Jesse Stone: Eiskalt

This thriller is a good evening' s entertainment. On a first glance, it is dominated by its main actor Tom Selleck, who is convincing in his role, very present in the scenes and pleasant to watch. I agree with another post here that the storyline, connecting two 'strings' of events together is questionable. On the other hand, the whole film is somehow unique and original, qualities one associates with the country side, where the movie is set.

It contains great pictures with the seaside, where the little town 'Paradise' is located. The characters involved seem authentic and just to watch and get to know them is some entertainment by itself. What is well displayed is the interplay of the innocence of the plot and yet the bruteness of the crimes. The scenes and storyline are nicely painted and evoke feelings of warmness and tenderness with the characters involved and the small American town 'Paradise'. Tom Selleck is great to watch, while finding the right balance in bringing in his undoubtedly great charisma. Together with the simple, but effective and beautiful score, all mounts to a swell thriller well worthwhile to watch.

This movie is not going to stand out as one of the top ten crime dramas of any year, but it is extremely well made and fulfills the job of keeping one interested and entertained for a couple of hours. The script is good, for which we can credit the redoubtable Robert Parker and the screenwriter John Fasano. The film looks great, and captures the small-town New England atmosphere (although it was filmed in Nova Scotia). Acting is OK all around, especially from the underrated Tom Selleck, who does a fine job portraying the flinty, laconic police chief Jesse Stone, whose dialogue seems to come right out of a Hemingway novel. It should be mentioned that, although made for television, it stands up very well as a straight movie. My only, minor criticism is that I find the perpetrators of the crimes - and the movie lets us know up front who they are, so this is not a spoiler - to be a rather implausible pair. A nice note is the recurring presence of the charming golden retriever, who as sort a wordless Greek chorus to the proceedings. All around, a worthwhile popcorn burner.

This is not a police movie. It does have the police chief as the main character and it does present most of the movie investigations and killings and rapes and lawyers, but what it is really about is the personality of Tom Selleck's character.

I personally like Tom Selleck and I think he could have been a great actor not given his apparent gentleness. I don't see him performing great action roles or emotional roles for the money and the fame, I see him as a quiet guy and probably so do many casting people, although I am sure he would have done great in any of the above roles.

The film is nicely shot, mixing the cold atmosphere of a small sea shore town with the beautiful scenery and the plot. The 'perps' are not really presented, they are only doing what they do and Tom gets them. He is also developed through actions and not description. His character's coldness and the last name Stone give the (I think unfortunate) name for this film.

It is a good film.

In the small town of Paradise, Massachusetts, the experienced Chief of Police Jesse Stone (Tom Selleck) is investigating a murder and a rape case. When a series of murders happen with the same "modus-operandi", Jesse discloses the identity of the killers. However, without the motive, proof or weapon, he has to wait for an opportunity to catch the murderers.

"Stone Cold' is a surprisingly good thriller, with an efficient direction, cold but beautiful cinematography and excellent screenplay with great lines, situations and characters. The most impressive is that the identities of the killers are disclosed in the very beginning of the film and they do not have a motive for their insane behavior. This simple, low paced and realistic thriller is centered in the dark, flawed and silent character of Jesse Stone, magnificently performed by Tom Selleck. Jesse is a suffered man with a past in Los Angeles, cynical, amoral, with drinking problems, that does not express his real emotions, but with a warm heart and great sense of justice. Mimi Rogers is also amazing in the role of the cynical lawyer Rita Fiore, and in spite of a minor participation, she steals the scenes that she participates. The support cast is stunning and it is impossible and unfair to highlight only a name, since the individual and collective performances are outstanding. This made-for-TV movie is better and better than many feature films. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Crimes no Paraíso" ("Crimes in the Paradise")

When I viewed this movie less than an hour ago, I had no idea it was a made for TV movie. I found this surprising because it had such great acting, cinematography, and score.

While the plot was great, the actions and reactions of some of the characters to the situations they found themselves in was a bit suspect.

It is hard to believe that the State Police or the FBI did not step in when it became obvious that there was a serial killer, or killers, at large. It is also implausible that the young rape victim would have held up as well as the girl in the movie did, and that the written press and broadcast TV did not get access to the story.

However, given these faults,I still found this one to be a perfect movie to watch on a scorching NC afternoon.

Tom Selleck has still got it.