The Godfather

Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) “The Godfather” is of the Corleone Mafia Family an infamous crime family.  The aging patriarch of this organized crime dynasty wishes to transfer control of his clandestine empire to one of his sons however this instability is seen as weakness and all-out war between the crime families becomes unavoidable.  The story of this New York crime family spans the years 1945 to 1955 and centres on the stories of brothers Sonny (James Caan), Fredo (John Cazale) and Michael (Al Pacino) along with adoptive brother Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall) and chronicles the events that lead to the transformation of Michael Corleone from reluctant family outsider and WWII hero to a ruthless Mafia boss.

Based on Puzo’s best-selling novel of the same name, The Godfather is widely regarded as one of the greatest films in world cinema and as one of the most influential, especially in the gangster genre. It won Oscars for best Picture, Screenplay and Best Actor.  The move serves as a Classic, Pulp, Noir and Social Drama as well as true to form Gangster Movie without the needless cliché.  The feeling of the movie is amazing, the attention to detail staggering.  Most of the cars have wooden bumpers, as they did just after the war and the wedding of Don Vito Corleone at the beginning of the movie feels like a real family wedding with the extras having a last in an almost fly on the wall film making.  James Caan also was reported to have actually hung out with various disreputable characters in order to better understand the underworld lifestyle.

Why did I chose this movie?  I have never watched it before, can you believe that?  So I put it on my list of 32 Things and hoped for the best.  It did take me some time to get into but I think that was all part of the pull.  It eases you into the story rather than throwing you in and expecting to catch up. Large parts of the dialogue n Italian was another technique that drew you deeper and deeper into this world.   I am not one for Gangster movies but I did enjoy watching this. In short it is an excellent adaptation of a gripping novel of organized crime in America which is superbly acted and flawlessly scored.  I f you have been like me and haven’t not watched it yet go have a wee peek.

My Rating: A
Format: Download (I-Tunes)
I Would Buy This Movie
Artwork By: Gabriel Suarez

Jack Reacher

In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, five innocent people are shot dead by an expert sniper.  The police task force headed by Detective Emerson (David Oyelowo) uncover evidence that points towards James Barr (Joseph Sikora), a former U.S. Army sniper.  Emerson and District Attorney, Alex Rodin (Richard Jenkins) interrogate Barr and encourage him to confess during his interrogation stating the insurmountable evidence against him.  Barr’s response is to write on a notepad the words, “Get Jack Reacher.”  Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise) teams up with defence attorney, counsellor Helen Rodin (Rosamund Pike) to investigate the murders of these five seemingly random people and confirm for himself the absolute certainty of the man’s guilt, but comes up with more than he bargained for.

I watched this without knowing anything about it, other than it was a Tome Cruise movie where he played a guy called jack (AGAIN) and that it was on a book that fans where disgusted Tom Cruise was now attached to.  I don’t know what all the fuss was about, if anything I think Tom was great in the role.  He was up against Brad Pit, Will Smith, Hugh Jackman and others but I think he plays the everyman better and the power of the character comes from the intimidating nature rather than some physical abilities.  In fact the smaller stature allows for Jack Reacher to be underestimated which makes it even better!  Jai Courtney also plays the ruthless bad guy perfectly, he’s not some mental killer he under plays it with a relaxing nonchalance which balances with Toms character.  Robert Duvall has a smaller part but it fits and adds to a humour and heart of the movie.

Why did I chose this movie?  I have wanted to watch it for a while! I loved this movie, it’s not going to win any awards but it was entertaining and fun to watch.  I have never read the books so my opinion is just on the movie I watched without any preconceptions.  Actually watching the movie has made me want to read the books, so for at the haters out there, the movies made me a Lee Child fan!  I think this movie will suit people like me who have never read the books more than fans, all I have heard from fans is how tom was the worst choice but I enjoyed it.  Take it for what it is and enjoy, its better than Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol put it that way!

My Rating: B
Format: Download (I-Tunes)
I Would Not This Movie
Artwork By: Lee94Josh

Gone In 60 Seconds

The plot is simple as it could be “A retired master car thief must come back to the industry and steal 50 cars with his crew in one night to save his brother’s life.” Boom! This movie got pretty slated by the critics, i say ignore them all and listen to me, or at the very least if you have not watched this give it a chance, and if you have watched this, give it another! The key is not to take it too serious! Its just a fun movie with a kick ass cast and a killer soundtrack. I actually own the soundtrack to this movie i loved it so much!

The story jumps in thick and fast but it is supposed to be like that its not setting up anything more than what it needs to. Randall “Memphis” Raines (Nicholas Cage) is the best car thief Los Angeles has ever known. When he left town car theft went down 45%, and is content enough with the quiet life until he gets word that his little brother is in trouble. It seems that Kip (Giovonni Ribisi) has followed in the footsteps of his brother, only he botched the job and is now in it deep with Raymond “The Carpenter” Calitri (Christopher Eccleston). So Memphis returns and gets the old gang together and the new grew to steal 50 high end cars in one night in order  to save his little brother.  See simple!

The real beauty of this movie for me really is the characters, so ignore everything you have heard about them being one dimensional and paper thin. Yea they don’t try too much and you can point to each guy and tell his role but that has its cham! What is fun watching a movie from 13 years ago is playing where are they now. OK so setting Nicholas Cage aside In this movie we have, Giovanni Ribisi, Will Patton, Timothy Olyphant, Robert Duvall, Vinnie Jones and Christopher Eccleston! I was watching it smiling and thinking flip they were in Hitman, or Gangster Squad and even Doctor Who! In the end i think i am rating this movie higher because of the nostalgia of my 17 year old self who watched it way back then!

My Rating: C+
Format: DVD
I Own This Movie
Artwork By: Fine Art America