Gunshy

Rating:
Summary: William Petersen
Review: An OK movie, William Petersen carries it. He's an incredible actor, as we all know and too die for handsome & sexy- loved where he was throwing back the straght shots of boos- very realistic- kinda of a weird ending- Diane Lane & him had OK chemistry-don't know the other actor, never have seen , or heard of him before or since- just glad I can see WP on CSI- wished he'd make a killer Oscar winning movie

Rating:
Summary: William Petersen
Review: Bought this because , I am a huge William Petersen fan, he's great as a kinda of has been writer, who gets back on track, because of meeting the other guy, who I've never heard of?? Diane Lane is as always beautiful, love when he throws back the straight shots of boos, so realistic!! he is as always soo good, & soo handsome & sexy, whatever he's in is better because of him- the movie really isn't that good, but the ending is interesting, the last line, he spoke I liked.

Rating:
Summary: GunShy reviewed
Review: Gun Shy is an unfunny dark comedy about an undercover DEA officer, Charlie Mayough (Liam Neeson), who is depressed and terrified of dying while working undercover. As expected in this type of movie, he is roped into one last dangerous assignment before retirement. It turns out to be a lot trickier than expected as he sets up a deal where he's the middle man between a culturally sensitive Columbian drug cartel and a violent Mafia thug named Fulvio (Oliver Platt).

Charlie slips in an out of dangerous situations so easily and without emotion it's very hard to believe he could be as consumed with fear and terror as the movie would have us believe. The only sign of his fear is his irritable bowel which is maybe supposed to be funny potty humor. Charlie begins group therapy in hopes of controlling his fears and makes friends with his fellow group therapy members.

Liam stood out awkwardly in his role as the terrified undercover cop. It's as if the burden of his dramatic résumé prevents him from cracking a smile. His delivery was dry and fell flat in every scene. Humor may be beyond his capabilities as an actor. Unfortunately the fate of the movie rested on Liam's lacking shoulders.

The usually hilarious Oliver Platt delivers a performance that is as flat as a pancake. He plays an incompetent two-bit mobster, Fulvio Nesstra who dreams of getting of of his clichéd' existence. He's also married to the bitchy daughter of a mob Don. Their marriage is a mess, but we never really understand if this bothers Fulvio and why he married her (Mary McCormack) in the first place. Are their mutual put-downs and fights how this couple expresses their love for each other or is Fulvio in a loveless marriage? Why are we shown so much of his marriage if it never goes anywhere?

Rating:
Summary: Opinion
Review: I love William Petersen, in anything he does, but he's played in some really crappy movies, & he's so good, this is OK, Liked where he was downing the straight shots, of boos very realistic- he's so incredible to look at that you kinda of forget how lousy the movie is. Diane Lane is as always good & beautiful, the chemistry between her & WP was pretty good, lucky girl, to be in bed with him. I liked the last line he spoke in his jail cell, very profound & prolific. Have never seen before or since the other guy, don't have much of an opinion of him!!!

Rating:
Summary: Opinion
Review: I love William Petersen, in anything he does, but he's played in some really crappy movies, & he's so good, this is OK, Liked where he was downing the straight shots, of boos very realistic- he's so incredible to look at that you kinda of forget how lousy the movie is. Diane Lane is as always good & beautiful, the chemistry between her & WP was pretty good, lucky girl, to be in bed with him. I liked the last line he spoke in his jail cell, very profound & prolific. Have never seen before or since the other guy, don't have much of an opinion of him!!!

Rating:
Summary: Only watch for Michael Wincott's intense performance
Review: I rented this film (and then later bought the DVD) with fairly low expectations. I knew it was straight to video and low budget. I rented it because I am a huge Michael Wincott fan and he actually has a starring role in the film. Basically, there is a whole lot more to this film than you would think. It's about redemption, honor, deception, love, friendship, and the ability to make the right decisions and gambles to change your life, all tied together.... I thought Michael Wincott was brilliant in it (Diane Lane and William Peterson were also solid). I can't talk about my favorite scenes without giving away the end, but when his character, Frankie, sees what is happening, you see the realization on his face and it is heartbreaking. He rocks thru the end of the film. I felt his performance was extremely underrated - I'd never even heard of this film. Check it out.

Rating:
Summary: This straight to video film deserved a lot more!
Review: I rented this film (and then later bought the DVD) with fairly low expectations. I knew it was straight to video and low budget. I rented it because I am a huge Michael Wincott fan and he actually has a starring role in the film. Basically, there is a whole lot more to this film than you would think. It's about redemption, honor, deception, love, friendship, and the ability to make the right decisions and gambles to change your life, all tied together.... I thought Michael Wincott was brilliant in it (Diane Lane and William Peterson were also solid). I can't talk about my favorite scenes without giving away the end, but when his character, Frankie, sees what is happening, you see the realization on his face and it is heartbreaking. He rocks thru the end of the film. I felt his performance was extremely underrated - I'd never even heard of this film. Check it out.

Rating:
Summary: Offbeat comedy
Review: Liam Neeson plays a top notch, gutsy undercover DEA agent who loses it big time after after almost being executed by some gangsters who uncover his identity in his last bust. He no longer has the nerves to carry out his undercover actions (thus becomes "gunshy"). He has been undercover for awhile and must carry out one last bust before his dream retirement can be fulfilled. He goes into psychotherapy and makes friends with others in his group session (all likeable characters even though they have problems of their own).

Neeson is the middle man between the drug cartel and a trigger-happy mobster (Oliver Platt) in a multi-million dollar deal. Neeson is convinced Platt will wack him at some point and time during the undercover operation. However, Platt's character isn't all bad...and as you learn more about his unhappy life a bond of some type forms between Platt and Neeson.

The first 20 minutes of this movie was a little dry and slow as it sets the background for Neeson's current state of mind and intruduces the other characters. However, the humor really picked up after that...and kept on going til the action packed ending. I found myself cheering in the end!

If you like only standard humor...this movie may not be for you. If you like black comedy (i.e. "Gross Point Blank" or "Angel's Dance") then this movie will fit right in. It isn't a great movie; but, I found it to be entertaining...and, couldn't wait to see how it would end (by the way...the ending was great! ) I added the video to my collection...and will watch it again.

Rating:
Summary: Offbeat comedy
Review: Liam Neeson plays a top notch, gutsy undercover DEA agent who loses it big time after after almost being executed by some gangsters who uncover his identity in his last bust. He no longer has the nerves to carry out his undercover actions (thus becomes "gunshy"). He has been undercover for awhile and must carry out one last bust before his dream retirement can be fulfilled. He goes into psychotherapy and makes friends with others in his group session (all likeable characters even though they have problems of their own).

Neeson is the middle man between the drug cartel and a trigger-happy mobster (Oliver Platt) in a multi-million dollar deal. Neeson is convinced Platt will wack him at some point and time during the undercover operation. However, Platt's character isn't all bad...and as you learn more about his unhappy life a bond of some type forms between Platt and Neeson.

The first 20 minutes of this movie was a little dry and slow as it sets the background for Neeson's current state of mind and intruduces the other characters. However, the humor really picked up after that...and kept on going til the action packed ending. I found myself cheering in the end!

If you like only standard humor...this movie may not be for you. If you like black comedy (i.e. "Gross Point Blank" or "Angel's Dance") then this movie will fit right in. It isn't a great movie; but, I found it to be entertaining...and, couldn't wait to see how it would end (by the way...the ending was great! ) I added the video to my collection...and will watch it again.

Rating:
Summary: A whole lot more interesting than it seems
Review: The other reviews for this film notwithstanding, this is NOT the "Gun Shy" that stars Neeson and Platt. This particular film stars William Peterson ("Manhunter")as Jake Bridges, and Michael Wincott ("The Crow")as Frankie McGregor, in what appears to be a fairly cut-and-dried exercise. Jake, a down-and-out writer is befriended by Frankie, a collector for a local mob boss. Jake needs money and something to occupy his mind so he won't drink himself to death. Frankie wants an education.

The two of them not only click,they become very good friends, and Peterson falls in love with his friend's girlfriend Melissa, (Diane Lane "The Cotton Club")setting up your basic triangle. The rest of the film is about how this whole thing plays out between them.

What makes it really interesting, though is the strong, homoerotic thread that winds through the film. By the end, you have to wonder why Melissa is even in the film (Butch assurance, perhaps) since the guys are so emotionally entwined they have made huge sacrifices for each other. (Don't want to give too much away here, so you'll have to see it for the particulars.) Even in the details, this thread seems obvious, at least to me.

But hey, don't take my word for it. If you don't see it, that's fine too. The film can be enjoyed on a number of levels. It's not a great film by any stretch, but the acting alone puts it way up on the list. All three principals turn in wonderful, nuanced performances, making this film well worth seeing. Give it a shot.