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The Hunting Party starring Richard Gere, Terrence Howard and Jesse Eisenberg

Posted on September 8, 2010 Written by ripitup

The Hunting Party starring Richard Gere, Terrence Howard and Jesse Eisenberg. Written and directed by Richard Shepard, 2007. Image via richardshepard.com

Simon Hunt (Richard Gere) is a very successful news reporter and makes the perfect team with his cameraman Duck (Terrence Howard). They are good friends and Duck is pretty OK with how fun and a little crazy Hunt is. They get into trouble but they are also the best.

However one instance changes this forever. Simon reaches his breaking point and has an outraged outburst, live. He gets fired and his career goes downhill. But Duck gets to be “safe” and becomes the cameraman for the anchorman. While this is trading up in many ways, Duck can’t help but miss his days with Hunt. In 2000, years after the Bosnian War ended, Duck is there with the anchor and a rookie named Benjamin (Jesse Eisenberg), freshly graduated from Harvard and who happens to be a son of the network’s vice president.

However the peaceful and harmless mission is disrupted when Hunt makes an appearance and offers a “job” for Duck. And it is not harmless at all: Simon thinks he can find the biggest criminal of that war: the man responsible for countless killings and rapes- the man whose capturers will earn 5,000,000. Of course while this man is a criminal for Bosnia and the most of the world, he is a national hero for most Serbians and they are willing to protect this man no matter what.

As crazy as this is, Duck and Benjamin join Hunt, hoping that they will just make an interview with the man. However it becomes clear that Hunt is not only after financial relief but personal vengeance as well. Can they really get to this guy without getting killed? And how the hell are three reporters supposed to survive without any weapons at all?

The Hunting Party is partially based on a true story and it is a very intriguing adventure/drama/thriller about war, journalism and friendship. It has some comedic relief, and even though it is an easy film to watch, the events told are anything but.

This is a fun and thought-provoking movie, although it can drag a bit at times. Even though it is not as impressive Lord of War (sure, different topic but the subject matters are equally heavy), it is a solid film with fine performances. And just like Lord of War’s notes (telling us what eventually happens or will keep happening) at the end credits, The Hunting Party also ends on a note that makes you say “Holy Shit!”

The three leads are just fine and I don’t think there was any reason to cast Diane Kruger as she appears for as a couple of minutes. Written and directed by Richard Shepard. Based on an article by Scott Anderson.

Currently 7.0 on IMDB.

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Brooklyn’s Finest starring Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke and Don Cheadle

Posted on August 19, 2010 Written by ripitup

Brooklyn's Finest starring Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke, Don Cheadle and Wesley Snipes — Brooklyn’s Finest starring Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke, Don Cheadle and Wesley Snipes. 2009. Image via: filmizlefull.net

Brooklyn’s Finest tells the story of 3 Brooklyn cops that are going through a problematic time in their lives:

Sal (Ethan Hawke) has already more kids than his cop salary can support but his wife (Lili Taylor) is pregnant with twins. Moreover they live in a small house, whose wood mould is endangering both her and her pregnancy. He feels stuck. He has to move his family to a big house and to be able to afford it, he has to steal. So he chooses to steal from ruthless criminals. But how can he manage to get away with stealing dirty money in the middle of dangerous operations?

Tango (Don Cheadle) has gone undercover among drug dealers. It has been a long time on the job and he feels like he needs to get out. His loyalties are getting blurry and his wife is divorcing him. He is expected to give Caz (Wesley Snipes), a dealer who is trying to get out but he has developed a strong bond and friendship with him.

Eddie (Richard Gere) is 7 days away from his retirement. He is lonely, he drinks a lot, is depressed and even suicidal. His only friend seems to be a hooker and he really hates the assignment given to him on his last week: he needs to train rookies. What can be more dangerous than keeping young, red-blooded rookies just trying to start being cops?

The movie concentrates on both the internal and external conflicts of these characters. And even though most of their misery could have been prevented (especially Sal’s – he should have known better than having so many kids on a cop’s salary and a sick wife), you can’t help but feel for their humanity, identity crisis and the choices they need to make. It is a plot that becomes stronger with the acting. The story is a lot more intriguing and depressing than it looks on paper.

These three cops’ destinies eventually will intersect to give the audience a pretty good finale.

This is a solid crime/drama. It is powerful but you might get distracted by how much swearing is going on, especially in Tango and Caz’s scenes. It might be authentic but it is open for discussion whether or not it distracts you.

Written by Michael C. Martin and directed by Antoine Fuqua – the director of Training Day- the movie that brought Denzel Washington Best Actor Oscar and Ethan Hawke a nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Rated at 7.0 on Imdb. 7 from me as well. It is worth your time, just don’t watch it if you are in the mood for something uplifting or if you want to be a cop. Note that the film comes with a great supporting cast too: Ellen Barkin, Vincent D’Onofrio (cameo) and Will Patton. It may not be a great film but it is a pretty good film.

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No Mercy starring Richard Gere and Kim Basinger

Posted on August 15, 2009 Written by ripitup

It is over the top- with the music, the way the character are portrayed, the passion and the predictability… But it doesn’t mean it is not fun. It is a typical 80s film. Richard Gere looks good, Kim Basinger is hot. No surprises there.

It includes a classic scene where Eddie (Richard Gere) and Michel (Kim Basinger) (girlfriend/mistress/hooker of the bad guy- whatever you want to call her) have to run fun from the bad guys through bayous. Oh, yeah- they are handcuffed together. Of course there is the initial hatred since the guy Michel is involved with has Eddie’s partner killed. But beyond the insults and the seeming loathing, there is immense attraction growing.

We have car chases, explosions, gun shoots. We have two leads falling so hard for each other and falling so strongly, all they want is protect the other from the imminent danger ahead. I know: cliché after cliché. But then again, this is not a movie about the meaning of life. This is a fun action flick- a no-brainer with two hot leads. Sit back, and enjoy.

Sommersby starring Richard Gere, Jodie Foster and Bill Pullman

Posted on August 14, 2009 Written by ripitup

Sommersby starring Richard Gere, Jodie Foster and Bill Pullman.

After Civil War. When Jack Sommersby (Richard Gere) returns home after 6 years, town folks are happy to have him back safe and sound. So they try not to mind some mildly odd behavior- it looks like he is a kinder man. He is more respectful to the black folk, for instance. But the most surprised person is his wife (Jodie Foster). The man who she remembers as a bastard, has come back as a kind,loving man. A good husband, a good father. War changes people,right? Or is this guy really Jack? The only man who is not happy with happy with Jack’s return is Orin (Bill Pullman). Had he not returned, he would have got to marry Jack’s wife…

The story is romantic, emotional and quite captivating. You also keep wondering if people can change this much. And if it isn’t Jack, how come his wife doesn’t realize it? Or does she?