Rc-Movie Blog II

  Plot:  In a dystopic and crime-ridden Detroit, a mortally wounded cop returns to the force as a powerful cyborg haunted by past memories. Suprising popular SF/action movie.  I found it cheesy and badly cast, full of over-the top violence.  1980s special effects have not aged well, and the massive amounts of blood are absurd.  Was it a satire of cop action movies?  As for the story and script:  I just saw it, but cant remember a single line of dialogue.  Large numbers seem to enjoy it, but I was bored after the body count reached 50.  A live action cartoon.

 Amusing, but forgettable, satire about a Film company invading a small town in vermont to film a picture.  Filled with a great cast (Phillip Seymour Hoffman,  Bill Macey,  Rebbeca Pidgeon, etc) its worth a few smiles, and Mamett includes a few hard-nosed zingers.  However,  the townspeople (except for Mamett's wife - Rebbeca Pidgeon) are mostly ill-defined stereotypes and the story is very slight and familiar.  Seymour Hoffman's performance as the likable conflicted writer is the highlight.  As expcted, there's lots of talk: some  it witty, much of it trite.  Seems longer than its 105 minute run time.  Note: As a director Mamet is just average. 

 Great acting. Great photography.  Some cliches but overall an interesting plot.  Too bad it wasn't more realistic, and had Woody Harrelson character as straight-shooter and not a hypocrite.  "Dark and Gritty" can be boring at times.