Customer Reviews

White Sands

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This film was generally overlooked upon release. Predating Lone Star and Thunderheart, this film has three amazing things going for it: (1) the cast is stellar. You get Dafoe, in a good guy role, M Emmett Walsh as a lazy coroner, Mary Elizabeth Mastronantino in an amazing lead role, Sam Jackson (how he's listed on the end credits) tearing up the scenery, Mickey Roarke in a GOOD performance, and even an uncredited thankless role. (2) the plot is much better than No Way Out. With Donaldson directing, you might think that it would just be a remake/remuddle, but the plot does keep twisting, and once you think you have it even remotely figured out, BANG something else happens. (3) the scenery is amazing. The only film that comes closer to capturing the feel of the New Mexican landscape is Backtrack, which is also very good. The widescreen adds (although it is fair to ask when it DOESN'T), so, if you were like me and didn't see this until it came out on VHS, you're in for a treat. Not all of it does work--you do keep waiting for Dafoe to become the creep he is in most of his films since Wild at Heart, or Roarke to make little sense, but like Angelheart, he is focused and amazing here, but it doesn't happen. Not a whole lot of extras here, unfortunately (maybe there's a director's edition somewhere with more of Mimi Rogers in it, but as it stands, this is a terrific movie. Four stars out of five.

A dead body, a rodeo, a schmoozy exclusive fundraiser and a nosy cop who gets into the middle of it all make for a nailbiting rollercoaster ride of a movie. Willem Dafoe, Samuel L. Jackson, & Mickey Rourke are at their best in this great story. A fantastic supporting cast is also featured. The eerie, haunting music of Patrick O'Hearn (from his "Indigo" album) provide the perfect soundtrack for this humdinger of a mystery. You never know who will do what, so hang on and enjoy the ride.

Writing a review for "White Sands" is a true challenge, because based on cinematography and Patrick O'Hearn's soundtrack, this is an unquestionable 5 out of 5 stars film.

We know that eye candy and surface-level attributes don't tell the whole story. Is this still a 5-star film, based on the whole package? I believe that it is. For others, it might be "4" or "3" but this has remained a "go-to" movie for me since its release. When I want to watch something GOOD...really, really GOOD...and don't know what I'm in the mood for, "White Sands" consistently comes up on my short list.

In terms of the actors, Samuel L. Jackson, at this point of his career, is "embryonic." Willem Dafoe, as Deputy Sheriff Ray Dolezal, holds his own. You might need to enlist a degree of "suspension of disbelief" when the radiant Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio falls in love with Sheriff Ray, but hey..."suspension of disbelief" is often a prerequisite for this kind of film.

Character actor M. Emmet Walsh is a welcome addition as county coroner Bert Gibson.

Mickey Rourke as the "bad guy?" HEY! What part of "Mickey Rourke as the bad guy" did you miss?

Maura Tierney of "E.R." fame turns in an "anybody could have played this part" performance as Noreen. Sorry, Maura, but I calls 'em the way that I sees 'em.

You also get to see 2008 GOP Presidential candidate Fred Thompson as an arms dealer. FRED!

It is not the individual parts of this movie that make it a monster. It is a sum of the parts. The New Mexico locations will pull you in and seduce you, hold you captive, propel you through a storyline that is at times ludicrous and at other times thrilling. I GUARANTEE that if you make it through the first fifteen minutes of this film, you're not going ANYWHERE until the closing credits.

I've watched this film at least 100 times and will probably watch it 100 more...and then another 100 after that. A favorite, a masterpiece, my highest possible recommendation.

You're a cop, you live in New Mexico. You get a call that there's been a dead body found in the desert near you, near some old Indian ruins. Next to his body is a briefcase, with half a million dollars inside. If your Defoe, (in this show) a cop, you want to find out where it came from. How can it be a suicide? Who would want to kill themselves while possessing a half million dollars? The more he investigates and finds out gets him in over his head. He takes on the identity of the deceased, this sheriff from New Mexico is smarter than he acts but much less experienced than he tries to appear. Mickey Rourke gets to be the bad guy in this one. Guess what? He's a CIA agent. He's on whoever's side they pay him to be on. This is enough. The rest I'll leave to your imagination. I should mention that Samuel Jackson is also in this show. He's an FBI agent. It's not really sand, it's gypsum.

This is a movie with that builds to a climax that is well worth the viewers time. With suspence, action, romance, violent crime, and a 1st rate cast. Dafoe at his best with strong performances by Mickey Rourke, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, and Samual L. Jackson.

Willem Dafoe at the time of this release was not a big star. The location helped make the movie good. Set in and around White Sands New Mexico. Directed by Roger Donaldson whose other credits included Dante's Peak,The Getaway(1994 version),and No Way Out. This is a good action and suspense movie. Samuel L. Jackson gives an excellent performence as a misguided FBI agent. This is a good addition to your DVD collection.

I bought this movie because I really like William DaFoe and Sam Jackson and they both deliver in this movie. Micky Rourke plays a slick role with a surprising twist. Take all three of these guys and independently they produce a great movie. But, put DaFoe, Jackson and Rourke together, and you have a killer movie!

White Sands is Micky Rourke and Willem Defoe in classic style. I think this was the first movie I saw with both of them and I've been a fan ever since. The suspense keeps your attention from the beginning of the movie. Willem Defoe is a small town Sherriff's deputy in Colorado who finds a dead body with a briefcase filled with money. The adventure only starts there as he finds himself in New Mexico meeting an arm's dealer (Micky Rourke) and eventually winding up in White Sands, NM. Samual L Jackson is in this flick as well and as I said, all afore mentioned are in classic form. A great movie for mystery/adventure seeker.

This smart thriller makes you both wonder what gonna happend next and be suprised that Mickey Rourke is good. Samuel Jackson, Willem Dafoe and M Emmet Walsh is all good. But it is Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio who steals the show. Her best since "The Abyss". If you like this movie, check out "Thunderheart", "Consenting Adults" and "Unlawful Entry".

This is one of the better films of this genre. Picture quality and sound are excellent.