Surprised no one's commented on this yet.

Another new record in the making...my 4th positive film post in a row!  WOW, am I saying 2011 is a good year for movies?  Maybe I am...definitely better than the last few for sure.

I really liked this flick.  It's well put together, interesting, entertaining, and a bit thought provoking, even.

Great performances from everyone.  Although McConaughey is cocky, cool, and confident as he always is, his performance is somewhat different from what I'm used to out of him.  A bit more subdued...more real in terms of emotions and the world around him...and definitely much older looking and less buff.

The camera work here comes across differently than I'm used to.  Probably more extreme close ups than I can remember, and many of them in shots that definitely don't require such tight shots.  I would have preferred a little more standard photography.

Also, alot of Flashbacks.  They were handled well and worked for what they needed to get across, but they sure were prevelant.

One more thing that really jumped out at me was the on the nose expository dialogue.  It was quite thick, actually and detracted a bit but didn't sink this in any way.

It's a good flick and I'm glad it  made good money and is still playing. Check it out!

History flick, my kind of movie, as long as they don't butcher history and try to make some point that is supposed to have modern relevance.

Huh?  This ain't no history flick!  It's based on a novel by Michael Connelly.

Isn't there a movie out about the Lincoln assassination?

There is, but it ain't this one.  You're talking about The Conspirator.

This one? The Conspirator

I thought the same thing when I saw the title ha-ha.

LIL SPOILERS below.


Saw this last night. And, you pretty much hit the nail on the head with this one Jeff. Was surprisingly good. And, Matthew Mc pretty much keeps his shirt on for the entire film too! The hand-held camera at the beginning of the film irritated me no end though... (sea-sick for a bit) thank God they eased up on it, and the extreme close ups are a bother just for the fact they're so noticeable and kinda detract by constantly reminding us that 'this is a film'.

Good supporting cast including Ryan Phillipe, Frances Fisher and Marisa Tomei, John Leguizamo (the latter a bit underused). But hey I have to agree with Jeff again! :) The exposition in this film is glaringly noticeable especially at the conclusion when MM's character reveals a little P.S. re a character released from prison. Nice touches of humour though with MM's driver - Earl (Laurence Mason) and the 'repeat customers' i.e. the bikers.

As usual William H Macy (looking esp. haggard and old) puts in a stellar performance and then... well, without SPOILING it, he's just not in it long enough.

One other thing about this film. You gotta' keep up with the plot, I mean really concentrate.

Now, just want to say Jeff, you're surpised there's no review of this one, hmm me too. But, I'm really surprised there's no review of The Town - will post one later unless someone gets in before me. Terrific movie! A must see imho.

And this was #3 for me the other day. This film I loved a lot. A LOT.
I don't know how well it did in BO though. But it's my understanding this adap was from the first in a series of books regarding this character. While a sequel to this film is tough to call, I would not be upset in the least if they planned one.

Terrfic whodunit even when you know whodunit and how does our protag get out of it and turns the tables. Added to that is a character arc.

Year's half over, but hopefully this will be remembered as one of the best films of the year. It reserves a spot in my top ten. I'll buy this DVD/ Blu-Ray and put it in my collection. Some of you mentioned McConaughey. It's the best work he's done in years. It's the best film he's been in in years. He picked the right project.

I'd forgotten about this thread too.
It's a tight whodunit with stout characters and genuine dilemma.
It's the kind of slippery slope role McConaughey suits very well.

It keeps moving at a brisk pace but doesn't sacrifice character beats to do it.
And it voided my least favorite trend in modern mystery flicks.
The answer is not the crux of this movie. As most fall into that trap.
The real "steak" is HOW the PROTAG deals with the ramifications of that answer.

Engaging, well paced entertainment and solid production value.

E.D.

Very good movie.

Thought the title was terrible though, really put me off watching it.