Crime
Could be criminals or cops, as long as it involves crime of some sort. For heist films, see the related list "Heist"; for classic film noir, see the related list "Film Noir"
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- DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsAl PacinoRobert De NiroRobert DuvallThe early life and career of Vito Corleone in 1920s New York City is portrayed, while his son, Michael, expands and tightens his grip on the family crime syndicate.This continues the epic saga set up by the first film. I liked this arguably more, because I thought the focus on familial relationships (both between Michael and Fredo/Connie, as well as Michael and Tom, or even Frank Pentangenelli and the "family" as a whole) was stronger with a relatively smaller cast. The flashback scenes with Vito helped establish context for his rise to power and also brought into question his morality several times, something which seemed to be glossed over in the first. Beautiful cinematography and several party scenes with massive ambition; the Godfather is at his finest (though loneliest) in this.
Watched June 12th, 2018 - DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsMarlon BrandoAl PacinoJames CaanThe aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.I unfortunately didn't see this the first time with subtitles, but I plan on rewatching it soon to fully grasp the dialogue that I missed out on. I enjoyed its slower pace and attention to detail, but it mostly felt like a build-up to the sequel. The cast did a fantastic job and the soundtrack was great as well; I appreciate it for its artistic merits and its impact on cinema as a whole, but I'll definitely need to watch it again to become more familiar with its themes.
Watched December 2nd, 2017 with friends - DirectorElia KazanStarsMarlon BrandoKarl MaldenLee J. CobbAn ex-prize fighter turned New Jersey longshoreman struggles to stand up to his corrupt union bosses, including his older brother, as he starts to connect with the grieving sister of one of the syndicate's victims.Powerful acting from all involved and an emotive soundtrack. I appreciated the straightforward nature of the film (standing up against corruption), as it still excelled as a compelling character drama without an overly complicated crime plot. After learning that the director Kazan had testified against former friends as Communists, I am a bit less enthused that this could be seen as a film in support of McCarthyism, but I was nonetheless thrilled with it overall
Watched March 19, 2023 - DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroRay LiottaJoe PesciThe story of Henry Hill and his life in the mafia, covering his relationship with his wife Karen and his mob partners Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito.I liked the first person narrative and the fact that it was mostly based on true events. It satisfied my itch for a Mob movie and was an overall solid time; I liked the narration switching between Henry and Karen after her introduction, as it allowed the movie to portray the domestic side of the business as well. Lots of familiar faces from other Mob media (The Sopranos namely), so it was a fun time. It had really great follow shots/assumed single-takes as well.
Watched April 10th, 2018 with friends - DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroSharon StoneJoe PesciIn Las Vegas, two best friends - a casino executive and a mafia enforcer - compete for a gambling empire and a fast-living, fast-loving socialite.I liked the parallels established between Ace and Lester, both of whom emotionally manipulated Ginger, who in turn manipulated the two of them. Really cool fashion throughout, and a solid soundtrack. The slow burn of the deterioration of Ginger and Ace's relationship was also cool to watch, and Joe Pescie's rants are top-notch as always.
Watched July 11th, 2018 with friends - DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsLeonardo DiCaprioMatt DamonJack NicholsonAn undercover cop and a mole in the police attempt to identify each other while infiltrating an Irish gang in South Boston.The ending scene is great, and the entire film is definitely a suspenseful ride the whole way through. Fantastic cast and acting. Even though this is a remake and I haven't seen the original, the nuance and tension throughout the film is phenomenal.
Did a report on this in 8th grade; rewatched June 11th, 2018 - DirectorDavid MackenzieStarsChris PineBen FosterJeff BridgesToby is a divorced father who's trying to make a better life. His brother is an ex-con with a short temper and a loose trigger finger. Together, they plan a series of heists against the bank that's about to foreclose on their family ranch.The revolving shots were great (especially at the beginning), and I appreciated the subtle acting and nuanced characters. The anti-bank lamentations of everyone being in debt seem particularly poignant with the student debt crisis, and I overall greatly enjoyed it. Probably my favorite thing Chris Pine has ever done
Watched January 13th, 2019 - DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsHarvey KeitelTim RothMichael MadsenWhen a simple jewelry heist goes horribly wrong, the surviving criminals begin to suspect that one of them is a police informant.A bold move to have basically the entire movie told through dialogue with several flashbacks. Great cast and characters
- DirectorJoel CoenEthan CoenStarsWilliam H. MacyFrances McDormandSteve BuscemiMinnesota car salesman Jerry Lundegaard's inept crime falls apart due to his and his henchmen's bungling and the persistent police work of the quite pregnant Marge Gunderson.A cool premise, to see how small-town police officers deal with a grisly murder. The cast did a great job
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsLeonardo DiCaprioRobert De NiroLily GladstoneWhen oil is discovered in 1920s Oklahoma under Osage Nation land, the Osage people are murdered one by one - until the FBI steps in to unravel the mystery.I enjoyed this and its social commentary but was really hoping for a deeper exploration of Osage culture and their perspective on the murders. The vast majority of the film (especially when Molly is sick for about an hour) is spent on the crime plot between De Niro and DiCaprio, which was at least extremely compelling with the sanctimonious and conniving King and a dim-witted but very willing accomplice in Ernest. Had I known this going in, I would have enjoyed it more. My favorite scene in the film is during Anna's naming ceremony, where Molly looks around and realizes most of her immediate circle of friends has been replaced by white people. All in all, great performances from all involved and a worthy addition to Scorsese's catalogue
Watched October 20, 2023 in theaters with friends - DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsMichael DouglasBenicio Del ToroCatherine Zeta-JonesA conservative judge is appointed by the President to spearhead America's escalating war against drugs, only to discover that his teenage daughter is a crack addict. Two DEA agents protect an informant. A jailed drug baron's wife attempts to carry on the family business.Phenomenal cinematography and great acting from the star-studded cast. I appreciated the in-depth and nuanced perspective from all aspects of the drug trade. My only qualms were with a few cliche plot points, but I overall enjoyed the film a lot
Watched September 28th, 2019 with family - DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroAl PacinoJoe PesciAn illustration of Frank Sheeran's life, from W.W.II veteran to hit-man for the Bufalino crime family and his alleged assassination of his close friend Jimmy Hoffa.Great performances from all involved, and the digital de-aging was better than I anticipated (though it obviously failed at making the cast look significantly younger). Very interesting tale that shows some of the more business-like functions of being in the mob (the law, the financing, the union control, etc.). The bleak coda of the film was nice and showed mobster life after their "heyday" as well
Watched December 2nd, 2019 - DirectorRobert De NiroStarsRobert De NiroChazz PalminteriLillo BrancatoAn intense drama about a boy torn between his tough, hard-working father and a violent yet charismatic crime boss.This needs a rewatch, but I remember loving it as a kid
Rewatched June 16th, 2018: I thought the two "warring sides" of an honest but frugal life versus a dangerous but luxurious one were interesting in how they shaped Calogero ((mostly) non-prejudiced and hardworking but unenthused by the lfiestyle of the working man, etc.) The romantic subplot and racial tension was done tastefully but left little time to develop, so I had hoped the runtime for the film had been a bit longer. Nonetheless, fantastic soundtrack and great acting throughout (particularly by Lillo Brancato, Jr.) - DirectorAntoine FuquaStarsDenzel WashingtonEthan HawkeScott GlennA rookie cop spends his first day as a Los Angeles narcotics officer with a rogue detective who isn't what he appears to be.This was really entertaining, though I don't remember much about it. The scene in the bathtub was pretty iconic though
- DirectorNorman JewisonStarsSidney PoitierRod SteigerWarren OatesA black Philadelphia police detective is mistakenly suspected of a local murder while passing through a racially hostile Mississippi town, and after being cleared is reluctantly asked by the police chief to investigate the case.Though similar stories have been told of overcoming racial prejudices and working together across societal boundaries, I thought the development between the two leads was both believable and well-paced. The resolution of the plot seemed to come out of nowhere and I'm still not really sure how Tibbs figured out the whole mystery, but the rest of the film was nice. Tibbs slapping Endicott was iconic.
Watched Mach 30th, 2019 with family - DirectorStanley KubrickStarsMalcolm McDowellPatrick MageeMichael BatesIn the future, a sadistic gang leader is imprisoned and volunteers for a conduct-aversion experiment, but it doesn't go as planned.There were some beautiful shots in this and McDowell did a great job in portraying Alex. It had a slow and deliberate pace in its scenes, which was appreciated, but definitely would not lend itself well to repeat viewings. Questioned free will and what it means to be good, but altogether a bit overhyped for me.
Watched March 17th, 2019 - DirectorMike HodgesStarsMichael CaineIan HendryBritt EklandWhen his brother dies under mysterious circumstances in a car accident, London gangster Jack Carter travels to Newcastle to investigate.It was nice to see a young Michael Caine, and even though the violence was a bit much at times, this is a mostly satisfying tale of revenge with a few twists along the way.
Watched June 7th, 2019 - DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroHarvey KeitelDavid ProvalIn New York City's Little Italy, a devoutly Catholic mobster must reconcile his desire for power, his feelings for his epileptic lover, and his devotion to his troublesome friend.This was an interesting character study of a man seeking redemption and a nice look into the more "mundane" aspects of criminal life. For how hyped Robert De Niro was in this, I was a bit surprised Harvey Keitel had more screentime (and frankly stood out more to me here).
Watched July 23rd, 2019 - DirectorSergio LeoneStarsRobert De NiroJames WoodsElizabeth McGovernA former Prohibition-era Jewish gangster returns to the Lower East Side of Manhattan 35 years later, where he must once again confront the ghosts and regrets of his old life.Amazing score and a sweeping tale of friendship and memories. I don't anticipate watching it again, but I thought the acting was good and the themes covered were interesting (other people have more well-written analyses that I won't put here). The women were poorly-written but I otherwise enjoyed the film.
Watched February 7th, 2019 - DirectorBrian De PalmaStarsAl PacinoMichelle PfeifferSteven BauerIn 1980 Miami, a determined Cuban immigrant takes over a drug cartel and succumbs to greed.Other than being intriguing for portraying a "person of color" as the main character and truly accomplishing the American Dream, the rest of the film was fairly mediocre. The plot was generic (overprotective brother, loveless marriage, addiction to drugs and subsequent downfall), but the movie was still entertaining. The iconic quote came near the end, which I hadn't expected, but it was nice to see a piece of cultural history.
Watched February 24th, 2019 - DirectorMichael MannStarsAl PacinoRobert De NiroVal KilmerA group of high-end professional thieves start to feel the heat from the LAPD when they unknowingly leave a verbal clue at their latest heist.I thought the acting was good and the heist sequences were certainly thrilling, but the slow character moments and borderline unnecessary romantic plotlines really dragged the movie for me. Every character was well-rounded, and even seemingly inconsequential characters (Breedan) ended up being important, but I couldn't help but feel that the movie could've been half an hour to forty-five minutes shorter with absolutely nothing lost. Still mostly enjoyable
Watched December 25th, 2018 - DirectorDavid O. RussellStarsChristian BaleAmy AdamsBradley CooperA con man, Irving Rosenfeld, along with his seductive partner Sydney Prosser, is forced to work for a wild F.B.I. Agent, Richie DiMaso, who pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and the Mafia.The ensemble cast and soundtrack were the big draws of this movie. While the plot was entertaining and partially based on real life, I was fairly underwhelmed throughout (though I found Jeremy Renner and Jennifer Lawrence's characters particularly interesting).
Watched July 7th, 2018 with family - DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsPam GrierSamuel L. JacksonRobert ForsterA flight attendant with a criminal past gets nabbed by the ATF for smuggling. Under pressure to become an informant against the illegal arms dealer she works for, she must find a way to secure her future without getting killed.A thoroughly entertaining watch, but it felt a little long. I don't remember much about it, but I watched it in the apartment
- DirectorOliver StoneStarsWoody HarrelsonJuliette LewisTom SizemoreTwo victims of traumatized childhoods become lovers and psychopathic serial murderers irresponsibly glorified by the mass media.Watched at a Disturbing Movie Night I believe. The peyote scene was pretty intense, but "Scagnetti" is a running joke with my friends to this day, so it was good in that regard
Also Thriller, Satire - DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsAl PacinoDiane KeatonAndy GarciaFollows Michael Corleone, now in his 60s, as he seeks to free his family from crime and find a suitable successor to his empire.While this certainly didn't live up to its predecessors, I think it's too harshly criticized. The evolution of Michael, from a cold and callous Don to a morally corrupt man seeking absolution, is believable as he advances in age. Joey Zasa and Vincent Mancini's characters weren't as compelling as they were intended to be and Sofia Coppola's acting, though I want to give it the benefit of the doubt, honestly tanked the movie. The helicopter shootout was over-the-top and of debatable necessity.
Watched December 16th, 2018 - DirectorDavid FincherStarsMorgan FreemanBrad PittKevin SpaceyTwo detectives, a rookie and a veteran, hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his motives.Cool premise, but it fell a little flat for me
- DirectorBen AffleckStarsBen AffleckRebecca HallJon HammA proficient group of thieves rob a bank and hold an assistant manager hostage. Things begin to get complicated when one of the crew members falls in love with her.Arguably Heist as well, but it's labelled a crime drama everywhere I've seen. I don't remember much about it, but it was entertaining
- DirectorJohn LandisStarsJohn BelushiDan AykroydCab CallowayJake Blues rejoins with his brother Elwood after being released from prison, but the duo has just days to reunite their old R&B band and save the Catholic home where the two were raised, outrunning the police as they tear through Chicago.This had more charm and pizzazz than the sequel, and Aykroyd and Belushi were definitely the best duo. I appreciate this more now that I'm older
Also Comedy - DirectorBrian De PalmaStarsKevin CostnerSean ConneryRobert De NiroDuring Prohibition, Treasury agent Eliot Ness sets out to stop ruthless Chicago gangster Al Capone, and assembles a small, incorruptible team to help him.This was an entertaining watch but featured much less Capone than I would have liked and was a bit too cliche in some of its story beats. Great performance from Connery though
Watched October 19th, 2019 - DirectorJoel CoenEthan CoenStarsJeff BridgesJohn GoodmanJulianne MooreJeff "The Dude" Lebowski, mistaken for a millionaire of the same name, seeks restitution for his ruined rug and enlists his bowling buddies to help get it.I didn't like this when I watched it, but I remember a lot about it, so it couldn't have been too bad
- DirectorJohn LandisStarsDan AykroydJohn GoodmanWalter LevineElwood must reunite the old band, with a few new members, and go on another "Mission from God."I saw this one first and really liked it, but in retrospect I don't think it was that great of a movie. Entertaining, but the chemistry between the cast members didn't feel the same as the first one
Also Comedy - DirectorLuc BessonStarsRobert De NiroMichelle PfeifferDianna AgronThe 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.I liked the cast but the movie itself was pretty lackluster
- DirectorGordon Parks Jr.StarsRon O'NealCarl LeeSheila FrazierThe daily routine of cocaine dealer Priest who wants to score one more super deal and retire.Extended action shots and though some poignant points were made about oppression and desperation, it was overall a boring watch.
Watched December 4th, 2019 - DirectorSofia CoppolaStarsKatie ChangIsrael BroussardEmma WatsonInspired by actual events, a group of fame-obsessed teenagers use the internet to track celebrities' whereabouts in order to rob their homes.I don't remember much of this, but the only scene that stood out to me was towards the end with the sirens. Fine cast but unremarkable otherwise