Media: Movie
Genre:Thriller/Crime Drama
Production Year: 2008
Synopsis:
Tom 'Turk' Cowan (Robert De Niro) and David 'Rooster' Fisk (Al Pacino) have been partners on the New York City police force for almost thirty years. They do everything together, from eating to recreation, they are attached at the hip. Now a serial killer is taking out suspects and the scum of the city, leaving a calling card at every grisly scene. The hunt for the murder leads to some familiar faces and old suspects that the partners have worked together, calling their friendship and their badges into jeopardy.
Overall Average Score: 7.33
There are movies that you can watch over and over again, whether you know the ending and what is going to happen or not. This is one of those films. A junk food movie that has you at the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next. You are constantly guessing "I think it was him.....No wait HIM!". The story is told with such a great mix of action and mystery. You sympathize with all the characters, wanting even the killer to win. Of course, you can't miss with this cast. I mean, De Niro and Pacino, come on! Does it get better?
Writing: 8
I love the way that this story is told. The presentation of what little facts they give you about the case is what drives the story. The sprinkling in of action and what little romance there is, is like the garnish on an already great meal. The dialog alone in this movie separates it from the rest of the pack. Other movies and shows in this genre (crime drama) can tend to be heavy on presenting facts and evidence about the case in a very clinical and hard way (**cough**CSI**cough**). The writer, Russell Gerwirtz, presents most of the evidence in smart, but yet still very real and down to earth, dialogue between the characters. It is truly the dialogue, and in turn the writing, that drives this movie forward.
Acting: 8
What good would dialogue be without someone to deliver it? And how can you get any better than De Niro and Pacino? They are classics! In my humble opinion, they are the top of the top, the best of the best. I could go on and on, but I wont. The only reason this movie didn't get a perfect score is for some of the supporting cast. 50 Cent shows off his acting skills, or lack there of, as a club owner/drug dealer. Other cast members include Carla Gugino, John Leguizamo, and Donnie Wahlberg, all of whom do a descent job, but nothing Oscar worthy.
Directing: 8
The movies progression and vision of its presentation has to be handed to the director, Jon Avnet. You can have an amazing cast and a great script, but without the directors vision a great movie it would not be. After directing multiple TV series' and another Pacino movie "88 Minutes", this would definitely be the breakout directing show piece for Avnet. This showcases his abilities to tell a story and create in the viewer the "want to know more" feeling.
Photography/Special Effects: 7
Being filmed in the city that never sleeps, you can't get much of a better setting. There aren't really any amazing photography shots, or incredible scenes, nor are there any stand out special effects or explosions. This story really isn't that kind of a story, and I feel if there were it would have been used more as filler and would have detracted from the story rather than added to it. So I guess I am glad that there was none of that. It does get a point above being just average for the makeup effects, however. There are a few drugged out people, some beaten up people, and some bullet holes that are very believable. Not over the top, but not understated either.
Soundtrack/Sound Effects: 6
Sound effects are to be used sparingly in a movie of this genre. Too much, and you can distract from the real story line. At one point in the movie the sound effects of breaking glass seemed over done, and is my only true complaint about the movie. The gun effects, and street noise were all very well done, and maintained throughout the film. The lack of a noticeable soundtrack I think was a directorial choice, and a good one. Not having a dramatic orchestra following the characters added a darker, more gritty overtone to the movie.
Choreography (dancing/fighting): 7
To my memory there was only one real "fight scene", if you can even call it that. It was well done and very believable. It seemed to be over just as quickly as it began, showing that one character completely overwhelmed the other, but I think that was the point. Well done.
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Genre:Thriller/Crime Drama
Production Year: 2008
Synopsis:
Tom 'Turk' Cowan (Robert De Niro) and David 'Rooster' Fisk (Al Pacino) have been partners on the New York City police force for almost thirty years. They do everything together, from eating to recreation, they are attached at the hip. Now a serial killer is taking out suspects and the scum of the city, leaving a calling card at every grisly scene. The hunt for the murder leads to some familiar faces and old suspects that the partners have worked together, calling their friendship and their badges into jeopardy.
Overall Average Score: 7.33
There are movies that you can watch over and over again, whether you know the ending and what is going to happen or not. This is one of those films. A junk food movie that has you at the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next. You are constantly guessing "I think it was him.....No wait HIM!". The story is told with such a great mix of action and mystery. You sympathize with all the characters, wanting even the killer to win. Of course, you can't miss with this cast. I mean, De Niro and Pacino, come on! Does it get better?
Writing: 8
I love the way that this story is told. The presentation of what little facts they give you about the case is what drives the story. The sprinkling in of action and what little romance there is, is like the garnish on an already great meal. The dialog alone in this movie separates it from the rest of the pack. Other movies and shows in this genre (crime drama) can tend to be heavy on presenting facts and evidence about the case in a very clinical and hard way (**cough**CSI**cough**). The writer, Russell Gerwirtz, presents most of the evidence in smart, but yet still very real and down to earth, dialogue between the characters. It is truly the dialogue, and in turn the writing, that drives this movie forward.
Acting: 8
What good would dialogue be without someone to deliver it? And how can you get any better than De Niro and Pacino? They are classics! In my humble opinion, they are the top of the top, the best of the best. I could go on and on, but I wont. The only reason this movie didn't get a perfect score is for some of the supporting cast. 50 Cent shows off his acting skills, or lack there of, as a club owner/drug dealer. Other cast members include Carla Gugino, John Leguizamo, and Donnie Wahlberg, all of whom do a descent job, but nothing Oscar worthy.
Directing: 8
The movies progression and vision of its presentation has to be handed to the director, Jon Avnet. You can have an amazing cast and a great script, but without the directors vision a great movie it would not be. After directing multiple TV series' and another Pacino movie "88 Minutes", this would definitely be the breakout directing show piece for Avnet. This showcases his abilities to tell a story and create in the viewer the "want to know more" feeling.
Photography/Special Effects: 7
Being filmed in the city that never sleeps, you can't get much of a better setting. There aren't really any amazing photography shots, or incredible scenes, nor are there any stand out special effects or explosions. This story really isn't that kind of a story, and I feel if there were it would have been used more as filler and would have detracted from the story rather than added to it. So I guess I am glad that there was none of that. It does get a point above being just average for the makeup effects, however. There are a few drugged out people, some beaten up people, and some bullet holes that are very believable. Not over the top, but not understated either.
Soundtrack/Sound Effects: 6
Sound effects are to be used sparingly in a movie of this genre. Too much, and you can distract from the real story line. At one point in the movie the sound effects of breaking glass seemed over done, and is my only true complaint about the movie. The gun effects, and street noise were all very well done, and maintained throughout the film. The lack of a noticeable soundtrack I think was a directorial choice, and a good one. Not having a dramatic orchestra following the characters added a darker, more gritty overtone to the movie.
Choreography (dancing/fighting): 7
To my memory there was only one real "fight scene", if you can even call it that. It was well done and very believable. It seemed to be over just as quickly as it began, showing that one character completely overwhelmed the other, but I think that was the point. Well done.
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