The Conversation (1974) - 3/5

This movie is a slow but competent thriller centering around sound recording that has a few good scenes of tension. The plot ambles around distractedly, manages an explosive but jumbled discovery, then wanders off aimlessly. The core conceit is well executed, if a bit long and redundant in the protagonist’s search for clarity, but he doesn’t have nearly as much character depth as the film seems to think he does, so the ending falls flat.

Content warning: brief female nudity

Closest comparison: It’s like Blow Out by way of Taxi Driver.

Setting: Corporate Drama
Plot: Corporate Espionage
Tone: Depressed Thriller

The Firm (1993) - 3/5

This movie is a pretty standard white collar Orwellian thriller. For the most part the paranoia and unease works well, but one of the sources of tension actually serves to undercut the stakes significantly which does this film no favors. The chase and entrapment scenes are equally exciting, and the ending wraps up most of what it needs to, although the final resolution leaves something to be desired.

Closest comparison: It’s like Enemy of the State by way of A Few Good Men.

Setting: RomCom
Plot: Thriller
Tone: Thriller

The French Connection (1971) - 4/5

This is a long, slow stake out movie that opts for realism over thrills. It’s a much more palatable entry to the Unhinged Cop genre than most, choosing to making its point more with racial slurs and questionable shakedowns instead of with rape and addiction. There are more stakeouts than chases, more chases than gunfights, and its own ‘70s realism style to tie it all together. The ending leaves something to be desired, but overall it holds up very well.

Closest comparison: It’s like Training Day by way of Taxi Driver.

Setting: Crime
Plot: Buddy Cop
Tone: Crime

Heist (2001) - 4/5

David Mamet movies all seem to have the same feel to them, and Heist is no exception. His dialogue may strike some viewers as stilted, but its careful construction is also one of the main draws of his films. The twisting, turning plot keeps the audience on its toes, and eagle-eyed viewers are rewarded with subtle callbacks and motivational explanations again and again. It’s a smart setup but even casual moviegoers will be able to enjoy the clever heists without some of the more nuanced aspects of the plot.

Closest comparison: Any other heist movie, by way of David Mamet.

Setting: Crime
Plot: Heist
Tone: Drama/Thriller

Wyatt Earp (1994) - 2/5

This movie is disappointing to say the least. With writer/director Lawrence Kasdan (of Empire Strikes Back fame) and Kevin Costner in the title role, this should have been great. Unfortunately, it’s just a longer version of Tombstone, which came out the year before. Clocking in at over three and a half hours, there’s no excuse for it to be as boring as it is. For it being essentially the same story it’s a shame that everything is better in Tombstone, from the casting of Wyatt Earp to Doc Holliday, from the pacing to Kevin Costner’s own performance in both films. It’s not terrible, it’s just not worth watching.