Video Picks Archive

March 20, 2002
This Week's Video Picks
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Reviews by Eugene Kopman <eugene@filmhead.com>

This week my picks are Heist (2001 - ) and Glengarry Glen Ross (1992 - ).

This video pick belongs to a playwright/screenwriter/director David Mamet. His plays have won awards and his films, many based on his plays, have been getting critical acclaim for a long time. Last year, Mamet wrote and directed a crime drama called Heist. Joe Moore (Gene Hackman) is a jewel thief who is forced to do one last score before retirement by his silent partner Bergman (Danny DeVito). But to make sure Joe doesn't run off, Bergman brings in his nephew Jimmy Silk (Sam Rockwell). Joe and his team consisting of his wife Fran (Rebecca Pidgeon), Bobby Blane (Delroy Lindo), and Pinky (Ricky Jay) try to outsmart Jimmy and Bergman and steal a gold shipment all for themselves. With great performances, classic Mamet dialogue and a twist at every turn, this is a must see for any movie fan.
Full review from December 16, 2001

The second film is based on David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about real estate agents, Glengarry Glen Ross. When veteran real estate agents Shelley Levene (Jack Lemmon), Dave Moss (Ed Harris), and George Aaronow (Alan Arkin) have not been able to close a sale for a month, the manager of the office, John Williamson (Kevin Spacey), brings in a motivational speaker: Blake (Alec Baldwin), a successful real estate salesman who tells the veterans that unless they sell, they'll get fired. On the other side we have a younger salesman, Richard Roma (Al Pacino), who is on a hot streak and is disliked by the three others due to his success. Levene, Moss and Aaronow have to figure out how to make a sale in the next few days and not get fired. Mamet's great dialogue is not what makes this movie; it is the amazing performances by this all-star cast. But what gives this movie its greatness is the twist ending that no one could predict. Both films have excellent dialogue, thanks to good old Dave, and amazing performances by each cast. A true movie fan should see them both.

Here's some merchandise for sale at

Heist (2001)	-- VHS
Heist (2001)	-- DVD
Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)	-- VHS
Glengarry Glen Ross, a play by David Mamet	-- Paperback

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