The Hot Rock
|
List Price: Our Price: $7.23 You Save: $7.75 (52%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $5.93 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of The Hot Rock
Movie Review: Entertaining romp
Summary: 4 Stars
Top actors that are always worth watching in a cooky romp that entertains you with the exagerated situations and stunts.Movie Review: Say A Prayer And Maybe God Will Reward You
Summary: 3 Stars
I wouldn't say this of a comedy often but... sometimes when you watch them again (and even again), and you notice they keep getting funnier, you know you have a good one. You know that someone's crafted something different. Special. The Hot Rock falls into that category (if there is one).
Redford reteams with William Goldman (who wrote Butch & The Kid). It's a caper film and with a team of characters with names like Dortmunder/Kelp/Greenberg and Murch, you're already in trouble.
The casting is perfect. George Segal, Paul Sands and Ron Liebman round out Redford's team- and they are all priceless. Moses Gunn and Zero Mostel are excellent in their supporting roles.
What I personally think makes this comedy wonderful is, it's written by and American and starring Americans but it's directed by a Brit (Peter Yates). Goldman supplies the lines and I think Yates looked for character traits and the subtle little screw ups in the scenes where they're trying to advance the cause or steal the stone. ie: Murch (with his love of cars), playing a record of the Indy car race on his stereo for his Mom, cracking a beer and they're both in heaven, listening, while in the background- they live right next to the freeway and no one else (who is normal) would be able to hear or notice the difference! " Turn the treble up, Stan! " Funny stuff!
Moses Gunn's face is priceless as they repeatedly hand him the material request needs list, each time they fail. " Will it upset me? " " Yes, " Segal replies, straight faced. " I think it's safe to say so, sir. "
And watch for the priceless sight gag Mostel makes, introducing himself as the lawyer.
It's a film about Murphy's Law and just how funny it can be. We all experience it from time to time, in each of our lives. These poor guys experience it every time they step out the door.
This is witty stuff and a group effort all the way. Redford's the star but you'd never know it. They all shine and they all share. They bounce off of one another (much like he and Newman did in Butch), and it's fun to watch.
If you're looking for a really good caper film that's clever, funny and a good one for some repeat viewings, check out the Hot Rock.
Movie Review: An enjoyable heist film
Summary: 3 Stars
The movie is a witty combination of crime and comedy, but because of the outrageous and speedy plot the characters tend to get lost in all the twists and turns. Not that the picture is bad, it's quite enjoyable in fact, but it could have been so much better if the script was even stronger. One thing that I loved is that it didn't waste time with any useless expositions. It just dove straight in knowing those things are unimportant in a lightweight picture like this, because the audience can figure out the motivations of these simple but interesting characters without filmmaker's help. Letting the audience fill in the blanks is both efficient and smart, and modern popcorn films can learn a thing or two from this lean presentation. The other thing I loved are the actors, who share outstanding chemistry together on screen and the film works in large part because of their performances. Yeah it's made in the 70s but it doesn't feel dated at all, in fact it's quite refreshing without the baggage of modern imitations. So check this out if you are out of stuff to watch at your rental shop.Movie Review: More Cool Than Hot
Summary: 3 Stars
This is a pretty much forgotten 70s caper which is fun but surprising low-key. Which is odd as Redford's always game dry wit is supported here by a gifted comic supporting cast who have their moments, but never really let loose. (Except Zero Mostel who was incapable of toning it down.) I'm surprised by how many of these heist pictures there were around this time ($, The Anderson Tapes) -- and that they all seemed to have been scored by Quincy Jones. His work here is also restrained. There's good location work and this does call to mind the wry charm of a Westlake book -- just wish it delivered a bigger kick. (Maybe that's why in all his writings, I don't recall William Goldman ever touching on this project.)Movie Review: Weak adaptation
Summary: 2 Stars
This is a very weak adaptation of a novel by the splendid writer Donald Westlake. It's largely an action film for teens, falling very short on dialogue with a plot that hinges on a hypnotism bit that is wholly unbelievable. The actors are competent and the music, by Quincy Jones and a half dozen of Hollywood's finest musicians, is often interesting and distinctive. While billed as a "hilarious comedy," I was unable to muster even a smile let alone a laugh. Mostly this long, long film is a bore.