Robert De Niro

Sleepers

A few days ago I watched “Sleepers“. I guess the title of the movie makes it sound like a horror film and that’s why I missed it for all these years. Somehow this time I decided to check the cast and was very surprised to find so many celebrities in – Kevin Bacon, Brad Pitt, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, and a few others.

The film turned out be excellent. First of all, the story, which is fascinating. It is said to be based on a true story, however there are only so many people who can back it up. But it’s not really important if it is true or not. It’s realistic enough and has enough unexpected twists and turns.

Secondly, plenty of good acting. There was enough freedom given to each of the actors, and there was enough to explore and enough screen time to show the results.

Thirdly, the technical part. While the film didn’t need as much of special effects as any modern action film (which it is not), there were quite a few challenges, which were solved nicely. The back in time feeling, boys’ memories, and the atmosphere for each scene, varying from childish fun to adult sadness – all were done excellent.

Overall, a highly recommended movie with 5 stars from me.

Righteous Kill

Either one of Robert De Niro and Al Pacino is enough to attract attention to the movie. When they are both in the same movie – that’s something that needs to be seen, no matter what the critics or ratings say. And that’s why I went to watch “Righteous Kill” today.

Altogether, the film was rather average – not much dynamics and action for a police movie, predictable story with a lot of cliches, dialogs really off sometimes, and so, and so forth. But. There was enough good acting, and there was enough thought provoking. I mean it’s not a philosophical movie by any measure, but it covers a few morals and gives enough time to the audience to poke around the good, the evil, and the fine line between the two.

Overall, maybe not worthy the big screen, but good enough for a DVD rent. 6.5 out of 10.

Brazil

Sometimes I surprise myself by the kind of movies I find accidentally. “Brazil” is one of those highly recommended classics that I’ve never heard about before.

Directed by: Terry Gilliam
Genres: Comedy, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Cast: Jonathan Pryce, Robert De Niro, Katherine Helmond, Ian Holm, Bob Hoskins, Michael Palin, Ian Richardson, Peter Vaughan, Kim Greist, Jim Broadbent, Barbara Hicks, Charles McKeown, Derrick O’Connor, Kathryn Pogson, Bryan Pringle
IMDB raintg: 8.0
My rating: 8.0 [rate 8.0]

This film came just in time. I was about to get pissed off with all the crap that I watching recently – cliche copies of copies of copies that as predictable as Formula 1 for the last few years. And suddenly I get across this movie, which came out twenty years ago, is included in IMDB’s Top 250 movies of all times (#199), has Robert De Niro in it, and is one I’ve never heard anything about.

The movie is very original. The story, the setups, the costumes – everything. But the feeling of deja vu wasn’t leaving me from start until the end of the film. The story felt a lot like something based on George Orwell’s “1984” spiced up with lots of satire from Monty Python and mixed with personalities from World War II movies.

A very small investigation confirmed my deja vu feeling. The director of the film – Terry Gilliam – is a part of Monty Python gang. He has written, directed, and acted in a number of Monty Python flicks. He has also done a number of other well-known movies, especially in sci-fi area. One of those well-known films is “Twelve Monkeys“.

Interesting story twists, good character development, great acting and lots of amazing special effects make this film into a real masterpiece.

Resume: highly recommended.

On fame

Here is something for you to think over.

Al Pacino has 42 movies listed in his filmography at IMDB. These include filmed, filming, announced, pre- and post-production. Robert De Niro has 70. Sean Connery has 78. Anthony Hopkins has 98.

I’m sure you can easily remember a movie or two with any one of these guys.

And you probably have never heard of Ron Jeremy. And even his face looks very unfamiliar to you. Nevermind the fact that his filmography lists 918 movies. In most of these he played had one of the main roles.

Who is he you’re wondering? Well, he is number one American porn star. Or so they say…

Ronin

Ronin (1998) While reading up about Japanese samurai I came across the concept of ronin, that lead me to a movie “Ronin“. It had a good rating and a respectable cast, so I decided to watch it.

Directed by: John Frankenheimer
Genres: Action, Crime, Thriller
Cast: Robert De Niro, Jean Reno, Natascha McElhone, Stellan Skarsgård, Sean Bean, Skipp Sudduth, Michael Lonsdale, Jan Triska, Jonathan Pryce, Ron Perkins, Féodor Atkine, Katarina Witt, Bernard Bloch, Dominic Gugliametti, Alan Beckworth
IMDB raintg: 7.1
My rating: 8.0 [rate 8.0]

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