Tag: Robert Deniro

ABOUT MY FATHER (2023)

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Directed By: Laura Terruso 

Written By: Sebastian Maniscalco and Austen Earl 

Cinematography: Rogier Stoffers 

Editor: Scott D. Hanson 

Cast: Sebastian Maniscalco Robert DeNiro, Leslie Bibb, Kim Catrall, David Rasche, Anders Holm, Jessie Camacho, Brett Dier

When Sebastian tells his old-school Italian immigrant father Salvo that he is going to propose to his all-American girlfriend, Salvo insists on crashing a weekend with her parents.

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just as in the 80s and 90s it seem like stand-up comedians who are gaining some heat got sitcom deals. If they were lucky maybe got film deals. It seems modern day more and more comedians that have a following will get a chance to play a lead, usually that is of their own creation and here we have  stand up Sebastian maniscolo who wrote this film

Basically, it’s a rip on meet the parents and somehow he got lucky and got Robert De Niro to play his stubborn old school, father. We’re as he himself is dating a free spirited woman who comes from a senator in upper crust family who he tries to impress continuously while his father is more salt of the Earth hairdresser who can’t help with himself and seems to sabotage his son inadvertently along the way.

Throughout the film, there are less than inspired jokes that ultimately lead to a message of being yourself is good enough. That is what is truly going to impress. It’s when you’re fake. Those are the type of people you will attract. 

Half the scenes and jokes seem to want to riff on past roles of Mr. De Niro as well as this whole film just trying to be its own Italian American version of meet the parents, though it varies itself in sitcom troops and humor, as well as thin characters, that truly don’t give much of the cast much to work with nor making an impression with even though the film as well cast it clear that Robert De Niro again is here only for the paycheck. Even though he seems a little more willing to be somewhat silly in this film, as he’s truly the only interesting character and part of the film, where he just wish that the film was better written to really give him something to do and to rise to his performance.

Even it’s lead, Sebastian Maniscalco seems more interesting playing a supporting character more than a lead. As after a while he becomes annoying as a lead character and not all that interesting. 

The film is really a one joke premise it’s forgettable and disposable and worse of all it feels monotonous at times. 

Grade: D+

GUILTY BY SUSPICION (1991)

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Written & Directed By: Irwin Winkler
Cinematography: Michael Ballhaus 
Editor: Priscilla Nedd 

Cast: Robert DeNiro, Annette Benning, Patricia Wettig, Chris Cooper, George Wendt, Adam Baldwin, Tom Sizemore, Martin Scorsese, Barry Primus, Sam Wanamaker, Luke Edwards, Ben Piazza, Stuart Margolin, Roxann Biggs, Allan Rich, Illenana Douglas, Stephen Root, Jon Tenney, Jonathan Ames 

David Merrill, a successful director, has spent the last couple of years working on movies overseas. He returns right in the middle of the McCarthy-era Communist witch-hunt that was sweeping through Hollywood. When first approached by the ‘inquisitors’ he rebuffs them, not realizing how much influence they have. He soon finds that he can’t get work, having been blacklisted for failing to cooperate. However, if he will just tell them what they want to know, he can go back to work.

This might be a career-best for director Irwin  Winkler. This Is obviously an in-house passion project for Robert DeNiro and his production company bringing in friends to help make and be in the movie (Martin Scorsese and Barry Primus) it offers Scorsese one of his very few acting roles.

The film dramatizes the Hollywood blacklist from a deeply personal level of the characters who were not only involved but destroyed by it and the different ways and levels the government was going after them. 

The destruction of the blacklist even though it was truly ultimately a witch hunt that didn’t truly amount to much except for the lives it destroyed and upped the standing of certain politicians. Maybe even allowed the government to punish the stars and studios for having more of a moral code.

The film comes across as an artifact, seeing so many well-known actors of today who play smaller supporting roles.

This ends up being like a ROCKY movie in the way the House of unAmerican Activities keeps stalking Deniro’s character and questioning any of his employers or anyone he associates with. So you anticipate once he finally is in front of the committee.

We see how it destroys his career and his friends around him. As they either are willing to betray, sell out, or drop out ultimately. For something many didn’t even take seriously in their past. Some even used it as leverage for revenge against others who they feel wronged them. 

The film is a drama that at times works more like a thriller. As it is just as chilling as it happened in real life. It’s scary and no physical weapons are used just hints and accusations. 

It hit home with me as with so many characters who thought Deniro’s character would be a team player. He cares more about movies particularly his than anything or anyone around him. Even though most people in his life seem to like him and be in the business. 

The FBI agents following him seem like the agents in THE MATRIX emotionless and remind the audience of Deniro’s roles in crime pictures as they seem to relentlessly stalk him just trying to find any little thing to nail him or put him away. It offers DeNiro one of his most affable roles. 

The character of Bert Alan, a producer played by Barry Primus seems out of place as he seems more like a 1980s mobster in 1950’s Hollywood.

Watching how an old female ingenue discovery goes from seduction to scared to disgusted. Before trying to finally bribe him to go away. Shows how powerful and scary the blacklist was in its heyday 

The film tries to be an epic on the subject from the point of view of a victim’s point of view but not An overview. 

This also brings one back to a time and place when movies looked like they might have been prestige but were also made due to the lead actor’s strength and popularity as an actor. Guaranteeing that there will be an audience for the film. Not so much based on popularity it metrics of money-making.

Really a power move trying to spank those who are more successful and who they feel have more influence. Feeling like they are putting them in their place and saving the American people from the influence of the powerful they actually believe to be anti-government. Like they wouldn’t be after being persecuted for nothing really. The betrayal of friends begging him to let them inform on him to save their own skins by naming someone.

In the end, it still leaves time for a powerful speech. This is my kind of history movie.

GRADE: B

JACKNIFE (1989)

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Directed By: David Hugh Jones
Written By: Stephen Metcalfe (Based on his play STRANGE SNOW)
Cinematography: Brian West 
Editor: John Bloom

Cast: Robert DeNiro, Ed Harris, Kathy Baker, Charles S. Dutton, Josh Pais, Gabrielle Carteris, Elizabeth Franz, Louden Wainwright III, Jessalyn Gilsig

Two Vietnam vets search for the strength to face up to their horrific war experiences, but their friendship begins to splinter when one becomes romantically involved with the other’s sister.

I always remember the trailer and poster for this film above all. Seeing it play in theaters. It struck me how wild Robert DeNiro looked in his long hair and baseball cap. (Which was the poster image) Then all of a sudden dressed in a white tuxedo. It always mystified me how well he cleaned up. 

I only recently got around to finally watching the film. If I had seen it at the time it would be my first time seeing Ed Harris in a movie. He truly didn’t become known at least in my film atmosphere until the movie JUST CAUSE. The only other major role I might have seen him in would have been THE RIGHT STUFF a movie at the time I had certainly heard about, but had no interest as it didn’t register it my stratosphere.

The film seems like it wants to go to some deeper places but feels too slick and determined to make it a romantic love story of sorts. 

The film builds as much as we get to know the characters. Who are all damaged in their own way. 

If not for the cast wouldn’t be held in such high regard as they make it work more than it should 

Robert DeNiro comes across at first due to his looks as the more deranged or troubled character. Whereas Kathy Baker and Ed Harris look more normal and suburban. Though each character has their own problems. Ed Harris proves to be the most damaged amongst them and DeNiro the most well-adjusted though through therapy. 

The prom hallway scene is the pinnacle of the movie where all is let loose. 

Directed By David Hugh Jones, whose style comes across here with the depths of a television movie made into a theatrical feature film. It’s Simple and Thought lacks a finesse that makes everything come across as basic visually. He brings little to the table other than competence. However, it does make sense that this began as a play before becoming a feature.

It revolves around the 3 characters and is always more indoors. The film attempts to make it more open by adding more scenery and having scenes be more outdoors and in various locations. 

At a certain point it feels like DeNiro’s character steals the booty, so to speak. He romances his friend’s sister and ends up getting intimate with her. Then after a few friendly dates and finally getting through to her brother. Tries the old “this can’t work” and is ready to leave town. She has gotten all that he wanted. So he kind of works as an early version of the saintly character. Who is there to help and advise the hero while spouting wisdom. This is usually reserved for African Americans characters in movies in a more mystical way, but leaving them with very little to actually do or be as a character. Luckily here the film comes through for a happy ending. Which also allows DeNiro’s character to feel real and be more full-blooded.

Grade: B- 

AMSTERDAM (2022)

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Written & Directed By: David O. Russell 
Cinematography: Emmanuel Lubezki
Editor: Jay Cassidy 

Cast: Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, John David Washington, Chris Rock, Zoe Saldana, Robert DeNiro, Rami Malek, Michael Shannon, Mike Myers, Timothy Olyphant, Anya Taylor Joy, Alessandro Nivola, Andrea Riseborough, Matthias Schoenaerts, Taylor Swift, Max Perlich, Ed Begley Jr, Colleen Camp 

In the 1930s, three friends witness a murder, are framed for it, and uncover one of the most outrageous plots in American history.

This film had so much promise, an all-star cast, and a period-piece comedy. Somehow it all went so wrong. 

As it is big everything about it is big, but limits the places it can go and at least acknowledges that people have other elements to their lives other than the main plot as a focus. 

Director David O. Russell always likes to keep his films somewhat unpredictable and lovely as the camerawork is usually styled yet fluid and there are so many characters floating around who play important roles. That you never quite know who is going to drop in and out. He seems to like organized chaos so that by the end that is when you really notice the style or the plan. As it comes to light.

He also usually gets actors to play parts in his films as the roles are usually off the wall or quirky enough. That it allows the actors more to play than to necessarily act.

When it comes to this film though everything seems off. Not in his usual way though. As the film wants to say something about modern society and politics. As well as race and class relations to a degree, but also wants to mix in comedic elements that feel slapstick yet the laughs never come and nor the comedy exactly.

Here half the minor roles are played by recognizable actors who you wonder why they are even in the film. Though one of those big names Taylor Swift provides the only noteworthy and truly funny jaw-dropping scene. That someone who is not a fan of hers might enjoy it a little too much. 

It doesn’t help that you have a love story among friends and colleagues. Yet no one has any chemistry and they say the lines so blankly that there is no emotion at all and no real reason to truly care about the characters. Even as the situations get zanier and a conspiracy forms. The film stays steady and slow. Where the only actor who seems like they could be interesting is Christian Bale who seems stranded in this movie. His romance with Zoe Saldana is cute and her character is short-changed. As this is the most appealing she has been on screen in quite some time. As the film seems desperate for his character to have a love story as it keeps shining a light on Washinton.s and Robie.s  

As even the film tries to paint a love triangle but it is more of a love story between the two and he is just close to them. If the film had incorporated more of the triangle of the two characters both in love with the woman or them all in love with one another. That would have kept the dynamic more interesting. 

The characters all seem like they deserve their own film. Even though they aren’t playing passionately. They have backstories that would certainly fit a better film or be better used in one.

By the end, this film is about a conspiracy and is played by a caper. Feels like it was much ado about nothing. By the end, only two characters falling in love is the only true change throughout. So that by the end you feel like you went through an endurance test. A well-meaning one but still a chore 

It’s focused as it wants to be a lot of things all at once. It wants to be angry but also soft. As it is paced at times like a screwball comedy but intended to stick and not just go by. It just feels very unfocused. Yet wants to include a lot of details

Grade: C-

CASINO (1995)

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Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Written By: Nicholas Pileggi & Martin Scorsese
Based on the Book “Casino” By: Nicholas Pileggi
Cinematography: Robert Richardson 
Editor: Thelma Schoonmaker 

Cast: Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, Sharon Stone, James Woods, Frank Vincent, Don Rickles, Alan King, Kevin Pollak, Pasquale Cajano, Richard Riehle, L.Q. Jones, John Bloom, Dick Smothers, Vinny Vella, Melissa Prophet, Bill Allison, Steve Allen, Jayne Meadows, Frankie Avalon, Jerry Vale, 

A tale of greed, deception, money, power, and murder occur between two best friends: a mafia enforcer and a casino executive compete against each other over a gambling empire, and over a fast-living and fast-loving socialite.

This movie is a grand opera. Though its stage seems grand, you can tell at heart it has a central story that is a drama. That concerns a core small group but their actions affect way too many for it to barely be noticed. It charts everyone’s downfall. As really the film is a tragedy.

It feels like it might pack too much into the story and take as it tries to be partially a history lesson. As well as tell a story to these particular characters and how their Affairs and behavior brought down or exposed the mafia in Las Vegas. 

Now while this film is epic and told In Quite the same way what makes it so strong and magical is how much in the small details everything feels right and paid close attention to. It might not be as satisfying a gangster film as his previous film GOODFELLAS, but this is more a tale of greed and corruption that happens to have gangsters in it.

Everything presented here is over the top, even the cast. Which is peppered with Las Vegas entertainers in various roles. As well as big names sprinkled throughout. 

The film stays true to the true story being told but also has many subplots that might seem like distractions at first but eventually come together to show that these minute seeming trivialities are what makes everything come together to a clash eventually. 

Sharon Stone has never been better than Playing ginger. The hustler wife to Robert DeNiro’s casino runner. At first idealistic beauty and then is slowly addicted to alcohol and drugs who proves to be a bad bet for him. Who has always been a winner and picked them and as soon as he gets involved with her. Slowly things begin to crumble due to excess and ego.

It has been a little too familiar for Joe Pesci playing a likable killer sociopath again who is as funny as he is scary. Even though a different temperament and Robert DeNiro is quieter and less violent a character but more know it. Whose ego is his worst problem.

While this film Shows how Las Vegas and the mob rules Las Vegas with an iron fist. So that the house always won. It also shows how things have changed over time and how drugs and morals began to affect everything. Went so far as to include an ending where at the time they show how my body Vegas has changed and that the time they ruled was the end of an era. Even if corrupt how much fun it was or could be.

This film is certainly a grand vision painted with a paintbrush of all colors. As cinematographer Robert Richardson seems to go all out with lenses, filters, scopes to emphasize how crazy and exact things were at the time. At that point usually worked for director Oliver Stone. This was his first collaboration with Martin Scorsese and it seems a match made it. Heaven especially with this tale.

Though for as big as the film is it couldn’t be told any other way. Even when it tries to stay on certain stories and characters it can’t help but give the audience the whole picture so that they can understand exactly what all went into actions and decisions. Even throughout the film the narration changes to certain characters, even minor ones to help explain situations.

The soundtrack almost runs over each other in the changing scenes, moods, and tones. Though always seem to be playing the right song and cue 

While not exactly a masterpiece this is a big picture. That is hard to describe but it has all the elements that are needed for a soap opera only here treated more seriously. Filled with flawed and shady characters where the only close to innocent ones are just less shady than others.

The film tries to show that not all that glitters is gold and even if you try and gold plate it the tarnish is never quite fixed.

GRADE: B

THE FAMILY (2013)

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Directed By: Luc Besson  Written By: Luc Besson & Michael Caleo Based in the Book Written By: Tonino Benacquista Cinematography: Thierry Arbogast Editor: Julien Ray

Cast: Robert DeNiro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Tommy Lee Jones, Dianna Agron, John D’Leo, Domenick Lombardozzi, Vincent Pastore, Jimmy Palumbo 

The Manzoni family, a notorious mafia clan, is relocated to Normandy, France under the Witness Protection Program, where fitting in soon becomes challenging, as their old habits die hard.

The film goes from a zany comedic one moment then wants us to believe In The dramatics and tension of situations. They then usually relieve themselves in ridiculous ways. Filled with Italian mafia stereotypes. 

As each character finds their own hustle daughter seems to suffer the most

Just as with the ridiculous ark of Diana argron’s character sets out to seduce her teacher and then when he decides to end the affair for Good reason. She is ready to kill herself in a dramatic fashion. I guess the script is aiming to show the vast emotional unpredictable terrain of teenage girls In love?

Robert DeNiro seems to be having fun once again sending up himself and mob movies

The film has style but shows it rather sparingly and usually only in the action scenes.

The film should be a slam dunk. Though even the lost-in-translation-type jokes and setups don’t work here. As the film seems more of a high-concept comedy that has come too late. Usually, the film is just as appealing and Rich as a bunch of action scenes in a small town. That is when the film at least comes alive

Director Luc Besson is bringing Hollywood-style blockbusters and big action stores to more typical European locales and surroundings.

Here it doesn’t feel like anyone is trying. They more or less seem to be trying to coast on their own laurels. Just as the film seems to try to coast on the big-name cast and be seen as more of a prestige picture

Considering all the talent involved this should have been a slam dunk. It definitely should be better and sharper. Even if dumbed-down, It should definitely be better in the action sequences that director Luc Besson is usually an expert at.

The film feels so middle for the road, lazy and lacking effort. Its tone is all over the place and the humor seems obvious or just lost in translation. 

Every character goes their own way and eventually abs their own secrets. Breaking the rules they hold each other to. Except for surprisingly Robert DeNiro’s character who all the other characters think will. 

The film feels like they should men ore for character considering the talent. Instead, the film just feels thin like an idea without true follow-through very 1980s and 1990’s.

Grade: F

STARDUST (2007)

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Directed By: Matthew Vaughn
Written By: Matthew Vaughn & Jane Goldman
Based on the Novel By: Neil Gaiman
Cinematography By: Ben Davis
Editor: Jon Harris

Cast: Ben Barnes, Robert Deniro, Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Charlie Cox, Sienna Miller, Henry Cavill, Mark Strong, Jason Flemyng, Rupert Everett, Peter O’Toole, Ian McKellan, Ricky Gervais

In a countryside town bordering on a magical land, a young man makes a promise to his beloved that he’ll retrieve a fallen star by venturing into the magical realm.

For the grand adventure that the film is. It lacks an epic feel or grandiose locations and sights. Half the time it feels like the surroundings are sets. The film does end up better then you’d imagine though.

The lead Ben Barnes seems to be miscast. He feels weak and in effect unbelievably when he eventually becomes heroic. Especially when all the supporting characters are much richer and entertaining than the lead. Who lacks charisma and never comes close to being dashing. Though they try to make him so. Maybe that was the intention to go against type but it ends up not working at all.

What I really appreciate about the film is it’s macabre sense of humor and a mean streak to go with all this fantasy. While keeping the film fu adds a general sense of danger rather than films like THE PRINCESS BRIDE. Which while funny feels almost childlike and storybook clean. Whereas this film is a storybook and fantasy fairytale but with a bit of an edge. so that the film plays more for teens and adults.

Words like cute and fun come to mind while watching the film. Though it’s not what I would expect a director like Matthew Vaughn to make especially after his debut film LAYER CAKE a gangster film. He went to make this a full-fledged fantasy adaptation which is a wise choice showing he has range. In his talents though so far all of his films are adaptations. He is showing a diverse resume as he hasn’t made a truly bad film yet. So he has shown his talent which I would expect as a former producer of Guy Ritchie films.

The film is a fun little fantasy that you can get lost into the universe of and enjoy yourself. Which is rare these days. At least without it seeming processed and set up to sell toys.

It’s better than I personally thought it would be. The world they live in is never clearly defined. We never get to know the characters some of whom just seem like ideas more than developed characters integral to the story, Almost like distractions to pad out the story and have us not realize how thin the main story is but letting us get caught up in the situations, though the film is quite likable. The film stays within the fantasy limits but also tries to come off as smarter or more winking to the audience then most films of it’s type.

Though disappointingly another fantasy world that lacks minorities. It’s not a huge point but one I’d like to note probably not entirely the filmmaker’s fault but more could try. Minorities are underrepresented or not represented in most Fantasy Sci-Fi leaving you to wonder are they afterthoughts or in these so-called fantasy worlds are they Aryan wonderlands. Sorry to go off on a rant just a point that needed to be expressed.

Terry Gilliam Also almost directed the film which is a perfect example of the right director with the right material, but after directing THE BROTHERS GRIMM he was wiped out creatively. This would have been actually better for him to make.

GRADE: B

THE UNTOUCHABLES (1987)

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untouchables

Directed By: Brian DePalma
Written By: David Mamet
Suggested By A Book By: Elliot Ness & Oscar Fraley
Cinematography: Stephen H Burum
Editor: Jerry Greenberg & Bill Pankow 

Cast: Kevin Costner, Robert DeNiro, Sean Connery, Andy Garcia, Charles Martin Smith, Richard Bradford, Billy Drago, Patricia Clarkson, Don Harvey, Jack Kehoe, Del Close 

During the era of Prohibition in the United States, Federal Agent Eliot Ness sets out to stop ruthless Chicago gangster Al Capone and, because of rampant corruption, assembles a small, hand-picked team to help him. Continue reading “THE UNTOUCHABLES (1987)” →

JOKER (2019)

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joker1

 

Directed By: Todd Phillips
Written By: Todd Phillips & Scott Silver
Based On Characters Created By: Bob Kane, Bill Finger & Jerry Robinson
Cinematography: Lawrence Sher
Editor: Jeff Groth 


Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Zazie Beetz, Robert DeNiro, Brett Cullen, Francis Conroy, Shea Whigham, Bill Camp, Josh Pais, Marc Maron, Bryan Callen, Glenn Fleshler, Chris Redd, Brian Tyree Henry, April Grace 


Joker centers around an origin of the iconic arch nemesis and is an original, standalone story not seen before on the big screen. Todd Phillips’ exploration of Arthur Fleck, a man disregarded by society is not only a gritty character study, but also a broader cautionary tale. If you are looking for a comic book tale. You will be disappointed. While it doesn’t include the joker and the Wayne family as well as Gotham and arkham. It seems more tied into a psychological character study thriller. That uses all those comic book elements and storyline as a frame for it’s own ideas.

Continue reading “JOKER (2019)” →

LIMITLESS (2011)

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limitless1

Directed By: Neil Burger
Written By: Leslie Dixon
Based on the Novel By: Alan Glynn
Cinematography: Jo Willems
Editor: Tracy Adams & Naomi Geraghty 

Cast: Bradley Cooper, Robert DeNiro, Abbie Cornish, Anna Friel, Johnny Whitworth, Ned Eisenberg, Robert John Burke, T.V. Capiro 


With the help of a mysterious pill that enables the user to access one hundred percent of his brain abilities, a struggling writer becomes a financial wizard, but it also puts him in a new world with lots of dangers.

Continue reading “LIMITLESS (2011)” →