Mystery & Crime

Director Sam Mendes. He made his feature film debut in 1999 with American Beauty which won an Academy Award for Best Picture. Mendes also won an Oscar for directing. Prior to that Mendes made his mark directing theatre productions in London (revival of Cabaret and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice)and on Broadway (The Blue Room). He directed the new film Road to Perdition starring Tom Hanks, Paul Newman and Jude Law.

Writer Max Allan Collins. His graphic novel Road to Perdition is the basis for the film. Mickey Spillane said of the novel, "I know mysteries, and I know comics and Road to Perdition is one great ride!" Collins twice won the Private Eye Writers of Americas Shamus award for his Nathaniel Heller historical thrillers, True Detective and Stolen Away. His comics credits include Dick Tracy, Batman, Ms Tree and Mike Danger.

Film critic John Powers reviews the new French thriller Read My Lips.

Film critic John Powers reviews the new film Road to Perdition directed by Sam Mendes, starring Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Jude Law and Jennifer Jason Leigh.

Actor and producer Bob Balaban has appeared in over 50 movie and television spots, directed for television and produced three full legnth films. His latest project is Gosford Park, a Robert Altman whodunnit set in an English manor. The film is up for several Golden Globe awards. Balaban produced and appears in it.

Film critic John Powers reviews “Curse of the Jade Scorpion,” the new Woody Allen film.

Vince Vaughn teams up again with –Swingers— costar John Favreau in the new movie, –Made.— The movie, written and directed by Favreau, follows two aspiring boxers who concoct a money laundering scheme. Vaughn has appeared in several movies including –Swingers,— –The Lost World,— the remake of Alfred Hitchcock –Psycho,— and –The Cell.—

Film critic Henry Sheehan reviews the new Australian film Chopper.

Guest film critic Henry Sheehan reviews the new "Shaft" film starring Samuel Jackson. Sheehan is film critic for the Orange Country Register.

This year is the 25th anniversary of Martin Scorsese's landmark film "Mean Streets." We pay tribute to the movie.

Film director Samuel Fuller died yesterday at the age of 86. Fuller's B-movies of the 50s and 60s have influenced many other directors. His 1982 movie, "White Dog," about a racist who trains a dog to attacks blacks, was considered too controversial to be released in this country. It was finally shown in a retrospective of his work in New York. Among his works: The Big Red One, Verboten, and I Shot Jesse James. (Originally aired 8/2/91).

Film critic John Powers discusses the film L. A. Confidential with Terry.

Film critic John Powers reviews "Cop Land"

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Heat" starring Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino.

Film Critic Stephen Schiff reviews Casino.

Film critic Stephen Schiff reviews "Get Shorty" the new film based on the novel by Elmore Leonard and starring John Travolta.

Guest film critic Steve Vineberg reviews the new film, "Devil In a Blue Dress."

Nicholas Pileggi discusses his book Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas. (Simon & Schuster Oct. 1995) It is based on the true story of Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal and his account of how the mob controlled several casinos in Las Vegas in the 1970s and early 80s. Pileggi also wrote the screenplay for a movie based on "Casino." A film directed by Martin Scorsese starring Robert DeNiro, Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci. Pileggi's best-selling book Wiseguy was used as the basis for the film "Goodfellas." Pileggi lives in New York City.

Actor/comic Kevin Pollack. He got his start in standup. It was his performance in Barry Levinson's "Avalon," as Izzy the TV salesman, that catapulted his acting career. Since then he's appeared in "A Few Good Men," "Miami Rhapsody" and "Grumpy Old Men." He's currently starring in "The Usual Suspects." Later this Fall you can see him in the new Martin Scorsese film, "Casino."

Film Critic Stephen Schiff reviews Spike Lee's new film "Clockers." Then we hear an excerpt from a June 6,1992 interview with novelist Richard Price who wrote "Clockers."