Rent ‘n Vent: ‘Breakdown’ with ‘Grosse Point Blank’

Thursday, Oct. 9, 1997 | 10:12 a.m.

Amy hops a ride on an 18-wheeler to a diner where she can call for help. When she doesn't return, Jeff has to fix the car himself and set out to find his missing wife. "Breakdown" is a nail-bitting, edge-of-your-seat thrill ride that has so many unexpected surprises, you will think twice about driving off without a copy of Popular Mechanics. This is one of my favorite films of 1997. Don't miss it!

"Breakdown" gets an A.

* Dave: "Grosse Pointe Blank" (Hollywood Pictures Home Video, rated R, VHS/Laserdisc) Ah ... the '80s! A time when teen comedies ruled the silver screen and names like John Hughes were at the forefront of the genre. In the thick of it all was a quirky actor named John Cusack. With "Better Off Dead" (1985) and "One Crazy Summer" (1986), Cusack established himself as one ofthe best young comedic talents around. Now that he's matured past those roles, he has grown into more adult parts in films like "City Hall" and "Con Air."

In "Grosse Pointe Blank," Cusack comes home again in a delightful movie that relives those earlier comedies by wallowing in '80s nostalgia. Cusack plays Martin Blank, a professional hitman who's having a crisis of conscience about his unusual job. Killing two birds with one stone, he takes a "job" at his old hometown, while at the same time attending his 10-year high school reunion. Needless to say, hijinks ensue. Top-notch performances by Cusack and supporting performers Minnie Driver, Alan Arkin and Dan Aykroyd (as a fellow hitman) make this dark comedy well worth renting.

"Grosse Pointe Blank" gets an A.

Personal Pix:

* Jeff: "Rear Window" (Universal Home Video, not rated, VHS/ Laserdisc) "If you don't experience delicious terror when you see 'Rear Window,' " Alfred Hitchcock once said, "then pinch yourself -- you are probably dead." "Rear Window" is considered by fans and critics alike to be "the master's" greatest film.

The movie is seen literally through the eyes of L.B. Jeffries (Jimmy Stewart) an affirmed bachelor and freelance photographer who is confined to his apartment during a summer heat wave due to a broken leg. Events begin to fire up when Jeffries and his girlfriend (Grace Kelly) spy on all the neighbors in the courtyard. His high-power binoculars spot a neighbor apparently disposing of the body of his freshly-murdered wife. Jeffries attempts to convince a detective friend to investigate.

"Rear Window" is among the handful of Hitchcock classics that legal red tape rendered unavailable for viewing for more than two decades. If you have ever wanted to watch a Hitchcock film for the first time, this is the perfect film to make you a fan for life. It's filmmaking at its best.

"Rear Window" gets an A.

* Dave: "The Sure Thing" (Embassy Home Video, rated R, VHS) With the release of "Grosse Pointe Blank," it seems appropriate to mention a personal favorite of mine from John Cusack's resume. "The Sure Thing" features Cusack at his comic best as a young man who comes to California in pursuit of the perfect woman -- a "sure thing" his friend has set up for him.

However, as we all know, these things never work out the way they are supposed to. You see, making the cross-country trek along with Cusack is a prissy college co-ed, played by Daphne Zuniga ("Melrose Place"). Disgust, hatred -- and yes, finally, love -- blossoms along the way. Director Rob Reiner ("This is Spinal Tap") delivers a warm and genuinely funny film. It's classic Cusack.

"The Sure Thing" gets a B.

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