tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196474091232449207.post7245060080954698825..comments2024-03-15T20:14:57.052-04:00Comments on Direct to Video Connoisseur: The Confessor aka The Good Shepherd (2004)Direct to Video Connoisseurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02310858965138247572noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196474091232449207.post-68509438439920134912011-06-10T21:01:14.448-04:002011-06-10T21:01:14.448-04:00Yeah, Slater has a wealth of great DTV stuff, and ...Yeah, Slater has a wealth of great DTV stuff, and I can't wait to get into it. Speaking of the Jack Nicholson impressions, remember that skit he did on SNL about the device that blows people's hair back so they don't have to hold it back while doing their Jack impression?<br /><br />What you say about Kaurismaki's use of Finnish vernacular makes me like him even more. He's very much like an American director I love, Jim Jarmusch. More an art house cat than a mainstream director. I loved his Proletariat Trilogy.Direct to Video Connoisseurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02310858965138247572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196474091232449207.post-32631884373255177932011-06-10T20:09:29.506-04:002011-06-10T20:09:29.506-04:00That is odd we posted at the same time!That is odd we posted at the same time!Tyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06188012325610596179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196474091232449207.post-8008279133844451482011-06-10T19:30:58.822-04:002011-06-10T19:30:58.822-04:00Oh, and I second the love for Hard Cash and Mindhu...Oh, and I second the love for Hard Cash and Mindhunters. Both would make an excellent Slater/Kilmer Double Feature (and throw in True Romance in there for good measure).<br /><br />Hard Rain is also vastly underrated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196474091232449207.post-38792567844532517252011-06-10T19:27:19.083-04:002011-06-10T19:27:19.083-04:00I've almost DVR'ed this a couple times now...I've almost DVR'ed this a couple times now. I'll have to give it a whirl. I'm a big Slater fan, so I'm sorta glad he's getting a good DTV resume going. I'm sure he'd rather be a big fish in a little pond than take occasional supporting roles in theatrical stuff. I've only seen a smattering of his recent stuff but he's been solid in almost everything (he was easily the best part of Dolan's Cadillac). Nothing can top his early Jack Nicholson impressioning days though. Legend of Billy Jean, Heathers, Young Guns 2, and of course the immortal Kuffs. Not many people can do the whole Breaking the 4th Wall and Talking to the Audience thing without making it look forced and goofy, but Slater can do it with the best of them. If he and Milla re-teamed for a DTV sequel to THAT, I'd be there in a red hot minute.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196474091232449207.post-17838801553284973132011-06-10T16:34:53.615-04:002011-06-10T16:34:53.615-04:00This is an interesting cultural difference here, b...This is an interesting cultural difference here, because I personally wouldn't watch a Kaurismaki film even if someone paid me to (hasn't happened) or if a pretty girl would ask (has happened, and yes, I refused). He uses the Finnish language in ways that...well, it's impossible to explain, but people just don't talk like that here. IMDb says: "Most of the Finnish dialog in his films is hypercorrect literary language, which is rarely spoken in real life", but that doesn't do it justice. If you're really hammered, you'll find major camp value in his films. Otherwise, I prefer cyanide. <br /><br />I'd say Pursued was average, but Slater was indeed very good there. A difficult guy to judge, Slater. He shouldn't belong in the DTV world, but as you so brilliantly pointed out, who would he replace? Is he a an action hero, a villain, a comedian, a dramatic guy, what? Weird fellow, but I like him and his films. And Hard Cash! Holy f'n crap! If you don't mention those special effects in your review, I never trust you again! What the hell were they thinking?!TJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02361258547048668035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196474091232449207.post-81190603213738244722011-06-10T08:39:02.554-04:002011-06-10T08:39:02.554-04:00Ty, we posted simultaneously, I don't think th...Ty, we posted simultaneously, I don't think that has ever happened before. Pursued is another that has been on my radar, and I missed it when it was on Watch Instantly, and have been hoping they'll bring it back, but I may have to bite the bullet and rent it. The next one I have on my list for him is Hard Cash, which I saw a long time ago and will withhold my thoughts on for the review; but Slater is definitely one I'll be looking to do more of, especially as we get more of the Hall of Famers' filmographies completed and have room for new faces.Direct to Video Connoisseurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02310858965138247572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196474091232449207.post-48132032789569115082011-06-10T08:35:15.902-04:002011-06-10T08:35:15.902-04:00I like that you liked Confessor too, and that you ...I like that you liked Confessor too, and that you made money selling Kuffs soundtracks-- what a great deal. I'd been looking at Mind Hunters, because it has a pretty stellar cast, so I may bump it up in the Slater rotation. Another one of your countryman whose films I enjoy is Aki Kaurismaki. Can't wait to check out his new one, Le Havre.Direct to Video Connoisseurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02310858965138247572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196474091232449207.post-10383225595249015292011-06-10T08:31:40.837-04:002011-06-10T08:31:40.837-04:00Great Review! Also enjoyed The Confessor. Slater, ...Great Review! Also enjoyed The Confessor. Slater, Parker and Rea put in good performances. <br /><br />and you're right: It is weird that Hard Rain came out 13 years ago! Also Slater is at his best in "Pursued" (2004).Tyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06188012325610596179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-196474091232449207.post-26822763771283251342011-06-10T06:02:03.301-04:002011-06-10T06:02:03.301-04:00Great review. This was released on DVD here in Fin...Great review. This was released on DVD here in Finland before the US. It was 19.99€ for exactly two weeks and after that I picked it up for 1.99€. Thought it would suck, but I noticed Brad Mirman's name as the writer and liked Resurrection a lot, so took a chance and... I liked it, too.<br /><br />Kuffs was released here with Goldwyn's f-words intact (not bleeped out with sfx). Normally I'm against censorship, but now it ruined the whole joke. By the way, I made over $200 for buying Kuffs soundtracks from Germany and selling them to US buyers, so that film (or rather the CD) has a special place in my hart :)<br /><br />Check out Slater in Mindhunters. Very underrated film from my fellow countryman, Renny Harlin.TJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02361258547048668035noreply@blogger.com