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List Price: $19.97 | | Label: The Weinstein Company
Salesrank: 4921
Released: May 26, 2009 |
| Our Price: $6.98 |
| Used Price: $2.73 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Beautiful Carmen Colson and her ironworker husband Wayne are placed in the Federal Witness Protection program after witnessing an "incident". Thinking they are at last safe, they are targeted by an experienced hit man and a psychopathic young upstart killer. The ensuing struggle will test Carmen to the limit.
Stills from Killshot (Click for larger image)
Description of Killshot:
The 1989 Elmore Leonard novel Killshot is a real palm-sweater, with a relentless storyline, compellingly conflicted protagonists running for their lives, and--just behind and sometimes ahead of them--a walking nightmare of a half-Indian stone killer named "Blackbird," plus the freaked-out small-timer he's taken under his wing. The movie version was produced by Quentin Tarantino's longtime partner Lawrence Bender, with Mickey Rourke as the hitman who lets no one live after seeing his face, the talented Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Brick) as his jittery acolyte Richie Nix, and Diane Lane and Thomas Jane as the about-to-divorce couple who run afoul of them by grotesque miscue and end up in the Witness Protection program. Sounds like a recipe for an edgy suspense classic--except that, after filming in 2005, the picture sat on the shelf for years, to be taken down for periodic recuts, which included dropping one whole line of action and the featured player associated with it. At 84 minutes, Killshot has been reduced to a collection of Leonard ingredients, still tantalizing but half-baked. The Oscar-nominated director of Shakespeare in Love is willing to let these lumpy remains be billed as "A John Madden Film," so blame him for failing to make more of Rourke's creepy rapport with putative victim Lane and Richie's Elvis-worshipping girlfriend Rosario Dawson, for Gordon-Levitt's over-the-top (but undeniably appropriate) portrayal of Richie, and for the heavyhanded editing and repetitious, over-interpretive dialogue (by Hossein Amini). There's some good wintry location work in Ontario and in Leonard's home-base Michigan, and a brief sojourn in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the birthplace of Rush Limbaugh. --Richard T. Jameson
Killshot Reviews:
Crackling Good Thriller! 
2009-10-22 - I'm amazed this film was 'shelved' for two years, as "Killshot", based on an Elmore Leonard novel, is a really terrific suspense yarn, with excellent characters, some engaging plot twists, and a nail-biter of a climax. It is certainly at the top of the class of 2008 in the genre!
While the premise (retired hitman is called on to do one more job, which goes wrong, and spirals into a chain of disasters), isn't a new one, you'll seldom see it played out with more panache. Mickey Rourke, as the half-Indian contract killer, is simply superb, his scarred, impassive features masking a man of scruples and a strict code of conduct; he is so good in the role, you actually sympathize with him, particularly when, after the 'hit', he bonds with a hyperactive, psychotic young bankrobber, who reminds him of his dead brother. As portrayed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the kid is so 'over-the-top' that I thought the part was overplayed, at first, but as the film progresses, the contrast between the pair's personalities becomes one of the strongest assets of the film.
When the pair attempts an extortion con the kid sets up, not only does it backfire, but a couple (Diane Lane and Thomas Jane) can identify both of them...which makes their 'elimination' essential, and initiates the 'cat-and-mouse' chase of the film. While the couple lacks the flashiness of the criminals, they are quite believable (both are facing personal crises, with Lane demanding a divorce, as Jane tries to find something to believe in, that will reunite them). Without giving away any surprises, I will say the plot takes a couple of very unexpected (and intriguing) turns, and you won't get bored!
Two supporting players are stand-outs; Hal Holbrook, in a very brief role as a mob boss, gives his character as much dignity as Rourke gives the hit man, and their scene together is terrific; and Rosario Dawson, as the kid's Elvis-loving mistress, will break your heart, she's that good!
This is certainly a keeper!
super 
2009-10-19 - this movie was filmed in my home town is the only reason I ordered it to see if I could recognize any scenery, but was quite surprised that I actually enjoyed the movie also,,,worth the money and came in a timely order from the company,,,will order again from this supplier,,,
There's no one like the old ones
2009-10-11 - I love the plots of the older movies. What's more, I love the older actors/actresses at work in what they do best: plots of older movies. Now, "Killshot" is not exactly an "old movie" at all; however, it has all the components of an "old movie": Great plot and great people doing the acting and, apparently, the directing and everything else to boot.
I have been a long-time fan of both Diane Lane and Mickey Rourke. I think I would rather watch and listen them read their grocery lists than watch a modern-day movie with a bad plot and poor acting. Elmore Leonard also writes good books. Man! Put all of that together along with some really decent supporting actors and you have the ingredients for 95 minutes of great suspense. And they pulled it off in an excellent fashion!
I won't give away more of the plot than the trailers show. Suffice it to say that they managed to do in 95 minutes what a lot of today's films (and I like today's films, too) can't manage to do at all: Keep the suspense, action, and thrills going without having to show someone's brains splattered all over the room. There's blood, but then, there's BLOOD! The director managed to shrug off the need for gore and concentrate on the plot instead. Good for the director! The actors/actresses managed to do everything they needed to do without over-acting their parts. This is, in my opinion, what a group of actors who have been in the business for awhile can do with almost perfection. This group managed that.
If you want to watch parts of bodies, knife-slicing, and general gore, watch something else. If you want to be entertained and be nervous, watch "Killshot".
Okay Elmore Leonard thriller helped by a good cast but hampered by the wrong director. 
2009-09-30 - When I saw the credits on this film such as Mickey Rourke, Diane Lane, Thomas Jane and Joseph Gordon Leavitt (probably one of the most promising young actors on the horizon much better than Shia LaBoeuf) and a story by veteran Elmore Leonard (Get Shorty, 3:10 to Yuma, Hombre)--I had to check it out. The story is a simple one, about a soon to be separated couple (Lane and Jane) who come upon an attempted assasination of a real estate agent by a half breed "mechanic" (Rourke) and his psychotic sidekick (Gordon-Leavitt). The tension mounts when Rourke methodically plots their location even though they are under witness protection. I had an issue with the direction of this piece because I think director John Madden was the wrong choice to handle this type of material. Perhaps either Scorsese, DePalma or Tarentino could've upped the ante on this film. Anyway the cast is excellent with Rourke riveting as the silent, unassuming killer--this man can imply a lot with just a few gestures and body language. His opposite, Gordon-Leavitt, almost over-acted to the max as the psychotic sidekick but that doesn't deter from the impact of the film. If you're a fan of Mickey Rourke or of noir-thrillers, do check out this film. Also the luscious Rosario Dawson is on hand as Gordon-Leavitt's main squeeze.
Not bad for a sunday afternoon
2009-09-21 - Enjoyed it, like another reviewer said wasn't the best nor the worst by a long way. Kept you interested didn't move to slow .... no complaints
