TrueJoshNight Truly Dreadful Film

Jeanskynebu the audience applauded

Acensbart Excellent but underrated film

Cheryl A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

FlashCallahan When Eastern European criminals Oleg and Emil come to New York City to pick up their share of a heist score, Oleg steals a video camera and starts filming their activities, both legal and illegal. When they learn how the American media can make a remorseless killer look like the victim and make them rich, they target Detective Eddie Flemming and Fire Marshal Jordy Warsaw. They are investigating their murder and torching of their former criminal partner, filming everything to sell to the local tabloid TV show 'Top Story'.......Its a wonderful concept, murder someone who has a high profile, film and claim your insane, and not just become rich, become a media darling. It could have been a biting satire on reality TV, and how people take Andy Warhol's famous saying quite literal.But no, the makers go for a really strange mix of comedy and thriller, but the comedy just doesn't work due to the acts of the two criminals, even if they do remind one of Ren and Stimpy.Burns and De Niro are fine, but have zero chemistry together, and plausibility is thrown straight out of the window, so if you are looking for any sort of realism, which would have been very beneficial for this story, you are looking in the wrong place.If the humour was more evident, and the violence toned down, as well as the sinister streak it has, being over the top would have worked.It feels that there are two different versions of the script, and someone on set just bought a different version every other day. So the plot and story stay the same, but the narrative, and the feel of the film just end up very sporadic every now and again.For a throwaway movie, it has a point to the power of media, and how it influences many peoples opinions, but to go any deeper, would just expose the many plot holes this film has.

romanorum1 This movie plot's premise is that people are captivated by celebrity, and will degrade themselves to get it. Didn't Andy Warhol declare that everyone will be famous for 15 minutes? At least he was supposed to say it, and folks do chase that elusive star status. So it is that two amoral Eastern Europeans, weaned on dumb tabloid TV shows exported to Europe, come to America thinking that the US is a land of opportunity for folks like them. In their deranged minds, they believe that "no one is responsible for what they do." The psychos assume that all they have to do is commit crimes, get them on tape, get captured, declare insanity, and rake in the dough that comes in through TV appearances and book rights. Simple enough . . .The two immigrants are criminals from Eastern Europe. The dominant one is as vile as one can imagine, a frightening Czech with contorted features and bulging eyes (Karel Roden = Emil Slovak). Slovak? Hmmm, why not Slovakian instead of Czech? Anyway, he is a psychotic murderer who enjoys his "work." The other, Oleg Taktarov (Oleg Razgul) is a none-too bright Russian who constantly and annoyingly takes videos of everything around him with his camcorder, which he stole in Times Square. They go to a NY apartment of a plumber "friend" to get their share of the loot that the "friend" and his wife were "holding" for them while the two depraved ones did serious jail time in the old country. Of course the money has been spent. Of course the couple will not survive. The murderers get it all on tape. But it does not help that a jittery redhead Czech woman, Daphne Handlova (Vera Varmiga), witnessed the whole thing and barely escapes on the fire escape into the city streets below. The psychopaths set fire to the place. On the crime scene is NY homicide detective Eddie Flemming (Robert De Niro). Flemming provides seedy Robert Hawkins (Kelsey Grammar), a Jerry Springer-like reality TV host ("Top Story"), information about his arrests to provide the show with the stories and eventual top ratings. Eddie's reward is publicity and folk-hero status. But it should be understood that in this film Eddie is not compromised by the relationship: He is a good and competent officer. His girl is attractive Nicolette Karas (Melina Kanakaredes). Hey, I'm glad they kept her a Greek in the flick. She has the essence and looks it. Nicolette is the lead crime reporter for "Top Stories," and we can ascertain how the two lovers help each others' careers along. Also on the crime scene is arson investigator Fire Marshal Jordy Warsaw (as Polish as one can get, Edward Burns), who has a partner, fireman Camello (Mike Camello, whose role is small). The Deputy Fire Marshal's name is Duffy. And there's Eddie's partner, a detective named Jackson. Notice all these ethnic surnames? Well, it is New York after all! Anyway, after an initial minor confrontation Flemming and Warsaw decide to work together as they realize that the arson masked a double murder. Remember, the killers are not yet ready to surrender. Now as terrified Daphne is an illegal immigrant she is afraid to come to the police for obvious reasons. And the thuggish ones have this knowledge, and they know her identity. They track her down to her place of work as a hair washer in a woman's beauty saloon. Daphne is threatened not to say anything, or else. Before that the two sociopaths murdered a prostitute who told them about Daphne's situation. After leaving the salon they are spotted on the streets by Flemming and Warsaw, who give chase. Emil and Oleg escape into vast Central Park, although the former takes a bullet in the foot.Daphne does cooperate with the police, and there are more taped murders, especially one in a surprising pivotal scene in the second half. The creeps want to sell the tapes to Hawkins for one million dollars. So the two lunatics hire themselves a lawyer as sleazy as they can get (Bruce Cutler). Cutler plans on pleading insanity for them by blaming the crimes on Emil's supposed abusive childhood. Oleg will be sent to a mental institution, where he will miraculously recover, be declared sane, and be released. The maniacs will then cash in on their "celebrity" status, like a movie deal, knowing that they cannot be tried again because of "double jeopardy." If the "plan" appears preposterous, well it is. Then the amateur director and the filmmaker quarrel, setting up the denouement.There are stretches here. I wondered long and hard about the possibility of a policeman and fireman teaming up for an obvious criminal investigation. And the conclusion surely has many coincidences. And before that the criminals' dream sort of comes true, doesn't it? Nevertheless, the movie does create tension, especially near the end. By then we are convinced that anything can happen in a movie that says that the media inculcates violence. But the film's cynical opinion is just as oppressive and brutal as the tabloid TV show it was supposedly against. Then again, maybe it's just a satire! One thing's for sure – subtle it isn't!Robert De Niro, a fine and respected actor who has won two Academy Awards for Best Actor ("The Godfather: Pt. II," 1974 and "Raging Bull," 1980), does very well with the role of a smart and eccentric NY detective. He shows signs of warmth, as when he takes time to write notes and practice proposing to his attractive girlfriend. Burns, rather bland (intentional?), is the opposite. Kanakaredes looks good and is competent as usual. Grammar, also a capable actor, does well with his part as a slimy TV host. But the best parts are those of the two unpredictable criminals themselves, who occupy much screen time. Karel Roden is just repellent. Would anyone want to be in the same room with this guy?

Faris Ahmad Raza I just watched this movie lately and was pretty impressed. Robert De Niro plays the role of a detective and his acting like always was strong. He is one of the best actors and he surely proves it by doing a very fine job in this one. Edward Burns playing a Fire Marshall shows good acting skills. It is a unique movie quite different, good action,shows the relation between crime and media,the villains put up a good show,sharp,thought provoking, some would say a bit predictable but 15 min is a full package of action,drama,thriller,fun and what else do you want? TRUST ME A MUST WATCH THE CAST AND TAGLINE SAYS IT ALL! So go for it you'll surely have a good time. :)

edwagreen Robert DeNiro getting killed with some time before the movie ends? This in itself is quite unusual.Nonetheless, we have an interesting take on a film that deals with pleading the insanity line in murder and attempting to get away with it. It seems as the film is ending that the victims here are the good guys and that evil knows how to go around the law.Two men, a Russian and Czech nationalist enter the U.S. to further ridicule our system of justice. They go on a killing spree and expect to get away with their hideous deeds due to the insanity plea.What they don't consider is justice being meted out by a fire marshal who is fed up with the system as it exists after he is about to be ruined by it as well.