Antitrust

Amazon.com

The term suspension of disbelief was invented for the idea that Ryan Phillippe could be a computer genius. As Milo, a slacker brainiac recruited by smilingly ominous software giant Gary Winston (Tim Robbins) to help build a global communications system, Phillippe still looks like a million bucks. He is also still doing the clenched, pouty grown-up voice that he always uses to show that he means business in this acting stuff (he's nothing if not earnest), and a pair of designer glasses completes the transformation. He's well matched in Antitrust by Claire Forlani, who, in turn, spends time pursing her lips and squinting her dewy eyes as Milo's troubled girlfriend, an artist who proves to be a liability when Milo discovers that Winston is killing off clever competitors like a dot-com führer. Robbins, looking like David Letterman, seems willing to either take his role dead seriously or goof around a bit, but director Peter Howitt doesn't know how to play any of it (the actor was better used as a grinning madman in another flawed paranoid thriller, the underseen Arlington Road). Without any underlying menace or enough satirical bite to keep it interesting, the whole thing slips by passively in a mindless matinee kind of way until the over-the-top finale. Production designer Catherine Hardwicke has had some big, glossy fun creating Winston's campus and ornate private kingdom, and there's the cheapest of kicks in seeing Robbins's Bill Gates taken down publicly, but the film is definitely junior league. --Steve Wiecking

Description

In a world where unseen enemies can watch your every move, who can you trust? Ryan Phillippe (Cruel Intentions), Rachael Leigh Cook (She's All That), Claire Forlani (Meet Joe Black) and OscarÂ(r) winner* Tim Robbins star in this fast-paced, sizzling thriller that crackles with "genuine intrigue (Entertainment Today), "considerable suspense" and an "ingenious, stunningly cinematic payoff" (Los Angeles Times) you have to see to believe! Young, brilliant computer whiz Milo Hoffman (Phillippe) lands an exciting and lucrative job at the world's largest computer company, NURV. Handpicked by powerful C.E.O. Gary Winston (Robbins) to work on a project that will change the way the world communicates, Milo thinks he's found his dream job. But whenhis best friend, Teddy, is brutally murdered and clues lead to NURV's involvement, Milo becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth. With his cunning and beautiful girlfriend (Forlani) and a sexy programmer (Cook) to help him, Milo races to beat Teddy's murderers at their own cyber game. But as theyclose in on him, he realizes he may be too late to learn the most important code of all: Keep your friends close. Keep your enemies closer. And know which are which before you're killed. *2003: Supporting Actor, Mystic River

Customer Reviews:

One of my favorites.......2007-08-03

This movie is on this list as one of my favorite "geek" movies. What I mean by that is, that it's about computers, coding and generally geeky stuff. However, this movie is likable by even non-geeks. My girlfriend watches this movie whenever I decide to pop it in and watch in. She likes it too... A good movie all around. Great acting, good geeky story plot and great actors/actresses.

I remember that I lost this DVD a couple of years ago and ended up buying a completely new copy because I still watch it even today.

Other movies like this or similar by nature (that provide elements of geekiness in them) that I like are:

Pirates of Silicon Valley (start of the computer geek)
Matrix (hey, hackers, computers and sci-fi!)
Revolution OS (Documentary)
Grandma's Boy (game geeks)
Hackers (come on, it's lame but still fun to watch)

Antitrust.......2007-03-02

The problem stated up front: the film isn't frightening enough. The film isn't frightening enough mainly because the lead character, Milo--played by Ryan Phillippe--never seems to be in mortal danger. And no matter what sinister mess the star of the show may find him or herself snarled up in--if the stakes aren't high enough, to the point where the hero looks seriously in trouble of surviving, you have what is ultimately a minor-league thriller.

This is a story of a computer whiz who signs on as the new Golden Boy of a software company called NURV, owned by Gary Winston (Tim Robbins giving a very strong performance), who has brazenly set a target-date for the unveiling of a revolutionary new communications system for PCs, handhelds, etc.--sort of a Unified Field breakthrough for worldwide chat--that will make him very wealthy. If the system, SYNAPSE, doesn't work on time, Winston is a joke. Milo, boy genius, must get all the worst bugs out of Gary Winston's brain-child before time runs out, but just as he's settling in--and getting the red-carpet treatment from everyone at the firm, including the resident Ice Queen, Lisa (Rachel Leigh Cook)--he's thrown a bit of a curve: Gary Winston keeps providing him with mysterious computer discs, full of radical new code, that will help Milo make the big breakthroughs. Milo can't make sense of it; if he's the big saviour, where's all the brilliant code coming from? His boss's smarmy shell cracks when Milo asks questions, and Milo gets a face full of a Gary Winston paranoid tantrum, his first clue that his ambitious employer is not the nice guy he seems to be.

But how far would Gary Winston go to get what he wants? Is he procuring other programmers' code illegally, and if so, how? Milo starts to deduce pieces of the truth that suggest coincidences aren' t always coincidences, and then someone close to him suffers a senseless tragedy. Coincidence? A shocked Milo enlists the aid of his girlfriend Alice (Claire Forlani), and even some old buddies he snubbed earlier in the film merely by going to work for supreme capitalist, to subvert all the cutting-edge security features at NURV, and even in Winston's home, to find out the real truth about the people he works for. Along the way, Milo discovers he may have more hidden enemies than he thought.

That's the tense summary of the plot...now let me list all the things that sabotage the thrills:

Except for Tim Robbins, none of the bad guys are very scary. Robbins's main henchman is the guy who played Doctor Tom in Ed Wood (friendly face, nerdy-looking (sorry, fella), practically bald, calm throughout).

Ryan Phillippe's character always seems to be one step ahead of the bad guys, certainly once he gets a whiff of what's really going on. He pulls various clever tricks that allow him to move about areas of NURV that would normally be off-limits, and even when the bad guys know what he's up to, Milo KNOWS they know, but they allow him some leeway, because of course Gary Winston still needs SYNAPSE completed. This creates a very interesting cat-and-mouse game but it seriously destroys any real threat to Milo, certainly for the bulk of the story. It feels like a game. It doesn't feel like anyone is ever going to just appear out of the shadows and point a gun in Milo's face and get rid of him, or even put a bomb in his desk-drawer.

There's no grime in this film. Everything's polished, neat, shiny, pristine, new-looking, sanitized, orderly, whatever. There's no dirt anywhere; even the nightly shadows of NURV seem disinfected. I would argue that, on a psychological level, a thriller needs some dirt, some blurriness, some clutter, a back alley with some piles of rubbish thugs can hide behind. This film's director seems to like things neat and stainless-steely and nonthreatening (see also Johnny English). Thrillers need some dirt, and some unidentified shapes tucked in the shadows.

Finally--as I've alluded to already--though there are chase scenes, Milo-hiding scenes, Milo in danger of being deliberately fed Sesame seeds scenes (he's fatally allergic), Milo afraid to trust someone scenes--the truth is, Milo usually knows when he is in danger before danger has a chance to strike. And the one time he's caught totally by surprise, he makes an ally.

I think Claire Forlani is a most beautiful actress, and she, along with everyone else in the film, gives a strong performance. This film even features an uncredited appearance by one of my favourite actors, David Clennon (he played the creepy boss in ThirtySomething, appeared as slimey "Radio Doctor" Norris Breeze in an episode of WKRP In Cincinnati, appears in John Carpenter's The Thing and Being There, and, uh, an episode of Sledge Hammer!), but he's barely in it--strange! The whole film is strangely watchable, despite the fact that it is never as thrilling as it could have been.

Fantastic triller.......2007-01-25

Watching this film will change your life. It's a fantstic thriller, with a few good scares in there too. The gorgeous Ryan Phillipe stars as Milo, a computer genius.

The story unfolds as milo, starts a job in a exclusive computer company.
All is not as it seems in this brilliant company, as Milo's life gets turned upside down.

Recommended for everybody.

A quality film with a good young cast........2006-11-17

Featuring an awesome young cast and the legendary Tim Robbins, this is an exciting cyber-thriller that will have you thinking one thing then surprise you with another twist. While the story may seem unbelievable, it is quality viewing, and anyone who likes a good thriller will have no trouble sitting through it. Still good to watch even after the first time, a good DVD to add to anyone's collection. Will appeal mostly to teenagers and young adults, it will stand up to the tests of time.

Danger from Monopoly.......2006-10-08

Will "Synapse" be launched on schedule? Yes. They will do whatever it takes. The start of the film suggests a few graduate students with little money, experience, and connections can create successful software today. Do they know their customer's needs? There isn't much of a market for shareware anymore. Software comes bundled with computers, and most users don't care. (Unless paid advertising can change their minds.)

Milo shows up at NURV to begin work. Their office is "open", which can create interruptions that affect productivity. One TV news item tells of a competitor who is killed in a car crash; drugs were found in his system. Milo is impressed by some code and wonders where it came from; Gary Winston flies off the handle at this question. Highly sensitive? There is a mysterious attack on a friend of Milo's. Teddy had been close to an exciting discovery! Milo finds that a fiberglass cable allowed spying on Teddy. Who did it?

Milo reports his lost badge; this allows him entry to security, and a chance to snoop into the system. Soon Milo starts acting like a detective. He finds a system that contains private information on many of his friends. How can a powerful corporation arrange to hire criminals? What if they can also influence the Department of Justice? Research show how NURV is connected with major corporations. [Does this remind you of "Big Brother" in Orwell's 1984?] Wearing a tuxedo, Milo manages to find some IP addresses from Gary's private system. But Milo is suspected, and they plot his demise: Milo has an allergy and can suffer anaphylactic shock! So what is in that meal? Milo "borrows" a server to expose the conspiracy; he gets away with it! But his company car is bugged so they can follow him! Action and conflict follow, with more surprises.

Reviews aren't supposed to give away the ending, but we know the good guys must win in the end. "The Net" was a much better film, this one seems like another version. A work of fiction can guarantee a happy ending. We know what is happening in the real world. The film ends on a false claim. The coding created by anyone does not become "open code" by saying so. This statement is not made about any other work product, like a loaf of bread.

Back in August 1994 I saw a TV news item that showed "Gary Winston" and "White House Bill" meeting for a golf date. Each carried an identical gym bag to their golf cart. At the end they each carried away one of the identical gym bags. Afterwards the Department of Justice dropped its antitrust investigation. How many $100 bills could fit into one of those gym bags?

Average customer rating:

CBS Evening News (June 28, 2001)

Manufacturer: CBS
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT REVERSES THE DECISION TO BREAK-UP MICROSOFT AND A NEW JUDGE WILL DECIDE WHAT ACTION TO TAKE AGAINST THE SOFTWARE GIANT. . . . SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS BEEN HANDED OVER TO THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL AND WILL BECOME THE FIRST FORMER PRESIDENT TO FACE TRIAL THERE. . . . BILL GATES RESPONDS TO FEDERAL APPEALS COURT RULING NOT TO BREAK-UP MICROSOFT. . . . ACTOR JACK LEMMON IS DEAD AT AGE 76. . . . SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL AND ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER SHARON AGREED TODAY THAT THE PEACE PROCESS WOULD PROCEED ONLY AFTER 7 DAYS OF NON-VIOLENCE. . . . INVESTIGATORS ARE ONCE AGAIN FOCUSING THEIR ATTENTION ON ROGER CLINTON AND HIS INVOLVEMENT IN PRESIDENT CLINTON'S LAST MINUTE PARDONS. . . . TONY GWYNN ANNOUNCES THIS IS HIS LAST SEASON OF BASEBALL. . . . PRESIDENT BUSH TOURS THE ENERGY-EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGY EXHIBIT AT THE ENERGY DEPARTMENT AND ADDRESSES THE EMPLOYEES . . . SENATOR WYDEN AND PAT ROBERTSON HOLD NEWS CONFERENCE TO RELEASE INFORMATION ABOUT POSSIBLE ANTI-COMPETITIVE ACTION BY OIL COMPANI

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CBS Evening News (April 3, 2000)

Manufacturer: CBS
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

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CBS Sunday Evening News (April 2, 2000)

Manufacturer: CBS
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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One of my favorites
Antitrust
Fantastic triller
A quality film with a good young cast.
Danger from Monopoly

Antitrust
Starring: Ned Bellamy , Scott Bellis , Rachael Leigh Cook , Nathaniel DeVeaux , and Nate Dushku
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: Video
Binding: VHS Tape

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | VHS | Video

Suspense | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | VHS | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | VHS | Video

Bellamy, Ned | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

DeVeaux, Nathaniel | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Forlani, Claire | ( F ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Ko, Linda | ( K ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Phillippe, Ryan | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Robbins, Tim | ( R ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Roundtree, Richard | ( R ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Runyan, Tygh | ( R ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Tso, Yee Jee | ( T ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00003CXSF
Release Date: 2001-12-26

Amazon.com

Description

In a world where unseen enemies can watch your every move, who can you trust? Ryan Phillippe (Cruel Intentions), Rachael Leigh Cook (She's All That), Claire Forlani (Meet Joe Black) and Oscar(r) winner* Tim Robbins star in this fast-paced, sizzling thriller that crackles with "genuine intrigue (Entertainment Today), "considerable suspense" and an "ingenious, stunningly cinematic payoff" (Los Angeles Times) you have to see to believe! Young, brilliant computer whiz Milo Hoffman (Phillippe) lands an exciting and lucrative job at the world's largest computer company, NURV. Handpicked by powerful C.E.O. Gary Winston (Robbins) to work on a project that will change the way the world communicates, Milo thinks he's found his dream job. But whenhis best friend, Teddy, is brutally murdered and clues lead to NURV's involvement, Milo becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth. With his cunning and beautiful girlfriend (Forlani) and a sexy programmer (Cook) to help him, Milo races to beat Teddy's murderers at their own cyber game. But as theyclose in on him, he realizes he may be too late to learn the most important code of all: Keep your friends close. Keep your enemies closer. And know which are which before you're killed. *2003: Supporting Actor, Mystic River

Customer Reviews:

One of my favorites.......2007-08-03

Antitrust.......2007-03-02

Fantastic triller.......2007-01-25

A quality film with a good young cast........2006-11-17

Danger from Monopoly.......2006-10-08

Charlie Rose with Steve Ballmer; Studs Terkel (April 19, 2000)

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Charlie Rose with Steve Ballmer; Studs Terkel (April 19, 2000)

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

New Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer talks about carrying Microsoft into the future and how he deals with the antitrust implications for the company. Then, journalist and author Studs Terkel, honored this week with the Polk Career Award, given by Long Island University, talks about his career compiling oral histories. In a conclusion to the show, Charlie talks about journalists' obsession with anniversaries of historical events.

Average customer rating:

One of my favorites
Antitrust
Fantastic triller
A quality film with a good young cast.
Danger from Monopoly

Antitrust [Region 2]

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Thrillers | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00005KFTE

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

One of my favorites.......2007-08-03

Antitrust.......2007-03-02

Fantastic triller.......2007-01-25

A quality film with a good young cast........2006-11-17

Danger from Monopoly.......2006-10-08

Average customer rating:

One of my favorites
Antitrust
Fantastic triller
A quality film with a good young cast.
Danger from Monopoly

Antitrust (Spanish) (Sub)
Starring: Ned Bellamy , Scott Bellis , Rachael Leigh Cook , Nathaniel DeVeaux , and Nate Dushku
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: Video
Binding: VHS Tape

Bellamy, Ned | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

DeVeaux, Nathaniel | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Forlani, Claire | ( F ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Ko, Linda | ( K ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Phillippe, Ryan | ( P ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Robbins, Tim | ( R ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Roundtree, Richard | ( R ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Runyan, Tygh | ( R ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Tso, Yee Jee | ( T ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Deals Under $12 | Today's Deals in Video | Features | VHS | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | VHS | Video

Art House & International | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00005AX7O
Release Date: 2001-05-15

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

One of my favorites.......2007-08-03

Antitrust.......2007-03-02

Fantastic triller.......2007-01-25

A quality film with a good young cast........2006-11-17

Danger from Monopoly.......2006-10-08

Charlie Rose with Ken Auletta; Ellen Burstyn (February 28, 2001)

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Charlie Rose with Ken Auletta; Ellen Burstyn (February 28, 2001)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose, Inc.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Educational | Genres | DVD | Video

Description

Journalist Ken Auletta of The New Yorker discusses Microsoft's appeal of the antitrust court decision and his book about the case, World War 3.0: Microsoft and its Enemies. Next, Ellen Burstyn talks about her Oscar-nominated performance in the film Requiem for a Dream.

Charlie Rose with Bob Graham; Geraldine Fabrikant; Max Robins; Jessica Reif; Norman Podhoretz (February 15, 1995)

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Charlie Rose with Bob Graham; Geraldine Fabrikant; Max Robins; Jessica Reif; Norman Podhoretz (February 15, 1995)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

First, Senator Bob Graham of Florida discusses a move by Congress to eliminate baseball's antitrust exemption. Then, Geraldine Fabrikant of The New York Times, Max Robins of Variety, and Jessica Reif, a media and entertainment analyst at Merrill Lynch, talk about the future of network television. Finally, a conversation with Norman Podhoretz, former editor of Commentary magazine, about his past collegues, including Norman Mailer and Saul Bellow, and his long-career at Commentary magazine.

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