Amanda Peet and John Cusack in "Identity"
courtesy of Columbia Pictures
"Don't Be Mistaken 'Identity' Is Great!"

John Cusack is the star of the new film, now on video, "Identity" and make no mistake about it, this movie is great. I have never been a great fan of Cusack's but in this movie he proves to me he is a terrific actor. He has the ticks and quirks under control and makes his character one who holds your interest from start to finish.

In the film Cusack plays a former detective who is now a driver for a Hollywood star (Rebecca DeMornay). On a stormy night as he is driving her across the state of California he strikes and hits a woman who is standing beside her car. They rush her to a nearby motel where they try to call for help but the storm has messed up all phones, including cells.

As the roads around them get washed out several people congregate at the motel. And then when they are all taking their assigned rooms, they begin to be murdered. Everyone who remains is a suspect and everyone is suspicious of everyone else.

The film has a twisted ending which I defy you to guess. It sure took me by surprise, but I do know people who claimed to have seen it coming. Sure! These same people also told me they figured out "The Sixth Sense" from the start.

"Identity" is one of the best movies of the year. Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet, and others help make it so. 

Vin Diesel isn't as successful with his movie "A Man Apart." In this film Diesel plays a DEA agent whose wife (Jacqueline Obradors) is killed. He swears revenge and enlists the help of his partner (Larenz Tate).

The film is violent and Diesel is menacing. Still it just doesn't have the right punch to it, to make it enjoyable. 

If you like car chases in movies then you probably know the name of H B "Toby" Halicki. He is the man behind the original "Gone In Sixty Seconds" and now "Gone In Sixty Seconds 2" is out on DVD. This movie is full of chase sequences and sadly in one of the last being filmed, Halicki lost his life.

This DVD not only includes "Gone In Sixty Seconds 2" but also another film by Halicki titled "Deadline Auto Theft." When you watch these you understand what a master of the genre Halicki was. This point and others are brought out in the documentary "The Life and Times of H B 'Toby' Halicki" which is also included on the DVD.

Another star who likes action in his movies is Clint Eastwood. There are seven of his old films that are now out on DVD. These titles include "Pink Cadillac," "Tightrope," "Where Eagles Dare," "White Hunter, Black Heart," "The Rookie," "City Heat," and "Honkytonk Man."

This is a wide variety of Eastwood's films and shows the diversity of his acting skills. All are enjoyable so have a Clint Eastwood Film Festival in your own home.

Hip-hop movies don't usually have classical backgrounds but "A Miami Tale" does. It is based on "Lysistrata" and tells of how the women in a Miami barrio went to extreme measures to gain a semblance of peace in their community.

Artists Trina and Sommore are the stars of this film and they give it some extra flash and pizzazz.

Finally the kids will have a field day with some new product from the Disney Studios. You can get them three "Brave Little Toaster" videos. There is "The Brave Little Toaster," "The Brave Little Toaster To The Rescue," and "The Brave Little Toaster Goes To Mars."

There are also two new "Power Ranger" DVD's. They are "Power Rangers Ninja Storm: Looming Thunder" and "Power Rangers Ninja Storm: Lightning Strikers."

Finally you can also get "Escape To Witch Mountain," "Return From Witch Mountain," and "The Apple Dumpling Gang." These three are Disney classics.

If after reading this review you are interested in ordering any of these movies,
please click on the provided links.

 

 

 

 

 

©2003 Jackie K. Cooper

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