Redford Back with the CIA
Added 10/20/2009
Having entered the CIA at about the age of 40 (Three Days of the Condor), Robert Redford retires from it in this film made, appropriately enough, when he was about age 65. While a lesser film, it is still worth seeing the now senior actor go through his paces. He is tough, chillingly focused on the target, and prepared to do whatever it takes to get that job done. Inside, however, we do find a spark of professional loyalty. He won't let one of his "boys" get the short end of the stick just because their bosses are willing to make the expedient choice.
There is a fair amount of action but the essence of the story lies in the personality of Redford's character, that of his protege, Brad Pitt., and the relationship between them. No question that it was up to Redford, the actor, to make or break the film. He came through in style providing the anchor for everything else that goes on. Brad Pitt does a good job as the youngster, while the others carry through with some style in the supporting roles.
There is no doubt that this is fiction, a story with conflicts among characters which give it substance and interest. I feel no need to treat it as other than making a film that people would come to see. You may see some sort of message in it; so be it. Either viewpoint can spend an interesting evening watching the DVD monitor with this one playing
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not "Sneakers'
Added 8/20/2009
Much of this movie takes place inside C.I.A. headquarters.
The movie is about a retiring field supervisor and his
favorite operative: Tom Bishop ( code named boy scout).
The movie reminds me of Hopscotch - Criterion Collection.
The new generation of spies always think they
are better at it. Leaving the guys from the cold war
out on a limb just has moral complications.
I liked the choir boys singing touch
as the movie winds down at the end.
A lot of action and dirty tricks over a time span of
about 20 to 30 or so years from 1975 on.
The trouble is that these days we seem to be
as bad or worse than the guys we are fighting.
Seizing the day, the hero walks away empty but cleaner?
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excellent movie
Added 4/8/2009
Redford wow, Pitt wow, picuture a big wow the plot very twiisty and a pleasure ro watch.
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Took a little longer than expected, but not by much, it was in good condition.
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This is a great thriller and keeps you engaged in nonstop excitement. Robert Redford at his best.
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Gung-ho potboiler, entertaining from start to finish
Added 10/8/2009
THE LAST CASTLE
(USA/Canada - 2001)
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Panavision)
Theatrical soundtracks: Dolby Digital / DTS / SDDS
A battle of wills erupts between a martinet prison warden (James Gandolfini) and his latest inmate (Robert Redford), a former Army officer who leads an uprising against Gandolfini's brutal regime.
A B-movie plot with A-class production values, toplined by one of the world's most recognizable actors, and played with grim conviction by a fine supporting cast. The escalating conflict between Redford and Gandolfini conforms to every expectation, and the final assault on the warden's stronghold is deliriously over-the-top. But the movie works like a dream, thanks to star wattage from Redford and gung-ho direction by Rod Lurie, working from David Scarpa's old-fashioned screenplay, co-written with Graham Yost. An unpretentious, entertaining potboiler, no more or less. Music by Jerry Goldsmith.
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Yes, this is a dud
Added 9/8/2009
1. I admit it, I did watch the whole DVD, mainly because I was bored and had nothing else to do. Otherwise, it's a 2 star movie--> entertaining enough to keep one watching, but lousy enough that most folks will be asking themselves "Why am I wasting my time watching this nonsense?" Basically the plot is just unrealistic that one can't get engaged in the film. Even a sci-fi movie has more probability of being realistic than this film, which makes one wonder, who in the world ever wrote this script?
2. If you want an excellent prison type film--> Shawshank Redemption; enough said.
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An undeserved flop
Added 7/31/2009
The Bottom Line:
The Last Castle may have arrived into theaters DOA but it's actually a fairly gripping prison drama with fine performances by the two leads and scenes of genuine excitement; as with many entries into this genre, I feel that the ending to the film wraps everything up a little too neatly but the fact remains that The Last Castle is an entertaining film that's legitimately worth putting aside 135 minutes for.
3/4
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