L.A. Confidential

Rating: 8/10 (12 September 2005)

For an adult action or thriller type cop drama, this is a pretty good chance to see some good stars do some cool stuff. BAFTA nominated Kevin Spacey as Sergeant Jack Vincennes is quite cool but also quite gritty at times which makes him quite a good hero. Russell Crowe as Officer Wendell 'Bud' White is someone who seems and suspicious and not always to be trusted, he seems like a bad guy. Oscar and Golden Globe winning, and BAFTA nominated Kim Basinger as Lynn Bracken is quite saucy and looks quite pretty. Also starring Memento's Guy Pearce as Det. Lt. Edmund Jennings 'Ed' Exley, James Cromwell as Capt. Dudley Liam Smith, David Strathairn as Pierce Morehouse Patchett and (one of the reasons I wanted to see the film) Danny DeVito as Sid Hudgens. It won the Oscar for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium, and it was nominated for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Cinematography, Best Director for Curtis Hanson (8 Mile), Best Film Editing, Best Music for Jerry Goldsmith, Best Sound and Best Picture, it won the BAFTAs for Best Editing and Best Sound, and it was nominated for the Anthony Asquith Award for Film, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Make Up/Hair, Best Production Design, Best Adapted Screenplay, the David Lean Award for Direction and Best Film, and it was nominated the Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture - Drama, Best Director, Best Original Score and Best Screenplay. Kevin Spacey was number 4, and Russell Crowe number 26 on The 100 Greatest Movie Stars, and the film was number 25 on The 100 Greatest Films. Very good!