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Shadowboxer (2005) [2006]


RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £5.02 (subject to change)

A sense of perspective
Review date: 2008-02-04 Rating: 6 out of 10

This would get 3 and a half stars from if it was possible. This is neither a 5 star or a one star movie. So its not in the same ball-park as The Godfather or Goodfellas but its miles better than a lot of rubbish that comes out of Hollywood today.

The cast are all good. Helen Mirren as Rose and Cuba Gooding Jr as Mickey are two asassins who are paid to kill Vicki, but as Rose has cancer and Vicki is about to give birth, Vicki is spared. In a role that Gary Oldman would have played 10 years ago, Stephen Dorff is the psycho husband/boyfriend who is left wondering what has happened to his child and the mother (who he was paying to have killed).

The film strays into areas that a lot of films won't go near. Mixed race relationships, and older women with a younger black man and the violence and sex is quite explicit. So if you don't like that sort of thing don't buy it or rent it.

In places it is overly stylised, but I cared about what happened to at least some of the characters and therefore overall I would recommend it. Renting first may be adviseable as it will not to everybodies taste. However I will certainly be watching it again and would purchase the film at the right price.






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Reviews


shadowboxer
Review date: 2008-01-23 Rating: 10 out of 10

This film was amazing and in places beautiful. I find it hard to believe that it has recieved negative reviews, they obviously didn't get it! It dealt with so many different human emotions on a very passionate level from people who's lives are very different to most of ours, and I found this most intriguing. The characters in this film will stay with me for a very long time. Well done Helen & co for recognising and becoming involved in such a hard hitting and thought provoking film.

Good Actors, Shame about the Movie
Review date: 2008-01-05 Rating: 2 out of 10

After taking 2 evenings to sit through this mediocre, at times B movie, I wonder what attracted 2 such renowned actors to take part in what can only be described as second rate. The dialogue at times was poor and some of the acting was also suspect. The plot was almost impossible to follow and I presume the sex and violence was thrown in to keep you watching. I kept watching in the vain hope that it would improve. In my opinion, this has to be one of Helen's most forgettable choices.

3.5]--Some of major critics in this world surly got it twisted.,
Review date: 2007-08-16 Rating: 6 out of 10

This movie is definitely not for the faint of heart. It contains a great deal of graphic violence and sex and it's not as bad as it seems. However, the scenes are shot wonderfully and the acting on here might surprise you. It is over-the-top and surreal and yes more than a bit mad which turned out to be an interesting film. In here we have a contract killer by the name of Rose (Helen Mirren) who is diagnosed with cancer; she elects to continue with her work, aided by her stepson/lover Mikey (Cuba Gooding Jr.). When on a routine assignment, Rose balks at killing the pregnant wife (Vanessa Ferlito) of a gangster (Stephen Dorff), instead hiding her away as the three raise the child in seclusion. As the years pass, the frosty and distant Mikey becomes a father figure to the child, which endangers his life and profession when his past comes looking for revenge. The way "Shadowboxer" moves, you can understand that it's a film that wants to set itself apart from the routine hit man cinema agenda. Director Lee Daniels is hunting for anything that will stand out to the audience, so he goes to a very unexpected place: sex.

I had good time watching this film and thought that Helen Mirren, Gordon Levitt Hewitt along with Cuba Gooding Jr. were amazing. I really have to hand it to Cuba Gooding Jr. because he turned his character into a solid performance and delivered his role strongly, silently, and a subtle way. Few people will ever get to see the commitment he made to this part, but I saw it and salute him. He's been down on his luck, and I hope he starts to draw better hands into these types of films because comedy doesn't suite him. The only real negative is that the dialogue because it isn't very original or punchy. Gooding almost never speaks, and the women are given rather mundane verbal work. It takes a great director to pull off what could be a creepy relationship between a mother and son an turn it into a tender love story. The films somber overtone does not slow the action down in he slightest but you can obviously see that it had room for improvement.

Stephen Dorff character was one piece of work and is a completely unbelievable one-dimensional villain, but the film works for me, despite or because of those elements. As the Times pointed out, the extravagant action may impress you or make you laugh, but it won't bore you, and it's difficult to predict. Plus, for all you Macy Gray fans, it is always good to see her on screen as she adds a bit of levity to this dramatic tale. Furthermore the film's emotional manipulation is powerful and skillful enough to generate the responses it hopes for. This is the first film for director Lee Daniels, but he shows complete command of the material, and has no problem shifting from family drama to outrageous black comedy to lurid sex and violence. His musical selections include such diverse elements as tangos, waltzes, hip-hop, and romantic faux-classical. His sets are opulent and gaudy. His production values are lush, and his shooting locations are chosen with an eye to the off-kilter. And the man's love for Philadelphia and its 'burbs is evident in every frame. "Shadowboxer" is a great start for director Lee Daniels.


WELL WORTH A LOOK
Review date: 2007-06-27 Rating: 10 out of 10

Great action movie shows she can turn her hand to just about anything, well worth watching. Do note that is is an 18 cert for a reason and dvds do have reasons for ratings on the back of boxes.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Stephen Dorff
Joseph Gordon Levitt
Cuba Gooding Jnr
Helen Mirren
Vanessa Ferlito

Creators:
Helen Mirren (Primary Contributor)
Cuba Gooding Jnr (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Metrodome
Manufacturer: Metrodome
EAN: 5055002553035
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2007-05-07
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 93 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)

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