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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:12

Fresh:0

Rotten:12

Average Rating:2.9/10

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 - 12 (sorted by date)
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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
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

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

The leads can't lend either spunk or gravitas to what was already a preposterous yarn 50 years ago.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
09/11/09
Robert Abele
Robert Abele
Los Angeles Times
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
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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 Comment
09/11/09
Jeannette Catsoulis
Jeannette Catsoulis
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

What I can’t figure out is how director Peter Hyams can remake a 1956 movie from the great Fritz Lang and not learn anything about suspense, pacing and storytelling in the process.

Full Review Source: Rolling Stone | comment Comment
09/11/09
Peter Travers
Peter Travers
Rolling Stone
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
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

Douglas makes smarm a chewy pleasure, but this is a noir in search of a hero we can root for because we actually buy what he’s doing.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
09/09/09
Owen Gleiberman
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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
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