Gangster Squad

I was beyond excited to be finally getting a gangster noir picture. I cannot remember ever enjoying one at the theatre. September 2012 could not get here fast enough and then some jackass shoots up a theatre in Colorado, which was awful, delaying the release of this film by 4 months to allow the film's makers to do re-shoots and to cut a scene involving a historical event from the 1940's involving guns in a theatre. Doesn't make sense to me, but we can't always make everyone happy. It focuses on Mickey Cohen's (Sean Penn) rise to the top of the LA crime scene in 1949, and the cops commissioned in taking him down. All you need to do is have a look at the cast and you should be well aware this will be great. Headlined by a very smash mouth John O'Mara (Josh Brolin) and then on his right hip is the very soft spoken, doesn't even believe in his job anymore, Jerry Wooters (Ryan Gosling). These two guys are fire and ice. Then much like the fantastic film, "The Untouchables", they put together a group of guys that aren't afraid to die for badge and honor. Only difference is, The Gangster Squad is a completely off the books operation. No Honors and no badges. This film has everything that makes any film great. Action, Sex, History, Guns, Explosions, and of course, Ryan Gosling. It is fun, because of the execution, and what few comedy aspects you can have in such a highly dramatic film. This squad was not perfect right off the blocks. Not even close. Trial by fire is more like it. They got some traction and Mickey Cohen started getting angry. He started putting some pieces together, and end the end it was a battle of wills. Which side would give up first? Good vs Evil, and I cannot wait to watch it again. Some may argue this is not a true gangster movie. I agree. It is a cop drama that focuses on the good and less on the evil. Still immensely enjoyable, and at times, very gritty. If you are squeamish at the site of blood, you may want to skip the opening scene. I, on the other hand, saw it as a breath of fresh air in an industry scared to take risks in today's society. Top notch performances from everyone on screen, and the only disappointment I have is the lack of Nick Nolte. I understand why he could not be more present, but he is so awesome. 

NBM rates Gangster Squad - Phenomenal

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

I was not going to miss this one, but for different reasons than you may expect. I went to watch this film last night with 5 other people. These 5 people all read the books. I did not. I feel I had an advantage to the over all enjoyment of the film, because of where the takes us. Being a crime solving noir flick, the ending is what it was in the book. Everyone knew where it was going to eventually lead, all they were doing was appreciating the Actors portrayal of the characters they love on paper, and hoping the Director didn't screw it up. I, on the other hand, had no idea where the murder mystery would take me. That kept me on the edge of my seat. Even with a run time of 2 hours and 40 minutes, it didn't seem long, The way it played out, there are several stories about several people, so for a while it is like we are watching two different films that will tie together. First off, The Director should legally change his name to David AMAZING-Fincher. The guy is a master at what he does. This is no different. When you must combine a story with several dozen characters, several plots and sub plots, wrap it up in under 3 hours, have it be 100% coherent, and have the non book reading audience not have a single question about anything just witnessed, you have done something more perfect than perfect. Another buddy of mine said it would be hard to understand without knowing the text of the books. This got me nervous. Alas, I have no questions about the film at all, except, when are the next two coming out?!?! I know Fincher is shooting them back to back, but I have not heard a guesstimate release date yet. No bother, I will embrace what we have now. On to the story. Mikael (Mik-ale) (Daniel Craig) has just been sued for publishing a libelous story he wrote in his magazine. It cleans him out, and he does not know what to do. With very little prospect, he is commissioned to write a memoir for a wealthy man name Henrik Vanger (Plummer). More than the memoir itself, Henrik wants Mikael to find out who killed his niece, Harriet, 40 years earlier. This is where we get an extremely well thought murder mystery. Mikael has to research over 40 years of history. 40 years ago there were no databases, or computers logging everything. He had his work cut out for him, but once he got into it, he became obsessed. Where we meet Lisbeth (Rooney Mara) is when the story goes into a dark place. She is a loner. She doesn't trust anyone, with good reason, and she wants her freedom. She has one thing going for her. Her attention to detail and her memory. She is a bloodhound on a case and Mikael turns to her as a research assistant when he can no longer think straight. He made a wise decision. She is fantastic. Daniel Craig may be the big name attached, but this is the Lisbeth show. Her attitude and demeanor are so violent, yet funny at times. Her look is something I've never seen before, yet she is comfortable in her own skin. These two are determined to figure out all the answers even if it kills them, which it could. They have a strange relationship to say the least. Mikael is the first man she has trusted in a long time, and Mikael needs her to be strong for the both of them sometimes. He knows he can depend on her if he is in need and she will deliver. The story never dulls, and never slows. When it ended, it ended. No loose ends. No questions. Everyone wins. I was so happy that good movies can still be made. 
PS: The opening credits is the best Nine Inch Nails video ever. I will also tell you, this film has one of the most uncomfortable scenes I have ever been privy to. It is near the end and I was holding my breath. Scroll down for Take 2 of this film review. Dean-O will give his review, and this should be good, since he read the books. A different perspective. 


NBM rates The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Phenomenal

After reading all three books in Stieg Larsson’s “Girl” trilogy two years ago, I was elated when I heard they were bringing an English version of the film to the big screen. Ever since I saw the first trailer, I’ve been counting down the days to this holiday season so I could see the images come to life. I’ve got to give a big thumbs up to David Fincher and the crew, because they did not disappoint! Rather than writing in my normally poetic, smooth flowing style, I’m going to share my thoughts on some major points:

• Script: it’s not “word for word” from the book, and there were a few points in the plot that were modified in the film that kept it fresh without changing the overarching story or character relationships. Well done.
• Rooney Mara/Lisabeth Salander: One word – remarkable! I knew Mara was playing the role, but I didn’t know who she was. I don’t think I’d ever seen her in anything before, or if I did, she made no impression on me. I went online today (after seeing the movie) to see what Mara looked like before this role. It’s a further testament to the unbelievable transformation she made. Her physical appearance is a perfect representation of Lisabeth, from the borderline anorexic physique to the haircut, piercings, tattoos and clothes. It’s not just a Halloween costume on screen, though. The most compelling part of this movie is the performance she gives. Mara managed to capture the essence of Salander and play it out on screen: balancing fragility with ferocity, appearing aloof yet calculating, seemingly comfortable being completely uncomfortable within society. I could write an entire review on this performance alone. If Halle Berry can win an Oscar for Monster’s Ball and Charlize Theron can win for Monster, then Rooney Mara needs to start working on her acceptance speech for this performance.
• Daniel Craig/Mikael Blomkvist: Craig managed to play this role better than I expected. He was understated and vulnerable rather than cocksure as his Bond role dictates. As the plot plays out, Blomkvist regains the confidence in himself and his abilities that was shattered in the early stages of the film, and Craig is able to depict this turn without firing a weapon or torturing anyone. The best acting I’ve seen from Craig.
• The Score: Effective, but I did have one complaint. When Salander is driving a scene, she’s given her own “Jaws” music – that musical accompaniment that is dark, eerie and leads you to 
  • expect something dramatic and shocking will occur. I think this was overdone. It wasn’t subtle enough, and it was just outright distracting in one of the early scenes in the film. I understand what they were trying to do, but discretion is sometimes the better part of valor. Fincher and Reznor could have exercised a little discretion here.
  • Billy’s Pan Pizza, sandwiches and coffee: if you’ve read the trilogy, you know that these were the three things that fueled Blomkvist and Salander. I was pleased to see all three playing a role in the film.
  I was blessed with the presence of Filter Jesus seated at my right hand during the film, and knowing that he had never read any of the books , I’m curious to hear his reflections on it. Enlighten us, oh Jester!
  
  
  Dean-O rates The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011): Phenomenal