Rating: Summary: A great thriller Review: The plot centers around an FBI secret agenda to purchase Indian land for uranium. An agent is chosen because of his native American roots to investigate a murder on a rezervation. He isn't told the real reason for the job. He doesn't acknowledge his native roots and would rather it wasn't so. However, as the film progresses he unwillingly embarks on a spiritual journey that opens his eyes to the spirituality of his people and the corruption of his fellow FBI colleagues. The film does seem to be a thinly disguised parrallel to the Leonard Peltier story but don't let that put you off. It is a moving story of a struggle for survival against the poverty of a third world America and the conspiracy at high levels to deprive them of their lands. Val Kilmer is the half blood FBI agent, and Grahame Green is the Indian cop who convinces him of the truth of what is going on. Graham Greene is the true star of the film and gives a superb performance. It has something for everyone whatever their level of awareness. It has guns, blood, and car chases. It gives us a look into the spirituality and warmth and wonderful humor of the native American, allowing us to explore a whole gamut of emotions. A great thriller with a twist that ends up freeing the agent to be who he really is and leaves us, the viewer, inspired to stand up and be counted.
Rating: Summary: Thunder Heart Review: The reason why I thouhgt the movie was a 5, because my grandfather Chife Ted Thin Elk Sr. was in the movie and I thought he stoll the movie, he was real good. I will always remember him as he was, agood man and agood grandfather.
Rating: Summary: A triumph for Kilmer Review: There was a period in the early 1990s, beginning with "Thunderheart" and continuing with "Tombstone" when it appeared as though Val Kilmer was shooting to become the best actor in Hollywood. Don't believe it? Then check out his performance here. Kilmer carries "Thunderheart," which without his subtle performance would be just another thriller, and an overly P.C. one at that. You know early on that his character is going to undergo an epiphany during the film. But watching him do it is what makes the movie so entertaining. Like with his Doc Holliday charater in "Tombstone," Kilmer shows the ability to completely submerge himself in his acting. He really is that good. Sam Shepard makes a good supporting character, even if he does become a cliche toward the end. The film is also beatuifully photographed on location.
Rating: Summary: One of the great movies...of all time. Review: This happens to be my favorite movie. I watch at least 3 new movies a week since my fiancee and I are movie junkies, and I always come back to Thunderheart as my favorite. This is one of the Val Kilmer movies that makes you realize that he is a great actor, he's just been cast in some bad movies. Thunderheart obviously isn't one of these. Plus you add Sam Shepard, a great playwright who doesn't act much but is ALWAYS in good movies. Also in this is Grahamn Greene, a great Native American actor as seen in the Green Mile, Dances With Wolves, etc. The whole cast makes this into a gritty, yet powerful murder/mystery.
Rating: Summary: Stunning cinematography, superb story and great acting Review: This is one of the best movies I have ever seen, and I've seen a lot. Val Kilmer, who many people don't like for his flaky characters, proves here and elsewhere that he is truly a talented actor. The supporting cast is also grand, with a standout performance by Graham Greene. The cinematography in this piece is breathtaking, with wonderful shots of the Dakota plains and sobering shots of the squalor of the Bear Creek/Pine Ridge reservation. Who thrust these humans into poverty? The story is superb; the movie begins with the hackneyed FBI-murder-investigation theme, but transcends into a self-discovery story as Ray Levoi realizes that he belongs to a much greater cadre than the FBI, he belongs to a bloodline of strife and hardship, caused by the culture he tries so hard to emulate. All in all, this is a movie worth seeing again and again, because it makes us think about who we really are and who we try to be. Notice at the end of the movie the exit from the reservation. It's like Ray is leaving a whole separate world. Which would he really rather be a part of?
Rating: Summary: Truly a great movie Review: This is one of the best movies that I have ever seen. It is loaded with excellent acting, perfect dialouge and charachter interaction, beutiful cinemetography, and a very real, sobering view of the condition of the native american peoples today. A very watchable movie, this should be remembered forever. In my opnion, better than Dances With Wolves.
Rating: Summary: Whew, lot's of true believer reviews here Review: This movie does wear like an old shoe, so I can understand someone saying that they've seen it 30 times. I probably have ten or so times. The character interactions are very comfortable.But, really, viewed critically the movie does not hang together. There are just too many lapses in logic and plot continuity. For example, the FBI busts this indian guy who is a suspect in a murder and . . . they drive him to his house. Huh? Well, it's necessary so he can escape, but never explained. People react to situations in unreal ways. Kilmer's character is almost shot in a drive-by shooting, and he knows who did it, but after getting mad and beating a couple of them up, nothing else happens! That makes sense only in the logic of the movie (try assaulting a federal agent some day). The ending is way too corny, and again, makes zero sense outside the world of the movie. I hate that it's necessary to suspend belief in order to watch just about any Hollywood movie these days, even a relatively good one like this. But it's worth the effort, and I do recommend it on the chance that it will charm you. If it does, it will be a favorite. Otherwise, you'll likely be bored by the semi-mystic goings on.
Rating: Summary: Mirroring real life Review: This movie is absolutely stunning in just about every way. Dialog, character interaction, plot twists and a gnawing sense of guilt which might just develop in viewers. In some ways I might just agree that you'd have to suspend reality in some ways to accept this movie, except that the controversial ways in which the US gov't and people have treated our native brothers and sisters also seems to defy belief. Unlike some movies, I never had to force myself to accept a point or a plot feature -- things were always moving too fast. This isn't Lawrence of Arabia or Romeo and Juliet. It's just good, fast moving, stimulating fun that packs a bit of a message. -Mike
Rating: Summary: Oh my god... Review: This movie was incredible. Never had a movie made me jump up and cheer so much, and be angry at what happened at the Oglala Rez than this..thunderheart. There are scenes here in this movie that made me cry so much in anguish and get so emotional,to think, "this is our gov't?"How can they let this happen? Self-discovery, and awesome cinematography, along with characters you can feel make this a far better movie than Dances With Wolves, and i can't believe i've said that. Val Kilmer's greatest work.A masterpiece.
Rating: Summary: The truth is out there. Review: Thunderheart is good. Good acting. Good action. Good story. Good Truth. In it self, Thunderheart is at any time a good and challenging movie with brilliant actors. Combined with its scenery and story, this film ought to be compulsory education for all americans. John Trudell acting the part of the fugitive is a grand thorn in the eye of the FBI. He's probably their most wanted, most harassed and most untouchable Indian this century. your World is always confined within your Will to perceive your Self
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