Going in Style (2017)

When three movie legends like Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Alan Arkin make a movie together it's very hard to pass it. It's even harder if said movie is a heist movie, a genre I love, and it's even suggested to you by someone you usually trust with movie suggestions. And it's terrible when said movie just isn't that good. Yes, I'm talking about Going in Style. 

Joe (Michael Caine), Willie (Morgan Freeman) and Al (Alan Arkin) are senior citizens and lifelong friends trying to survive with their pensions in New York. But when their pensions are cancelled, they plan to rob a bank. None of them has ever done anything criminal in their lives and to pull off the heist, they are going to need help and a lot of practice.

I haven't seen the original movie (I found out this was a remake only after watching it), and yet the plot turned out exactly as I was expecting it to be, very predictable and not original at all. It doesn't take any interesting or surprising twist, and it has a way too happy happy ending. So happy that make me sick. 

The writing isn't any better in the characters department. The characters aren't that interesting, they are kinda full and rather forgettable. They all are given a reason for doing the bank robbery, but those subplots kinda feel forced and clichéd. And other than that, they have no such thing as development.

Warner Bros. Pictures

That said, the leading trio, Freeman, Caine and Arkin, actually have a nice chemistry. They really look like friends (and maybe they are in real life, I don't know) and the heist isn't the only thing they pull off. Although most of the humour is dull, a little contrived and eventually gets very repetitive and kind of annoying, the three actors manage to deliver several funny moments and make the film a little entertaining and not a complete waste of time. 

The gags aren't spectacular but a few of them work nicely, like the supermarket heist, especially the escape, and the bank robbery. The bank manager played by Josh Pais made me laugh pretty loud. 

Now You See Me 2 (2016)

Genre

Comedy | Crime | Thriller

Director

Jon M. Chu

Country

USA

Cast

Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Lizzy Caplan, Daniel Radcliffe, Morgan Freeman, Jay Chou, Sanaa Lathan, Michael Caine, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Ben Lamb, David Warshofsky, Tsai Chin, Richard Laing

Storyline

One year after outwitting the FBI, The Four Horsemen resurface and  are forcibly recruited by a tech genius (Daniel Radcliffe) to pull off their most impossible heist yet.

Opinion

Since "Now You See Me" was very entertaining yet substanceless, I wasn't expecting anything different from this. And to be honest, that's all I wanted. Just to have a good time. Unfortunately Jon M. Chu wasn't able to give me that.

"Now You See Me 2" is pretty much like the previous film, but its complete lack of magic makes it dull, and awfully disappointing.

The plot feels forced and is quite predictable since the very beginning, and while the first film managed to be quite believable or at least to capture and trick the audience with its magic, this film is completely unbelievable. So unbelievable it's magical, but in a Harry Potter kind of way, and this is supposed to be an illusionism movie, not a fantasy.

But let's move onto the other flaws. In addition to dry and unnecessary dialogues, the film also feature new, terrible characters. The new Horseman, played by Lizzy Caplan, tries too hard to be liked, and adds even more silliness and slapstick to the film. The villain, played by Daniel Radcliffe because for some reason villains must have a British accent, is quite pathetic. And I'm still not getting the point of introducing Woody Harrelson's evil, identical twin brother.

The jokes fall flat most of the time, and even though they were okay, the magic tricks are completely ruined and thus made boring by the excessive use of special effects. And it's so obvious they are computer generated.

But at least the acting isn't that bad. Woody Harrelson and Morgan Freeman do a quite good job reprising their roles, and Daniel Radcliffe manages to give a decent performance which is a lot considering the shitty role he had to play. Worst of them all? Lizzy Caplan.

Fast Five (2011)

Genre

Action | Crime

Director

Justin Lin

Country

USA

Cast

Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris Bridges, Matt Schulze, Sung Kang, Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot, Joaquim de Almeida, Elsa Pataky, Tego Calderon, Don Omar

Storyline

Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker) plan a massive heist to buy their freedom while in the sights of a powerful Brazilian drug lord (Joaquim de Almeida) and a dangerous federal agent (Dwayne Johnson).

Opinion

After several unappealing films, and when one would have never expected anything good, Justin Lin comes back with his third entry in the franchise, and it's surprisingly good. I am not saying "Fast Five" is Oscar worthy, but it definitely does what it is supposed to do, it entertains, which is not that granted considering the previous entry(ies).

Once again the plot isn't particularly strong or witty, but it is quite decent and it involves one of my favourite things ever on films, a heist. Sure, it isn't "Jackie Brown" or to stay on topic "The Italian Job" - yes, I like that film - but it is pulled off nicely.

The film also features something that resembles character development. The personalities of the main characters are kind of explored a bit, and fear, vulnerability and humour are shown.

Another huge improvement on its predecessor is the action. There is no lack of races or fast and beautiful cars, and the action sequences are actually gripping - they sure will draw your attention.

As for the acting, there isn't much of an improvement here. Dwayne Johnson is a great addition to the series and Vin Diesel sure can do action films, but the acting still leaves much to be desired.

21 (2008)

Genre

Drama

Director

Robert Luketic

Country

USA

Cast

Jim Sturgess, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, Laurence Fishburne, Aaron Yoo, Kieu Chinh, Liza Lapira, Jacob Pitts, Jack McGee, Josh Gad, Sam Golzari, Helen Carey, Jack Gilpin, Spencer Garrett, Jeff Ma, Kris Williams

Storyline

In order to be accepted into Harvard School of Medicine, Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess) will have to save $300,000 for the course. Only problem about this is the Ben can't get this amount of money. After being impressed by his skills in his Math's lesson, Prof. Micky Rosa (Kevin Spacey) invites Ben to become a member of a small group; a group who are planning to walk out of Vegas with millions, thanks to Ben's card counting.

Opinion

Filmmakers love casinos. Probably because casinos always have some kind of charm. Robert Luketic is no different than others, and brought to the table "21", an entertaining, but very clichéd gambling/heist film.

So the film is based on Ben Mezrich's "Bringing Down the House", and it's my understanding it is inspired by a true story. Let me start by saying that I did not read the book, and I am not familiar with this particular story. That being said, the story is decent but very clichéd up until the end where things are very unpredictable, and the ending is really unexpected. And that kind of makes up for earlier plot points.

The film is well paced, and gracefully alternates between fast-paced Vegas casino action and slower moments wherein the group plan the heist. But two hours are a lot of time, and filling some of that time with that half-baked love story, and Ben taking in the high life is a waste.

The performances could have been better. Kevin Spacey, seriously my favourite actor and the reason I watched this film, and Laurence Fishburne give routine performances as if they didn't care much for the film. They are not bad, they just seem careless. Jim Sturgess is decent as Ben, the leading mathematical genius, but he doesn't quite manage to pull off the various emotional shadings required. And Kate Bosworth contributes with her typical flat performance as the love interest.

Jackie Brown (1997)

Genre

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Director

Quentin Tarantino

Country

USA

Cast

Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster, Bridget Fonda, Michael Keaton, Robert De Niro, Chris Tucker, Michael Bowen, Lisa Gay Hamilton, Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr., Hattie Winston, Sid Haig, Aimee Graham, Diana Uribe, T'Keyah Crystal Keymah, Denise Crosby, Quentin Tarantino

Storyline

When 44 year old stewardess Jackie Brown (Pam Grier) gets caught with gun dealer Ordell Robbie's (Samuel L. Jackson) money by agents Ray Nicolette (Michael Keaton) and Mark Dargus (Michael Bowen), she is proposed a deal to help them arrest Ordell in exchange of her freedom. Meanwhile Ordell asks the fifty-six year-old Max Cherry (Robert Forster), who runs a bail bond business, to release Jackie Brown with the intention of eliminating her. Jackie suspects of Ordell's intention and plots to steal half a million dollar from Ordell.

Opinion

I'm a huge fan of Tarantino and I should probably be ashamed of myself because I have seen "Jackie Brown" yesterday for the first time. Since many were disappointed with it, I wasn't sure what to expect. Though a guy I know told me, since I loved "The Hateful Eight" I would have loved it because of all the talking. He couldn't be more right.

Definitely more "normal", unlike other Tarantino films, and unfairly underrated, "Jackie Brown" is a solid, mature, less showy and never boring heist film.

Tarantino has already proven multiple times what an excellent storyteller he is, and he does it again here. Based on Elmore Leonard's novel "Rum Punch", the plot is a solid crime thriller, well-structured, made even more enjoyable by an unusual linearity from Tarantino. The film still features several plot twists, intersecting story lines very reminiscent of "Pulp Fiction", and has room for a little love story. And the generous running time is filled pretty well, and time flies by.

A little flaw? The title suggests that Jackie will come out on top from the story, and from a genius like Tarantino I would have never expected such an obvious ending.

However, Tarantino makes amend for that with interesting, clever, witty dialogue and great character development of the main characters, yet there is not a dragged scene in the whole film.

One of the reasons I love Tarantino is the always spot-on and superb soundtrack that features each of his film, and he couldn't do otherwise in this film, could he? Indeed it is excellent, and introduces us to may Afroamerican musicians.

Last but not least, the performances. Pam Grier is phenomenal as Jackie Brown, combining human warmth and coolness, and lot of charm, and you just can't help but have sympathy for her, even though you're doubting her honesty. Samuel L. Jackson kills it as superficial but not dumb gangster Ordell Robbie, but it is Robert Forster who gives the standout performance here, and he got an Oscar nomination for it, a well-deserved nomination. Robert De Niro and Michael Keaton both have some moments but are wasted as Jackson's partner the first, and ATF agent Ray Nicolette the latter.

In conclusion, unlike other Tarantino films, "Jackie Brown" is not a graphic crime story, nor a revenge story, but it's definitely worth the time.

Now You See Me (2013)

Genre

Crime | Thriller

Director

Louis Leterrier

Country

USA

Cast

Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, Mélanie Laurent, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Michael Kelly, Common, José Garcia, Caitriona Balfe, Elias Koteas

Storyline

Four magicians are invited to attend a meeting in an apartment, A year later, they call themselves the Four Horsemen and the finale of their show in Las Vegas is to rob a bank. They actually rob a bank in Paris, and this "incident" is brought to the attention of the FBI who assign agent Dylan Rhodes (Mark Ruffalo) to investigate alongside with Interpol agent Alma Dray (Mélanie Laurent). However, this mystery proves difficult to solve, even with the insights of the professional illusion exposer, Thaddeus Bradley (Morgan Freeman). 

Opinion

Like a real magic show, Now You See Me is a deliciously well-played and entertaining film that does not have much substance.

The best thing about the film is undoubtedly the pacing and the thrills, but unfortunately there is not much more. The real trick is the plot: no need to say Abracadabra, it's already gone. Obviously the audience agrees to be fooled, but this plot is an insult, and includes a mirror that covers up a safe - predictable since the same trick has been shown earlier in the film - and a ridiculous chase by the FBI, whose agents seem like schoolboys struggling with the first day of training. 

The narration and the shots seem to be those of an action movie rather than a crime caper, and the atmosphere is that of a cat hunting a mouse, only you can't tell who's the cat and who's the mouse. 

Also the film tries to reflect on the wonder, the belief in magic and the willingness to be fooled, a little like "The Prestige" did - I humbly apologize to Nolan for the comparison -, but doesn't go beyond pure entertainment. 

All well acted, the characters completely lack development and are nothing more than caricatures - Jesse Eisenberg as the egocentric magician, Isla Fisher as his former assistant who has become a star, Woody Harrelson as the once-famous mentalist and Dave Franco as the petty criminal with some magic skills. The rest of the cast, Mark Ruffalo, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, and Mélanie Laurent, surprisingly does a good job considering how poor their characters are.

But then again, it's really entertaining, and perfect to just chill. 

"The closer you think you are, the less you'll actually see."- Daniel Atlas