The negotiator, 1998

The Negotiator, 1998
Director: F. Gary Gray
Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Spacey, David Morse



Short synopsis: In a desperate attempt to prove his innocence, a skilled police negotiator accused of corruption and murder takes hostages in a government office to gain the time he needs to find the truth


Preps: I have seen this piece one or two times. As one of better movies I have set my eyes on in this genre (negotiations in perticular) - one of the better ones is for sure The phone booth, for instance, or Die Hard trilogy - well, I wanted to see this again.

Stage: Home TV, regular choice of a Friday evening :)

Reality: Again, I find new things about this movie I admire. Samuel L. Jackson is brilliant on his side - there is something that can make his facial expression violent and all seems he can act a true villain if he wants to. It is a masterpiece to create a violent person that the audience loves and this piece, the Negotiator, creates precisely that. We all understand that there was no option than violence in this perticular case, although I would bet that most of the viewers are pacifists by their personal claim.

On the other hand, Spacey act is remarkable, on his own side, a true reconstruction of what a negotiator should do, make, think, act, .. I just adore the dialogue these two have. Filled with black humour, participation from one side or the other, filled with trauma and subconscious thoughts. Also a vivid recreation of what a cop/governmental institution follows, and even though sometimes you believe it's the negotiator that runs the business in such cases, there are often political dilemmas involved and orders from above, that can solve such cases, but with some corps to go along.



My personal rating: 8,0 (A good piece, worth seeing. HIghly recommended. Also, you see the softer side of Jackson, which is also worth your time.)


Negotiator on IMDB

Law abiding citizen, 2009

Law abiding citizen, 2009
Director:F. Gary Gray
Cast: Jamie Fox, Gerard Butler,



Law abiding citizen in short: A frustrated man decides to take justice into his own hands after a plea bargain sets one of his family's killers free. He targets not only the killer but also the district attorney and others involved in the deal.

Stage: home theatre, lovely Saturday morning

Preps: Some of the friends claim it's one of the best movies lately. It's also running in the movies in this moment. But if I have it home, why not take the luxury? And Gerard Butler, the yummy man. I need to see it. However, I don't have a clue what it's about.


Reality: My friends were right. The movie is somewhere between a cop adventure, cop drama, prisoner thriller, psychological masterpiece and Butler is the king of the castle. The scene for beginning is astounding - it tears up my heart and amazes me afterwards. Why wait ten years to get the vengeance?

The movie points out some important true facts. The law system has holes as big as the emental cheese. The judges can do anything they wish. The man can be helpless when watching it happen. And finally.. vengeance doesn't bring you pleasure or forgiveness. It just brings more anger and bitterness.

I admire the brilliance that Butler uses to lead the system puppets. I adore the way the governmental people are left with their hands tied up and helpless. I adore that one man can predict everything and the last piece of my brain cells is working to resolve the puzzle he's putting together. And in the end my ironic soul is satisfied. The ending fits the movie as a whole.

Right in the middle I wonder, oh, no, it's another Saw. We are going to watch someone being slayered bit by bit and it's going to last until the end of the movie. Respectfully, I am happy to realize I am wrong and even more happier that I saw it until the end. In my opinion, very much worth seeing. And Butler, one of his better acts ever.


My personal rating: 8,0 (very good one.. worth the time and effort)



Law and Gerard on IMDB
Official site
Yummy Butler pictures