Friday, August 26, 2016

Film Friday

So I stumbled upon the library's DVD section.  They had some good ones.  Anyway, let's get to it.

Manhattan
Woody Allen plays Isaac Davis, who leaves his much younger gf (Mariel Hemignway) for his best friend's ex-mistress (Diane Keaton).  I like the b and w.  Good work by Keaton. Some good lines.  Not impressed by the hack that played Isaac's ex.  Michael Murphy is solid as Isaac's friend, Yale.  Cameo from Wallace Shawn.   

Her
Joaquin Phoenix stars as a neo-yuppie who gets an OS that sounds like Scarlett Johansson. A couple scenes seemed like the writer was going for shock value.  The scenes with Rooney Mara (yuppie's ex) and Olivia Wilde (yuppie's date) were a bit meh.  But the film succeeded in packing an emotional punch.  

American Hustle
Loosely based on true events.  Two con artists work with an FBI agent to bring down corrupt politicians.  Amy Adams and Christian Bale play the con artists quite well.  The Hunger Games actress plays Irving Rosenfeld's (Bale's) wife, though they're separated.  I thought the scenes with Adams were much better.  There's an ongoing comedic bit with Louis C.K., which I found amusing.  Bradley Cooper plays the FBI agent handling the con artists.  

Black Mass
Johnny Depp as Whitey Bulger, a Boston crime boss.  The FBI enlists his help to bring down the Mafia in Boston and then things get a bit dicey. Kevin Bacon adds to his legendary status as an angry fed.  What struck me is how hands-on Bulger was.  No buffer at all. 

4 comments:

  1. Black Mass was excellent and shows what Depp can do when given a meaty role. American Hustle was meh for me although love the soundtrack. haven't seen Her or Manhattan which I need to see one day

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    Replies
    1. I wouldn't classify Manhattan as a must-see. It probably makes his Top 10, but not his Top 5.

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  2. Recently saw Black Mass and it was a good one. I had to keep asking myself, "Is that Johnny Depp?" He really was outstanding in the role of Bulger.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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