The Yards
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Movie Reviews of The Yards
Movie Review: The Yards
Summary: 3 Stars
A couple of good performances and some mediocre ones. That is why this is not a stand out movie. It is certainly worth seeing this movie about the train yards of New York, but it doesn't quite reach that point of excelling. The story is not fast paced and you must be patient with the movie along the way. In the end though I think you will say not bad, just not great. Wahlberg turns in a decent performance as does Phoenix, Theron, and Caan, but none of them made me feel I cared what happened to them. This shows the underbelly of the corruption in some companies trying to win contracts and political influence as well. A good drama when you don't mind a slower pace. Good quality DVD with some replayability. If you enjoyed this catch "The Departed" and "Brooklyn Rules".
CA Luster
Movie Review: A burning hot flame potentially turns into bitter cold ice
Summary: 3 Stars
THE YARDS (2000) will interest fans of Joaquin Phoenix and Charlize
Theron's physical charisma, as to James Caan's world class acting and
credibility in bringing to life a theme that is rarely touched upon
in the theaters. On the other hand, for some, Walhberg's acting is
perhaps an acquired taste, much like watching paint dry.
One strength is the lesson it tells, of the consequences of one's
actions, or that of a small group of people holding key positions, on
everyone in society, their family, friends close and distant, when
there is misbehavior.
According to this movie, there are cases when big-ticket sales
players (not just small time salesmen) get an edge, through unethical
means, through payoffs, not so legal actions, and human coercion
against competitors in bidding for contracts in the tens of USD
millions.
It realistically tells of methods that are perfectly legitimate in
gaining the favor, influence and friendship of people by knowing what
their soft spots are, and indulging those through gifts. The trick,
of course, is to know when a gift stops being one, and turns into a
payoff.
This DVD will also appeal to those enjoying a wide-screen release,
with a very high quality cinematography, sharp images, and
irreproachable technique. The soundtrack is made up of tastefully
selected numbers, that don't distract from the story.
What will stick with the public, are the highs and lows, that the
protagonists in this picture go through.
The less credible part, is the suggestion that the character played
by Walhberg, presented as somewhat of a broken down engine of sorts
in society, becomes holier than the Pope after 90 mins, turning
against everyone whom he knew and trusted, merely from the latter's
decision to cut their losses from the repeated, ever more serious
comedy of errors made by Walhberg's character.
The strong point of this movie, is its tragic aspects, and by not
having a predictable ending, incorporating many realistic elements,
such as sickness, health, death, fear, greed, broken relationships,
loathing, solidarity, coercion, hate, love, confusion, joy. Most will
identify how some people are able to control their destinies to a
lesser or stronger degree, depending on their skill and experience,
and luck.
A lasting demonstration, is how quickly a burning hot flame,
potentially turns into bitter cold ice, in terms of one's humanity,
personal relationships, one's professional outlook, and how everyone
in society is dependent and influenced by other people comprising it.
THE YARDS also underlines how one tragedy is always accompanied by
another.
Some viewers may have preferred a less abrupt ending, which almost is
presented as an afterthought, after the story had built to a climax.
Movie Review: Uninspired crime drama
Summary: 2 Stars
After watching the movie and reading the reviews, I felt compelled to say something. The plot synopsis gives an adequate idea of what the movie is about, but not how it is told-which is dull.Movie Review: Interesting plot!
Summary: 4 Stars
Three dramatic vertices converge in this smart script: The painful stunt's death and the sad memories left behind in a famous director characterized precisely by his dangerous EFX; a murder who has been hired to kill him; and the last act of love redemption when the things are out of control and you have no time to put the things in its real context.
Interesting thriller that shines by the presence of James Caan as the fallen in disgrace director and Mathew Broderick as the mercenary. Some problems with the poor photography diminish the sum of the final result.
Movie Review: GRITTY NOIR THAT MOODILY TRIPS ON ITS HACKNEYED LINE
Summary: 3 Stars
Ten minutes into the film I was drawn into the noirish pace and presentation, and a theme of how inconvenient life is when someone who's tainted as an ex-convict wants to straighten himself out. The feeling of paranoia is well achieved, partly because of the brooding score and very well-toned cinematography. But what kills the movie is its derivative story -- the strinking semblance to Godfather, City Hall, Heat, James Caan's own The Thief, and about a hundred other crime capers is hard to overlook. To make matters worse, the plot is also sloppily constructed such that it can't resolve itself without losing its grip on the tension that it creates.
James Caan is sharp as he brings his snakey charm into the role, come to think of it, all actors do very well to maintain the general grit, including a power-crazed Joaquin Phoenix and the good-hearted criminal Wahlberg.
But about halfway through the movie the denouement already peeped out, making the rest of the proceedings merely a formality. Probably a decent rental for anyone who likes crime procedurals with family businesses going over the top in tandem with public officials, but not exactly an astounding achievement in cinema.