Little Big Man

Little Big Man; Combats Hollywood mythology using hilarious satire, brutally violent reenactments daring to sympathize w/the original people & actually casting Indigenous ppl, notably Chief Dan George. Hoffman displays Buster Keaton levels of physical comedy amid a brilliant dramatic performance; A

The Chamber

Directed by:  James Foley
Starring:  Chris O'Donnell, Gene Hackman, Faye Dunaway, Robert Prosky
Running Time:  1h 51min

John Grisham's lawyer books turned movies have officially become tiresome.  Now I could have said this back when The Pelican Brief was first released but now it can't be denied.  Grisham serves us yet another tale involving a young lawyer against all odds, fighting for justice, with the aid of a nice female helper.  Should he be working for his client?  Will he beat the odds?  WHO CARES?  There wasn't a single character in this movie that was worth caring for or even worth watching.  O'Donnell is extremely stiff as he delivers his lines in the same tone, regardless of emotion.  His handling of the big Grisham monologue is empty.  Hackman is reduced to looking sad and then yelling.  It's a shame that Grisham's films attract such great talent and hard-earned $$$.

Grade: D

Chinatown

Directed by:  Roman Polanski
Starring:  Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, John Hillerman
Running Time:  2h 11min

A truly great script allows the viewer to comfortably sit back and watch the performers slowly unravel a compelling mystery.  Very controlled performances come out of Polanski's direction, making the genre of film noir ease into the 70s.  Nothing seems overcooked or typical. The scenery is stylish, the cars fantastic, and the wardrobe a wonderful sight.  The only real problem is the pace at which the film moves.  It's understandable why it builds the story, and the colours and performances help cut the film's long running time.  Nothing flashy, which is good because it allows a good script to provide the satisfaction.

Grade: B+