Shakefire.com - Robert Duvall

Not counting the Willie Nelson documentary he made a couple of years ago, Jayne Mansfield's Car marks Billy Bob Thornton's return to directing after an absence of more than a decade. With a talented cast involved and a southern setting, some might draw quick comparisons to Thornton's greatest work, Sling Blade. Unfortunately, the bloated runtime and cast of characters hold back Jayne Mansfield's Car from being anywhere near the 1996 classic.

It's 1969 in small town Alabama and family patriarch Jim Caldwell (Robert Duvall) is furious to discover that his son Carroll (Kevin Bacon) was arrested for his role in an anti-Vietnam War protest. Along with Jim and Carroll, the other sons in the Caldwell clan - Skip (Billy Bob Thornton) and Jimbo (Robert Patrick) - are all armed forces veterans. Their similarities end there as each of them have wildly different views when it comes to the subject of war. In the midst of an argument around the dinner table, Jim receives a call that his estranged wife has passed away and her new English family will be escorting her body back to Alabama for burial. The Bedford family (including John Hurt and Ray Stevenson) soon make their way to town and attempt to be civil with the Caldwells. Can these two families with differing views come together in this trying time?

Jayne Manfield's Car is ultimately about diversity, how people grieve, and how different generations view war. In those particular aspects, the film does succeed in showcasing an emotional kaleidoscope. By the same token, the film is drawn out and features far too many characters for viewers to invest in. On top of that, this is one of those movies where some of the characters are so downright odd that it's hard to judge if the performances are good, bad, or just weird. The film is full of great actors, but the best performance might just be from comedian Ron White who was perfectly selected to play an obnoxious, loud-mouthed husband. This Blu-Ray release is the definition of bare-bones with only a 10-minute "making-of" video and no trailers to be found whatsoever (not even before the title screen, which is very unusual). As a result, for those itching to see a Thornton and Duvall reunion of sorts, I would recommend Jayne Manfield's Car as a rental only.

Starring:

Jayne Mansfield's Car

Cody Endres — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 14:24:26 +0000

Tags:

Jayne Mansfield's Car

Janye Mansfield's Car

On Blu-Ray:

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Starring:

Studio(s):

Director(s):

Genre:

Comedy,

Drama

Producer(s):

Geyer Kosinski

Running Time:

122 minutes

Written by:

Tom Epperson,

Billy Bob Thornton

Official Facebook:

Official Facebook

Jack Reacher

Matt Rodriguez — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 14:40:37 +0000

Jack Reacher

Review:

Theatrical

Exclusive?:

Grade:

2.97

Tags:

Christopher McQuarrie

Deemed as the ultimate soldier, former military police officer Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise) emerges from hiding to investigate a murder apparently caused by a fellow soldier. The more he digs into the case, the more evidence he finds that contradicts what the police are saying. Soon, he finds himself involved in a life or death situation that only he can resolve.

As the trailers and promotional materials state, Jack Reacher is a vigilante who only cares about what’s right, regardless of what the law says. Tom Cruise dons the role perfectly with just the right blend of action and humor that brings Reacher to life. Cruise has been hit-or-miss in the action genre lately, but he brings a welcoming change to Reacher. He has just the right amount of cockiness, not to mention the skills that back it up, to be this know-it-all Sherlock Holmes of the military yet is still likable with a touch of humor throughout. While Jack Reacher is no Ethan Hunt, he still manages to get the job done with a certain amount of style.

Jack Reacher also features a notable performance by Robert Duvall who assists Reacher in doing what’s right. He’s somewhat of a comic relief as opposed to Reacher’s sterner attitude. The dynamic between the two is great and solidifies the film in the end. Furthermore, there’s also a fantastic car chase scene that captures the speed and adrenaline rush of the classic action film. It’s these moments that make Jack Reacher stand out among the rest.

If you’re looking for a good, traditional, action film then Jack Reacher fits the bill wonderfully. It won’t win any awards, but Tom Cruise is entertaining and has a great supporting cast to back him up as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more of Jack Reacher in future films, that’s for sure.

Talent(s):

Christopher McQuarrie

Starring:

Jack Reacher

Peter Oberth — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:15:18 +0000

From The New York Times bestselling author Lee Child comes one of the most compelling heroes to step from novel to screen - ex-military investigator Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise). When a gunman takes five lives with six shots, all evidence points to the suspect in custody. On interrogation, the suspect offers up a single note: “Get Jack Reacher!” So begins an extraordinary chase for the truth, pitting Jack Reacher against an unexpected enemy, with a skill for violence and a secret to keep and a target on Reacher’s back.

Tags:

Christopher McQuarrie

Jack Reacher

In Theatres:

Dec 21, 2012

On DVD:

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

On Blu-Ray:

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Starring:

Studio(s):

Director(s):

Christopher McQuarrie

Country(es):

United States

Genre:

Action/Adventure

Running Time:

2 Hours, 10 Minutes

Official Website

PG-13

Language, Violence and Some Drug Material

Lucky You

Peter Oberth — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 21:16:08 +0000

A professional poker player whose astounding luck at the table fails to translate into his lonesome love life attempts to win the World Series of Poker while simultaneously earning the affections of a beautiful Las Vegas singer in a high-stakes emotional drama from L.A. Confidential director Curtis Hanson and Munich screenwriter Eric Roth. When his personal problems threaten to distract him from what could be his biggest win ever, seasoned poker pro Huck Cheever (Eric Bana) finds comfort in the company of singer Billie Offer (Drew Barrymore). Upon preparing for the biggest card game in the country, however, Huck soon realizes that his problems have only just begun when he finds that his opponent at the table will be none other than his estranged father, L.C. (Robert Duvall), a poker legend whose mythical reputation makes him a more than worthy opponent for his troubled son.

Tags:

Lucky You

In Theatres:

May 04, 2007

Starring:

Studio(s):

Director(s):

Genre:

Drama,

Running Time:

2 Hours, 4 Minutes

Official Website

PG-13

some language and sexual humor

One Shot

Peter Oberth — Tue, 22 May 2012 12:11:47 +0000

The Usual Suspects' Christopher McQuarrie brings Lee Child's Jack Reacher character to the big screen with this Paramount Pictures production starring Tom Cruise as the lone-wolf investigator on the hunt for a murderous sniper. Robert Duvall, Richard Jenkins, Rosamund Pike, and director Werner Herzog co-stars.

One Shot

Tags:

Christopher McQuarrie,

One Shot

In Theatres:

Dec 21, 2012

Starring:

Director(s):

Christopher McQuarrie

Genre:

Suspense

The Great Santini

Peter Oberth — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:01:08 +0000

Bull Meechum (Robert Duvall) loves fighting almost as much as he loves the Marine Corps. Profane, cocky, and arrogant, he's a great fighter pilot -- and he knows it. His boss hates his guts, but knows that if he's going to straighten out his lagging squadron, Meechum is the man to do it. The story and irony of The Great Santini is in Meechum's total intolerance of family life and fatherhood. Meechum has a lovely, supportive wife, Lillian (Blythe Danner), an earnest, likeable son, Ben (Michael O'Keefe), three smaller children, and a good home, but Meechum finds the pastoral nature of peacetime totally incompatible with his gung-ho nature. So he begins to drink. He drills his family unmercifully, like recruits. He hammers his son relentlessly until, in a basketball game, his son fights back, and the family cheers Ben's efforts. Tension builds in the household until, during one drunken night, Meechum breaks down. Based on a best-selling novel by Pat Conroy, The Great Santini earned critical raves but fared poorly at the box office. Duvall's performance as Meechum is generally regarded as one of his greatest.

The Great Santini

Tags:

Release Date:

Wednesday, April 27, 1994

In Theatres:

Oct 26, 1979

On DVD:

Wednesday, April 27, 1994

On Blu-Ray:

Wednesday, April 27, 1994

Starring:

Studio(s):

Director(s):

Genre:

Running Time:

1 Hour, 58 Minutes

Tender Mercies

Peter Oberth — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:48:16 +0000

Mac Sledge (Robert Duvall), a once-famous country western singer, wakes up broke, alone and hung over in a tiny Texas motel run by widowed Rosa Lee (Tess Harper). Having nowhere else to go, Sledge takes a job at the motel, and through the kindness and faith of Rosa he changes his self-destructive ways. He marries Rosa (after he's baptized at her urging) and becomes a father/pal to her son (Allan Hubbard). Given an opportunity to make a comeback, Sledge considers leaving his new family behind, but after a reunion with his own unhappy daughter (Ellen Barkin), he vows never again to ruin anyone else's life. A simple story simply told, Tender Mercies is a warm, persuasive tale of redemption, with Robert Duvall giving one of his finest performances. Also appearing is Betty Buckley as Duvall's ex-wife, a Dolly Parton-type country star, and Wilford Brimley as Duvall's former manager.