martin, Tony | Martindale, Margo | Martine, Daniel | Martinelli, Elsa | Martines, Alessandra | Martinez, A | Martinez, Olivier | Martinez, Patrice | Martini, Max | Martling, Jackie | Marton, Eva | Marvin, Lee | Marx, Groucho | Marx, Harpo | Marzi, Franca | Mascarino, Pierrino | Mashita, Nelson | Masina, Giulietta | Mason, Jackie | Mason, James | Mason, Leroy | Mason, Marsha | Mason, Tom | Massari, Lea | Massee, Michael | Massen, Osa | Massett, Patrick | Massey, Anna | Massey, Athena | Massey, Daniel | Massey, Edith | Massey, Raymond | Masson, William Scott | Masters, Ben | Masterson, Christopher | Masterson, Danny | Masterson, Fay | Masterson, Mary Stuart | Masterson, Peter | Masterson, Valerie | Mastrantonio, Mary Elizabeth | Mastrogiacomo, Gina | Mastroianni, Chiara | Mastroianni, Marcello | Masur, Richard | Mat, Paul Le | Matacena, Orestes | Matarazzo, Heather | Matarazzo, Neal | Mather, Aubrey | Mathers, James | Mathers, Jerry | Matheson, Eve | Matheson, Tim | Mathews, Carole | Mathews, Hrothgar | Mathews, Kerwin | Mathews, Thom | Mathis, Johnny | Mathis, Samantha | Mathou, Jacques | Matlin, Marlee | Matmor, Daniel | Matschoss, Ulrich | Matshikiza, John | Matsuda, Seiko | Matsumoto, Koshiro | Matsumura, Tatsuo | Mattes, Eva | Matthau, Walter | Matthews, Al | Matthews, Dakin | Matthews, Delane | Matthews, Francis | Matthews, Hillary | Matthews, Jessie | Matthews, Lester | Matthews, Liesel | Matthews, Terumi | Mattson, Robin | Mature, Victor | Matuszak, John | Maura, Carmen | Maurer, Lisa | Maurey, Nicole | Max, Edwin | Maxwell, Edwin | Maxwell, John | Maxwell, Lois | Maxwell, Marilyn | Maxwell, Paul | Maxwell, Roberta | May, Elaine | May, Jodhi | May, Mathilda | May, Tracie | Mayall, Rik | Mayehoff, Eddie | Mayer, Jerry | Mayer, Ken | Maynard, Ken | Mayne, Ferdinand Ferdy | Mayo, Virginia | Mayron, Gale | Mayron, Melanie | Mays, Jefferson | Mayweather, Joshua Gibran | Mazar, Debi | Mazur, Monet | Mazurki, Mike | Mazursky, Paul | Mazzarelli, Carmelo Di | Mazzello, Joseph | McAdams, Rachel | McAnally, Ray | McArdle, John | McArthur, Alex | McAvoy, May | McBain, Robert | McBee, Deron | McBlain, David | McBride, Chi | McBroom, Marcia | McCabe, Michael | McCabe, Ruth | McCafferty, Dee | McCaffrey, James | McCain, Frances Lee | McCalla, Irish | McCallany, Holt | McCallister, Lon | McCallum, David | McCambridge, Mercedes | McCamus, Tom | McCann, Chuck | McCann, Donal | McCann, Sean | McCardie, Brian | McCarlie, Colin | McCarren, Fred | McCarroll, Frank | McCarthy, Andrew | McCarthy, Hollis | McCarthy, Jenny | McCarthy, Julianna | McCarthy, Kevin | McCarthy, Maureen | McCarthy, Molly | McCarthy, Nobu | McCarthy, Sheila | McCartney, Paul | McCary, Rod | McCashin, Constance | McCauley, Colleen | McCay, Peggy | McClanahan, Rue | McCleister, Tom | McClelland, Derbhla | McClements, Catherine | McClory, Sean | McCloskey, Leigh | McClure, Doug | McClure, Marc | McClure, Tane | McClurg, Edie | McColm, Matt | McComb, Theresa | McConaughey, Matthew | McCook, John | McCord, Kent | McCormack, Catherine | McCormack, J Patrick | McCormack, Mary | McCormack, Patty | McCormick, Carolyn | McCormick, Gilmer | McCormick, Maureen | McCormick, Myron | McCormick, Pat | McCouch, Grayson | McCourt, Emer | McCourt, Malachy | McCowen, Alec | McCoy, Matt | McCoy, Sylvester | McCoy, Tim | McCracken, Jeff | McCrary, Darius | McCrea, Jody | McCrea, Joel | McCready, Kevin Neil | McCrindle, Alex | McCulloch, Bruce | McCullough, Julie | McCullough, Philo | McCullough, Suli | McCusker, Mary | McDaniel, Hattie | McDaniel, James | McDermott, David | McDermott, Dylan | McDevitt, Ruth | McDiarmid, Ian | McDonald, Christopher | McDonald, Francis | McDonald, Grace | McDonald, Kevin | McDonald, Mac | McDonald, Marie | McDonald, Michael James | McDonnell, Mary | McDonough, John | McDonough, Neal | McDormand, Frances | McDougall, Martin | McDowall, Roddy | McDowell, Claire | McDowell, Malcolm | McFadden, Gates | McFarland, Bob | McFerrin, Bobby | McGann, Joe | McGann, Luke | McGann, Mark | McGann, Paul | McGarry, Joan | McGavin, Darren | McGaw, Patrick | McGee, Gwen | McGee, Jack | McGee, Vonetta | McGhee, Brownie | McGill, Bruce | McGill, Everett | McGillis, Kelly | McGinley, John C | McGinley, Ted | McGinnis, Scott | McGiver, John | McGlone, Mike | McGlynn, Mary Elizabeth | McGonagle, Richard | McGoohan, Patrick | McGovern, Barry | McGovern, Don Charles | McGovern, Elizabeth | McGowan, Rose | McGowen, Rose | McGrath, Douglas | McGrath, Frank | McGrath, Matt | McGrath, Michael | McGraw, Charles | McGraw, Tim | McGregor, Angela Punch | McGregor, Charles | McGregor, Ewan | McGuire, Betty | McGuire, Biff | McGuire, Bruce | McGuire, Don | McGuire, Dorothy | McGuire, John | McGuire, Paul | McHattie, Stephen | McHugh, Frank | McIlwraith, David | McInnerny, Tim | McIntire, James | McIntire, John | McIntire, Tim | McKay, Anthony Norman | McKay, Wanda | McKean, Michael | McKechnie, Donna | McKee, Lafe | McKee, Lonette | McKellar, Danica | McKellar, Don | McKellen, Ian | McKenna, Alan | McKenna, Alex | McKenna, Chris L | McKenna, Patrick | McKenna, Siobhan | McKenna, Travis | McKenna, Virginia | McKenzie, Jack | McKenzie, Jacqueline | McKenzie, Julia | McKenzie, Richard | McKeon, Doug | McKeon, Nancy | McKeon, Philip | McKeown, Charles | McKern, Leo | McKidd, Kevin | McKim, Sammy | McKinney, Bill | McKinney, Gregory A | McKinney, Mark | McKinney, Nina Mae | McKinnon, Ray | McLaglen, Victor | McLarty, Ron | McLaughlin, Bill | McLaughlin, Ellen | McLaughlin, Marie | McLaughlin, Maya | McLean, Courtney | McLean, Lenny | McLemore, Zachary | McLeod, Catherine | McLeod, Ken | McLerie, Allyn Ann | McLiam, John | McMahon, Ed | McMahon, Horace | McMahon, Julian | McManus, Don | McManus, Michael | McMartin, John | McMillan, Kenneth | McMillan, Mary | McMullan, Jim | McMullan, Tim | McMullen, Cliff | McMurray, Richard | McMurray, Sam | McMurtry, Michael | McMyler, Pamela | McNab, Mercedes | McNair, Barbara | McNally, Kevin | McNally, Stephen | McNally, Terrence E | McNamara, Brian | McNamara, J Patrick | McNamara, Pat | McNamara, William | McNeice, Ian | McNeil, Claudia | McNeil, Kate | McNeil, Timothy | McNeill, Robert Duncan | McNichol, Kristy | McNight, Sharon | McPeak, Sandy | McQueen, Butterfly | McQueen, Chad | McQueen, Steve | McRae, Alan | McRae, Frank | McRaney, Gerald | McRobbie, Peter | McShane, Ian | McSorley, Gerard | McTavish, Patrick | McTeer, Janet | McVeagh, Eve | McVerry, Maureen | McVey, Tyler | McWhirter, Jillian | McWilliams, Caroline | Mcelhinney, Ian | Mcelhone, Natascha | Mcelroy, Brian | Mcenery, John | Mcenery, Peter | Mcenroe, Annie | Mcentire, Reba | Mcewan, Geraldine | Mead, Courtland | Meade, Julia | Meadows, Audrey | Meadows, Jayne | Meadows, Joyce | Meadows, Stephen | Meadows, Tim | Meaney, Colm | Meaney, Nick | Means, Angela | Means, Russell | Meara, Anne | Mechera, Katerina | Medeiros, Maria De | Medeiros, Michael | Mederow, Paul | Medford, Kay | Medina, Patricia | Medoff, Mark | Medrano, Frank | Medvesek, Rene | Medwetz, Anthony | Meek, Donald | Meek, Jeffrey | Meeker, George | Meeker, Ralph | Meffre, Armand | Mehler, Tobias | Mehta, Zubin | Meier, Armin | Meier, Waltraud | Meillon, John | Melato, Mariangela | Meldrum, Wendel | Mell, Randle | Mellencamp, John | Mellor, Steve | Melocchi, Vince | Melson, Sara | Melvin, Murray | Memmoli, George | Mende, Lisa | Mendel, Stephen | Mendelsohn, Ben | Mendenhall, David | Mendoza, John | Mendoza, Victor Manuel | Meneses, Alex | Meng, Jessey | Menjou, Adolphe | Menuhin, Yehudi | Menyuk, Eric | Menzies, Heather | Mer, Juliano | Merande, Doro | Mercedes, Ana | Mercer, Beryl | Merchant, Vivien | Mercier, Denis | Mercouri, Melina | Mercurio, Micole | Mercurio, Paul | Meredith, Burgess | Meredith, Charles | Meredith, Judi | Merhi, Jalal | Merin, Eda Reiss | Merivale, Philip | Meriwether, Lee | Merkel, Una | Merkerson, S Epatha | Merlet, Valentin | Merli, Adalberto Maria | Merli, Maurizio | Merlin, Joanna | Merlin, Serge | Merman, Ethel | Merrill, Dina | Merrill, Gary | Merrill, Norman | Merrison, Clive | Merrithew, Lindsay | Merritt, Theresa | Merton, John | Mervyn, William | Mese, John | Meskimen, Jim | Messerole, Kenneth | Messinger, Gertrude | Metallica | Metcalf, Laurie | Metcalf, Mark | Metcalfe, Robert | Methven, Eleanor | Metrano, Art | Metz, Belinda | Metzler, Jim | Meurisse, Paul | Mewes, Jason | Meyer, Breckin | Meyer, Dina | Meyer, Russ | Meyer, Torben | Meyers, Ari | Meyler, Tony | Meyrink, Michelle | Mezzanotte, Luigi | Mezzogiorno, Vittorio | Miao, Cora | Miao, Nora | Michael, Christopher | Michael, Jordan Christopher | Michael, Ralph | Michaels, Gordon | Michaels, Roxanna | Michalski, Jeff | Michel, Lilia | Michell, Keith | Michelle, Janee | Michelle, Shelley | Michie, David | Middlemass, Frank | Middleton, Charles | Middleton, Robert | Midkiff, Dale | Midler, Bette | Mifune, Toshiro | Migenes, Julia | Mighton, John | Mihashi, Tatsuya | Mikhalkov, Nikita | Mikuni, Rentaro | Milan, Lita | Milano, Alyssa | Milburn, Oliver | Miles, Adrianna | Miles, Bernard | Miles, Charlie Creed | Miles, Elaine | Miles, Joanna | Miles, Peter | Miles, Sarah | Miles, Sylvia | Miles, Vera | Miley, Brett | Milford, Penelope | Milian, Tomas | Miljan, John | Millais, Hugh | Milland, Ray | Millar, Gregory | Millbern, David | Mille, Katherine De | Miller, Allan | Miller, Ann | Miller, Barry | Miller, Dennis | Miller, Denny | Miller, Dick | Miller, Eve | Miller, Glenn | Miller, Harvey | Miller, Jason | Miller, John | Miller, Jonny Lee | Miller, Larry | Miller, Mark | Miller, Martin | Miller, Marvin | Miller, Penelope Ann | Miller, Rebecca | Miller, Roger | Miller, Sherry | Miller, Stephen E | Miller, Ty | Miller, Valarie Rae | Miller, Walter | Milligan, Spike | Mills, Adam | Mills, Alley | Mills, Donna | Mills, Hayley | Mills, John | Mills, Judson | Mills, Juliet | Mills, Mort | Milner, Martin | Milnes, Sherrill | Milo, Jean Roger | Milsap, Ronnie | Milton, Russell | Mimieux, Yvette | Minami, Kaho | Mineo, Sal | Miner, Jan | Mingus, Charles | Minjares, Joe | Mink, Claudette | Minnelli, Liza | Minogue, Kylie | Minor, Bob | Minoru, Ohki | Minter, Kelly Jo | Minter, Kristin | Mintz, Larry | Minucci, Frank | Mioni, Fabrizio | Miou, Miou | Mira, Brigitte | Miracle, Irene | Miragliotta, Frederick | Miranda, Alex | Miranda, Carmen | Miranda, Isa | Miranda, Robert | Miriam, Jennifer | Mirren, Helen | Misawa, Goh | Mistral, Jorge | Mitchell, Aleta | Mitchell, Cameron | Mitchell, Chuck | Mitchell, Daryl | Mitchell, Donna | Mitchell, Eddy | Mitchell, Elizabeth | Mitchell, Gene | Mitchell, Gordon | Mitchell, Grant | Mitchell, H Bruce | Mitchell, Heather | Mitchell, Herb | Mitchell, James | Mitchell, John Cameron | Mitchell, Kel | Mitchell, Leona | Mitchell, Millard | Mitchell, Radha | Mitchell, Rodney | Mitchell, Sasha | Mitchell, Scott | Mitchell, Silas Weir | Mitchell, Thomas | Mitchell, Warren | Mitchum, Bentley | Mitchum, Christopher | Mitchum, Jim | Mitchum, Robert | Mitra, Rhona | Mittelman, Rachel | Miyamoto, Nobuko | Miyori, Kim | Modine, Matthew | Moe, Cecil | Moeller, Ralf | Moeller, Ralph | Moffat, Donald | Moffett, Michelle | Moffo, Anna | Mohr, Gerald | Mohr, Jay | Moir, Alison | Mok, Harry | Mokae, Zakes | Mol, Gretchen | Molina, Alfred | Molina, Rolando | Moll, Kurt | Moll, Richard | Molloy, Dearbhla | Monaco, Kelly | Monaghan, Marjorie | Monahan, Dan | Monet, Paulina | Monjo, Justin | Monk, Debra | Monk, Thelonious | Monks, Michael | Monlaur, Yvonne | Monroe, Bill | Monroe, Marilyn | Monroe, Steve | Montagnani, Renzo | Montaigne, Lawrence | Montalban, Ricardo | Montalembert, Thibault De | Montand, Yves | Montarsolo, Paolo | Monte, Ted | Montero, Zully | Monteros, Rosenda | Montez, Maria | Montgomery, Belinda J | Montgomery, Chuck | Montgomery, Douglass | Montgomery, Elizabeth | Montgomery, George | Montgomery, Julia | Montgomery, Lee | Montgomery, Robert | Monti, Silvia | Moodie, Andrew | Moody, Bill | Moody, King | Moody, Lynne | Moody, Ron | Moon, Keith | Moon, Philip | Moore, Alvy | Moore, Ashleigh Ashton | Moore, Barbara Ann | Moore, Clayton | Moore, Constance | Moore, Demi | Moore, Dennis | Moore, Dickie | Moore, Dudley | Moore, Gar | Moore, Joanna | Moore, Juanita | Moore, Julianne | Moore, Kenya | Moore, Kieron | Moore, Maggie | Moore, Mary Tyler | Moore, Matt | Moore, Melba | Moore, Melissa | Moore, Michael | Moore, Muriel | Moore, Owen | Moore, Pauline | Moore, Roger | Moore, Rudy Ray | Moore, Shemar | Moore, Stephen | Moore, Tedde | Moore, Terry | Moore, Victor | Moorehead, Agnes | Moorhead, Natalie | Moosekian, Duke | Morales, Esai | Moran, Dolores | Moran, Jackie | Moran, Patrick | Moran, Pauline | Moran, Polly | Moranis, Rick | Morant, Angela | Morante, Laura | Morante, Marcello | Morante, Milburn | More, Kenneth | Moreau, Jeanne | Moreau, Marsha | Morehead, Elizabeth | Moreland, Mantan | Morell, Jason | Moreno, Antonio | Moreno, Belita | Moreno, John | Moreno, Rita | Moretti, Linda | Moretti, Nanni | Morey, Bill | Morfogen, George | Morgan, Bonnie | Morgan, Cindy | Morgan, Debbi | Morgan, Dennis | Morgan, Frank | Morgan, Gary | Morgan, Harry | Morgan, Helen | Morgan, Jeffrey Dean | Morgan, Lorrie | Morgan, Mariana | Morgan, Melissa | Morgan, Nancy | Morgan, Ralph | Morgan, Trevor | Morgenstern, Maia | Morgenstern, Stephanie | Mori, Claudia | Mori, Masayuki | Moriarty, Cathy | Moriarty, Michael | Morice, Tara | Morin, Alberto | Morin, D David | Morina, Johnny | Morison, Patricia | Moritzen, Henning | Morley, Karen | Morley, Robert | Moro, Alicia | Morricone, Ennio | Morrill, Priscilla | Morris, Adrian | Morris, Anita | Morris, Barboura | Morris, Chester | Morris, Frances | Morris, Garrett | Morris, Haviland | Morris, Howard | Morris, James | Morris, Jane | Morris, Jeff | Morris, Johnnie | Morris, Judy | Morris, Kathryn | Morris, Leslie | Morris, Liz | Morris, Phil | Morris, Philip | Morris, Samuel B | Morris, Thomas | Morris, Wayne | Morrison, Temuera | Morrison, Van | Morrissette, Billy | Morrissey, Lori | Morrissey, Paul | Morrow, Byron | Morrow, Jeff | Morrow, Jo | Morrow, Rob | Morrow, Vic | Morse, Barry | Morse, David | Morse, Laila | Morse, Natalie | Morse, Robert | Mortensen, Viggo | Mortimer, Emily | Morton, Clive | Morton, Howard | Morton, Joe | Morton, Samantha | Mosby, Josh | Moscow, David | Moseley, Bill | Moses, Mark | Moses, William R | Moss, Arnold | Moss, Darcy De | Moss, Jim | Moss, Stewart | Mostel, Josh | Mostel, Zero | Motoki, Masahiro | Mounds, Melissa | Mount, Peggy | Mouton, Benjamin | Mowbray, Alan | Mower, Jack | Mower, Patrick | Moyer, Stephen | Moynihan, Bill | Mr. T | Muellerleile, Marianne | Mui, Anita | Mulcahy, Jack | Muldaur, Diana | Muldoon, Patrick | Mulford, Nancy | Mulgrew, Kate | Mulhare, Edward | Mulhern, Matt | Mulholland, Mark | Mulkey, Chris | Mull, Martin | Mullarkey, Neil | Mullavey, Greg | Mullen, Conor | Muller, Paul | Mulligan, Richard | Mulligan, Terry David | Mulroney, Dermot | Mulroney, Kieran | Mulrooney, Kelsey | Mumy, Seth | Mundae, Misty | Mundin, Herbert | Muni, Paul | Munn, Jeffrey De | Munro, Caroline | Munro, Janet | Munro, Ronn | Munson, Ona | Murat, Jean | Murata, Takehiro | Murcell, George | Murciano, Enrique | Murdocco, Vince | Murdock, George | Murdock, Kermit | Murney, Christopher | Murnik, Peter | Murphy, Annette | Murphy, Audie | Murphy, Brittany | Murphy, Cathy | Murphy, Donald | Murphy, Eddie | Murphy, George | Murphy, Horace | Murphy, Johnny | Murphy, Mary | Murphy, Matt | Murphy, Michael | Murphy, Rosemary | Murray, Ann | Murray, Barbara | Murray, Bill | Murray, Brian Doyle | Murray, Bryan | Murray, Don | Murray, Forbes | Murray, Jan | Murray, Joshua | Murray, Ken | Murray, Mick | Murray, Stephen | Murray, Tom | Murtaugh, James | Musante, Tony | Muse, Clarence | Musgrave, Robert | Musidora | Musselwhite, Charlie | Musser, Larry | Mussetter, Jude | Mustain, Minor | Muti, Ornella | Muti, Riccardo | Myatt, Maggie | Myers, Harry | Myers, Jonathan Rhys | Myers, Kim | Myers, Lou | Myers, Mike | Myhers, John | Myles, Bruce | Mynhardt, Patrick | Mynster, Karen Lise
Petty, RossPetty, Ross | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Tyson, HayleyTyson, Hayley | ( T ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Urich, RobertUrich, Robert | ( U ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Lynch, PaulLynch, Paul | ( L ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
Action & AdventureAction & Adventure | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video
TelevisionTelevision | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video
( S )( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B0009NSDW0
Release Date: 2005-06-28

Product Description

Following the surprise cancellation of the hit series Spenser: For Hire, ABC produces four full-length movies starring the late Robert Urich as the wisecracking-but-deadly Boston detective. Avery Brooks (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) co-stars as Hawk in these top-rated television events based on the best-selling books by Robert B. Parker that The New York Times calls one of the great series in the history of the American detective story.

System Requirements:
Running Time: 364 Mins

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Spenser for Hire - the movie collection.......2007-06-27

If you renember the Spenser for Hire television series, you will truly enjoy this colleciton of four full length movies. Spenser and Hawk are great and set the tone for exciting stories. This is a must for suspense and mystery buffs, with some humor thrown in.

5 out of 5 stars Robert Urich is Great!!.......2007-04-12

My friends & I are longtime fans of Robert. We have a group on Yahoo groups that are the original group from Robert's website when he had one. We have video recorded most of the entire series on tv from start to very last episode. Our video tapes are wearing out. We need the entire series on DVD. There "is" a market for this series and millions of Robert Urich fans everywhere, worldwide. We miss him very much. We have even met him in person on several public viewing occasions. Very nice and generous man. We are glad to have these shows avail on DVD, and want more on dvd!

Robert Urich projected a honorable, believable, tough and warmhearted private investigator. His truth and warmth shown through in his performances. He is also very handsome and sexy in this series. He's at a good age here. Cute and tough and honorable.

Great for all Robert Urich, and Spenser fans. That's Spenser with a "S"!!.

SoozRowan.

5 out of 5 stars Spencer For Hire.......2007-03-21

This was the first time I had seen any Spencer movies, as I got these for my husband as a birthday present. We thoroughly enjoyed them. I loved all of the actors especially Hawk, and Susan complimented Spencer. I have been told Spencer had a television series, well if the movieis are an indication of this great acting talent I sincerely hope the series comes out on DVD.

5 out of 5 stars Spenser For Hire.......2007-03-09

Really enjoyable, though not enough available, only 4 titles. Please make more available.

3 out of 5 stars Weak Lifetime movies undercut great 80's TV series.......2007-03-05

Having finally been able to re-watch several episodes of the original 80's TV series on AOL Video, there is no comparison. These movies draw on some of the weakest material in Robert B. Parker's books; the characters are shells of their former selves.

Certainly one of things missing, as pointed out in previous posts, is the city of Boston. It is a character in the novels and was made so during the 80's series. Vancouver is a poor substitute.

Gone is the sexual tension between Spenser and Susan, along with the introspective chats - a big part of the novels. These movies feel like a Perry Mason movie; all that is important is the resolution of the mystery. And the mysteries are not very interesting.

I bought the set to show support for the release of the series on DVD; I don't believe much more should be expected from this collection.
The Matador (Widescreen Edition)
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • This is what happens after the life of Bond
  • This Could Have Been Bonds Future
  • Awesome Movie - Deserves Wide Acclaim
  • The Matador is a film not to be missed (unless you're a bull)
  • Brosnan funny? Who knew!
The Matador (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Pierce Brosnan , Arlin Miller , Azucena Medina , Jonah Meyerson , and Wiveca Bonerais
Director: Richard Shepard
Manufacturer: Weinstein Company
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:
  1. 16 Blocks (Widescreen Edition)
  2. Syriana (Widescreen Edition)
  3. Inside Man (Widescreen Edition)
  4. V for Vendetta (Two-Disc Special Edition)
  5. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B000EQ5UIC
Release Date: 2006-07-04

Amazon.com

Pierce Brosnan gives one of his finest performances in The Matador, a low-key buddy comedy with an agreeably sinister twist. Light-years from his former James Bond image, Brosnan is unshaven, unnerved and unpredictable as freelance assassin Julian Noble, who encounters desperate businessman Danny Wright (Greg Kinnear) in the bar of a modern Mexico City hotel. Danny is intrigued when Julian reveals that he's a "facilitator of fatalities," and his wife "Bean" (Hope Davis) is equally fascinated when Julian shows up unexpectedly, six months later, at Danny's home in Denver. Having lost his touch as a reliable hit-man, Julian needs Danny's help with "one last job," but the logistics of Julian's lethal profession (involving an employer played by Philip Baker Hall) are secondary to writer-director Richard Shepard's offbeat, slightly uneven character study, which gives Kinnear and Brosnan a memorable opportunity to riff on their established screen personas. In making Julian a likable yet tormented drifter who's made a habit of "running from any emotion," Brosnan creates an edgy yet sympathetic character as mysterious as he is fun to be around; if you're going to befriend a hired killer, you could do far worse than a guy like Julian. As Brosnan plays him, he's worthy of a sequel, but The Matador is the kind of entertainingly quirky movie that's a hard act to follow. --Jeff Shannon

Description

This hip and hilarious dark comedy finds boorish, on-the-job hit man Julian Noble (Pierce Brosnan) in a Mexico City cantina where he meets mild-mannered Denver businessman Danny Wright (Greg Kinnear), both of whom are at a crossroads in their lives and careers. Over too many margaritas, they form a strange friendship built on the dark and drunken honesty shared among strangers who believe they will never see each other in the light of day. However, months later, back in Denver, the doorbell rings at the Wright residence, and Danny and his wife Bean (Hope Davis) find Julian on their doorstep, a desperate, broken man. What else can they do, but to take him in?

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars This is what happens after the life of Bond.......2007-07-02

I see that it's tough for actors who play cultural icons to get work once they end that phase of their careers. George Reeves committed suicide after failing to find work after his 50's portrayal of Superman on TV. Adam West never got a good role after the campy '60's "Batman." Even Sean Connery had a period of obscurity after his James Bond period. This brings us to Pierce Brosnan, another James Bond: movie-star handsome, perfect in the role of the urbane, suave, and emotionally distant Agent 007. Brosnan tried to move beyond this typecasting with "The Tailor of Panama," but didn't quite succeed. Going to a more extreme character in "The Matador," Brosnan proves he might have a career ahead of him. He's going to need more plausible scripts, though, because none of the key plot points in "The Matador" are credible.

I still don't know why they call it a thriller when there wasn't any tension or suspense in here. You kind of knew what was coming except, perhaps, in several instances and there wasn't much tension or suspense in those instances. One of the good aspects of this film was the decision for Brosnan to roughen up his looks. His scraggly beard, bad hair, yellowed teeth, and the wild edge in his smile make him a credible, burnt-out, hit man. Additionally, he takes to his role with gusto. His fear as he begins to have nervous breakdowns, his desperate attempts to booze and whore his way back to sanity, and his life-saving grab to make a friend out of mild-mannered, middle-class Danny, are believably pathetic. I felt twinges of sympathy for this killer going over the edge. Their initial and unlikely acquaintance is believable only because it's in Mexico. The relationship between these two males is under constantly episodic humorous tension throughout the movie which is a plus in this film. Hope Davis also turns in a fine minor performance as Kinnear's character's wife.

The script was pretty good, the bright colors and bold cinematography and banners are reminiscent, in a good way, of Quentin Tarantino at his best. To some extent, the scenic and cinematographic movement is what gives the movie a strong sense of action as much as character movement. The plot almost feels as if it has a life independent of the characters; as if the characters are acting out a minor sequence in a bigger sweep of `Story,' which almost seems like a `Character' in itself. Sound weird? Well, I guess it is, in a way. But it sure seems to work for me. Still, it's a good buddy-flick that's worth your time but try to leave Bond out of your mind before you watch this.

4 out of 5 stars This Could Have Been Bonds Future.......2007-06-14

When I saw the preview for this movie I just had to see it. I don't know why but it just looked funny and entertaining. Maybe it was seeing Brosnan acting like a complete nut in every scene. The movie is about a bored and lonely assassin Julian Noble (Brosnan) who ends up stalking a traveling salesman named Danny Wright (Greg Kinnear). The thing is that Julian met Danny at a bar in Mexico and likes his personality so now he wants to be friends. Julian has bigger problems though like he can't finish his jobs because he freezes up every time he tries to pull the trigger.



Because of this his boss has put out a hit on him so Julian leaves Mexico and shows up on Danny's front door step. What makes matters worse is not only is Julian having a mid life crisis but he has terrible manners and has a problem drinking too much. Danny has to put up with his craziness while trying to spend time with his wife on christmas. Julian finally tells Danny why he really came to his home and tells him he needs his help to complete with his last job. The two set out on a very exciting and funny journey to rescue Julian from death and send him to a relaxing paradise to retire in.



What I like most about The Matador is the comedy that couldn't have been accomplished without Brosnans hysterical but fitting look. He played Julian on point and really got the comedic depressing feeling of his character. The story has a pretty good twist to it but nothing too surprising. You might even guess the end before it gets there as it bites off some other more serious assassin films. The cast did a good job but for some reason you could feel something missing. One more character equally as crazy as Julian Noble or even crazier maybe could have gave the movie that extra something. It has great picture and sound quality, definitely no problems there. Basically The Matador didn't really have flaws but it was just a 4 star performance. From the story to the comedy it was 4 stars, as funny as it is it isn't 5 star bust out crying laughing. If you have time go get it or maybe it's still on TV but this will most likely be enjoyed.

5 out of 5 stars Awesome Movie - Deserves Wide Acclaim.......2007-06-03

This movie was great. Has an unusual plot device that works well in sustaining suspense effectively. Brilliant acting from Kinnear and Brosnan.

Highly Recommended.

5 out of 5 stars The Matador is a film not to be missed (unless you're a bull).......2007-05-27

The Matador is a slightly off-kilter, pleasantly surprising movie that gently leads the viewer on a tour of unpredictability. Richard Shepard wrote and directed this little gem of a film in his well-deserved departure from smaller independent films to a full-budgeted film. He makes great use of his new resources, recruiting cinematographer David Tattersall (Die Another Day, Star Wars I-III, The Green Mile). Tattersall makes every frame thrilling and adds even more to Brosnan and Kinnear's performances.

Now that we're on the subject, Pierce Brosnan really shines as hitman Julian Noble, a character that seems to have been written for him to make a perfect transition, shedding his James Bond image without completely losing it. As Noble begins to fall apart, Brosnan gets to show that not only is he charming, and deboinair, he's also a brilliant actor with great control on a depth of emotions. His Golden Globe nomination was well deserved.

Greg Kinnear gives an equally transfixing performance as Danny Wright, a down on his luck business man who meets Julian on a trip to Mexico, where the two share an unidentifiable bond. Kinnear has an almost unique ability in Hollywood to portray a general sense of optimism, while also relaying a clear sense of desperation to the audience. He shines in this film in a prelude to the down-on-his-luck character he plays in Little Miss Sunshine.

Hope Davis doesn't have as big a role as either of the male leads, but she makes a strong showing and through her ability to translate the script into clear emotions she manages to stand out as more than just a "wife" character. The three main cast members really make this film work.

In the end, surprisingly, The Matador is a slightly sentimental - without being cheesy - examination of friendship, love, devotion, and doing what's right. The audience will leave the film feeling satisfied, entertained, and a little bit better about life in general. Don't miss out on this one.

The DVD includes several deleted scenes and a making of documentary that offers some insight into the director's take on the film. It's all interesting, but the film stands on its own.

5 out of 5 stars Brosnan funny? Who knew!.......2007-04-30

I could not believe that Pierce Brosnan could be funny! He wasn't even this funny in *Remington Steele*. Greg Kinnear was a compatible actor with Brosnan.

Brosnan plays Julian Noble, who is an assassin or rather a "facilitator of fatilities". He travels around the world to eliminate his targets. When he gets to Mexico City, he meets Danny Wright (Kinnear) at a hotel bar over margaritas. Danny is an unlucky businessman who is trying to get back on the rise.

This particular introduction is the best part. They're trying to have conversation yet they keep misunderstanding each other, even to the point of being completely rude. Yet they stay around to continue chatting. Finally, to smooth things over, Julian invites Danny to a bullfight event. There, Julian reveals what he does. Of course, thinking Julian is joking, Danny doesn't believe him. At this point, things are even funnier especially when Julian asks Danny to help him out on a target in Mexico City.

The weekend quickly comes to an end. Julian continues to travel around the world to do his job. However, Julian makes a mistake and then another. On the run, Julian shows up at Danny's residence in Denver...6 months later. Once again, Julian asks Danny for his help. Of course, they go through this whole drama that was played out earlier.

There are a few things why I loved this movie. Brosnan plays Julian well, nothing similar to Steele or James Bond. Julian is mysterious. He bops women but then there are hints where he just might be bisexual. There's one particular scene that keeps coming up but isn't really shown completely. You can't help but wonder what happened. Julian is wacky as he'll walking around a hotel in speedos and cowboy boots. Kinnear is equally funny as this naive man trying to survive in this cruel world. He's a trusting man who cannot decipher truth from fiction. And Julian wants this man help him out on a "job"?!?!

So, check out *The Matador* and enjoy a few chuckles.
The Matador [HD DVD]
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • This is what happens after the life of Bond
  • This Could Have Been Bonds Future
  • Awesome Movie - Deserves Wide Acclaim
  • The Matador is a film not to be missed (unless you're a bull)
  • Brosnan funny? Who knew!
The Matador [HD DVD]
Starring: Dylan Baker , Pierce Brosnan , Hope Davis , Philip Baker Hall , and Roberto Sosa
Director: Richard Shepard
Manufacturer: Weinstein Company
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: HD DVD

CrimeCrime | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video
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Similar Items:
  1. 16 Blocks (Widescreen Edition)
  2. Syriana (Widescreen Edition)
  3. Inside Man (Widescreen Edition)
  4. V for Vendetta (Two-Disc Special Edition)
  5. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B000J10KVE
Release Date: 2006-12-19

Amazon.com

Pierce Brosnan gives one of his finest performances in The Matador, a low-key buddy comedy with an agreeably sinister twist. Light-years from his former James Bond image, Brosnan is unshaven, unnerved and unpredictable as freelance assassin Julian Noble, who encounters desperate businessman Danny Wright (Greg Kinnear) in the bar of a modern Mexico City hotel. Danny is intrigued when Julian reveals that he's a "facilitator of fatalities," and his wife "Bean" (Hope Davis) is equally fascinated when Julian shows up unexpectedly, six months later, at Danny's home in Denver. Having lost his touch as a reliable hit-man, Julian needs Danny's help with "one last job," but the logistics of Julian's lethal profession (involving an employer played by Philip Baker Hall) are secondary to writer-director Richard Shepard's offbeat, slightly uneven character study, which gives Kinnear and Brosnan a memorable opportunity to riff on their established screen personas. In making Julian a likable yet tormented drifter who's made a habit of "running from any emotion," Brosnan creates an edgy yet sympathetic character as mysterious as he is fun to be around; if you're going to befriend a hired killer, you could do far worse than a guy like Julian. As Brosnan plays him, he's worthy of a sequel, but The Matador is the kind of entertainingly quirky movie that's a hard act to follow. --Jeff Shannon

Description

This hip and hilarious dark comedy finds boorish, on-the-job hit man Julian Noble (Pierce Brosnan) in a Mexico City cantina where he meets mild-mannered Denver businessman Danny Wright (Greg Kinnear), both of whom are at a crossroads in their lives and careers. Over too many margaritas, they form a strange friendship built on the dark and drunken honesty shared among strangers who believe they will never see each other in the light of day. However, months later, back in Denver, the doorbell rings at the Wright residence, and Danny and his wife Bean (Hope Davis) find Julian on their doorstep, a desperate, broken man. What else can they do, but to take him in?

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars This is what happens after the life of Bond.......2007-07-02

I see that it's tough for actors who play cultural icons to get work once they end that phase of their careers. George Reeves committed suicide after failing to find work after his 50's portrayal of Superman on TV. Adam West never got a good role after the campy '60's "Batman." Even Sean Connery had a period of obscurity after his James Bond period. This brings us to Pierce Brosnan, another James Bond: movie-star handsome, perfect in the role of the urbane, suave, and emotionally distant Agent 007. Brosnan tried to move beyond this typecasting with "The Tailor of Panama," but didn't quite succeed. Going to a more extreme character in "The Matador," Brosnan proves he might have a career ahead of him. He's going to need more plausible scripts, though, because none of the key plot points in "The Matador" are credible.

I still don't know why they call it a thriller when there wasn't any tension or suspense in here. You kind of knew what was coming except, perhaps, in several instances and there wasn't much tension or suspense in those instances. One of the good aspects of this film was the decision for Brosnan to roughen up his looks. His scraggly beard, bad hair, yellowed teeth, and the wild edge in his smile make him a credible, burnt-out, hit man. Additionally, he takes to his role with gusto. His fear as he begins to have nervous breakdowns, his desperate attempts to booze and whore his way back to sanity, and his life-saving grab to make a friend out of mild-mannered, middle-class Danny, are believably pathetic. I felt twinges of sympathy for this killer going over the edge. Their initial and unlikely acquaintance is believable only because it's in Mexico. The relationship between these two males is under constantly episodic humorous tension throughout the movie which is a plus in this film. Hope Davis also turns in a fine minor performance as Kinnear's character's wife.

The script was pretty good, the bright colors and bold cinematography and banners are reminiscent, in a good way, of Quentin Tarantino at his best. To some extent, the scenic and cinematographic movement is what gives the movie a strong sense of action as much as character movement. The plot almost feels as if it has a life independent of the characters; as if the characters are acting out a minor sequence in a bigger sweep of `Story,' which almost seems like a `Character' in itself. Sound weird? Well, I guess it is, in a way. But it sure seems to work for me. Still, it's a good buddy-flick that's worth your time but try to leave Bond out of your mind before you watch this.

4 out of 5 stars This Could Have Been Bonds Future.......2007-06-14

When I saw the preview for this movie I just had to see it. I don't know why but it just looked funny and entertaining. Maybe it was seeing Brosnan acting like a complete nut in every scene. The movie is about a bored and lonely assassin Julian Noble (Brosnan) who ends up stalking a traveling salesman named Danny Wright (Greg Kinnear). The thing is that Julian met Danny at a bar in Mexico and likes his personality so now he wants to be friends. Julian has bigger problems though like he can't finish his jobs because he freezes up every time he tries to pull the trigger.



Because of this his boss has put out a hit on him so Julian leaves Mexico and shows up on Danny's front door step. What makes matters worse is not only is Julian having a mid life crisis but he has terrible manners and has a problem drinking too much. Danny has to put up with his craziness while trying to spend time with his wife on christmas. Julian finally tells Danny why he really came to his home and tells him he needs his help to complete with his last job. The two set out on a very exciting and funny journey to rescue Julian from death and send him to a relaxing paradise to retire in.



What I like most about The Matador is the comedy that couldn't have been accomplished without Brosnans hysterical but fitting look. He played Julian on point and really got the comedic depressing feeling of his character. The story has a pretty good twist to it but nothing too surprising. You might even guess the end before it gets there as it bites off some other more serious assassin films. The cast did a good job but for some reason you could feel something missing. One more character equally as crazy as Julian Noble or even crazier maybe could have gave the movie that extra something. It has great picture and sound quality, definitely no problems there. Basically The Matador didn't really have flaws but it was just a 4 star performance. From the story to the comedy it was 4 stars, as funny as it is it isn't 5 star bust out crying laughing. If you have time go get it or maybe it's still on TV but this will most likely be enjoyed.

5 out of 5 stars Awesome Movie - Deserves Wide Acclaim.......2007-06-03

This movie was great. Has an unusual plot device that works well in sustaining suspense effectively. Brilliant acting from Kinnear and Brosnan.

Highly Recommended.

5 out of 5 stars The Matador is a film not to be missed (unless you're a bull).......2007-05-27

The Matador is a slightly off-kilter, pleasantly surprising movie that gently leads the viewer on a tour of unpredictability. Richard Shepard wrote and directed this little gem of a film in his well-deserved departure from smaller independent films to a full-budgeted film. He makes great use of his new resources, recruiting cinematographer David Tattersall (Die Another Day, Star Wars I-III, The Green Mile). Tattersall makes every frame thrilling and adds even more to Brosnan and Kinnear's performances.

Now that we're on the subject, Pierce Brosnan really shines as hitman Julian Noble, a character that seems to have been written for him to make a perfect transition, shedding his James Bond image without completely losing it. As Noble begins to fall apart, Brosnan gets to show that not only is he charming, and deboinair, he's also a brilliant actor with great control on a depth of emotions. His Golden Globe nomination was well deserved.

Greg Kinnear gives an equally transfixing performance as Danny Wright, a down on his luck business man who meets Julian on a trip to Mexico, where the two share an unidentifiable bond. Kinnear has an almost unique ability in Hollywood to portray a general sense of optimism, while also relaying a clear sense of desperation to the audience. He shines in this film in a prelude to the down-on-his-luck character he plays in Little Miss Sunshine.

Hope Davis doesn't have as big a role as either of the male leads, but she makes a strong showing and through her ability to translate the script into clear emotions she manages to stand out as more than just a "wife" character. The three main cast members really make this film work.

In the end, surprisingly, The Matador is a slightly sentimental - without being cheesy - examination of friendship, love, devotion, and doing what's right. The audience will leave the film feeling satisfied, entertained, and a little bit better about life in general. Don't miss out on this one.

The DVD includes several deleted scenes and a making of documentary that offers some insight into the director's take on the film. It's all interesting, but the film stands on its own.

5 out of 5 stars Brosnan funny? Who knew!.......2007-04-30

I could not believe that Pierce Brosnan could be funny! He wasn't even this funny in *Remington Steele*. Greg Kinnear was a compatible actor with Brosnan.

Brosnan plays Julian Noble, who is an assassin or rather a "facilitator of fatilities". He travels around the world to eliminate his targets. When he gets to Mexico City, he meets Danny Wright (Kinnear) at a hotel bar over margaritas. Danny is an unlucky businessman who is trying to get back on the rise.

This particular introduction is the best part. They're trying to have conversation yet they keep misunderstanding each other, even to the point of being completely rude. Yet they stay around to continue chatting. Finally, to smooth things over, Julian invites Danny to a bullfight event. There, Julian reveals what he does. Of course, thinking Julian is joking, Danny doesn't believe him. At this point, things are even funnier especially when Julian asks Danny to help him out on a target in Mexico City.

The weekend quickly comes to an end. Julian continues to travel around the world to do his job. However, Julian makes a mistake and then another. On the run, Julian shows up at Danny's residence in Denver...6 months later. Once again, Julian asks Danny for his help. Of course, they go through this whole drama that was played out earlier.

There are a few things why I loved this movie. Brosnan plays Julian well, nothing similar to Steele or James Bond. Julian is mysterious. He bops women but then there are hints where he just might be bisexual. There's one particular scene that keeps coming up but isn't really shown completely. You can't help but wonder what happened. Julian is wacky as he'll walking around a hotel in speedos and cowboy boots. Kinnear is equally funny as this naive man trying to survive in this cruel world. He's a trusting man who cannot decipher truth from fiction. And Julian wants this man help him out on a "job"?!?!

So, check out *The Matador* and enjoy a few chuckles.
This Gun For Hire (Universal Noir Collection)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • .........A Hat....a...Trench Coat....a...Gun... and...a...Itchy Trigger-finger............
  • This Gun for Hire
  • "This Gun for Hire (1942) ... Alan Ladd ... Paramount Pictures Film Noir"
  • Likeable Ladd and Lake
  • Ladd and Lake in a sizzling crime thriller!
This Gun For Hire (Universal Noir Collection)
Starring: Veronica Lake , Robert Preston , Laird Cregar , Alan Ladd , and Tully Marshall
Director: Frank Tuttle
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:
  1. Criss Cross (Universal Noir Collection)
  2. Black Angel (Universal Noir Collection)
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  5. Laura (Fox Film Noir)

ASIN: B00023P4II
Release Date: 2004-07-06

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars .........A Hat....a...Trench Coat....a...Gun... and...a...Itchy Trigger-finger............ .......2007-07-02

I saw this picture when it was released...now, reviewing it after many decades, it smacks of classic [noir] which Hollywood manufactured like piece-work during WW2 days...Alan Ladd is electric in his breakthrough to big time stardom after mundane debuts co-features [a real mean SOB...in this flick]....watch for the Corporate America wheel/bound mogul who gets his just due from 20 stories high, Robert Preston is clock/work as a street smart Detective, throw in sexy [one-eye] Veronica Lake is a nice piece of sweet cake...don't overlook wanton Pamela Blake, as the local tramp who takes everything Ladd dishes out to her...she hates him but is captivated by his recklessness; however, Mr. Laird Cregar is immense as is his girth...and steals the show with his defining role of a cunning coward who loves money and peppermint candies...worth buying and worth viewing...enjoy, bye gone Hollywood at it's very best....SSGT CHRIS SARNO-USMC FMF

5 out of 5 stars This Gun for Hire.......2007-06-25

Featuring Ladd's breakthrough role as a baby-faced killer, "This Gun"--adapted from a Graham Greene novel--paired him for the first time with the mysterious, wildly seductive Veronica Lake. The film has all the elements of a classic noir: murder, deception, lust, violence, and dark, moody cinematography to match the conspiratorial tone. Juicy and atmospheric, you'll understand just why this movie made Ladd an overnight star.

5 out of 5 stars "This Gun for Hire (1942) ... Alan Ladd ... Paramount Pictures Film Noir".......2007-03-21

Paramount Pictures present "THIS GUN FOR HIRE" (1942) (80 mins/B&W) (Dolby digitally remastered) --- Starring Alan Ladd, Veronica Lake, Robert Preston, Laird Cregar, Tully Marshall & Marc Lawrence.--- Directed by Frank Tuttle released in May 13, 1942, our story line and film, Outstanding film noir, based on Graham Greene's novel "A Gun For Sale", which presents one of the most disturbed (and disturbing) killers ever to cross the screen ... Ladd is scary because he doesn't care; he is simply a killing machine hired out by whoever will pay ... Only when Lake takes the time to break through the emotional fortress that he has built around himself does Ladd show any signs of humanity --- This is the film that made Alan Ladd a star --- `This Gun for Hire' is much darker and pure film noir --- Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake made 7 films together, "The Blue Dahlia" (1946), "Duffy's Tavern" (1945), "The Glass Key" (1942), "Saigon" (1948), "Star Spangled Rhythm" (1942), "This Gun for Hire" (1942) and "Variety Girl" (1947). "In Variety Girl" (1947), "Star Spangled Rhythm" (1942) and "Duffy's Tavern" (1945) they appear as themselves --- Visually, this film is pure noir, directed by Frank Tuttle, who made the first version of "The Glass Key" in 1935, combining a hard-boiled gangster story and expressionist-influenced lighting. "This Gun For Hire" fits firmly into that mode, and shows that many of the stylistic trademarks of the supposedly "post-war" Noir style were firmly in place before the US had even been in WW2 for a full year.

Under Frank Tuttle (Director), Richard Blumenthal (Producer), W.R. Burnett (Screenwriter), Graham Greene (Book Author), Albert Maltz (Screenwriter), John F. Seitz (Cinematographer), David Buttolph (Composer (Music Score), Frank Loesser (Songwriter), Jacques Press (Songwriter), Archie Marshek (Editor), Hans Dreier (Art Director) - - - - the cast includes Alan Ladd (Philip Raven), Veronica Lake (Ellen Graham), Robert Preston (Michael Crane), Laird Cregar (Willard Gates), Tully Marshall (Alvin Brewster), Mikhail Rasumny (Sluky), Marc Lawrence (Tommy), Pamela Blake (Annie), Harry Shannon (Steve Finnerty), Frank Ferguson (Albert Baker), Bernadene Hayes (Baker's Secretary), James Farley (Night Watchman), Edwin Stanley (Police Captain) - - - - - Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe Hollywood crime dramas that set their protagonists in a world perceived as inherently corrupt and unsympathetic...Hollywood's classic film noir period is generally regarded as stretching from the early 1940s to the late 1950s...Film noir of this era is associated with a low-key black-and-white visual style that has roots in German Expressionist cinematography, while many of the prototypical stories and much of the attitude of classic noir derive from the hard-boiled school of crime fiction that emerged in the United States during the Depression...the term film noir (French for "black film"), first applied to Hollywood movies by French critic Nino Frank in 1946, was unknown to most of the American filmmakers and actors while they were creating the classic film noirs..the canon of film noir was defined in retrospect by film historians and critics; many of those involved in the making of film noir later professed to be unaware at the time of having created a distinctive type of film ... featuring top performances from the '40s and '50s with outstanding drama and screenplays, along with a wonderful cast and supporting actors to bring it all together ... another winner from the vaults of almost forgotten film noir gems

SPECIAL FEATURES BIOS:
1. Alan Walbridge Ladd
Date of Birth: 3 September 1913 - Hot Springs, Arkansas
Date of Death: 29 January 1964 - Palm Springs, California

2. Veronica Lake (aka: Constance Frances Marie Ockelman)
Date of Birth: 14 November 1919 - Brooklyn, New York
Date of Death: 7 July 1973 - Burlington, Vermont

3 Robert Preston (aka: Robert Preston Meservey)
Date of Birth: 8 June 1918 - Newton Highlands, Massachusetts
Date of Death: 21 March 1987 - Montecito, California

4. Frank Tuttle (Director)
Date of Birth: 6 August 1892 - New York, New York
Date of Death: 6 January 1963 - Hollywood, California

Hats off and thanks to Les Adams (collector/guideslines for character identification), Chuck Anderson (Webmaster: The Old Corral/B-Westerns.Com), Boyd Magers (Western Clippings), Bobby J. Copeland (author of "Trail Talk"), Rhonda Lemons (Empire Publishing Inc), Bob Nareau (author of "The Real Bob Steele") and Trevor Scott (Down Under Com) as they have rekindled my interest once again for Film Noir, B-Westerns and Serials --- looking forward to more high quality releases from the vintage serial era of the '20s, '30s & '40s and B-Westerns ... order your copy now from Amazon where there are plenty of copies available on VHS, stay tuned once again for top notch action mixed with deadly adventure --- if you enjoyed this title, why not check out VCI Entertainment where they are experts in releasing B-Westerns and Serials --- all my heroes have been cowboys!

Total Time: 80 min on DVD ~ Universal Home Video ~ (7/06/2004)

3 out of 5 stars Likeable Ladd and Lake.......2006-10-30

Although Frank Tuttle's "This Gun for Hire" was released the year I was born, I hadn't seen it until my newly-purchased copy arrived last week (October 2006). As a movie-mad, Alan Ladd-adoring child I knew about it as the pivotal point of my idol's career, but never found it screening anywhere, not even on television.

So how did it shape up? Regrettably, not as well as I'd hoped. First, the notion of traitorous war-time activity is too big an angle for a small film - why not a simple, grubby little motive (anything to do with sex)for blackmail? Second, there are too many weak performances in supporting roles - not to mention 3rd-billed Laird Cregar's amateurish turn as the double-crossing Gates.

That aside, Ladd is sensational as the bitter-and-twisted Raven - no wonder the role made him a star. What a shame his career was so badly-handled - not just by Paramount, who never gave him the vehicles (apart from "Shane") a star of his popularity deserved, but also by his none-too farsighted agent Sue (Mrs. Ladd) Carroll. And Veronica Lake - what can one say? Fabulous in all the few films she made (the cabaret numbers she performs in this film are total delight), it's outrageous to think her name means nothing to so many of today's movie-goers.

Shortcomings aside, I'm pleased finally to have seen and enjoyed "This Gun for Hire".




4 out of 5 stars Ladd and Lake in a sizzling crime thriller!.......2006-09-27

This Gun for Hire struck a deep chord with the movie viewing audiences of 1942 since this was the movie that made Ladd a big star. This is the first pairing of Lake and Ladd in a film--a combination the studios were to repeat often.

Ladd's character, Raven, is a gunman, a hired assassin who is set up by his employers. When he is on the run from the law he runs into Lake's character, Ellen, an entertainer with a cop boyfriend (played by Robert Preston) who is traveling by train to Los Angeles. Ellen is a fearlessly honest gal who is able to look Raven in the eye and challenge him in a nice way. He uses her as a hostage to escape. Ultimately Ellen becomes sympathetic to Raven, due to his saving her life and hearing his story of abuse that created his outlaw personality.

This Gun for Hire fills the bill on some levels as a Noir film--in particular the dark, violent and pessimistic plot, along with some shadowed scenes. This film is strongly influenced by psychoanalysis--in one scene Ellen asks Raven about his dreams.

Ladd and Lake look beautiful and are very appealing in this film. Lake is particularly charming in a scene where she performs sleight of hand while singing. Ladd works on perfecting his cold-hearted killer stare. There are some awkward moments due to using the film as wartime propaganda, but on the whole it is a fascinating film with some arresting chemistry between Lake and Ladd.
Beautiful Hunter
Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
  • Beautiful Hunter
  • me no likee!!
  • Worth a look.
  • hot
  • Skinemax goes ultraviolent
Beautiful Hunter
Starring: Makiko Kuno , Johnny Okura , Katsuo Tokashi , Koji Shimizu , and Maiko Kazama
Director: Masaru Konuma
Manufacturer: Asian Pulp Cinema
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ASIN: B00005V4XC
Release Date: 2005-07-12

Description

Shion is the most merciless assassin of the Magnificat crime group. But when she hesitates to murder the man she loves, her superior marks her for death, and she must choose between a life of killing and a life on the run.

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Beautiful Hunter.......2007-03-19

Decent fare from Japan. I'll have to watch it again and update this review next time...

1 out of 5 stars me no likee!!.......2007-02-08

what a load of complete utter total piffle - about as entertaining as an afternoon at foot clinic - if shes beautiful my MRS is Miss Universe!!!

3 out of 5 stars Worth a look........2006-06-09

I like this flick, can't say why for sure, I feel bad for this young ladies boy toy, is she worth all this?
Gun go bang.

4 out of 5 stars hot.......2004-01-17

girl have gun and she shoot and show top with no clothes me like

3 out of 5 stars Skinemax goes ultraviolent.......2003-10-22

The beautiful and frequently topless Makiko Kuno plays an assassin raised by a deviant blind priest to be a warrior of God. But the killings are political, the priest works for the mob and two magazine photographers stumble across the whole mess. One gets killed, the other escapes only to be stalked by the beautiful assassin. The plot is pretty familiar and the film is shot in the style common to Japanese movies of this type: lots of monochrome, cool blues and bled out greens to suggest an arid, sterile moral wasteland. The blend of Gonin-esque ultraviolence and Skinemax gratuitous nudity makes it entertaining, though on a slightly silly level. And Kuno, in tight mini skirts and high heels, packing heat... Ouch!
The Lady from Shanghai
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Welles' camera seemed almost to caress Rita Hayworth...
  • Orson Wells and Rita Hayworth Drama
  • Still, it IS Welles. . .
  • enticing sexy dip into film noir waters
  • "It's a bright, guilty world"..."I told you...you know nothing about wickedness"
The Lady from Shanghai
Starring: Glenn Anders , Steve Benton , Vernon Cansino , Al Eben , and Edythe Elliott
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
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ASIN: B00004W229
Release Date: 2000-10-03

Amazon.com essential video

Legend has it that Orson Welles more or less conned studio boss Harry Cohn over the phone into making this movie by grabbing the title from a nearby paperback. In any case, The Lady from Shanghai is one of Welles's most fascinating works, a bizarre tale of an Irish sailor (Welles) who accompanies a beautiful woman (Rita Hayworth) and her handicapped husband (Everett Sloane) on a cruise and becomes involved in a murder plot. But never mind all that (the aforementioned legend also claims that Cohn offered a reward to anyone who could explain the plot to him). The film is really a dream of Welles's driving preoccupations on- and offscreen at the time: the elusiveness of identity, the mystique of things lost, and most of all the director's faltering marriage to Hayworth. In the tradition of male filmmakers who indirectly tell the story of their love affairs with leading ladies, Welles tells his own, photographing Hayworth as a deconstructed star, an obvious cinematic creation, thus reflecting, perhaps, a never-satisfied yearning that leads us back to the mystery of Citizen Kane. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Welles' camera seemed almost to caress Rita Hayworth..........2007-01-04

After all, you do not go to an Orson Welles movie to see a nice simple little plot and a burnishing of the image of a happy-ever-after star...

You go to see theatrically heightened characters locked in conflict against colorful and unusual settings, lighted and scored imaginatively, photographed bravely, and the whole thing peppered with unexpected details of surprise that a wiser and duller director would either avoid or not think of in the first place...

As usual, as well as directing, Welles wrote the script and he also played the hero - a young Irish seaman who had knocked about the world and seen its evil, but still retained his clear-eyed trust in the goodness of others... Unfortunately for him, he reposed this trust in Rita Hayworth, whose cool good looks concealed a gloomy past and murderous inclinations for the future... She was married without love, to an impotent, crippled advocate, acted like a malevolent lizard by the brilliant Everett Sloane...

There is a youthful romanticism underlying it all, and this quality came into exuberant play in "The Lady from Shanghai." Before the inevitable happened, Welles escaped - to a final triangular showdown in a hall of mirrors, which has become one of the classic scenes of the post-war cinema ...

Welles did not miss a chance throughout the whole film to counterpoint the words and actions with visual detail which enriched the texture and heightened the atmosphere... His camera seemed almost to caress Rita Hayworth as the sun played with her hair and her long limbs while she playfully teased the young seaman into her web...

4 out of 5 stars Orson Wells and Rita Hayworth Drama.......2006-12-29

In London, Michael O'Hara meets Elsa 'Rosalie' Bannister and decides to introduce himself by offering her a cigerette. Elsa tells him that she doesn't smoke but takes the cigerette and wraps it in a napkin and insert into her purse. Michael hears a scream and sees three men pulling on both of Elsa's arms; Elsa is helpless against her attackers; Michael sees Elsa's purse and the cigerette and grabs it; the attackers are defeated soundly by Michael, who is an efficient fighter; Michaels learns from Elsa that she dropped the purse hoping Michael would see it and rescue her; this is the first clue that Elsa has a grand plot for Michael; Michael tells Elsa that he killed a man in Spain during the war; Michael guides Elsa's horse carriage to her car, a real stylish car; Elsa ask Michael work for her on her husband's boat; Michael tells Elsa that he won't work for a married woman.

Arthur Bannister asks Michael to be the Captain of ship which he plans to sail to San Francisco. Michael and his friends join Arthur in a drinking binge and then Michael decides to join the voyage because of his attraction of Elsa. George, Arthur's gay law partner joins the voyage. George sees Michael kisses Elsa and tells Arthur. Arthur is cruel to Elsa calling her, "lover"; Arthur suggests to Elsa that she would like Michael, a strong and bigger male; Arthur acquired the ship when one of his opponents perjuryed and used money to pay for a maid, who had worked for another law firm; Arthur knows that Elsa wants to murder him and take his money. Arthur is murdered by gun; a gun that Michael has seen Elsa use.

Elsa plot fails when her hired killer, kills George instead of Arthur. Michael forces Elsa to reveal the gun that killed George. At the Chinese fun house, Arthur and Elsa kill each other and Michael says, "sharks feeding on each other" suggesting his repulsion of the super rich and the conceit of the super rich with their feed frenzy arrogance.

4 out of 5 stars Still, it IS Welles. . ........2006-11-10

I must confess at the outset that I am an Orson Welles fan. This is not to say that I am unaware of or wish to minimize his faults. What I mean is that, for me, his work possesses a set of characteristics, not all of them completely definable even yet, which are nonetheless rich and compelling. Furthermore, I maintain that enough (all?) of this "Welles aesthetic fingerprint survives the tribulation, sometimes extreme, to which his work was all too often subjected at the hands of others, to render even his lesser efforts very worthy of serious attention rewarded by enjoyment.

"The Lady from Shanghai" illustrates the above very clearly. Welles made the film at a very serious juncture in her career. His "boy wonder" reputation was fading rapidly. His political views were becomming less popular as the country began to move toward the right. His radio work had begun to dry up. His finances were a shambles. In desperation, he turned to Harry Cohn, a man he had contemptuously attacked, to support his latest project. He meant "The Lady from Shanghai" to restore his reputation as a viable filmmaker, proof that he could make a film that would be "aminstream" enough to pay off at the box office, and yet not represent artistic capitulation to commercial Hollywood. It was also to be a both a starring vehicle and a "stretch" performance for his then-wife, Rita Hayworth.

Unfortunately, the film proved typical of most of Welles work in one significant way: it was taken out of his hands in post-production, and as a result, was, when released, by no means the film Welles had in mind.

I inssist, however, that it does manage to succeed to a great extent as an intelligent, originally handled thriller. Welles's genius for visual elements -- location, lighting, camera angles, etc, retain their fascination and beauty. A certain viewpoint still pervades the handling of plot and character -- satiric, bitter, increasingly surreal. And, I maintain, Rita Hayworth does "stretch" as an actress, creating, with, admittedly, a lot of help from her husband and his camera, a memorable femme fatale. The high quality of her performance is uniform with the rest of the cast, such as the very fine Everett Sloane.

The is a film not only for fans of Welles, such as myself, but for anyone who enjoys an intelligent film noir,

5 out of 5 stars enticing sexy dip into film noir waters.......2006-09-27

The Lady from Shanghi's reputation is secure as a classic of film noir but then this genre is notoriously disrespected probably because many film noirs are based on dime novels and sound like it; in order to appreciate a film noir, therefore, you have to be able to enjoy the kitschy quality of snappy dime-novel dialogue. But kitsch alone is not what makes (some) film noirs great. What really sets film noir apart from other genres is its striking, even elegant, visual style which often contrasts sharply with its stark subject matter. Film noir has a way of glamourzing corruption, and giving corruption a unique aesthetic allure all its own. Film noir probably owes something to the German Expressionist film masters (Murnau, Lang, Von Stroheim) and the Hollywood grotesques of the 20's and 30's but it absorbs and evolves these influences into a highly refined style of its own. Orson Welles is the undisputed master of the high noir style. All of his films after Magnificent Ambersons mobilize film noir methods and techniques and so Welles' reputation rises and falls with that genre that he did not create but that he perfected.

Film noir came of age during WWII and like many film noirs Lady from Shanghai is about anxieties over race, class, sexuality, and identity and, in this particular noir film, negotiating racial, social, cultural and sexual difference in an increasingly globalized world. The film takes place in several international (Acapulco) and exotic (Chinatown) settings and these strange locales allow Welles to examine how his characters respond to a diverse array of atmospheres and social/cultural settings. Welles himself plays the central character in the film, Michael O'Hara, and to do so he affects an Irish accent (another international touch) that, some critics argue, is supposed to sound false/inauthentic. O'Hara has a way of talking that sounds a bit too self-consciously literary; and though he affects a working class worldliness his yarns sound like they come straight out of Conrad (O'Hara echoes many of Conrad's colonial concerns) and Hemingway (O'Hara echoes Hemingway's anti-Franco sentiments) and so we suspect that this character has spent more time reading and writing stories than in actually working. Whether we believe Michael's Irish brogue is authentic or not we know that he is fond of creating fictions and this casts suspicions on his identity as well as on his version of events that we hear on the voiceover. Furthermore, we can see that his obsession with literature has given him a taste for the romantic and the typically masculine posturing of his favorite literary heroes and instead of making him worldly wise this just makes him all the more gullible when a pretty lady and the promise of a new adventure come along.

Elsa (played by Welles' then-wife Rita Hayworth)identifies Michael as an easy mark the first time they meet. Unlike Michael Elsa actually is worldly and we can tell she's seen and experienced a lot and that she knows a lot about the world (not just read a lot about it) and she sees through Michael's pseudo-brogue and bravura right away and knows exactly how to exploit his romantic tendencies. She sums him up and plays him from the first moment they exchange knowing glances (hers much more knowing than his). Michael prides himself on his independence and his integrity but he just can't help falling for Elsa's pretend innocence and helplessness--its just too good to resist-- and he can't help wanting to come charging to her rescue even though there are signs everywhere that indicate that Elsa is in no need of rescuing. At first Michael resists her job offer but she is a woman who always gets her way and soon Michael is one of her employee/servants just like all of the other men in the film. Michael just can't tear himself away from Elsa's dangerously seductive & corruptive charms that he willingly and perhaps willfully misinterprets as innocence and helplessness only because that version of her makes him feel better about his own true motives. Michael has been hired on as an extra hand on Elsa's husband's yacht and as soon as he steps foot on deck everyone else aboard sizes him up and begins figuring how they can use him to further their own plots. Elsa's husband Bannister is a famous lawyer and both he and his partner Grisby are, like Michael, under Elsa's spell and trying to plot their way out of captivity. As the yacht pulls out of harbor we see the word "Circe" written in bold letters on the yacht's hull.

Elsa's past is a secret only hinted at (all we know is that she was born on an island somewhere in the east & spent some time in Shanghai). She looks like the penultimate American blonde but she is not from America and her cultural reference points are decidely eastern in contrast to Michael's western points of reference; to Michael she represents the unknown and perhaps the unkowable, and this is part of her allure and also what makes her so dangerous. "Elsa" is the prototypical femme fatale and the conventions of the film noir genre tell us that things will not end well for anyone that gets too close but she's just too enticing. The most famous scene of the film has Elsa in a sleek black bathing suit diving off some perilous rocks as if she were accustomed to such danger and as if danger was her natural element. But then she lays down to sunbathe on the rocks and from the relative safety of the boat Michael looking on, anxiously aware of how dangerous she is, can allow himself the comforting illusion that she is vulnerable and that she needs saving and that only he can save her not only from all the other male predators on board, but save her from her own eastern imbued fatalistism.

Elsa is so beautiful that she has all of the men in the film believing exactly what she wants them to believe and all of them believing that they've actually got a chance with her. And the men all slowly lose their head around her. Some of the men talk down to her but still they do what she says and she has all of them plotting against each other while lighting her cigarettes. The film has been criticized for having an impossibly tangled plot but I think the point of the film is that you are never supposed to be certain or not whether Elsa is merely defending herself against the men who want to control her or if Elsa has been in control of all of them (just like she has been in control of Michael) from the start. Even at the end we still want to believe that Elsa is a victim of something, perhaps something from her past that she just can't escape, but since we don't know what her past was we have no ultimate insight into what has been driving her all along nor for that matter do we have any insight into what originary crime or sin has been driving the men all along; all we know is that the sexes and the races and the classes are at odds. Elsa remains an unknown all the way through and Michael once ensnared must realize that he too is an unknown because under her influence he has been forced to act against what he perceived to be his own true nature.

The Lady from Shanghai offers some of the most stunning visuals of any film noir I know of. The Acapulco scenes are especially exciting as the danger and unpredictability of a foreign woman is made especially inviting and exciting in a foreign land. In this film Welles offers the ultimate noir vision of anxiously uncertain men and women attracted to each other but also repelled by what they find themselves attracted to and what they find themselves doing in the name of desire. Its a film noir and that means that the film follows certain recognizable conventions but it does more than simply follow those conventions, it pushes those conventions as far as they have been pushed and explores the nature of those conventions in a more thorough way than any noir before or, arguably, since. By the end of the film the characters have become lost in their own plots and no longer know who they are and this is conveyed brilliantly with Welles use of masks & mirrors in the celebrated and luridly twisted funhouse scene which feels a bit like the famous Dali sequence in Hitchcock's Spellbound but is even more disorienting & disconcerting (Spellbound was released in 1945 so it is possible, even likely, that Welles had seen it and that it influenced his own film that was made in 1946 and released in 1948). [In the extra featurette that follows the film we learn that Welles himself painted much of the funhouse props and set.]

There are a lot of bad noirs out there and these give the genre a bad name but the few good ones are among the best films ever made. Welles' reputation would be greater if film noir were better understood and appreciated not as a genre that is as cheap as the dime novels that inspired it but a genre where cinema explores its own methods and techniques. The great directors from Lang & Von Stroheim to Welles & Hitchcock to Godard & Chabrol and the other new wave auteurs have all been attracted to noir for this reason.

A brilliant film. After this film (which was a commerical flop) Welles didn't work in America for ten years and when he did return to America he made Touch of Evil (another brilliant noir film). Touch of Evil also failed to generate revenue and effectively ended Welles career as a mainstream director even though he continued to make independently financed small pictures like Othello, Macbeth, The Trial & Chimes at Midnight.

4 out of 5 stars "It's a bright, guilty world"..."I told you...you know nothing about wickedness".......2006-09-16

"The Lady from Shanghai" crackles with Welles' energy and intelligence inspite of the tampering done during post-production by Columbia with the film. Welles ended up working his advesary Harry Cohn the head of Columbia on this unusual, imaginatively photographed (by the late great Rudolph Mate)noir thriller. This "Lady" is memorable if for nothing else than the amazing fun house scene at the conclusion of the movie.

Michael O'Hara (Welles)is immediately smitten with Rosalie (Rita Hayworth)the wife of the super wealthy Arthur Bannister (Everett Sloane in a terrific performance). He ends up employed by Bannister on his yacht putting him close to his wife and making sparks fly with the amoral Rosalie. Money seduces Michael into participating in a faked murder of Bannister's law firm partner Grisby (a great performance by Glenn Anders)which turns from fantasy to reality and making Michael the primary suspect.

Welles' film is full of brilliant visuals, witty dialogue and lovely location work (particularly the sequences set in 1948 San Francisco). The last sequence in the funhouse full of mirrors is brilliant realized. Like Hitchcock Welles' liked to take genre conventions and turn them on their head with inventive, intelligent plots and visual sequences. Where the film goes wrong is in post-production. With the exception of "Citizen Kane" Welles ended up abandoning his babies or had them taken away from him and messed with by studio heads. "The Lady from Shanghai" is not an exception. Welles uses extremely close ups to make us feel as uncomfortable as Michael does about his employers and the situation he finds himself in when he realizes he's been duped.

From the insistence that Welles go back and shoot glamor shot close ups of his soon to be ex-wife Rita Hayworth to meddling in the editing room and the misbegotten musical score (a pity Welles didn't have Bernard Herrmann working on this film)enforced on the film "The Lady from Shanghai" ended up being compromised. A pity that Columbia hasn't tried to dig up the cut footage (if it exists) along with the temp score (they could recreate that based on Welles' notes)that Welles used to help "guide" Heinz Roemheld (who totally ignored Welles' notes and the temp soundtrack) It still manages to a classic Welles film despite all the interference. Roemheld's forte was scores more like the one he composed for "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and he was totally out of his element here.

Columbia includes a fascinating commentary track by Peter Bogdanovich and vintage advertising to compliment this release. I just wish that Columbia had gone the route of Warner with "Citizen Kane" but the extras are pretty good overall. I'd highly recommend this now if Warner would get around to releasing "The Magnificent Ambersons" on DVD I'd be a happy camper...
Following
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Has you in the first moments
  • Another Christopher Nolan Masterpiece
  • If you liked memento, you'll like this one
  • It is like they dropped the slides of the movie and mixed it up
  • You'll Need To Pay Attention With This One. It's Worth It.
Following
Starring: Jeremy Theobald , Alex Haw , Lucy Russell , John Nolan , and Dick Bradsell
Director: Christopher Nolan
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:
  1. Memento
  2. Insomnia (Widescreen Edition)
  3. The Machinist
  4. Pi
  5. Primer

ASIN: B00000F3CD
Release Date: 2001-12-11

Amazon.com

Creepy intimacy, plenty of suspense, and a few surprises enliven this black-and-white treat from the director of Memento. Bill is a struggling writer who fills his time and mind by following random strangers he sees on the street. After breaking his own rule ("never follow the same person twice") he becomes fascinated by Cobb, a voyeur who takes things one step further--actually breaking into people's homes to sift through their things. As you might expect, the relationship soon becomes unhealthy. Writer-director Christopher Nolan already reveals a sure hand in this early neo-noir work. Like Memento, Following toys with timelines, jumping back and forth and carefully dropping bits of information exactly when they're needed. Short and sharp, Following features an intriguing plot line and fine, understated performances by the entire cast. Don't miss it. --Ali Davis

Description

An unemployed aspiring "writer" Bill (Jeremy Theobald) has a peculiar hobby, shadowing strangers at random in the streets of London. When Cobb (Alex Haw), a man Bill has been following, catches him in the act, Bill is drawn into Cobb's world of breaking into flats and prying into the personal lives of their victims. In Bob, Bill finds a strange companion - part mentor, part confessor and part evil twin. With an ingenious structure that involves flash forwards and doubling back, the film tests our knowledge and understanding just as the protagonist is being duped into an elaborate triple-cross. "Following" heralded Christopher Nolan as a promising new talent whose promise was amply confirmed with "Memento."

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Has you in the first moments.......2007-02-06

More than anything, I was struck in this movie by how quickly and easily the director and main actor were able to pry me out of myself and put me in the shoes of the main character. Before I knew it, I was joining in his main passtime of Following strangers to see their lives. I've never wanted to do this before, but it was instantly effective filmmaking, and I could see how people would be fascinated by this activity.

I won't give away any plot points, but there is a very satisfying and unanticipated storyline resulting from the introduction.

Watch it for 5 minutes and see how well the film puts you into unfamiliar shoes with your unknowing consent.

4 out of 5 stars Another Christopher Nolan Masterpiece.......2007-01-11

Following is the first full-length film directed by Christopher Nolan (Memento, Insomnia, Batman Begins). It certainly has the same feel as a Nolan movie, however, it's not quite as polished as Memento is. The film is short (only about an hour long), but its length serves as one of its strengths as you never lose interest in the story. The acting isn't exactly top-notch, but it's not really that kind of movie. Following is really one big showcase for the talent of Christopher Nolan. If you enjoyed his other work, you should defintely see this.

5 out of 5 stars If you liked memento, you'll like this one.......2006-10-24

I have to say that Memento is the best movie I've ever seen. I decided to watch this because it's by the same director and I was wondering what else he could come up with. And I wasn't dissapointed. The movie is in black and white and jumps around the timeline in an interesting way, which keeps you focused and trying to figure out what's going on. I thought the general idea of the movie, about a guy who follows and watches random people, trying to figure out who they are and what they do, is quite original but at the same time common to everybody -- who hasn't wondered about the random person on the street (I sure have).

The way the movie is presented is involving and at times humorous. The way the camera is positioned you really get a feel for being right there, next to the characters and involved in the storyline.

The movie is just as good on the second or third viewing (like Memento), and that's definitely evidence to the fact it's good.

I would definitely recommend this movie to people who liked Memento; you won't be dissapointed with it.

5 out of 5 stars It is like they dropped the slides of the movie and mixed it up.......2006-10-10

This movie is really fun because they mixed everything all around and made it confusing. Pay attention the other person is right. This movie is for people who like art movies. It is violent. Some people cannot follow it, but those who do love it. I really loved it. It is black and white so hopefully that does not turn you off, but it is really great. This is one you have to think with and pay attention to. This is not something to walk in and out of. It would not make any sense at all. Not one for kids. They will be really confused. It will take so long to explain it to them and still you may not be able to. A smart teen could probably understand it, but some adults cannot. If you are reading reviews I am sure you can. It is some great mental exercise and so much better than other movies when you want something of more substance.

5 out of 5 stars You'll Need To Pay Attention With This One. It's Worth It........2006-03-04

Following is the one of the cleverest, smartest, toughest psychological thrillers since...well...since Memento. Bill (Jeremy Theobald) is an unsuccessful wannabe writer. "I'v