Consider Mr. Brooks. A successful businessman a generous philanthropist a loving father ... more
and devoted husband. Seemingly he's perfect. But Mr. Brooks has a secret - he is an insatiable serial killer so lethally clever that no one has ever suspected h...
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Kevin Costner gives one of the best performances of his career in this cunningly crafted ... more
thriller filled with nail-biting suspense from beginning to end. Earl Brooks (Costner) has a thriving business, a devoted wife, a loving daughter... and a terrible secret. He's a psychopathic serial killer, and no one has ever suspected him. Unable to control his horrific addiction, Brooks gives in to his sadistic, all-too-real alter ego (William Hurt) and succumbs to his murderous urges. But a pesky witness (Dane Cook) to his latest crime and a stubborn detective (Demi Moore) on the case add shocking new twists to an already terrifying game of cat and mouse.
Earl Brooks is a man whose seemingly perfect family and status in the community hide an ... more
ugly secret. Brooks constantly says the plea of an addict--the Serenity Prayer--but he's not in the grip of drugs or alcohol. Instead, his neat little bow tie belies a man with an urge to kill.
Thriller - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Timothy West, Neil Morrissey, Tara Fitzgerald, Annette Crosbie, Pauline Quirke, Rob Brydon, Denise Van Outen, John Thomson, Kevin Whately, David Suchet
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: Bharat Nalluri, Rob Bailey, Andy Wilson - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Matthew MacFadyen, Keeley Hawes, David Oyelowo, Peter Firth, Jenny Agutter, Lisa Faulkner
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: K.C. Bascombe - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Jesse James, Rachel Skarsten, Charles Powell, Linda Purl, Kevin Zegars
...can photograph them. When Mr. Brooks inadvertently leaves the curtains open during a murder, an amateurish mistake caused by an unconscious desire to be caught and stopped, he is captured on camera by a voyeur who was getting off watching the murdered couple having sex. When Mr. Brooks is approached by the voyeur, he is somewhat bemused to discover that the voyeur isn't blackmailing him for money… but for more sordid performances! The problem is, ... ...constantly goading him to kill… Mr. Brooks' life is not an easy one.
'Mr. Brooks' is absolutely riveting - with a stellar performance by Costner who has shied away from the 'romance' genre these past few years in order to become a serious actor. Never a great Costner fan, I was bowled over by his performance in 'The Guardian' two years ago, and totally blown-away by his performance in 'Mr. Brooks'.
Director: Bruce A. Evans Writers: Bruce A. Evans & Raynold Gideon Genre: Crime - Drama - Mystery - Thriller Country: USA Certification: 18 Language: English Released: 8th February, 2008 (DVD)
MAIN CAST:
Kevin Costner (Mr. Earl Brooks) William Hurt (Marshall) Demi Moore (Detective Tracy Atwood) Dane Cook (Mr. Smith) Marg Helgenberger (Emma Brooks) Danielle Panabaker (Jane Brooks)
Earl Brooks is a highly successful businessman, a loving husband and a doting father-but he's also a serial killer who loves killing couples and placing them in romantic positions so that he can photograph them. When Mr. Brooks inadvertently leaves the curtains open during a murder, an amateurish mistake caused by an unconscious desire to be caught and stopped, he is captured on camera by a voyeur who was getting off watching the murdered couple having sex. When Mr. Brooks is approached by the voyeur, he is somewhat bemused to discover that the voyeur isn't blackmailing him for money… but for more sordid performances! The problem is, Mr. Brooks is trying to control his murderous nature and doesn't want to kill again-added to this a detective who refuses to give up until he's behind bars, a daughter with a terrible secret, and a split personality that is constantly goading him to kill… Mr. Brooks' life is not an easy one.
'Mr. Brooks' is absolutely riveting - with a stellar performance by Costner who has shied away from the 'romance' genre these past few years in order to become a serious actor. Never a great Costner fan, I was bowled over by his performance in 'The Guardian' two years ago, and totally blown-away by his performance in 'Mr. Brooks'.
'Mr. Brooks' possesses a somewhat simplistic storyline, one where the main character's double personality appears as a 'real' person. Marshall, played by the incredibly talented William Hurt, is an integral part of Earl Brooks, he is the one who is constantly tempting Brooks to kill, however, he isn't totally evil, just as Brooks isn't totally good. Although Marshall is only a figment of Brooks' imagination, nothing more, in truth, than a voice in Brooks' sick mind, he does not live within Brooks' mind - he possesses his own body, one that only Brooks can see.
'Mr. Brooks' is possibly the most engrossing movie I have seen this year. During the movie's 120 minute runtime, the viewer is plunged into the sordid mind of a serial killer yet, oddly, the murders don't actually play an integral part of this movie. Yes, people do get killed, but the story itself isn't all about the stalking or the killing, it's about Mr. Brooks - his life, his wife and daughter, his friends… and Marshall. There is just so much going on with Mr. Brooks that the killings take a back seat, and curiously… the viewer tends to forget that Mr. Brooks and Marshall are wholly evil. The viewer is totally engrossed in the characters, absorbed by their twisted sense of humour and their pragmatic outlook on life… and then along comes Mr. Smith, the voyeur who has taken a fancy to murder and desperately wants to learn how it's done!
This movie is incredibly well acted (apart, perhaps, for Demi Moore), and is a veritable kaleidoscope of shades of 'evil'. There are no 'good' characters, only 'less evil' ones, which is what makes this movie so darned fascinating. The viewer doesn't (can't) latch on to any of the characters because none of them are actually 'nice', therefore a new frame of mind sets in, and you find yourself watching not as a 'viewer', but as a 'spectator'. There is a sense of detachment on the one part as you watch this movie, yet there is, simultaneously, an overwhelming sense of being a part of everything… in a way, we become Mr. Smith, the voyeur. We are watching Mr. Smith, who is watching Mr. Brooks, who is watching the victim… we are all accomplices.
'Mr. Brooks' is a fascinating movie to watch - regardless that there are no special-effects, no great soundtrack or likeable characters. The storyline is wickedly entertaining with its twists and turns, the acting is superb, and the atmosphere, always on the edge of dreariness, perfectly compliments a story that is neither black or white… but a perfect shade of grey.
Advantages: Engrossing thriller Disadvantages: Many plot holes
...The special features include:
Commentary by Bruce A. Evans and Raynold Gideon Deleted Scenes The Birth of a Serial Killer: The Writing of Mr. Brooks On the Set of Mr. Brooks Murder on Their Minds: Mr. Brooks, Marshall & Mr. Smith Mr. Brooks Theatrical Trailer ...
Great_reviewer07 13.07.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Mr. Brooks (DVD)
Advantages: although an 18 certificate, not too spooky for us wimps Disadvantages: none
I recently joined an online DVD club and Mr Brooks was the first film to be sent to me, as I work nights and am a bit of a wimp I decided to watch this film during the day in Bed, the result was I didn't get much sleep, not because it was overly spooky and I was scared to sleep but because it was a truelly gripping film and I did not want to miss a second of it. Mr Brooks Is definatly one of the best films I have had the pleasure of watching this ...
Breeshey 04.09.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Mr. Brooks (DVD)
Advantages: Excellent psychological thriller with an amazing and unusual story line. Disadvantages: None
I have seen this movie loads of times.This is one of the best movies i have seen in years.The story is complex and unusual.That really impressed me as it's not the usual story in a thriller.It has a good cast of actors including Demi Moore and it's definitely one of the best performances Kevin Costner has given in years.There is a suspense held through out the movie and it will keep you at the edge of your seat through out the film.This psychological ...
RAMADaisyblue 12.08.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Mr. Brooks (DVD)
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Advantages: In interesting view of Costner Disadvantages: So many sharp opposites
seen before, its worth seeing in order to see Demi Moore deliver her first totally rock solid hard as iron performance of her career. And it?s worth seeing if only to see this incredibly good story weave itself together despite what seems like impossible odds.
Mr. Brooks has a number of false ends, and twists throughout the movie; so dispute its faults prepare for the ride of the year, whether you love it or hate it.
Mr. Brooks hits U.K. Cinemas on October 20th 2007. Unfortunately its too early to comment on U.K. DVD release dates and special features however the U.S. preview disc I received had nothing other than a trailer and the movie itself. ...
Advantages: Entertaining, Decent Cast Disadvantages: Too Many Subplots
By day he's a mild mannered company owner, but by night he's a cold and calculated serial killer. That's the premise for MrBrooks, an adult thriller that is a bit like Donnie Darko without the confusing time travel, a manical rabbit and headscratching.
Kevin Costner plays the title character, a successful businessman whose respected in the community for his work, he has a thriving business, a comfortable home life and everything is peachy. Unfortunately he has an itch to kill, spurred on by his partner in crime Marshall (William Hurt), Marshall however is a figment of MrBrook's imagination.
On one of his kills, Brooks get's photographed caught in the act by a neighbour. Instead of being handed to the police, MrBrooks is approached by Mr Smith who uses the photographs to coerce MrBrooks into taking him along and getting him ...
Advantages: Great film all round Disadvantages: Complex plot twists in abundance
When people think of Kevin Costner and his films, you can be pretty sure they're thinking of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, or the flop Waterworld, or his critically acclaimed roles in JFK or Dances With Wolves or the smash hit The Bodyguard. Costner has hit it as a screen legend, but of late he hasn't been as hot in terms of publicity. This surprises me, as two of his more recent roles I consider to be possibly his best. The first is his role as a drifter in the cult western film Open Range. The second is here, as the obsessive serial killer MrBrooks. Costner seems to excel at the more artistic films that don't hit the screens in such a big way. MrBrooks is a highly entertaining and well worked thriller directed by Bruce A Evans and starring Costner alongside some other eyebrow raising names such as Demi Moore, William Hurt and CSI ...
Earl Brooks is a man whose seemingly perfect family and status in the community hide an ugly secret. Brooks constantly says the plea of an addict--the Serenity Prayer--but he's not in the grip of drugs or alcohol. Instead, his neat little bow tie belies a man with an urge to kill.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
MGM ENTERTAINMENT; 20TH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Commentary by Bruce A. Evans and Raynold Gideon, Deleted scenes, Three featurettes
Aspect Ratio
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1
Professional reviews
Review
This remains a blackly funny noir treat thanks to Costner and Hurt's double-act (Empire, 02/01/2008)
DVD Description
Kevin Costner stars as Earl Brooks, a man whose seemingly perfect family and status in the community hide an ugly secret. Brooks constantly says the plea of an addict--the Serenity Prayer--but he's not in the grip of drugs or alcohol. Instead, his neat little bow tie belies a man with an urge to kill. Though he's staved off that desire for two years, it has returned thanks to the efforts of his evil inner voice (William Hurt, A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE). He is caught in the act by a man who calls himself Mr. Smith (Dane Cook, EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH), but Mr. Smith doesn't want to turn Brooks in. The smarmy amateur photographer wants to learn from Brooks's methodical ways and become a killer himself. Meanwhile, a tough cop (Demi Moore, BOBBY) hunts for the man responsible for deaths all over Portland while she deals with issues in her own life. MR. BROOKS presents a fascinating portrait of a man at war with himself. As the devil on Brooks's shoulder, Oscar winner Hurt adeptly alternates between menace and glee, adding to a resume already replete with varied roles. Though Costner is mostly known for playing nice guys (FIELD OF DREAMS) and charming rogues (BULL DURHAM), his performance as the tortured killer is interesting to watch, and he rises to the challenge of playing a completely different character than the kind he is known for. MR. BROOKS is an engaging thriller that goes into the fractured mind of a murderer, while also delivering an intriguing maze of multiple subplots.
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