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Movies / On DVD / Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

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Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (2009)

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Reviews Counted:25

Fresh:1

Rotten:24

Average Rating:3.1/10

Consensus: Hackneyed and over dramatic, this undercooked courtroom drama suffers from bad dialogue and a twist ending you'll see from a distance.

Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for a sex scene, violence and brief strong language.

Runtime: 1 hr 45 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

Theatrical Release:Sep 11, 2009 Limited

Synopsis: High profile lawyer, Mark Hunter (Michael Douglas) has an impeccable record putting criminals behind bars and is a shoo-in for governor in the upcoming election. But when ambitious rookie... High profile lawyer, Mark Hunter (Michael Douglas) has an impeccable record putting criminals behind bars and is a shoo-in for governor in the upcoming election. But when ambitious rookie journalist, C.J. (Jesse Metcalfe) begins investigating Hunter for tampering with evidence to secure his convictions, the district attorney’s perfect record is up for scrutiny. Commencing a risky game of cat and mouse with Hunter, C.J. frames himself as a murder suspect to catch the corrupt D.A. in the act.

Romantically involved with C.J. but unaware of his assignment, assistant D.A. Ella Crystal (Amber Tamblyn) becomes caught between her boss’s political ambitions and C.J.’s dangerous exposé. As mounting evidence stacks up against both men, Ella’s own life becomes threatened when she discovers incriminating proof that puts the fate of both Nichol’s innocence and Hunter’s reputation in her hands.

With intricate plot twists ratcheting the tension throughout the film, this gripping courtroom thriller is written and directed by acclaimed director, Peter Hyams (Running Scared, End of Days) and also stars Orlando Jones and Joel David Moore. --© 42 West and Autonomous Films [More]

Starring: Jesse Metcalfe, Amber Tamblyn, Michael Douglas, Joel David Moore

Starring: Jesse Metcalfe, Amber Tamblyn, Michael Douglas, Joel David Moore, Orlando Jones

Director: Peter Hyams

Director: Peter Hyams
Screenwriter: Peter Hyams
Producer: Ted Hartley, Limor Diamant, Mark Damon
Composer: David Shire
Studio: Autonomous Films

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Release:

Dec 22, 2009

[DVD Details]
 
 

DVD Features:

  • Region 1
  • Widescreen - 1.85

Audio:

  • Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
  • Subtitles - Spanish
 
 
 
 

Reviews for Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

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1 - 20 (sorted by rotten rating)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
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Comes across as more 1980s TV movie than 1950s period piece.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
10/02/09
Empire Magazine

Any amateur magician can successfully yank the tablecloth away, but it’s only impressive if there’s something of value on the table.

Full Review Source: Time Out New York | comment Comment
09/09/09
Aaron Hillis
Aaron Hillis
Time Out New York

I've got no problem with movies that stack up twists like crazy straws. Hyam's script, however, depends on us being dumber than every character in the film—you'd have to reach protozoan levels just to resist wanting to strangle everyone in it.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
09/11/09
Amy Nicholson
Amy Nicholson
Boxoffice Magazine

The result is at times genuinely suspenseful ... and if the final twist doesn't drive you crazy, the cleverness may win you over.

Full Review Source: Brand X | comment Comment
10/08/09
Andy Klein
Andy Klein
Brand X

Preposterous, asinine, poorly edited and downright silly with more unintentional humor than your average courtroom thriller.

Full Review Source: NYC Movie Guru | comment Comment
09/12/09
Avi Offer
Avi Offer
NYC Movie Guru

While the original is perhaps not a faultless classic, it certainly offers more excitement and competence than the star of John Tucker Must Die and the director of A Sound of Thunder can offer.

Full Review Source: DVDTalk.com | comment 1 Comment
12/14/09
Brian Orndorf
Brian Orndorf
DVDTalk.com

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt feels like some throwaway 1980s TV movie, with its implausible premise, dizzying twists, cheesy montages and melodramatic score.

Full Review Source: Associated Press | comment Comment
09/09/09
Christy Lemire
Christy Lemire
Associated Press
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Like its title, Beyond a Reasonable Doubt is a generic, forgettable courtroom thriller.

Full Review Source: USA Today | comment Comment
09/10/09
Claudia Puig
Claudia Puig
USA Today

Dumb, boring and predictable, rarely ever exceeding its TV movie esthetic and leading to the most ridiculous last-minute twist.

Full Review Source: ComingSoon.net | comment Comment
09/08/09
Edward Douglas
Edward Douglas
ComingSoon.net

There's little in this pointless rehash to distract audiences from the pleasure of watching Tamblyn, a fine young actress whose direct, grownup stare belies her baby features.

Full Review Source: NPR | comment Comment
09/14/09
Ella Taylor
Ella Taylor
NPR
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

There are plenty of reasonable doubts about his mediocre legal thriller remake.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
09/11/09
Frank Scheck
Frank Scheck
Hollywood Reporter

grows more preposterous as it unfolds

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
12/23/09
Jason McKiernan
Jason McKiernan
Filmcritic.com

There's fun to be had in a rickety Coney Island rollercoaster manner, and it's not terrible late at night on the couch with a bag of warm popcorn, though it is just too silly and slight for all its bluster.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
09/14/09
Jason Thurston
Jason Thurston
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Despite excellent stunt work and a too-brief appearance by Orlando Jones as an unflappable cop, the movie -- unlike Mr. Douglas’s hairdo -- never rises above mediocrity.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment 1 Comment
09/11/09
Jeannette Catsoulis
Jeannette Catsoulis
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A good rule to follow for wannabe gritty thrillers: Lead actors shouldn't remind you of late-night informercial pitchmen.

Full Review Source: New York Daily News | comment Comment
09/14/09
Joe Neumaier
Joe Neumaier
New York Daily News

Noisy and excessive where the original was hushed and restrained, and wholly devoid of mystique...

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
09/03/09
Jonathan Holland
Jonathan Holland
Variety

An undercooked crime flick whose real mystery is why it was made.

Full Review Source: MTV | comment Comment
09/11/09
Kurt Loder
Kurt Loder
MTV

What you won't be able to figure out is why this laughable yarn didn't go straight to DVD.

Full Review Source: New York Post | comment Comment
09/11/09
Kyle Smith
Kyle Smith
New York Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Can a great surprise at the end make up for all of the earlier flaws? Only if you've got ADD.

Full Review Source: Hollywood & Fine | comment 5 Comments
09/09/09
Marshall Fine
Marshall Fine
Hollywood & Fine

Lang's film, the last he made in the U.S., exposed the immorality of the death penalty; Hyams's retread offers only more plot and longer, louder car chases.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
09/08/09
Melissa Anderson
Melissa Anderson
Village Voice
 
 
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