Movie Reviews

American Gangster (Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe)

Brilliant.  Loved it.  Based on a true story about a drug kingpin in 1970s Harlem.

This movie had it all– money, sex, drugs, gangsters, honest cops, dishonest cops, blacks, whites, Italians, Puerto Ricans, mafia, guns, family, and a freakin’ SHELBY.

Contessa says:  “If you like gritty gangster films, this will NOT disappoint!”

This movie was: (+) infidelity– multiple scenes w/Russell Crowe’s character; (-) puking*

 
Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (Ethan Hawke, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Marisa Tomei)

Two thumbs up!  Another gritty drama involving murder, drugs, sex, money, and family. 

The story evolves around two brothers who plot the ”perfect” robbery– although the robbery doesn’t go down as planned (and is anything but perfect).  And let’s face it– these two brothers have more than just a botched robbery to worry about…

Contessa says, “Intense and gritty, yet not without angst.  A must see if you like bold, brutal– and often times bleak– suspense.”   However, truth be told, I could have done without the opening sex scene.  Do we really want– or need– to see Philip Seymour Hoffman naked?… nope, didn’t think so.

This movie was:  (+) infidelity– scene w/Marisa Tomei’s character and Ethan Hawke; (-) puking*

*As gritty as both of these movies were, I’m SHOCKED that neither had a puking scene.  If, by chance, I missed it in either movie, please leave a comment (including description of the scene) so I can amend my findings. 

Master, Master

I’m not exactly certain when i fell in-hate with you.  It was, however, most decidedly sandwiched between infidelity and “wash the dishes.”