Jesse Stone: Thin Ice (2009)

Redundant and unnecessary.

Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

The fifth film in the Jesse Stone series based on the characters from the book by Robert B. Parker. That's right, this film is not an adaptation of any book, for the first time in the series it is an original screenplay. But the director was retained for the fifth time and that's a plus point here. Particularly who can understand not just this one film, but the whole series to take it on the right path. There is also lies some weakness that it's not getting better as it should be, but I would say it's the writing that did not impress me.This is the half way mark and another film in the series that's not so good, but counting it as an individual, definitely it is a better one. I expected this film after the previous one was not up to its previous one, but I must say I'm slightly disappointed. It is enjoyable, as a television film and its production quality was undeniably great, but I think my over anticipation is what barred me from having a good time with it. I am not blaming the story, but the scenes which were not strong enough. The positives were you can't predict them, and what's more important than that in a detective story.It opened with a shootout and Jesse got injured, though there's no serious. Now he has a case to pursue, but not official and his chief warns him going after certain person. Jesse also got enquired by an Internal Affair for him involving in the recent shootouts which is above normal. Besides, a mother came afar to him requesting to investigate her baby went missing seven years ago. Among the cases, the narration splits, but holds the suspense till the final act. There's no big twist, but both the cases come to end with Jesse's unique way of dealing."The information's out there. All you've to do is let it in."When the tale is about to conclude, there comes a big blow to him and his future hangs. An interesting ending, maybe a turning point in the series like the season one ends here and the season two is about to commence. If it was a television series, this is where the split happens between the seasons. The Jesse's walk out of the station at the final scene brings a new perspective. A bit emotional, if you are a Jesse Stone fan.The last two films were average compared to the earlier ones, so this change might refresh in the series going forward. It should be, otherwise I might lose interest in the series. This film is not bad, but after the fine developments in the mid part which was hyped, did not stand up to the expectations once the revelation came. There was no big expansion in the cast, but like usual some of the new ones, those who came only for this film had made some decent contribution. Like Jessica Hecht was the only known person to me who have made into it. And the rest of the cast including Selleck was great as usual.Jesse still remains dominated, but kind of losing strength while other characters around him gaining the momentum in their small part. Because he's the same from the first film, though needs some upgrade like nothing for the additional, but feeding with what he's good at. I mean, he's a badass and a daring character, but lately his parts were not appealing enough as what he's known for. On the other hand, he's just a small town cop; his work is under a limit and that kind of big excuse we definitely don't want. Hope it will not be the case for the next one.I thought I was a Jesse Stone franchise fan after the first two films, but I'm not sure now, the only next couple of films would decide that. So I'm eager for the next sequel. Talking about this installment, I find it above average, but for being a television film and a film series, you can't blame entirely. Because like I said in the earlier review, the ups and downs are part of a film franchise and sometimes they're on purposely done to balance the good and bad side of the story and characters. Like a wheel it has to come up sooner or later, that means the next one in the series is very crucial. It's not the cast or the crew, but the story should be at its best. I hope it all comes back to the normal there. So I meet you there.7/10

I understood this movie much more when I learned that this was the first episode in the series that was not based on a book. It seems the writers were not allowed to create new scenes or dialog and were forced to cut and paste from the previous movies. how many cop/donut jokes can be straight armed out the screen before an intelligent audience starts to feel abused? How many "pals that have sex" can one over the hill emotionally detached has-been hook up with? And how many people over the age of 6 use the word "pal?" And really, has anyone looked up the definition of alcoholic? Two drinks per night for a 200lb adult male is not alcoholism, it's good for your heart. I doubt he could even get a buzz off that.Others have reviewed this series saying it is sparse and hard hitting. I more or less agree in respect to the first several installments, but not this one. It was boring, predictable, repetitive and lacking in drive. I don't blame the actors. It seems they did their best with a cut and paste script.The only reasons I can think that this movie would be worth watching is if you were wholeheartedly committed to the series, rented it for free from the library, or you were uncontrollably hot for Sir Tom.

I just saw this after not paying close attention to TV listings months ago.At the start of this movie based on a Robert Parker novel, Chief Stone is on a stakeout with his friend Captain Healy, the Massachusetts head of homicide. The two are talking and not paying enough attention when someone shows up and shoots both of them. Stone, naturally, recovers, but Healy may not.Town councilman Carter Hanson wants to hire his nephew to replace D'Angelo, though what he really wants to do is get rid of Stone, whose reputation is hurting the town's image as a tourism destination. Eilzabeth Blue shows up wanting the Paradise police department to find her son who was kidnapped seven years ago. She has received a letter from Paradise suggesting her son may be alive in Paradise. Actually, she didn't see the letter for two years because her ex-husband hid it from her. Stone doesn't really want to investigate but Rose does.Stone's ex-wife Jenn, who does the weather on a Los Angeles TV station, calls to say she is moving in with her producer. Stone doesn't approve. His dog doesn't either, but I think the dog is reacting to Stone drinking again. Dr. Dix doesn't approve of much of anything Stone does, and one wonders where he's getting the nearly $200 he has to pay per hour. Jenn has talked to Dr. Dix, who won't reveal what she said.Sidney is Stone's latest girlfriend; she is investigating him for Internal Affairs after Stone shot his shooter, which is standard procedure. But she is also investigating him because he is "on thin ice" with the town council.Suitcase provides a critical clue in the Blue case. One would expect Stone to be so smart he'd see it, but I'm sure this makes Suitcase look good.Tom Selleck gives his usual fine performance. Even though Stone meets a new standard for unethical behavior, Selleck makes us like him. Actually, Stone is more moral than the town council on one issue. Stone doesn't seem to want to be liked except by his friends, but that doesn't matter.The lead actors all give good performances as well, and Camryn Mannheim stands out among the guest stars. Many of the guest actors also give good performances.Somehow I didn't enjoy this as much as other Jesse Stone movies, but it was still worthwhile.

Tom Selleck returns for a sixth time as chief Jesse Stone in Paradise. This time he's on the trail of who shot Captain Healy (Stephen McHattie) and himself one night while they were parked doing surveillance. Meanwhile a woman (a very compelling Camryn Manheim) from Albuquerque arrives clinging to a thread of hope about her missing son. Jesse prefers not to take the case but allows Rose (Kathy Baker) to take up the case herself. Simultaneously Captain Healy warns Jesse against pursuing the shooter, and the town council prepares to discipline Stone. Like the previous films, the story develops deliberately. Selleck is perfect in the title role as usual. The film touches on minor threads from previous story lines, like Luther's cognition, while maintaining its focus on the present. William Devane returns as Doctor Dix and Kerri Smith returns as Sister Mary John. This is the first film in the series with an original script not based on one of Robert B. Parker's novels. Once again Robert Harmon directs. The background music really does add a nice touch. I wonder if Leslie Hope's Sidney Greenstreet character is intended to be a joke for film buffs. **1/2 of 4 stars.