Panic (2000)

Panic (2000)- * * *1\2
 
Directed By: Henry Bromell

Starring: William H. Macy, Neve Campbell, Tracy Ullman, John Ritter and Donald Sutherland










Panic is an excellent drama. Macy plays Alex, who is a hitman. He wants to retire, but his Dad, Michael (Sutherland) won't let him...without a fight. Alex is having a nervous breakdown and goes to a psychologist, Dr. Parks (Ritter) When Michael hears about this, he puts out a hit on Parks.

Panic was dumped on video for no reason. It's definitely a hidden gem. The whole cast is fantastic. Macy and Sutherland are perfect in their roles. Sutherland's character stands out. Even when Michael is opening a birthday present, he looks menacing.

Tracy Ullman plays Alex's wife. She also does a good job at developing her character throughout the film.

Panic is a movie you should look out for, if you like the actors involved.



Comeuppance Review by: Ty

Free Money (1998)

Free Money (1998)-*1\2

Directed by: Yves Simoneau

Starring: Charlie "Charles" Sheen, Marlon Brando, Donald Sutherland, Thomas Haden Church, Mira Sorvino, Martin Sheen, and David Arquette












Charles strikes again in this a middle of the road "comedy" with next to no laughs.

This Charles outing is decent but this is a pretty low-key performance. Marlon Brando stands out as the big fat warden (who looks just like Wilford Brimley) who is of father of two twin daughters that Charles and Thomas Haden Churches' character want to date. Brando than brandishes a whip for no reason. He actually tortures Sheen and Church for minutes on end. It is really weird.



There's also a subplot with Mira Sorvino and Donald Sutherland that forgets to develop and it hurts the film a little. I'm still trying to figure out why Charlie wanted to change his name. Every movie with "Charles" has been pretty bad.



Comeuppance review by: Ty

Aurora Borealis (2005)

Aurora Borealis (2005) -* * *

Directed By: James Burke

Starring: Joshua Jackson, Juliette Lewis, and Donald Sutherland












Aurora Borealis is a well-written film, but slightly cliched.

Duncan (Jackson) is always getting in trouble and is always unemployed. His new job is to take care of his grandfather, Ronald (Sutherland) who has Parkinson's. While he's helping him, Ronald's caretaker Kate (Lewis) meets him. They fall in love and she wants to leave to go to San Diego. But Duncan doesn't want to leave his family.




The main draw of the movie is the excellent acting by all. Lewis and Jackson have some great chemistry. You feel for him and his situation. Sutherland is also good as the grandfather. The problem with the movie is that the director wants to tie up ALL the loose ends. Every scene that didn't have a payoff, it does in the end, if that makes sense. Because of that, it feels cliched.



But overall, Aurora Borealis is worth watching for the acting.



Comeuppance Review by: Ty