Random Mexican’s Movie Reviews

Saturday, October 07, 2006
Movie Reviews: The Departed & The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
In theaters

The Departed



Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) is an undercover cop in South Boston assigned to infiltrate a mob syndicate run by a boss named Costello (Jack Nicholson). Meanwhile, a young criminal, Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon), has embedded himself in the police department's Special Investigation Unit. Both their lives become endangered when the two organizations realize they have moles within their ranks.



Cast Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Martin Sheen, Mark Wahlberg, Ray Winstone (more)



Director(s) Martin Scorsese



Writer(s) William Monahan



Status In theaters (wide)



Genre(s) Dramas, Thriller, Police, Crime, Mafia



Release Date Oct. 6, 2006



MPAA Rating R

Review:

Martin Scorsese's The Departed is a crime drama classic. Taut tense and gripping, this film just demands your attention from being to end. Crime dramas have never been my cup of tea in general but The Departed is just so well crafted and acted that it'd be impossible to not enjoy this movie. Scorsese keep the movie moving at a wonderfully brisk pace, so much so that you barely notice the 2 and half hour run time. The script is beautifully written; smart, profane and filled with great lines, it gives the fine cast plenty to work with. The acting is just perfect; everyone in the film is in top form. Big kudos go to Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Mark Walhlberg, they really excel in this film, DiCaprio actually looks and acts like a grown man here. Matt Damon is excellent in his role as the police mole; he plays against type and really shines. The Departed will take you on a hell of a ride of filled with tons of twist and turns that lead you to a blood splatter ending which won't disappoint, can't recommend this movie enough!

A+

This review was brought to you by Becky Rios who was kind enough to give me a gift certificate to AMC, thanks again Becks!





The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning



Oh, so that's how Leatherface became a murderous psycho! Jordana Brewster and a bunch of other young hot people star in this prequel to the classic horror series.



Cast Jordana Brewster, Cyia Batten, Andrew Bryniarski, Diora Baird, Matthew Bomer



Director(s) Jonathan Liebesman



Status In theaters (wide)



Genre(s) Horror/Suspense, Horror, Psychos, Slasher, Killer, Theatrical Release



Release Date Oct. 6, 2006



MPAA Rating R

Review:


I was hoping The Texas Chainsaw Massacre:The Beginning would exceed the quality of the recent remake. Sadly, it doesn't deliver. This movie doesn't bring anything new to the table that most horror fans haven't seen before. Things occur in a very predictable fashion. The movie is filled with tons of gore and there's enough blood to keep most vampires at bay for weeks. The real problem with this movie is it lacks any innovation. It's shocking how paint by the numbers this sequel prequel to a remake is, it's like horror film making class 101, lots of cheap scares and all of them happen at exactly the time you'd expect them to occur. The cast is mostly non descript fodder aside from Jordana Brewster and R Lee Ermey. Brewster, who is in the world's smallest pair of pants the whole movie, does a decent job of portraying panic, fear mixed with survival determination. R Lee Ermey is the best thing in this movie; he's in top form in this movie as the sadist Sheriff Hoyt. He pretty much channels his performance from Full Metal Jacket which is perfect since he gets his hands on a draft dodger here. The third act of the movie is probably the best, mainly because here the director gives the audience a few well done homages to the original Tobe Hooper classic. There is a small twist at the end which is suppose to shock the audience but it's so obvious that it's telegraphed from the start. The high points are far too little to make this film anything more than it is, an average slasher film with Chainsaw franchise attached.

C-