Saturday, 15 November 2014

The Weekly Movie Watch Volume 17

This week I watched Killing Them Softly, The Best of Youth, Under the Skin, Kingpin.

I watch movies every week and then write down my thoughts. Read my previous reviews!
My rating is simple, Watch It, It Depends, Skip it.

Brad Pitt in Killing Them Softly
Killing Them Softly - Violence begets violence.
Killing Them Softly (2012)
Watch  Killing Them Softly
Written by: Andrew Dominik (screenplay), George V. Higgins (based on the novel "Cogan's Trade" by)
Directed by: Andrew Dominik
Starring: Brad Pitt, Ray Liotta, Richard Jenkins, Ben Mendelsohn
Rated: R

Plot:
Jackie Coogan is called in to clean up after a few guys rip off a mob card game.

Review:
The plot moves at a measured pace. It doesn't spoon feed, making you almost feel like you missed something, but all of the information is there. The allegory is a great element.
It depends.


Luigi Lo Cascio, Alessio Boni in The Best of Youth
The Best of Youth - A sprawling epic.
The Best of Youth (2003)
Watch The Best of Youth
Written by: Sandro Petraglia, Stefano Rulli
Directed by: Marco Tullio Giordana
Starring: Luigi Lo Cascio, Alessio Boni, Jasmine Trinca 
Rated: R

Plot:
The lives of two brothers unfold over the course of a few decades.

Review:
At it's core it's a mini-series. The story is the classic, two very different brothers and the paths they take, winding, circling, and surprising. What makes this movie excel and makes the last half so intriguing is that we've had enough time to get to know these characters. it's more television than film due to the time we have had with them. Even the side characters have a complete story. It's life, and it comes full circle. We see Nicola in his youth, ignorant, and we see him gain knowledge and wisdom.
Watch it.


Scarlett Johannson in Under the Skin
Under the Skin - As odd as the minute long shot of this cake.
Under the Skin (2013) 
Watch Under the Skin
Written by: Walter Campbell & Jonathan Glazer, Michel Faber (novel)
Directed by: Jonathan Glazer
Starring: Scarlett Johannson
Rated: R

Plot: 
A woman drives around Scotland in a van, preying on men.

Review:
It's very much an art project - minimal dialog a simple plot obfuscated by the way the story is told with many question left unanswered. It's unsettling, as is its goal. Great visuals throughout are often overshadowed by extremely long, self indulgent shot. It's an interesting ending, for an odd movie. It's a bit of a marvel, though most will dismiss it.
It depends.


Woody Harrelson, Randy Quaid in Kingpin
Kingpin -  Don't get munsoned.
Kingpin (1996)  
Watch Kingpin
Written by: Barry Fanaro, Mort Nathan
Directed by: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly
Starring: Woody Harrelson, Randy Quaid, Bill Murray
Rated: PG-13

Plot:
A former bowling prodigy discovers the perfect rube in a naive Amish bowler. They drive to Reno to cash in at a bowling tournament.

Review:
It's a very good comedy, with more than a few quotable lines. Bill Murray is, as always, amazing in the role. It has a very '90s feel to it in structure and plot.
It depends.

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