Today, I've got a double feature
for you today! We're going to talk about “Gangster Squad” and
“The Last Stand!” Let's not waste anytime with this, so let's get
right into it!
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Gangster Squad
If there's a genre of film that I love
most, it's crime films with 1940's gangsters. Today, the only thing
that people think of when they hear “gangster,” is those hoodlum
rap a-holes, that high schools are infested with today. Gangsters
aren't like that at all. They're the classiest of crooks, and their
either smart, blood-thirsty, or both, and they do it all in suits.
And what makes them interesting is the back-stories that they all
have. Films like “Scarface,” “The Godfather,” “Gangs of New
York,” “Goodfellas,” and “Casino” are the true
representations of what a gangster is and SHOULD be today. And today,
we take a look at the newest film from “Zombieland” director,
Rupen Fleischer. And that film is “Gangster Squad.”
The film follows L.A.P.D. Sergeant John
O'Mara, whose is assigned to assemble a squad to go after the biggest
crime boss of the east coast, Mickey Cohen. How they try to bring him
down, is taking out his business works that give him enough power NOT
to be arrested, especially since he makes sure there are no witnesses
of his crimes. Is it simple? Yes, but it still manages to keep strong
interest, especially with the characters and how they pull their
schtick.
Josh Brolin as O'Mara gives off one of
this best performances to date. He plays the character with such
grasp at his job, and it really does make him the tough guy that he
is. And don't even think about going after his family in this film,
because he will BREAK YOU.
Ryan Gosling plays Jerry Wooters, the
second in command of the squad, and is what you'd expect him to be.
He's a smooth talker, and has a charm that will woo any woman he
comes across. But even then, he has his tender moments, especially
with his shoe-polisher friend.
Emma Stone really nails it as the love
interest for Gosling, being with Mickey Cohen, but having strong
feelings for Gosling. It does disappoint me that she didn't get to be
in any action scenes, but I'm okay with that. Though, is it me or is
this film along with “Crazy Stupid Love” trying to tell us that
Stone and Gosling have the hots for each other, because I'd like to
at least know.
Robert Patrick and Michael
Peña
play Detectives Max Kennard and Navidad Ramirez (Yes, that is his
name), a old school gunslinger and his assistant. Those two had
strong chemistry together, much in the same way Harrison Ford and
Adam Beach did in “Cowboys & Aliens” (a HIGHLY underrated
film mind you!)
However,
Sean Penn's performance as Mickey Cohen, the villain of this film,
was simply perfect casting in my book. I just love how sinister and
despicable his energy plays it. He plays such a sadistic cunt int his
film, it's hard to take your eyes off him when he's on screen. And
now some of you are probably going, “*GASP*...he
said the 'c' word!”
but that's the word that really does describe Penn's character of
Cohen. He is this diabolical bastard that won't take any shit that
you give him. You cross with him or even screw up once, then kiss
your ass goodbye. He has people burned alive, drilled in the head, or
even TORN IN HALF! He is such an evil EVIL human being, and it works!
The
action scenes that take place here are one of the most adrenalin
pumping moments I've seen in a while. Tommy Guns, shotguns, pistols,
any type of gangster weapon you can think of. Now, remember when the
trailers first started coming out, when it was scheduled for last
September, and they had a scene in it involving a shooting in the
movie theater? Yeah, that scene was cut out of the film, because
Warner Bros. thought this film would be inappropriate for those
involved with the Aurora Shooting in Colorado at “The Dark Knight
Rises” premiere. While I do think pushing back a film for that
reason was probably for the best, I do find it distracting that a
film has to be changed because of certain events. If you want to know
more about films that do that, listen to Radiodrome's take on “When
Real World Events Alter Movies,” co-starring the Cinema Snob.
However, the scene that replaced it, which is an event with
Chinatown, I actually thought was probably the better choice, than
what could have been done in the actual scene. So no harm done, but I
think they should have just pushed the film back and done the change
in quiet, instead of publicly announcing it.
The
biggest complaint I've heard about this movie was “It's not L.A.
Confidential.” Well, here's my response...NO DUH!! This film
doesn't HAVE to be “L.A. Con,” if it doesn't want to! It's just
trying to be a fun gangster film, with great characters and stylish
looks to it. Not only that, but how this film is losing to “A
Haunted House” is just annoying. This film deserves better praise
than it's getting.
Overall,
“Gangster Squad” is a fun film, that can be enjoyable no matter
what is said. I know some are
thinking I'm getting too soft with some films, but I don't care. If I
like a movie that much, I like a movie that much.
Rating:
10/10
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The
Last Stand
Arnold
Schwarzenegger is one of the most recognizable action icons of the
80's and 90's. Everyone has made their jokes about him, we know how
ridiculous his accent, films, and acting are, but that's why we love
him. He's had roles as a barbarian, a terminator, a commando, etc.
And after almost a decade as governor of California, he's back as an
action star. “The Expendables 2” was just a taste of his return,
but with “The Last Stand,” Arnold is BACK baby!
The
film is about a dangerous criminal named Gabriel Cortez, who is being
transported from Las Vegas to a different facility. However, he
escapes thanks to the help of his team, and is now on the run for the
border, by passing through Summerton Junction, Arizona. Only one
thing stands in his way, and that's Sheriff Ray Owens. It's as simple
as a typical Schwarzenegger movie can get, and it also works as a
pretty damn good western flick.
With
every Schwarzenegger movie, it's got to have a great cast of
supporting characters, and it does. Forest Whitaker plays Agent
Bannister, the guy who tried to get Cortez transported, and he really
sells it well. Luis Guzman plays Figgy, and he really sells it as
someone who isn't interested in getting involved in this, but still
has a good heart and courage. Jaimie Alexander, who you may remember
as Sif in “Thor,” plays Sarah Torrence, one of Owens' deputies.
Unlike “Thor,” we get to see how she can do as an action star,
and I do hope to see more of her work in the future. Johnny Knoxville
has a part in this film as a gun-crazed maniac, and I don't think
they could have found a better person to play such a maniac than the
maniac from “Jackass.”
Eduardo
Noriega plays Cortez, but he doesn't do much in the film. Sure he's
got a team of “Ocean's Eleven” type guys to get him out, but he
didn't do much until the third act. Also, I'd like to point out that
Genesis Rodriguez is in the film, but all she did was be Cortez's
hostage. Peter Stormare plays Cortez's right-hand-man, and he does a
pretty good job. I also loved how he was taken out by Arnold in the
third act with how he's shot, then getting a bullet to the head later
on.
And
we can't have an Arnold Schwarzenegger without Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Arnold does a great job in this film, playing a sheriff whose rusty,
but still has some fight left in him. It is just amazing to see him
back in action and do what he does best. That battle scene all the
way through was just EPIC, and it shows that no matter what, Arnold
still has some fight left in him, and it looks like he'll be staying.
Overall,
“The Last Stand” is a big celebration for Arnold's triumphant
return to action films! Now, don't go thinking that you'll enjoy it
alone, because this is one of those films that's required to have a
buddy to watch with, especially if he's a fan of action movies.
Rating:
9/10
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Alright, two great movies for me so far. Looks like 2013 is going to be a pretty good year for me. I wonder how long the streak will last though.
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