Rating: 
Summary: Debbie Harry bursts onto film in a strange, sexy selection!
Review: "Union City" is a bizarre, dark, occasionally funny film that stars Blondie's Deborah Harry in her first major film role. Ms. Harry had already conquered the music scene by this time; the silver screen was waiting. In the twenty-plus years since this movie debuted, Deborah Harry has racked up an impressive body of work, including critically acclaimed appearances in "Hairspray" and "Heavy." "Union City" is a chance to see where it all began. Pat Benatar, who went on to be another super pop star, also lights up the screen in a brief, but striking, role.
Rating: 
Summary: CORRECTION: THIS REVIEW WRITTEN BY MARTIN LEHMANN
Review: ...Union City is the ultimate French existentialist thriller - you hang on every word like a meathook - but made in New Jersey in 1979. Firstly, you have got to get off on the images, which are like rotting fruit, and, secondly, you have got to wonder at the conviction of these actors, especially Deborah Harry, who all give the most extraordinary dead-pan performances....
Rating:
Summary: Moody, tense--film noir the way it's spozed to be
Review: Based on the short story "The Corpse Next Door" by Cornell Woolrich (dating back to the '40s), Union City is a great example of what you can do with practically no money for a feature length film noir.A big reason for this is the director, Marcus Reichert. Prior to (and after, as well) making this film, Mr. Reichert was known principally as an artist. Sense of color is a particularly strong element in this film; in almost every interior set, we see striking primary colors predominating. In Harlan (Dennis Lipscomb) and Lillian's (Debbie Harry) apartment, the living room is a deep disturbing red; another room's blue; a third, green. In one scene, Lillian wears a bright yellow dress that almost makes your eyes water. The actors are all fine here. Lipscomb and Harry are well matched as a dysfunctional couple. Everett McGill turns in a solid performance as the hunky superintendent. And Sam McMurray, CCH Pounder and Pat Benatar (I guess this was a queen of rock casting film!) are all right on target in their respective roles. This is a story of anxiety, obsession, murder, and guilt. It's an edgy work well complemented by the moody colors of its sets. The dialogue is a little stilted, but you can see that these slightly awkward phrases work well in the context of the jittery atmosphere. The two principals both have something to be agitated about--murder and adultery. And with the price of this DVD, this is a real bargain. Buy it before it goes out of print!
Rating:
Summary: Moody, tense--film noir the way it's spozed to be
Review: Based on the short story "The Corpse Next Door" by Cornell Woolrich (dating back to the '40s), Union City is a great example of what you can do with practically no money for a feature length film noir. A big reason for this is the director, Marcus Reichert. Prior to (and after, as well) making this film, Mr. Reichert was known principally as an artist. Sense of color is a particularly strong element in this film; in almost every interior set, we see striking primary colors predominating. In Harlan (Dennis Lipscomb) and Lillian's (Debbie Harry) apartment, the living room is a deep disturbing red; another room's blue; a third, green. In one scene, Lillian wears a bright yellow dress that almost makes your eyes water. The actors are all fine here. Lipscomb and Harry are well matched as a dysfunctional couple. Everett McGill turns in a solid performance as the hunky superintendent. And Sam McMurray, CCH Pounder and Pat Benatar (I guess this was a queen of rock casting film!) are all right on target in their respective roles. This is a story of anxiety, obsession, murder, and guilt. It's an edgy work well complemented by the moody colors of its sets. The dialogue is a little stilted, but you can see that these slightly awkward phrases work well in the context of the jittery atmosphere. The two principals both have something to be agitated about--murder and adultery. And with the price of this DVD, this is a real bargain. Buy it before it goes out of print!
Rating: 
Summary: worst transfer of film to DVD ever
Review: Content-wise, this is for Debbie Harry fans only. Everitt Magill from Twin Peaks is in it too, and Pat Benetar has a small cameo near the end. Blondie's Chris Stein wrote the orchestral soundtrack. The movie is so-so. I was hoping for some good DVD extras like deleted scenes and a more extensive still photo gallery. They aint there (and there were plenty of deleted scenes, as referenced by the still gallery!) Too bad. No subtitles either. Lazy much?
Rating:
Summary: Classic Film, Shame About the (...) Presentation
Review: From the very beginning, this well constructed collage of detail has the viewer spellbound. Like so many 40+ viewers, I grew up with the Marx Brothers as "B" movie TV entertainment, and have never experienced the sheer joy of seeing them live on stage, or joining an enraptured cinema audience. The wealth of information, and sympathetic handling of the lives of the brothers is commendable, and the relatives give tantalising glimpses of the offsatge personalities. Harpo emerges as the the most endearing of the brothers, and I challenge anyone to read Alan Sherman's tribute to him, without shedding a tear. This now has pride of place in my collection, and is a true heirloom of comedy
Rating:
Summary: Tears for the Clowns.
Review: From the very beginning, this well constructed collage of detail has the viewer spellbound. Like so many 40+ viewers, I grew up with the Marx Brothers as "B" movie TV entertainment, and have never experienced the sheer joy of seeing them live on stage, or joining an enraptured cinema audience. The wealth of information, and sympathetic handling of the lives of the brothers is commendable, and the relatives give tantalising glimpses of the offsatge personalities. Harpo emerges as the the most endearing of the brothers, and I challenge anyone to read Alan Sherman's tribute to him, without shedding a tear. This now has pride of place in my collection, and is a true heirloom of comedy
Rating:
Summary: Union City
Review: Harlan (Dennis Lipscomb) is obsessed with discovering who's stealing his milk every morning, ignoring his frustrated young wife (Deborah Harry) in the process. Mayhem ensues.
UNION CITY is a hyper-stylized neo-noir that never takes off. The sets are flooded in loud reds, or blues, or greens. The direction is loose and the acting is almost uniformly mediocre. It's apparent director Marcus Reichert was aiming at atmosphere and ambience, but in my case he missed by a country mile. The only spark of recognition generated by this one was when Harlan says of a crazy neighbor lady: "Don't tell me you can understand what she's talking about." Nope, can't say that I can understand. Can't say that I much care, either.
Rating:
Summary: CORRECTION: THIS REVIEW WRITTEN BY MARTIN LEHMANN
Review: I am always astounded when I read that someone does not appreciate this film. Union City is the ultimate French existentialist thriller - you hang on every word like a meathook - but made in New Jersey in 1979. Firstly, you have got to get off on the images, which are like rotting fruit, and, secondly, you have got to wonder at the conviction of these actors, especially Deborah Harry, who all give the most extraordinary dead-pan performances. I have laughed so hard watching this ditty I wept, while my significant other was telling me to shut-up because she wanted to know what happens next! I made it up to her later. A couple of weeks ago I was in London - selling shoes, which is what I do - and I got back to my hotel quite late after a tedious meal and what do I find on Film Four but Union City. Luckily, my room had one of those little fridges, but it cost me a fortune - still a great ending to a so-so night. Don't complain pal ...
Rating: 
Summary: Union (rhymes with) "City"
Review: Long awaiting this release on DVD and fully expecting technology to chime new life into this dark pleasantry of a Debbie Harry fan's movie, I was virtually STARTLED at the grain and blocking of color that Union City in DVD format suffers. Sometimes the images appear to actually be a grid of sorts with the worst-ever digital transfer possible. You see a milky haze over the entire production along with the "jigsaw puzzle" appearance of some of the shots not noticed on VHS tape copies. An "SLP" recording of Union City on a bad VHS tape that is 15 years old is actually clearer than this DVD and I can prove it. I wouldn't have wasted my time if I weren't so angered at the loss of money and hopes.
| 
