Badmovies.org Forum

     Once again I am blown away by an unjustifiably obscure Friedkin masterpiece.  This is like Law and Order SVU but ten times better and starring al pacino.  Back then these guys, they just didn't care.  This is great filmaking.  some of the dialogue is a little stiff and elements of the plot can become a little confusing (DVD commentary was helpful here )but still head and shoulders above anything I've seen in a while.   Perhaps the homosexuality was too blatant for it's time but now that we have the internet and know the ins and outs of every sexual practice ever invented it shouldn't be any big deal and the violence is more graphic than the sex.

I saw this movie way back when it was released on VHS and I liked it.  I bought the DVD when it was released (last year, I think) and I'm still a fan.  It has a very gritty, realistic New York City "street" feel to it, sort of like THE FRENCH CONNECTION, TAXI DRIVER, and SERPICO.  Some people may want to hit the "eject" button during some of the heavy leather homosexuality scenes (although, they really aren't very graphic . . . it's more of your imagination trying to piece together what you DON'T see as opposed to anything that is actually shown on the screen).  I remember a lot of protesting by the gay community when this was in theaters.  Some people thought it stereotyped homosexuals as S&M and B&D weirdos and killers and they were offended by it.  In any event, I still think it's a very good (but not great) movie and worthy of multiple viewings.

I remember watching this one a couple of times during myu late teens, I thought it was a mess. Friedkin is usually hit or miss, and I don't think this one is among his best efforts.

Any film with Al pacino in is a good movie, even really naff stuff like Simone or that one with Colin Farrell.
I only thought only Al's performance was good in Cruising, no matter what the role, he's always diverse and interesting.

Any film with Al PAcino is good? Aw, man, have you seen "88 minutes"?  :question:

But yeah, I get your point. I have to say I found nothing wrong with Pacino's performance, rather the opposite.

Also, try watching REVOLUTION.  Pacino as a Revolutionary War soldier (with his New York "street guy" accent) did not convince anyone.  This is one of the worst mainstream movies ever made . . . EVER made.  I am a huge Pacino fan, but REVOLUTION was simply awful.  Check out the reviews on the Rotten Tomatoes website.