4 Razors

August Rush

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: August Rush
  • IMDb: link

“I believe in music the way some people believe in fairy tales.”

august-rush-posterThere are two stories here.  The first involves a young orphan (Freddie Highmore) with untapped musical talent who leaves the orphanage to “follow the music” and find his parents.  His journey leads to new friends (Leon G. Thomas III, Jamia Simone Nash), a stint as a street musician under the control of the Fagin-esque Wizard (Robin Williams, in a cowboy hat), and a trip to Juliard where his talent blossoms.

The second story (shown mostly in flashbacks) involves cellist Lyla Novacek (Keri Russell) and rock band member Louis Connelly (Jonathan Rhys Meyers).  Their chance meeting a decade before was dashed by Lyla’s father (William Sadler) separating them for years. 

Lyla’s unexpected pregnancy puts her career at risk and her father snatches up a chance accident to make her believe her son is dead.  Jumping back to the present Lyla learns the truth and with the help of a social worker (Terrence Howard) begins to search for the son she’s never met.  At the same time across the country Louis facing his own midlife crisis searches out the woman who he still loves.

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No Country for Old Men

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: No Country for Old Men
  • IMDb: link

“It’s a mess ain’t it sheriff.”
“If it ain’t it’ll do ‘til the mess gets here.”

no-country-for-old-men-poster

Brutally violent, with eloquently scripted dialogue and sumptuously cinematography No Country for Old Men has all the pieces in place for a great film, but although it’s certainly a very good film it loses much of its momentum over the course of its two-hour running time ending with more of a whimper than a bang.

The story begins when Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) discovers the remains of a drug deal gone wrong and finds $2 million in cash.  A moment of conscience leads to him being marked by both sides after the money and LLewelyn sends his wife (Kelly Macdonald) to her mother’s (Beth Grant) as he takes to the road to stay one step ahead of a hitman (Javier Bardem) who knows his name and always seems only one-step behind.

The film begins in terrific fashion and the dialogue is perfect, especially the simple scenes between Llewelyn and Carla Jean (MacDonald).  I wish she had a larger role in the film because the two work so well together.  Bardem puts in a strong performance as the mysterious sociopathic hitman (even if his introduction gets thrown off a bit by some logic problems such as the events which take place in the near-empty police station far too large for the small force).

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The Color of Money

/ / Home Video
  • Title: The Color of Money
  • IMDb: link

“It’s even, but it ain’t settled.  Let’s settle it.”
 

The Color of Money

The film is a sequel to 1961’s The Hustler with Paul Newman reprising his role as “Fast” Eddie Felson.  By this time out (25 years after the original film) Eddie is the old hustler who has lost a step or two and decides to take a talented but raw pool player (Tom Cruise) under his wing and teach him the ropes of hustling.  Although the film earned itself five Oscar nominations (Newman won for his role) the film has largely been forgotten and ignored by those who feel it is one of Martin Scorsese’s lesser works, but to me it remains a nice reminder that sometimes sequels are worth seeing.

Newman is terrific, and although the film works better if you have seen the original it isn’t a necessity to enjoy the tale.  Cruise is well cast as the not too smart hot shot, and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio puts in a strong supporting performance as the film’s smartest character.  You might also want to keep an eye out for some great cameos from the likes of Forest Whitaker, Iggy Pop, and several professional pool players.

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American Gangster

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: American Gangster
  • IMDb: link

“No black man has accomplished what the American Mafia hasn’t in a hundred years!”

“Frank Lucas is the most dangerous man walking the streets of our city.”

American GangsterMuch like Michael Mann‘s Heat the film follows two separate and concurrent tales on opposite sides of the law.  On one hand there is Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), who after the death of his mentor takes over the drug business in Harlem and, in turning into a profitable empire, pisses off everyone who knows him.  The other story follows Detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe), the lone good honest cop left in New Jersey whose honor has cost him a marriage, custody of his son (his wife is played by Carla Gugino), and the anger and resentment of his fellow cops.

Roberts is given a new assignment by his commander (Ted Levine) and runs his own group of guys to track down and bring down the drug suppliers and dealers.  Over time and hard work the unknown Frank Lucas is brought to Roberts’ attention and their two worlds collide.

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Veronica Mars Goes to College

/ / Home Video
  • Title: Veronica Mars – The Complete Third Season
  • tv.com: link

“After all these years do you not instinctively fear me?  Maybe you should write yourself a note.”

veronica-mars-dvd-season-3Okay, I’ve been a fan and supporter of this show since the beginning (read the Season One DVD review, and the Season Two DVD review).  And I’m still a bit bummed that this is the end of everyone’s favorite tiny blonde teen detective.  Veronica Mars provided many memorable moments throughout her three years on television.  She portrayed a fierce vulnerability and one of the strongest and most complex women’s characters in recent memory (but hey, Survivor got renewed.  Joy).  You are missed, Ms. Mars, but enough of the maudlin, here’s Season Three…

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