Crimson Tide (1995) Film Review

Hunter (Denzel Washington) is placed second-in-command to Ramsey (Gene Hackman) on a US nuclear sub after a Chechenian terrorist rises, potentially with nuclear weapons. Whilst on mission, they receive notification that they need are to perform a pre-emptive strike as the terrorist is arming his weapons. However, an incident causes them to lose communications halfway through a second message. Hunter believes they should postpone until they can confirm the strike, Ramsey believes that they have orders they need to follow. The stakes are high – if the order is cancelled, they will be starting a nuclear attack which could result in WW3. But if it isn’t, the terrorist could destroy American cities.

This is a great film. No doubt. Even over twenty years after it was made, the tensions are as real as they were then, and it feels totally believable. I’ve seen this before, I may have even seen it several times before, and I knew what happened, yet I was totally on the edge of my seat. What a film.

Get Shorty vs Get Shorty (1995) Film Review, Book Review

Get Shorty by Elmore Leonard

Chili Palmer is a loan shark who is not the lowest on the ladder, but has no ambitions to be up top. After a series of events send him to Hollywood, his interest in the movies leads him to Harry Zimm, a producer of horror films who has had some success, but now is financially having some problems. But Chili’s past is not prepared to let go, and he will need to be alert to prevent his own demise.

It’s a fun read, but you need to be alert to keep all the strands in play; to remember who is doing what and why, and to try to predict what will happen next. Most of the characters are pretty flawed, yet it is only the really bad guys that you don’t like. I’ve not read a lot of Elmore Leonard, but after this I will be seeking more out.

Get Shorty (1995) Film Review

This is one of those films that is pretty much the same as the book, almost scene for scene – and it really works. It captures the story beautifully, and with a slick style that suits Chilli Palmer (John Travolta) to a t. With a cast including Rene Russo, Gene Hackman, Danny DeVito, Dennis Farina, Delroy Lindo and James Gandolfini and a script that takes the mickey out of Hollywood all the way, how can you go wrong?