wgg-1 Reviews

Gerald (I) (2010)

A subtle, funny movie with brilliant performances and writing!

[10/10 · 9 June 2012]

From a remarkable script by Tim Gallagher, "Gerald" is a rare movie that offers new insights into American lives burdened with recession, loss and unemployment. And no, that description is not intended to applaud a depressing art film. "Gerald" promises optimism for better days with good humor, clever plot twists and an ensemble of actors who never reduce everyday characters to stereotypes or losers. "Gerald" is a reassuring experience that grows richer with repeated viewings.

The namesake character depicted by Louis Mandylor suffers a blow to his head during a bumbling childbirth at the hands of his mother's doctor (Mickey Rooney). The bump affects Gerald's emotional maturity for life. When, at 30, he suddenly loses his mother, Gerald mourns the loss of both his protector and his family life. Working class friends come to his rescue and embark on comical missions that may salvage Gerald both emotionally and financially. Gerald navigates a network of misfits from the laundry mat to a corporate boardroom with a determined heart that proves to be his barometer toward surprising revelations.

Louis Mandylor delivers a performance as sensitive and subtly effective as the film. He gives great dignity to Gerald, who deserves our respect, and again, Mandylor proves to to be one of today's most diversely talented and accomplished screen actors. He leads a superb ensemble cast including writer Tim Gallagher, who also acts (hilariously) in the film he has masterfully created. "Gerald" is compelling and recommended for anyone who needs a big dose of humor and hope within a great movie. And these days, who doesn't need all that?

Spartacus (2010–2013)

A brilliant television series with "Libertus" a crowning gem.

[10/10 · 26 February 2012]

Though "Spartacus: Vengeance" has many episodes yet to air, I am writing to applaud the brilliance of the series in general and of the episode "Libertus" (2/24/12) in particular. I never expected a television series about the ancient world to exceed the atmospheric and well-acted "Rome" on HBO. The "Spartacus" series has eclipsed any of its TV predecessors about the Roman Empire with a combination of action and drama that, at minimum, must be described as riveting. "Libertus" left me breathless with its climatic surprise that bears genuine comparison to Atlanta's burning in "Gone With The Wind." Like GWTW, "Spartacus" serves up (rather, carves up) big doses of epic soap opera, but when such fare is done well, nothing is better. Enormous credit is due Lucy Lawless and Manu Bennett, who have revived the memorable chemistry and romantic tension of their Antony and Cleopatra in one of the best "Xena" episodes. Liam McIntyre has given Spartacus his own compelling signature while honorably not seeking to replace Andy Whitfield's depiction of the character. Finally, Craig Parker as the seething and complex Glaber is this season's breakout star. We know the historic Spartacus meets a tragic fate, but I must hope this hero, along with his allies and enemies, will live forever.

Assassination Games (2011)

A Triumphant Van Damme in a Riveting Thriller!

[18 September 2011]

"This is what he does best, and he is the best." A corrupt Interpol officer makes that observation about Roland Flint, the character played by Scott Adkins in the riveting "Assassination Games." It's an accolade that truly applies to the film's star, Jean-Claude Van Damme, who has translated his experience as a global superstar into becoming one of the globe's best actors. JCVD is Vincent Brazil, a professional assassin and loner whose profession has intensified his self-isolation. Flint and Brazil become reluctant partners in a cat-and-mouse game against both Interpol and the European mob. Along the way, an unlikely girl next door named October invades Brazil's carefully protected personal space and forces him to provide her refuge from a vengeful pimp (depicted with effective menace by actor Attila Arpa). When October thanks Vincent with a kiss to the cheek, Van Damme displays the hit-man's resistance to affection with an emotion that is both telling and heartbreaking. It is a rare moment for an action film and a testament to the brilliance of Van Damme the actor. The relationship of October and Vincent becomes an effective dramatic anchor for the movie's unrelenting mix of tragedy and revenge. Increasingly, as his films showcase his dramatic talents, Van Damme creates movies that are both character driven and visually stylish without resorting to CGI tricks or action clichés. Experience and talent have enabled the original "Muscles from Brussels" to evolve into one of the most creative and uniquely effective forces in film making today. "Assassination Games" is another great chapter in the career of a triumphant and supremely talented Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Ten Dead Men (2008)

Silvio Simac brings the fight to "10 Dead Men"

[10/10 · 9 May 2011]

In this British revenge drama, the excellent actor Silvio Simac plays Loomis, a henchman, with the combination of humor and action finesse that have become Simac's signature. As Loomis waits patiently to unleash his fury, he reads the "Markets" section of the London Times. This amusing touch is a possible nod to the biography of the actor who graduated from his London University with an economics degree. Simac has become an action actor for post-millennium movies. He honors the traditions of screen heroes from the previous generation (Jackie Chan, Bruce Willis, et al.) who balanced aggression on screen with comedy. Yet Simac adds a contemporary edge to his performances with an assault of talent and skills that current audiences demand. There is nothing transparent or synthetic about the talents of Silvio Simac. He is unmistakably an actor with the skills and charisma for today. His performance merits the ten star rating from this reviewer for "Ten Dead Men."

Intergalactic Combat (2007)

Silvio Simac flies high in "Intergalactic Combat"

[10/10 · 9 May 2011]

The entire cast of this vibrant film is game for martial arts adventures, but Silvio Simac as "Billy Boy" leads the pack with his star power and promise for leading roles in the future. Though Simac has frequently been cast as the heavy, often in movies with combat or arena settings, his work in "Combat" demonstrates that he is undeniably a screen hero in the making. In one scene, in which Simac rescues a homeless victim from street thugs, the actor is tailored to kill. The effective scene proves that Simac can dispatch a heavy action scene with both humor and elegance. Hollywood should take note and give him the lead roles in action films that he richly deserves.

Knock Out (2010)

Silvio Simac delivers the movie's TKO scene!

[10/10 · 8 May 2011]

In "Knock-Out," Silvio Simac proves again that he is a global actor who is indispensable for the best action scenes in movies today. In this riveting thriller from India, Simac's contribution is far too brief, but his climatic fight with the film's lead proves to be a nail-biting highlight. Simac plays the aggressive leader of a tactical team deployed to eliminate a rooftop shooter. The charismatic actor infuses the scene with tension and talents to elevate it far above the usual concluding battle between good and evil. Simac's precision and dramatic skills have distinguished other films such as "DOA" and "Transporter 3." From atop the peak of a skyscraper in a dizzying fight scene, Simac also makes "Knock Out" another movie that soars! My 10 star rating for the film is the result of Simac's dynamic performance.

Universal Soldier: Regeneration (2009)

A great movie: Welcome back to action, JCVD!

[10/10 · 13 February 2010]

The latest reincarnation of the "Universal Soldier" saga gives fans plenty of reasons to cheer the return of Jean-Claude Van Damme in an action genre movie that allows him to flex his acting muscle. JCVD was a triumph. It is a shame that the success of JCVD did not translate into a U.S. theatrical release of "Regeneration," Van Damme's newest movie, that successfully mixes action with social warnings and swift adventurism. But, who's complaining? Fans will be thrilled to welcome Van Damme and company back into their home cinemas. Everyone behind and in front of the "Regeneration" cameras deserves applause. The plot and dialogue avoid the usual sci-fi clichés. The movie is unrelentingly tense but it does not abandon its focus on compelling characters. The atmosphere, created by the set of an old steel mill parading as Chernobyl, infuses the film with the appropriate feel of an impending apocalypse. The fights are fresh, enhanced by the MMA champions who play supporting characters. This "Soldier" is unique and exemplary, just like the great superstar who helms it.

Montana (2008)

Oleg Taktarov delivers powerhouse performance in "Montana."

[10/10 · 1 July 2009]

Oleg Taktarov, the powerful actor of "15 Minutes," "We Own the Night," and "Righteous Kill," packs heart, soul and talent for the journeys within "Montana," a new movie about cultural clashes overcome by acts of compassion. Taktarov plays Nikolai, a Russian hit-man who escapes from his adversaries into the streets of Los Angeles. He is taken into the household of Lesley and her son Johnny. In exchange for refuge, Nikolai repairs the single mother's decaying house and symbolically mends fences between everyday people of Russia and the U.S.

When enemies get too close to his new home, Nikolai makes his escape to Montana. The American West that mesmerized Nikolai as a child proves to be an empty emotional landscape. Nikolai returns to Los Angeles and finds his adopted American family under siege by the mob. Nikolai's revenge, as enacted by Taktarov and the excellent supporting cast, caps a compelling domestic drama with unrelenting action. Only a screen hero of Oleg Taktarov's stature and international reputation, as both a UFC champion and accomplished actor, could enable "Montana" to succeed on so many levels: personal drama, crime adventure, and a plea for understanding.

Nikolai is a searcher who wants to retreat into a new, textured life. Taktarov delivers a performance that elevates the movie above another mob potboiler. The film's poster shows Taktarov's face broken into pieces like a jigsaw puzzle. It is a suitable image for an actor who reveals the muscle and soulful complexity that will appeal to audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. Oleg Taktarov, the Russian actor who charmed audiences with his humor in "National Treasure," has become an international treasure. "Montana" is an effective showcase for his vast range of talents and appeal as a leading actor.

Doubt (I) (2008)

Meryl Streep channels Margaret Hamilton in "Doubt."

[3/10 · 3 January 2009]

I saw John Patrick Shanley's "Doubt" on Broadway with Cherry Jones as Sister Aloysius and Bryan F. O'Byrne as Father Flynn. It was one of the most riveting afternoons of theater I have ever experienced: forceful and clean acting, minimalist staging, no sound effects (other than the gasps of the audience). Cherry Jones played the hawkish Sister without any notion of Catholic school stereotypes. The plot twists provided all the thunder and lightning necessary to keep the attention of an audience left exhausted by the emotional battle between Aloysius and Flynn, whom the Sister perceives as a threat within the faculty of the school where she is the principal.

Shockingly Shanley has added all the clichés, including thunder and lightning, to his film of "Doubt" that he so effectively stripped from his play. In sabotaging his own play with stereotypes on screen, Shanley has found a ready ally in his lead actress, Ms. Streep, who lacks only the green warpaint for her depiction of Aloysius as the Wicked Witch of the West. She does wear the shiny black gown and requisite spiked hat. It would take only long fingernails to turn her into Margaret Hamilton, but those are reserved for co-star Phillip Seymour Hoffman who makes Flynn about as threatening as the morning milkman. With the exception of Amy Adams and Viola Davis to round out the central foursome of the play, the movie of "Doubt" bears no emotional resemblance to its vastly superior stage incarnation. By the time of the film's climax, so devastating as portrayed by Cherry Jones on Broadway, Streep has become such a cardboard cutout of the Catholic School nun that any suggestion of her personal redemption, or regret, is laughable. She even slaps the students with rulers as she purses her lips underneath that black cap.

With maturation, Streep appears to be entering the arena of late-career overacting previously pioneered by Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, and Dustin Hoffman. Well, it works for the Motion Picture Academy. She will certainly score a nomination and probably win an Oscar for her hammy work in this anemic adaptation of a great theatrical entertainment. For some of us, Margaret Hamilton will remain the genuine witch to watch. And "Doubt" will linger in the memory as a great Broadway experience, shamelessly reduced to camp on screen.

JCVD (2008)

A spectacular performance by Jean-Claude Van Damme highlights one of the year's best films!

[10/10 · 28 December 2008]

Like its star, JCVD excels in every category: acting, talent, emotion, and connection with the audience. This mesmerizing movie, helmed by its powerful lead actor and biographical subject, is finally expanding throughout America along with Hollywood's annual bucket of numbing Oscar bait. JCVD is eminently award worthy, but thankfully this superb film is no pretentious Oscar bait. And that's a very good thing. JCVD, in a league with another extraordinary 2008 thriller, "In Bruges," showcases Jean-Claude Van Damme as the mistakened perpetrator of a hold-up. In fact, he is a celebrity hostage overtaken by criminals as he fights for legal custody of his daughter and struggles to resume his career. The movie's inventive dramatic device, allowing Van Damme to enact himself, sets the stage for provocative statements about global stardom, the public's obsession with celebrity and the star's reported conflicts within his own personal life. No performance in the films of 2008 rivals the passion of Van Damme in JCVD. He plays the role as if his life depends upon this performance, and in depicting a fantasy version of himself, Van Damme unleashes a power that makes JCVD unforgettable. The star's monologue at the center of the film arrives suddenly and unexpectedly. He rises above the chaos on screen to deliver a reflective soliloquy that is, in equal parts, outwardly angry and heartbreakingly introspective. The astonishing scene is just one of many sequences in JCVD that firmly puts the "Muscles from Brussels" moniker behind Van Damme. JCVD establishes the star as a seasoned professional of the acting craft. And with JCVD, the muscular maestro has delivered one of the screen's masterworks of 2008.

Under a Red Moon (2008)

A memorable film from Australia with superlative acting, writing and direction.

[10/10 · 30 July 2008]

Australia's film community has given us the most admirable dramatic movies of this decade. It seems, these days, that only Australia is producing movies that address social issues within the context of family dramas. "Lantana" and "Romulus my Father," two of the best movies made since 2000, set high standards for combining societal concerns with effective domestic drama on screen.

"Under a Red Moon" now enters the same arena of superb film making established by "Lantana" and "Romulus." "Red Moon" is delivered by a cast and crew who are clearly at the top of their game. Though it deals with social problems within a family drama, "Red Moon" is no television movie of the week. It is superior, compassionate theatrical entertainment that provokes thought and invites discussion long after the credits have rolled. The movie examines the marriage of Jonathan and Anna Dunn, an established and high achieving couple who have lost their only son Luke to drug addiction.

Jonathan is an ambitious judge, who is willing to use personal tragedy both for his political gain and as fuel for his position favoring zero tolerance for drug users. He hides his grief over Luke behind his work and blatantly ignores a decaying home life, even to the point of refusing Anna's calls about their anniversary celebration. Anna retreats from grief into an endless cycle of house remodeling, shopping sprees, and spa treatments. She appears to be pampered and well maintained, but she actually medicates herself with pot and pain killers. She keeps Luke's room as he left it, a shrine to the family's happy days.

On the night of their nineteenth anniversary, the Dunns and their suburban home are invaded by burglars. Jonathan reacts with force and captures one of the intruders. The thief's conspirators return to the house for a rescue of their mate, and it is revealed that the burglars were friends of Luke. Are they busting into the home of the affluent Dunns for easy drug money? Or, are the thieves motivated by some desire of vengeance for Luke? The motives for the burglary become secondary as the night deepens under a lunar eclipse and revelations tear away at Jonathan and Anna.

As portrayed by Richard Norton, Jonathan decomposes physically and emotionally while the night ticks away. Both the personal and public consciences of this man must corrode. It took someone with Norton's acting skills and physicality to make Jonathan compelling rather than alienating. Norton succeeds brilliantly. He adds the twist to "Red Moon" that shakes the plot and reduces Jonathan from a superman to an everyman. When Norton collapses during a moment of painful memory about his relationship with Luke, he is channeling a broken family man, emotionally and physically. The meltdown is unforgettable, thanks to the work of this talented actor whose list of achievements in the global film community is already significant. "Under the Red Moon" adds another major milestone to the career of Richard Norton.

Anna is played by Jane Badler, a terrific actress who reprises her chemistry with Norton from their first film together: "Under the Gun." Like Norton, Badler does not hold back on either the emotional or physical demands of her role as Anna. Her grief is painfully unresolved and never will be eliminated. Badler depicts the gamut of her character's emotions with a depth that makes her both sympathetic and perplexing, the proper mix for any mother teetering on the brink of several edges after the loss of her only child.

A political ally says to Jonathan shortly after the movie opens, "Just when you've got your finger on the pulse, it stops. " True to that statement, "Under a Red Moon" is filled with ambiguities and gray answers to the debates it raises. To its credit, the ending of the movie is also ambiguous; neither the audience nor the film's characters are freed entirely from the tensions of the plot. There is no tidy "closure" here. The conclusion of the movie keeps important questions on the table.

It is a privilege to see "Under a Red Moon" at early screenings. Besides the work of Norton, Badler and the ensemble cast, including Ditch Davey as one of the burglars, the powerful effect of "Under a Red Moon" can be credited to the direction and screenplay of Leigh Sheehan. They have created another movie to add to Australia's pantheon of cinematic social dramas that conjure memorable impacts. Most importantly, it is the memory of the remarkable performances within "Under a Red Moon" that will be a lasting one.

The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964)

"Fall" is the standard bearer for all cinematic epics.

[10/10 · 18 May 2008]

"The Fall of the Roman Empire" epitomizes the great cinematic epic: intelligent, visually triumphant, splendidly acted. It is a feast for both the eyes and the ears. And it is a reminder, sadly, that the days of ensemble casts in one motion picture are probably over. The star power of "Fall" could probably never be duplicated today. Stephen Boyd and Sophia Loren mightily and magnificently carry the weight of the production. After mastering "Ben-Hur" with that film's best portrayal, as the heavy opposite a wooden Charlton Heston, Boyd got the opportunity to play the hero at last in "Fall." Boyd is an actor and a hero for the ages. The passion between him and Loren is vastly more believable than the Italian diva's pairing with Heston (yes, him again) in "El Cid," also from producer Samuel Bronston. Loren and Boyd are surrounded by some of the most accomplished actors of the 1960s, notably Alec Guinness who sets the film's timely tone with a speech about Pax Romana in the first chapter. "Fall" is, simply, a masterpiece.

Rockaway (2007)

Riveting Movie with a great Oleg Taktarov performance.

[10/10 · 10 February 2008]

"Rockaway" is not always an easy movie to watch. The brutality keeps coming, as the movie tells the story of a returning vet from Afghanistan who faces as much personal chaos in the States as he encountered at war. Nicholas Gonzalez plays Trane, the homecoming vet, whose wife and child were murdered in Rockaway when they got in the way of the local mob. The brutality is necessary, because the story (said to be truth based) can not take it easy on either the facts or its themes to be effective. Trane comes home to neighborhood warfare and economic desolation in an often overlooked pocket of America. One of his adversaries is a Russian mob enforcer played masterfully by Oleg Taktarov, depicting another Afghan vet who served in the Soviet Army. Taktarov's character Ivan is menacing, but the actor also makes him sympathetic as Ivan, like Trane, was psychologically and morally exhausted by war in the Middle East. Taktarov gets better with every role, and when he's on the screen, "Rockaway" delivers its messages with breathless impact.

Road House 2: Last Call (2006 Video)

A worthy sequel with great Richard Norton bad guy.

[10/10 · 20 July 2006]

"Road House 2" is a worthy sequel to the Eighties cult fight fest, full of gorgeous Louisiana locales and the obligatory redneck sideshows. Dalton offspring Jonathon Schaech flies from New York to the bayou where he must protect the Black Pelican bar, a family establishment, from an encroaching Miami crime syndicate led by Richard Norton, starring as Victor Cross. The well tailored Cross is the kind of villain that audiences relish. He is suavely menacing and overly confident. Norton plays him to perfection, and the film benefits from a suited bad guy in contrast to all those bar brawlers. When Norton, a famed martial artist, and Schaech go at each other, the movie finally finds the edgy action style it needs for contemporary audiences. Unfortunately, Norton and co-star Will Patton do not get enough screen time in this chapter of the Dalton family saga. But, the film gets high marks for casting them and for their performances. If "Road House" repeats again, let's hope that Victor, as portrayed by Norton, gets a return reservation!

Dream Warrior (2003)

Great Henriksen and Norton chemistry!

[9/10 · 6 April 2004]

In a cast of pros, Lance Henriksen and Richard Norton as villain and henchman respectively portray a complex chemistry between their characters that elevates "Dream Warrior" aka "Man Called Rage" above standard action movie fare. The chemistry between these two excellent actors is also obvious, and their scenes together give this movie its best moments of tension and drama. An opening stunt featuring Norton, also the film's stunt coordinator, sets the swift pace for the science fiction epic which will please the "Beastmaster" fans of Daniel Goddard, playing the hero. It's always a thrill to watch actors who excel at their craft, especially when they work together. Norton and Henriksen more than qualify!

Mind Games (2003)

Devilish fun with a great Norton performance!

[10/10 · 6 April 2004]

In a case of no one trusting anyone, a best selling author recovers from an episode of amnesia to learn that her husband, a swaggering Texan, has filed a divorce claim against her. She can't even remember the marriage. But, the writer's own brother verifies the wedding. Along the way, some real estate deals get thrown into the legal mix,and "Mind Games" weaves a web of domestic intrigues that pitch brother against sister and husband versus wife. The cast, featuring a darkly comedic and perfectly rendered performance by Richard Norton as the conniving Texan, ushers the audience into the realm of devilish fun. The writing never abandons its goal of clever twists, and Adrian Carr's sly direction creates an amusing, conspiratorial atmosphere for a cast that delivers. For the sheer diversion of well crafted comedy and perfectly nuanced acting, "Mind Games" is a complete pleasure.

Emerging film writer David Lasdon infuses this comedy of scoundrels with the kind of fresh angles and clever dialogue that make it a wonderful departure from Hollywood's current fare of predictable sequels and TV show makeovers. If any recent character in movies deserves a sequel, it's Norton's brash Texan. The great actor, a martial artist who has also championed acting, was previously directed by Carr in the swift action film "Sword of the Bushido." Though Norton has legend status in martial arts films, he has eclipsed the action genre with his formidable talents, and with Carter Tallerin, his persona in "Games," he perfects the portrait of a comedic rogue. Every moment of the movie and Norton's tour de force performance provide the escapist fun that current movie makers too seldom deliver.

Redemption (2002 Video)

Solid Ensemble Action!

[8/10 · 30 May 2002]

"Redemption" marks the welcomed return of three action movie icons Richard Norton, Cynthia Rothrock, and Don Wilson - in an L.A. police drama about a SWAT cop (Wilson) who strays. Wilson acts recklessly on the job, endangering his partners, and rubs rulebook cop Norton the wrong way. Wilson's cowboy attitude causes the death of a colleague.

He loses his LAPD job and resorts to the underworld and a mob boss (Chris Penn) for the income he needs to stay afloat. Inevitably Wilson's lapse into crime collides with his former life and his friends on the Force. The movie's best heroic support comes from Norton, who effectively balances his character's integrity with the jealously he harbors for Wilson's higher rank. "Cybertracker" was the last Norton- Wilson pairing, in which they played adversaries, and this picture demonstrates that a movie can always use two great screen heroes. Though the screen time shared by martial arts legends Norton, Wilson & Rothrock is brief, "Redemption" will get an extended cheer from fans.

The Sword of Bushido (1990)

Richard Norton excels in fast-paced thriller!

[10/10 · 16 November 2001]

With its lush locations around Phuket, Thailand, and a stellar starring turn by Richard Norton, "Sword of Bushido" is don't-miss action for adventure movie fans. As a U.S. military man with a family history of service, he's on a mission to recover and return a legendary sword to the people of Japan. He's got to keep both the prize and himself, along with his compatriots, out of danger and safe from the greedy adversaries for the sword. Norton proves again that he can play "good guys" that are compelling to his audiences in addition to the villains he has fine-tuned in movies such as "Mr. Nice Guy" and "Lady Dragon." Norton's diversity in choosing roles and his believability in either the hero or villain "niche" consistently establish him as a great lead in action movies. "Sword of Bushido" is another example of superior entertainment from a terrific actor!

Amazons and Gladiators (2001)

Great Action from Richard Norton!

[10/10 · 13 November 2001]

Roman epic fans will welcome this addition to the genre. With Richard Norton as Lucius, the film's most genuine performance, and with his

trademark action choreography/direction, adventure fans will relish the arena sequences pitting gladiators against Amazons under the evil gaze of banished General Marcus Crassus (Patrick Bergin). Crassus and his thugs destroyed the family of the heroine, Serena, and as she ages, all her roads lead to Rome and to revenge. She joins the Amazons in their battles against the Romans, and sympathetic male warrior Lucius (Norton) becomes both her ally and her companion. Norton knows how to render a compelling hero. With a formidable list of movies and martial arts accomplishments to his credit, he has distinguished himself as both an actor and a stunt co-ordinator in the film and TV industries. Net info on the film indicates that he did the stunt choreography and co-ordina- tion for this film. His work ensures that the film graduates from being a routine adventure about vengeance to an impressive stage for action sequences. Strangely the credits fail to list his work in the film as Stunt Choreographer and Co-Ordinator. They also overlook Judy Green in a visible and welcomed role as one of the Amazons. Since Norton's

contributions distinguish the movie, perhaps the producers should re- type their credits for future video printings. It should not take a prod from one of the spear throwers to give credits where credits are due! In the meantime, enjoy "Amazons and Gladiators" and its trademark Richard Norton action.

Nautilus (2000)

Richard Norton Sci-Fi Action!

[10/10 · 13 November 2001]

Richard Norton proves again in "Nautilus" that he ranks among the top actors in action movies. He plays a mercenary with a sense of humor, first introduced in the corridors of a seedy South American hotel as he darts the fists and the gunfire of his adversaries. The scene is played effectively with a contemporary Indiana Jones tone, and it's a swift intro to the more expansive adventure that follows. Norton's mercenary gets hired to head security on an oceanic rig that tracks a mysterious vessel on its radar. The vessel is a time-traveling sub that returns to circa 2000 to stop a global environmental collapse and to inform the rig's well-meaning scientist (Hannes Jaenecke) about the dangers of his actions to the future. "Nautilus" is fast-paced, diverting fun, and with an enjoyable "wink" to his audience, Norton takes his fans on an a cruise that's consistently a cool ride. "Nautilus" is a must-have DVD for Sci Fi devotees and action fans.

Under the Gun (1995)

Fast Action, Quick Dialogue, Excellent Norton!

[10/10 · 13 November 2001]

The scene is the night former hockey star Frank Torrence plans to sell his bar and redeem the promise of a better life for his wife and him. Rogue cops, weak friends, and an unreliable accountant get in his way! As Frank, Richard Norton delivers a knock-out performance in "Under the Gun", an unorthodox action picture that limits the plot to the course of one unpredictable night. The twists and the humor never slow down, as Frank has to make the sale and avoid the kind of downfall that took him out of hockey. He's being framed (again) for drugs and only one friend on the force is willing to help him out of the jam. "Under the Gun" is stylish, smart action that does not eliminate plot or character in favor of the fights. In fact, the fights are incorporated into the film to supplement and develop the characters, primarily Frank. Clearly Richard Norton invested his considerable talents into making an action movie with a difference, and the audience wins!

Rage (II) (1993)

Alive with Great Action

[10/10 · 13 November 2001]

Martial Arts star Richard Norton excels in this drama of brothers engaged in a lethel battle for control of their father's company. Norton is favored by his adoptive "father" but his "brother" immerses him in a fight for both his life and corporate control. Along the way, Norton's character's flaws also get him into trouble with his wife, played by Karen Moncrief. In a centerpiece fight, Norton battles Chuck Jeffreys in a scene that demonstrates why the lead actor is regarded as one of the best in action movies. "Deathfight" is a compelling movie with a great star!