For all the hype it got I was expecting a lot more!

Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

For what I assume to be a failed pilot for a TV series, Hollywood Confidential follows a PI firm run by Edward James Olmos that takes on cases from the movers and shakers in Hollywood. Those sordid, dirty Hollywood affairs meant to be kept under wraps, but frankly nothing here ever gets juicy or real sordid which made me think it's origins lay in television. Mini stories are introduced and then by the end resolved. Groundwork is set, characters are introduced. Keep an eye out for Rick Aiello (son to Danny) and a younger, but nevertheless sexy, Charlize Theron.Cutting to the chase - the reason Hollywood Confidential doesn't work - it's boring. It presents this illusion that something worthwhile is going to happen, but nothing does. Most of the characters don't have any depth and the actual cases they work are either quick and boring or held back. Hollywood Confidential never does anything to distinguish itself. There's no style or edge to set it apart. Edward James Olmos is the best thing going on here. He's a better actor than this material honestly deserves.

The most likely straight to video release was pretty good. Don't let the B movie tag line detour you this is a decent thriller with some good acting from Olmos and very sexy Charlize Theron. Not Oscar worth but not a piece of trash.