Rating: Summary: Girrrrrrrrrl Power! Review: Some people need to lighten up a tad. I am sure no one was expecting this to be some serious spy movie -- it's just an action flick with a female lead. And since when are action flicks noted for their realism anyway? The genre is by definition prone to violence and exaggeration. Why is it so horrible when the lead is a female? This movie is over the top what with all the stunts, explosions and crazy situations, but it is entertaining nontheless.Geena Davis is awesome here as CIA-trained assassin Charlie Baltimore who has amnesia and has settled down as a suburban mom Samantha Cain. Hitting a deer with her car sets in motion the sequence of events that lead to her regaining her memory and resuming her old life. Nearly overnight she morphs from a sweet little PTA Mom to a cussing blonde killing machine. She teams up with a hapless PI (Mitch Hennessy) played by Samuel L. Jackson and the two of them get into some really ridiculous situations. Jackson is the perfect sidekick with his hilarious lines and those bad clothes. This movie is worth the price for the dialogue alone. I love the part where she tells her tormentor that he is going to die screaming -- this is said while is locking her in some storehouse where she is left to freeze to death with her child. She even smiles when she says it and asks him "Am I lying,?" since this particular bad guy claims to know whenever someone is being untruthful. Sure enough, he dies screaming like a banshee after a few rounds of semiautomatic weapon fire and a fall from a helicopter. Charlie even urges him along with "Die screaming Mutha ...." I like the scenes with her daughter because the poor kid had to wonder what in the world was up with her mom. After the child falls down while ice skating, Charlie doesn't do the traditional soothing mom routine. Nope. She grabs the girl by the shoulders and snarls "Life is pain. Get used to it." Not exactly June Cleaver material. But see that came in handy later because when Charli is about to give up in the end, the little girl uses that same line on her and commands her to get up and get herself together. Maybe this is kind of cheesy movie, but I still liked it. For once we see a woman who is not the poor little damsel in distress. She is not waiting on a man to save her -- she's the one saving the man's hide. There is a scene where Hennessy, bloodied and bruised and being held at gunpoint, tells Charlie "I'll be waiting right here for you to save me. She says "I'll be just a minute." While this movie probably has absolutely no redeeming artistic or moral value, I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Rating: Summary: Oh my, the amazing things that professional chefs can do... Review: Okay, so sometimes I call this movie "The Long Kiss Goodbye" instead of "The Long Kiss Goodnight," but that does not detract from the fact this is one of my favorite action films from the post-"Die Hard" era (yes, more than "Speed"). The hook is fairly simple: Samantha Caine (Geena Davis) has had amnesia for eight years when suddenly Mitch Henessey (Samuel L. Jackson), the fourth-rate private investigator she hired to work on her case, actually stumbles over a clue. However, that becomes rather academic when some guy comes bursting through Samantha's front door trying to kill her and she dispatches him on pure reflexes. What we have in this film are the requistie elements for a great action film: interesting characters, memorable dialogue, and great set pieces for the action. Geena Davis comes on like a next generation Sigourney Weaver, going through a fairly intense gamut of emotions as her new life collides violently with her old one (I think this might have been the film were Davis learned her hand/eye coordination was good enough for her to take up archery on a level just below Olympic caliber). Then there is Samuel L. Jackson: is there another action in America today who curses as well as this guy? Every time he swears it comes across as character development rather than profanity (okay, really kewl profanity, the type our parents would never want to hear coming out of our mouths). Think of this as a buddy film where the buddies have neither gender nor race in common. The supporting cast features Craig Bierko as Timothy, a terrorist who prides himself on knowing when somebody is lying to him, Brian Cox as Dr. Nathan Waldman, the person who knows the truth about Sam, and David Morse as Luke, another important person from her past. The government as boogey man comes into play yet again in this film, but that old chestnut is not central to the fun and games. Despite Jackson's profanity laced tirades (although Davis holds her own at times), most of the really great lines in this film are not obscene. To make lines like "Chefs do that," "I took lessons," and "Am I lying?" great lines, you have to set them up in term of the characters. The bottom line is nicely expressed by Henessey's character early in this film. When it comes to judging the quality of "The Long Kiss Goodnight," never make an assumption, because when you do, you make an "ass" out of "u" and "mption." You will not fall asleep during this film.
Rating: Summary: Geena sizzles! Review: I had never heard of this film till it popped up on cable tv and I can't understand why. Geena outdoes Arnold as an action hero in this film! Geena is an ex-CIA assassin who is brainwashed and given an identity as a school teacher with a quiet family life in a rural town. She continues that life for 8 years with a husband and daughter. Clues start coming to her that she may have been someone else, especially when someone tries to kill her. It seems that her former employers have discovered that she never died and want to make sure that she does. She hires Samuel L. Jackson, who is a former police officer. Together they form a pair that is as entertaining as Mel Gibson & Danny Glover. When Geena finally regains her memory she undergoes a tranformation into the killing machine she once was with the song "She's Not There" playing in the background. What follows is Geena and Samuel have to go after the bad guys and hopefully stay alive. All through the rest of the film Geena has to decide who she really is. The killing unfeeling machine? The mother/schoolteacher with the quiet family life? Or a combination of both? Especially, since the bad guys grab Geena's daughter. Great action scenes that rank up with any of the Die Hard movies!
Rating: Summary: An Excellent Actioner. Review: A Woman in her Mid-Thirty by the name of Samantha Cain (Oscar-Winner:Geena Davis) doesn't know, who she really is, because of her Amnesia and not knowing, who the father of her child (Yvonne Zima). Samantha is now in her life as a School-Teacher, living with a caring boyfriend (Tom Amandes), who loves Samantha and her Child. Then Samantha is slowly finding out about her Past with Pieces of her Memories. But her mysterious former employers want her dead, she pursued by Hi-Tech Assassins from a Corrupted Goverment Renegades. Samantha is helped by a low-rent, wise-cracking Private Detective (Samuel L. Jackson), who help her uncover her past before they turn up dead. Directed by Renny Harlin (A Nightmare on Elm Street 4:The Dream Master, Cliffhanger, Cutthroat Island) made a Extremely Entertaining Action film that knows how to thrill the audiences. The Plot might seems Hokey and Fat-Fetched for some but Shane Black (Lethal Weapon), who wrote this film does actually works. This has some of the most spectacular action scenes, ever filmed. Davis looks great in this. The film ended up being a Box Office Disappointment in Theatres. This has an terrific score by Alan Silverstri (Predator) and Dazzling Visual Effects. This is a Action-Charged Flick. Don't miss it. Larry King plays himself in a Cameo near the Closing Credits. Super 35. Grade:A-.
Rating: Summary: Ditto Review: This movie is a fine action movie. If you've ever seen the Bourne Identity (which was done well after this came out), it's pretty much the same plot. Ex-spy messes up a hit and gets amnesia, then recovers his/ her memories but along the way discovers what kind of a person he/ she has become. The Bourne Identity has better effects, a better script and more believable characters. It's just done better. What the Bourne Identity lacks big time is what makes The Long Kiss Goodnight seem about as good. Two things actually. Samuel L. Jackson: a pure classic. This guy makes any movie good just by throwing in his wit. The other element is Geena Davis. Normally I'm not a big Geena fan, but she's just so beautiful in this movie (especially when she gets into her spy getup) that you simply don't care that the plot is a little cliche at times or the action sequences are corny at other times. The lead character is so easy on the eye that the movie IS better for it. Don't pay attention to that editorial blurb selected by Amazon, the movie isn't bad at all. The Long Kiss Goodnight is good to watch two or three times, but doesn't really get better every time you watch it. Recommended (for guys especially).
Rating: Summary: will keep you sitting on the edge of your seat! Review: This movie is stupendous from the beginning to the end! Geena Davis plays the part of a woman who has had amnesia for eight years and bore a daughter and doesn't know who the father is. She is the average good mother with no idea that her past was filled with just the opposite of that tranquil representation. She has hired Samuel Jackson, a second-rate gumshoe, to try and trace her background. By chance he stumbles upon a clue, but before he can get to her, she is attacked in her home by a madman out to kill her. She discovers she has amazing skills in defense. She and Samuel team up to chase down the clues he has found and end up in a dangerous game of espionage, murder and more! The movie was thrilling, with just enough touches of humor and wit to give it a humanistic touch. The movie is smooth, connected and thrilling from the beginning to end. Enjoy!
Rating: Summary: A cool little Friday night thriller. Review: The Long Kiss Goodnight is an action=packed thrill ride that manages to do what very few movies can: it keeps its viewers in suspense for the duration of the script. Special effects are spectacular, the acting leaves nothing to be desired, are there is terrific chemistry between all of the actors involved. Geena Davis plays Samantha Caine, a school teacher who has been under a severe attack of amnesia for eight years. Suddenly, people from her past begin popping back into her life, and she begins to remember little details to the point where she thirsts for the entire truth. With the help of Samuel L. Jackson, she goes on a mission to find out about her past, and why so many people want her dead. While the beginning will have you wondering whether or not you made a mistake in renting this, the ending and all thrills in between are well worth the wait. Geena Davis's performance is totally enthralling, as she switches from goody-goody school teacher to hit-girl with a bad attitude. Samuel L. Jackson is, as always, hilarious, exhibiting humor with his bad-boy outlook. Whether or not you're an action fan, this is one action hit that is well worth watching and buying if it suits your taste.
Rating: Summary: CHARMED Review: I THOUGHT GEENA DAVIS WAS KICK ASS IN THIS MOVIE AND SAMUEL JACKSON WAS TERRIFIC, IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE MOVIES, ACTION PACKED ALL THE WAY
Rating: Summary: Spectacular! Review: This movie is so action packed it's eye-popping, literally. Geena Davia and Samuel L. Jackson play a very unlikely pair trying to outwit the nasty villains who are, for some reason, out to kill Samantha Cain. Just eight years prior Samantha was a loving mother of an eight year old girl, and happily living her life knowing she had amnesia. She decided she would never find out who she really is, although she has hired private detectives to find out. None have come up with anything significant. Enter Samuel L. Jackson, small time private detective with a lot of time on his hands and the action begins. The movie plot keeps you riveted to your seat the entire time. The bit of humor is great too, there is never a dull moment in this movie.
Rating: Summary: A feminist manifesto in ice.... Review: Aside from Smilla in Smilla's Sense of Snow, Samantha is the greatest dark heroine on film. Both tales involve the "thawing" of female characters deeply buried under the ice of regret, rage and mutable identity. Both surround their ice goddesses with snowy scenes of violence and death. Both end with the merging of two personalities; an integration that is as welcome as it is feared. Brilliant, just brilliant.
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