The River Wild (1994)

3.5 / 5 July '10
Tagline: The vacation is over
Directed by: Curtis Hanson
Written by: Denis O'Neill
Actors include: Meryl Streep, Kevin Bacon, John C. Reilly
Genre: Thriller, Action
Length: 145 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
A rather fun little action thriller with a few silly elements and oddly Meryl Streep being a silly river rafter with an uninterested husband and kids. She decides to take the boy and husband rafting on a nice vacation in the wild. Things are great until they come across a group of other rafters that are clearly up to no good. They've robbed a location and are now on the getaway with a bag of money and a gun. Kevin Bacon and John C. Reilly head up the bad guys who are trying to be nice but they need the river guide for escape. It's got a few moments of excitement, particularly when it comes to especially dangerous rapids that they are being forced to endure. It's predictable and a bit hammy but the scenery is nice, the acting is fine and if you want an adventure movie with a bit of danger this should satisfy.

Availability:  On DVD

L.A. Confidential (1997)

5 / 5 Aug '10
Tagline: Off the record, on the QT, and very hush-hush...
Directed by: Curtis Hanson
Written by: James Ellroy, Brian Helgeland
Actors include: Kevin Spacey, Kim Basinger, Russell Crowe
Genre: Thriller, Drama, Noir
Length: 138 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
This had just about everything going for it, excellent plot, loads of violence, impressive actors and never a dull moment. It's a period piece set in L.A. in the '50s where we follow a trio of completely different Police Officers. Corruption runs rampant and it's a buddy system, Bud White (Russell Crowe) is a tough guy who is used primarily for muscle and he doesn't mind playing "the game". Ed Exley (Guy Pearce) is extremely by the book, doesn't care what the other officers think of him and is willing to be a rat. Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey) seems to be more financially and self-driven character. He is also a part of running a successful tv show called "Badge Of Honor" that he seems to really love. When a violent crime with multiple murders takes place at a coffee shop the different detectives all have to try to figure out what really happened...but what will happen when they find out? It's really gripping and exciting, plus it has a thrown in plot element of gorgeous women who look like movie stars (which is where Kim Basinger comes into it...she's the Veronica Lake look-alike). It's got something for everyone which is why I suspect it's got such a mighty reputation but his one deserves it, it's fabulous!

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray