Oct
26

The Big Lebowski

Quite simply, this is a cult classic film that is always a joy to watch. There are some films that no matter what your favorite genre is, or what generation you are from, you have to take the time to enjoy. Its complete work withstands the test of time, and no matter how many times you watch it, you are always entertained. The fact that it is a comedy makes it that much more impressive. There are a few exceptions, but generally speaking, the quality of comedies is better in the older comedies than in the more recent ones. There are a lot of different interpretations that can be made about this perspective. Obviously humor is a significant part of a comedy film, but there is much more to it than that. The story should also be great, and audiences should care about the characters. People like to have connections with characters in films. The message of a movie is well received when you care for the characters in it. Bridesmaids and The Hangover are just two examples of recent comedies that were very successful at the box office. More importantly, they both developed large fan bases. In other words, people cared for the characters in those films, and shared similarities with those unforgettable characters. What is not to love about the characters in The Big Lebowski? 

Regardless of the genre, a film needs to have great characters. These characters are brought to life by the actors who are portraying them. The greater the character, the more people will love and respect that character for years to come. For a film to be considered a cult classic, that is a big deal. That means that a majority of people will agree on the greatness of that movie. Hopefully, when you think of great films, you think of the protagonist. Well in this film, Jeff Bridges delivers such an amazing performance as The Dude. His personality, sense of humor, and his ability to rise to the occasion when needed are incredible. He may not be the big Lebowski as the title says, but he certainly proves that he is the bigger Lebowski throughout the film. However, there are still other characters to love and care for. Whether the role is big or small, there is an emotional connection that you feel with every character in this film. Something that people should realize when they watch movies is that if you really do not like the villain, then he or she is doing her work very well. Villains are not meant to be cheered for. On the contrary, they are meant to be despised or hated by the audience. Then there are the characters with very small roles; you care about these characters so much that you think about how they will contribute to the end of the film. These emotional connections with the characters in this film are due to the brilliant film making of Joel Coen.

The writing for films is something that can be so tragically overlooked. Even years after watching a great movie, if you paid close attention, you remember certain phrases and movie lines. Part of it has to do with the fact that the acting was done so well. So it is easy for you to remember your favorite actor saying his or her lines so graciously. What people can easily forget is the screen writing. Behind all the actors, make-up, sound effects and lighting, music, and other things, people may forget about the writing that goes into making the film. We get so caught up in watching the actors perform, and we lose ourselves in the film as things start to get interesting. However, credit is due to the outstanding writing that makes the film move so effortlessly from start to finish. If you notice, it is the movies with great screen writing that feel much shorter than what their actual running time is. It feels that way because the lines just flow so quickly but easily out of the actors. Now when you have such great writing that is also funny at the same time, then you are in for a real treat. It is a film that you will want to enjoy again and again.

You cannot say enough about the impact of this film from a cultural standpoint. It’s The Dude’s language, behavior, and way of living that is very appealing. Obviously you do not idolize movie characters, but there are things about them that influence your sense of self and who you are. It is the mentality of aspiring to be someone that you are not. There is nothing wrong with wanting better things in you life; that is totally natural. However, you have to make the best of what you have. If you do not love yourself and what you have, then you will get very frustrated as you look for ways to improve. There are certain habits that people can change, but you cannot change who people are. We change and adapt to different obstacles and situations that life throws at us, but essentially, we are the same people that fight off the storm.

Jeff Bridges shines as the iconic Dude in this film. He may not have received any Oscar nominations for his work, but it is a performance that everyone loves and remembers. It is a great addition to his impressive resume, and you just hope that you will get to see a similar performance in the near future.  John Goodman is absolutely hilarious in his supporting role as The Dude’s right hand man. They are joined by Steve Buscemi who fits right in with the two lead actors in forming a great trio of friends and bowlers. Julianne Moore and Philip Seymour Hoffman also deliver great supporting role performances. They are great examples of how no matter how big or small the role is, you care for the characters in a film, and they make it very special and enjoyable. This is a cult classic film that is so deserving of a spot in your movie collection. So when you are ready for a good laugh, and thirsty for white russians, then all you have to do is watch The Big Lebowski.

Jan
17

The Professional

Do you ever find yourself thinking there are still so many great movies out there that I have not seen? If you are one of them, you must have this must-watch movie list that just keeps growing and growing. Pretty soon, you feel as though you will never get to watch those films, but never lose hope! As much as movie tickets cost these days, there are many who openly say that they have not been to the movies in quite a long time. If they go, it must be a pretty good movie they are interested in. Now that is as far as new-release films are concerned. However, you can find great films when you watch those that you have not heard of, or that others have recommended. If movies prior to 2000 are considered old, well, it should be no surprise how many great films were done before 2000. It is obviously debatable, but many say the best decade of films are either the 70s, 80s, and 90s.  One great film in particular that came from the 90s is The Professional.

Yes, there are many hitman films that are either new or classic, but it is also an easy task to look at those films and recognize which are the great ones. Which of those films truly left such a good impression on you that you cannot help but write about them? In two words, what sums it all up are the words, surprise me! There is no doubt that when you pick up  the dvd box of a hitman film such as The Terminator, that the reason why it has an R-rating is because of its disturbing images and intense violence. In fact, those may be the two main reasons which lead people to watch that classic film in the first place. But if you stop and think about hitman films in general, at what point do you think about the element of surprise in them? If you watch these films to meet your expectations of violence, then you are taking away from the viewing pleasure you could have if you have an agenda of your own.

To be a hitman in film raises a lot of questions. If you look at it from that character’s perspective, what would you do if you were not a hitman? Perhaps they could provide a legitimate answer; and perhaps not. This is why character development is so important. These are characters that are known to be mysterious, ruthless, tough, and unpredictable. At times we see how they arrived at where they are. Their childhood memories are far from peaceful, and so the only thing they want to do is to eliminate their enemies. It is more intriguing though, to see these films challenge their state of mind. As cold and ruthless as they may seem, they are no different than the characters that surround them. They have a heart, and even more evident, vulnerabilities. However, it takes a lot of detail and critical attention to expose that. In many ways, we are all like the hitmen on screen. There are things that get in our way of achieving our goals; so the best thing to do is to eliminate those barriers. Many can say that they do what they love, and would not do anything else. However, there comes a time when someone comes into your life and changes who you are.

Films have an amazing way of blowing you away, but there are people who can have an even stronger impact on you immediately. Life as a hitman would be very complicated. It would take a lot of guts to honestly tell your significant other that you kill others for a living. On an even deeper level, how could you explain to your kids that same story? This is the type of human element characteristic that films like The Professional have that truly leave a mark on your mind. For a young girl, or anyone,to witness the murder of their family is not an experience that can simply be put in the past, and remembered as a tragic moment in one’s life. There is that feeling of revenge or redemption that potentially  consumes and controls you if you allow it to. In recent memory, these are roles that have been given to male actors. However, when these roles are given to women, such moves are questioned. They presumably lack the physical toughness and brutality to perform such roles to perfection. Zoe Saldana starred in Colombiana (2011), as a young girl who witnessed the murder of her family, and looked to get revenge when she was older. Saldana delivered an incredible performance as a lethal hit woman. The argument, however, is not that she succeed in her role as a female, it is the message behind the film. Her character goes on to kill those responsible for the death of her family, but then an inevitable future awaits. One in which she must start her life all over again because in the legal sense, she is a wanted killer.

How much more are you willing to sacrifice when you have lost everything dear to you? Natalie Portman delivers an incredible performance as a young, fearless girl who will stop at nothing to achieve what she wants. Jean Reno captivates with his strong performance as an experienced hitman who discovers more about life through his unexpected relationship with Mathilda, Portman’s character. Gary Oldman is as good as it gets as a two-sided agent in this pulse-pounding hitman thriller. If this film is not in your must-see list, it would be great to add it to your list and enjoy it.

Jan
12

Fight Club

How do you begin to talk about a film like Fight Club? There is no doubt that it is a cult-classic film for many movie fans everywhere. More impressively, it is another film that can be categorized within the action genre that involves fighting, but that brings its own unique talents to the table. Even if it may not be spoken with great regularity, movie fans want to see films that are unique and different. This is especially true with films of a particular genre like action films. How long can you witness gun shootings and explosions before you ask for more popcorn? In other words, it takes a lot talent, and a great story to keep you on the edge of your seat. Get your popcorn ready to follow this film from start to finish so that you do not get eliminated in the fight club.

One of the characteristics of films that do not get enough credit are the titles of them. Whether they are short and sweet, or long and detailed, movie titles have a lot to do with your first impressions of films. It is always interesting to see if by the end of the film, did your impressions remain true or where they completely wrong? In either scenario, the movie title served its purpose by intriguing your mind take make certain assumptions about the film. Those assumptions either lead you to see the film, or avoid it. In this instance we have the title of fight club. You can almost picture a club or group of people who make a living fighting, or a club of members who fight for something else when you hear the words fight club. While these initial impressions may be true, it would be bad directing if they were to remain true throughout the film. Without a surprise or unexpected change, it is difficult to keep your interest up throughout the movie.

Just from experience, we can all say that violence does not solve your problems. It take a different approach in film. Especially when you look at films that want to pull you into the world  of their characters, it is an escape from reality that is very appealing. The rules are not the same, the people are not the same, and more importantly, you are not the same person. Your fantasies come to life in that experience, and you find yourself lost in all the action and suspense of the movie. This is the type of film where you can look at physical fighting and say that it will not solve my problems, but it can help me to be stronger physically and mentally. Perhaps you find it easier to figuratively fight your problems as you try to overcome them. It feels a lot better to knock them out of your life and move forward. That does not mean that you will not encounter more problems, because you will. However, you learn to be more disciplined and get stronger as you go from problem to problem.

Perhaps more impressive than the visual details and action of this film, is its narration and writing. The inclusion of a narrator can always help to offer you perspective on how to see a film. You may have your own, but to see and accept the perspective of the narrator is a different story. Narration in film requires a lot of detail, and in this instance, humor. You do not need to produce a comedy film to bring humor into the movie. Humor just happens to make the viewing pleasure that much more fun when you incorporate it into the narration, and into the idiotic behaviors of film protagonists. Humor challenges you to look at the film with different eyes because you may suddenly see yourself when you look at the main character. Then you have the writing and dialogue of the film. The action, drama, humor, and suspense all revolve around a brilliant script and dialogue between the characters. Regardless of the genre, dialogue makes films even greater, and it has the ability to pull you into the film because of how you can relate to the characters through reality or fantasy.

There are films where you can simply sit down to see them and relax; let everything unfold before you and cheer of how fun the experience was. This is not one of those films. Director David Fincher who already has Se7en, Zodiac, and this year, The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo to his credit, brings another physically brutal, yet psychologically challenging film. Brad Pitt and Ed Norton lead a great cast with an amazing supporting role by Helena Bonham-Carter. If there are movies that make up a must-see list of American films, this is one of them. A physically piercing, but mentally challenging film that you will enjoy.

 

Dec
27

Home Alone

 

There is no argument about it. Home Alone is one of the best all-time  movies to watch around the holidays. It has everything that you can ask for: family fun, presents, white christmas, and Santa Clause; or at least someone who tries to be him. The most important detail it has is this: not even money can buy the best gift of all: being loved and having a wonderful family. Even when like Kevin, played by Macaulay Culkin, who at times felt that he did not want his family, the truth is we all need to go through difficult times in the family. It is the only way we can grow and mature, and learn from past mistakes.

While many movies can take a fantasy approach to doing christmas movies, this is a film that dives right into the spirit of Christmas in the most casual way possible. This was a brilliant decision because it makes it that much easier to relate to the characters in the film. If you can relate to characters in a movie, then perhaps you will find it that much more enjoyable regardless of the story or genre. You can always look at films as books that have come to life: they have a story or message to tell. At times, they can be very direct, or, you have to put in your part to follow along to get the message.

Pace is arguably one of this film’s greatest characteristics. While the focus is primarily on Kevin and his difficult relationship with his family, there is enough concentration on the supporting cast to have a good understanding of the film’s plot and story. There is never a time when you feel as though things are not moving fast enough; the story flows quite effectively from start to finish to take you through Kevin’s adventures.

They always say that this is the most wonderful time of the year. Well, it really depends on how you look at that seasonal cliche. If you think about spending quality time  with family, friends, and loved ones, then yes, it is the most wonderful time of the year. Sadly, it can also be a very difficult time to get through as you rush from store to store looking for that great present, but more importantly, not every family or person is in the most jolly of moods around this time of year. To say that Kevin’s or the McCallister family’s Christmas was ruined  by  an unfortunate mistake is not true. What they all realized is that money simply cannot buy the best gifts or presents; or make Christmas that much more memorable.

Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern truly steal the show with their performances as very clumsy and idiotic thieves. You just know that in a real setting, they would not be as clumsy, so their command of their respective characters is outstanding. You never think about villains in a Christmas movie, but the fact is that the inclusion of Marv and Harry actually made this movie better given that Kevin is an 8 year old boy who is alone, and they are presumably good at what they do. We would be talking about a different movie entirely without the inclusion of Harry and Marv. This would probably require a change in the plot, story, and characters because the story may not revolve around the idea of Kevin being home alone.

What is most impressive about this film is how it has withstood the test of time. Regardless of the genre, great films are those that no matter when you see them, are a joy to watch. You never get bored of the cast or story, and in this case, it never stops entertaining you and reminding you of what Christmas is all about. If you happen to be wondering what movie to watch around this time of year, whether you have never seen it, or have seen it many times, Home Alone is always a great film to watch for the holidays!

Dec
17

The Untouchables

To truly understand the value of teamwork, look no further than The Untouchables. While it is true that there is no I in team, there are those who are born leaders, and those who are great teammates. In this film, you get the best of both. Sometimes you need a leader on the team who can speak, decide, and organize, but you also need the abilities and talents of the rest to have a great team. Regardless of the number of team members, it takes a monumental team effort to bring down one of the baddest mobsters in film, Al Capone.

Whether you are faced with a big or small challenge ahead of you, it will take guts and sacrifice to overcome it. You have to be willing to accept defeat in order to  prevail; and as tough as losing a valuable ally and friend can be, it cannot kill your purpose of defeating your enemies. Kevin Costner plays federal agent Eliot Ness; a man that has been given the elusive task of bringing down Capone. What you can take from his character is that as great as we can be through our own strengths and abilities, it is a lot easier to work with others.

A very critical discussion could have been made about Ness if his character was a prideful and ruthless agent who felt that his desire to bring down Capone alone would be enough. When you put a team of people together who come from different backgrounds, and with different abilities, then you have quite an untouchable team. It takes a team effort to keep fighting even when casualties on your side leave you outnumbered. Perhaps the idea of bringing down a mad man is nothing new when it comes to film. From spy-thrillers, to high-risk espionage, to undercover agents, there has always been a character who brings corruption and chaos to society. However the path to present that character’s life and influence on others around him is what brings about greatness in film, and its different for every movie.

It is not very often in films where you have the opportunity to see a great display of team work for both good and evil. Perhaps even bigger than Capone’s persona was his mob; his loyal followers who did more damage as Capone led from behind the scenes. When you have such a tremendous following for what you do, this shows that anything is possible. There is power in the masses, and it can be an unstoppable force if you put your mind to what you want to accomplish. What was more impressive than the quality of team work that was demonstrated on both sides is the  elaborate story and plot of this film. It was a very strategic and thought out plan to lead the audience from beginning to end with many interesting twists and surprises. You witness the remarkable achievement of victory even when you feel as though the war has been lost as well.

What can you say about the cast and direction of this film? Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Andy Garcia, and Robert De Niro lead a well assembled cast of actors and supporting actors in this classic of mob films. Brian De Palma takes a  much darker and deeper approach than Scarface, and delivers top-notch acting and action that take you deep into a corrupted Chicago at the hands of Al Capone. So if you have not done so, join the untouchables!

Dec
10

Scarface

At some point or another, we have all fallen in love with the concept that the world is in our hands. It is a bit of a rewarding feeling to know that you have the power and control to call the shots and be the boss of your life. While this may be true- you have to take responsibility for your actions, we all need someone or many others to support us along the way. When you get consumed by greed, and as big as your world may seem with riches, wealth, and power, it is actually much smaller than you think it is. So small, that you end up losing it. This was the tragic fate of Tony Montana, or Scarface.

It was in 1997 in the film Titanic, where Leonardo Di Caprio had a memorable line: “I’m the king of the world.” Of course, his fate was also tragic like Scarface’s, but he wanted to share his world with the love of his life, Rose, and all his friends, family, and loved ones around him. A brilliant concept of spreading the wealth. While the premise of Scarface is the opposite of that, it is a great narrative to base a film on because it takes you down the destructive path of a man who wants nothing more than everything for himself.

It is hard to forget how many of us are driven by the pursuit of the American dream. It is a different dream for everyone, but it is real in our minds. This concept of relevancy is very persuasive when it comes to film. Whether the film has a tragic ending or a beautiful one, you feel for characters who share your same dreams and goals in life. Ultimately, it is what you do and how you get to that dream that makes all the difference. This film is driven by a particularly slow pace, which is both its flaw and strength. It makes it easy to lose your interest, but it also lets you keep track of how the decisions and connections that Scarface made ultimately made him a success overnight.

This is where the supporting cast of this film shined. There were many big and small supporting roles that added depth to the story, but in the end, it was all part of the plan to build Scarface’s empire. The film is driven by Al Pacino’s incredible performance as a Cuban political refugee. This crossover for him to perform as a character of another culture deserves a lot of credit. It can be argued that the film may have been more effective if Pacino had performed as a mob character from the states, but also, the film could have benefited from a deeper and more complex story that would have picked up the pace.

It is important to consider how from a historical perspective, the Cuban Mariel boatlift was a very significant historical piece in time, not only for Cuba, but for the U.S. as well. So it adds a necessary historical and cultural background to the film’s production. To capture the rise of the “Little Havana” in Miami through the eyes of the leader of the biggest drug cartel around has made this film not only a cult classic, but a highly respected one in the genre of mob films. So it is time to say goodnight to the bad guy.

Dec
10

Donnie Brasco

The mob life is not something that you can turn on and off like a light switch. Once you are part of the mob family, it becomes very difficult to leave. It is as if it completely consumes you, and nothing else outside of it matters. Amazing how someone can pretend to lead both a normal and mob life. Lets be honest, life as an FBI agent is far from normal given the cases that you may be given, but it can be a normal life compared to the high-risk life of the mob.

It is no secret that once you are in the mob life, death becomes almost certain. The law is always trying to be behind your every move, you have enemies, and even in your own mob family, there is envy, hate, and lack of trust. While you may enjoy the fame, money, power, and luxury that comes with it, you soon realize that it is very short-lived. The most difficult thing to do is for you to do the right thing and turn in your mob family. Johnny Depp, who is an undercover FBI agent, plays code name “Donnie Brasco” and he completely brainwashes Lefty Ruggiero, played by Al Pacino; a long-time mobster who never reached his potential to be the boss of the mob.

Their relationship of mentor and protege is what holds this film together as it speaks volumes about the power of loyalty when your life is on the line, and the inability to lead to separate lives when you are part of the mob. In terms of character, this is one of the most difficult roles to perform because you are essentially playing a person who is addicted to the mob life, and once out of it in a 24-hour window at home, you still think and act as though you never left. You may have a good impression or fascination with the mob looking from the outside, but there is nothing quite like actually being in the mob.

The dialogue and screenplay of the film are great achievements. Dialogue is perhaps one of the most underrated characteristics of films. Everyone wants to see the drama, action, and suspense unfold, but forget about how important it is for dialogue to take you to those thrilling moments. Most importantly, when you have an actor who is known for playing a variety of roles, like Depp, and have him perform in a mob film where the dialogue and vocabulary is much different than what he is used to, it becomes that much more impressive to see the dialogue carry the film with great pace.

Like so many of the other great films of this genre, the supporting cast and depth of the story prove to be the cherry on top for this film. Even with incredible direction and acting, the lack of a great story can mean complete failure for a film regardless of its genre. There is always a story to tell, and the action and special effects are tools that help to tell that story, but do not make it up entirely. If you ever find yourself playing both sides, it is hard to say what you will do if everything is on the line, including your life. You learn to consider the members of the mob like your family, so the last thing you want is to see them dead or locked up because of a decision you made to turn them in. That is a decision to make that is as equally difficult as accepting to penetrate a mob so far as to rise in the ranks of it to fool its leaders into believing that you are for real in what you are doing with them.

A film that is brilliantly written, masterfully performed, and effortlessly produced, this is another classic in the mob genre that you cannot pass up. Find the time to watch Donnie Brasco to have a deeper look into the life of the mobster, and you will be hooked from the very beginning.

Dec
08

Casino

If you had the opportunity to run the biggest, most successful casino in Las Vegas, would you be greedy or would you be just like all the other managers at competing casinos who do not have what it takes to be bold and successful at what they do? Perhaps there is something good to take from a just little bit of greed to get ahead in this life, but if you push it too far, the consequences drop down like dominoes- one after another. Even when it feels like you are miles ahead of your competition, you have to take the time to stop and take it slowly.

One of the biggest appeals of Casino  are the casinos themselves. If you want to enjoy life to the fullest, you just have to gamble a little. You have to be adventurous, and not be afraid to take some risks. Without any risk taking, you cannot really enjoy the sense of achievement, or victory over your opposition. So what is it that motivates you? That is the bigger question which this film marvelously answers with its incredibly provocative story.

Robert De Niro plays Sam “Ace” Rothstein, a strong and dedicated leader of the biggest gambling empire in Vegas. As the big boss, there is nothing that goes by unnoticed; he has seen and sees it all. However, it is the things that you cannot see that have a much larger affect on your success. You can have all the power and authority, but if you cannot see what others do behind your back, you become blind and weak. Sometimes we are lead to believe that we can blindly trust those who work with us and see us on a daily basis. While it is worse to not trust anyone, there are times when people take advantage of your trust; and that ruins everything you have.

Based on that narrative scenario, De Niro’s character is one that he plays with gracious command. The stereotype of mob films is for the leader of the mob to have no regard for anyone in the mob except for himself. As much as the mob may seem to act as a mob family, push come to shove, the leader will not hesitate to take anyone out who does not serve well. Scorsese brilliantly offers an exception to that traditional narrative form, and presents a leader who acts with his heart as opposed to hunger for vengeance. This is very difficult to pull off given the type of men that he was associated with.

Joe Pesci delivers as strong of a performance as De Niro as his right hand man, Nicky Santoro. A ruthless, aggressive, and greedy character who mastered in double-crossing disguise. There are few who have delivered such strong performances as protagonists and antagonists at the same time the way Pesci does here. Sharon Stone plays as the wife of Rothstein who is not only obsessed with money and riches, but is also a coke addict. They are all joined by an outstanding supporting cast with strong performances, a provocative story, and outstanding dialogue. This is a classic mob genre film that you simply have to watch if you are a fan of the classic genre.