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Showing posts with label 2005. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2005. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Jesse Stone: Stone Cold (2005) USA

Serial killer in the Paradise.






Genre:
Crime, Drama, Thriller, TV Movie.


Length:
Approximately 6-minute read.


Part-I review:
     Remember a year ago I reviewed the Hallmark's 'Love Comes Softly' film series, at the end, I said, I would come up with a different franchise for the next year and now I'm here with this cop story. After watching 'Maigret Sets a Trap', I found this and got interested, so the following weeks are going to be all about Jesse Stone in this blog.

     It was based on the detective novels written by Robert B. Parker. Right now there are 9 films in the series and still many more to come in the coming years. Originally made for CBS network and these films are usually R rated for drugs, violence, nudity and other strong contents, that's expected from a cop theme. Unlike the last year's G and PG television films, these are for adults and sometimes suits matured teens.

     This is the pilot episode in the Jesse Stone film series, but an adaptation of the fourth book. Because you know the first impression is very important in any field, especially in the art and entertainment. So they had thought it was strong enough to get the large number of viewers and now it is a successful franchise with a good number of fan base. Don't worry about the proper introduction, at a relaxed atmosphere, it's set to begin with a simple crime solving plot.

     Sets in a small fictitious town called Paradise, but revolved around the title character Jesse Stone that beautifully played by Tom Selleck. The film opened with a mysterious death of a man whose body was found near the seashore early morning by a commuter. In a casual way Jesse enters the scene and begins his work. He finds no clue, but shelters the dead man's dog in his marsh house.

     The very next day another case lands in his hand. Due to its sensitiveness, goes unregistered where he has to deal it differently. A few days later when another identical death follows, the town becomes a bit tense and forces him to pick up the pace of the investigation. But he calmly draws a strategic plan to find who did it and nab him. So what comes next is the final act where an interesting twist takes place before concluding the tale stylishly.

 I'm the police chief. I know everything. 

     Jesse is a unique character, like from the similar top cop films. But that is only from this very first film's impression, lets wait and see how different he's in the other films. Here he does not wear the uniform, drinks a lot during off the duty, no serious friends or any families and always gives a straightforward reply, but very honest, particularly when it comes to his profession. By the end of the film, you might learn about him and his qualities, but still there are lots of things remains a mystery and those are going to be clarified in the following films, I suppose.

     Made for the television, yet this is quite a remarkable quality. Even if it was released on the big screen, no one would have complained seriously on anything. I think wonderfully written screenplay and concentrated only those what matters, especially being the first film to keep very simple as much as possible. The length was good, just near the 90 minutes. But overall pace was excellent, particularly all the character development which actually lacked, except Jesse, but somewhat becomes familiar during the midway and makes easier by the end to follow it.

     To be frank, I anticipated an average flick, but surprised for its biggest entry in the first film itself. Here the 'biggest' means the style, the trademark it sets and to come back in the installments possibly maintain the same throughout the series. The director did good and so his actors, especially the supporting cast well backed the Selleck to it in a lead right path. The New England's misty weather adds the perfect flavour for this crime-mystery-drama.

     It actually holds no mystery, particularly about the suspect. For the viewers, it is revealed in the early stage itself, but still it managed to get our full attention drawing the other way of the story how the cops and suspect confront without disclosing their identities to each other. This is where the original writer, the author should be appreciated for his good work.

     I have said many times and I'm saying it again that I'm not a reader, but I love watching literature based films and I'm happy they have made this one, otherwise I would have missed such a cool detective story. If you are like me, then you should give it a try. But remember I might sometimes overexcited during reviewing the films, so I might be praising a lot, but still this film worth those mentions I did. It's a terrific beginning and I hope the next film as well remains the same level. So guys I will meet you in there.



Followed by:
Jesse Stone: Night Passage


Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


Similar movies:
An Inspector Calls, Maigret Sets a Trap.


External link(s):
    


WCA geolocation:
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Friday, November 6, 2015

Love's Long Journey (2005) USA

The story of Missie LaHaye: Going after the dream.





Genre:
Drama, Family, Western, TV Movie.


Tagline:
"On the frontier all they have is each other."


What's in:
As always on-topic, None off-topic, Spoilers as synopsis, Dialogues.


Length:
Approximately 4-minute read.


Part-III review:
     The third movie in the Hallmark's 'Love Comes Softly' movie series that followed after 'Love Enduring Promise'. Like the usual the story and the characters continued, but the cast changed. Because most of the characters became adult now. This time the narration followed the Missie Davis turning to Missie LaHaye. Of course now Missie is almost a different woman by appearance as she's all grown up.

     This film focused only her and her surrounded ones. Still, she's passionate about reading and teaching, but the things are going to change when she meets a little boy in an unexpected circumstance. In the other side, the neighbours dragged into the narration to make a perfect American film, because they are not the ordinary neighbours, I mean they're the native Americans.

     The story was based upon a couple of things, like making the dream comes true and facing thieves in the backdrop of celebration of the Christmas and expecting their first child. In a new place, the newly married LaHaye couples set to begin their life. As Willie's dream coming true, to own a ranch and his wife Missie is pregnant, they comfortably settle down with a bunch of fine men who were hired to work with them. The threats are always a surprise, with one knocking their door, how this couple going to face it and the conclusion of the story is the remaining portion.

 For everything, there is a season...
And a time for every matter under heaven.

     Sharing the life by helping each other, love was the main theme like the whole movie series supposed to be. The success won't be reached without a struggle, so those were well blended in the beautiful story. It was like effortless performances by everyone, other than riding horses. But anyway, making a movie, even that for the television, is not that simple. The quality was maintained, but there are some minor flaws and technical errors, that are not distracting ones.

     Beside their new beginning, the festival season brings the employee and employer much closer. Followed by the most anticipated moment of their lives where the story concludes. Not like the big screen movie, as a television flick and being a second sequel, the movie really justifies. As usual the slow narration was the key to be a satisfactory product. I liked this part as well and so now the fourth film, let's wait and see where it takes us to.



Followed by:
Love's Abiding Joy


Suitable for:
Tween, Teen, Adult, All


Final verdict:
Ignore, Bad, Average, Good, Excellent


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