Gorky Park (1983)

When three unknown bodies are discovered frozen in the snow in Moscow's Gorky Park, officer Arkady Renko (William Hurt) of the Soviet police force gets himself deep in danger while trying to get to the bottom if it. The KGB casually hand him the case, even though he suspects they may be involved.
Based on a novel of the same name by Martin Cruz Smith (I've not read it), it's a political thriller with a script that doesn't waste words, but to sustain its realism a film that's set in Russia and is about Russian citizens ought to be in the Russian language, not littered with American and British accents, even if they are fine actors at home. The love subplot that develops is rushed and unconvincing, but the level of intrigue compensates well enough.

3 cold reconstructions out of 5

Vantage Point (2008)

A twisty thriller set in Spain during a political summit concerned with creating an international alliance to tackle America's war on terrorism. It's of such importance that the US president (William Hurt) is making an appearance, making himself a visible target for the people he's there to protest against.
The singular event is replayed many times from the perspective of various attendees, the 'vantage' points of the title. Initially it's exciting and adds a level of intrigue but the overuse and highlighting of too many damn coincidences turns it around until it becomes an exercise in endurance. Likewise, the editing, effectively adding tension at the start, starts to annoy over time. The ridiculous car chase is where I gave up caring about any of it.

2½ phone calls out of 5

A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE [2005]

Director David Cronenberg adapts Judge Dredd co-creator John Wagner's graphic novel A History of Violence for the screen.
After saving his diner from a pair of robbers, a man must face what comes afterwards when he's considered a local hero.
Loosely adapting someone else's material makes for a fairly normal film for Cronenberg but it doesn't mean it's tame by any means.  With more character than plot leaves more for the actors to chew on and Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello and Ed Harris do it well.  It's violent, funny and intense sometimes simultaneously.  A fine piece of Cronenberg fare.   

4 little punk-ass, chicken-shit, faggot bitches out of 5

THE HOST [2013]

½ Wanderer out of 5

MR. BROOKS [2007]

Stand By Me screenwriter Bruce A. Evans directs Kevin Costner as a serial killer in the twisted, psychological thriller Mr. Brooks.

William Hurt chews up the scenes as Costner's deliciously evil psyche giving the film an intriguing and fascinating first act.  The second act starts to complicate things but shows promise that it will unravel into something jaw-dropping.  The third act collapses under it's own weight & the multiple ludicrous sub-plots that might have been forgiven had they been handled with more care and wit.  The shining light throughout the entire film is surprisingly Demi Moore as the hardened detective on Costner's trail.  If she was smart she'd seek out more roles like these because she's quite believable in it.

3 plastic bags out of 5 

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Ed Norton channels his inner Bill Bixby. He gives a solid and understated performance as the troubled scientist with the anger issues. It really does feel like the spiritual successor to the 1970's TV series of the same name, even teasing us with a short musical cue. Sadly, the story gives him very little to work with after the first half. It changes direction but offers nothing and no one worth caring about. I stuck it out to the end, but the urge to hit stop was a compelling one.

2½ pairs of purple pants out of 5

THE VILLAGE [2004]

M. Night Shyamalan knows how to create creepy moods and atmosphere with great effect and that's pretty much what saves The Village from being a complete disaster.

It has moments of strained and awkward dialogue, silly plot elements that are handled poorly and an "surprise" ending that I saw coming from about 20 minutes into the film.  However the photography, music and performances are wonderful and make it all the worthwhile.

3 bright red bad out of 5

Altered States (1980)

William Hurt eats some extra special magic mushrooms and drops himself into a sensory deprivation tank, and then shit gets real. Packed with religious symbolism and a lot of psychedelic imagery, Altered States will strike a chord with anyone who’s ever put their brain outside the box and wondered about abstract things… you know what I mean. It doesn't succeed in recreating such an experience visually, but emotionally and metaphorically it does quite well. It remains surprisingly on track given the director’s history. Apparently Kubrick turned it down (and Spielberg, but that's probably a good thing).
I was shocked to find it was William Hurt's cinematic début; it’s one of the finest performances I've seen from him. A genuine sci-fi classic.

4½ orders of I'll have what he's having out of 5

Dark City (1998)

Life is an enigma and dead hookers are found in hotel rooms; what happens when those two things are combined? Who are the Strangers? Do you really know who you were last night?

Predates The Matrix by a year but shares much.

Stylistic, Kafkaesque, neo-noir sci-fi for the aficionado.

4 dead hookers out of 5