00s Movie Review - Snatch

Director: Guy Ritchie
Genre: Comedy/ Crime
Runtime: 104 minutes
Year: 2000
Starring: Jason Statham, Stephen Graham, Brad Pitt, Dennis Farina, Vinnie jones, Benicio Del Toro, Jason Flemyng

Description: Unscrupulous boxing promoters, violent bookmakers, a Russian gangster, incompetent amateur robbers and supposedly Jewish jewelers fight to track down a priceless stolen diamond.

Review: The British director Guy Ritchie has an amazing international debut with “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”. His flashy and energetic way of filming and the fun characters in combination with rough action scenes made us think of Quentin Tarantino. Ritchie has a lot of fans. The movie “Snatch” is also a gem and he managed to get some bigger names like Brad Pitt, Benicio del Toro and Dennis Farina for this project.

“Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” with a modern and more expensive touch, that’s what you could call “Snatch”. Not only the multiple storylines that intertwine, but also some known faces. Jason Statham, Vinnie Jones, Jason Flemyng and Alan Ford. It’s visible that everyone had fun making “Snatch” and I think I even prefer it over “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”.

It all starts in a diamond shop in Antwerp, where a big diamond is stolen by a gang lead by Franky Four Fingers (Benicio del Toro). The diamond is supposed to be delivered to Avi (Dennis Farina) in New York. But Franky makes a stop in London, where his poker addiction gets him into trouble. The criminal Boris ‘The Blade’, for whom the diamond was meant, goes after Franky. Boris hires some thieves; Vinny, Sol and Tyrone. During a boxing match Franky will be robbed by one of them and they will bring the diamond to Boris. At the same time Turkish (Jason Statham) and Tommy (Stephen Graham), two small time thieves, are involved with that same boxing match because one of their boxers was knocked out by gypsy Mickey (Brad Pitt). While buying a caravan they run into Mickey, because promotor Brick Top (Alan Ford) needs a replacement boxer. Because Brick has some bets going on, Mickey has to go down in the fourth round. Off course Mickey won’t and all hell breaks loose.

“Snatch” follows the same story structure as “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”, has hard action and dark humor. Not for everyone, but I love it. The acting is good. Brad Pitt is hilarious as boxer Mickey, who you can hardly understand. And Vinnie Jones is perfect for the role of Bullet Tooth Tony. And Benicio de Toro, who only has a small role, shows us again why he is one of the best actor of his generation. Jason Statham and Stephen Graham form a fun, not so lucky, duo.

For the fans of “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”, this is a must see. It’s hilarious, tough and an absolute recommendation.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

90s Movie Review - Saving Private Ryan

Director: Steven Spielberg
Genre: Drama/ Action
Runtime: 170 minutes
Year: 1998
Starring: Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Barry Pepper, Adam Goldberg, Vin Diesel, Giovanni Ribisi, Jeremy Davies, Paul Giamatti, Ted Danson, Dennis Farina

Description: Following the Normandy Landings, a group of U.S. soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper (Matt Damon) whose brothers have been killed in action.

Review: Director Steven Spielberg proofs again why he is one of the best directors in Hollywood, with this strong war movie. When three brothers of the Ryan family have died in battle, it’s decided that the fourth brother can go home. Problem is that this soldier is somewhere in France. To find Ryan, Captain John Miller is the person to find him, together with a team of eight men.
The movie is divided in three parts: the first part is the landing of the American troops on Omaha Beach on june 6th 1944, D-Day. The second part is the search for private Ryan. The third part is what the soldiers do when they have actually found Ryan.
Especially that opening scene is very violent and shocking and it’s definitely one of the best opening scenes in movie history. Not only that first scene makes this movie good. The screenplay is intelligent and the camera work is fantastic. And also the acting. Tom Hanks does exactly what we expect from him: an excellent job! The interaction between him and his team and later also with Damon’s characters is impressive and believable. Smaller roles by Dennis Farina, Vin Diesel, Ted Danson and Paul Giamatti are also worth mentioning.
The movie won several Academy Awards, one being best director. Totally deserved. It’s a fact that “Saving Private Ryan” is one of Spielberg’s best, and he already made so many great ones.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2016 - # 163: Stealing Harvard

Director: Bruce McCulloch
Genre: Comedy/ Crime
Runtime: 85 minutes
Year: 2002
Starring: Jason Lee, Leslie Mann, Tom Green, Dennis Farina, Megan Mullally, John C. McGinley, Richard Jenkins, Martin Starr, Chris Penn

Description: A middle-class man (Jason Lee) turns to a life of crime in order to finance his niece's first year at Harvard University.

Review: The plot for “Stealing Harvard” is as simple as the film itsel. John once made a primuse to us niece, that if she ever got accepted to college, he would pay for it. When the time arrives, he just got the that money. But he is about to marry his fiancée and buy a house. To keep his promise to his niece, he asks his loser friend Duff for help.
The film isn’t as bad as I would think, especially since it stars Tom Green. Jason Lee plays a likeable character, somewhat reminding me of his character Earl in “My Name is Earl”. Some other supporting roles are for Leslie Mann, Megan Mullally and John C. McGinley, which are fun as well. Tom Green is, as always, over the top and not that funny. At least I don’t find his humor that laughable.
It’s okay, the movie is easy to sit through, but also pretty forgettable.

Rating: 2,5/ 5