R

12/11/2011

 
Bleak Danish prison drama with a great performance by Johan Philip Asbæk. Not nearly as good as A Prophet, but worth a view if you can tolerate the violence and oppression.

SHOESHINE (1946)

5/27/2011

 
Italian neorealist Vittorio De Sica defines the genre with a story of two young shoeshine boys working the streets of postwar Rome, hoodwinked into committing a crime and sent to prison where their friendship is tested. Heartbreaking and beautiful.

Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Shoeshine/60035925?trkid=496624#height1666

CASINO JACK

5/7/2011

 
Love Kevin Spacey? His characterization of Jack Abramoff is engaging. The narrative flows at a quick pace. Barry Pepper and Jon Lovitz add to a humorous well-written political romp.

Official Site: http://casinojack-movie.com
Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Casino_Jack/70122321?trkid=496624#height1648
 
Funny Norwegian drama about an ex-con and the choices he makes upon his release from a 12 year prison term. Great characters, cool style, wonderful performances, solid story: loved it!

Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/A-Somewhat-Gentle-Man/70132813?trkid=1660#height1554

THE WAY BACK

4/26/2011

 
Peter Weir: finally. Colin Farrell: fabulous. One of my favorite mumbler's is audible, thanks in part to Richard King: the best sound man in the world. Use your headphones and/or play it loudly. National Geographic Entertainment; well done, more please!

Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/The_Way_Back/70121494?trkid=496624#height1392
Official Site: http://thewaybackthemovie.com/

CONVICTION

4/20/2011

 
I love tough female characters, and this movie is full of them. Great performances, especially from Sam Rockwell who transforms himself from a regular guy to a hardened convict.
Inspiring, based on a true story, captivating, uplifting. No Oscar nominations? ¿Por qué?

Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Conviction/70117342?trkid=496624#height1848
Official Site:  http://www.foxsearchlight.com/conviction/
 
Dark, funny, gay, prison bromance. Jim Carrey is so awesome, and pairing him with
Ewan McGregor was a brilliant idea. I'll have to read the book to fill in the details!

Netflix: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/I_Love_You_Phillip_Morris/70112491?trkid=496624#height2018
Official Site: http://www.phillipmorrismovie.net/
 
Vincent Cassel is outstanding in this engaging French crime saga. The direction is okay except for the clunky action scenes. Cassel is mesmerizing!  And it looks cool too 'cause it's French, and set in the 1950s through 1979. Gangster film lovers: you will enjoy this one.
See MESRINE: PART ONE: KILLER INSTINCT first.

Netflix:http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Mesrine-Part-2-Public-Enemy-1/70117925?trkid=1660#height1881
Official site: http://www.mesrinemovie.com/