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Movies / On DVD / City of Ghosts
City of Ghosts

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City of Ghosts (2003)

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Reviews Counted:66

Fresh:31

Rotten:35

Average Rating:5.5/10

Consensus: Atmospheric, but that's about it.

Rated: R [See Full Rating] for language and some violence

Runtime: 1 hr 56 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Apr 25, 2003 Limited

Box Office: $275,998

Synopsis: Jimmy Cremmins (Matt Dillon) has been working as a front man for a bogus insurance company set up by his longtime mentor, Marvin (James Caan). In the aftermath of a disastrous hurricane, claims... Jimmy Cremmins (Matt Dillon) has been working as a front man for a bogus insurance company set up by his longtime mentor, Marvin (James Caan). In the aftermath of a disastrous hurricane, claims against their fabricated coverage come pouring in. With Marvin living as an expatriate in Southeast Asia, Jimmy is forced to face the subsequent chaos and investigation on his own. He decides instead to flee and re-group with Marvin in Asia, against Marvin's wishes.

After a short stay in Bangkok, Jimmy goes to Cambodia in search of Marvin. During his pursuit he finds himself a stranger in the mysterious and often hostile environs of Southeast Asia. With the aid of the duplicitous Kaspar (Stellan Skarsgård), another of Marvin's business associates, Jimmy eventually finds Marvin, who attempts to convince Jimmy to join him in his latest venture, the development of a large scale casino with a Cambodian ex-general. But Cambodia is another world - one in which the rules are different, a world where violence isn't merely a threat but a reality - and even the savvy Marvin ends up in over his head.

As Jimmy finds himself drawn further down a darkening path of deception, it also becomes his path of self-discovery.

United Artists, Mainline Productions, and Banyan Tree present, in association with Kintop Pictures, the byzantine drama City of Ghosts. The writing/directing debut of actor Matt Dillon, City of Ghosts stars Dillon, James Caan, Natascha McElhone, Gerard Depardieu, and Stellan Skarsgård. Written by Dillon & Barry Gifford, the film was produced by Willi Baer, Michael Cerenzie, and Deepak Nayar with line producer Rony Yakov and co-producers J.B. Meyer & Olivier Granier. The talented production team includes music by Tyler Bates, production design by David Brisbin, editing by Howard E. Smith, and cinematography by Jim Denault. [More]

Starring: Matt Dillon, James Caan, Natascha McElhone, Gerard Depardieu

Starring: Matt Dillon, James Caan, Natascha McElhone, Gerard Depardieu, Stellan Skarsgaard, Shawn Andrews

Director: Matt Dillon

Director: Matt Dillon
Screenwriter: Barry Gifford, Matt Dillon
Producer: Willi Baer, Michael Cerenzie, Deepak Nayar
Composer: Tyler Bates
Studio: MGM/UA

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Release:

Oct 28, 2003

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Reviews for City of Ghosts

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21 - 40 (sorted by date)
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In the end, it becomes clear that the missing ingredient in City of Ghosts is nothing more than some additional directing experience on the part of Dillon.

Full Review Source: FilmStew.com | comment Comment
05/30/03
Richard Horgan
Richard Horgan
FilmStew.com

A long, winding, but decently layered modern film noir.

Full Review Source: Arizona Republic | comment Comment
05/29/03
Kathy Cano Murillo
Kathy Cano Murillo
Arizona Republic
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch | comment Comment
05/23/03
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

City of Ghosts dons a facade of independent filmmaking, but the core screams Hollywood rehash.

Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
05/20/03
Tyler Hanley
Tyler Hanley
Palo Alto Weekly

It's the only film in which James Caan attempts karaoke in Cambodian. You'll want to plan your bathroom break for that scene.

Full Review Source: Internet Reviews | comment Comment
05/17/03
Steve Rhodes
Steve Rhodes
Internet Reviews

City of Ghosts doesn't quite work, but it has its moments, and some of them just may be worth the price of admission.

Full Review Source: San Diego Metropolitan | comment Comment
05/17/03
Jean Lowerison
Jean Lowerison
San Diego Metropolitan

Though he has evolved beyond his star peak, [Dillon] remains a strong actor and is a gifted director.

Full Review Source: San Diego Union-Tribune | comment Comment
05/16/03
David Elliott
David Elliott
San Diego Union-Tribune

Fortunately, Dillon was smart enough to hire one of our best living crime authors Barry Gifford to co-write the screenplay.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
05/11/03
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

Trades more effectively in states of alienated atmospheric delirium than it does the specific mechanics of plot.

Full Review Source: Toronto Star | comment Comment
05/09/03
Geoff Pevere
Geoff Pevere
Toronto Star
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Dillon doesn't quite pull it off, but you've got to admire the guy's chutzpah.

Full Review Source: Seattle Times | comment Comment
05/09/03
Moira MacDonald
Moira MacDonald
Seattle Times

The story never feels as if it manages to climb free of the thick atmosphere -- that the film so easily and proficiently exudes -- and stand on its own.

Full Review Source: Screen It! | comment Comment
05/09/03
Jim Judy
Jim Judy
Screen It!

A hyper-real portrait of life -- a vision as experienced during an adrenaline rush.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
05/09/03
Mick LaSalle
Mick LaSalle
San Francisco Chronicle
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Goes a good way toward reinvigorating a forgotten genre, fashioning a movie world that's not quite real, but not strewn with slam-bam car chases and meaningless intrigue, either.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Inquirer | comment Comment
05/09/03
Steven Rea
Steven Rea
Philadelphia Inquirer

Despite setting a nicely taut and tense mood throughout this psychological thriller, Dillon ultimately fails with the story.

Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
05/09/03
Jane Stevenson
Jane Stevenson
Jam! Movies

It's the usual murky affair, which has the unfortunate side-effect of pulling Dillon's direction down into the mire.

Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
05/09/03
Rick Groen
Rick Groen
Globe and Mail

It's an actor's film, all right -- peppered with rich supporting performances but unconvincing in the telling.

Full Review Source: Boston Globe | comment Comment
05/09/03
Ty Burr
Ty Burr
Boston Globe

A triumph of place over sense.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
05/09/03
Stephen Hunter
Stephen Hunter
Washington Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: PopMatters | comment Comment
05/09/03
Cynthia Fuchs
Cynthia Fuchs
PopMatters

In the end, you only have Cambodia to watch.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
05/09/03
Desson Thomson
Desson Thomson
Washington Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

I didn't believe in James Caan's cons, but I believed him, and at times like that it's helpful to stop keeping score and live in the moment.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
05/09/03
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
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