Product Details

• Actors: Ray Liotta, John Leguizamo, Colm Feore, Cliff Curtis, Ling Bai
• Directors: Newton Thomas Sigel
• Writers: Matthew Tabak
• Producers: Fred C. Caruso, John Herzfeld, Keri Selig
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Hbo Home Video
• DVD Release Date: May 20, 2003
• Run Time: 86 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000092T6E
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #41,658 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Point of Origin" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Serial arson is haphazardly dramatized in Point of Origin, a fact-based HBO production that's more flashy than effective. A respected cinematographer (The Usual Suspects, X-Men) making his directorial debut, Newton Thomas Sigel turns this pyrotechnic mystery into a showcase for rampant visual trickery, employing digital effects, various film speeds, and Hong Kong-like stunt fantasies to the outbreak of arson in Glendale, California, in 1987. Ray Liotta plays the arson investigator whose behavior draws the suspicion of his colleagues, but his guilt or innocence (and a really obvious make-up disguise) take a back seat to Sigel's visual treatment of fire, which borders on fetishism as it runs forward and backward in time. The effects are undeniably fascinating, suggesting the scary possibility that real arsonists might find this film inspiring. Obviously that's not Sigel's intention, but he's too busy showing off to fulfill the story's untapped potential. --Jeff Shannon

Product Description

Based on a terrifying true story, there's a madman setting fires that kill in Southern California. A madman leading a double-life that his friends, his partner, even his wife doesn't know about. Time is running out as the number of victims rises. Now the only way to stop the killer is to find the Point of Origin

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Story that caught me off guard, August 10, 2003

By	E. Smith (Glen Burnie, md United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I knew absolutely nothing about this story before seeing the movie. The film began and when it said that it was based off true events, I almost turned it off. What caught my attention was the visual protrayer of the arson investigation... after that it was the story and the performances of the actors themselves. Ray Liotta stars as arson investigator John Orr. He, along with John Leguizamo, are trying to figure out who is starting all these arson-based fires. John Orr is well regarded as the chief arson inspector and if anyone can find out, he can. So the film plays out like a cat and mouse game. You are trying to figure out what is motivating the person who is setting these fires. What makes the story a bit more compelling is that, during the 90's, at least three firefighters were arrested for arson. After watching the DVD, I found myself going over the film again. I figured, since it was based on a true story the DVD would have some interesting extras. I was disappointed, therefore could not give it a 5. Nevertheless I did find the story fascinating.

1.0 out of 5 stars Point of Origin, March 14, 2009

By	Owen Kosachiner - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

Rarely do movies "based on a true story" make the cut. This is no exception. The continuous flashbacks of the same scenes, mugging, repetitive scenes, etc... do not make for a engrossing film. This DVD is not a keeper...

4.0 out of 5 stars fire bad, October 21, 2003

By	Michael Bolts (superior, wiusa) - See all my reviews

mesmerizing and great. I fell for this movie because the story was interesting, people, arsonists, setting fires and Liotta and Leguizamo have to find out who is doing this. from start to finish its grand and well directed. for fans of the 2 stars or who like fire movies. based on actual events