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Otherwise known by the less original title in Australia, Catholic Boys, where we have a sort of different Brat pack, this time making fun and mockery of the church, and they're quite a mixed collection. Dillon's arrogant, reckless character, has you asking what's the hells he doing in this school, and why hasn't he been kicked out already. Amongst our score of likeable lads, and Dillon really does grow on ya, is new boy in school, quiet clean cut McCarthy who actually reminds you of his look in Less Than Zero, walking the same path. Here he actually wants to be a priest, or does he really. CB is quite a guilty pleasure, and I like the comedy and drama of this surprisingly good film, as you'll find a more serious one here. Most serious, that in the physical and cruel abuse from brother/teacher, Jay Patterson, where you'll really appreciate and applaud the party who finally puts this piece of s..t in his place. Patterson's performance as the ugly abuser, is the one that stays with you and he's not afraid to demonstrate his physical methods of punishment to these misbehaving rascals in front of his peers, like John Heard who doesn't come across as your normal brother/teacher, who's just watching for now. Mary Stuart Masterson as an independent spirit and McCarthy's love interest, again shows us why she's one of the greatest young and versatile actresses of the 80's. This is a well made comedy/drama, and one would say an overlooked film of 86. It deserves much more attention than that.

I somehow feel this somewhat exciting, intriguing stretched out court/drama/thriller should of offered more, but sometimes a less is more approach really works, and does here, but doesn't compensate for what could of been more intense or dramatic, and I'm talking mainly for Cruise's character, instead of a long set up, until Cruise is cornered and confronted, pressured, with no real way out his predicament, as this firm is a front, for illegal activity, and no one has ever left to pursue optional pasture. I must speak of Hackman's performance as a kind of shadily intriguing figure who takes his new prodigy under his wing, watched over by his dirty colleagues. This entertaining film has carefully picked out a selection of great actors, who all deliver, notably Hackman and bald headed Harris as an FBI Man, busting Cruise's chops. But surpassing them is Hunter as a floozy, who gets as too close to death as she wants, as an listening witness, completely inhabiting her character, while Strathairn is fun as Cruise's older dazed ex con brother. And for the film's resolution, there's many unanswered questions, which, leaves us wondering Cruise's life expectancy, the main one which makes us more intrigued. The Pelican Brief and The Client were better, where here, The Firm, like a ship, sails too smoother waves that carry the story through a near 2 and a half hour affair. A lot of laze around time.

The much better titled, Greetings From Medley Georgia, is only one of a few best things about this amateur affair. Apart from the amusing deputy, the Psycho reenactment revenge hoax, a guilty pleasured sex scene, and a goofy mechanic, another best thing is a repeated honkytonk soundtrack about a favorably spotted sixteen year old girl. 4 unruly young girls set out to Fort Lauderdale, when a tyre burst horribly derails their trip. One of them, happening about a murder, committed by the town's sort of John Leslie looking sheriff, post sex, takes off. Not so lucky are one of two other friends, who chance upon him later. This is a situation plot carrying movie, with many, so happen miss moments, as you'll see, but it's just so amateur, especially the stupid acting, with a nasty sudden open ending I really liked. The other best thing. The girls are not that likeable either, and about every character doesn't have much upstairs. Violence wise too, occasional, in very short supply.