It was like a Liam Neeson movie with a DIE HARD ripoff embedded in the middle. Do you have a number I can reach the her?, Oh, theres no need for that. Ames The action movie sequel Law Abiding Citizen 2 has been given the greenlight, nearly a decade after the original film was released. This film is kind of like a mash-up of generic legal thrillers and the "Saw" franchise, and the end result is as odd as that sounds. Ending was just awful. This crime drama comes from the'50s, and is directed by the brilliant and iconic Sidney Lumet. Why is one allowed to live? Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. Butler is pretty good (I like to imagine that his shifting accent is due to time spent working overseas). Yup, it was sarcasm when he asked if hed caught his accomplice yet. So I know Im a bit late but I just finished watching the movie tonight and when Clyde said did you ever found out who my accomplice was (aka the guy who helped him from the outside) was ? Espaol (prximamente) - volver al inicio, Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More, 50 Modern Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12, Common Sense Selections for family entertainment, Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More, 50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12, YouTube Kids Channels for Kids Who Love Cartoons, Exploring and Celebrating Multicultural Families with Entertainment. Hell,Viola Davis is in this! He needs to be put into prison. It does cross the point of genuine badness at times, but counters with moments of pure excitement. There was no independent redistricting committee, no interactive mapping tool and no series of public meetings, as called for by HB 21-1047. Thank you! You can watch easily on a full stomach. havoc. Lousy liberals. He needs to be put into solitary confinement because. Oh, yeah, and when Chester e-mails Nick, there's something about the way he signs the e-mails "C." that just sort of made me think it, too. Directed by Robert Mulligan, this Oscar-winning movie stars Gregory Peck, John Megna, Frank Overton, and Robert Duvall. The film was excoriated by critics, and Gray is not generally considered to be a UGH, Kurt Wimmer is so terrible. At least when it comes to establishing new boundaries for the districts the county's five . Yes, please. Jamie Foxx's assistant, the blond lady, was getting information from a secret source. Origin Instead, people are moving to Weld County because of more freedom and fewer taxes arguing against self-determination and self-governance is probably a political loser for the sponsors of HB 1047. Counties in Colorado are generally responsible for providing law enforcement and social services, completing road and bridge work, conducting elections and operating a public health agency, among other duties. Its sort of like a ridiculous, EXTREME updating of the barbed-wire scene in SUSPIRIA. Common Sense Media Reviewer Foxx's character brings it up more than once . Scenes of torture; also scenes in which a young child watches the torture on DVD. I was rooting for Clyde I think because even though he ends up being the crazy villain Jaimie Foxxs character is sort of a dick for most of the movie so I wanted him to get his just desserts for letting the murderer off at the beginning of the movie. Is it ridiculous and silly? Director F. Gary Gray Writer Kurt Wimmer Stars Gerard Butler Jamie Foxx Leslie Bibb See production, box office & company info Watch on HBO Max with Prime Video Channels More watch options Add to Watchlist Added by 197K users But really, Law Abiding Citizen has about as much to say about real-life legal issues as Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen had to say about defense policy. I am a List Writer for ScreenRant, and love being a part of a film community where we all share the same passions. Or Disney could acquire the rights and give us a 2-season prequel series with a digitally de-aged Nicole Kidman, I finally watched this. Am I right that there's a good commentary track on the BluRay? They also go lawn gnomes and fake wishing wells. May 1, 2023 at 6:00 a.m. Weld County has a message for the state of Colorado: stay out of our business. Theres at least one death that genuinely took me off guard. Besides who didnt dig that scene when Butler sends that torture tape to Foxxs kid? A smaller matter is Clydes accomplice. Brendan I think that is what its supposed to mean, but the fact that Jamie Foxx is standing there in Butlers cell when he comes up through the tunnel establishes for both characters that yes, there is a tunnel, and we both know about it. Directed by F. Gary Gray; written by Kurt Wimmer; director of photography, Jonathan Sela; edited by Tariq Anwar; production designer, Alex Hajdu; produced by Gerard Butler, Lucas Foster, Alan Siegel, Mark Gill, Mr. Wimmer and Robert Katz; released by Overture Films. Always happy to do the hard work. He cuts a deal: if one of the killers testifies against the other, the testifying killer will get himself a reduced sentence. As bad luck would have it, the guy who cuts the deal is the one who perpetrated the majority of the violence against Butler's family. Scenes of stabbing, shooting, beatings, and bombs going off -- both large incendiary devices and small, hand-held deathtraps. A young woman, Sarah Tobias, suffers a terrible gang rape and Deputy District AttorneyKathryn Murphy (Kelly McGillis) must bring all those involved to justice despite how stacked the cards seem to be. However, it hasn't always been such a popular genre, and there are certainly flicks out there that fell through the cracks while the most notable examples of the genre cemented law and justice themes into Hollywood. Sarah said he had a connection to find out the things they couldn't get legally. At the end the exposition part just struck me as removed to shave time, like the main character scenes from Kingdom of Heaven or the entire setup from Dune. But Weld County Commissioner Lori Saine said its clear to her that the countys charter determines how we organize ourselves., If that statute could overrule the state constitution in redistricting, I would expect we would have heard from the (attorney generals) office by now, she said. Is this guy Houdini, or does he have supernatural powers? (I do remember reading, though, that Butler was shocked to witness audiences cheering for his character. But dont think Ive spoiled anything. Lawyers fight to find justice and protect their clients, especially after he pleads "not guilty". As a new-millennium spin on films like Death Wish or Taxi Driver, Law Abiding Citizen works well when it keeps to the simple kinetic energy of the action; Clyde's machinations are just one step removed from the four-color outlandishness of a comic book evil genius. Rice, interested in maintaining his 96% conviction rate, makes a secret deal with Darby: in return for pleading guilty to third-degree murder, he will provide testimony that will send Ames to death row for what is, essentially, a robbery charge. Its the same with the SAW series, and most long-running horror franchises really. Law Abiding Citizen is a preposterous and lucrative revenge story filled with nonstop cliches. Dan maybe theres some kind of bulk discount that frequent buyers get. Vern, the reason the Collector seems influenced by Saw is because it was written by the guy who wrote Saw 4 through 7, and was originally intended to be a Saw prequel. He doesn't want to be shot. It makes them find the Garage. From the Hansard archive That is a worrying situation for any law-abiding citizen. ), Its got this horrendous torture, done by a mastermind whos always fifty six steps ahead of everyone else, able to set traps even while locked up, and whos self righteously trying to make a statement and teach people a lesson. About that Chester Guy. RELATED:Tom Hanks' 10 Best 90s Movies (According to IMDb). Directed by F. Gary Gray I just searched on internet but didint find a thing so I thought you guys could maybe help. Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. Plus, Pacino's riveting performance certainly stands out. The review is on target. Powers / Skills The coldest thing Ellie did pre-evil-deadness was whatever she told, I do like that, 2 movies into these Nu Evil Deads, we havent had a new Ash or a character, I loved it. I really did like this theory and thinking about it motivated me to pop in the dvd and watch it with the commentary from producers Lucas Foster and Alan Siegel. SEVEN begat SAW begat this. Alias And I am totally not surprised that people identified with Clyde. Rupert Ames is the secondary antagonist in the 2009 action crime film Law Abiding Citizen. This flick is based on the classic novel by Harper Lee of the same name. He was portrayed by Josh Stewart, who also portrayed John Pilgrim in Netflix's The Punisher, and Barsad in The Dark Knight Rises. Ive been meaning to see that. Starring: Jamie Foxx, Gerard Butler, Colm Meaney Watch all you want. He struggles to find true justice for the innocent and the guilty, and this thrilling and suspenseful courtroom drama is one of the best examples of this niche part of the genre. It felt like they were making a decision almost behind closed doors, said Kathleen Milligan, co-chair of the League of Women Voters Greeley-Weld County. A big issue in the film and part of the reason why it's hard to take seriously is that the ""villain"" (more of an ""anti-villain"") relies on a masterplan that has way too many potential points of failure And if it does fail, it's game over-no flexibility and virtually no room for error. Am sticking to it. Unless you didn't like them, in which case forget I said anything. Thats not backhanded praise, I liked it a fair bit; I just happen. In tackling heavy themes of sexuality, justice, prejudice, and law, Philadelphiais certainly a must-see when it comes to influential and unique movies of this genre. For huge fans of this genre, it's time to celebrate the best. So Rice has to stop him but Shelton is way ahead of him. Nick made deals with him, which he did not fulfill, thus giving him a justification (from Clyde's point of view) and by doing so, he participated to it. Clyde Shelton's family is brutally murdered. The rest of the film takes itself way too seriously, but is still a slick action/thriller film. Thats all well and good, Weld County attorney Bruce Barker told The Denver Post, but its not something his county needs to worry about. Law Abiding Citizen stars Gerard Butler as Clyde Shelton, a man who loses everything and goes on the rampage after the system fails to adequately punish his family's killers. Pacino plays a lawyer here, tasked to defend a corrupt judge. I just, Its my fifth favorite Evil Dead movie. You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. The avenger is the villain. Does this mean we as a society fear the intelligent? Foxx is decent and tortured; Butler is an appropriately regretful sociopath until the film's third act, when he has to kick the homicide up a notch to drive the film toward its climax. I just graduated university with Criminology & Psychology, but have a burning side passion for film! Maybe that got left on the cutting room floor. You dont tell a home-rule county how they organize.. He just recently appeared in the trashy "Copshop." Its the most audacious, no-messin-around, straight up enjoyable 90 minutes of action and stupidity Ive seen recently. He was going out into the city and wreaking. Kids say ( 16 ): Ludicrous and over pumped, LAW ABIDING CITIZEN is an overdone thriller that also has some real shocks and a couple of nasty surprises. If anything, it's very tame considering its subject matter. Man that was creatively fucked up. By James Rocchi, Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. Based on the novel by Stephen King of the same name, this '90s flick was way ahead of its time, and is a film that must be watched when discussing justice flicks. Toss me a couple bucks a month, support the good shit, also get access to a bunch of exclusive writing. On this everyone agrees. Then, during the climactic confrontation, Clyde asks Did you catch my accomplice? and Rice says, Yeah. Was this just awkwardly delivered sarcasm, because now he knows there wasnt an accomplice, or did I miss the reveal of an accomplice? He saw his family murdered. Its the old this guys from the Department of Defense, their top guy, you dont want to piss him off, etc. The William Stranix or Travis Dane approach. Nick Rice, Mr. Foxxs character, is slick and ambitious, proud of his 96 percent conviction rate and quite sure that hes the cleverest and coolest person in the room. Clyde Shelton's family is brutally murdered. Well, thats not entirely true. The law and justice subgenre may not be the biggest in Hollywood, but it's one that stood the test of time with these classics. He's put in there repeatedly and very clearly mysteriously, in ways that draw attention to him, too, you know? That beats Jigsaw lying in fake blood on a bathroom floor for an entire movie, just so he could eavesdrop on two idiots. But really, the main draw in "Law Abiding Citizen" is Gerard Butler chewing the scenery. I saw Law Abiding Citizen at a preview screening, followed by a Q and A with F. Gary Gray, who is awesome. A serial killer in solitary with oddly unlimited resources. You should realize youre not supposed to be rooting for Clyde about half an hour in when hes cutting a guys dick off with a box cutter. The only place I found discussion of it was on a stray blog review of the film that seemed to think Chester was actually Clyde. On the other hand, the actors were no doubt paid well for their suffering. Makes sense that its written by Kurt EQUILIBRIUM Wimmer. Scott Oct. 15, 2009 "Law Abiding Citizen," a blunt and sadistic revenge thriller starring Jamie Foxx. Occupation Tell em Bob MacEllroy set you. Type of Villain Whoever chose that trailer to go with this movie for this DVD, please let me know who you are. No knife scars. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. ", she'd give you a blank stare. The single best acting moment in Gerard Butler's career happens in Law Abiding Citizen, which is a movie where he decides to go on a killing rampage because he believes the judicial branch of . The goal of /r/Movies is to provide an inclusive place for discussions and news about films with major releases. *Stealth was not really good though just to note that Jamie Foxx is not the x-factor here. He was portrayed by Josh Stewart, who also portrayed John Pilgrim in Netflix's The Punisher, and Barsad in The Dark Knight Rises. Some lessons must be learned in blood, Clyde declares, one of many portentous proverbs that he seems to have learned during his career as a military killing-gizmo specialist. If you are 18 years or older or are comfortable with graphic material, you are free to view this page. Law Abiding Citizen Directed by F. Gary Gray Crime, Drama, Thriller R 1h 49m By A.O. But I dont know if it can, because its not all that smart. So Chester couldn't have been Clyde. Clyde unites a court in the judge to bring justice and retribution for the death of his wife and daughter. We loved the way it was used, because it is the first time Ive seen an EOD robot used deviously in a movie instead the same-ole picking something up and dropping it. She called the source "Chester," but wouldn't tell who it was. Kiszla: Avs embarrass themselves with silence about Valeri Nichushkin's mysterious absence following reported 9-1-1 call. I still cant figure out why mother Tenebrarum would need an underwater basement. The three mothers are probably notorious within the murder equipment and evil lair architecture and furnishing business communities. 2005-2020 Copyright Gerard Butler GALS It was the same thing with UNTRACEABLE, a movie that clearly mimicked SAWs polished, artificially grimy look and elaborate torture-device gimmicks, yet starred Diane Lane of all people. The trailer they put right before this was for Michael Moores latest film: Capitalism: A Love Story. All of this refers to Law Abiding Citizen. An English lawyer tries to free them and clear their names. They even went on to talk show to promote the movie. But Clyde had no accomplices in his murdering . Families can talk about the movie's violence. Ames is interrogated and confirms that he was unaware of Darby's abhorrent crime of raping Sheltons wife. Like that guy in the tunnel said (whose name escapes me), Clyde's only in prison because he wants to be. I agree with the points you and other posters make against it. So remarkable, in fact, that they fly in the face of common sense. I love how the photo from the movie that Vern used is basically a re-creation of a scene from Seven, even down to the racial makeup of the cops / authority figures two guys over a jumpsuited prisoner on his knees in what appears to be some sort of wasteland. Did you know you can flag iffy content? Accusations that this film is merely torture porn are misleading. Starring Jamie Foxx Gerard Butler Viola Davis Leslie Bibb Regina Hall. amzn_assoc_title = "EXAMPLES OF GOOD SHIT TO ORDER:"; This entry was posted RELATED:15 Overlooked (But Binge-Worthy) Crime Dramas Streaming On Netflix. Law Abiding Citizen, which was helmed by The Fate of the Furious and Set It Off director F. Gary Gray, originally came to theaters on October 16, 2009. Eric Bergman, policy director for Colorado Counties Inc., said as the bill is so new, it is pretty much untested at the local level. The redistricting efforts happening now wont bear fruit until the 2024 election. The committee aims to present three maps to the five commissioners by mid-June, with a decision on a final district map expected from the board in August. September 12, 2013 in Law Abiding Citizen. Having Greeley as one district would accelerate this division, she said. Nick was his accomplice. This is the only flick on the list that can also fall into comedy and drama territories, which makes it unique in itself. The movie centered on Butler's Clyde, who saw his wife and daughter being murdered in front of him, but after the system lets their killer off lightly, he swears epic revenge. As a bonus, it has an X-files crossover, and you guys know how I love my X-files. I'm just venting a little because I was on a bender with this movie all week and read a lot of reviews and interviews and press and watched and rewatched and rerewatched the movie anyway, it made all sorts of reviewers roll their eyes, but it made a kind of bizarre sense to me that he'd shuck it all off as the SWAT team moved in. This movie burst onto the movie scene for being so powerful in its political context, acting roles, and mesmerizing tale about justice. I dunno, I liked this one. Make sure no one gets seriously hurt.Escape being charged with the murders and only be charged with the attempted burglary (all failed). Spoiler.what would have made this truly awesome and fantastic would have been rices girls cello blowing up at the end, now thats masterpiece material. Colm Meaney, Leslie Bibb and Bruce McGill are all much better than they need to be, as is Viola Davis in a few scenes as the mayor of Philadelphia, where this bloodbath takes place. In a sequence, the main character removes all of his clothing, but the scene is dark, and only his bare chest and backside are shown. It still comes off lowbrow, even kind of sleazy, but it seems like it thinks its kind of profound. Rupert Ames was an accomplice of the savage criminal Clarence Darby who aided . I think some of you guys will get a kick out of it. Chester and Clyde being one and the same never occurred to me. Fatal Attraction Works As Entertainment, Fails as Social Commentary, Prime Videos Citadel Traps Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Richard Madden in Played-Out Spy Game, New York Philharmonic and Steven Spielberg Celebrate the Music of John Williams, A Piece of His Fire: Harry Belafonte (1927-2023). In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism. Ludicrous and over pumped, LAW ABIDING CITIZEN is an overdone thriller that also has some real shocks and a couple of nasty surprises. I'll have to go back and watch again, I guess. Both that one and this one have a dangerous murderer who the authorities all refer to just by first name. But if you're in the mood for cheesy junk featuring GeradButler having a grand old time hamming it up, you really can't go wrong here. For more information, please see our All rights reserved. An armed homeowner shot and killed a charging bull moose in his yard in Terreton, Idaho, on Jan. 21, 2023, after the animal had been frequenting the area for more than a . But still. To add insult to injury his attorney Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx, STEALTH) makes a deal for one killer to testify against the other and just get one of them executed rather than risk going to trial just based on Clydes eye witness testimony. Doesnt buying them in bulk get you put on some kind of list? Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. Yes but Mabuse had mind powers and a vast criminal organization. Did you know you can flag iffy content? Is Law Abiding Citizen streaming? Where's the line between vigilante justice and cold-blooded murder? Does anyone even remember "Law Abiding Citizen"? He has the "Den of Thieves" sequel on the way, and I can't wait for that. This crime drama was a hidden gem in the '70s, directed by Norman Jewison and starring the brilliant and thenupcoming Al Pacino. Ten years later, starting with the lethal injection of the sentenced criminal, Clyde is waiting with a plan to punish the guilty -- and the lawyers and judges who let the deal happen. suggesting a diversity update. With Henry Fonda and Lee J. Cobb, this flick was way ahead of its time, and still holds up in many powerful ways today. I give Jamie Foxx respect for making that happen. Shelton is left feeling betrayed. Anatomy Of A Murderis certainly a timeless staple in the genre. Ambitious prosecutor Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx), worried about his conviction record -- and the possibility of the killers walking -- cuts a deal that earns one criminal the death penalty and another a light three-year sentence. saga So he decides to get one of them to testify . Taking place in the south during the heights of the Great Depression, To Kill A Mockingbirdis about the difficult relationship between race and justice, and offers a unique tale of family and youth as well. Action. He made Sarah work all kind of crazy hours and kept her job more important that Chester, and Chester didn't like him. He wasn't only going out into the cellars to watch his cameras. I just watched one called THE COLLECTOR where the guy built fanciful traps that seemed to anticipate any possible outcome, and there was that Renny Harlin movie 12 ROUNDS where a criminal whose girlfriend got run over enacts an elaborate revenge on the cop he unfairly blames for it. Failing that, you should figure it out when he gives a DVD of the dick-cutting to Rices young daughter. A frustrated man decides to take justice into his own hands after a plea bargain sets one of his family's killers free. You see, he doesnt just blame the killers, he blames Rice for putting his conviction rate above actual justice, and the judges for whatever they did, this whole system is out of order, you cant handle the truth, etc. What's the deal with Sarah's mysterious 'boyfriend' Chester? Law Abiding Citizen (2009) Full Cast & Crew See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Directed by F. Gary Gray . amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; He is also part of The Post's politics team, through which he has covered numerous congressional and local elections. I was incredibly heartened how well the nine committee members came up with maps, he said. Adding that once Clyde's "reign of fire" (ahem) really gets going, the only time one of the murders seems to really cause him serious pain is when Sarah's car blows up. Jamie Foxx in "Law Abiding Citizen." "Law Abiding Citizen" is a taut thriller about a serial killer in reverse: He's already in prison when he commits all but one of his many murders, and in solitary for most of that time. However, because of improper procedure, the D.A., Nick Rice only has circumstantial evidence. If you are going to edit a lot, then make yourself a user and login. The law effectively only applies to Arapahoe, Weld and El Paso counties, due to the hybrid approach the three counties use of having commissioners elected both by districts and at-large, Bergman said. This flick stars Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, and is directed by Jonathan Demme. With Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx, the action-packed crime drama Law Abiding Citizen follows a man who decides to create his own justice after a plea bargain and a . As his methods are uncovered, it's clear he's a non-magical human being, but a clever one with remarkable resources. You cant help regretting that some of their characters will meet fiery or bloody ends. Dan Prestwich: I dont know how valid this point is, but Ive heard people argue that SEVEN isnt the starting point for this more sombre, clever/charismatic strain of serial killer film, but that the praise/blame should go to SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. Cocaine use is shown; characters drink beer, wine, Parents need to know that Law Abiding Citizen contains several scenes of extremely bloody violence -- in addition to the home invasion/robbery/attempted rape/murder sequence that it begins with, there's a brutal stabbing and a horrifying torture scene in which a chemically paralyzed man is strapped to a gurney. Read more about how we rate and review. With no choice, they call their cousin Vinny (Joe Pesci), an attorney, for help. To be honest though, this review and all this talk of Bosworth has given me an immediate need to watch Stone Cold again so thats what Ima gonna do. that is the way he carries out his plans. Fast forward ten years. Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide. Problem is, Vinny's a loudmouthed attorney with zero trial experience. Could have saved him a visit to the chiropractor.). Hes usually better than this. Please dont put the objections on the guys especially since we could have stepped in anytime and let the production crew borrow one of ours for several weeks. It's official: Jamal Murray, Nuggets are in Phoenix's heads now. Steal from the Shelton home.Make sure no one gets seriously hurt.Escape being charged with the murders and only be charged with the attempted burglary (all failed). This is Thesecret1070. By contrast, two other large Front Range counties El Paso and Arapahoe are abiding by the language of HB 21-1047 in their redistricting efforts. Viola Freakin'Davis! Director F. Gary Gray (The Italian Job, The Negotiator) has the flash and enthusiasm to make this kind of film and the other diversions that have made up his career, but watching him flail for deeper meaning and social commentary is a bit of a strain. I was correct! I was just wondering where the hell he got all those bear traps. Colorado county flouts state law aimed at, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Colorado county flouts state law aimed at curbing gerrymandering. I think the reason Jamie Foxxs performance was lacking compared to his other work might be because originally he was supposed to play the Clyde role and Gerard Butler was going to play Rice. Keeler: Chris Paul got dirty. Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler), a Philadelphia engineer, witnesses the rape and murder of both his wife and five-year old daughter at the hands of two burglars who break in his house: Clarence J. Darby (Christian Stolte) and accomplice Rupert Ames (Josh Stewart), leaving Shelton emotionally scarred.