THE IRISHMAN
Do i entertain you?......YES !!
PRAISE:Martin Scorsese,Robert De Niro ,Al Pacino and Joe Pesci....i knew this quartet of talent wouldnt dissapoint me in this story of Frank Sheeran (De Niro), a truck driver who becomes a hitman and gets involved with mobster Russell Bufalino (Pesci) and his crime family, including his time working for the powerful Teamster Jimmy Hoffa (Pacino).
It's the way Scorsese decides to tell this story with screenwriter Steven Zaillian that kept me engaged along with the aforementioned actors who all bring their A game.
Through narration,visuals and the natural charisma of the cast that gives the film that voice that says to me settle in for this tale,this piece of history.
Sometimes darkly humorous and violent but also poignant,sad and remorseful.The film has that great balance of the aforementioned. I loved how the film displayed the struggle of loyalty intertwined with friendships that become strained due to strong willed men unwilling to compromise.
There is something about the presence of the characters and the old school way of the mob of the 50's to the 70's that gives the film that extra aura of intimidation. I have to mention the rest of the cast who had brief but memorable moments including : Anna Paquin, Jesse Plemons, Stephen Graham, Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale, and Harvey Keitel.
This is one of those films that even with it's run time 3 hours and 30 minutes i was never bored and i kind of wish it was a series instead of a film because i want to see such an entertaining story play out on a weekly basis.
PROBLEMS:I was a little thrown off by the CGI/SFX deaging at times.
One of the best movies of 2019
Scale of 1-10 a 9
Knives Out
More like ...zone out
PRAISE: Director/writer Rian Johnson's love for and i mean LOVE for writer Agatha Christie and her character private detective Hercule Poirot is definitely clear in the movie Knives Out.Probably really loved the 1994 movie GREEDY too.
He has assembled and enthusiastic cast including : Daniel Craig, Katherine Langford, Christopher Plummer, Lakeith Stanfield, Toni Collette, Don Johnson, Michael Shannon, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ana de Armas, Chris Evans, Frank Oz
Plummer,Johnson,Evans and Armas are the standouts in this story of a murdered rich novelist and family patriarch Harlan Thrombey (Plummer) Everyone slyly finger points who had the most motive and there's some nice and salty dialogue and fun intertwined with some quirky moments.BUT........
PROBLEMS: I was never fully engaged .In fact as the film entered its second hour i started checking my watch and was wondering if i should go to Chipotle or Arby's afterwards.
I easily figured out who was misleading and misdirecting.I actually got excited when i thought the plot was going to go down a different route but no...just more predictable misdirection.
Some characters are completely underused.
if you really really love CLUE or other mysteries like it this is the movie for you and you will probably love every second for me it was a lukewarm experience
Scale of 1-10 a 5