Travis Simpkins

Saturday, May 25, 2019

Twilight (1998): Paul Newman, Gene Hackman, Reese Witherspoon

Co-written and directed by Robert Benton, Twilight (1998) has all the hallmarks of great Film Noir, despite being made half-a-century after the peak period of the genre. Full of plot twists, dramatic cinematography, tense moments and good performances, Twilight is an underrated Gem. Paul Newman, Gene Hackman, Susan Sarandon and James Garner are all great in the lead roles... and a young Reese Witherspoon holds her own.

Harry Ross (Paul Newman) is an aging private detective...

Twilight. 1998: Paul Newman

He is hired to track down 17-year-old runaway Mel Ames (Reese Witherspoon)...

Twilight. 1998: Reese Witherspoon

Ross finds her in Mexico...

Twilight. 1998: Reese Witherspoon

He brings her back, but she does not go quietly...

Twilight. 1998: Reese Witherspoon

Fast forward two years... Mel's parents, both wealthy actors, are grateful for Ross' discreet assistance and have hired him on permanently. Jack Ames (Gene Hackman) is now Ross' trusted friend, but he is dying of cancer...

Twilight. 1998

Catherine Ames (Susan Sarandon) openly flirts with Ross, and he finds it hard to resist her charms...

Twilight. 1998

Trouble emerges once again when Mel's ex-boyfriend (the one from Mexico two years prior) attempts to blackmail Jack Ames about a murder committed 20 years before. Ross enlists the help of his friend, retired Cop Raymond Hope (James Garner)...

Twilight. 1998: Paul Newman

but the web of confusion and misleads is growing denser, as Ross realizes that the situation is much more serious than it first appears...

Twilight. 1998: Paul Newman

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005): Robert Downey Jr., Val Kilmer and Michelle Monaghan

Written and directed by Shane Black, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) combined dark humor and Film Noir elements in the proper doses to form a highly original film. A strong story forms the groundwork for the clever shots, stylish editing and fantastic performances delivered by both cast and crew. Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer work amazingly well together, with good chemistry, humor and mutual respect. Michelle Monaghan is wonderful in her role as well. On a historic note, Val Kilmer's "Gay Perry" character in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is credited with being the first openly gay lead player in an action film.

By a lucky stream of circumstances, petty thief Harry Lockhart (Robert Downey Jr.) poses as an actor and finds himself in L.A., auditioning for the part of a detective. "Gay" Perry (Val Kilmer), a real life detective, is hired to be Harry's coach and consultant...

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. 2005: Robert Downey, Jr. and Val Kilmer

Harry runs into childhood friend Harmony Lane (Michelle Monaghan), also an aspiring actress...

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. 2005: Michelle Monaghan

and that's when things take a crazy turn...

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. 2005: Robert Downey, Jr. and Val Kilmer

as Harry, Perry and Harmony finds themselves deeply involved in a murder case...

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. 2005: Michelle Monaghan

Things are out of control...

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. 2005: Robert Downey, Jr.

and very dangerous...

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. 2005: Robert Downey, Jr. and Val Kilmer

They must work together to see it through...

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. 2005: Robert Downey, Jr. and Val Kilmer

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. 2005: Michelle Monaghan

Friday, May 24, 2019

Leprechaun (1993): Warwick Davis and Jennifer Aniston

Written and directed by Mark Jones, Leprechaun (1993) was met with negative reviews, but the film has nevertheless become a Cult Classic. The story concerns the havoc that comes about in a small California town when an Irishman brings home a murderous Leprechaun in his luggage after stealing his gold. Warwick Davis is great as the sadistic Leprechaun out to retrieve his precious gold. Jennifer Aniston is cute in her film debut. The supporting cast is good as well, including Ken Olandt, Mark Holton and Robert Gorman.