Rating: 
Summary: "Hello, Carl."
Review: There is something truly exhilerating about convincing people you're something you're not, about the freedom that comes with giving yourself any identity you chose. I know the feeling: When I was kid I managed to pass myself off as twins for my whole seventh grade year and once invented a religion I had several people actually interested in. People believed me, because I believed me. Stern parental lectures eventually cured me of this tendency, but poor real-life con-artist Frank Abagnale had no such luck. "Catch Me If You Can" is based on his life from the age of 15 to the age of 19, during which he flew Pan Am as a co-pilot, was the Supervising Doctor in a Georgia ER, and Assistant Prosecuter in the State of Louisiana. The fact that he did not actually attend school for any of the above occupations had no effect on his activities whatsoever. He also forged checks to the tune of almost three million dollars; his forging so flawless even old time master forgers were in awe. And when it all finally came to an end, as of course it had to, he even managed to turn the end into a kind of triumph. The film is based on Frank's autobiography, with Leonardo DiCaprio as Abagnale. He is absolutely terrific, radiating a kind of giddy joy he hasn't shown us in a long time. His Frank is good-hearted, good-natured, charming, but most importantly, fearless . People believe him, because he believes him. My favorite scene with him comes early: Starting a new school, Frank walks into his first class and on a complete whim pretends to be the substitute teacher. He is cheerfully holding parent-teacher conferences and planning field trips when he is finally found out. Co-star Tom Hanks does a solid job in the role of the determined FBI agent who chased Frank obsessively for years. Tracking him down evolves into a kind of thrilling chessgame for the two of them, and there is a great running gag about their always talking on Christmas Eve. (The agent is at work because he has no outside life, and Frank calls him because he has no one else to call.) Dicaprio also has a strong chemistry with Walken, who plays Frank's father and subtle enabler. The direction of Speilberg is typically superb, and the snazzy art direction and playful score contribute to the overall excellence. Chalk up another for the master. In conclusion, all I can say is that this is one of the best movies I've seen this year, and certaining the funnest. I walked out of the theater feeling satisfied and happy, and, I admit, a little envious. Frank Abagnale led quite a life. He paid for it in the end, but still. My hat's off to you Abagnale, wherever you are.
Rating: 
Summary: Vote or Not but Please Read
Review: Before writing what follows I went back and watched the trailer a few times to be sure of my reaction to the film. I think Steven Spielberg is one of the greatest directors to have made/be making films, and actors like Tom Hanks, and Christopher Walken to be almost routinely excellent. Leonard DiCaprio is still quite young, but has shown all the signs of a long and talented career. I have a real problem with films that bring a person to a theater via a trailer that is nothing more than a sleight of hand. When you watch the trailer you expect a light comedy, and those words are how many pieces of publicity describe the film. I watched just over 80% of this film prior to leaving, and while not the first to leave, I had several others give up prior to my deciding to quit, and as they were absent, so was any laughter in the theater you would expect from the preview. This film is not funny; it is about a family destroyed by financial strife, hounded by The IRS, infidelity, a horrible divorce, and anything but humor. The first hour is absolutely grim, Mr. Walken is tremendous, Tom Hanks is almost nonexistent on screen, and DiCaprio is fine, but again does not do very much. So if you decide to see this film, please know the trailer that is offering you a light bit of comedy, is nothing of the sort. The persons who did the promotion for this film cannot decide what it is either. The trailer states, "based on a true story", the film opens with, "inspired by a true story", and I can assure you the first con he plays is not what was documented by the man (who did the inspiring) in real life. So just go with you expectations set wide, and do not expect what the trailer claims it will show you, for it will not.
Rating:
Summary: Thank you for this film!
Review: Nowhere has Spielberg's ubiquitous indelible influence been more evident since The Goonies. Bravo for wonderfull performances all over the place. I even ran to the bathroom to grab some toilet paper once my snot-filled hankerchiefs got too saturated with lachrymose Visine. In these modern days where anyone can pretend to be someone else, or sell snake oil for "a large amount of money" a share, or get elected, or produce a box office bestseller with questionable returns, or add one's assistant to the production credits, there's nothing more timely than a brilliant smash such as this.
Rating: 
Summary: Another Movie Based On A Book?
Review: What is this? People have run out of good ideas for movies? Every movie that comes out these days is a cliché, remake, or the movie version of a book. I feel however that this movie will be very good, not only has director Steven Spielberg been a theatrical genius for the last decade but in these last couple of years his work has seemed to be taking on a new taste. However many look down upon this movie because of its lead role, Leonardo DiCaprio, the former teen idol and super star that stole the hearts of pre-teenage girls everywhere. Many believe him to be a bad actor, and not worthy of a "real" role. However people must remember that he is an actor and must have deserved this role if he is to play the villain against Tom Hanks. He must have been chosen for a reason, and that reason must be that, like the real Frank, Jr. Abagnale, the man this movie is solely based upon, he is very handsome, can make people believe that he can get by on his good looks, and definitely has the experience for this role. This should be a great movie based upon the book "Catch Me if You Can", a tale told by the man who lived it, Frank, Jr. Abagnale.
Rating: 
Summary: Another Spielberg bomb waiting to happen.
Review: If you hated A.I. and Minority Report, then this movie looks to be the thrid in a series of movies where Spielberg seems to have lost his hopeful outlook on life, as seen in his earlier films, for a more darkful,cynical themes that reflect his recent movies, here Tom hanks plays a Federal Agent who spends 20 years trying to catch a crook who can change his name and apperance at will. Also staring Martin Sheen and Christopher Walken, but the movie will leave a bad taste in your mouth as the lead villian is played by a certain teen icon star who appeared in a certain film about a doomed love affair some four years ago, and as we've seen, this icon star can not act, why Spielberg cast him when there are other more talented actors around, who knows?!
Rating:
Summary: A good film with an extraordinary rhythm
Review: More than 130 minutes for a film which has a lot of action and rhythm. Both main actors make a great performance. For Tom Hanks (Carl Hanratty) is not news, as all latest roles have been outstanding, but for Leonardo Di Caprio (Frank Abagnale, or, Frank Conners), I think this has been his best acting ever. Besides the story (based in a real character, but full of fictionary situations) is very dynamic. Sometimes, the continuous race between the policeman and the thief seems to be somewhat ridiculous, but I think this is the spirit of the movie. To catch such a smooth criminal is really disgusting and frustrating and you need to have real perseverance to get what you want. It's like what a hacker is used to do nowadays. Christopher Walken and Martin Sheen have got short but very important and memorable appearances. Amy Adams, who takes part as Frank's girlfriend, is on the other side, very greasy and clumsy (sorry about that). It's not the thing you should expect from Steven Spielberg who had lost some credit after "I.A.", but it's really recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: A good way to pass an afternoon, but just that..
Review: "Catch me if You can" is a disposable movie about the exploits of "paperhanger" Frank W. Abagnale, based on the book of the same name. Frank Jr.(Leonardo DiCaprio in a good role) starts his imposter career while still in high school. Then, he drops out when his father(played subtly by Christopher Walken) has severe financial problems, and starts to learn how to pass off bad checks. He comes up with the idea to pose as a Pan-Am pilot, and uses a new scheme taking advantage of routing numbers. Hoping to find the con-man, is Carl Henrietty(Tom Hanks). There are a few close calls where Carl nearly catchs Frank, and Frank always calls Carl on Christmas(which leads to his undoing). Frank also impersonates a lawyer and a doctor on his crime spree, and meets a woman that he falls in love with(Amy Adams). Frank meets the girl's father(Martin Sheen in a great cameo), who is estanged from her. Frank nearly marries her, and he runs away after he has to tell her the truth. There is a happy ending, as Carl helps Frank to use his abilities to catch other crooks.
Rating:
Summary: THE BAD CHECK'S IN THE MAIL
Review: This film builds in entertainment value as it skips merrily along and possesses an unnerving quality, sure to upset the con in all of us, regarding true life famed forger Frank Abagnale Jr. being globally cornered and doggedly pursued by a determined and obsessed FBI agent. Director Steven Spielberg pictures an upscale, conservative and gaudy side of the 1960s, and DiCaprio is more than convincing as the gifted scam artist, who as Spielberg suggests, is only trying to find his way back home. Clever and amusing "Pink Panther" -like musical score by John Williams helps keep this criminal act a light-hearted affair.
Rating:
Summary: Fun Movie
Review: I recently rented the DVD and found it was a very fun movie to watch. The actors were excellent and the storyline very enjoyable. I plan to watch it again.
Rating:
Summary: A "Male Movie"
Review: Christopher Walken, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks give outstanding roles in what really should have been considered a biasis male movie . The movie borders on excellent in its intelligent handling of (delusions of grandeur),vulnerability of parent conflicts on how it affects especially teens(the pun is "the boy is "father of the man"[in how his childhood affects him as an adult);In Frank Sr's(actor Walden) case ,he kind of started the problem when no concern was made when he and his later ex-wife were called into the principal's office when Frank Jr(DiCaprio) did his 'first imposter as a subtitute teacher' on his first day in a new school. It reflected also how well swindles work on those hooked on pride(a little compliment went a long way over and over again in Frank(DiCaprio) condescending. "1969-1973"(which is supposedly the era in which this biography of a teen age boy Carl(DiCaprio) who in the last several minutes of the movie turned FBI agent after finally caught in France by FBI agent Carl(Hanks)under the ruse he could call his dad ,Frank Sr (Walken) who had unknown to Frank(DiCaprio) been killed in a platform train accident). In the most important industries of Colleges,Airlines,Legal, FBI and last but not least Banking ,'the kid' (Frank (actor DiCaprio) was doing his "homework" better than those on payrolls did their "jobs".
|
