tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post4594593089493095527..comments2024-03-14T02:13:38.885-04:00Comments on Radiator Heaven: Q & AJ.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11823190634186509982noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-1764048635262227402010-03-19T15:44:48.213-04:002010-03-19T15:44:48.213-04:00Sean Gill:
I certainly agree that Blades' sco...Sean Gill:<br /><br />I certainly agree that Blades' score is horribly out of place and almost takes you out of the film at times, esp. during the opening credits! Good call on Wang Chung's score for TO LIVE AND DIE IN LA (a film I plan to write about soon) and I think that it also works for that film because Friedkin actually edits certain sequences to the rhythm of the music! Amazing stuff.<br /><br />Getting back to Q&A, fortunately, the film is redeemed by the stellar performances from all involved. The ending didn't bother me too much. Sure, it was a little too convenient and a little too Hollywood but what are ya gonna do?<br /><br />And I also second the kudos to Guzman and Calderone. Love both of those guys and they always seem to enliven whatever film they appear in no matter how minor the role.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-58482436916139259662010-03-19T14:22:20.908-04:002010-03-19T14:22:20.908-04:00This would almost be a perfect film for me- except...This would almost be a perfect film for me- except for the HORRIBLE Blades score and the less than satisfactory conclusion. I really don't know what Lumet/his producers were thinking when they let Blades compose this monstrosity. Maybe his head wasn't in the game- maybe he was too concerned about PREDATOR 2. I've theorized previously that this was just that awkward musical span when the 80's segued into the 90's- as something like Wang Chung in TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. works perfectly in '85 because Friedkin builds an aesthetic which perfectly compliments it. But here, it's like the the soundtrack and the movie are operating on two completely opposite wavelengths. <br /><br />Regardless- Nolte is absolutely terrifying and well worth the price of admission. Always nice to see Luis Guzman and Paul Calderon in meaty roles, as well.Sean Gillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00537515557596273876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-35367616004904674562010-03-19T09:39:17.288-04:002010-03-19T09:39:17.288-04:00Ned Merrill:
Wow, that's very cool about the ...Ned Merrill:<br /><br />Wow, that's very cool about the Guiliani connection. I had no idea. I really need to watch PRINCE OF THE CITY again.<br /><br />Nice to hear about your personal connection to the film what with your cousin having a small role in it. Not too shabby at all!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-64810858807004901872010-03-18T16:38:21.475-04:002010-03-18T16:38:21.475-04:00I also read Bob Leuci and Robert Daley's rivet...I also read Bob Leuci and Robert Daley's riveting book PRINCE OF THE CITY, and Lumet and Jay Presson Allen did a great job adapting the book. Aside from the names being changed, it is really very faithful. Note that Rudy Guiliani was the inspiration for the character of Mario Vincente (played by Steve Inwood).<br /><br />I'm also proud to say that my cousin played one of Ciello's (Treat Williams) children as a baby in one scene--it's the scene where Ciello is trying to convince his wife (Lindsay Crouse) he won't be a rat by cooperating with the anti-corruption commission while, at the same time, feeding his toddler (my cousin).Ned Merrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15436251586131278302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-87119292428788860212010-03-18T16:26:11.855-04:002010-03-18T16:26:11.855-04:00le0pard13:
I have yet to read the source material...le0pard13:<br /><br />I have yet to read the source material that any of these films are based on but I am certainly intrigued - esp. in the case of PRINCE and Q&A. Your praise for the adaptation of PRINCE esp. makes me curious to check out the book its based on.<br /><br /><br />Sam Juliano:<br /><br />To each their own, eh? I certainly respect your opinion and this film is definitely not for everyone. It is pretty abrasive and downright cynical about the judicial system but on the level of acting it is pretty riveting stuff.<br /><br />As always, thanks for stopping by and offering your perceptive comments.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-39101453654529955642010-03-18T15:54:20.490-04:002010-03-18T15:54:20.490-04:00J.D., I recall vividly that I once wrote a scathin...J.D., I recall vividly that I once wrote a scathing dismissal of this film, but my coming here to comment is not meant to demean this wonderful treatment nor to deny that I basically agree with your notion that there are great and perceptive moments in this Lumet picture, but the total doesn't seem to add up to much. I couldn't take Nolte here, but I must confess this is one genre that I like less than any other.<br /><br />The film has many admirers, and they (like yourself) have offered up some compelling reasons why the film may have been underestimated.Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-76991521632555837542010-03-18T11:52:52.575-04:002010-03-18T11:52:52.575-04:00I never read the book source for SERPICO, but did ...I never read the book source for SERPICO, but did with PRINCE OF THE CITY (before the film adaptation hit the screen). I think the screenwriter did an excellent job in adapting it. I look forward to Q&A and NIGHT FALLS. Thanks, J.D.le0pard13https://www.blogger.com/profile/09421175808461787862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-14199921937296173532010-03-18T10:53:41.300-04:002010-03-18T10:53:41.300-04:00Ned Merrill:
I never saw the film when it first c...Ned Merrill:<br /><br />I never saw the film when it first came out but I ran across a DVD review for the film years ago on a website and it really intrigued me. Plus, with guys like Nolte and Assante in the cast, how could you go wrong? It is definitely worth another look. I am curious to read your thoughts on this one.<br /><br /><br />John:<br /><br />At times, PRINCE OF THE CITY, Q&A and NIGHT FALLS ON MANHATTAN almost seem like R rated episodes of LAW & ORDER... not that that's a bad thing, mind you! But you are right about the sub-genre observation. Lumet has carved out a little niche for himself with these kinds of films as he does them so well.<br /><br /><br />le0pard13:<br /><br />I love SERPICO and PRINCE OF THE CITY, the latter of which I wouldn't mind writing a review of at some point.<br /><br />If you like them, I think it's a safe bet that you will dig Q&A and NIGHT FALLS. It's weird how both of these films have become largely forgotten but are quite good, featuring some powerhouse acting. Plus, I'm a sucker for crime films set in NYC.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by and the kind words!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-12882270000209234432010-03-17T14:48:11.128-04:002010-03-17T14:48:11.128-04:00The first two Lumet films you mention (SERPICO and...The first two Lumet films you mention (SERPICO and PRINCE OF THE CITY) are a pair of my favorites for this director. This film and NIGHT FALLS ON MANHATTAN have also escaped me. The acting by the three lead sounds like a tour of the lives and landscape I've got to take in. Another of your fine film examinations, J.D. Time to get me some more NY crime/police drama by the master of that genre. Thanks for this.le0pard13https://www.blogger.com/profile/09421175808461787862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-51770032125702657202010-03-17T13:53:52.466-04:002010-03-17T13:53:52.466-04:00This is one of Lumet’s films that has alluded me, ...This is one of Lumet’s films that has alluded me, along with “Night Falls on Manhattan.” I remember the lukewarm reviews the film received at the time of its release and that probably gave me reason at the time to not see it. With these four films, Lumet has kinda created his own little sub-genre. Another one for the list J.D. Thanks!Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01808503055317962289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5407391624985829089.post-77922893677611432612010-03-16T15:46:15.531-04:002010-03-16T15:46:15.531-04:00Saw this around '90, maybe '91, with my fr...Saw this around '90, maybe '91, with my friend, whose dad got bootlegged Academy screeners all the time. Was too young to appreciate it at the time. Based on your review, I will revisit.Ned Merrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15436251586131278302noreply@blogger.com