The Newton Boys (1998)

THE NEWTON BOYS is a handsome-looking heist flick, with cozy photo-
graphy (by Peter James), a comfy production design (by Catherine 
Hardwicke), and a jaunty, jazzy soundtrack that recalls nothing 
short of THE STING.  The cast is easy on the eyes, too-- Matthew 
McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and Vincent D'Onofrio play 
the real-life bank-robbing brothers, with an able assist from 
Dwight Yoakam's explosives expert.  In fact, all that's missing is 
any tension or excitement, neither of which director Richard Link-
later (DAZED AND CONFUSED) thought to include.  Or, at least, 
thought to include in the first 45 minutes, which is how long *I* 
toughed it out.  I couldn't think of a single reason to continue 
watching, even if genre conventions held promise of (a.) a big 
heist (b.) a big shoot-out or (c.) both.  Lemme know how it turned 
out.  (Rated "PG-13"/122 min.)

Grade: W/O

Copyright 1998 Michael J. Legeros
Movie Hell is a trademark of Michael J. Legeros

Originally posted to triangle.movies in MOVIE HELL: In Brief