Review by Melissa Hanson (Dial M For Melissa)
Albino Alligator (1996) and Impostor (2001) starring Gary Sinise, are being released for the first time on Bluray on July 10th from Echo Bridge Home Entertainment.
Cinemit will send two lucky winners these on Bluray. Click here to enter and comment! You can always find giveaways in Quick Flicks!
Gary Sinise, although known mostly for his acting work in films like Forrest Gump and Apollo 13, actually got his start as a director. He directed himself and John Malkovich in a stage production of True West in New York in 1984. Eight years later, he made is film feature directorial debut alongside John Malkovich again, this time in Of Mice and Men. Since that time, Sinise has stuck to acting and been working steadily every since, now as the lead in the CBS crime-drama, CSI: NY.
Melissa Hanson, Cinemit Content Editor, also known as Dial M For Melissa, has been a Cinemit member since 8/29/10, is a member of the Women Film Critic's Circle and also writes for MoviePass.
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Albino Alligator (1996)
In Kevin Spacey's directorial debut, three small-time crooks hide out after a robbery gone wrong and find themselves stuck in a basement bar with five hostages.
Although the story is really ludicrous and far too easy to figure out, I did quite enjoy the cinematography and directing. There are a few long takes where the camera moves to keep the scenes interesting because of the closed environment. I would have loved to see some sort of featurette on how it was shot. I'm sure it was a real location because of the craftsmanship of the wood and the glass, but it must have been very difficult to maneuver in there.
You'll recognize all of the cast, as each have been in dozens sometimes hundreds of films. The three main characters played by: Matt Dillion, who once again, plays off his looks and brings nothing more to the table; William Fichtner who is an unbelievable chameleon, being able to pull of a badass character in one flick and a sweet guy in the next; and Gary Sinise, who always seems to lend an air of confidence to his characters. Faye Dunaway was nominated for a Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actress, but I don't agree. Although slightly overplayed, she lent an emotional angle that was strong yet vulnerable. Rounding out the cast is M. Emmet Walsh, who you may not recognize by name, but is one of the most prolific actors of his generation. He's been in over 50 films since passing the half-century mark.
Starring in Scream the same year, Skeet Ulrich plays a shy kid who really contributes nothing to the story or the film. Viggo Mortensen, a relative unknown at the time would five years later become famous for his portrayal of Aragon in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. His character was barely even in the film with very few lines. Speaking of very few lines, I'm not sure why John Spencer was even in the film. His character served no purpose other than a placeholder. Such a shame.
All the actors were much too good for the roles they were playing, and if the directing hadn't been as good, the film would have been a horrible failure. Hats of to Kevin Spacey. Well done.
No special features on the disc, and amazingly, no subtitles. This is deeply regrettable and a bad decision to omit.
Rated: R
Directed by: Kevin Spacey
Written by: Christian Forte
Featuring: Matt Dillon, Faye Dunaway, Gary Sinise, Viggo Mortensen, William Fichtner, M. Emmet Walsh, Skeet Ulrich
Plot: While escaping from a foiled robbery attempt, three thieves find themselves surrounded by police at a New Orleans bar.
Impostor (2001)
Author Philip K. Dick (Total Recall, Blade Runner) wrote this short story which was originally a short film, but got expanded to a feature. Set in a future where our world is in threat of an alien invasion, Spencer Olham, a high-level weapons specialist, wakes up to suddenly being accused of being an alien imposter. Starring Gary Sinise and Vincent D'Onofrio, the film starts out with a bang, but fizzles into nothing more than a series of chase scenes with no other additions to the plot happening until the end.
On the disc are two Special Features. The first, The Impostor Files, is an inside look at the production. I highly enjoyed the backstage pass and interviews with the crew. Also included is the original short film, but it's basically the first 15 minutes and the last 15 minutes, so it's nothing remarkable. Again, it lacks any subtitles.
Rated: R
Directed by: Gary Fleder
Written by: Philip K. Dick (short story "The Impostor"), Scott Rosenberg (adaptation), Caroline Case (screenplay), Ehren Kruger (screenplay), David Twohy (screenplay)
Featuring: Gary Sinise, Vincent D'Onofrio, Mekhi Phifer and Madeleine Stowe
Plot: Spencer Olham, a top-secret government weapons designer who is arrested by a clandestine government organization on suspicion of being a clone created by the hostile alien race wanting to take over Earth.
