About the DVD screen format !!
Added 9/13/2009
It is 2.35 Anamorphic
The only thing I noticed unusual is that the horiz. black bars are uneven, 33% on top and 66% on bottom. Its not 50/50 or horiz. centered as with most other 2.35:1. It's NOT a BIG DEAL, just a little horiz. offset.
Great Movie, still worth purchasing !!
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Two of my very favorite actors do not disappoint! Crowe & Pacino are riveting in this suspenseful drama. Well crafted, brilliantly acted, highly prophetic story line (won't give away the plot).
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One of the Best Political-Thrillers I've Ever Seen
Added 4/15/2009
Whether you care about the politics of The Insider or not, as far as sheer entertainment goes this film will hook you instantly.
The film is directed by Michael Mann, with a script by Mann and Oscar-winner Eric Roth. Mann is a talented director with just a few failures under his belt. The Insider is one of his strongest directorial efforts and also one of his most overlooked (despite being nominated for 7 Academy Awards in 1999).
The film is based on a true story with some added content for dramatic effect. Russell Crowe plays Dr. Jeff Wigand, recently fired from his job at one of the biggest tobacco companies in America where he worked as a tobacco scientist. Al Pacino plays "60 Minutes" producer Lowell Bergman, who sees the ultimate insider in Wigand. The problem is, Wigand has a confidentiality agreement with the company and with an asthmatic daughter he doesn't want to lose his medical coverage that was part of his severance package. Of course, the more Wigand discloses to Bergman, the more the truth comes out about corruption in the tobacco industry.
And it wouldn't be a political-thriller without Wigand being follows and receiving death threats.
I doubt much of the talk about the harmful effects of nicotine and cigarettes will be entirely new to viewers, yet this doesn't keep both the film and Wigand's testimony from being riveting.
In a film that's already very well-made, the stand-out was the acting. Pacino, Crowe, and Christopher Plummer (as "60 Minutes" anchor Mike Wallace) are all at the top of their form. Al Pacino is, of course, one of the most highly-regarded actors of all time so this statement isn't too profound. But Pacino is fascinating here, keeping you glued to your screen. The man has a screen presence that is unmatched and delivers some truly Oscar-worthy work here. Crowe plays the conflicted everyman very well. His performance is much more subtle than Pacino's flamboyant one but equally satisfying. Finally, Plummer comes out of left field with his performance, easily one of his best. He just about steals the show from Pacino and Crowe.
First class entertainment with a powerful agenda, The Insider is quite simply a great film. Not only that, it's one of the best films I've seen in the political-thriller genres (in which I'd include films like Syriana (Widescreen Edition) and Michael Clayton (Widescreen Edition)). This is great filmmaking, with a powerful script, explosive acting, and terrific dialogue (made even better by the intense delivery). The awe-inspiring performances of Pacino, Crowe, and Plummer are reason enough to see the film. It might be 2 hours and 33 minutes long, but as you'll see...It flies by.
GRADE: A
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Drama Greatness. One of Al Pacino's Greatest performances of screen.
Added 1/27/2009
An Enthralling story, shot with a granular, visceral, adjusting focus-style that is popular in some of todays best shows, such as Battlestar Gallactica, and some of Micheal Mann's more contemporary films. The acting cast deserves a standing ovation. There isn't a moment of dissapointment in this modern movie classic. More about our Media and the fragil interconnection of politics and real world, with the case of Hope, and its trumpcard effect.
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Great Film
Added 10/25/2008
Watch this film for Russel Crowe's amazing transformation in to Jeffrey Wigand, a scientist and family man tortured with the knowledge that he helped cover up evidence of the disasterous health effects of cigarettes for the tobacco industry. It took me a good 10 minutes to realize that the man on the screen was indeed Crowe - he inhabited his character that well.
Also watch this film because it is a rare Pacino role of the last 10 years where he wasn't just playing himself. The scenes with Pacino and Crowe make you feel that you are watching two real people trying to expose a massive coverup while protecting what they hold dear, and not just two big name Hollywood stars.
The film does run pretty long, but you will be rewarded by two great performances with a number of excellent cameos. Not to mention the evocative imagery and mood created by Michael Mann.
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Proof of learning.
Added 10/12/2009
I had never heard of this type of business in the past. The methods of negotiation & trying to get the hostage released for the lowest amount were new to me. The conclusion was played out well.
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A Most Underestimated Movie
Added 9/8/2009
This movie has it all. The more I watch it, the more I see the reality of a good, good movie. David Morse is absolutely superb.
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Unexpectedly engrossing...
Added 6/22/2009
...this film was on cable one day while I was sitting there catching up on emails...sometimes I like to have the TV on while doing that as sort of background noise. Well, before I knew it, I'd watched most of it and not gotten too many emails sent!
The story is pretty prosaic: husband gets kidnapped, wife freaks out, handsome and somewhat mysterious but cool-as-a-cucumber hero comes to the rescue of husband while sparks fly with the distraught wife.
To be honest, if they'd cast anyone else in the lead roles other than the ever-lovely Meg Ryan and fascinatingly talented Russel Crowe, I probably wouldn't have lasted through the whole thing. That, and the on-location settings (Ecuador) sealed the deal. Meg Ryan especially, though I wish that we could've seen more of her with less clothing on...she was cute at 28 in "When Harry Met Sally" but at 39 in this film, she is one SMOKIN' momma!
The hostage rescue scene at the end was a bit improbable but I respected the director's decision to NOT have too neat of a happy ending, i.e. having the two leads ride off in the sunset together. Have to agree with the other reviewer who said that this film could've used some heavy editing because there is a fair amount of deadwood lying around. But overall a decent way to kill some time.
3 and 1/2 stars.
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