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  • Cobra (1986)

    Cobra (1986)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]After the massive success of Rocky, Sylvester Stallone’s career was on the rise and he soon became a superstar. In between the sequels to his career-defining film and other films, Stallone starred in another career-defining film, First Blood. Based on the David Morrell novel of the same name, the film revolved around Vietnam veteran John Rambo. After a run-in with the local sheriff, Rambo inadvertently starts an all-out war with the local police. The movie ended up being a surprise hit, and it eventually got a sequel, Rambo: First Blood Part II. While the first one was more of a character study mixed with an action film, the sequel was just action. Despite the different tone, the sequel ended up being a massive hit, alongside Stallone’s Rocky IV released the same year. With Stallone’s ego rising, he teamed up again with Rambo II director George P. Cosmastos for 1986’s Cobra.
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    Synopsis

    Stallone stars as Marion Cobretti, aka Cobra, a hard-as-nails cop who plays by his own rules. After stopping a hostage situation, Cobra learns of a murderous cult led by the Night Slasher (Brian Thompson). One night, a young model named Ingrid (Brigitte Nielsen) witnesses the cult on one or their murder sprees. Soon, Cobra and his partner Gonzales (Reni Santoni) are assigned with protecting her and stopping the Night Slasher. All the while, Cobra is being chastised by the more by-the-books Detective Monte (Andrew Robinson). What follows is a series of car chases, motorcycle chases, and shootouts with the cult members. It all comes to a head when Cobra and the Night Slasher face off in a final confrontation. Will Cobra be able to take him down and save the girl, or will the Night Slasher’s murder spree continue?

     

    Review

    If the plot summary seems a bit light, that’s mostly cause this movie’s plot is pretty straightforward. There is a reason for this that I’ll get into later, but first I’ll list the positives. For one, Stallone definitely carries the film as the lead, playing Cobra as a tough and cool cop. In contrast, Brian Thompson makes for an intimidating figure with his imposing figure, booming voice, and intense look. Another great draw here is that it features Andrew Robinson and Reni Santoni, both of whom were in Dirty Harry. When it gets going, the action is pretty good, especially with all the car chases and shootouts. The soundtrack, while odd at times, has some pretty cool 80s tracks, especially “Angel of the City” by Robert Tepper. On top of all that, the movie is fairly short at about 87 minutes, so it’s a pretty quick sit.

    Unfortunately, for all the good things I can say about the movie, there’s also quite a few negatives. First off, not to be insulting, but Brigitte Nielsen’s acting is pretty mediocre, her line delivery being flat and stilted. Also, I mentioned how the plot is pretty straightforward and that it’s a fairly quick sit. This ties into the fact that this movie was heavily edited before its release, for content and for showings. Much of the violence had to be cut back to avoid an X-rating, so it comes off as fairly tame. Also, much of the story and character development was removed so that it would play theatrically more times per day. Because of this, there’s a lot that’s never explained and the villains have no motivation. It’s a shame because while it’s still fun, it could’ve been better. Overall, Cobra is a passable if somewhat disjointed action film.

     

    Buy Cobra from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JGW4nE.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at no additional cost, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

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    Where to watch Cobra (1986)

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  • A Simple Favor (2018)

    A Simple Favor (2018)

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    Paul Feig is a filmmaker that has certainly had an interesting career, both behind and in front of the camera. Feig first got his start in small roles in TV and movies, most notably the cult comedy Heavyweights. However, Feig truly took off with the cult TV series Freaks and Geeks, which has since found critical praise. He made his directorial debut with 2003’s I Am David, followed by 2006’s Unaccompanied Minors, neither of which were hits. But then, he directed 2011’s Bridesmaids, which was not only financially successful, but it even received two Oscar nominations. This led to him collaborating with Melissa McCarthy with 2013’s The Heat, 2015’s Spy, and the controversial 2016 Ghostbusters remake. After that film’s critical and financial failure, Feig returns with a somewhat smaller film. That film, based on the novel of the same name, is the newly released thriller, A Simple Favor.

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    Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick) is a stay-at-home mom who runs her own vlog series where she shares recipes and advice. Things are relatively normal for her until she meets Emily Nelson (Blake Lively), who’s almost the polar opposite of Stephanie. The two become best friends, sharing some of their deepest secrets and talking about their frustrations. as they’re sipping martinis. One day, Stephanie gets a call from Emily, where she’s asked to watch Emily’s son while she’s gone on business. Days pass without a word from Emily, and both her husband Sean Townsend (Henry Golding) and Stephanie fear the worst. Stephanie starts sharing the details about Emily’s disappearance on her vlog, which unexpectedly gets her more attention and support. Eventually, Stephanie starts learning that all is not as it seems, prompting her to investigate further. What follows are several twists and turns as Stephanie goes further down the rabbit hole.

    Going into this, I had somewhat mixed expectations given that I really didn’t like the Ghostbusters remake. However, once I saw the critical buzz it was getting, I was more than a little intrigued. Having seen it, I can really see why this film is getting so much acclaim, as it’s a well-crafted thriller. From the opening credits, the movie has the stylings of a 50s/60s thriller with the music and color scheme. The style definitely carries throughout, evoking Hitchcock thrillers like North by Northwest and Rear Window, mixing suspense with comedy. While nowhere near as good as those, this film does balance both genres well without it feeling like tonal whiplash. What also helps the film is the strength of its cast, especially leads Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively. They work off each other really well and do a great job in their roles.

    I will say that while I was engaged throughout and able to follow along, some might be a bit lost. This is a film that rewards its viewers for paying attention to details and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Admittedly, some of the plot twists are pretty easy to see coming, especially if you’re familiar with the tropes. Also, the plot can be somewhat convoluted and there are some elements that don’t seem to go together. Even still, this is a fun and suspenseful ride that will leave you guessing throughout and leave you on edge. This certainly has made me think differently of Paul Feig, and I’m curious to see what comes next. With great performances, a stylish look, and a captivating story, A Simple Favor is both suspenseful and fun to watch.

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  • Venom (2018)

    Venom (2018)

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    In 1982, Marvel Comics asked fans to submit ideas for future stories, one such fan being Randy Schueller. His idea was for Spider-Man to have a new, more advanced all-black stealth suit. Schueller later received a letter from Marvel Editor-In-Chief Jim Shooter saying they liked the idea and paid $220 for it. His vision led to a plot point in Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8, where Spider-Man obtains his black suit. It was revealed in The Amazing Spider-Man #252 to be a symbiote, an alien parasite that feeds off its host. Then, in The Amazing Spider-Man #300, the symbiote bonded to a new host, Eddie Brock, transforming him into Venom. The character became so popular that he’s now one of Marvel’s most iconic villains/anti-heroes still to this day. He’s appeared in TV, movies, and video games, and in 2018, we have his new solo film, Venom.

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    Synopsis

    After one of their space probes crash lands on Earth, a bioengineering corporation called the Life Foundation investigates. It turns out the probe was carrying four alien symbiotes, one of which escaped in transit. The company recovers the other three and brings them to their headquarters in San Francisco to begin testing. Meanwhile, journalist Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) lives comfortably with his lawyer girlfriend Annie (Michelle Williams), who’s affiliated with the company. Through her, he gets an interview with Life CEO Carlton Drake (Riz Ahmed), who’s obsessed with the symbiotes. Things go south when Eddie confronts him with confidential information he stole from Annie, leading to him getting fired. Six months later, Dr. Dora Skirth (Jenny Slate) asks Eddie to investigate what Drake has developed. While studying, Eddie gets infected with a symbiote known as Venom, and now the company is after him.

     

    Review

    Before getting into my issues with the film (and there’s plenty), I’ll first get into what I liked about it. What worked for me was Tom Hardy’s performance and his relationship to Venom, which helped to carry the film. Hardy gives it his all here, and there’s an interesting dynamic between him and Venom, similar to Jekyll and Hyde. It’s fun seeing the two of them argue and trade insults back and forth, and there’s some great physical comedy. Once Venom does take over, it’s a lot of fun watching him tear through people and wreak havoc throughout. It’s certainly enjoyable as a fun B-movie with some good action and some fun spectacle. Plus, it feels like some excellent ideas here could’ve gone further had the writers ironed out the script. Unfortunately, that’s where my positives end as I go into what doesn’t work.

    While Hardy is doing his best and acting his heart out, the rest of the cast sadly falls flat. Riz Ahmed is largely unremarkable as the stereotypical corporate villain, and Michelle Williams doesn’t have any compelling character traits. Also, throughout the movie, it seemed like they wanted to be R-rated, but the studio had them cut back. It’s especially noticeable in scenes where Venom bites someone’s head off, only to cut away before getting gruesome quickly. That can primarily be due to roughly 30-40 minutes cut out of the movie, which you can tell. The third act, in particular, is just a mess of CGI blobs, choppy editing, and hard-to-tell action sequences. Hopefully, there will be a director’s cut released that will hopefully fix many of the problems. For now, though, Venom is a mess that, while enjoyable, is vastly more disappointing than terrible.

    Final note: a much better version of this film was Upgrade released earlier this year, definitely worth a watch.

     

    Buy Venom from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3oxilr7.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at no additional cost, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

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    Where to watch Venom (2018)

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  • Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

    Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

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    In 2013, Singaporean-American novelist Kevin Kwan wrote a satirical novel based on his childhood living in a wealthy family. He was inspired to write this novel while caring for his father who sadly passed away in 2010 from cancer. While caring for him, the two would reminisce about life in Singapore and Kwan would write the stories down. Kwan did this as a way to preserve the stories so that they’d be remembered long after his father’s death. This led Kwan to write a novel that satirized the culture surrounding rich Asian families, living in elegance and insanity. When it was finally published, the novel received rave reviews from critics and was a major bestseller. Naturally, as with any novel that becomes a hit, Hollywood decided to film an adaptation of the novel. So, fast forward to 2018, where we’ve been given the romantic comedy-drama, Crazy Rich Asians.

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    Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) is an economics teacher at NYU whose boyfriend Nick Young (Henry Golding) invites her to Singapore. Turns out, Nick’s friend is getting married, and he wants her to join him and meet his family. Little does Rachel know, however, that Nick’s family is actually quite rich, like insanely and ridiculously rich. After meeting Nick’s friend Colin (Chris Pang) and his fiancée Araminta (Sonoya Mizuno), Rachel is soon introduced to his family. Things immediately are not looking good for Rachel, especially with Nick’s mother Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh) clearly disapproving of her. It soon becomes clear to Rachel that Nick’s family doesn’t like her and feel that she’s not good enough. While this is going on, Nick is trying to keep things intact with Rachel despite his mother’s objections. It soon becomes a struggle between the rich and entitled versus the middle-class common folk with some family drama.

    As anybody who knows me will tell you, I am not the biggest fan of romance films. Sure, there’s the stereotype that guys don’t like romantic movies, but sadly, it’s somewhat true if generalizing. More specifically, I’m not a fan of really sappy and melodramatic romance films that follow the same basic formula. However, when I saw how successful this movie was and the rave reviews it received, I was curious. Having now seen it, I can really see why this movie appeals to so many people, myself now included. This is a very charming, funny, touching, and sweet romance film that even someone as cynical as me can enjoy. One major aspect of the film I have to commend is the production design, using vibrant colors and lush visuals. Given how amazing the film looks, it’s remarkable it only cost $30 million, which is small compared to most blockbusters.

    I also have to give credit to the cast, all of whom do a great job here. Constance Wu is very likable and sympathetic as she tries to prove herself to Young’s family. Henry Golding is relatable in how he goes against his family and clearly wants to set his own path. Michelle Yeoh definitely steals the show as the stern mother who, at times, is sympathetic, but also chilling and intimidating. Even Ken Jeong, who more or less has been playing the same character since The Hangover, is surprisingly endearing. Granted, there are some characters that can be somewhat annoying and ridiculously mean-spirited, but it seems like that’s intentional here. Also, while the movie certainly has similar tropes as other romance films, it almost feels like the film’s lampooning them. Overall, even though it’s not my usual forte, Crazy Rich Asians is still a fun, heartwarming, and touching romp.

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  • Lizzie (2018)

    Lizzie (2018)

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    Born on July 19, 1860, Lizzie Borden was a simple girl living in Massachusetts with her father, stepmother, and sister. The family was well off, thanks to Andrew Borden (Lizzie’s father) having success in real estate and manufacturing. However, the relationship between the daughters and Abby Borden (their stepmother) were tenuous at best, believing her intentions were impure. Lizzie and Emma believed that Abby’s family was after the family fortune, so they worked to protect their father’s properties. Then, on August 4, 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were found murdered, having been mutilated by a hatchet. Lizzie was indicted for the murders in December 1892, and was brought to trial in June the following year. However, without a conclusive testimony from witnesses or substantial evidence, Lizzie was acquitted on June 20, 1893. Over the next century, many adaptations of these events were made, including a 2018 movie simply called Lizzie.

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    Taking place six months before the murders, the film focuses on Lizzie Borden (Chloë Sevigny), a social outcast and recluse. She lives with her father Andrew (Jamey Sheridan), her stepmother Abby (Fiona Shaw), and her sister Emma (Kim Dickens). One day, a young Irish woman named Bridget (Kristen Stewart) comes to the Borden house wanting a housemaid job. As time goes on, we see the relationships in the Borden family start to deteriorate. Lizzie is a recluse who finds solace in her pet pigeons, but is constantly arguing with her father. Eventually, Lizzie and Bridget start becoming close, leading to a relationship that the father objects to. At the same time, Lizzie’s Uncle John (Denis O’Hare) is clearly after her father’s money despite her stepmother’s objections. The abuse Lizzie is subjected to, combined with Bridget being sexually abused by Andrew Borden, ultimately culminates in the murders.

    Of course, there’s more to the plot than what I went over, but I don’t want to spoil everything. At around an hour and 45 minutes, this movie is packed with tons of plot points. That being said, the first 20-30 minutes of the movie can be pretty slow and drag for a while. However, just as the movie has you in a lull, it hits you over the head and gets you hooked. Even knowing the full story and how it ends, it’s still an intriguing story seeing what led to the murders. From my understanding, the movie does follow the historical events fairly accurately, but I’m sure they changed some elements. Some will certainly be upset if this movie isn’t 100% accurate, but regardless, this film is still a good watch. Given the society we live in currently, this movie definitely appeals to the #MeToo movement.

    What really makes this movie work is its stellar cast, especially Chloë Sevigny and Kristen Stewart. Given this was something of a passion project for Sevigny, it shouldn’t come as a surprise her performance is outstanding. At times, she’s sympathetic and afraid, but at other times, she’s very chilling and unfeeling. Stewart also does a good job, playing the more rational one who care for Lizzie, but objects to her actions. Sheridan does a great job at playing a detestable character, and Shaw also delivers as an awful person. Craig William Macneill’s direction is great, effectively capturing the mood and tension one would expect. Bryce Kass’s writing is also spot-on, with some sharp dialogue and great material to flesh the characters out. Overall, Lizzie is a solid character piece of one of history’s most infamous murders and those behind the murders.

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  • Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

    Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

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    In September of 2018, the world lost a true acting legend, the mustached symbol of masculinity known as Burt Reynolds. Born in 1936, Burt Reynolds was probably one of the most iconic actors of the past 40 years. Like most actors, he first got his start on television, with shows like Gunsmoke, Hawk, and Dan August. His first major break came in 1972 when he starred in the survival thriller Deliverance, sans his iconic mustache. His career continued with hits like White Lightning and Gator, as well as bombs like At Long Last Love. At the same time, former stuntman Hal Needham was making the transition to directing. He had previously worked with Reynolds as a stunt coordinator on Gunsmoke, White Lightning, and Gator. In 1977, the two teamed up to work on a small film that ended up becoming a major phenomenon. That film was Smokey and the Bandit.

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    At a truck driving competition, father and son Big Enos (Pat McCormick) and Little Enos (Paul Williams) have a job. They need a truck driver to deliver 400 cases of Coors from Texas to Atlanta within 28 hours. Enter the Bandit (Burt Reynolds), who decides to take the job, which he’s promised $80,000 for. Bandit recruits his friend Cledus (Jerry Reed), aka Snowman, to driver the truck while Bandit drives the “blocker”. Essentially, while Snowman drives the truck, Bandit drives somewhat recklessly in order to divert attention away from the truck. Along the way, Bandit ends up inadvertently picking up Carrie (Sally Field), a runaway bride trying to lose her fiancé. Unfortunately for Bandit, this makes him the target of her fiancé’s dad, Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason). What follows is essentially one big chase with Bandit trying to outrun the sheriff and trying to make the delivery.

    This movie is definitely a classic in every sense of the word that shaped a generation. While he was a star at the time, this is the film that would make Burt Reynolds into a superstar. As the Bandit, Reynolds is just dripping in charisma and charm, the very essence of an excellent leading man. As the sheriff, Jackie Gleason (who improvised all his lines) is incredibly funny and has excellent comedic timing. Whether it’s mocking his dimwitted son Junior (Mike Henry) or threatening to catch the Bandit, Gleason is delightful. Sally Field is also fun as the feisty runaway bride who has great chemistry with Reynolds. Jerry Reed, on top of performing the classic theme song, does a great job as the straight man alongside Reynolds. Given this was directed by a former stuntman, the car chases and stunts are tons of fun to watch.

    Admittedly, this movie is absolutely a product of its time, and acts as a time capsule of the late 70s. In that sense, the movie is dated, but that doesn’t take away from how enjoyable it is. It takes you back to a time when movies could be just simple fun without talking down to its audience. Plus, we see real cars getting into real chases and real crashes, something we sadly don’t see much of today. On top of making Burt Reynolds a superstar, but the film was even the second highest grossing film of 1977. The film even made Coors seem appealing, which is certainly not an easy feat given how gross the taste is. Of course, as tends to happen with a successful film, there were plenty of rip-offs and cash-ins made. Despite this, Smokey and the Bandit remains a quintessential 70s film and a true classic.

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  • The Predator (2018)

    The Predator (2018)

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    In 1987, filmmaker John McTiernan made his first studio film with the action sci-fi classic, Predator. With an all-star cast including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, and Jesse Ventura and Stan Winston’s effects, it was a hit. Three years later, Predator 2 was released, starring Danny Glover, Gary Busey, and Bill Paxton and directed by Stephen Hopkins. While not a critical or commercial hit, the film has since found a cult following. It wouldn’t be until 2010, 20 years after the last film, when the next installment Predators was released. Produced by Robert Rodriguez and a cast including Adrien Brody, Laurence Fishburne, and Topher Grace, the film sadly underperformed. Cut to 2018, where Shane Black (who starred in the original film) teamed up with former collaborator Fred Dekker. Together, the two have brought us the newest installment in the franchise, The Predator.

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    Rather than a remake or a reboot, this film is a sequel to the earlier films. During a hostage rescue mission, Army Ranger Quinn McKenna (Boyd Holbrook) gets attacked by the Predator. After incapacitating the Predator, McKenna steals some of its armor and mails it to his home for safe keeping. However, McKenna ends up captured by government agent Will Traeger (Sterling K. Brown), who also takes the Predator for research. Traeger recruits biologist Casey Bracket (Olivia Munn) to do further research while McKenna is sent off with several insane ex-soldiers. Things go south when the Predator escapes, so McKenna and the other soldiers take the bus and Bracket with them. McKenna and company make their way to his home and find that his autistic son has the Predator armor. Things are bad enough with the Predator after them, but they also have to contend with a new super Predator.

    Before I get into my issues with this film, I’ll first get into what worked for me. For one, the cast does a decent job, even though there are some dead spots. Boyd Holbrook is good in the lead, despite not having much character development. The actors playing the crazy ex-soldiers are all fun and have their own unique quirks. There’s Keegan-Michael Key as Coyle, who uses humor to deal with his PTSD. Also, there’s Thomas Jane’s Baxley, whose Tourette’s has him blurting out random curses, and has an interesting friendship with Coyle. Trevante Rhodes as Nebraska is probably the most normal one amongst the group, perfectly working alongside Holbrook. Sterling K. Brown is fun as the villainous Traeger and Brian A. Prince plays a good Predator. In addition to the cast, Shane Black’s direction is decent, and his and Fred Dekker’s writing has some good ideas.

    Unfortunately, while there are things here that work, there’s a whole lot that really doesn’t. For one, as mentioned before, some of the cast isn’t very strong, though none are necessarily awful. For one, Olivia Munn has her moments, but is generally fairly weak. Also, Jacob Tremblay, who plays McKenna’s autistic son, is decent, but seems to play it more like Hollywood autism. In addition to the weak cast, much like with Peppermint, there seems to be stuff cut out of the movie. From what I understand, the movie went through several reshoots after test audiences were confused by the third act. You can tell since the third act feels very cobbled together and doesn’t quite go along with what came before. Admittedly, the movie has some good ideas and it feels like the people involved really tried. While not a terrible movie, The Predator is still very disappointing.

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  • Mandy (2018)

    Mandy (2018)

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    As I mentioned in my review of Con Air, Nicolas Cage’s career has been through some ups and downs. Sadly, the past decade or so has been more downs than ups due to some less-than-stellar projects. While he has appeared in some theatrical films, he’s mostly been relegated to direct-to-video flicks found at the local Redbox. Of course, the main reason why he seems to not turn down a role is because of his financial troubles. However, for every Left Behind and Arsenal, there are those hidden gems he manages to find. Films like Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans and Joe are reminders of his talent as an actor. Now enter Italian-Canadian filmmaker Panos Cosmatos, son of George P. Cosmatos, director of Rambo: First Blood Part 2 and Tombstone. After his directorial debut with 2010’s Beyond the Black Rainbow, Panos returns eight years later to bring us Mandy.

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    Set in 1983, Cage plays Red Miller, who lives with his girlfriend Mandy (Andrea Riseborough) in the Shadow Mountains. He works as a lumberjack while she works on her art and reads fantasy books at home. Then one day, she catches the eye of a religious cult, led by the deranged Jeremiah Sand (Linus Roache). Jeremiah is instantly enamored with her, and he conjures up some motorcycle-riding demons to capture her and Red. Jeremiah tries seducing Mandy into the cult, but when she laughs at his lack of manhood, he sets her ablaze. The cult leaves Red for dead and mourning over the ashes of his lost love, rendering him insane. After getting some help from an old friend named Caruthers (Bill Duke), Red sets out to take his revenge. From there, it becomes a wild ride of over-the-top violence, gore and bloodshed, and very psychedelic and almost dreamlike imagery.

    I’ll just come out and say that this is easily my favorite film of 2018 without a doubt. For one, the movie is incredible stylish, has very vivid colors, and creates an almost dreamlike quality to it. It almost feels like watching a cinematic fever dream, like you’re going further into the insanity of Nicolas Cage’s character. Speaking of which, Nicolas Cage completely owns the role and he delivers one of his best performances in years. Linus Roache is also fun to watch as the deranged religious cult leader whose almost as over-the-top as Cage. Plus, even though he only has one scene which is disappointing, it’s cool to see Bill Duke make an appearance. The first half, while slow at times, is still captivating to watch thanks to the dreamlike atmosphere and stylized imagery. The slower pace helps to effectively build up to the over-the-top second half.

    Once the second half starts and the action kicks in, it becomes an insanely fun ride of violence and bloodshed. Armed with a crossbow, a giant battle axe, and a chainsaw amongst others, he goes all out. While some may be put off by the over-the-top violence, I feel it goes along with the insanity on display. You really feel that this horrible event drove this innocent man insane. I’ll fully admit this is not a film for everyone, like you won’t see this in a multiplex. Also, some will complain that there’s not much more to this film other than a simple and straightforward revenge story. This is for those who not only appreciate stylish visuals and gripping performances, but can go along for the ride. Mandy is a film that I feel no other 2018 film will ever top, and that about sums it up.

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  • Carlito’s Way (1993)

    Carlito’s Way (1993)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}” column_structure=”2_3,1_3″][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]After Sisters in 1973, Brian De Palma certainly had an interesting career in the following decades. He followed up with the now cult-classic Phantom of the Paradise, then scored his first hit with Carrie. Continuing with The Fury, he received major controversy with 1980’s Dressed to Kill. While Blow Out floundered financially despite positive reviews, his next big hit was Scarface with Al Pacino. A remake of the 1932 film of the same name, the film became a cultural phenomenon and remains popular today. Like before, he floundered again with Body Double, but returned with the box-office smash The Untouchables. After Casualties of War, De Palma’s career took a major blow with Bonfire of the Vanities. Not only was it savaged by critics, but it was also a major box office bomb. After Raising Cain, De Palma managed to redeem his status by reuniting with Al Pacino for Carlito’s Way.
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    Synopsis

    In 1975, notorious gangster Carlito Brigante (Pacino) is released 5 years into a 30-year sentence, promising to change his ways. However, things go south when he’s asked to join his cousin for a drug deal that quickly turns bloody. Carlito ends up taking $30,000 from the drug deal and uses it to buy a nightclub. Carlito’s plan is to raise $75,000 so he can move to the Caribbean to retire as a rental car salesman. He also runs into a brash young up-and-coming drug dealer named Benny (John Leguizamo) who he constantly turns down. At the same time, he gets back together with a former lover named Gail (Penelope Ann Miller). Also, Carlito’s lawyer and friend David Kleinfeld (Sean Penn) needs his help to break a mob-boss out of Rikers Island. As time goes on and the tension continue to build, it’s a matter of who survives and who’ll die.

     

    Review

    Given this was a crime-drama directed by Brian De Palma and starring Al Pacino, it’s easy to compare with Scarface. However, there are plenty of major differences between the two that make them stand apart from one another. For one, Scarface was clearly a product of its time and the main character is clearly the villain. However, in Carlito’s Way, the protagonist is more of an anti-hero and he’s trying to turn his life around. While Carlito certainly does questionable things, he has good intentions and he tries to do what’s best for everyone. That said, this film does almost work as a spiritual successor to Scarface, especially with characters talking about Carlito’s past. Of course, I’m not saying one’s better than the other, but that both have parallels and differences. While Scarface is one of the best 80s films, Carlito’s Way is one of the best 90s films.

    While Pacino is great in the film as always, the rest of the cast is also phenomenal. Sean Penn is practically unrecognizable as the sleazy, coke-addicted lawyer friend, clearly having immersed himself in the role. Penelope Ann Miller is also good as Pacino’s love interest, and the two do have great chemistry with each other. While he has limited screen time, John Leguizamo is very memorable as a small-time gangster trying to make it big. Some other recognizable faces that show up include Luis Guzman, James Rebhorn, Viggo Mortensen, and even Marc Anthony. De Palma’s direction is top-notch here, especially during a particularly tense chase sequence at Grand Central station towards the end. This movie not only showcases De Palma’s talent as a director, but also showcases Al Pacino’s acting talent. While not as popular as Scarface, Carlito’s Way is a great crime drama about one man’s quest for redemption.

     

    Buy Carlito’s Way from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4ozSyL7.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at no additional cost, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

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    Where to watch Carlito’s Way (1993)

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  • Bone Tomahawk (2015)

    Bone Tomahawk (2015)

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    The western is probably one of the oldest film genres, having started back in 1903 with The Great Train Robbery. However, it was in the 50s and 60s when westerns were at their peak, which many consider the golden age. Films like The Searchers, Rio Bravo, The Magnificent Seven, and True Grit dominated the genre, though there were some exceptions. You also had the Spaghetti Western, which were known for their gritty realism and bloody violence. Some notable examples included Sergio Leone’s Man with No Name trilogy and Once Upon a Time in the West. However, as the decades rolled on and trends changed, the western started to die off. There was a resurgence in the 90s with movies like Unforgiven and Tombstone, but that slowed down in the 2000s. Then, in the 2010s, we started getting cross-genre westerns, including Cowboys and Aliens, Django Unchained, and today’s feature, Bone Tomahawk.

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    Set in the 1890s, our story focuses on a group of characters in the small Western town of Bright Hope. One night, a drifter named Purvis (David Arquette) wanders into town after his partner Buddy (Sig Haig) is killed. After being spotted by deputy sheriff Chicory (Richard Jenkins), Purvis is confronted by Sheriff Hunt (Kurt Russell) at the saloon. Purvis ends up getting shot in the leg trying to escape and is subsequently thrown in jail. With the doctor indisposed, his assistant Samantha (Lilli Simmons) is brought in to treat the wounds. Unfortunately, Purvis ends up accidentally leading a group of cannibalistic natives to the town, and they kidnap him and Samantha. Hunt then assembles a rescue group, including Chicory, Samantha’s husband Arthur (Patrick Wilson) and local womanizer Brooder (Matthew Fox). They race off to try and save the kidnapped townsfolk from a horrible fate as well as survive.

    Cutting right to it, this is a fantastic film, not only as a western, but as a film in general. The first thing I have to compliment this film on is the amazing cast that’s been assembled. While Kurt Russell certainly dominates the film as he usually does, the rest of the cast is also phenomenal. Patrick Wilson, Matthew Fox, and Richard Jenkins play their parts so well that they feel like fully realized people. In addition, the story and pacing are incredibly well-done, giving plenty of time to the characters before the action starts. Admittedly, the film can be a bit slow at times, but the characters are so engaging that you’re never bored. You really get a sense of the struggles these character go through, and you want to see them survive. Once the action finally picks up, it’s a pretty intense ride.

    When the cannibals come into the story, it almost becomes a completely different movie, which might put some off. It’s almost like one minute you’re watching Shane, then the next you’re watching Cannibal Holocaust. That said, this movie mixes the two genres so well that it never feels like tonal whiplash. If anything, it raises the stakes and makes things even more intense, making you wonder how they’re going to survive. For a first-time director, S. Craig Zahler films the movie so well, you’d swear he was a veteran. You can tell he’s done his research and he clearly has a love for both the western and horror genres. But while he certainly takes influence from Sergio Leone and John Ford, it never feels like he’s just lifting elements. In the end, even if you’re not a fan of westerns, Bone Tomahawk is a remarkable film not to miss.

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