| L.A. Confidential (Two-Disc Special Edition) | 
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| Actors: Kim Basinger, Graham Beckel, James Cromwell, Russell Crowe, Danny Devito
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $20.97
Buy New: $11.54
You Save: $9.43 (45%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  327 reviews
Sales Rank: 4445
Format: Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Dvd-video, Original Recording Remastered, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Number Of Items: 2
Running Time: 138
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: WARD025482D
UPC: 085391165118
EAN: 0085391165118
ASIN: B001CN2WXM
Theatrical Release Date: 1997
Release Date: September 23, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 09/23/2008 Rating: R
Amazon.com essential video
In a time when it seems that every other movie makes some claim to being a film noir, L.A. Confidential is the real thing--a gritty, sordid tale of sex, scandal, betrayal, and corruption of all sorts (police, political, press--and, of course, very personal) in 1940s Hollywood. The Oscar-winning screenplay is actually based on several titles in James Ellroy's series of chronological thriller novels (including the title volume, The Big Nowhere, and White Jazz)--a compelling blend of L.A. history and pulp fiction that has earned it comparisons to the greatest of all Technicolor noir films, Chinatown. Kim Basinger richly deserved her Supporting Actress Oscar for her portrayal of a conflicted femme fatale; unfortunately, her male costars are so uniformly fine that they may have canceled each other out with the Academy voters: Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey, and James Cromwell play LAPD officers of varying stripes. Pearce's character is a particularly intriguing study in Hollywood amorality and ambition, a strait-laced "hero" (and son of a departmental legend) whose career goals outweigh all other moral, ethical, and legal considerations. If he's a good guy, it's only because he sees it as the quickest route to a promotion. --Jim Emerson
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| Customer Reviews: Read 322 more reviews...
 Good movie! December 14, 2008
I enjoyed this movie very much. I've watched it 3 times. Each time I see something I didn't notice before.
Highly Recommeded December 13, 2008
No complaints on quality, looks great. Can't have a classic Noir in standard crummy DVD anymore so the upgrade is very much so worth it. Anyone who wants to complain can have my old VHS tape if they like.
 Will this review put me on the cover of Hush-Hush? December 8, 2008
1 out of 13 found this review helpful
In 1997, five films were up for the category of best picture - of those "LA Confidential" was a contender. It was an up and down year for the Academy, having the highest grossing picture on the ticket doesn't really allow room for small independent features to see the light of day. Thankfully, "Good Will Hunting" proved that wrong, and allowed the comedian Robin Williams to receive the credit he deserved. None the less, "LA Confidential" was in the gambit that year, boasting hot new talent, an awe-inspiring image of the golden years of Hollywood, and the grittiness that only James Ellroy could imagine. So, with so many high marks - why didn't this film win? To be honest, my friends, this isn't a very good movie. As other reviews have claimed, and I agree, it is a popcorn film. It has gloss, it has catchy music, and it has veneer, but it lacks the soul to be an award winner. "LA Confidential" is a motion picture. In the gambit of releases, it requires one viewing to see where both Russell Crowe and Guy Pierce first found their Hollywood USA footing, but outside of that - it only demonstrates one thing - Kim Basinger didn't need to put her best foot forward to win an award.
Wow. Isn't that opening paragraph grouchy? My initial feelings for this film were not as negative as I may sound, it does require one viewing, but alas, this was my second time around and frustration has set in due to the missing hours I cannot get back. "LA Confidential" is a film that boasts truths (i.e. there was a club that had women cut like movie-stars for men), or the dirty cops, but ultimately lacks that punch to make it feel ... well, real. Let me explain. Upon watching this film a second time, one could notice places where the actor's voices were not synchronized to their lips; one would feel as if they were on a soundstage instead of the actual location, and finally, perhaps the largest downfall, the secondary actors not quite fitting their respected roles. I don't mean to tear apart an award winner, the people have spoken and it has already won, but it should go under scrutiny just like anything else Hollywood recycles. "LA Confidential" needed to be darker, it needed further development into our main characters, and it needed more blood - more truth, more honest, more detail. Boasting speaking parts of over 80 people is great, but when there wasn't a strong enough story to support them, it just falls apart at the seam. What failed in this film? A quick list for those keeping count:
1) Danny DeVito - difficult to say because his work continually impresses, but with this film he just didn't seem to fit the part. He didn't seem dirty enough, he didn't seem fast enough, he just didn't make me believe of the darkened underbelly of LA during this time.
2) Kim Basinger - obviously, somebody liked her that year, but what did she contribute to this film? She cried, she dressed as a starlet actress; she didn't get naked (not saying it was needed, but she was a prostitute). She spoke about ten lines of dialogue and won an award - looks like Judi Dench all over again. If she contributed to the film, perhaps - but Basinger did nothing to welcome a change to "Oscar Winner".
3) Curtis Hanson is a great director, there is no doubt, but with "LA Confidential" he seemed to have too much to handle. Our story involves three main cops, each with their own story and dilemmas, we have a dead actor, we have missing heroine, we have prostitution, we have Danny DiVito talking about the QT, and we have James Cromwell in the background. This is more than even a novice director could handle. What could have strengthened "LA Confidential" would have been following our three main officers throughout the film, too many tangents were made, too many sidelines were focused, and we eventually lost sight of what was important - and what was actually worth watching - Crowe, Pierce, and Spacey.
With so much distress, I must admit, there were parts I enjoyed. I loved the costumes, the fantasy of this missing Hollywood. The freedom during the time seemed stronger than ever, and Hanson captured this greatly. The music countered the film greatly, focusing our attention on the time with upbeat songs and jingles. Finally, I did like where Russell Crowe went with his character. His was the only one that I believed, and trusted to portray a cop still fighting the struggle with his past. He was the darkness that we needed for this film; his character alone represented what "LA Confidential" should have been. He was worth watching and should have been presented with his first Oscar, but I digress. Alas, this is all I can say - the rest seemed like a downward scramble into the pit of despair.
Overall, I wasn't happy with this film. "LA Confidential" could have been the small film that knocked Titanic off its shelf, but because it was so glossed over, because it lacked the grittiness, it just felt like a Hollywood-churned product. It duped the audiences. It promised this dark world of corrupt cops and staunch criminals, but did not deliver. I wanted this to be a great noir film, a great feature to the likes of "The Untouchables", but this comes nowhere close. Hanson tries to stay mainstream with this film, but could have succeeded by bringing his own image to the table. I cannot stress this enough, this is a Hollywood film. It is everything Hollywood represents from predictable plots, to friends finding roles for other friends (see DeVito and Basinger), and bloodless shootouts. Even with all the production value going into it, we still couldn't get Crowe's voice to match his lips. Pathetic.
One viewing - that is all you will need. I promise.
Grade: * out of *****
Exceptional Movie and Excellent 2-Disc DVD December 3, 2008
I remember the first time I saw LA Confidential in the theater. It was at a matinee. Usually, martinee crowds are noisy, but you could hear a pin drop except for two moments in the film when everyone gasped in shock. I have watched it on videotape and DVD, and each time it's like watching it for the first time. It is truly an ensemble piece with not one performance out of place. And it is one of the tightest bit of direction and writing I have ever seen because if you blink you miss important details. The acting, directing, writing, cinematography, and music are top notch. And being from Los Angeles, I thought it captured the feel of the city in the 50's and the lighting of the city. It is "LA Film Noir" and "Cop Film Noir" at its finest.
This 2-Disc Special Edition DVD was a surprise with not only extras from the previous DVD, but also recent interviews with some of the cast and crew, an interactive tour map of LA locations used in the movie, and the Music-Only Track of Jerry Goldsmith's score. This edition was truly worth it.
One of the best Modern Film Noirs December 1, 2008
I just finished watching this for the first time in a long time. This is an EXCELLENT film noir. Its not often a modern day noir hits the jackpot but this did. Shot back in the day when Noirs were being made like crazy. The pace is swift, the acting is fantastic, all the stars were perfect in their roles. Excellent story. It might take a few times to understand it all, but you will be truly rewarded with a fantastic movie, a must of fans of Film Noir.the cast - Kevin spacey,Russell crowe,James Ellroy,Kim basinger are just FANTASTIC.
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