Dark Blue

Rating:
Summary: Kurt Russell adds to his legacy
Review: This movie keeps you on edge from start to finish. Kurt Russell does an excellent job as Eldon Perry, a cop who is burdened by his evil side and it doesn't help when he works for an evil police captain, who is played brilliantly by Brendan Gleeson. Scott Speedman does a great job playing Bobby Keyo, an idealistic young cop who is dragged along with Eldon in their boss's schemes. The plot of this movie is about the investigation of The Jack Of Hearts case which is during the time of The L.A. Riots. Jack Of Hearts is a convinience store where there was robbery and murder and the two guys responsible for it are informants for the crooked boss of Perry and Keyo. The one man determined to bring down the crooked vices of The L.A.P.D. is Sargeant Arthur Holland who is played brilliantly by Ving Rhames. Russell and Rhames gave Oscar-worthy performances and everybody else did a great job with their roles. This movie is not Training Day but it keeps you guessing until the very end. A truly nail-biting movie!

Rating:
Summary: Bad Boys Too
Review: Ever seen a cop movie/TV show that DIDN'T deal with some sort of Police corruption? Didn't think so. And Dark Blue is nothing else. Dealing with fictional events leading up to the LA riots in 1992 the film exploits that major historical turning point for as much racism, xenophobia and sadism as possible.

Kurt Russell plays an evil, evil cop surrounded by cops even worse. He's partnered with Scott Speedman and fills his head with nonsense. There's the usual weak Police corruption story that attempts to be sophisticated against the riots backdrop but the clichés and meanspiritness bog it down to hell.

It comes as no surprise that this dreck comes from Ron Shelton, the man who gave racist propaganda before in the form of Bad Boys 2 (he wrote the appalling script for that, even worse, film). The man who is constantly trying to drive a huge wedge between black and white. I have no respect for this director or his films.

Ving Rhames is the only cast member who emerges with some dignity intact. Everyone else should be ashamed for appearing in this diabolical abortion.

The DVD is in good-looking 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen with Dolby 5.1 sound and some extras. But when the film is this bad, why subject yourself to more?

Rating:
Summary: Blue And The Gray
Review: Hollywood writer/director Ron Shelton has had a really lopsided career. I liked his contributions to Bull Durham, White Man Can't Jump, and Bad Boys II. But for every good turn, there have been some really bad films too. Who can forget the flop called Hollywood Homicide and Tin Cup. Now, I know not every film that he does, can not be a hit...but given that his work in the last 15 years, either has to do with cops or sports, you would think he knows what works and what doesn't in those genres by now. Dark Blue, a cop drama isn't a a total loss, but, doesn't exactly hit a home run.

Set in the LAPD in April 1992, the story takes place just days before the acquittal of four white officers in the beating of black motorist Rodney King and the subsequent LA riots. As a result, tensions are very high in the city, and the LAPD's elite Special Investigations Squad is assigned to solve a high-profile quadruple homicide. As they work the case, veteran detective Eldon Perry (Kurt Russell) takes rookie Bobby Keough (Scott Speedman) under his wing and tutors him in the grim realities of police intimidation and corruption. Meanwhile, Assistant Chief Holland (Ving Rhames), the only man in the department willing to stand up to the SIS, threatens to end Perry's brand of single-handed "justice". While taking to the intense neighborhoods of South Central LA, Perry and Keough must track down the killers, face their own demons and come out the other side.

As I was watching Dark Blue's story, by James Ellroy and David Ayer's screenplay unfold, I thought it resembled that of Training Day. The only elements that make things seem different are the Holland character and the time frame of the movie. While these things might serve to make things a bit more interesting. All they really do is give us a few new pieces to the same puzzle though. Russell is the key reason to watch here. He is quite good as Perry. The problem though, comes as he is teamed with Speedman, who can't quite hold his own against Russell. For his part, Rhames has nice moments playing yet another no nonsense guy. Shelton makes sure the viewer is brought back to that horrific chapter of American justice.

The DVD features a fairly good audio commentary from Shelton but he can ramble a bit at times for this track. There are 3 featurettes: Code Blue, By The Book, and Necessary Force. Totaling 18 minutes, they do what thay can to connect the dots, but offer nothing that you wouldn't already figure anyway. They can be played all together or one at a time. A behind-the-scenes still gallery, the theatrical trailer, and product trailers for other MGM films top off the disc. You can choose to watch the film in either the widescreen or full frame formats.

Bottom line: those that like Russell will find it a solid rental. It's not that it's all bad anyway but it's not all that fresh either.

Rating:
Summary: Lighten Up, Guys!!!! It Wasn't THAT Bad!!!
Review: To be sure, the shining performance here was Kurt Russell's as an over-the-top vigilante cop who blurs the lines between being excessive and just plain horrible. The setting is one most of the country won't forget for some time - a week or so before the verdict is in on the Rodney King beating.

Reading the bulk of the reviews, most of the outrage seems to lie in the fact that viewers did not appreciate the unflattering portrayal of the police department(s).

So be it - but that does not change the reality which is that, all too often, the police attitude portrayed here is, unfortunately, quite prevalent. Being a minority, I do not for a minute ascribe to the fact that all cops are horrible - but I am also not deluded into letting my guard down for one second when being approached for whatever reason by a police officer.

This movie does absolutely nothing to ease some of those apprehensions. Those living in Los Angeles and who found this offensive, I empathize.

As a whole the movie was engaging, kept your interest, made you uncomfortable given the history of the races in the US, and could have, of course, had a tighter plot - not a happy ending, mind you, just a more engaging story - with a setting like this, the script missed some wonderful opportunites to make more insightfiul observations on the relationship between the police and various communities.

If you like cop movies, this will work. I've seen infinitely better ones and no this does not rank up there with LA Confidential but it is an admirable try.

Rating:
Summary: Just Plain Awful
Review: Kurt Russell is talented actor so how did he end up in this piece of trash movie laden with over-the-top violence, harsh language and testostrone laden corrupt cops....? I should have stopped watching it when he came home to his lovely wife in a drunken stupor and spoke nothing but drunken vulgarities to her. I should have stopped there, but I thought the movie would get better but it never did. Hard to believe that Kurt Russell was....or should I say still is a sex symbol but after seeing this movie it certainly tarnished my image of him. Stay away from this movie....stay far, far, away!!!!! I'd give it negative stars if I could.

Rating:
Summary: ok
Review: This film will keep your attention, kurt is a very good actor,
it is not GREAT but worth a watch
MASTER P and KURUPT are very good in this,
give it a go,