Mark Jacobs Movies
Biloxi Blues was the second of playwright Neil Simon's semi-autobiographical trilogy (number one was Brighton Beach Memoirs; number three, Broadway Bound). Matthew Broderick stars as Simon's alter ego Eugene Morris Jerome, who is drafted and shipped off to boot camp in Biloxi, Mississippi in the waning days of World War II. Eugene is at the mercy of near-psychotic drill sergeant Toomey (Christopher Walken), who seems to have a personal vendetta against the poor schlemiel (Toomey also has all the film's best lines). While sweating out basic training, Eugene is indoctrinated into manhood by local prostitute Rowena (Park Overall). The film version of Biloxi Blues retains the wit and poignancy of the theatrical original--except towards the end, which pointlessly emphasizes a showdown between Eugene and Toomey. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Matthew Broderick, Christopher Walken, (more)
- 1986
In the aptly titled, Blood Hook, a mentally ill war veteran becomes a crazed killer hunting teenagers and killing them in a variety of inventive and very bloody ways during a local annual fishing tournament. This routine, very bloody teenage slasher thriller, directed by Jim Mallon, attempts to inject humor into the routine formula with uneven results. Blood Hook has little to recommend it other than some lovely Wisconsin scenery, but for fans of the genre, Blood Hook might be a refreshing change of pace. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mark Jacobs, Lisa Todd, (more)
- 1993
- R
Claude is a landscaper who is having a terrible day. He has been abandoned by his girl friend, humiliated by his boss, and just vented his rage on an innocent girl scout selling cookies. Later he is burning pictures of his girlfriend when something goes amiss and he ends up torching his apartment building. He is then arrested and released twice. On his way home from the police station he meets the charming Beatrice, an illegal French immigrant who is caring for a Cambodian orphan and trying to avoid the police who may want her for murder. Feeling sorry for her, Claude invites her to move in with him and his strange family. She ends up having a positive effect on all of them, especially the heretofore aimless Claude. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mark Jacobs, Irène Jacob, (more)
Martin Scorsese explores the life of organized crime with his gritty, kinetic adaptation of Nicolas Pileggi's best-selling Wiseguy, the true-life account of mobster and FBI informant Henry Hill. Set to a true-to-period rock soundtrack, the story details the rise and fall of Hill, a half-Irish, half-Sicilian New York kid who grows up idolizing the "wise guys" in his impoverished Brooklyn neighborhood. He begins hanging around the mobsters, running errands and doing odd jobs until he gains the notice of local chieftain Paulie Cicero (Paul Sorvino), who takes him in as a surrogate son. As he reaches his teens, Hill (Ray Liotta) is inducted into the world of petty crime, where he distinguishes himself as a "stand-up guy" by choosing jail time over ratting on his accomplices. From that moment on, he is a part of the family. Along with his psychotic partner Tommy (Joe Pesci), he rises through the ranks to become Paulie's lieutenant; however, he quickly learns that, like his mentor Jimmy (Robert DeNiro), his ethnicity prevents him from ever becoming a "made guy," an actual member of the crime family. Soon he finds himself the target of both the feds and the mobsters, who feel that he has become a threat to their security with his reckless dealings. Goodfellas was rewarded with six Academy Award nominations including Best Picture; Pesci would walk away with Best Supporting Actor for his work. ~ Jeremy Beday, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, (more)
- 1986
- R
Michael Keaton plays a famous Chicago-based hockey player who befriends trouble-prone teenager Ajay Naidu (after Naidu's gang has tried to mug him!) He also extends the hand of friendship to Naidu's mother Maria Conchita Alonso, a friendship that blossoms into a physical relationship. Too self-centered to make a commitment to Alonso, Keaton tries to break things off, but Naidu won't let him go so easily. This seemingly frivolous situation is underscored by the more serious efforts of Alonso to make a better life for herself and her son. The comic and dramatic elements of Touch and Go never quite jell, but the winning performances of the three main characters help gloss over the film's unevenness. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Keaton, Maria Conchita Alonso, (more)
- 1990
- PG
An aging pair of long-time friends look forward to their weekly visit in which they whittle away the hours spinning fantastic yarns about the many adventures they never had. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- José Ferrer, James Whitmore, (more)
A doomed interracial relationship provides the focus of this tragedy. White paralegal Lonny, wants to write a political novel that rails against the system, but he can't seem to start it. His writer's block has cost him emotionally, and he is bored with his job, his conversations with his father, and with his girlfriend. He looks for something different. He finds it with black teenager, Denise as she prepares for her SATs. He is attracted by her intelligence and the eagerness with which she learns and offers to tutor her. She accepts and soon they have transcended the teacher student relationship and become closer. They face resistance at every turn, but they do not heed the warnings. Tragedy ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mark Jacobs, Karen Kirkland, (more)
