General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Jeremy Renner Ready To ‘Kill The Messenger’ In Film About CIA-Smeared Journo Gary Webb [View all]777man
(374 posts)Last edited Sat Sep 27, 2014, 05:26 PM - Edit history (1)
by
colettaberx
» 10 hours ago (Sat Sep 27 2014 00:22:15) Flag ▼ | Reply |
IMDb member since July 2013
Have been reading reviews! There are a lot of them so I'm still reading !
Reviews from Variety & Cinemablend are glowing!
The Guardian review is good, stating that the story has holes but Renner's performance is great!
Its nonetheless a flinty, brainy, continually engrossing work that straddles the lines between biopic, political thriller and journalistic cautionary tale, driven by Jeremy Renners most complete performance since The Hurt Locker.
http://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-review-kill-the-messenger-1201314058/
Jeremy Renner is electrifying as Webb. He shrugs off the sardonic charms he's made famous as Hawkeye, and wallows in barely repressed outrage for much of Kill The Messenger's runtime. Much like he was in The Hurt Locker, Renner is playing a cowboy variant, someone who fights for society, while being an outsider. Though a family man and a seeker of truth, Webb is not an out-and-out good guy. But Kill The Messenger dares us to not be distracted by his faults, while not daring to hide them. What you think of the man--the film suggests--is secondary to what you make of his story.
This marks Renner's first producing effort, and it seems he's made a shrewd move picking a script that plays well to his entrancing intensity. He also brought together an incredible cast that's full of strong performers. Rosemarie DeWitt gives some welcomed depth to his onscreen wife, a role that could have come off as purely stereotypical nag in the hands of a lesser actress. Lucas Hedges, who recently impressed in The Zero Theorem, steals a scene as Gary's heartbroken eldest son. Paz Vega adds danger and sex appeal as a flirtatious informant. Michael Sheen brings a hangdog longing to the role of a wary politician. Ray Liotta pops up for a small but riveting turn where he's barely lit, yet mesmerizing. Really, every part of this sprawling cast is worthy of praise, nailing the drama's steely tone and resolve.
http://www.cinemablend.com/m/reviews/Kill-Messenger-66330.html
In the court of public opinion, everyone deserves a chance to defend themselves and have their side of the story told. For the late Gary Webb, Michael Cuesta's Kill the Messenger represents that opportunity. While many will argue that Webb's monumental reporting was reckless and lacked professionalism, Jeremy Renner's towering performance convinces modern day audiences of just the opposite. Renner, whose latest work begs for awards season recognition, does an exceptional job in the lead role and single-handedly carries Cuesta's film from start to finish.
http://moviecriticdave.blogspot.com/2014/09/kill-messenger.html?m=1
-------------------------------
Kill The Messenger: the Gary Webb story has holes but Renner's performance still sticks
by Jordan Hoffman Friday 26 September 2014 18.28 BST
He has a sturdy build, a clear moral compass, wears cool sunglasses and rides a vintage motorcycle. Everything about Jeremy Renners portrayal of journalist Gary Webb in Kill the Messenger readies a conditioned moviegoer to expect him to kick ass in the name of justice. But this is a movie for grownups, so The Avengers Hawkeye puts down the bow and arrow and picks up his pen or more specifically his mid-90s desktop mouse and uses his brain instead of his brawn.
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/sep/26/kill-the-messenger-gary-webb-review
=============
From Gary Webb's hometown paper...
Friday, September 26, 2014
Movie Trailer: Investigative Journalist Gary Webb From "Kill The Messenger" Was Plain Dealer Reporter
Posted By Sam Allard on Fri, Sep 26, 2014 at 8:33 AM
click to enlarge Webb.jpg
Gary Webb, the investigative journalist best known for his massive "Dark Alliance" series, which ran in three parts in the San Jose Mercury News in 1996, was a former statehouse correspondent for the Plain Dealer.
http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2014/09/26/movie-trailer-investigative-journalist-gary-webb-from-kill-the-messenger-was-plain-dealer-reporter?mode=print
9/2/14
Jeremy Renner on 'Avengers' success paving way for 'Kill the Messenger'