The Last Castle (2001)

People are voting emotionally.

Fantastic!

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

This movie was really good! I was a skeptic at first but gave it a chance & it was well worth my time... This movie unfortunately came out just a couple of weeks after September 11, 2001 which overshadowed this movies release I believe. If it didn't come out directly after the Horrible attacks on 9/11 I think this movie would've gotten a lot more attention. But at that time we were a nation in shock & those events overshadowed everything within that time period Following the horrific events of that day. Getting back to the movie, it was very well acted & very well scripted. Also the movie had quite a few well-known actors including Robert Redford & James Gandolfini just to name a couple. If you're looking for a movie that is not your typical Hollywood CGI, action-packed, horribly acted movie, then I definitely recommend you check this flick out. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

This is a very good movie. One mistake by the leading character at the beginning of the story probably changed the course of the following events. Don't deconstruct someone's obsession with a collection and memorabilia especially when you are part of that. Redford's character provided a hero and a leader at a time when it was very much needed. People in powerful positions can use their power to make a difference or to do wrong. When two men stand off using their power to control and shape others' lives they better have the intestinal fortitude to see it through. The acting is good. It is about American patriotism and leadership. There are choices to be made and sides to be taken. Although not an American I felt pride and respect watching this movie. There is a lack of female characters but it was about men in a men's prison.

The Last Castle (2001): Dir: Rod Lurie / Cast: Robert Redford, James Gandolfini, Mark Ruffalo, Delroy Lindo, Steve Burton: Everything that has ever been done in prison movies and relies heavily on star power to carry it. Title regards the downfall of a cruel disciplinary system within a prison that is built in the resemblance of a castle. Robert Redford disobeyed an executive order that resulted in the execution of eight men so he serves time in prison. The Colonel admires Redford's military record until Redford accidentally surfaces flaws in his. This leads to a sea-saw battle full of clichés as prisoners approach him with regards to the death poll stemming from abuse from guards. None of this is new and conclusion is ridiculous. Directed by Rod Lurie who previously made a superior film called The Contender. Both films circle around the theme of underdog leadership. What works in this film is the performances. Redford rises above conventions as a man wanting to be left alone until he answers a higher justice. James Gandolfini is excellent as the ruthless Colonel whose pride leads to his downfall. Mark Ruffalo is effective as an inmate whose mental state is tampered with. Other roles are the standard roll call of prisoners we have seen countless times in superior films. Superb art direction prevent this castle from crumbling under a ton of clichés. Score: 6 ½ / 10

Directed by Rod Lurie, "The Last Castle" starring an elder Robert Redford and now late James Gandolfini is a well shot and edited drama and action movie concerning 2 men's brinkmanship and in-fighting the whole length of the movie. While there are quite a few interesting and well-acted scenes and characters, I kept having thoughts of "spy-vs-spy" while watching this. It seems to be intended to be another feel-good prison movie, but it's no-where near the layered level of say "Shawshank Redemption". Here you have Gandolfini's character slighted and hell-bent on getting back at the Redford who actually seems to underact his role. There are mentions of honor, code of conduct and the general list of military protocol, but they don't really fit - as the characters are prisoners. (spoiler) The ending is supposed to be poignant but it is too choreographed and predictable. Whatever the message is supposed to be it seems lost, and the movie on the whole seems mindless.