the long good friday

So I just saw the classic british gangster flick "the long good friday" from 1980, starring Bob Hoskins and a very cute Helen Mirren. So was it good, I think it was bloody terrific. I have always been a fan of british gangster flicks, I don't know if it is the accents or the propensity for violence mixed with smart dialog, but everything from "sexy beast" to one of my favorite films of all time "lock stock and two smoking barrels" I find just wonderful. So speaking of "lock" the actor who played one of my favorite characters from that film "hatchet Harry" (P.H. Moriarty) plays a great thug named "razors" in this film. This is one of those films where you are better off not knowing the plot at all, this film is a roller coaster ride and a mystery wrapped up in one violent package. All I can say is outside of the very 80's theme song (which wasn't completely horrible) I loved this film. It is stylish, has a very simple but original story line, has great acting, and has a very very satisfying ending. Any movie that I can watch where I can't predict what's coming next is generally pretty good in my opinion. In addition to all this movie has going for it look for a very young Pierce Brosnan in one of his first roles ever. He plays a critical part in this film, but does not even speak one line, which is ironic for a man known as much for his voice as he is for his looks. There is one other thing, being a bit of an anglophile, I can understand both accents and obscure references related to the British, but there were times I wish there were subtitles in this film. Look if you love gangster flicks or violent crime dramas in general, I don't see why you won't like or even love this film. Outside of no one being on cell phones and that very very 80's theme song (which actually I kind of enjoyed though I am not proud to admit this) I think this is a gangster classic that has stood the test of time.

city island

So I watched 2009's indy comedy "city Island", starring the under appreciated Andy Garcia. So was it good, yes not only was it good it was borderline great. This is one of the most original comedies to come about in a long time. This film is not of the raunchy comedy genre that has been so popular in recent years, but rather is a heartfelt portrayal of a family that is just too afraid to talk to each other and keeps many secrets. The movie centers around a secret love child the lead character played by Garcia had before he met his current wife, but found during his duties as a prison guard (I'm sorry I mean corrections officer). He brings this young man into his home and from there all the secrets that this family tries it best to keep from each other slowly come to light. This movie is very intelligent and is beautifully acted (great cast overall), with little side stories which range from the bizarrely beautiful to somewhat moving. "City Island" won the audience award at the Tribeca film festival and I can see why, this is not just one of the best comedies I have seen in a while, but one of the better movies in general I have seen of late. So now is this movie for everyone, well I think it should have broad appeal. It is intelligent, funny, well shot, well cast, and all while not being over anyone's head. The director and writer of this movie did another film I had similar feelings for called "Two family house." So whatever your personal tastes unless you are only into flicks that have the word "saw" in the title you should like if not love this flick.

outsourced

So I watched 2006's under the radar comedy gem "outsourced" directed and starring a bunch of people no one has ever heard of. So is it good, I say namaste bitches, or yes. Now is it great, well no. Was this movie a refreshing surprise I say indeed. Alright this movie is indy fare that did lead to what I believe was a pretty mediocre sitcom that got canceled after one season. This movie itself has sort of a made for TV look. This movie could have easily been bad, it could have been cheesy, but it is not. What it is is somewhat delightful, somewhat unpredictable, informative (in that we learn a little about Indian culture), and overall a pleasant funny little film. What I liked best about this movie was the authenticity, it was filmed on location, and we get a real sense of India and its people. So now the basics, the lead character Todd gets shipped to India by a patriotic kitsch company who now makes all its products in China and is about to outsource its customer service to India. He is sent to India to train his own replacement and the hilarity ensues. This is not a slapstick comedy but just a good lighthearted movie. Now is this movie for everyone, well no actually for an indy film this isn't very indy. This movie lies in a gray area where hardcore indy fans will turn their noses up to it, while the philistines who would normally flock to something like this may find some of this movie a little too dry and intelligent for their tastes (even though it is not high brow). This is why this movie probably never found an audience. However, I liked it, critics liked it, and the other amateur critics of this world liked it. I would even say this is a great date movie. So don't be afraid or put off by the gray zone this film occupies in the film world and give it a chance you may just see with your third eye you really liked this flick as well.

Animal Kingdom

So I watched Australia's 2010 winner for best picture "Animal Kingdom". So was it good, I say throw another shrimp on the barbie and enjoy this great flick. Now is this film perfect, no it could be a bit slow at times for a crime saga, and seems to have gaps in the plot where the audience is supposed to catch on to what happened at some point in the past (which is fine I could keep up). That being said this movie is highly original, well acted, well written, and well directed. I can see why it got so much acclaim in it's native Australia. I particularly liked how it started off with the potential of developing into a crime drama where the main character, a 16 year old named J, is brought in to learn the family trade and nothing else, but skewed off that plot point quickly. I expected to see robberies because this is what the family does. However, what we get instead is the aftermath of one of their scores we don't even really learn about it other than to see some money being counted out early on in this film. Instead J is thrust into this world after his mom dies and we go through a range of emotions and action as the family takes on the police hell bent on taking them down one way or another. So with that being said, this movie on my own IMDB would normally be a 7, but when the ending comes it comes at you hard and fast, and I did see it coming, but only moments before it happened. So if you take everything into consideration this goes down as one of the most original crime thrillers of all time. "Animal Kingdom" is not necessarily the best, but definitely one of the most original and no matter what a must see for both intellectuals and crime film fans.

The True Meaning of Pictures: Shelby Lee Adams' Appalachia

So I watched 2002's "The True Meaning of Pictures: Shelby Lee Adams' Appalachia" directed by Jennifer Baichwal. So was it good, I say yes but not great, and actually just barely good. This movie mostly struck me as pretentious people commenting on the validity of photographing hillbillies. In this film we are even given the definition of a hillbilly by a PHD oooooh, I'll let the filmmaker in on a little secret everyone fucking knows what a hillbilly is. This documentary reflects on the relationship between photographer Shelby Lee Adams' and his subjects of thirty some odd years the mountain folk of Appalachia. He has an honest and true regard for these people having come from this breed of people I guess, however I do not share his love of these creatures. Look we all have flaws and we all have strengths, however I think most hillbillies are racist, undereducated, under motivated, drug addicted, often incestuous, cretins. I fear this type of people because any contact I have with this breed of American has reinforced the stereotypes of them, and their portrayal in this documentary did nothing to change that opinion. This movie is very dry and very boring, but it is a valid exercise in the documentary genre and is an interesting subject overall. However, I personally recommend the "The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia", if you want to see a documentary on hillbillies. It is more fast paced, has good music, and in general gives a more honest portrayal of what a hillbilly is in my opinion. So watch both, I think it is a good way to compare and contrast two sides of the same coin.

the town

So I watched "the town" written, starring, and directed by the poor man's Matt Damon, Ben Affleck. I am not a huge fan of Ben Affleck, he has done some good work chiefly "Good Will Hunting", but overall his work is more like the idiotic Paycheck (I have got to read the Philip K. Dick story it is based on it can't be as bad as the movie). So is it good, well yes and no. It is a brilliant, taught, suspensful, well acted crime drama. It also has an interesting twist in that Ben Affleck's character falls in love with a hostage he takes on one of his bank jobs. However, what happens later in the movie is complete and total B.S. I am not going to say it, anyone who has read a review or two of mine knows I try to stay away from specific plot points and sometimes even the plot in general. I don't like to spoil the adventure, but Ann if you read this review just remember you dumped me for no reason at all, you need to take a lesson from the forgiving woman played well by Rebecca Hall. Yeah I said it. Anyways, back to the review. This movie is one of several recent gritty movies to take place in the bad part of Boston where apparently America's non hillbilly white trash settle down (read my review of Eddie Coyle). So this is a good movie, with one glaring unrealistic aspect, but if you can get past that, and if you like crime dramas you should like this movie. Kudos Mr. Affleck you are apparently more gifted than most of your film roles would lead the general public to believe.

rango

So I watched Rango from 2011 and starring Johnny Depp. So was this movie good, I say yes you bastards, sorry I tend to curse when I channel the voice of Dr. Duke. I am perhaps a little bit biased in my assessment of this film, I do have a very brief cameo in it. Look for me in the beginning I am driving the Cadillac with my lawyer in the back seat. This is a kids film, but fortunately it is one of those films the adults can enjoy as well (the fact that I am in it should tell you that). The story is very predictable and has been done a million times in a million movies. We have a fish out of water (well lizard), who pretends to be something he is not, gets caught eventually, but comes back to both redeem himself and save the day and of course gets the girl. However, it is the original take on this premise as well as the subtle deeper thoughts that this movie touches on that makes it good. It also is one of the most beautifully animated films I have seen yet. I heard this movie is spectacular in 3D, which is something I would not doubt. So this movie is well shot, well written, and well acted, it has great and original characters, and in general is really good for a kids movie. I will say this critters die in this flick something I was not expecting in a kids movie. But then again it is not graphic and we are talking about birds and other such critters so unless your kid doesn't understand why grandma can't come over for the holidays anymore, don't worry about your kids watching this film. Most people should enjoy this film it is very enjoyable on many different levels and as I said visually stunning. So go watch enjoy whatever your personal movie preferences are.