The Tin Star

Starring:Henry Fonda, Anthony Perkins, Betsy Palmer, Michel Ray, Neville Brand, John McIntire, Mary Webster, Peter Baldwin, Richard Shannon, Lee Van Cleef, James Bell, Howard Petrie, Russell Simpson, Hal K. Dawson, Jack Kenny (II), Mickey Finn, Allen Gettel, Richard Farnsworth, Frank Cordell, Frank McGrath
Director: Anthony Mann
Studio: Paramount
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Blessed by a fantastic cast and slick direction by Mike Newell, Pushing Tin is one of those invigorating movies (like Wall Street or All the President's Men) that takes you behind the scenes of a dramatic profession--in this case, the high-stress world of air-traffic controllers--and throws in a source of conflict to ramp up the tension. For ace "tin-pusher" Nick Falzone (John Cusack), that conflict arrives in the form of Russell Bell (Billy Bob Thornton), an Irish/Choctaw half-breed whose Zen-like control of air traffic immediately puts Nick on the defensive. Add an incident of infidelity and Nick's subsequent self-loathing and guilt, and Pushing Tin turns into a macho pissing match, with Nick's and Russell's spouses (Cate Blanchett and Angelina Jolie, respectively) stuck in the middle.

At that point, this otherwise splendid comedy-drama turns almost fatally silly, and it hits additional turbulence by lapsing into a predictable series of pat resolutions. Fortunately, the jazzy cast avoids a nosedive into the tarmac, and if you recall Blanchett's Oscar-nominated performance in Elizabeth, you'll be amazed by her flawless transformation into a smart and sweetly devoted New Jersey housewife. Dialogue is a major asset here, and the script (by TV veterans Glen and Les Charles) gives Cusack & Co. plenty to chew on. That makes Pushing Tin a breezy good time, and its flaws are easily forgiven. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Nick Falzone (John Cusack) is the busiest, and the best, air traffic controller on Long Island - until Russell Bell (Billy Bob Thornton) roars into town like a motorcycle-riding cowboy. Fueled by caffeine and machismo, the two men embark upon an uproarious contest of wit and wills that can ultimately only have one winner.

Customer Reviews:

SOFT PUSH.......2007-02-28

John Cusack. Angelina Jolie. Billy Bob Thornton. Cate Blanchett. Jake Weber. How did such good actors get in such a lifeless, pointless movie? Basically nothing more than a testosterone competition between Thornton and Cusack, the movie isn't funny and its dramatic attempts fail because the characters are so shallow and unlikeable. Director Mike Newell blew this one, folks.

simply put - male ego.......2006-11-13

i love the runway scene with billy bob and john cusack !!
i named my team after the line: "...she's a bit of a saucemonster..."
i liked this movie.
unlike a previous viewer, this movie is funny every time i watch it.
it is simply entertaining and what else do you watch a movie for??

Entertaining glimpse into lives of Air Traffic Controllers!.......2006-11-12

This was a well made movie about co-worker rivalry, spousal infidelity, and the high energy stress and pace of Air Traffic Controllers all wrapped into one. The all star cast consists of John Cusack, Cate Blanchett, Billy Bob Thornton, and Angelina Jolie, and they all shine! Dialogue is often fast and direct, which reflects the attributes of an Air Traffic Controller's life, and helps to keep the movie moving along at an interesting pace.

Pushing Tin.......2006-07-03

Having seen this film in a theater, I bought it for a friend who is an airline executive. It can be wonderful -- if a little scary -- for the frequent flyer.

Third Time Around...Lost It's Charm.......2006-03-16

The first time I saw "Pushing Tin", I remember smiling and laughing and commenting about what a good movie it was. A couple of years later, I found it in the bargain bin of my local video store and remembered how much I liked it, and bought it on VHS. During this second viewing, my mind wandered and I think I was doing my grocery list in my head. But..I still held onto it for some reason. Maybe my mood just wasn't right for it at that time. So here it is, another couple of years since my last view, enough time past so that it should play fresh to me. It was the big moment, do I want to upgrade this film to DVD now? Alas, I didn't even make it through the entire film. By this third time, it had definitely lost the appeal it had years ago.

A great ensemble cast, including John Cusack, Billy Bob Thornton,Angelina Jolie and Cate Blanchett(no lack of talent there),and a fun story, it just lacked that "take me somewhere else for a while" quality that makes a film stand up to repeated viewings time and again.

Here's the story. The setting is a building on Long Island, New York. Air Traffic Controllers work the busiest skies in the world. Three busy airports have planes coming and going. It's a job that requires great skill and a level head. Millions of lives are dependent on the expertise of this group. And they are a tight knit group. They even hang together with their families outside of the "office". Nick Falzone(Cusack), is obviously, the leader of the pack. He's the guy with everything. The coolest head at work, brings in the flights perfectly("I got em lined up lock Rockettes"), the prettiest wife, a great house and car, can sink the most free throws, etc etc....

Enter a new Controller. One Russell Bell(Billy Bob). He's strange and quiet, but soon proves to be the best of the best..at everything!...Well, the you know what contest begins. Falzone can't take someone else being better then him. He's supposed to be the star of the show. Pretty soon, they are going head to head on everything. Including, messing in each other's personal lives and each other's wives.The obsession and tension of the games they play effects the quality of their work(putting human lives in danger), and home life as well.

A fun view the first time around with these mucho macho guys, and also a little lesson in what a great but stressful job the Air Traffic Controllers have.I was impressed with the way this cast worked together as well.I would recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it yet, as a rental. Also Billy Bob and Angelina fans will enjoy their performance(and a little more from Angelina!) Just didn't make my upgrade to DVD or hang on to it for another viewing list.

You may even think twice, before flying again!...enjoy...Laurie

Average customer rating:

Henry Fonda in THE TIN STAR
Review of "The Tin Star"
"I noticed you're wearing your guns too low."
Another Great Anthony Mann Western
As classic as you can get!

The Tin Star
Starring: Henry Fonda , Anthony Perkins , Betsy Palmer , Michel Ray , and Neville Brand
Director: Anthony Mann
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B0001JXPWU
Release Date: 2004-05-11

Amazon.com

Anthony Mann made some of the greatest Westerns of the 1950s, all in partnership with James Stewart. Perhaps needing to prove himself as his own man, in 1957 Mann dropped out of Night Passage to do this film. It's a rather schematic character study about a lawman-turned-bounty-hunter (Henry Fonda) who undertakes the professional shaping-up of an effete young sheriff (Anthony Perkins) too tentative to police the streets of his town. Those streets are compositionally present right outside the oversize window of the office where Perkins undergoes a lot of his soul-searching and arguments with Fonda. That's typical of the film--scrupulously designed, yet abstract to the point of dramatic aridity. The VistaVision black-and-white of cameraman Loyal Griggs (Oscar®-winner for Shane) is at once stark and glossy. Fonda's own reclamation as a social being is accomplished by way of a not-very-interesting subplot involving Betsy Palmer and a half-breed child played by Michel Ray. --Richard T. Jameson

Customer Reviews:

Henry Fonda in THE TIN STAR.......2007-05-13

It has so long since I saw this great western. Lost to TV for many years I was delighted to see it re mastered and put out on DVD. It did not disappoint. Great story . Great acting and the quality is first rate. A must for collectors of classic westerns.

Review of "The Tin Star".......2007-05-12

This is another great Anthony Mann directed western minus Jimmy Stewart. Henry Fonda does an outstanding job playing the wise and experienced former lawman turned bounty hunter. He passes his wisdom onto the green but very maleable "rookie" Sheriff played by Anthony Perkins (Good job by him too!). I loved the story and the action scenes. Highly Recommended! Pass the popcorn!

"I noticed you're wearing your guns too low.".......2007-03-26

Anthony Mann trademarked film with Henry Fonda as a former lawman turned bounty hunter trying to escape his past, and Anthony Perkins as a brash, overly talkative deputy-turned-Sheriff with a problematic local bully, played by a loudmouth cowardly backshooting Neville Brand, who is at the core of most of the problems in this small western town.

The formula is alive and well here with Fonda mentoring to the young Sheriff and finding a beautiful and sympathetic widow, Betsy Palmer, to take him in. The drama builds predictably but satisfactorily to the anticipated and inevitable showdown which is not to be missed. High watchability factor, its a classic.

The black and white DVD is a very good restoration and 5.1 remixing that is much better than I expected. Sadly there are no other extras or liner notes. 5 Badges

Another Great Anthony Mann Western.......2007-03-21

Anthony Mann was known for the great hardbitten Westerns he made with frequent collaborator James Stewart, such as The Naked Spur, Winchester '73, The Man From Laramie, and others. But he did make one Western with Stewart's best friend and another Western movie stalwart, the great Henry Fonda.

Fonda comes into a small town with an outlaw dead over a saddle. He's a bounty hunter, formerly a lawman who has become cynical with life and justice, and prefers the pay and independence of bounty hunting to being a town marshal. The town has a young and very inexperienced sheriff, played by Anthony Perkins, who is struggling to hold the town together as a bigoted bully played by Neville Brand tries to force his way into the sheriff's office. Fonda takes a liking to Perkins, and tries to show him the tricks of the trade. When two half-breed brothers kill the town doctor, events spiral out of control.

The Tin Star is full of wonderful performances, from Fonda who sees in the idealistic Perkins the younger man he used to be and learns to love again thanks to Betsy Palmer, who plays a widow who has a half-breed son; to Perkins, who hits the right notes as someone who'll make a fine lawman if his dumb mistakes don't kill him first, and Brand as a menacing, hateful brute who runs over as many people as he can. John McIntire (another frequent Mann collaborator) is also great as the town doctor.

This is an all-time classic. Don't miss it.

As classic as you can get!.......2006-11-09

The contribution made by Henry Fonda to classic Westerns is incredible : he made his point early with "The Oxbow Incident," his potent presence in "Drums Along the Mohawk"... He was excellent as Wyatt Earp in "My Darling Clementine," even better as the stubborn, mistaken lieutenant-colonel in "Fort Apache " a legendary gunman in "Warlock" and the hardened gunfighter-tutor in Anthony Mann's "The Tin Star."

Fonda plays a solitary-bounty hunter ("I'm not the law. I work inside it for money!") who had once been a sheriff, and who had given up the badge in disgust of the shameful way he had been treated by the citizens in a decisive tragic moment of his life--for which he lost his wife and son...

Fonda is quiet, sure, polite, sincere and appealing... Teaching Michael Ray, it was clear that he knew not only his guns but human nature... He is human, kind, anxious, worry and tender with the young boy...

Anthony Perkins is attractive in his doubts about taking action or decision... He is naïve and innocent, also incompetent for the job of an officer responsible for law and order... He always looks to Fonda for leadership, but he is eager to be a firm sheriff...

The conversation between Fonda and Perkins are the heart of the movie, which deals more with character than Gunplay: "You got to keep cool and have absolute confidence. You lack confidence." "A decent man does not want to kill. But if you're gonna shoot, you shoot to kill." "Study men. A gun is only a tool. You can master a gun if you got the knack. Harder to learn man."

The film had racism: When Bogardus kills the Indian, in the back, outside the saloon, he says: "No sheriff will disarm a white man for shooting a mingy Indian.You, an Injun lover?"

Betsy Palmer plays Nona Mayfield, a woman compelled to live outside the town because she married an Indian: "I'm just so used to everybody hating Indians."

The film had also intuition and humor:

- Kip Mayfield to Fonda: "Don't I look like a sheriff?" And Fonda replying: "You look more like a sheriff than the sheriff does."

Abbe Pickett, after being a father for eleven girls and now to a boy, asks: "You sure it ain't another girl?" and the doc replies: "Well, I hope I'm not too old to know the difference."

John McIntire is fine as the old doc whose big dream was: "I wish you two to get together."

Neville Brand enjoys oppressing, intimidating and persecuting...

Anthony Mann's "The Tin Star" is strong on location work, tense, realistic, technically competent... The film had dusty action, and a picturesque old town with its bank, hotel, saloon, jail, hanging tree and all the cowardly citizens turned out to watch...

With elements of "Shane," and "High Noon," the film is a very good Western, 'as classic as you can get.'

Average customer rating:

SOFT PUSH
simply put - male ego
Entertaining glimpse into lives of Air Traffic Controllers!
Pushing Tin
Third Time Around...Lost It's Charm

Pushing Tin
Starring: John Cusack , Billy Bob Thornton , Cate Blanchett , Angelina Jolie , and Jake Weber
Director: Mike Newell
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000067D0N
Release Date: 1999-10-05

Amazon.com

Description

Customer Reviews:

SOFT PUSH.......2007-02-28

simply put - male ego.......2006-11-13

Entertaining glimpse into lives of Air Traffic Controllers!.......2006-11-12

Pushing Tin.......2006-07-03

Having seen this film in a theater, I bought it for a friend who is an airline executive. It can be wonderful -- if a little scary -- for the frequent flyer.

Third Time Around...Lost It's Charm.......2006-03-16

Star Wars Trilogy DVD with Exclusive Best Buy Tin (original theatrical releases) - Widescreen

Average customer rating:

Every expense spared
George didn't alter these (what a fool)

Star Wars Trilogy DVD with Exclusive Best Buy Tin (original theatrical releases) - Widescreen
Starring: Mark Hamill , Carrie Fisher , and Billy Dee Williams
Director: George Lucas
Manufacturer: Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Sci-Fi & Fantasy | Cult Movies | Genres | DVD | Video

Star Wars Trilogy - Limited Edition w/ Collectible Metal Case - Widescreen Version (Includes Original & Special Editions) [BOX SET]
Star Wars Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (2-discs with Full Screen enhanced and original theatrical versions)
Star Wars Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (2-discs with Full Screen enhanced and original theatrical versions)
Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope (2-discs with Full Screen enhanced and original theatrical versions)
Star Wars Episode IV - A New Hope (1977 & 2004 Versions, 2-Disc Widescreen Edition)

Product Features:

Commentary by George Lucas, cast and crew
Widescreen Versions of all three films

ASIN: B000IKHNT8

Product Description

All three original Star Wars film (episodes IV, V and VI) in the original theatrical form, presented in widescreen with Dolby 2.0 Stereo. Includes six DVDs, two versions of each film (new enhanced versions, as well as the theatrical versions). This was an ultra rare set sold at Best Buy that included an exclusive tin that holds all six discs! Also includes tons of extra features, including commentary tracks and more!

Customer Reviews:

Every expense spared.......2007-01-27

Watching the original versions of the original Star Wars trilogy on DVD is like travelling back in time - not so much to the innocence of youth but more to the days when picture quality was never much of a consideration on video releases and Fox had the reputation for the worst transfers in the business. Watching these DVDs is to step back into an age of low resolution standards conversions with all the loss of detail and motion blurring that that entailed: certainly if you've got one of the old remastered video releases you might as well hold on to that, because the quality isn't as poor as this. The sound quality is pretty awful as well. From Lucas' past track record it's all too easy to imagine this is just a scam to allow him to sell a remastered version a couple of years down the line, but it's even harder to dispel the notion that somewhere Lucas is whining "See how soft the focus is? How can you say these are better films?"

Although commonly blamed for the death of cinema as we knew it, in truth Star Wars was a huge breath of fresh air after the increasingly stale and formulaic week-in, week-out reality of woefully unimaginative and derivative downbeat on-the-cheap 70s cinema. It wasn't merely a matter of having a happy ending, more that there was a sense of panache and unapologetic adventure that had been missing for too long at the time (even the decade's best adventures, such as The Wind and the Lion and The Man Who Would Be King, saw their heroes destroyed by society in an age that had no place for them). Looking at it for the first time in years, its much better directed than remembered, extremely well constructed and beautifully designed, introducing the `future is old' concept that many would attribute to Ridley Scott. It also, unlike the prequels, has the saving grace of Han Solo, a character whose deprecating sense of humor undercuts the more solemn and potentially pretentious moments in a way that would be much missed amid the talk of apprentices, trade embargoes and midi-chloridians in the prequels. It's still fun and it still works, even in the very worst transfer of the originals.

The Empire Strikes Back suffered the least in the special edition reworkings (although the clunky rewriting of the scene with the Emperor shows Lucas' leaden touch with dialog only too clearly) and as a transfer suffers the least of the original versions, but it's still not good enough. The film itself holds up surprisingly well, fully deserving its reputation as the best (and naturally least commercially successful) of the series. A lot of the credit has to go to co-writer Leigh Brackett, with the film's verbal sparring having a classic Hollywood feel to it that gives it a mixture of the best of both worlds, while keeping things moving at a brisk pace. Irvin Kershner's direction brings the best out of the cast too, while the action scenes - particularly the battle on the ice - are the best in the series. It's just a shame that the film's (genuinely unexpected at the time) cliffhanger was thrown away in the follow-up.

Return of the Jedi isn't as bad as the scarred memories of working at a movie theatre showing it five times a day for 12 weeks would have it, but it's still the least of the series. With no producer or studio to rein him in this time, Lucas offers something that's little more than a rehash of the first two films, but with bigger Death Stars, more spaceships, more teddy bears and far, far too many Muppets, it's crippled by an atrocious opening section where one after another the heroes try to rescue Han Solo only to get captured in the most tedious ways possible. Richard Marquand's inability to direct action is much to the fore in this section, and he's not much better in the rest of the film, while Harrison Ford gives a particularly bad performance that's all too indicative of a bored man with nothing to do but stuck here anyway because of contractual obligation. If you can forget the dire first third, the rest of the film is okay when it's dealing with the Skywalkers' family feuds but less successful on the ground in the Teddy Bears Picnic - sorry, Ewok scenes. Still, it does have Princess Leia in the slavegirl outfit...

The discs also include the revised special editions released a couple of years ago, which at least boast excellent picture and sound quality, though are all extras-lite with only a commentary and a Star Wars Lego promo.

George didn't alter these (what a fool).......2006-12-22

The tin came prior to Christmas, which is great by itself! The product arrived in great shape; I really haven't looked inside it yet, since it went right into wrapping paper for the tree right after it arrived! If my son opens it and it's empty, that will be another story! However, I have always had great luck with Amazon, so far no let downs!!!

I was really pissed, along with all of the other folks (my generation), that stood in line for over four hours as kids when these movies first came out to the widescreen, only to have "you know who" alter the originals (taking out the original "ghost scene" Vader, and replacing him with the new "young Anakin"). What the hell was he thinking about? That's like taking and Original Shelby Mustang and trying to put new Mustang parts on it.... It just isn't the right thing to do, and everybody will think your retarded! Please pass this on to George!!!

So needless to say, I was very thrilled to find the "un-altered" originals for sale!!! I got them before George could screw them up! Yee-haa!!

Average customer rating:

SOFT PUSH
simply put - male ego
Entertaining glimpse into lives of Air Traffic Controllers!
Pushing Tin
Third Time Around...Lost It's Charm

Pushing Tin [Region 2]
Starring: John Cusack , Billy Bob Thornton , Cate Blanchett , Angelina Jolie , and Jake Weber
Director: Mike Newell
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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

Mojave Moon
Foxfire
Grosse Pointe Blank
Love Is All There Is
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ASIN: B00006IXCS

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

SOFT PUSH.......2007-02-28

simply put - male ego.......2006-11-13

Entertaining glimpse into lives of Air Traffic Controllers!.......2006-11-12

Pushing Tin.......2006-07-03

Having seen this film in a theater, I bought it for a friend who is an airline executive. It can be wonderful -- if a little scary -- for the frequent flyer.

Third Time Around...Lost It's Charm.......2006-03-16

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