90s Movie Review - Fallen

Director: Gregory Hoblit
Genre: Thriller/ Crime/ Drama
Runtime: 124 minutes
Year: 1998
Starring: Denzel Washington, John Goodman, Donald Sutherland, James Gandolfini, Embeth Davidtz, Elias Koteas, Aida Turturro

Description: Homocide detective John Hobbes (Denzel Washington) witnesses the execution of serial killer Edgar Reese (Elias Koteas). Soon after the execution, the killings start again, and they are very similar to Reese’s style.

Review: Thanks to detective John Hobbes, serial killer Edgar Reese is caught and sentenced to death. The man doesn’t seem to care. Remarkably cheerful, he sings “Time is on my side” from The Rolling Stones. Soon after the execution, similar murders start to happen.

“Fallen” is a strong, macabre thriller, that is very overlooked and underrated. I remember watching it for the first time when video stores were still a thing. And it has always been e favorite Denzel Washington. I hadn’t watched it for a long time, but it still holds up and I love it just as much.

It’s a very original film, with some great twist and a fantastic ending. And Washington is, as always, outstanding.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

90s Movie Review - 8 MM

Director: Joel Schumacher
Genre: Thriller/ Crime
Runtime: 123 minutes
Year: 1999
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Catherine Keener, Joaquin Phoenix, James Gandolfini, Peter Stormare, Anthony Heald, Norman Reedus

Description: A private investigator (Nicolas Cage) is hired to discover if a “snuff film” is authentic or not.

Review: A snuff film is a real-murder film within the porn industry. It’s a persistent myth. This thriller by director Joel Schumacher cleverly plays on the hint of mystery surrounding the phenomenon.

Nicholas Cage plays private detective Tom Welles who gets his hands on a sniff film via the widow of a recently deceased prominent business. She want Tom wo find out the source of this misery. While investigating, Tom sinks deeper and deeper into the dark world of the porn industry, searching for the maker of the film and if it’s real.

I always believed “8 MM” was an underrated thriller, I think I like it more then most people. It’s a pretty disturbing topic, a gritty film. Maybe not the best acting, but the mystery is really interesting and compelling.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

10s Movie Review - Killing Them Softly

Director: Andrew Dominik
Genre: Drama/ Crime/ Thriller
Runtime: 97 minutes
Year: 2012
Starring: Brad Pitt, Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn, James Gandolfini, Richard Jenkins, Ray Liotta, Sam Shepard, Max Casella

Description: Jacki Cogan (Brad Pitt) is an enforcer hired to restore order after three dumb guys rob a Mob protected card game, causing the local criminal economy to collapse.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2023 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 33: A MOVIE THAT’S ON YOUR NETFLIX WATCHLIST
 
Review: In New Orleans, two not too savvy crooks rob an illegal poker night at the behest of an insignificant gangster. Thinking they can conveniently pin the blame on someone else, they have seriously underestimated the case. Soon they are being hunted by an experience hit man.

“Killing Them Softly” is a hard-hitting crime film, that flew under the radar when it came out. I believe more people should be talking about it. The film is often exciting and witty, but it is a bit too preachy at times, in its critique of American optimism. I think that’s the reason why it didn’t really impress a broader audience.

Rating: 3/ 5

10s Movie Review - Enough Said

Director: Nicole Holofcener
Genre: Comedy/ Drama
Runtime: 94 minutes
Year: 2013
Starring: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, James Gandolfini, Catherine Keener, Toni Collette, Ben Falcone, Tracey Fairaway, Michaela Watkins, Tavi Gevinson

Description: A divorced woman (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) who decides to pursue the man (James Galdofini) she’s in interested in learns he’s her new friend’s (Catherine Keener) ex-husband.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2021 MOVIE CHALLENGE.

WEEK 20: A MOVIE DIRECTED BY A WOMAN
 
Review: James Gandolfini was never a big movie star. Nor did he ever wanted to be. He initially even refused the role of Tony Sopranos in “The Sopranos”. However, the role was right up his alley, of which he became convinced himself. After he accepted, he became famous, but still turned down leading roles in large projects and played mostly supporting roles or bigger roles in smaller films. When he died in 2012, he left behind only a small body of work. Not because he wasn’t a good actor. His portrayal of Tony Soprano alone proved that. And the small comedy drama “Enough Said” also does.
We meet divorced mother Eva. Eva meets Albert at a party, and from that tentatively emerges a relationship of sorts, blossoming through recognition, vulnerability and light disarming humor. It is that vulnerability and previous hurts and failed relationships that make both Eva and Albert insecure in this new relationship, which is therefore immediately compromised.
At that same party, Eva also meet Marianne, at that point not knowing it’s Albert’s ex-wife. They become friends. When Marianne constantly complains about her ex-husband, Eva finds out about the connection. She keeps it quiet to find out more about Albert, which starts to get in the way of her own perspective about her new relationship.
Thanks to the two lead actors, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and James Gandolfini, their chemistry and the humor of writer-director Nicole Holofcener it’s a fine, intelligent film. The insecurities that get in the way of the characters retain their dramatic power and you are watching two real people, instead of characters written for film.

Rating: 4/ 5

00s Movie Review - The Last Castle

Director: Rod Lurie
Genre: Drama/ Action/ Thriller
Runtime: 131 minutes
Year: 2001
Starring: Robert Redford, James Gandolfini, Mark Ruffalo, Delroy Lindo, Clifton Collins Jr., Steve Burton, Robin Wright, George W. Scott

Description: A court-martialed General (Robert Redford) rallies together twelve hundred inmates to rise against a corrupt and sadistic warden (James Gandolfini).

Review: Eugene Irwin is a general who, through everything he has done for his country, has become a national hero. But by making one mistake he became a prisoner. Irwin must serve his sentence in the military prison ‘The Castle”, where Colonel Winter is in command. Irwin is brought in by Winter with the necessary respect. But when Irwin has his opinion about Winter’s collection of war weapons, it’s clear Irwin’s time is not going to be easy.
Irwin discovers that Winter enforces the concept of order and authority on the prisoners in a violent and manipulative way. At first, Irwin doesn’t want to interfere and just serve his sentence quietly. However, when Irwin stands up for the young soldier Aguilar, he is mercilessly punished by Winter. Irwin endures the ordeal with his head held high and thus gains more and more respect from his fellow inmates. After Aguilar is shot by one of the guards, Irwin can no longer ignore it and he takes control.
“The Last Castle” is a great film, combing impressive acting talent with spectacular action. It’s a captivating film, despite a high degree of predictability. The structure of the story is good, wonderful camera work and excellent performances by Robert Redford, James Gandolfini, Mark Ruffalo and Delroy Lindo.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2017 - # 11: The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

Director: Don Scardino
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 100 minutes
Year: 2013
Starring: Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, Alan Arkin, Jim Carrey, Olivia Wilde, James Gandolfini, Jay Mohr, Michael Herbig, Brad Garrett

Description: A veteran Vegas magician (Steve Carell) tries to revive his career after his longtime partner quits, he gets fired from his casino act, and an edgy new "street magician" (Jim Carrey) steals his thunder.

Review: The story of “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone” is almost a standard as the routine that Burt & Anton do in their magic show. But because the reviews that weren’t that great made me think this was an awful movie, I did enjoy it for some reason. It’s the good kind of bad, if you know what I mean.
Burt and Anton have been best friends since childhood. Magic was what brought them together and 30 years later they have a show in Las Vegas. But their show isn’t as successful as it used to be and the friendship is also not as strong. When an unconventional street illusionist steals their thunder, all hell breaks loose.
“The Incredible Burt Wonderstone” is very over the top. The character of Burt Wonderstone reminded me a bit of Will Ferrell’s Ron Burgundy. Completely convinced of himself and totally blind for the inevitable. But I loved “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy”. I didn’t love this film, but it had its moments. Steve Carell is really funny and Jim Carrey (who isn’t in this movie as much as I thought) is hilarious as always. In fact, Carrey steals the show. You really have to be in the right mood to find this film funny. And if you normally don’t enjoy Carell or Carrey, this movie won’t change your mind.
It’s an okay comedy, but very disposable. I don’t think it will stay with me long. But make sure to stay ‘till after the credits. That’s a really funny addition to the film.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 118: The Drop

Director: Michaël R. Roskam

Genre: Crime/ Drama

Runtime: 106 minutes

Year: 2014

Starring: Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, James Gandolfini, Matthias Schoenaerts, John Ortiz, Elizabeth Rodgiguez, Michael Aronoy, Morgan Spector, Michael Esper, Ross Bickell, James Frencheville, Tobias Segal, Patricia Squire, Ann Dowd, Chris Sullivan

Description: Bob Saginowski (Tom Hardy) finds himself at the center of a robbery gone awry and entwined in an investigation that digs deep into the neighborhood's past where friends, families, and foes all work together to make a living - no matter the cost.

Review: Again we had to say goodbye to a good actor. “The Drop” marks the last film for the in June 2013 diseased James Gandolfini. It’s a nice goodbye, because it’s a really good film.

The Belgian director Michaël R. Roskam got fame for his Oscar nominated debut “Rundskop”. “The Drop” is his first America movie. The term ‘drop bar’ means that criminals drop money at a bar, a so called bank for criminals. The bar’ Cousin Marv’s’ in Brooklyn is an example. Bob (Tom Hardy) and his cousin Marv (James Gandolfini) run it. Everything goes fine until a somewhat amateurish robbery takes place. Bob and Marv are held responsible for the stolen money and need to get it back.

A melancholic report from one of the many possible stories from the underworld of Brooklyn, that’s how “The Drop” can be described. Tom Hardy is a great actor and again shows that as the good guy Bob. It’s great how his character develops and how strong his performance is. James Gandolfini also does a great job. It’s not a very big role, but it’s memorable. Matthias Schoenarts is convincing as the dominant Erik and Noomi Rapace shines as well. A cast to die for.

That well written story also makes this movie good. The tempo is just right, not too fast, just the right buildup. “The Drop” is an overlooked film from 2014, that’s definitely a shame. It’s worth your time, because it’s a very good film.

Rating: 4,5/ 5