harrymccormack1981 Reviews

Gangster Squad (2013)

Average But Entertaining Gangster Flick

[5/10 · 30 December 2013]

Not every film will be perfect and I've seen far worse.

Based on a true story (apparently),Josh Brolin stars as a fists-of-steel super-cop who recruits an underground team of other super-cops who take on powerful mafia boss Sean Penn who rules Los Angeles with fear and money.

In a film that goes at high pace, there cannot be a complaint of a lack of entertainment but just a lack of story. Some of the acting is also questionable but that does not appear to be the point.

The fist fight finale was a tad silly as was the Hollywood ending but it's average enough to watch once.

Look out for decent performances from old croaker Nick Nolte and Robert Patrick.

My Brother the Devil (2012)

Don't Believe the Hype

[2/10 · 30 December 2013]

Sometimes hype and award wins does not merit what you are expecting.

James Floyd and Fady Elsayed star as brothers of Egyptian descent living in an crime-ridden housing estate in Hackney, London with their parents. Floyd is the older brother who is heavily with the gangland culture of the estate and Elsayed is the younger brother fresh out of school and idolises him.

A death of a friend in a gang fight makes old brother reconsider his gang life and looks for a way out while young brother wants a way in.

This storyline appears promising but the film unfortunately goes nowhere with its bad acting and boring sub-plots. A sub-plot even throws in a homosexuality storyline out of the air. There is not even any kind of satisfying ending to keep you watching.

In conclusion, the film makes a mess of a good idea and I'm baffled at the plaudits it is getting. Being realistic is good but a film has to be entertaining which this isn't.

Don't believe the hype.

Rain Man (1988)

Classic Character Study

[10/10 · 21 October 2012]

I've watched this film many times and it gets better by each viewing.

The film centres around Charlie Babbit, a selfish and arrogant thirty-something car dealer who is suffering from massive debt due to over-due loans. His rich estranged father has died and Babbit jr finds out that $3m of his estate has been passed over him into a "trust". Charlie's inheritance includes the car which ended his relationship with his father and rose bushes.

Charlie, along with his harassed girlfriend Susanna go to investigate and find the "trustee" is a doctor in charge of a care home called the Walbrook Institute and the man who has inherited the $3m is the big brother that Charlie never knew he had. Raymond is an autistic savant with care needs but also a splendid memory for facts and figures.

Charlie, angered by this revelation, "kidnaps" Raymond from his home (although he is a voluntary patient) and demands negotiations around the will with Dr Bruner, the man in charge of Raymond's care.

What follows is a road movie of sorts which delves into the depths of character study of the two brothers in both humorous and serious tone which by the conclusion gives the viewer food for thought.

Rain Man has been criticised by his stereotyping of people with autism but having autism myself I can't see anything in the film to provoke this except maybe for its minor generalisation (Raymond's memory, strict life routines, difficulty in human interaction). That alone is no more offensive than films showing a pair of twins talking at the same time which appears regularly in a lot of films.

Rain Man is a classic.

The Sopranos (1999–2007)

One of America's Finest

[10/10 · 12 August 2012]

I have recently watched the whole original series and enjoyed every minute of it.

The show's premise is about a mafia boss based in New Jersey who tries to balance his business life and family life while also battling mental health issues in between. To add to its quality it also focuses on other characters such as his wife, children, mob colleagues and even his psychiatrist.

The show sucks you right in from the beginning and at times it can be brutal stuff. However there is heart within the plot and it never preaches as characters develop stronger through the series with a variety of situations such as mob politics, corruption, family life, infidelity, espionage, and all other elements of other drama elements rolled into one.

I've always been a fan of watching films/programmes which are centralised in a certain way of life - i.e. prisons, politics, warfare etc. Not for the violence although naturally that is usually part of these subjects but how the story develops around it.

Naturally with the Sopranos being 6 seasons long with about 12 episodes each season, you always worry that story lines may wear thin by it conclusion (i.e. fellow HBO production Oz) but there is no need to worry as it keeps your attention to the end.

James Gandolfini, Edie Falco and Lorraine Bracco are all terrific in their roles and there are plenty of well-known faces who make an appearance (some more than others). This all adds to the fun and it is certainly backs up USA's reputation of making fantastic television programmes. One of America's finest and you won't be disappointed.

Die Hard 2 (1990)

Overblown Steven Segal-like sequel makes it a watch hard.

[4/10 · 12 August 2012]

I've watched the original Die Hard many times and regard it as a classic as everything clicks with the story, the acting and the direction. I'd been hesitant to try it out due to it's harsh criticisms from some sources as a "rehash" and usually sequels destroy the original with unnecessary continuation of character/story that had run its course in the first place. This usually comes about with a change of director and this is the case with this film.

Anyway I got a Die Hard Quadrology DVD on the cheap and decided about over 20 years after it was released, to give it a go.

The plot line basically the Christmas after the first film with off duty New York Cop Bruce Willis waiting at an Washington airport for his wife Bonnie Bedelia's plane to arrive from Los Angeles to have a festive family holiday.

However William Sadler, a military terrorist and his gang come along and ruin his plans by holding the airport to ransom by gaining control of the airport equipment which puts the incoming planes in danger. Their mission is to free a South American dictator/drug lord heading for "justice".

Mr Willis, who has shoes this time, looks team up with loudmouth Airport Police Chief Dennis Franz, Communications chief Fred Thompson and his old pal Reginald VelJohnson (in a cameo) amongst other people to battle the terrorists and ultimately bringing his wife back alive.

It seems a bit promising at first but falls into "sequel doom" when it the plot line tries to outdo the original with ridiculous plot lines and comedic attempts. The constant reference to past events in the first film (with the annoying William Atheron returning as the invasive reporter who is used a comic relief on Mrs McClane's plane who keeps referring him as "Dick".) The acting also wears thin very quickly and Bruce Willis is pulled about all over the plane when the film tries to trick you with sub-plots. There is no villain in the film (and it turns out that there are a few) that are a patch on Alan Rickman's character in the original In conclusion it's not a patch on the first film and even as a stand-alone film it would be even rated amongst some of Steven Segal's mediocre movies. To be fair though at least Bruce Willis appears human and he feels pain rather than the silly superheroes you usually get in such movies.

At the end I was hoping Die Hard With a Vengeance is a big improvement (the original director John McTiernan returns).

Mean Streets (1973)

Over-hyped Borefest.

[2/10 · 10 March 2012]

A little while ago I decided to watch Mean Streets based on the fact that it was directed by Martin Scorsese and it was his first collaboration with Robert De Niro who both many later works together and separately (which need no mentioning) stand out as classics. Harvey Kietel is also worth a watch too. I'm a fan of "gangster" movies not primarily beyond of the usual violence that is included but the portrayal of "the way of life/politics" which usually provides thoughtful and provoking entertainment.

Unfortunately this wasn't one of them.

The story follows small-time hoodlum (Kietel) whose religious principals affect his conscience while collecting debts and doing other menial hoodlum activities. These activities although menial should be easy enough to pursue but Mr Smallt-time Hoodlum is distracted by his loose cannon friend (De Niro) a reckless show-boy gambler running a heavy debt with other mobsters whose patience is wearing very thin.

What follows is an epic bore-fest trying to disguise itself as social commentary and character studying. In truth it's just a plodding over-hyped melodrama which raises above criticism because of its director and cast.

Don't be fooled and avoid.

Empire State (1987)

Awful. Keep it in obscurity.

[1/10 · 20 December 2011]

I watched this on Film4 the other night and while I wasn't expecting a full blown classic I felt cheated by its awfulness - the acting, the lack of plot and the ear aching 80s soundtrack.

The film basically marketed itself as a British crime drama set in a London nightclub and it's gangland activity around it. It stars Ray McAnally and Jamie Foreman amongst the familiar faced cast (in early roles) as the nightclub owner as the stereotyped loser respectively.

The film basically didn't have a main character focus (despite it's little trickery at the beginning) and gives you an assortment of characters including an annoying gay prostitute pimp, a harassed reporter, a spoilt bullying nightclub dancer and her stereotypical loser boyfriend, an arrogant gangster wannabe looking for business interests,a boxer,a veteran nightclub owner, an American tycoon with a rough gay fetish, a woman looking for love and a naive teenage Geordie looking for his pal Mick.

It appears that the so-called plot is trying to build up for some kind of finale but that is ever really delivered.

The movie is completely awful and I understand why it's so obscure. The 1 star awarded is for seeing how many familiar faces in the movie in very early roles including an Eastenders regular, a known face from Minder and a future fireman in London's Burning.

AVOID AT ALL COSTS.

The Perfect Storm (2000)

Great action but lacks depth.

[6/10 · 27 November 2011]

Wolfgang Petersen's film is based on real-life events of a fleet of swordfish boat crew aboard from Gloucester, Massachussets caught in a massive super-storm after drifting beyond their usual fishing grounds in an ambitious attempt to take advantage of the rich availability of swordfish in that area. Their last trip was a financial disaster so the aim is to make up for it this time round.

George Clooney stars as "Andrea Gail" captain Billy Tyne while Mark Wahlberg co-stars as rookie Bobby Shatford while Michael Ironside supports as boat owner Bob Brown.

The fantastic cast also includes Diane Lane, John C Reilly, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and William Fichtner.

If you want great action sequences this is your kind of film.

My criticism however is lack of depth of characters. Clooney's character isn't explored enough and apart from Wahlberg/Lane, this can be said for most of the characters here.

Bob Gunton and Karen Allen appear later on as members of a yacht caught in the storm but they aren't given much to do and much of the dialogue is pretty average and clichéd (pretty odd for a film based on a true story).

In conclusion this film could have been better as with the explanation above but watching the film is a far cry away from being a waste of time. The action sequences are terrific and the suspense grabs you in thick of it. Worth a look.

Snake Eyes (1998)

De Palma Does It Again

[10/10 · 25 November 2011]

Brian De Palma has made some great movies i.e. Scarface, Blow Out, The Untouchables, Casualties of War etc.

This one is up there with them.

Nicolas Cage stars as an arrogant and cocky corrupted loud-mouth detective who wants to cheat his way to the top and become Mayor one day.

He is on bodyguard duty for the U.S. Defense Secretary at a big boxing match in an Atlantic City casino when the DS is assassinated and the whole casino closed off for investigation in which he leads.

What follows is series of events which drag Cage into a big political dangerous conspiracy which threatens his selfish ambitions and the livelihood he has left.

Gary Sinise, Carla Gugino and John Heard add to the fantastic story particularly Sinise who is fine form.

Certainly a modern classic that deserves to be watched at least once.

The Cassandra Crossing (1976)

Classic suspense

[10/10 · 25 November 2011]

I remember watching this years ago and it still send a chill down my spine even after repeated watching.

Swedish terrorists attack the U.S. mission at the International Health Organisation in Geneva, Switzerland where the following battle causes massive breakages in a nearby lab which spreads a mysterious plague on the men. One of them escapes and embarks on the cross-Europe train (with up to 1000 people on board) which final destination is in Stockholm.

Which follows is a suspenseful thriller which sees tense situations on both the train and back at the IHO headquarters which lead to the Cassandra Crossing of the title.

Burt Lancaster stars the U.S. Colonel in charge of the investigation while Richard Harris stars a famous neurologist who becomes doctor on demand on the train itself and both play their parts well.

An all-star cast also features Martin Sheen, OJ Simpson, Sophia Loren, Ava Gardner and Lee Strasburg.

It's a must watch.

Sliver (1993)

Who would have thought a Sharon Stone movie would be boring?

[3/10 · 20 November 2011]

Sharon Stone plays a book editor who moves into a luxury apartment block named "Sliver" vacated by a woman who "mysteriously" fell to her death from her balcony.

Also mysteriously someone is watching her (and everybody else in the apartment block) with top-notch technology and following every moment whatever they are doing.

William Baldwin and Polly Walker star as the neighbours and Tom Berenger stars a novelist who tries to romance Stone.

Then follows the tedious attempts at the eroticism it advertises and desperately trying to create mystery, thrills and drama but the plot just witters into boring romps and dirty talk and tries to rush the drama back in.

Sharon Stone and Tom Berenger are criminally wasted here despite their efforts while William Baldwin and Polly Walker are woeful.

Based a novel of the same name but obviously trying to cash in Sharon Stone's success with the previous year's Basic Instinct, director Philip Noyce and screenplay writer Joe Eszterhas don't give much material to work from and it could have been much better if more carefully handled.

Don't bother unless you fancy a moan like me.

Cool Runnings (1993)

Good cheesy family fun

[7/10 · 20 November 2011]

In one of John Candy last films and one I somehow missed to watch when released in 1993/94 (there was great hype surrounding it) it is certainly not one to be taken seriously but I can't recall a Candy movie that does.

It is very loosely based on the Jamaican bobsleigh team at the Winter Olympics in 1988 and nowhere near a biography. In fact almost everything is fictional. And that's what makes it more fun.

Candy stars a disgraced former bobsleigh gold medalist (now a bookie) tasked to coach a top 100m sprinter (Leon Robinson) and his motley crew to become the Jamaican representatives at the bobsleigh races at the Winter Olympics in Canada despite having inexperience in snowy weather.

Hence all daft. childish and sometimes predictable mishaps on the way but never failing to raise a smile. All characters are likable and all the stereotypes are there: the intelligent one, the hard man, the wimp and the fool.

Good cheesy family fun and that it is intended to be.

The Shining (1980)

Classic psychological terror

[10/10 · 17 November 2011]

I've seen this film a number of times (although the DVD I purchased a while back had edited out some crucial scenes i.e. the doctor conversation) However getting away from my usual moan, I have to say this is probably one of the best psychological horror movies ever made, the psychological terror is always more haunting than constant bloodbaths seen in other horror films.

The film by legendary director Stanley Kubrick stars Jack Nicholson as an author who takes on the job as a winter caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel in Colorado during off-season.

Shelley Duvall stars as his emotional but loyal wife while Danny Lloyd stars as his psychologically troubled 5-year old son.

It is revealed that the "trouble" is actually a strong communication gift called "the Shining".

Scatman Crothers also appears as hotel chef and fellow in which both he and Lloyd share a brilliant scene discussing the gift.

As the film carries on with only the three central characters alone in the hotel and with a big snowstorm isolating the location even more, the terror becomes more apparent.

Jack Nicholson's character struggles with writer's block and begins to be haunted with events in the hotel meeting people that shouldn't be there, experiencing horrible nightmares and slowly falling into madness hysteria.

Danny Lloyd's character through his "shining" goes through some bad experiences of his own while Shelley Duvall is overcome by it all and tries to keep the family together.

Without getting into more description I would recommend this to anyone to watch at least once and see the affect it has on you.

It is a classic psychological terror movie (with some blood and gore I might add) with a great director, great cast (even the support I haven't mentioned all make a good count for themselves), great location, fantastic soundtrack and to top it off an incredible ending worth waiting for.

About Schmidt (2002)

Modern Classic

[10/10 · 13 November 2011]

I have to be honest I wasn't sure what to expect with this film as it centres round quite emotional themes, but with Jack Nicholson as the star I decided to take the chance.

The story involves a recently-retired insurance worker who loses his wife of 42 years shortly thereafter and is unhappy with his daughter's choice of fiancée. So in a way the story is patterned on cross-roads meaning of life type theme.

Jack Nicholson plays the lead beautifully and is uncharacteristically "quieter" in the role as Warren Schmidt. Despite the film's slow start the film begins to pace up when the character Schmidt, after watching an children's charity advert sponsors a young 6-year-old boy from Tazania called Ndugu Umbo. In a slightly comic turn, Schmidt begins to write letters to Ndugu with give narration to parts of the film's story.

The brilliant Kathy Bates comes in later in the film as the mother of the fiancée and brings a more comic feel.

The film as a whole after watching it in its entirety left an emotional mark, especially with the touching ending.

I would recommend to this film to anybody and it's one of the best I've watched but expect a roller-coaster of emotions in what at first appears to be a comedy but soon becomes more like a revealing character study with a comic undertone.

Shakedown (1988)

80s tackiness with added soap opera..with swearing

[3/10 · 13 November 2011]

I purchased this film under the title "Blue Jean Cop" and the police corruption storyline is a genre that interests me particularly in the film Q&A and countless others.

Peter Weller stars as a defence attorney with idealistic values defending a drug dealer who killed an undercover cop in self-defence. The victim happened to be a "blue jean cop" - an apparent corrupt policeman who makes dirty money by stealing from drug dealers. This opens a can of worms when investigated further by Weller and he teams up with veteran cop Sam Elliott to bust the corruption and win his case.

It all sounds interesting in theory but the way the film was delivered was all over the place. Side stories includes Weller being on his last case before a move upwards on his career in his father-in-law to be's firm. Then there's the old girlfriend scenario with the prosecutor, having an affair despite having a fiancée and looking for a new house blah blah blah. It was like an over-the-top soap opera with swearing.

And add to this the corrupt cops and their shenanigans working with the local crime boss to prevent cover-up being blown. These scenes were like bad comedy especially with the over-the-top vulgarness to demonstrate that these guys were "bad".

I'm a sort of man who usually watches the film in its entirety even if I feel it's a bit rotten. Despite it being only 90 minutes long the last half hour drags on and ironically has a very brief epilogue to counteract it.

I would avoid this unless you have company and fancy a cheap laugh at the film's 1980s tackiness with mullet hairstyles and noisy ghetto-blasters amongst the so-called drama.

Wrong Turn at Tahoe (2009)

A bit dull

[4/10 · 12 November 2011]

I took a chance with this film after as it advertised itself as a gangland crime drama and Harvey Keitel was part of the cast. No sure guarantee of a classic but I wasn't expecting one. Only a fairly decent film.

Cuba Gooding Jr stars as a "right hand man" to smalltime hoodlum Miguel Ferrer who is caught up in a personal war with Mafia kingpin Harvey Keitel after killing one of his drug dealers. Things get messy when Ferrer's wife is brutally murdered as retaliation which sets a revenge plot for the rest of the film. There's also a side story with Gooding Jr flashing back witnessing his father's murder as a child. It all sounds promising.

However this is not the case. All the way through it was a rather slow-paced bore-fest full of stereotypical "gangster dialogue and clichés" witnessed in other far superior films.

Gooding Jr is wooden, Keitel is wasted although Ferrer does himself justice with his character.

It's not a total bomb, far from it, but rather a great storyline not brought to its potential and that's the frustrating part.

Approach with caution.

Justice (I) (1999 TV Movie)

A good cast and 90 minutes of my life wasted

[1/10 · 2 November 2011]

When I was out DVD shopping, I found this film advertised on its cover as a James Belushi mole-in-prison movie (undercover cop looking to break a crime boss) and with the likes of HenrySilva, JoBeth Williams and Charles Durning, I was expecting a fairly decent film despite only paying £1 for it.

This however was one of those marketing con-jobs trying to promote a fairly awful TV movie which starred Tracey Needham (who looks a bit like Maggie Grace of the TV series Lost)as a prosecutor being hunted down by the Colombian mafia for sending down their boss.James Belushi's role is nothing more than a cameo.

The film rushes in at 100 mph with the "prison" part over in a matter of 4 minutes and it can't make its mind up whether its a TV pilot, a violent b-movie or a very bad black comedy. Ironically the film tends to drag at the end which is tedious at best.

I've never seen so many good actors wasted like this especially with James Belushi given little to do. The plot is ridiculous and the ending pathetic.

The movie is a bomb and I can only assume that the aforementioned actors were stuck for work when this came along.

Avoid if you can.