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matthew-potvin
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Prisoners (2013)
Hauntingly perfect puzzle
I rewatched this movie for the first time in almost a decade and loved it as much as I did the first time I saw it. It's a Dark disturbing movie that drips with atmosphere from almost the very beginning. Each of the ensemble cast is terrific and is or ends up being a prisoner in some way whether it be to grief,morality,fear etc. Jackman has never been better and his wife's cries of him not being able to be the protector she thought he was really sets him in motion to do everything in his power to do just that. He does what he thinks the law is not doing and puts his morality aside and becomes a vigilante and while disturbing, has you question what you might do in those circumstances. Gyllenhaal is excellent as well and brings several layers of method acting to bring Lokki to life as a determined overworked and somewhat quirky detective who works tirelessly to find the missing girls. The Puzzle pieces are set in place and there are a few red herrings as well that will leave you enthralled to the very end. The ending was perfect in my opinion and begs the question are you glass full or half empty. Keller Dover's dream of his daughter gives him a lifeline and Lokkis determination give a sliver of a chance at a happy outcome or is the maze unsolvable like book. Hauntingly perfect.
The Town (2010)
A Jem
Twelve years later this movies hold up as welll as itdid in 2010. The writing, the acting, the dialogue and score are all top notch. Many movies try to use slow motion and flash but this movie is as gritty as the streets of Charlestown and I felt part pf that world right from the get go. The chase scene is phenomenal when they have to get across the bridge and to the switch car. Renner and Affleck have great chemistry and there are several standout scenes between both. Renner is a kettle ready to boil and he is explosive in almost every scene in the movie. The Extended edition is much better as it gives more background to the characters especially Lively and Hall the two female leads. Also the ending flows better in the extended cut. A masterpiece of a crime thriller that is hard to find these days and an outstanding 2nd Directed movie by Ben in what has been a pretty stellar second half to his career.
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019)
Jesse's Escape from the dark recess of his past
A fitting end to Jesse's haunting saga and Escape from New Mexico and the ghosts that are buried there in his mind and literally. When Skinny Pete tells Jesse you're my hero I couldn't help but get choked up, great to see Badger and SP one last time and they help Jesse only like they can and they added a little brevity to an already dark last chapter. Seeing Jesse tied up again and being welded in place really hits home and to see Todd and his psychopath crew one more time really gave Jesse's arc a few more twists that Vince Gilligan always delivers but you don't see coming. All in all I loved it as a bookend to rhe masterpiece that is Breaking Bad.
The Last Duel (2021)
Great to see the Riddler still has it
Imagine the courage it must have taken to not only be a woman in those times but to have to stand in in the face of adversity,scrutiny, and possibly death to prove a wrong. I won't spoil anything but I thought this was a star performance from Jodie Comer. The acting was great all around and yes the French accents were not in play but it is hard to make a big box office movie these days and try to compete with superheroes so I can't blame the Director and staff for wanting no subtitles and some star power, it didn't bother me. Great movie and I loved the 3 character account of events and the final battle, Epic and brutal.
Point Break (1991)
The Mood
The Mood of this movie and the cinematography just ooze from the beginning and pulled me in. The beautiful blues and orange of the sunset and sunrises blend in with the story to a T. One of my favorites as a teen and still holds up today. Swayze was excellent in this role.
The Thin Red Line (1998)
War, War Never changes.....
I saw this when it came out in the theater and I recently re-watched it again and I loved it as much now as I did then. The Score by Zimmer is superb and the Film is as well but Malick is not everybody's cup of tea but this is my favorite film of his. It hurt it to come out the same time as Saving Private Ryan but I believe it is more of an anti war Movie and speaks more to the horrors War does on the Psyche and behind the scenes as much as in the actual war itself. The Banter between Witt and Welsh is my favorite and Iove when Witt asks Welsh (Penn) if he ever gets Lonely....."Only around people". Perfect. A very poetic movie and very hauntingly perfect
The Irishman (2019)
"If they can whack a president, they can whack a president of the union."
"If they can whack a president, they can whack a president of the union." That's basically the quote from the Irishman that sets the stage for Scorcese's latest Magnum Opus. I am probably not the best person to trust for this sort of review because I tend to love Mob stuff that is done right, hell my Cover photo of Goodfellas tells it all I suppose. I will say that I did love it and was it too long at 3:29 minutes? I could watched 3 more hours but again I am bias but I was not bored for a second.
Joe Pesci once played a Homicidal Psychopath named Tommy Devito in Goodfellas and won best supporting actor deservedly so. This is a more understated role but make no mistake about it, after 18 years away from acting Pesci has not lost a thing, his portrayal as Russel Buffalino is amazing and was my favorite character in the movie, he may not be a Volcano about to blow his top like Devito was but he is just as dangerous and maybe more so as he pulls a few more strings.
Pacino has always been an over the top actor, some love him some think it's too much but to me he was perfect for the larger than life Jimmy Hoffa and he has a Grandiose performance that fits like a glove IMO, like Icarus Jimmy Hoffa flew to close to the sun and this is that story and what a story it is.
Deniro is The Irishman Frank Sheeran and this is the best performance I have seen from Bobby D in a long time and what can you say that has not already been said about the man, he is the company man who toes the line and does what needs doing and he really shines in the third act and I'll leave it at that.
My final review is 4 out of four I loved it and don't have many gripes about the movie at all, would have liked to maybe see a little more of Frank Sheeran's family and how it fell from his grasp. Let me know what you think, but don't be a wiseguy about it, Capisce!
The Sopranos: Long Term Parking (2004)
Perection
My Love of the Soprano's has been stated many times, if there was one episode I had to pick as an all time favorite it would be Long Term Parking, Michael Imperioli and Drea de Matteo one Emmy's for their performances in this episode. It's also the episode where Adriana get's taken out to the woods. It also shows Christopher's loyalty to Tony and How Tony's Narcissism corrupts every relationship he touches. Adriana was always a ray of optimism and childlike exuberance in a show of corruption and greed. Her plight is heartbreaking and tragic. Chris has the line of the Show when he says "My Uncle Tony, that's who I'm going to hell for Adriana". Chris chooses the Mob over his Lover and in his grief he begins using again, and even though he sacrifices everything for Tony, he gets his ass kicked by Tony for using, again Tony's Narcissism win's out over his Nephew's grief in turn beginning the eventual end of Tony and his nephew's relationship. It also sets the stage for the dark final act of the show, a brilliant episode IMO and some of the best acting the series had to offer. And the end song, Wrapped in My memory is a nice send off to one of it's leading ladies.
Lone Survivor (2013)
"You're never Out of the Fight"
Words can't describe how I feel about this movie. I had goosebumps from the start to finish. The symmetry between the Director and the actors was powerful and it showed on the screen. Once they started with navy Seals training to the sprint between Dietz and Murphy I knew this was going to blow my mind.
I love war movies, Platoon,Thin Red Line were at the top of my list with Private Ryan but this one has replaced them for me anyway. I thought all four of the leads were exceptional with Kitsch and Foster being my personal favorites in this film. Wahlberg at times can be hit or miss but I thought this was one of his best performances.
The Score was spine tingling, I loved the "Waking up" musical score that is spread throughout the film and Peter Gabriel's Heroes with the real Navy Seals faces was a terrific way to end it.
One of my favorite films of this decade and I also loved the extras and the real families. Peter Berg you blew me away
Against the Sun (2014)
The Little Yellow Raft that Could
I have to say I was not expecting much when I watched this movie so I was glad that I more than wrong. Just a great movie all around, really well acted and a great pace that had me enthralled from the get go. Felton really proved his acting chops and should hopefully open some more doors for him. I thought Aldrich was great as well and Dillahunt as well.
Obviously not a big budget blockbuster and further proof that a good story and solid acting can go along way. The ordeals that these men faced was really something and it was portrayed magnificently by the director. I would love to see the real back story of these men and hopefully if they ever get a chance to add it in a package with extras I would purchase it. Again I highly recommend this little gem
The Drop (2014)
Like a Volcano awaiting to erupt
Loved it, reminded of a 70's mean streets type of vibe. It was low level guys just getting by and the whole time your waiting for the kettle to boil.
It was gritty and the neighborhood felt alive. I loved Hardy's portrayal, he does not say much and comes across as a little slow but there is more than meets the eye. I like how the atmosphere develops and also how Lehane and Roskam had a good feel for the grimy world they are dealing with.
The movie is a slow burn but worth the payoff in the end. Would have liked a little more scenes with Gandolfini's Marv and his back story but he plays it to a T. Gandolfini was great too, would have liked a bit more. RIP you will be missed!