Oasis

Description

Hailed as the seminal film of the Korean New Wave, acclaimed director Lee Chang-dong's Oasistells the story of two societal misfits (the award winning Moon So-ri and Sol Kyung-gu) and their struggle to find love and acceptance. Fate helped bring them together; family fought to keep them apart. The film truly is "a triumph...that gives humanism back it's good name (LA Weekly)."

Customer Reviews:

Powerful and complex.......2007-08-07

I highly recommend this movie, which will permanently change the way you think of love stories, and there is one scene in this movie which is quite shocking. The two main actors Kyung-gu Sol and So-ri Moon are excellent.

I was saddened to learn that the director had made only three movies before accepting a government position. His two other films are Peppermint Candy and Green Fish which are both very good though Oasis is his best. Peppermint Candy is the second best of the three. I found Green Fish to be a bit too depressing.

A Very Good Human Drama: Excellent Acting!.......2007-01-17

"Oasis," is a very poignant film from director Lee Chang-dong. The film gives powerful acting performances by the female lead Gong-ju (Moon So-ri) and her counterpart, the male Jong-du (Sol Kyung-gu) which are both masterful. As the films narrative begins, Jong-du (Sol Kyung-gu) has been released from prison. Jong-du is a sociopath who is unable to hold a job and has been in prison three times: for attempted rape, drunkeness which caused an accident, and armed robbery. He decides to visit the family of the man who was killed by his brother. He took the rap for his brother in the accident which sent him to jail. However, the family is moving out when he arrives, leaving a seriously disabled woman [the husbands disabled sister] behind.

The woman is named Gong-ju (Moon So-ri). Moreover, Jong-du finds himself attracted to this woman, who can barely control her body: She has cerebral palsy. When he returns at a later date, however, a very disturbing event occurs [No spoilers: I will leave this for you to view]. However, even though this event by Jong-du is disturbing, Gong-du invites him back again. It is here that these two outcasts of society begin to develop a friendship. Yet, this relationship causes a problem with both of the families, as they do not want any scandal. The families and society have come to see their relationship as twisted and abnormal.

The film shows the happiness of these two unwanted members of society, yet it also shows [not tells] the unease of the two families who are now caught up in the lives of these two individuals. On one side is a man who is emotionally unstable, and the other, a woman who must deal with the harsh realities of cerebral palsy: where her life is one of isolation. Director Lee Chang-dong gives a very insightful film about two people who are socially shunned by the society they live in. And yet, the director allows the viewer to see that they are both content to be with each other, and to hell with society and its mores. These two people both appreciate being alive, and have found each other. This is a drama, and as such, may not appeal to those who are into action films. However, I liked it. [Stars: 4.5]

Worth Seeing.......2005-09-18

This film poses the question of whether it is possible to experience love when you can barely express yourself verbally or physically. How many of us have ever really considered that question? Definitely orth seeing for the acting performances. Moon Sori was amazing, especially in the scenes where she momentarily lost her disability. A warning though - this film is painful and frustrating to watch, and the ending is lousy.

A Very Different and Poignant Love Story... .......2005-07-10

Even in Romeo and Juliet love is being brought to the audience through an agonizing tragedy where the two families disagree with their love. Director Chang-Dong Lee utilizes a similar tragedy in his Oasis where he enlightens the viewers of a much more contemporary issue where the two protagonists find themselves rejected by their own families. However, it is within the tragedy that humanity is given an opportunity to grow and show that love does reach beyond vanity and self-importance.

The opening shot displays an embroidered depiction of something resembling an oasis emerging from underneath the shadows of the night, as a tree outside throws its nightmarish shadow over the the embroidery. The camera finally reveals a small oasis in the middle of a desert with a Indian woman, a boy, and an elephant. This initial sequence continues for almost two minutes. A time that might seem like an eternity for introducing the title of the film. However, these two minutes will also bring to mind a different notion, which will disclose itself at a later point in the film. In addition, the film will return to this embroidery, as it represents the main motif of the film both literally and symbolically.

The film begins with Hong Jong-Du (Kyung-gu Sol) returning home on a bus with summer clothing in the middle of a freezing winter. Initially, Jong-Du's light clothing might imply that there is something wrong with him, and yes, there is something wrong with him. However, it is not his summer wear, but his social interaction with people that seems strange on a communicational level. He wanders home to find out that his family have moved without informing him about their whereabouts. Alone, Jong-Du drifts until hunger sets in and he gets in trouble with the law, which obviously is not the first time when it is revealed that he has just been released from prison. Fortunately, one of Jong-Du's brothers bails him out and brings him home, but it is not a dear homecoming for Jong-Du.

Every second of the film displays additional problems that Jong-Du has, and it is evident that Jong-Du suffers from some cognitive disorder. In an awkward and unwelcome visit of Jong-Du with the family whose father he accidentally killed in a car accident he meets Han Gong-Ju (Moon So-ri), the daughter of the deceased father. Gong-Ju suffers from cerebral palsy and is more or less stranded in her fathers old apartment, as her brother has found it convenient to leave her in the hands of her neighbor.

During the second visit to Gong-Ju, Jong-du breaks into her apartment out of curiosity. He talks with her and expresses his affection for her while leaving her his brother's business card with a phone number where she can reach him. Consequently, Jong-Du begins to express his desires for her by sexually assaulting her. It is with much difficulty one has to watch this dreadful scene, but it also further displays Jong-Du's inability to function on a normal level. She passes out while Jong-Du panics and runs away after having gotten her back to consciousness. From out of the blue Jong-Du receives a phone call. It is Gong-Ju who calls him and she wants to meet. This brings them through an unusual, yet tender love affair with respect, care, and affection where the embroidery on the wall comes into play.

The performances by Kyung-gu Sol and Moon So-ri are astounding, as they help elevate the film to the heartrending experience that it provides. This is the second time these two actors have worked together, as they both were in the terrific Peppermint Candy (2000). Here in Oasis they seem very comfortable with one another and this is essential for them to be able to pull off such terrific performances. Both give very different visualizations of their characters and they do so convincingly well.

Chang-Dong Lee depicts a loving tale through some amazing scenes where he breaks the boundaries between what is real and fantasy. It is in these fantasy scenes where the audience will find themselves bewildered to what is truly happening, but it must be magical happiness that is being expressed. The camera also reveals some stunning realism where the interaction between Gong-Ju and Jong-Du displays both their difficulties and how they cope with their difficulties in society. Through the combination of fantasy and realism Chang-Dong Lee expresses a genuine concern about the issue at hand, which suggests that all people have the right to love and feel loved.

An introspective view of the physically and mentally disabled.......2005-07-08

The night air was crisp. A seemingly slightly retarded Korean man (well, mentally slow at least) offered to do a magic trick for his female companion who suffered from a lifetime affliction of cerebral palsy. Instead, she stuttered with her arms arhythmically jerking out of sequence to her words and her lazy eye wandering to the window, "Don't.... go.. I want.... you..... to sleep with me. Don't you know..... what it means..... when a woman..... asks a man..... to sleep...... with her?"

Then after removing clothes the two began to make love.

"Is this.. where you..? No, that's not it.."

She made random noises as her eyes again turned different directions, her arms were flailing.

"If anyone needs to use the bathroom after the sex scene it's upstairs, first door to the right." Jill announced.

I looked away from the projection and laughed.

The most interesting aspect of the movie was that the disabled female character suddenly normalized at points and in fantasy sequences the inner happiness of the two lovers was made apparent by removing the superficialities of their disabilities. It was excellent acting on her part and a brilliant way to project what the writer must have intended.

An inherent flaw of oriental (and perhaps most) societies in which strict societal conformity is demanded is also made very apparent.

The sad ending was perhaps unnecessary but was probably placed there to stress the overall sadness of their lives.

I enjoyed the movie, it inspired a lot of thought within me and I believe it to be a paramount film.

Average customer rating:

Prison of Boredom
A cautionary tale, badly acted, written and directed
Enter this prison at your own risk
"You never know when doing good will turn to bad"
Stephanie Zimbalist was great in this movie

Prison of Secrets
Starring: Stephanie Zimbalist , Finola Hughes , Gary Frank , Rusty Schwimmer , and Kimberly Russell
Director: Fred Gerber
Manufacturer: Starlight Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005NKT2
Release Date: 2001-09-11

Description

A young mother unknowingly breaks the law and is sent to prison. She is confronted by degradation and horror as guards extract sexual favors in exchange for everything from toothbrushes to drugs. Inspired by actual events.

Customer Reviews:

Prison of Boredom.......2006-11-10

The movie was very boring. It was a low budget movie with a low budget of excitement. I had to watch this movie four times before I was able to watch the movie in its entirety, because each time I tried I constantly fell asleep.

A cautionary tale, badly acted, written and directed.......2006-09-28

A selfish, stupid woman engages in white collar crime, and goes to prison for her misdeed. I say stupid, because she could have paid a modest fine and gotten away with her crime, but chose instead to gamble with her and her family's future by trusting her lot to a jury of her peers. They judged her as harshly as I did.

Once in prison, she is exposed to life's realities, possibly for the first time in her wretched existence. Seeing various and sundry sordid occurences beyond her middle class ken, she decides to meddle in the affairs of others (possibly motivated by petty jealousy, since she isn't getting any drugs or sex from the handsome male prison guards).

To make a long story short, her rabble rousing is eventually heard in Washingtonm D.C., a senator takes more than a passing interest in her, and her sentence is commuted to a home curfew. I guess the moral of the story is white collar criminals are better suited to country club prisons.

If you have nothing whatsoever to do, your DVD player is broken, and you don't feel like cleaning the oven, this movie might possibly entertain. Otherwise avoid at all costs.

Enter this prison at your own risk.......2005-11-21

Stephanie Zimbalist comes out of the woodwork to star in this movie that was inspired by a true story. I can bet a lot of it was fabricated, but am sure the gist of what happened is true. It is scary in this day & age to think of an American prison being so corrupt as this one is portrayed, but it is not beyond belief.

Zimbalist plays an everyday mother who inadvertantly breaks the law & is sent to prison. While there she is exposed to all sorts of horrifying practices of prison guards abusing their power & position. At every turn, her attempts to be proactive about the situation fail.

While most movies that deal with women in prison are of the softcore porn variety, rest assure this movie is VERY serious. I would even go so far to say as it's the women's prison counterpart to SHAWSHENK REDEMPTION. If you're interested in prison movies at all, this one is a must-have.

"You never know when doing good will turn to bad".......2005-07-29

This movie kept my attention throughout. It's about a woman who tried to save her employer as well as herself a little money on some business deals and she wound up in prison. While there, she encountered practically every sterotype known to mankind and then some. I would recommend that you see it for yourself.

Stephanie Zimbalist was great in this movie.......2001-10-26

Stephanie Zimbalist had once again demostrated to her audience and herself that she is a able actress. Hollywood should pay more attention to her and give her more roles in art-house/ independent movie roles. She was really good in this movie and a delight as usual to see her on the screen.

Description

Antonio Banderas and Academy Award winner Emma Thompson star in this gripping political thriller from Academy Award-winning director Christopher Hampton. Carlos Rueda (Banderas) is the director of a children's theater in Buenos Aires, a city haunted by the disappearance of thousands who have spoken up against the dictator in power. When his wife, Cecilia (Thompson), disappears after writing a controversial article, Carlos discovers he has the power to look into the faces of those seeking the missing and see the fate of the people they love. But no matter how desperately he searches for his own wife, he always finds himself one step behind. Pushed to the limits of survival, it's up to Cecilia to find her way to Carlos in a journey filled with danger, horror and suspense.

Customer Reviews:

Waste of time..........2007-04-01

Imagining Argentina is, simply put, a poorly crafted film.
I have not read the novel on which it is based but being familiar with the subject matter makes me furious about the lack of substance with which the story has been treated. There is a sheer absence of research, which constitutes clear proof of negligence as there is plenty of material available to learn about it. The film also fails on all levels on the very basics of film-making. We never get to know the characters -therefore we don't really care about them- and the little we see is basically a contrived commonplace of mellow idealists. We see the military as just a bunch of perverted Nazis with refined, obscure fixations, when the truth is that they were extremely well organized and coordinated in their systematic goals of control and extermination. The director fails to tell the most basic aspects of the story, relying instead on silly, melodramatic details [such as a shoe] and confusing, tourist-inspired scenes in which you see a Brazilianesque carnival, tango dancers, and gauchos all living happily together in La Boca. Nothing farther from the truth.
In short, don't waste your time watching this parody of a film.
If you are interested in learning about the tragic events that happened in South America 30 years ago, I recommend watching 'The Official Story' and 'Missing'.

If Stephen King had been born in South America...........2006-10-13

I really feel hesitant about giving this movie a poor review because it's very well-made and everyone in it is excellent...but it doesn't work. I agree with the other review that criticizes the film for trivializing the sad horrors of South America by playing them out in a movie about a psychic. The 1982 film MISSING with Jack Lemmon and DEATH & THE MAIDEN with Sigourney Weaver touch on the same topic and do a better job of handling it.
You almost feel guilty for watching a form of entertainment about a dark and despicable part of history.

Watching IMAGINING ARGENTINA is kind of like watching THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION if that film had included numerous brutal prison gang rapes.

Symbolical political drama.......2006-03-15

Mix one part magical realism with two parts government corruption and a heavy dose of good acting and you've basically got the idea for this unflinching portrayal of the Videl dictatorship in Argentina in the 1970s. I admit I am not altogether familiar with the history behind this story but this film, under the assumption that it is portrayed somewhat correctly, gave me a fairly good idea of what happened. However, it is not entirely heavy on the political realm for much symbolism is used throughout. Indeed, the political backstory is almost put on the back-burner in favor of the more dramatically-pleasing plot of finding missing family members.

Antonio Banderas proves that he can actually act and gives a fine performance (if at time slightly cheesy). Emma Thompson is, as always, brilliant in a surprising South American accent which she does very well. The film is emotionally charged throughout, especially the last shot. It's a good thing the writers didn't opt for a happy-everyone-returns-safely-ending (cough*War of the Worlds*cough).

I can't think why this movie was so badly received at the Venice Film Festival where it was first premiered. The plot moves slowly at times (are all those 'garden' scenes really necessary?) but otherwise I found the plot quite tightly-knit with the appropriate symbols reappearing in the correct places. The major asset to the film, however, is the performances of the two lead actors. The supporting cast is slightly weak, though passable.

All in all, a recommended film, especially if you are a fan of either Banderas or Thompson.

note: The DVD is woefully bereft of extras.

We Must Use Imagination To Find Our Humanity.......2006-02-21

A fine movie about true events,adapted from a book,and yes, very brutal. Nothing is spared as the viewer relives this horrific era in Argentinian history. Although at the beginning I thought this movie was kind of choppy and uneven, as it progressed I was drawn in completely by the characters, the story and their suffering, and believe the director could have been using this intentionally to put the viewer off balance. A part of this movie's beauty- it feels real, like one is there with them. I really felt I was there with these people, and Carlos relationship with his daughter, wife, and friends were well portrayed. No one was doing the typical phony overemoting hysterics, which drowns out real emotion, (which was very evident). Banderas was very convincing with just his eyes, and his soft spoken ways. People in the movie make some bad decisions, there is confusion, and one can feel them floundering to find a way to fight back. I thought to myself, geez, I would be fleeing the country! Yet, history shows people do not generally flee, but, endure. Carlos clairvoyance( I thought he conveyed well his clumsiness of being new to that gift, and as is often the case with clairvoyance,the Seer cannot always use it for their own gain or turn it off and on at will), the growing numbers of the "disappeared", the flashes of memory of happy lives, the symbolism of the birds- by the end one is unsure of reality- until the very moment of the ending- which brings back hope, love and yes, imagination. Genocide and torture are never easy to watch. We need to all imagine Peace. Change all the bad endings in the world story. Now. Imagine Peace.

Disappearance in Argentina: Unnesesarry Plot Devices Spoil the Impact of the Historical Truths .......2005-12-23

Christopher Hampton adapted and directed Lawrence Thornton's novel of the same title, and the film stars Antonio Banderas and Emma Thompson. The theme of the film is very serious, for it deals with the historical fact in Argentina during the late 70s and early 80s, the time of dictatorship when, as the film says, as many as 30,000 people disappeared without trace.

The film starts with such a `disappearance of one journalist in Argentina. Cecilia (Emma Thompson) is suddenly taken away, and her husband and stage director for kids Carlos cannot find a single trace of her. Around him, many similar cases had happened, but Carlos never dreamed that it could happen to Cecilia.

However ... now, here is the point that divides the opinions, but we are told that Carlos has a certain kind of gift - clairvoyance. He is surprised to find (as much as we would do) that he can see things. Tell Carlos the name and the place of the ones who have vanished, and he can 'see' what happened to them. In fact, he can sometimes tell you what will happen to them, and while Carlos searches his missing wife, his strange psychic-like ability starts to attract people as well as the government.

[MAGIC REALISM?] Perhaps Antonio Banderas himself would explain, if asked about Carlos's unique ability, that it is based on the idea often associated with South American literature, the tradition of magic realism. I know the idea, and that works on paper (and in books), but when I see the acting of Banderas in thick beard grimacing at table, I just don't buy the idea simply because his acting is too bad to sustain the heavy weight of the truths about the victims of the brutal violence done by the dictators. And tell me, please, if he can predict the future events, why didn't he think of hiding his own daughter, most sensible thing that even I can think of without supernatural power.

Emma Thompson is much better, but when Christopher Hampton mixes many things with the serious social issue so carelessly that `Imagining Argentina' defeats its purpose in the end. There is a message Carlos proudly says -- that is, no violence can kill the imagination of people, but the film's graphic torture scenes suggest otherwise. The symbolism about birds, or the spiritual `guidance' by an owl, could be interesting if the film had presented them with more sophisticated hand. Christopher Hampton (who adapted `Dangerous Liaisons' for screen in 1988) is a good writer but not a great director, and his heavy-handed direction only leaves us bemused when Banderas' Carlos is literally (yes, literally) led by the birds to the place where he should go.

And this is about the worst period of this country, which many people must still vividly remember. I do not disagree with the film's violence, which I believe is tamed for the general audiences. I am not against the use of supernatural concept as long as it shows the pains of the people who suffered. But `Imagining Argentina' does them so clumsily and heavy-handedly, with unnecessary flashbacks (about the happy lovers by the seaside, for example); the Great-Escape-like action that has no meaning, and these plot devices all look merely weak and cumbersome before the cruel and shocking historical fact. I admit the film's intention is laudable, but clairvoyance is not the way to tell this story, not the right way to confront the hard reality.

Average customer rating:

Save your time
This is an implausible story, yet leads to an engaging movie.
Wet Willis' for everyone!
Good performances, interesting plot!
Compelling Drama sabotaged by Marketing Campaign that tried to make it an Action movie!

Hart's War [Blu-ray]
Starring: Karel Belohradsky , Jonathan Brandis , Rory Cochrane , Ruaidhri Conroy , and Colin Farrell
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

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ASIN: B00000F2UF
Release Date: 2007-01-30

Amazon.com

Anyone who appreciates subtle tension will enjoy this World War II prison-camp drama, based on John Katzenbach's novel, in which honor, courage, and sacrifice are revealed in unexpected ways. Bruce Willis plays the ranking U.S. prisoner in a Nazi POW camp, joined in December 1944 by a law-student lieutenant (up-and-coming star Colin Farrell) who'd been captured despite his father's powerful military connections. When a black pilot (Terrence Dashon Howard) from the famous Tuskeegee airmen is falsely accused of murdering a fellow prisoner, Farrell tries his case and discovers the real motivation behind Willis's kangaroo court. While combining elements of Stalag 17 and The Great Escape, director Gregory Hoblit (Primal Fear, Frequency) spices this moral dilemma with well-crafted suspense and a rousing dogfight sequence, but the human drama remains muted despite fine, understated performances by Willis, Farrell, and Howard. An escape thriller with an ethical twist, Hart's War works best as a study of heroism under extraordinary circumstances. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Bruce Willis stars as an imprisoned officer who refuses to give up his fight to defeat the Nazis inthis "absorbing" (Roger Ebert) WWII adventure. Co-starring Colin Farrell (Minority Report) and packed with "crisp action sequences" (Los Angeles Times), Hart's War is a powerful and "stirring tribute to soldierly courage and honor" (L.A. Daily News). When Col. William McNamara (Willis) is stripped of his freedom in a German POW camp, he's determined to keep onfightingeven from behind enemy lines. Enlisting the help of a young lieutenant (Farrell) in a brilliant plot against his captors, McNamara risks everything on a mission to free his men and change the outcome of the war.

Customer Reviews:

Save your time.......2007-09-17

I was going to give this 3 stars, as it's well-shot, decently done in most ways, and really not bad.
But, I can't say I would recommend it. Too many implausibilities in too many ways along with no character you really care much about adds up to just another WWII flick.
I watched it only because I loved Hoblit's Fallen, but aside from the visual quality (very nicely composed shots and a busy but intelligent camera POV are the highlights of the film), this film leaves no lasting impression. Some pleasant moral platitudes, but it just never hits your gut. The actors are fair, but don't have too much to work with.
I wanted to like this movie but it never really gave me a reason to.

This is an implausible story, yet leads to an engaging movie........2007-07-05

"Hart's War" (2002) is strange film. It is intended as a "POW camp" movie and at the same time tries to be "original" or "out of the mould".

The story plot is as follows: young Lieutenant Hart is captured by the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge and submitted to harassment by his captors.
After this shocking experience, which he barely survives, he is sent to a POW camp.
At the camp the senior-ranking American officer, Col. McNamara, does not allow Lt. Hart a place in the officer's barracks and send him to be the only officer in a NCO's barrack.
Soon after this, to make things worst, two Afro-American pilots arrives to the site and Col. McNamara decides to lodge them in Hart's barracks. In a time when racial segregation was still in force at the USA armed forces, this almost creates havoc, which Hart barely avoids. Still racial hatred takes its toll: one of the pilots is framed & summarily executed. Racist Staff Sgt. Bedford, suspected as the framer, is murdered and obviously the surviving pilot is accused of murder.
Col. McNamara asks for and obtains, from German camp commander, authorization to have a court-martial and designs Lt. Hart as the pilot's defender.
From here on no more details of the plot should be disclosed.

There are some improbable situations, IMHO the most blatant one is when the German commander accept being call as witness by the defense.
Nevertheless the movie is interesting and quite original.

Bruce Willis as Col. McNamara is impeccable. Colin Farrell as Lt. Hart is very convincing & compromised with the character. Cole Hauser as Staff Sgt. Bedford is in the line of one of those cynical hardboiled characters that often appears in this kind of movies.

Alar Kivilo's photography is over par delivering beautiful; yet full of gore, battlefield images. Also the camp scenes are visually great.

It is a good POW's film, not as gorgeous as "The Great Escape" (1963) or "The Bridge on the River Kwai" (1957), but deserves to be seen by any war film fan!
Reviewed by Max Yofre.

Wet Willis' for everyone!.......2007-03-08

Welcome to a new style of reviews. For those of you who have been following my career, my comments on the films that I have seen have been lengthy, verbose, and at times, just plain boring. Today marks a day of change. I am finding myself with less time, energy, and dedication to the cause, so I am changing. Perhaps I will fall to the wayside, or pick up new fans - but for me, it is still all about the cinema.

War, really people, what is it good for?

Apparently, to those involved with the creation of the film "Hart's War", absolutely nothing - do you need me to say it again? To be short and sweet, pretty-boy Farrell gets caught by Nazi's, tells a dirty secret, and somehow gets put in the posh-of-the-posh POW containment camps this side of Germany. No brutality, no murder, no starvation - just simple catered meals and a freedom like no other. Willis plays a Colonel that somehow was captured and has named this base as his "luxury" suite. He is best friends with the Nazi commander, while all the time planning the big escape.

Did I hint towards "The Great Escape" - please don't think the same thoughts with this film. What makes "Hart's War" a bit more random than you typical war film is that the bigotry, hatred, and racism comes from not the Nazis, but the American soldiers. It comes in the form of Terrance Howard. One time racism turns its dirty head, people look the other way - but the second time, it takes us into a melodramatic, off-the-beaten-path courtroom drama that can be viewed in an assortment of regular films. It sparks nothing new, nor anything of interest. Continually, we wait for Howard, or Willis, to shout that cult-like phrase, "You can't handle the truth", and it nearly happens, when Willis reveals his wild card and changes the course of the war forever.

How bland.

"Hart's War" fails because it involves too many elements and not enough time, or maybe, too many elements and too long of time. Instead of sticking with a war story, we are bludgeoned with another story of racism, another story of respect, another story of lies, and jumbled between it all a story about escape. It is too much for one film to handle, and as our characters become less and less dimensional, as does the film. Willis is Willis. If you have seen any of his work this decade, you have seen his character in this film. Farrell remains shaved and pretty-boy throughout the film, continually denouncing the authenticity, which was already faulted by the fact that it seemed like nobody was against anyone in this camp. I think that is what struck me as odd, the layout of the camp. Why were the Russians treated worse than the Americans? Did they not have a Bruce Willis of their own?

Questions upon questions continue to pile until we think we have had enough then another world opens in the final act giving us another reason to yell, "oh brother!". The ending lacks consistency, as we are left with no resolutions, no finale, and no moment of Zen. It is perfect for you Willis nay-slayers out there, but for the rest of us, we are left with a symbolic ending that will bring a tear to the women, and the rest of us demanding our money back.

This film contained very little action, very little suspense, and very little answers to bigger underlining questions. It was a hastily put together film that boasted big names, but bigger downfalls. For two hours I was plummeted into everything Hollywood could think of to throw into a film. While I believe it had potential, what happened in the end is that the director could not control the momentum. This is strange, because I loved "Fallen" so very much. "Hart's War" did start strong, in my eyes, with some decent cinematography (I enjoyed the opening snow scene), but fell of the face of the Earth by the end of the first hour.

So, again my friends, I must ask - what is war good for?

To my reply ... absolutely nothing.

I cannot suggest this film to friends or family. Poor acting, too many plot points, and an unresolved ending makes me give "Hart's War" a

(wait for it ...)

BLAH!

Good performances, interesting plot! .......2007-02-09

"Hart's War" is one of those often forgotten war movies, sometimes hard to find in the rental aisle, but a good part of any collection. It features one of the best performances by Colin Farrell, a then promising young actor (pre Alexander, Miami Vice). Bruce Willis also offers understated yet solid acting. Notable performances by Marcel Iures and Terrence Howard are also worth mentinoning. The plot offers intrigue, action, a courtroom drama and relevant issues. Highly entertaining!

Compelling Drama sabotaged by Marketing Campaign that tried to make it an Action movie!.......2005-08-19

I finally got around to watching this movie last night (after buying it for $4 on DVD a few weeks ago) and I can say I was very pleasantly surprised by it after reading so many negative reviews.

The Problem: This film was mareketed poorly - the trailers give an accurate idea of the content, but they give you the wrong impression as to the tone. Because Bruce Willis is in it, they chose to make it out to contain tons of action and heroic combat! They also chose to make it appear to be a Bruce Willis vehicle. Let me tell you, if you are renting or buying it for either of the above reasons, you will hate it! The "combat action" scenes are sparse (two scenes) and extremely short (though very exciting when they do occur. And Bruce Willis is really a supporting actor to Farrel - in fact, of the major characters, he probably has less screen time than anyone else, and is rarely seen outside of Farrel's perspective.

(Also, Americans seem to reject the idea that Nazis in an interrment camp could have had a shred of civility. Perhaps this film gave them a little too much credit - but I think that even as evil as they were, not all Nazis were inhuman brutes.)

The Good: So, the first thing you need to do is lay aside your expectation of a SAVING PRIVATE RYAN or GUNS OF NAVARONNE type movie. This is a drama! And it is a very good one. There are several layers to this story - one is that of Lt. Hart's (Colin Farrel) need for redemption after an early failure in the film. His assignment to defend the falsely accused marine gives him that chance. The main story is the trial of a marine who asserts he was framed for the murder of a fellow marine in the stockade. Farrel quickly learns that the cards are stacked against him as the presiding officer McNamara (Willis) seemse bent on a guilty verdict. This sets up some very tense confrontations between the two.

Adding a second layer to this drama is the apparently misunderstood character of the commanding Nazi officer Werner Visser. Visser represents an aging officer who has wound up in a remote post and seems to have accepted this lesser role. (Someone commented below that his "nice guy" attitude would not get him far in the German Army - ahem, well, I think that's the point - that's why he's watching over a camp rather than storming the frontlines!) He is a foil to Willis's McNamara, who wants nothing more than to get back to the war. The confusion as to why Visser suddenly wants to help Hart is that people perceive this as Visser suddenly becoming the nice Nazi. Well, anyone paying attention can see that Visser is ONLY motivated by getting back at McNamara. Hart is a convenient tool to do so - but there is not fondness for Hart from Visser, as you will see by the film's end.

The third layer is that of the racist motivation behind the original crime. Two of the confined officers are African-American, and they are portrayed in a very heroic light here - but the white enlisted men are very prejudiced to their presence (this is the 40s, remember). This gives ample opportunity to see racism as it truly is - these are fine outstanding officers, but their contributions are ignored by those who only see the color of their skin. Someone said below that the film portrayed the African-American soldiers as Spineless and hapless - I don't know what movie he saw, I think the film COMBATED this misconception!

Combining these three threads takes a skillful director, and Hoblit shows himself up to the task. The film never loses momentum, but switches nicely between the various threads. The writing is crisp, the cinematography is appropriately drab and dreary in its own beautiful way (love the light beams coming through the barrack windows) and the few actions scenes keep the excitement level high. All told, this is an excellent movie, and one I am proud to own - it's a shame more people will miss out on it because of the critics who didn't get it.

The Bad: That is not to say it is the perfect film. I did have a difficult time following alot of what was going on for the first hour, but near the end, when a plot twist was introduced, much of these scenes made more sense. Also, some of the dialogue was either poorly recorded, or poorly delivered. But, my main gripe was covered above about the misleading marketing of this film.

The Summation: Think of it as a combination of THE GREAT ESCAPE, A FEW GOOD MEN, and TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD - with the final sum being just a few notches below each of these titles, and you'll get an idea of what you're in for . . . give it a chance!

Average customer rating:

Grade B for a "B" Noir
Pretty good little movie for a rainy Sunday afternoon
Excellent Film Noir at giveaway price.
When a killer dreams of millions... and a girl to spend them on!

Trapped
Starring: Lloyd Bridges , Barbara Payton , John Hoyt , James Todd , and Russ Conway
Director: Richard Fleischer
Manufacturer: Alpha Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000641ZPO
Release Date: 2004-11-23

Customer Reviews:

Grade B for a "B" Noir .......2007-06-29

Directed by Richard Fleischer (Fantastic Voyage, Conan the Destroyer, and Red Sonja) Trapped (1950) is a grade B noir that at times contains impressive stylistic imagery and dialogue, but overall falls short of being a true "underground" B noir classic. For a succint, yet revealing synopsis of the film read the review by Dave. My comments are directed toward a few scenes that detract from the effective realism that exists in other exemplarary noir films. First a stunt double is clearly used for John Hoyt, who portrays the undercover Secret Service agent Hackett in the fight scene between him and Tris (Lloyd Bridges). Later in the film, Hackett, his face showing no effects from the vicious rumble, meets with Mr. Sylvester to arrange another meeting. Wouldn't Mr. Sylvester notice Hackett's facial renmants of his brutal fight? It is worth mentioning here that the three fight scenes in the film are realistically directed and acted. It was pleasing to view a 1950's film fight that did not end with a character being knocked out with one punch. (Why did George Raft, James Cagney, and Humphrey Bogart so often look like boxing champions on the screen?) Other shortcomings of the film were the car scenes. A moving background screen is clearly evident behind the stationary studio vehicle-too cheesy. Why is Tris, who is a prison inmate in his opening scene, not dressed in prison garb? The film's finale also shows amateurish camera work, when the pursuers seem to jump to "fast-motion" when startled by Mr. Sylvester's buzzer blunder. Trapped does not contain the moral struggle that challenges the protagionist in many classic noir films. Instead viewers are introduced to a cold-hearted crimminal, Tris , who Lloyd Bridges plays to the hilt. John Hoyt plays the undercover Secret Service agent who we find is the one that is really trapped. In conclusion, the opening scenes of the film with a narrative of the powers of the U.S.Treasury is well documentated.

Pretty good little movie for a rainy Sunday afternoon.......2007-04-26

Trapped is a pretty good movie I think. Lloyd Bridges plays his role well. An escaped, tough con on the run and trying to make one last big score so he and his girlfriend can go to Mexico. Barbera Payton is his girlfriend and man is she a hottie!

The movie starts off with a quick high school type lecture on how money is made and all the other responsibilities of the US Treasury. After that we learn of the evils and perils of counterfitting.

The feds discover a resurgance of counterfit money that had Lloyd locked away. They make a deal with him for early parole if he helps the feds catch the new counterfeiters and recovet the plates.

But Lloyd has other plans. What ensues is a cat and mouse game between the feds and the counterfeiters. When the undercover agent gets his cover blown, the fun really begins.

This is one of those great old flicks that would probably be a blockbuster if it was remade.

Excellent Film Noir at giveaway price........2006-11-03

Topnotch quality picture and sound in this DVD film noir,Trapped.Good performances by Lloyd Bridges,John Hoyt and Barbara Payton( She really can act)

When a killer dreams of millions... and a girl to spend them on! .......2005-07-11

This mediocre B film noir was released by Eagle Lion production company barely a year after their 1948 smash hit "T-Men". Like the very similar "Port of New York" (-also released by Eagle Lion), it was really a ripoff of "T-Men" and lacked the style, creativity, and excitement that made "T-Men" a classic. "Trapped" was directed by Richard Fleischer, who was well-suited for making low-budget noirs such as "Follow Me Quietly" (1949), "Armored Car Robbery" (1950), "The Narrow Margin" (1952), and "Violent Saturday" (1955).

A young Lloyd Bridges stars as Tris Stewart, a convicted counterfeiter who is offered a chance at early release from prison if he agrees to cooperate with Treasury agents who're trying to track down his former partners-in-crime. He reluctantly agrees to help them but as soon as he's alone with an agent he knocks him out and makes his escape. What he didn't count on was that the agents had already anticipated such an event and they follow him closely, knowing that he'll unwittingly lead them to his counterfeiting ring members. While enjoying his shortlived freedom, he finds his former girlfriend Laurie Fredericks, aka Meg Dixon (Barbara Payton, in her film debut) and they reignite their fiery relationship.

Laurie has no problems with Stewart's dangerous lifestyle, and when she learns of the agents following him closely she tries to warn him, but it proves to be too late. But recapturing Tris is only the beginning for the determined Agent John Downey (John Hoyt), who then sets out to capture his murderous counterfeiting gang. In this movie the T-Men, just like the Canadian Mounties, "always get their man", and the movie's ending is totally predictable and unexciting. It was supposedly based on the same true case that inspired Anthony Mann's classic "T-Men", but the sluggish pace and lack of excitement kept this movie from being a classic B noir.

The movie is worth watching once maybe, just to see luscious Barbara Payton in her impressive debut. Payton, who's real name was Barbara Lee Redfield, appeared in barely over a dozen movies and had her peak in Hollywood in 1950's "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" with James Cagney. Her career came spiraling downward following several scandalous affairs (many with married men) and a violent battle between Franchot Tone and Tom Neal, who nearly fought to the death over Barbara. She faded into obscurity and eventually became an alcoholic prostitute, dying at the age of 39 on May 8, 1967. As for Lloyd Bridges, he was good playing another bad guy but he just didn't get enough screen time to make this a memorable performance. As for the Alpha dvd, it has an acceptable picture and sound quality. Overall, recommended only for hardcore film noir buffs.

Average customer rating:

The best of the worst
prison of secret's

Inside Pol Pot's Secret Prison

Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000E371OQ
Release Date: 2002-04-07

Description

Led by a former schoolteacher named Pol Pot, the Khmer Rouge regime killed between 15 and 40 percent of the Cambodian population in a brutal attempt to transform the nation into a classless society. At the heart of this orchestrated campaign of terror was a death camp known by the code name S-21. Untold thousands of prisoners entered S-21. Only seven escaped alive.INSIDE POL POT'S SECRET PRISON is a harrowing look at one of the most purely evil institutions of the 20th century. Riveting interviews with former guards, executioners and two survivors paint a picture of the unspeakable horrors that were commonplace at S-21. The incredibly detailed prison archives open a window into the Khmer Rouge's program of genocide, raising the question of why no one has been prosecuted so far for the crimes against humanity committed in Cambodia.INSIDE POL POT'S SECRET PRISON also includes an interview with journalist Nate Thayer, who interviewed the ailing former dictator just months before his death.

Customer Reviews:

The best of the worst.......2007-08-27

There have been several documentaries regarding Pol Pot and the infamous prison S21 over the years, including a few from the History Channel. From all I've seen this is the best. It's not a straight documentary. Instead it features the now popular "Ken Burns" style of expert commentary throughout, helping the viewer to put the images into context. The inclusion of two of the survivors offering their own account puts a human face upon the issue of genocide. Be warned, this is certainly one of the most disturbing hours of television I've ever witnessed. However, I didn't get the impression the show tried to shock simply for the sake of it. The horrors of Pol Pot and S21 can't be presented in any other way, but this program tries hard to present it as logically and factually as possible, without sugar coating the extreme content. Highly recommended.

prison of secret's.......2006-08-14

this was a brilliant movie,i knew from the beginning that Lynn was a fighter when she mouthed off at the guy parking in the handicapped section, just goes to show you that when things get tough the tough get going.

Average customer rating:

Trapped
Starring: Harry Antrim , Lloyd Bridges , Stephen Chase , Ken Christy , and Bert Conway
Director: Richard Fleischer
Manufacturer: Miracle Picture
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002IOUXS
Release Date: 1970-09-09

Average customer rating:

Trapped

Trapped
Starring: Harry Antrim , Lloyd Bridges , Stephen Chase , Ken Christy , and Bert Conway
Director: Richard Fleischer
Manufacturer: 303 Recordings
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B0001DMUYA
Release Date: 2004-02-24

Customer Reviews:

Trapped.......2004-10-18

A young Lloyd Bridges shines in an otherwise plodding and routinely told story of an escaped convict on the hunt for forged treasury notes plates. For those who like their tough-guy movies to be filled with corrupt officials, be warned. TRAPPED starts out with a pseudo-documentary look at your Treasury Department and goes on to depict the T-Men as flawless through the rest of the movie.
Bridges' performance is probably worth the price of admission. He plays a soft-spoken, gum-chewing thug with not quite enough street smarts to realize how close the government men are on his trail. There's also a good, movie capping chase scene in a trolley yard.
The print quality is almost uniformly bad, and some scenes blur in and out of focus. Most annoying is something that happens at about the mid point of the movie: At the end of a grainy scene the large words "Video Calibration" appear in the middle of the screen and remain there for about 5 seconds. It makes you wonder if these companies even LOOK at these disks before selling them to the public.

DVD:

DVD

DVD