FemaleFirst.co.uk: DVD: The Yards [DVD] [2000]

The Yards [DVD] [2000]
enlarge	Director: James Gray Actors: Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoenix, Charlize Theron, James Caan, Ellen Burstyn Studio: Cinema Club Category: DVD List Price: ~~£5.99~~ Buy Used: £0.88 as of 23/11/2009 04:07 GMT details You Save: £5.11 (85%) New (4) Used (17) Collectible (2) from £0.88 Seller: grabmore Rating: 5 reviews Sales Rank: 47594 Format: Anamorphic, PAL Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired) Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over Region: 2 Discs: 1 Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Number Of Discs: 1 Running Time: 111 Minutes Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2 Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 EAN: 5014138291136 ASIN: B00005AFQ4 Theatrical Release Date: 2000 Release Date: January 13, 2003 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days


Similar Items: The Truth About Charlie [DVD] [2003] Little Odessa (Exclusive to Amazon.co.uk) [DVD] [1994] We Own the Night [DVD] [2007] Inventing The Abbotts [DVD] [1997] Buffalo Soldiers [DVD] [2003]


Editorial Reviews: Amazon.co.uk Review IThe Yards/I fulfils the promise of writer-director James Gray's debut film, ILittle Odessa/I, proving that Gray is a mature storyteller who attracts good actors and elicits their best work. Inspired by the experiences of his own father, he sets IThe Yards/I inside the corrupt workings of the New York City railway system, in which men such as Frank Olchin (James Caan) maintain their dominance by sabotaging the work of their competitors. Mark Wahlberg is well cast as Leo Handler, who serves jail time for a crime he didn't commit and returns home to a warm welcome from his ailing mother (Ellen Burstyn), his aunt Kitty (and Frank's wife, played by Faye Dunaway), and cousin Erica (Charlize Theron).p He's also welcomed by his friend Willie (Joaquin Phoenix), who does most of Uncle Frank's dirty work and brings the needy Leo into his lucrative fold. Things go from bad to worse, and Leo's suspected in the killing of a railway official and the beating of a city patrolman. On the run, he uncovers the political machinations that keep Uncle Frank in power, and IThe Yards/I unfolds as a compelling tale of family, twisted loyalties, and the quest for truth. There's stellar work from everyone involved, but if IThe Yards/I has one major flaw, it's that Gray directs with a solemnity that's almost off-putting, as if a moment of levity would violate his story's integrity. Visually the movie invites comparison to IThe Godfather/I, and it boasts much of that film's moral complexity and depth of character, but it's too self-consciously heavy, and that compromises its overall impact. Still, this is good work from a talented director whose future films will be watched with interest. --IJeff Shannon, Amazon.com/I

Customer Reviews: Interesting....... December 4, 2001 7 out of 7 found this review helpful So, the plot may get a little confusing at times (i spent ages explaing it to a friend who watched it with me) and at times it can get a little too heavy, but overall, this is an excellent example of independent film. Superb directing from Gray, whos dark and gritty atmosphere really cranks the tension up a notch. There is a good and imaginative plot accomanied by a good script and belivable characters who you actually care about. A good example of Mark Wahlberg's acting capablities, far better than his attempt in this summers 'Planet of the Apes'. The actor that really stood out for me was Joaquin Pheonix, who's turn as the scheaming Willie is a fine addition to his already impresive resume. A must buy for all lovers of independent film. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. FORGET "GLADIATOR" , TRY "THE YARDS" May 3, 2003 wdanthemanw (Geneva, Switzerland) 7 out of 9 found this review helpful After LITTLE ODESSA in 1994, THE YARDS is quite an impressive second movie of american writer/director James Gray who plays in the same league than Martin Scorsese, Francis Coppola or Sidney Lumet. Furthermore, James Gray has given two important roles to James Caan and Ellen Burstyn and a choice like this can only be made by a clever and talented person. If you are not so fond of Ridley Scott's bodybuilt gladiators, try for a change a movie with more brains than muscles. In the long run, it gives more satisfaction. pTHE YARDS is a movie about ambiguity, a mood created firstly by the images of the movie, cold and almost metallic for the exterior scenes but warm and always red, brown or yellow for the interior scenes. This antagonism is also underlined by the recurrent theme of the electric lights which suddenly plunge the characters in a black no-man's land several times during the course of the movie. pJames - Frank Olchin - Caan is the most ambiguous character of the movie. He may appear as a rotten businessman ready to corrupt anything that has power at times but can also develop a "Don Corleone" à la Brando attitude when trying to protect his family. Superb job from James Caan. Mark - Leo Handler - Wahlberg is also not a straight character and one important scene of the movie confirms this point. After having been abandoned by his pairs, he's ready to join the enemy and crucify his former friends. pA DVD zone your library. Deep May 18, 2009 Lan (Cloud 9) Great film. Very underrated. Great Performances. Authentic story. Mark Whalberg. Joquin Pheonix. Charlize Theron. Need i say more? A great spin on the the old corruption theme August 10, 2001 oli8877@hotmail.com (England) 3 out of 7 found this review helpful This film is a great spin on the old corruption and manipulation theme. With a good cast and some decent screenplay, you soon become enthralled in the dark vision of the film. Although the film will never stand up to films like the godfather, goodfellas its still highly enjoyable to watch. James Caan never lets you down. HELLO IS ANYBODY STILL AWAKE ? July 29, 2007 L. Wilson (Natal South Africa) 1 out of 3 found this review helpful The ultimate in boring, inane and totally crap films. If James Caan could take the cotton wool out of his mouth so we could understand what he is saying it would improve the ratings by 2%. Don`t waste your hard earned cash on this, rather bet on the rank outsider at the donkey derby.

CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON EU S.à.r.l. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.