Sharky's Machine

Rating:
Summary: Reynolds' Best Film
Review: One of the best cop films of the 70's and 80's and probably Burt Reynolds' best film he ever made. Great set of actors (Charles Durning, Bernie Casey, and Brian Keith) who all play very well off of each other. Some of Burt's best acting and directing. I am very surprised to see this film usually get mediocre reviews. This is gritty, intellegent, and has an engaging story. Reynolds does a nice job with flow and I disagree that it is slow moving. I would like to see a special edition DVD of this with Reynolds' commentary and additional features.

Rating:
Summary: Burt Reynolds classic
Review: Sharkey's Machine... A classic. At least if you like Burt Reynolds or the Atlanta of years past. I saw this film for the first time at the theater and have liked it ever since. It paints a picture of the Atlanta I knew as a teenager and miss. The movie is full of witty humor and good old fashioned action. Several co-stars including, Brian Keith, Bernie Casey, Charles Durning, Rachel Ward, Henry Silva and Vitorio Gassman help to make this a believable film, when so many unbelievable films are being made. Reynolds plays the tough "Sergeant Sharkey" opposite a very convincing Italian Drug Dealer(Gassman) as they clash in this good cop verses the bad guys flick. The movie soundtrack is a refreshing Jazz make up and suits the style of the film well. All in all, a winner.

Rating:
Summary: Burt Reynolds classic
Review: Sharkey's Machine... A classic. At least if you like Burt Reynolds or the Atlanta of years past. I saw this film for the first time at the theater and have liked it ever since. It paints a picture of the Atlanta I knew as a teenager and miss. The movie is full of witty humor and good old fashioned action. Several co-stars including, Brian Keith, Bernie Casey, Charles Durning, Rachel Ward, Henry Silva and Vitorio Gassman help to make this a believable film, when so many unbelievable films are being made. Reynolds plays the tough "Sergeant Sharkey" opposite a very convincing Italian Drug Dealer(Gassman) as they clash in this good cop verses the bad guys flick. The movie soundtrack is a refreshing Jazz make up and suits the style of the film well. All in all, a winner.

Rating:
Summary: A good break for Burt
Review: Sharky's Machine is a classic thriller, which says a lot considering who the star of the movie turned out to be. I always associate Burt Reynolds with movies like Smokey and the Bear and Cannonball Run - fun, but stupid. This one actually made him think a little bit. The cop-prostitute love affair is just one slice of this complicated tale, and there are some great secondary characters, like the seedy old cop played by the late great ``Uncle Bill'' from Family Affair (I forgot his name, sorry)and the head detective who flies into a rage whenever Sharky gets too close to solving the crime. The whole corrupt politician story line is also a great addition to the drug-crazed murder plot. When Rachel Ward comes off the elevator and gives Sharky that smoky smile she's so well-known for, as he pretends to be a repairman, and the light shines straight through her skirt, you know Sharky is a goner. Also, the investigation of the murder, after Dominoe's friend is mistakenly blown to bits by the pcp sniffing brother, is a cool addition to the story line. It makes you think and keeps you completely in suspense. And the soundtrack is great. Overall, a great flick. It's the kind of movie to watch while nursing a cold one in the bar, or an afghan and a cat on the couch, on a rainy day.

Rating:
Summary: A brutal and violent ride!!
Review: Sharky's Machine is a strong and original film. The best of Burt Reynolds' career, this movie is an outstandig top notch thriller.Extremely violent and distressing, based on Willian Diehl's romance, the film (directed and played by Burt Reynolds. As actor, Reynolds gives an impressive performance, as director he commands the show with the mastery of an experienced filmmaker, increasing agile rhythm and an oppressive suspense atmosphere) narrates the story of Sharky, a hard and violent cop who hits the deadly Atlanta's streets on the trail of Vitor (Vittorio Gassman, excellent as a cruel and merciless crime boss), a foreign criminal who plans to spread the tentacles of his drugs and prostitution organization in United States.Determined to kill Vitor and destroy him, Sharky forms a group of old, veteran cops into a deadly force.There is not a movie so good as this picture - Sharky's Machine is better than The French Connection or Bullit. The photography exalts the whole romantic, violent and touching story's climate, the sound track counts with beautiful musics (the ending song, Before You, is literally thrilling) and Burt Reynolds' talent and competence turns Sharky's Machine into the best!the action scenes stand out for the quality (the explosive beginning of the film places Reynolds running after a bus full of hostages, and blowing away a junkie drug dealer in the middle of a crowd) and the suspense reminds some of Hitchhcock's classics (the emotion and hate that explode in the final persecution make films like Speed seem a walk in the park)! Sharky's Machine is a ride - if you go through it, you will have the ride of a life!!buy this movie!!

Rating:
Summary: Great Mystery, One of Burt Reynolds Best!
Review: The opening of this movie with it's musical score Street Life by (Randy Crawford) sets up an exciting movie with a botched sting operation conducted by Reynolds. A chase occurs and Burt ends up being demoted to the Atlanta vice squad. He is shown to his less appealing office and seemingly less compitent department. He becomes interested in a high level of prostitution headed by (Victorio Gassiman) in which one of his 1,000 dollar a night hookers (Rachel Ward) is affecting a candidate for govenor. This future govenor is involved with the stunning hooker and she asks to quit working for (Victorio). Two problems the candidate is in the mob bosses pocket and the hooker cannot just walk away. Sharky investagates the murder or so called murder of (Ward) after watching (Rachel Ward) almost as a peeping tom. The Machine would be Burts partners at vice. This story combinds an old idea from the 1944 movie Laura and a Dirty Harry to make this mystery a winner. Reynolds doesn't refer to this movie in interviews much but I find this one of his best. Rachel Ward is absolutley gorgeous and Burts dry humor along with sensitivity make this work. Violent scenes and Gun Battles but all appropriate. Where have these movies gone?

Rating:
Summary: This Machine Never Stops Performing.
Review: There are some movies that take a while to get your interest, some that get shut off because they're hopeless, and then there's "Sharkey's Machine". A non-stop a action/crimedrama outing, that will engross you from beginning to end. ........... "Sharkey", played by Reynolds, is a vice cop who finds himself embroiled with more than just the "streetlife" when he takes on an assignment involving window and wiretap spying, on a high priced call girl ring. During his watches, he develops a fascination with beautiful "Dominoe", played by the rarely seen Rachel Ward of; "Thorn Birds", "Against All Odds", and "How To Get Ahead In Advertising" fame. His binoculars steam up while his longing to meet her mounts day by day. Losing sleep due to his constant vigil at the window across from her apartment, he calls in 5 rogue wash-up vice cop buddies to help man the stakeout. Among them, his best friend played by Richard Libertini, who gives a whole new meaning to "beard", Earl Holliman whose foray into Zen will save his life, and Brian Keith who's enters into a whole new Family Affair. ............... The family is namely a crime boss named Victor, played by Vittorio Gassman, and his coke addled lunatic brother played by a deranged and uncomfortably numb Henry Silva, who has just the face for this role. Silva also takes on a bionic quality as his massive cocaine consumption gives him the ability to take numerous gunshots at close range, and keep going. Although Victor is disgusted by his brother, he still uses him to his avantage. Victor soon finds out that Sharkey's involved with Dominoe, and romancing the mysteriously beautiful call girl. He is stepping on Victors' toes, and his interconnected drug operation. Naturally more trouble begins. He also inadvertently discovers that the local congressman running for senate has a piece of Dominoe, and Victors' syndicate as well. You can imagine where the plot goes, but watching for yourself is far better. ............... Reynolds did some of his finest work as not only leading man, but debut director, in this 1981 adaption of William Diehl's novel of the same name. The mood is noir, the dialogue sharp, and the acting sincere and realistic. The film is wrought with violence and brutality, but it is integral to the story. The other side to the coin here, is the romance between Reynolds and Ward. Reynolds "Sharkey" is very sexy, and tender all at once with Wards' "Dominoe". Their love scenes, tastefully done. He is her knight in shining armor as he fights to get her out of "the life" and permanently into his. Oddly, because of the great on-screen chemistry, depite the violence, there is also a fabulous romantic and sensual mood herein as well. Unlike "Internal Affairs" (see my review) and "Basic Instinct", police crime dramas with sexual undertones, "Sharkey's Machine" is more in line with 1987 Jim McBride classic crime drama "The Big Easy", (see my review) because it has romance as opposed to sex............... "Sharkey's Machine" is one action packed crime thriller that will keep your heart pounding, eyes wide and attention rapt. It will also put you in the mood for romance. A winning and unique combination of sympathetic characters, storyline, excellent direction and great performances from an attractive cast make this a must see crime classic.

Rating:
Summary: This Machine Never Stops Performing.
Review: There are some movies that take a while to get your interest, some that get shut off because they're hopeless, and then there's "Sharkey's Machine". A non-stop a action/crimedrama outing, that will engross you from beginning to end. ........... "Sharkey", played by Reynolds, is a vice cop who finds himself embroiled with more than just the "streetlife" when he takes on an assignment involving window and wiretap spying, on a high priced call girl ring. During his watches, he develops a fascination with beautiful "Dominoe", played by the rarely seen Rachel Ward of; "Thorn Birds", "Against All Odds", and "How To Get Ahead In Advertising" fame. His binoculars steam up while his longing to meet her mounts day by day. Losing sleep due to his constant vigil at the window across from her apartment, he calls in 5 rogue wash-up vice cop buddies to help man the stakeout. Among them, his best friend played by Richard Libertini, who gives a whole new meaning to "beard", Earl Holliman whose foray into Zen will save his life, and Brian Keith who's enters into a whole new Family Affair. ............... The family is namely a crime boss named Victor, played by Vittorio Gassman, and his coke addled lunatic brother played by a deranged and uncomfortably numb Henry Silva, who has just the face for this role. Silva also takes on a bionic quality as his massive cocaine consumption gives him the ability to take numerous gunshots at close range, and keep going. Although Victor is disgusted by his brother, he still uses him to his avantage. Victor soon finds out that Sharkey's involved with Dominoe, and romancing the mysteriously beautiful call girl. He is stepping on Victors' toes, and his interconnected drug operation. Naturally more trouble begins. He also inadvertently discovers that the local congressman running for senate has a piece of Dominoe, and Victors' syndicate as well. You can imagine where the plot goes, but watching for yourself is far better. ............... Reynolds did some of his finest work as not only leading man, but debut director, in this 1981 adaption of William Diehl's novel of the same name. The mood is noir, the dialogue sharp, and the acting sincere and realistic. The film is wrought with violence and brutality, but it is integral to the story. The other side to the coin here, is the romance between Reynolds and Ward. Reynolds "Sharkey" is very sexy, and tender all at once with Wards' "Dominoe". Their love scenes, tastefully done. He is her knight in shining armor as he fights to get her out of "the life" and permanently into his. Oddly, because of the great on-screen chemistry, depite the violence, there is also a fabulous romantic and sensual mood herein as well. Unlike "Internal Affairs" (see my review) and "Basic Instinct", police crime dramas with sexual undertones, "Sharkey's Machine" is more in line with 1987 Jim McBride classic crime drama "The Big Easy", (see my review) because it has romance as opposed to sex............... "Sharkey's Machine" is one action packed crime thriller that will keep your heart pounding, eyes wide and attention rapt. It will also put you in the mood for romance. A winning and unique combination of sympathetic characters, storyline, excellent direction and great performances from an attractive cast make this a must see crime classic.

Rating:
Summary: Why no widescreen?
Review: This is probalby Burt Reynold's best performance. It's a shame they don't release this movie in 1.85:1 format so it would look nice on a widescreen HDTV.

Rating:
Summary: Why no widescreen?
Review: This is probalby Burt Reynold's best performance. It's a shame they don't release this movie in 1.85:1 format so it would look nice on a widescreen HDTV.