Home :: DVD :: Mystery & Suspense :: Crime  

Blackmail, Murder & Mayhem
British Mystery Theater
Classics
Crime

Detectives
Film Noir
General
Mystery
Mystery & Suspense Masters
Neo-Noir
Series & Sequels
Suspense
Thrillers
Training Day

Training Day

List Price: $14.96
Your Price: $11.22
Product Info Reviews

<< 1 .. 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 .. 45 >>

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Great Film That Leaves You Feeling Dirty
Review: I came away from watching this film feeling like I've been slapped in the face until numb; it keeps coming at you with such savage disregard for your petty little sensibilities, all the while tearing Ethan Hawke a new one.
Unlike '24' which, while a novel idea, is harder to swallow in regards to continuity, 'Training Day' unfolds nicely, going from how-ya-don' to JAYSUS! in the course of 2 hours.
Denzels performance was surprising. He manages to hold on to a little nobility even when he's at his sleaziest (note the way he scruffs his boys head during a 'break'). But make no mistake; his character is the worst kind of S.O.B., wrapping his criminal behavior up in flimsy justifications. It reminds me of New York in the 70's. When I was a kid, the cops had no problem just busting into our building "looking for someone", lining up the usual suspects against a radiator and bashing thier knees in until they fell to the ground and then rifling through thier pockets for money. Denzel reminded me of them, the way they hid thier actions behind a badge.
Lastly, you never know which way Ethan's going to go at the end, and that's life isn't it?
All in all, a very good film that brings back a lot of bad memories.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Training Day - Definitely Worth Watching
Review: I love a good gangster movie. It was great to see Denzel show a dark side.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Tired cliches and stereotypes.
Review: Oscar winning performance, indeed. This movie is an amalgum of every cop movie made in the last 20 years. There are no surprises, and the plot is transparent. Anyone could've played the Washington character, including some of the bums I pass every morning on my way to work. What a stupendous waste of my money and time. Save yourself!

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Denzel is great, the story is terrible.
Review: This COULD have been an interesting exploration of ethics, race, and the war on drugs. Instead you get a very miscast Ethan Hawke (who still does a good job) as an unbelievably naive cop, and excellent performance from Denzel that is nevertheless one-note evil. You could walk away from this movie thinking that Black and Hispanic people are violent and evil and that white people are either highly moral, or if they are corrupt, at least not murderers. I don't like that message. This movie also has one of the WORST ways to save a hero I have ever seen: the old coincidence at the last minute. Trust me, this alone ruins the film. The stupid shootout at the end only confirms that the writer had no idea how to truly deal with the important issues the film raises.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Denzel and Ethan Give Outstanding Performances
Review: When I saw the trailer for Training Day, I didn't think it looked like anything special so I decided to wait for it to come out on dvd. So I rented it the other day as a last choice at the video store and I was very surprised at how much I liked it.

First off, the storyline is pretty good but not plot of the year. It's fairly universal and interchangable. The shining stars of this film, however, is the acting. Denzel Washington is simply outstanding in this role and Ethan Hawke is terrific as well. The movie as a whole is pretty damn entertaining. I wouldn't say it's the best film I've ever seen, but definetly worth the time.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Well Hey!
Review: Brilliant film..Be warned though not for the faint hearted its very violent!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The best cop film in a long time
Review: "Training Day" is a film that takes any preconceived notions that you had about the buddy cop film and rips them to shreds. Not that this film was ever trying to be or ever seen as a "buddy cop" film but something about the movie still seems to go against every other cop film we have seen. It contains the themes and ideas of such gritty, realistic cop films as "Serpico" and "The French Connection" but manages to kick it up another notch.

The film follows the first day on the job of a rookie cop in LA, played very well by Ethan Hawke. For his first day on the job he is going to be riding around with an old pro of the area called Alonso who is played by Denzel Washington in one of his best roles in a long time. Sounds pretty standard so far and with that description one might decide to settle in for a two hour film of the old pro teaching the hot headed rookie a thing or two while they solve a case. Don't count on it. Alonzo is about to take Hawke's character straight into to bowels of LA and show him that Alonzo is worse than most of the hardened criminals on the street. The entire film takes place on this first "training day" and the amount of stuff that happens to Hawke's character is amazing. I won't say all that happens but it is a hell of a first day.

The film works because it is great on many differant levels, the first of which is the screenplay. It is a great story with rich and vibrant characters that take some standard cliches, such as the dirty cop and the new guy, to the absolute extreme. Through their actions and conversations we slowly see the ins and outs of these characters and by the end of the film we can finally see what they are all about. Also the plot itself is great with everything from intense standoffs to exciting gun fights to revealing conversations. The second great thing about the movie is the acting. Ethan Hawke is great as the new guy. He adds a subtle side to his character and he is a pleasure to watch as he tries to comprehend the world that he has just been thrown into. Washington comes to the screen as a corrupt, fast talking hustler with a secret side to him and we can't help but believe every minute of it. This is his best role since "The Hurricane" and the Oscar was richly deserved.

The last great thing about this movie is the directing. The film feels gritty and the colouring is great. There is a certain amount of style added to the film that raises the film from good to great. There is an obvious sense of story and character here and it is this sense that ties the whole film together and makes it work.

Not an absolute masterpiece but still a very exciting and extremely interesting film that feels very fresh and original. Definatly a must see for anyone...

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: God at work
Review: Whats goin on this is Greg sologub. and after i saw this join at the movies i knew i had to get this S!$T before n e one in the uk on DVD. The movie could'nt of picked a better Playa(actor) for the leading role Denzel washington tore it down and it was good to see to mc's in the movie also you know what i'm talkin about, Dre & Snoop two of hip-hops greatest makin there mark on the movie of the year. It was along time cumin for Denzel to achive something from this movie, winning best actor was no suprise after watchin this movie. Much love to Ethan hawk as well he blew it up and was unlucky to loose best suporting actor. overall i must recomend this to n e one over the age of 15 because its alittle hard to understand. aiight peace

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Waste of time.
Review: Although the filming and acting is good,...The language is terrible and unnecessary, and almost made the film un-watchable for me. The movie doesnt have a point. For the first hour you wonder were it is going, and then the ending doesnt really resolve any of the subplots that I saw 'sort of' develop. Also you have seen this before a hundred times. Basically a waste of plastic. There are many other movies worth renting.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Denzel plays a really good BAD Guy
Review: I really can't say that much more than has already been written. I highly recommend this movie, especially on DVD. In my opinion the Alternate ending that is shown on the DVD is the better ending. Should have used it.


<< 1 .. 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 .. 45 >>

© 2004, ReviewFocus or its affiliates