Customer Reviews

The Mean Season

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A mediocre thriller that comes off better than it should due to the efforts of a fine cast. Kurt Russell plays a Miami newspaper reporter who becomes involved in the story he's covering when a vicious serial killer engages him in a game of cat-and-mouse. The script has plot holes big enough to rival the Grand Canyon, and raises a lot of questions concerning media responsibility that ultimately go answered; but Russell's intense performance tends to gloss over the flaws in the screenplay. Mariel Hemingway offers capable support as Russell's love interest and the story's moral barometer; Richard Jordan makes the most of his short time on-screen as the demented killer; and Andy Garcia is fine as police detective working the case.

The DVD is one of MGM's "MovieTime" releases, a series of "B" films that tend to be given the bare bones treatment on DVD. As a rule, "MovieTime" discs offer the movie and the Original Theatrical Trailer only - there are no extras like commentaries, cast bios, stills galleries or other fancy frills; the DVD packaging includes no printed material beyond what you see on the outside of the case. However, the film-to-video masters are usually pretty good, and that's true of this edition of "The Mean Season". The DVD offers a sharp and vibrant widescreen transfer that's far superior to the fuzzy and faded pan-and-scan version that appeared on the earlier LaserDisc release. Overall, an adequate presentation of an adequate suspense thriller.

The Mean Season is a really good thriller, well designed, but unsatisfying in its final scenes.

Kurt Russell delivers another really great performance as Malcolm Anderson, a burned out reporter for the Miami Herald. He begrudgingly gets assigned a murder case that ends up turning into a serial murder case. Mariel Hemingway portrays his girlfriend. Her role in the film is largely unnecessary until the last third of the film. Hemingway isn't a bad actress, but I must confess I've never seen any alure to her - she looks like a 14 year old boy, not a woman.

The film maintains excellent attention to detail and superb suspense throughout. My complaint with the film is simple: A murder mystery/thriller should answer questions it poses. Mean Season does not.

Why is the killer doing what he is doing? What is his motive? We are provided what seem to be the reasons for the murders, but are later told that the scenario was a red herring provided by the killer. So were his reasons the real ones or part of the whole red herring ploy? We aren't told. In reality many criminals don't actually have legitimate motives - but in films of this nature, it is a requirement.

I can't say that I didn't enjoy this film - because I did. It just left me a bit angry at not answering some basic questions.

Does a reporter become complicit in a crime when he publicizes it just as the criminal wants him to do? This film focuses on a burnt out reporter of a leading Miami, Florida, newspaper who wants to leave his paper after eight years because he is bored. He tells his editor that he needs a story like the Watergate disclosures. He and his girl friend, a school teacher, decide to move west to a small town where he can become the managing editor of a small newspaper.

A young woman is killed, shot in the head. He is assigned by the Miami paper to write the story and does it well. Despite his boredom, he is an excellent writer. He receives a call from the killer who compliments him on his writing skill and tells him he will be killing five people in all and he will call him from time to time so that he can advertise his crimes. He is killing because he wants publicity.

The killer kills as promised and the reporter broadcasts his murders as the murderer wants. The reporter becomes quite famous. People talk about him getting a Pulitzer Prize. He appears on TV. Reporters seek to interview him. His over-involvement places a strain on his relationship with the school teacher. The murderer begins to feel that he ruining what he wants to accomplish; the reporter is getting more exposure than he. This prompts him to take action against the reporter.

In short, both the reporter and the murderer want publicity. Does the reporter finally realize what he is doing? How does he handle the situation?

In this movie Kurt Russell plays a Maimi news reporter who becomes a public mouth piece for a serial killer. The movie very suspenseful at times. This movie also stars Andy Garcia(When A Man Loves a Woman,Desperate Measures) and Mariel Hemingway(Bad Moon). Of course there is a cat and mouse game between the killer,reporter and the police. This movie is prefect for a hot summer night as it takes place during the summer! The Mean Seaon is rated R for swearing and violence.

The DVD is Ok, The only thing you get with the DVD is the trailer. I wish MGM would add more features on this such as a behind the scenes,cast bios, other MGM movies the stars have been in like "Winter People" with Kurt Russell, delated scenes etc. Only buy this movie if you like this kind of thriller and can live with the features!

Saw it years ago. Recently ordered it. Enjoyed watching it a second time. Kurt Russell's always fun to watch.

the story of an opportunistic reporter and a vicious serial killer. Kurt Russell in fine form as the reporter and the late Richard Jordan as the killer. Look for a brief scene with B-movie legend William Smith. The finale in the swamps is pretty good -- kinda reminiscent of Cape Fear.

This is a decent crime thriller, but it was hurt with so-so camera work, elevator music, and mediocre romance. Mariel Hemingway is a fair enough actress but she doesn't light up the screen with Russell in this movie. Good acting by Kurt Russell, Richard Jordan, and Andy Garcia carry the movie. With a little better quality camera work, some appropriate music, and someone like Kathleen Turner (Body Heat), in place of Hemingway, this would have sizzled instead of slow cooked. Kurt plays a burned out newspaper reporter in Miami. He is thinking of moving to Denver with his wife. When a killer calls him he becomes the center of attention for the whole country, but when the killer becomes jealous all he cares about is in danger. Jordan does an excellent job of being creepy with every minute of his screen time. A year later "Manhunter" was what this movie could have been. I recommend this for a rental before buying.

CLEVER,RIVETING,POWERFUL HEARTPOUNDING THRILLER. YOU ARE NEVER SURE JUST WHODUNIT. IT IS A CONSTANT MINDGAME. WITH THE OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES OF KURT RUSSELL AND ANDY GARCIA ALONG WITH THE OUTSTANDING QUALITY OF DVD YOU CAN ALMOST FEEL THE MUGGY TEMPERATURES OF "THE MEAN SEASON".

What a Movie. This movie is a sleeper. A thriller this good is very hard to find. The acting in the movie is superb as well as the story, plot and events in the film. Kurt Russell is a reporter who is brought on to write for a serial killer wanting fame. Check this one out.

Kurt Russell and Mariel Hemingway are really super in this fast paced serial-killer suspense...keeps you guessing!

SO GLAD THIS FINALLY CAME OUT ON DVD!!!
Probably in my top 5 all time favorite films...MUST SEE! MUST OWN!!