Murder at the Presidio

Customer Reviews:

Where the Hell Was This Made? It Sure Wasn't San Francisco.......2006-06-25

Watching this movie was okay, although Lou Diamond Phillips sets new heights for cinematic narcisism. Yet I was suspicious from the start when I heard what seemed to be a recorded cable car bell. Sure enough, it appears that this was not shot on location. And I don't want to hear that it couldn't be done. San Francisco has a great Film Commission, and the Presidio Trust is looking for ways to market this new urban National Park. It's sort of like filming Miami Vice in Cedar Rapids - it just doesn't work.

A Soldier's Story it ain't...........2006-01-30

You'd never know it from the title, but this made-for-TV cheapie revolves around the investigation of a Murder at the Presidio. (No, it's not Bruce Brugmann strangling S.F.'s own Nancy Pelosi... he's saving his homicide efforts for the PG&E cabal.) Due to the military backdrop, you think you're in for a story of a rogue detective who won't back down in the face of massive political corruption and deadly intimidation from the status quo. As it turns out, you're really getting a color-by-numbers murder investigation with just a whiff of the 'Few Good Men' vibe thrown in. On the plus side, you don't have to hear Tom Cruise screeching about wanting "the truth" and having Jack Nicholson counter "You want the truth, start by coming out of the closet, bitch!!"

I'm sorry... Anyway, Lou Diamond Phillips, thinking he might be onto another "Courage Under Fire," does the best he can with what little he's given. He easily outshines his supporting cast -- not saying much, given that Eugene Clark delivers an early candidate for worst performance of the century. (He's yelling... I think he's mad... or maybe angry.) Jason Priestley, tired of strangers peppering him with "Where's Brenda?" taunts, cleverly disguises his identity with the help of a spare chin. There are some women in the cast, none of whom warrant a mention. Oh, and extra fireworks are supplied by Fullerton's own JASON STEWART, thrilling clones nationwide with his nuanced portrayal of 'Mafia Suit.' Sure, he doesn't appear especially 'Mafia,' and he's not technically wearing a 'suit.' But when he's dramatically blasted through the upstairs railings of a hangar-cum-barn and left for dead on the ground, there isn't a dry eye in the Blockbuster.

Did I mention that the killer's identity turns out to be totally implausible, notwithstanding the fact that 'Presidio' is based on a true story? Rent 'Band of Brothers' instead.

DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH.......2005-10-17

Lou Diamond Phillips heads a relatively unknown cast in MURDER AT THE PRESIDIO, based on a true story of the first murder that occurred on the hallowed military base. The victim is the young wife of a military policeman, obviously the result of a botched burglary attempt. Lou plays a criminal investigator who smells a rat and goes outside his perimeters to catch the killer. While the identity of the murderer is fairly obvious from the beginning, the viewer is drawn into the mechanics of how and why, with some solid acting from Phillips and his supporting cast, particularly Martin Cummins as the victim's husband; Daniel Roebuck as his commanding officer; and Victoria Pratt as Lou's love interest. Though the movie doesn't have a lot of fireworks in its unfolding, it's a solid entry and worth a look.

Holy Mole-y this is a great flick.......2005-09-01

Like the above comments, I must say that J Stew's performance in this movie is stellar. At one point he is lying there dead, and you just can't beat acting like that. Not to mention, he is totally hot.

Cinematic Genius..........2005-08-10

Not the movie, but J. Stew's performance. "You always say that" You just don't get delivery on dialogue like that in made for TV movies.

All moles aside, war J. Stew getting more epic roles like this.

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