"The Kingdom" Movie Review

From October 2007...

Good evening friends and welcome back to a new Movie Review! The new movie I watched last night was "The Kingdom." This movie gets the Thumbs Up. Watch this movie you will not be disappointed. Two things about this movie that I liked: 1) The director and 2) the cast. Peter Berg directed this movie and I have been a huge fan a Berg since he started acting, I think, but not sure, his first film was "Shocker." Then I would see him here and there in movies like "Aspen Extreme" and "The Great White Hype" (which Jamie Foxx played in and is in this movie). Berg also directed "Friday Night Lights," one of my fave football movies. I have never been disappointed in anything Berg has done and he is getting better and better. This movie is a fine piece of work.

The cast: I have never been a big fan of Jamie Foxx. The three actors to watch in this movie are Chris Cooper, who is good in anything. I have been a fan of Cooper since his role as the maniacal arsonist in one of the most underrated movies ever, "Money Train." And don't miss Cooper in "Breach" in which he has a commanding presence in.

Jason Bateman is the second actor to watch; I have been a huge fan of his ever since he starred in the classic TV show, "It's Your Move." Not only is he good with some of the comic relief in this film, but he is in one of the most intense scenes I have ever had the privilege to watch on celloloid. I mean this scene is just ridiculous and Jason Bateman pulls it off like the ultimate badass...he was kicking ass with his hands hand-cuffed....Let me stop, but is definitely in consideration for one of my fave fight scenes. I am telling you, hands were clapping when the scene was over and it is rare for me to hear clapping in a theater that is not play Star Wars or the Matrix.

And the third actor to watch in this film is Ashraf Barhom who plays the Saudi colonel who partners with Foxx's character. Does a great job.

Also watch for cameos by director Berg and country singing legend Tim McGraw (who also played in "Friday Night Lights"). Great, intense movie over all and definitely worth the money spent to watch it.

I did also catch a movie called "In the Valley of Elah" last week. Depressing, intense mystery but one I would call important to watch considering our country's foreign policy. And Tommy Lee Jones is legendary in this movie. Also, one thing I want to point out in ref to Jones, my friend,an aficionado as well, recommended to me a movie called, "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada." This is one of the best movies I have ever saw that I did not seek out on my own.

Shout out to my good friend and partner, "The Hitman" who is about to go downrange again. Great hanging with you a few weeks ago.

TRIVIA: Al Gore went to Harvard....who was his roommate while a student in Harvard?????

Hit me up with a questions, comments, or trivia. Thanks for taking the time to read. Cheers!!!

"American Gangster" Review

Review from November 2007...

"American Gangster" Review!!!

Good Morning!!! This morning's review is for "American Gangster," a Ridley Scott film starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe about the true-story rise of a career criminal and the NJ cop/law student who...well, I'm not giving anything away about this movie. This movie really doesn't need a review. The three names I mentioned above are more than enough for any movie watcher to go see this film. Any expectations are exceeded...

Everyone knows Denzel and Crowe, so I'm not spending any time on them, what I do want to talk about is Ridley Scott and what he does with this movie. What I noticed about this movie and what made this movie more interesting than the already interesting storyline, is all the actors in this movie. Even small roles were given to known actors. A lot of cameos.

Ridley Scott makes great movies. Pitting Denzel and Crowe against/with each other on the screen is excellent, but he has done this before. Many times before...going back, he put Harrison Ford against Rutger Hauer in "Blade Runner," "Thelma and Louise" against Harvey Kietel, Demi Moore against Viggo Mortensen in "G.I. Jane," hell, he even put up the Alien in the original "Alien" against Harry Dean Stanton. I watched "Black Hawk Down" last night and saw the same thing as I saw in "American Gangster," a lot of known actors, even in small roles. Not even counting Josh Hartnett (who does a decent job), you have Ewan Macgregor (Shallow Grave, Star Wars), Orlando Bloom (Lord of the Rings), Eric Bana (Munich), Tom Sizemore (Saving Private Ryan, Heat), William Fichtner (Armageddon, Prison Break), Ron Eldard (Sleepers), Jeremy Piven (Entourage), and Richard Tyson (as a bad-ass sniper).

In Gangster, you have, lending support, Cuba Gooding Jr. (playing Mr. Untouchable Nicky Barnes - watch the documentary), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Children of Men, Serenity), Josh Brolin (Nightwatch, Into the Blue), Ted Levine (Silence of the Lambs, Heat), John Hawkes (Miami Vice, A Perfect Storm), Ruby Dee, Armand Assante, Joe Morton (Terminator 2), and even Kevin Corrigan (Superbad, The Departed, True Romance), and so on and so forth. The point I am trying to make is that every scene in this movie is a treat with all the acting muscle. As I am watching an already great movie, I am saying to myself, "He's in it?!? She's in it?!?" which makes this movie even better. This, to me, is an ensemble film. Aside from Denzel and Crowe, I truly enjoyed John Hawkes and RZA in this movie - the two cops who team up with Crowe. RZA has a great scene during the heroin house drug bust, you'll know it when you see it. Also, Josh Brolin's character is awesome, but he is good in anything he does.

Aside from the acting in this picture, it is just a good movie. Do not wait for this movie on DVD, see it on the big screen where it was meant to be watched and enjoyed, you will not be disappointed.

TRIVIA: Name two movies with Denzel Washington and Chiwetel Ejiofor? Better yet, name two movies with Clive Owen and Chiwetel Ejiofor? There is a common denominator to these two trivia questions...

Hit me up with any questions, comments, or trivia...until next time...CHEERS!!!

"The Dark Knight" Movie Review!!!

The review I wrote for The Dark Knight back in July...


Where do I begin with a movie such as "The Dark Knight"??? Well, I'll tell you where I won't go and that is about the story itself. But of course, everyone knows this movie brings back one of pop culture's favorite villains: the Joker. But I'll get to him soon enough. I had to see this movie although it may not have been the best timing for me as I am currently in self-imposed exile studying for the bar exam. And, this is my first review in a long time...

This movie is dark. This movie is violent. This movie is completely out-of-hand and out of control. This movie should have been called, "The Joker," as he simply steals the show. No doubt. But, again...I'll get to him soon enough.

Christian Bale as the Batman. Those of you who know me know I am a huge Bale fan. He does the job. Aside from how well made this movie is, the pace, the story, the action, the Joker...what I loved about this movie is the actors (except Maggie Gyllenhaal). Of course you have the greats returning: Sir Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman. Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent does a really keen job. But this is where the magic comes in - the special guest appearances: Cillian Murphy (the Scarecrow) makes a cameo guest appearance. William Fichtner (Heat, Black Hawk Down) makes a cameo. Hell...even Tommy "Tiny" Lister makes a cameo (I haven't seen him in much of anything lately) which was great! Then you have Anthony Michael Hall (The Breakfast Club) as a news reporter. But the one person I was not expecting and who, I thought, did extremely well in a much-deserved role: Eric Roberts. I have been a fan of Roberts (Julia Roberts' brother) for some time. He's always been under the radar, but always made decent movies. Off the top of my head, I think of The Specialist (with Stallone), Heaven's Prisoners (with Alec Baldwin), and of course Best of the Best (with the late, great Chris Penn). It was good to see Roberts in a major summer blockbuster. And lastly, in an uncredited role, Nicky Katt (Boiler Room) as a SWAT team member riding shotgun in an armored car during a ridiculous chase scene.
(When watching the movie, ask yourself, "Who's driving the armored car?")

Now, the Joker. Heath Ledger. First off, when I found out Ledger was playing the Joker I honestly believed that the franchise would take a fall. Heath Ledger as the Joker??? Are you kidding me???!!!??? Ledger taking the reins from the none other than Jack Nicholson? C'mon....

If Ledger does not win the Oscar for his performance as the Joker I will be more pissed than I was when Val Kilmer, playing Doc Holliday in Tombstone, was not even recognized by the Academy. Ledger is no joke when it comes to the Joker. This character is a twisted, sick individual played brilliantly by Ledger. I don't know what else to say other than "RUN...DON'T WALK" to the theater to see this movie just because of Ledger's performance as the Joker. Whatever you may think of Ledger, Brokeback Mountain, or the Joker...one thing I will guarantee is that once you watch the Joker make that pencil disappear in the beginning of the movie - you will laugh, say, "God Damn!", and think to yourself, "Here we go...it's about time."

This movie is much more than a comic book movie. This movie has been compared to great crime-dramas such as Heat and The Departed...a much deserved comparison in my opinion. I don't know how anyone will not enjoy this movie, especially with Ledger's Joker.
Phenomenal!!!

Lastly...as big a fan I am of Bale...no one is/was a better Batman than Michael Keaton.

Paul Newman

One of cinema's most legendary icons passed away recently - Paul Newman. His name is one that is as recognizable as his face. He has acted in some legendary movies: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Hustler (with Jackie Gleason), and The Color of Money to name just a few. I can go on and on with Newman films as his cinematic resume is long and distinguished, but two movies I'd like to recommend to the casual viewer are Fort Apache, The Bronx and The Sting.

Fort Apache is a gritty 70's cop, buddy movie with Newman and Ken Wahl. You also have some acting heavyweights such as Danny Aiello, Ed Asner, and Pam Grier. I've enjoyed this movie ever since I first watched it when I was a kid growing up in the Bronx...one of my faves...

The Sting is, what I believe, Newman's second pairing with Robert Redford. The quintessential con movie which won The Academy Award - certainly worth watching.

I can not recommend these two movies enough...

The Beginning

Well...I have always wanted to write a blog as it seems like one the hip things to do these days. I have contemplated a movie blog for some time in addition to writing about my personal life in a blog. I decided against the personal blog simply because of its intimacy and I did not want to bore anyone who happened to come across my blog with the everyday trivialities of my life...

It has been suggested to me to write movie reviews as movies are definitely one of my top hobbies. I watch movies...constantly. I even wrote a few reviews for some movies. I go to the movie theater every week to catch a movie to escape from the realities of life and to help calm my mind - but most of all I enjoy the theater for not only the film itself, but the popcorn and the previews.

Fair warning to all you readers out there...when it comes to reviewing movies, I am no Ebert. I am not a professional reviewer in any sense of the word. I just enjoy movies and there are not many out there that I do not like nor that I wouldn't watch. I tend to lean towards more commercial fare - those playing in the theaters currently. But I do enjoy some old school movies, i.e. anything with Humphrey Bogart. I am just a regular guy who enjoys movies either in the theater or on DVD...I much like many of you out there. I enjoy a good movie and enjoy much satisfaction from recommending a movie to a friend and having that friend enjoy the movie as much as I did, if not more!!!

Lastly, by all means, hit me up with any suggestions, recommendations, comments, trivia, or otherwise....

I hope you enjoy this blog as much as I know I will have writing it! Cheers!!!