Rating: 
Summary: Not as good as I expected.....
Review: I was told by my friends this movie is even better than Chinatown, but I was disappointed. Not that the movie is bad, but it's just beyond compare to Chinatown. LA Confidential is just like one episode from 'the untoucheables', while Chinatown carries much deeper meanings to Power, Corruption & Evil, not your usual gangster/cops movie. If you have not seen Chinatown, rent or buy one. You won't regret it.
Rating: 
Summary: Good books can become good films
Review: Countless times I have read a superb book, gone to see the film and been bitterly dissapointed. This was not one of those films. The book of L.A Confidential is a dark and disturbing thriller with more twists than a paedophile's intestine. Instead of trying to cover all the ground of the book, Curtis Hanson opts to re-write large portions of the plot, eliminating certain characters and adding dimensions to the plot. This sounds risky, but the results are superb. The casting is exemplary, and is reflected by the performances, particulalry those by Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe and James Cromwell as the sinister Dudley Smith. Highly reccomended, but read the book as well.
Rating: 
Summary: Spectacular mystery
Review: Unfortuneately because of certain movie formulas it was easy for me to guess who the bad guy was, but otherwise this was a spectacular movie. It has a compelling storyline with interesting characters and great acting. I just don't understand how Kim Basinger won best supporting actress - she's great, but often gets overshadowed by the other actors. It's a very tense movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Great for anyone who loves mysteries.
Rating:
Summary: Next, the maid from "The Jeffersons" will get hot
Review: Just saw L.A. CONFIDENTIAL for the first time and rushed online to Amazon so I could see what other viewers thought. Looking through ninety-something reviews, I expected to see everything I would have to say about the flick. That was pretty much the case, except for six remarks: 1. L.A. CONFIDENTIAL has a few too many weak plot devices. For example, Office White roughs up a powerful attorney - inside the attorney's office - and no one in the building calls for help? For such a well-written film, such sloppiness surprised me. 2. Kim Basinger's character looks at least ten years too old for the role of a high-price prostitute. (Will someone survey Hollywood actresses and find just one who has never been offered the part of a hooker?) 3. The scene where a prostitute seduces a play-it-straight cop happens awful fast. Don't people dance first, or something? 4. Not to give away too much, but the two main characters walk into an ambush a little too easily. 5. For a corrupt, murdering S.O.B., one of the film's dirtiest cop proves to be a terrible shot. 6. Actor James Cromwell, with BABE and now L.A. CONFIDENTIAL, is on a career high. Fans of T.V.'s "All In The Family" will remember him from several episodes in which he played Archie Bunker's friend Stretch Cunningham.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Great WORLD Films
Review: They say that European and Asian films are character-driven, while American films are plot-driven. L.A. Confidential has both great character studies and a wonderful plot. Add to this, production values that are American films' forte and you have a world-class masterpiece. One more point: To those who share my chagrin over L.A. Confidential's loss to the garbage entitled Titanic, take comfort. In 1952, another mediocre spectacle film, Greatest Show on Earth, directed by a director with powerful backing, DeMille, beat out a superior film called High Noon, directed by a director of lesser "stature". The parallels are striking. To me, its loss of the Oscar to Titanic reflects not on L. A. Confidential, but on the Academy. Actors are notoriously stupid. And since the Academy vote is dominated by actors, is it any the Oscar for Best Picture of 1997 was such a stupid award?
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding film in every way!
Review: This film has it all for me...superb plot, top-notch screenplay, lavish sets, and outstanding performances! Kim Basinger, one of my favorites, won a best supporting actress Oscar for her performance, completing her comeback in the movie industry. Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, and Guy Pearce are all superb in their roles as three deeply flawed but ultimately heroic Los Angeles policemen; James Cromwell gives a deliciously evil performance as a corrupt police captain, and Danny DeVito shines as a slimy tabloid newspaper editor. This is a film which far surpasses the book upon which it is based. If you like a taut, suspenseful "film noir," this movie shouldn't be missed.
Rating:
Summary: Great film, but takes a couple of watches to understand
Review: I love this movie, but I must warn everyone that it is nearly impossible to comprehend everything in the first watch. There are so many characters with different agendas, that it can be difficult to keep up. Still, though, this film noir modern classic has enough interesting characters and plot turns to keep even the most critical person interested. It is a long film, but not boring. In fact, it sweeps along so well that one forgets the time. The players I really enjoyed were Russell Crowe as Bud White, the tough cop with a vulnerable interior, and Kevin Spacey as "Hollywood" Jack Vincennes, the cop who has slowly lost himself in corruption. The visual style of the film, mixed in with the great music and incredible cast make up for one of the most amazing movies ever to exist. The only problem I had was Kim Basinger. Although she did a very good job as Lynn Bracken, I just can't see how she won the Oscar for best supporting actress. I didn't think she was THAT good.
Rating:
Summary: Best Movie of 1997, Robbed by Titanic!
Review: This film was not unanimously the best film of 1997, but in my opinion it was. The Hollywood movie of distinct quality. Somewhat of a rarity in todays movie business. The parts played by Pearce, Crowe, Spacey, and Cromwell, are played brilliantly, and assist in bringing us back to 1950's Los Angeles. The plot itself is brilliant and entirely engrossing. The atmosphere created, with the soundtrack, the wardrobe, the settings, create an absolutely perfect piece of filmaking. I am not giving anything in terms of plot away in order for you to thoroughly enjoy your first viewing of it unhindered.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: Though I really loved "Titanic" I have to admit that "L.A. Confidential" is a superior film in every respect. What a great movie this is. I place it alongside "Chinatown," "Double Indemnity" and "The Big Sleep" as one of the greatest film noir of all-time. This movie features Oscar caliber performance from every cast member and Kim Basinger was, indeed, terrific in her award winning effort as the Veronica Lake-ish prostitute who finds herself embroiled in the wrongdoings. Kevin Spacey (a personal favorite of mine) and Russell Crowe were stupendous, with Guy Pearce and James Cromwell equally fantastic. Danny DeVito's portrayal of the sleazy magazine editor/writer was, also, simply terrific. Not a weak link to be found anywhere in this gem of a movie. The script is taught and intelligent, the attention to detail faultless, the acting and direction first rate and the atmosphere almost tangible. I cannot recommend this movie enough. Fantastic.
Rating:
Summary: L.A. Confidential
Review: This movie is one of my top 10 favorites. It has so much to offer; Police action, suspense, interesting characters, sex, greed, loyality, betrayal, all set in a 40s era LA. A must for people who like realistic COP movies. P.S. Don't rewind the tape until you watch the actor interviews, you'll never guess which actors are Auzzi's with strong accents.
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