@# L.A. Confidential Blu ray

I've been watching movies for almost 60 years, and "L.A. Confidential" is one of the most wildly entertaining films I've ever seen. It was so much fun, I didn't want it to end. (It's anything but a comedy -- but it's fun.)



The story borrows elements commonly found in "hard-boiled" detective fiction: loose dames, prostitution and pornography, homosexuality, police corruption, murdered partners, etc, etc, etc. It is, at least superficially, a broad re-imagining of "The Big Sleep", with an idealistic (but ambitious and hard-nosed) police officer (roughly) standing in for Sam Spade. Of course, given the nature of such novels, these similarities are to be expected. (There is no murdered chauffeur, however.)



The director wanted to stay away from "noir" tone and cliché, and he succeeds. Though set in 1953, "L.A. Confidential" seems modern. The performances -- from actors largely unknown at the time -- are perfect. One could not even imagine better.



The Blu-ray is a beautiful transfer, well-capturing the varied visual moods of LA and surroundings (as discussed in one of the excellent supplements). Some moments, though, appear to have been badly underexposed (as suggested by gray, rather than black backgrounds). Whether this was intentional is not clear, and it doesn't really detract.



Unless you're offended by the violence or subject matter, unreservedly recommended.



There is one rather surprising error -- "When Worlds Collide" was released in 1951, not 1953.
(344 customers reviews )
Customers Rating=4.5 / 5.0

More Detail For L.A. Confidential Blu ray

• ISBN13: 0085391156994
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

$ L.A. Confidential Blu ray

I've been watching movies for almost 60 years, and "L.A. Confidential" is one of the most wildly entertaining films I've ever seen. It was so much fun, I didn't want it to end. (It's anything but a comedy -- but it's fun.)



The story borrows elements commonly found in "hard-boiled" detective fiction: loose dames, prostitution and pornography, homosexuality, police corruption, murdered partners, etc, etc, etc. It is, at least superficially, a broad re-imagining of "The Big Sleep", with an idealistic (but ambitious and hard-nosed) police officer (roughly) standing in for Sam Spade. Of course, given the nature of such novels, these similarities are to be expected. (There is no murdered chauffeur, however.)



The director wanted to stay away from "noir" tone and cliché, and he succeeds. Though set in 1953, "L.A. Confidential" seems modern. The performances -- from actors largely unknown at the time -- are perfect. One could not even imagine better.



The Blu-ray is a beautiful transfer, well-capturing the varied visual moods of LA and surroundings (as discussed in one of the excellent supplements). Some moments, though, appear to have been badly underexposed (as suggested by gray, rather than black backgrounds). Whether this was intentional is not clear, and it doesn't really detract.



Unless you're offended by the violence or subject matter, unreservedly recommended.



There is one rather surprising error -- "When Worlds Collide" was released in 1951, not 1953.
(345 customers reviews)
Customers Rating=4.5 / 5.0

More Detail For L.A. Confidential Blu ray

• ISBN13: 0085391156994
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

$ L.A. Confidential Blu ray

L.A. Confidential has everything, 1950's setting in Los Angeles, the L.A. Police Department, beautiful mysterious movie look-alikes, a quirky dirt magazine reporter, smart quick dialogue,perfect ensemble, and unexpected traps in every corner.



Director Curtis Hanson does a fantastic job showing the two-faces of Los Angeles. His view of the city and the perfect tone of the dark, exciting story grab you at the start. The city of dreams is caught as well as the dark side. The beginning is narrated by Danny DeVito who elaborates on L.A. glamour, sun and fun, ritzy homes and Hollywood celebrities and hopefuls. Danny plays a reporter for "Hush-Hush" magazine so he also shows the duplicity of L.A. with its high-class hookers, murders, and corrupt cops.



L.A. Confidential shows how hard it is to know who you can trust, who is watching your back or the criminals. There are three detectives (Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey) who are smart and clever in their own unique ways. They are investigating a coffee-shop mass murder and as each thread of evidence unravels, they discover more and more corruption in the Police Department.



The three detectives use their own unique personalities and tactics to delve into the investigation of a mass murder at a small coffee shop. The tenor and quality of the movie holds up throughout. The pacing is quick and the viewer needs to give each scene total attention as the threads of evidence and relationships are tightly and well woven.



Kim Basinger is fantastic as the Veronica Lake look-alike prostitute. She knows how to deliver and it gives the film a integrity that is hard to replicate.



All the actors do a top notch job - Basinger, Crowe, Cromwell, DeVito, Strathairn, Spacey, Crowe and Pearce.



A standing ovation for the perfect screen version masterpiece mystery!


(344 customers reviews)
Customers Rating=4.5 / 5.0

More Detail For L.A. Confidential Blu ray

• L.A. Confidential is "tough, gorgeous and vastly entertaining" (James Maslin, The New York Times) and won 1997 Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress (Kim Basinger) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Brian Helgeland & Curtis Hanson). Three cops, a call girl, a mysterious millionaire, a tabloid journalist fuel a labyrinthine plot rife with mystery, ambition, romance and humor.Running Time: 138 mi