The Good Shepherd
Edward (Matt Damon), a senior CIA officer, after the failure of the 1961 Bay of Pigs Invasion of Cuba due to an undisclosed leak receives some material anonymously. Edward has an affair with Margaret ‘Clover’ (Angelina Jolie) and after she gets pregnant with his child, he marries Clover. At the wedding he accepts an offer of a position in the London OSS office from General Sullivan (Robert De Niro) – based on William Donovan. Later General Sullivan approaches Wilson to help form a new intelligence organisation – the CIA. General Sullivan reveals to Edward that the Russians are trying to gain influence. Does Edward overcome their plan and is he the one to form the CIA? The film is advertised as telling the untold story of the birth of counter-intelligence in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
The Fan
Gil ‘Curly’ (Robert De Niro), a knife salesman, is a mentally unstable divorcee and an obsessed fan of baseball and especially obsessed with the Giants’ newest player Rayburn (Wesley Snipes). When Rayburn’s performance declines, fans criticise his performance because he has failed to live up to their expectations. After losing his job and family, Gil vandalizes his former boss’ car with a knife. When Rayburn blames teammate Primo for his bad performance, Gil stabs Primo to death and Rayburn is suspected of murdering him. Rayburn tells Gil he has lost respect for his fickle fans who love him when he’s playing and hate him when he does not perform well. This upsets Gil who kidnaps Rayburn’s son Sean. Rayburn’s disrespect makes Gil go insance and he tells Rayburn to hit a home run in the upcoming game and dedicate it to Gil or he will kill Sean. Does Rayburn do as told and hit a homerun? Watch this psychological thriller which is based on Peter Abrahams’ novel.
Jackknife
Joseph Megessey or Megs (Robert De Niro) is a Vietnam war veteran suffering post-Vietnam stress syndrome with trouble fitting in with society. He takes on the responsibility of drawing Dave, a fellow veteran and now an alcoholic, out of his shell by coaxing him to enjoy life again, as well as urging him to face up to some of his darker memories. Megs is attracted to Dave’s sister Martha, who lives with Dave and looks after him. This attraction leads to a love affair, much to Dave’s disapproval. Dave eventually vents his anger and frustration at a high school prom where Martha is a chaperone being accompanied by Megs. This leads to Dave finally facing his demons and acknowledging Megs and Martha for being there for him. Watch the serious film with emphasis on characterisation if their romance is a promising one or does Megs return to Martha?
The King of Comedy
Aspiring stand-up comedian Rupert Pupkin (Robert De Niro) is unsuccessfully trying to launch his career. He approaches Jerry Langford (Lewis), a successful comedian and talk show host, for his ‘big break’ but is rebuffed by Langford. Rupert fantasises that he and Langford are colleagues and friends. Rupert then hatches a kidnapping plot with the help of Masha (Sandra Bernhard), a stalker similarly obsessed with Langford. As ransom, Rupert demands that he be given the opening spot on that evening’s Jerry Langford Show and that the show be broadcast. Langford is to be released once the show airs. Does Jerry manage to escape? Watch this black comedy drama to see if Rupert’s stand-up routine is well received. The character of Rupert Pupkin is described as ‘Jake LaMotta without fists’.
True Confessions
In post-war 1940s, Desmond Spellacy (Robert De Niro ) is a young and ambitious Roman Catholic monsignor in the Los Angeles archdiocese. His older brother Tom Spellacy (Robert Duvall) is a hard-working homicide detective with the police department. Des is the pride and joy of aging Cardinal Danaher because of his skill at developing church projects while keeping down costs. He cuts a corner now and then, overlooking the shady side of construction mogul Jack Amsterdam, who uses his ties to the Monsignor mainly for his own. One day a young woman is found murdered. The woman, Lois, is labeled ‘the Virgin Tramp’ by the press, turning it into a sensational case. Tom Spellacy (Robert Duvall) is in charge of the case and is determined to have Amsterdam picked up. Does he also pick up the Monsignor? The film, adapted from the novel by John Gregory Dunne, is praised for the performances of both stars and the references to the Black Dahlia case and Cain and Abel story.
