Search - Staten Island on DVD

"A Simple Plan" redux

Mary M | 01/04/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"In a Fargo-ish effort, this film was pretty enjoyable. Good acting by everyone, especially, I thought, Sully's wife Mary. Just sit back and take it for what it is worth...not terribly philosophical or introspective at the time, but that may hit you later. A bit gruesome but you can take it. It adds color."

The ending is worth the wait--and enjoy Vincent while you do

E. Wagner | SouthCarolina | 01/15/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bought it because it stars Vincent D'Onofrio. As usual, he entertains. One of the best actors working today. Where are his awards?

The story is interesting although you have to wait for the layers to be peeled away. The writing is excellent and the actors all turn in solid performances. I particularly liked the scenes with Seymour Cassel as a deaf-mute in which the sounds are muffled or muted completely. Can't think of the last time I cheered for an old geezer with a gun, but I still wonder what exactly he does with the meat?



If you like the dumbed down "entertainment" of Adam Sandler or Mike Meyers, this movie isn't for you. If you enjoy an O. Henry type story with well-acted scenes, pick this one up. If you are one of D'Onofrio's crazed fans, you've already bought it and viewed it 15 times complaining about the stupid PTB at USA network the entire time. . . but don't forget to watch the deleted scenes!"

Unique mob film, decent Blu

Steve Kuehl | Ben Lomond, CA | 01/12/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Definitely not your standard mob film, but if you can make it to that final scene I think you will feel rewarded. I suppose the main reason for most people to see this will be the landscapes and assorted footage of Staten Island. But if you get through this atypical low-level crime boss story, a single performance will stand out for Seymour Cassel as one of his best.



The story follows a small crew crime boss in Staten Island trying to make it big. Life takes some unexpected turns for him, those he trusts and for those who have stolen from him. Along the way we are gracefully rewarded with several meaningful story lines being retold as they overlap. A convincing performance by Ethan Hawke, D'Onofrio in a sort of cheese mode (he worded in his interview supplement on the BD as it being a comical yet serious role) and Cassel's epiphany character all culminate into a well made narrative about getting what you deserve - no matter who you are.



The Blu quality is solid throughout with only a few grainy shortcomings, the DTS gets both subtle and varying usages (the deaf/mute character scenes have the sound muffled in a way to try and represent his world) and the main supplement provided some excellent insight from two unlikely sources; the extras include:



* D'Onofrio interview, 2:19 minutes. He has always been about letting the work speak for itself and shunning interviews, so this was the usual brief narrative about character and that's it.

* Deleted scenes, 2:36 minutes. Glad they were cut.

* Commentary by Hawke, D'Onofrio and director DeMonaco. I had a new respect for Hawke due to his performance in the film, but his wit/intellect were even more interesting to listen to as he recorded this. And for D'Onofrio to finally talk extensively about anything to do with a movie and film making in general - was great. A worthy commentary if you are fans of either of these guys.



Region coded A/B/C, listed as 1080i with English and Spanish subs. Give it a fair shot and I think you might get a good feeling from that last denouement."

B crime drama movie with some great acting

Michael P. Dobey | colorado springs | 04/08/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Vincent D'Onofrio really does a great job in this movie in his role as the mobster.

But every other member of the cast is first rate too. This movie reminded me of the many b movie crime flicks that I seen that go all the back to the 1950's. A group of men rob a mob boss and it can't go well for them. Not that most armed robbers aren't eventually caught either but if you rob a mobster that's gonna be really a bad deal. However this movie uses a jump around format that you can still follow without being confused, You get the mobsters story , One of theives story and a mute deaf man played by the excellent seymour casel, these stories interact and they are the focal point. This is not a action movie though and the violence is done offscreen mainly except for some shootings.

It's a crime drama that's very much filled with characterization and it does not movie quickly. SO I would say that this movie is overall a good b movie but it's the acting that gives it four for me. Just like those great low budget crime flicks of the 40's-50's the stories were good but the acting was often great. Those movies were often darker than this, but this is a case of a good drama that uses the intertwined method to tell it's story. I liked it and wouldn't compare this to a four star A movie either. But it's a good b movie and the blu ray looks very good which helps alot. It has a few extras too that add to the package.

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