Scarface (1983)

5 / 5  May '11
Tagline:  The world is yours...
Directed by:  Brian De Palma
Written by:  Oliver Stone
Actors include:  Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, Steven Bauer
Genre:  Crime, Drama, Thriller
Length:  170 minutes
Banned:  Nope

Review:
I've maybe only seen a handful of gangster films, but this one definitely takes the cake.  It's one of the rare occasions that a remake eclipses the original but it most definitely does.  I'm a big fan of [Artist435211]'s work but I'd have to agree that this is his masterpiece.  It's so insanely brutal and violent and it's got such a striking message to go with it.  Scarface ([Artist161806] in the role of his life) is a Cuban immigrant in Miami who gets involved in organized crime.  Before you know it, he's eyeing up the Bosses old lady ([Artist230874]), making deals on his own and getting into loads of trouble.  It really takes you through the rise and eventual domination of Scarface showing us all the gory details and betrayals.  It's brilliantly made, it's absolutely riveting and the details and characters are unforgettable.  Definitely one of the best movies I've ever seen, I'm really kicking myself for not seeing this earlier.

Availability:  On DVD

Cruising (1980)

4 / 5 July '10
Tagline: Al Pacino is Cruising for a killer.
Directed by: William Friedkin
Written by: William Friedkin, Gerald Walker
Actors include: Al Pacino, Paul Sorvino, Karen Allen
Genre: Thriller
Length: 102 minutes
Banned: Finland

Review:
Wow what a gritty sleazy thriller and I'm a little shocked at how far this one goes, but I like it. Al Pacino is really wonderful as undercover detective Steve Burns who has a rather difficult task ahead of him. He is on assignment to find a serial killer who brutally stabs men to death after picking them up from gay s&m clubs. Steve must blend in with the people and of course ends up in some difficult situations, especially considering he has a girlfriend at home who he has to keep in the dark. It's quite exciting, and flashy and it even has one heck of a dancing sequence with Pacino. It's brutal and violent and well it's probably a bit too much for some. Really my only complaint was the ending, I had something else in mind but I suppose it all made sense and all of that. It's not Friedkin's best, but I think it's an interesting movie so long as the subject matter doesn't put you off.

Availability:  On DVD

Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

4 / 5 Jan '11
Tagline: Anything can happen during the dog days of summer. On August 22nd, 1972, everything did
Directed by: Sidney Lumet
Written by: P.F. Kluge, Thomas Moore
Actors include: Al Pacino, John Cazale, Charles Durning
Genre: Crime, Thriller, Drama
Length: 125 minutes
Banned: Nope

Review:
Beautifully filmed film with superb acting, it's no wonder this one has been hailed a classic. It's the intense tale of a bank robbery for love gone rather wrong, and it's based upon a true story. Their intent was to be in and out in only a few minutes, but the money they were expecting wasn't really there. Also the Police show up and soon it's a gigantic circus with media and people gathered. Hostages are involved and the situation is rather desperate, and bargains start coming into play. I loved that it jumped right into action and that it is so well written, it is really an interesting piece to watch. I must admit that I thought it would have a little something more, because it is a rather chatty drama but it's realism is also a benefit as well I suppose. Well worth enjoying but maybe not for everyone.

Availability:  On DVD & Blu-Ray