Thriller & Mystery > Thriller Thriller & Mystery > V

Advantages: non stop action
Disadvantages: violence/ strong language

Heat is probably one of the best cops and robbers films ever made and fans of the film will tell you they have watched it dozens of times like me. Director Michael Mann is no stranger to crime films as he has been involved with CSI and Miami Vice. Robert De Niro and Al Pacino star and are supported by a dozen good actors in the supporting cast including Val Klimer. The film opens with the carrying out of a violent armed robbery by Neil MaCCauleys ...
...the gaurds are shot to remove witnesses. The gang get away with bearer bonds used by a crooked banker to launder drug money. MacCauley blames gang member Waingrove for the robbery going wrong and tries to kill him. Tough cop Al Pacino is soon on his trail. He is also investigating a series of murders of prostitutes (this later turns out to be Waingrove). He has marital problems in his life. The film touchs on the human side of relationships of ... Read review

Advantages: Like who you're supposed to, hate who you're not
Disadvantages: Some annoying characters/moments

...to make for a hard enemy to beat. When the police and the media get a whiff of what has gone down by this lake, there is no signs of foul play, although it is soon discovered that a bird watcher has a camera on the lake that was aimed directly at the site of the murder. The theme of the movie is an issue that still gets discussed today, in how survelliance is tracking each and everyone of us, especially in America. You've probably seen the car advert ...
...on camera every day, so you might as well look good. This makes for a lot of high-tech scenes in the movie, such as drop down views on scenes to show them from the satellites perspective, although this isn't done in a way so that you don't see the scene in normal view either. This movie isn't that artistic, but what it lacks in style it makes up for in presence. When the 'bad guys', lead by Reynolds (Jon Voight, who I most recently saw appear in ... Read review

Advantages: Bryan Brown, interesting special effects
Disadvantages: Very dated

...Directed by Robert Mandel, FX - Murder by Illusion was packed full of interesting and innovative techniques but sadly these are now run of the mill and seem somewhat inadequate compared to today's movies. Saying that, his ability to use the world of the special effects to tell the story but still leave some mysticism about it is truly ingenious. Especially as it allows for the movie to twist and turn at a reasonable pace and every now and then throwing ...
...After 20 years FX - Murder by Illusion has sadly become very dated and compared to modern films it looks like a straight to DVD release. But getting past the dated soundtrack and 80s fashions, the film remains one very compelling thriller which still has enough about it to keep you gripped for its duration. A lot of this is down to the enigmatic acting of Bryan Brown who always manages to entertain with his tough characters and straight talking. ... Read review

Advantages: Good Storyline, plenty of action
Disadvantages: Some poor effects and poor acting performances

The Jackal (Film Review Only). Terek Murad of the Russian mafia hires the worlds most famous and illusive hit man `The Jackal` to kill a top US government official in revenge for his Brother Ghazzi Murad's death at the hand of the F.B.I and Russian intelligence agents. The Storyline. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The F.B.I at the US Embassy in Russia are working with the Russia Intelligence Agency to arrest Ghazzi Murad, when ...
...Murad's Brother Terek Murad of the Russian mafia is furious and wants revenge so he hires the greatest assassin in history `The Jackal` (Bruce Willis) to assassinate a top US Government Official. When Preston (Sidney Poitier) gets word of the plan, he and Major Koslova have to try to find a way to stop him, but how. They have to take a huge risk and release an imprisoned I.R.A underground Operative Declan Mulqueen (Richard Gere) to help them, as ... Read review

Advantages: De Niro and Pacino together
Disadvantages: would have liked more focus on the main characters

...in mind I do think Heat is one of the best action crime dramas I have ever scene. I am never bored watching it, and have completely lost count how many times I have indeed watched it. I may have wanted more focus on the main characters, but Michael Mann's directing never the less was superb in this, making an audience glued for three hours is not an easy task, which in my views Mann successfully did with this film. Although Braveheart was the movie ...
...the shelf, I think Heat was the best movie of that year. -------------------------------------------- My Thoughts on the Characters -------------------------------------------- The roles of the characters were picked perfectly. I could never pick a favourite out of Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, they both bring so many talents to any part they pick to play, but undoubtedly in this movie you could not imagine the characters the other way round. ... Read review