MOVIE REVIEW: KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON

In the 1920s, members of the Osage Native American tribe of Osage County, Oklahoma, are murdered after oil is found on their land, and the FBI decides to investigate.

Director: Martin Scorsese

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone, Jesse Plemons, Tantoo Cardinal, John Lithgow, Brendan Fraser

Release Date: October 20, 2023

Genre: Crime, Drama, History, Mystery, Thriller, Western

Rated R for violence, some grisly images, and language

Runtime: 3h 26m

Martin Scorsese's massive Killers of the Flower Moon is epic in thematic scope while being grounded by powerful performances from its cast.  Scorsese's sprawling story moves at a methodical pace as he lets his film linger in the quieter, character moments that serve  as the lifeblood of the story.  His meticulous style is perfectly suited to the larger story at play onscreen as he recounts a sordid tale of sorrow that had mostly been forgotten to history much like the Tulsa Race Massacre which is referenced at various points during the film.  The murders are grimy ugly affairs and Scorsese aptly portrays those moments with noticeable bluntness as members of the Osage Nation are pruned off with wonton, greedy brutality.  The central trio of characters played by Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone and Robert De Niro serve as the anchor of the story.  De Niro is far more engaged that he has been in years, playing the manipulative mastermind behind the bloody plot who believably vacillates between earnest and caring to cold blood opportunist with incredible ease.  Leonardo DiCaprio plays his brutish, dullard of a nephew that's tasked with starting a relationship with Lily Gladstone's Mollie whose family holds a large amount of oil wealth.  DiCaprio could easily play this character as a one dimensional thug but he manages to give his portrayal layers that gives it far more depth.  His character is shown to be a murderous opportunist but there are tangible moments of heartfelt love for Mollie even as he's slowly killing her.  DiCaprio's turn manages to let the audience experience these conflicting emotions especially as the film moves on.  Lily Gladstone's soulful performance makes the tragic story all the more impactful as she brings a level of authenticity and earnestness to the role.  Gladstone makes you feel every moment of pain that her character experiences throughout her Jobian level of misery and betrayal.  It’s an understated, nuanced performance that makes you empathize with her plight especially since her character struggles with the reality of the situation before finally coming to grips with it.  Gladstone and DiCaprio share a handful of moments, especially in the film's back half that are truly devastating and heartbreaking for multiple reasons.  Killers of the Flower Moon is filled with subtle, delicate moments, deliberately paced for ultimate effect which demands your attention.

A-

Cindy Prascik's Review of The Irishman

Dearest reader(s), Monday I spent nearly half of my day off trying to digest Martin Scorsese's The Irishman.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailer.

An aging mob hitman recounts his past and his relationship with infamous union leader Jimmy Hoffa.
Let it be noted I've already taken much heat for suggesting this film might not be the second coming of Christ...or at least the second coming of the Godfather. Take me to task if you will, but I've probably already heard it. That being said: I didn't hate this movie. I think it's being classed a masterpiece by default, because the individual pieces *should* add up to something spectacular. In my mind they don't, BUT...I didn't hate it.

Let's start with the obvious: the Irishman is too long to be as slow as it is, or too slow to be as long as it is. There are plenty of moving pieces, but it's not half complicated enough to justify such a bloated runtime. Robert DeNiro is, of course, more than alright in the lead; it's a role he could sleepwalk to awards glory. His by-the-numbers assassin isn't particularly sympathetic, but, portrayed as a normal person ravaged by age and a few pangs of regret, he appears to be the good guy...or maybe the least bad guy? Al Pacino's Jimmy Hoffa is an ice-cream loving buffoon, so convinced of his own untouchable status that he almost seems an easy mark. It's a convincing performance, but not a particularly noteworthy item on the Pacino CV. The supporting cast is a who's who of "that guy who was in that mob movie": Joe Pesci, Bobby Cannavale, Harvey Keitel, Stephen Graham, Ray Romano. Everyone is capable; no one is remarkable. The film does feature a pretty terrific soundtrack of old 50s and 60s nuggets, with Marty Robbins' "A White Sport Coat (and a Pink Carnation)" bringing particular joy to this old 60s nugget. The Irishman is an interesting enough story that, unfortunately, isn’t particularly well told, although the movie did prove a marginally better sleep aid than the most recent Avengers flick, so there ya go, Scorsese: you got one over on Marvel.

The Irishman runs an interminable 209 minutes and is rated R for "pervasive language and strong violence."

The Irishman is a deliberately-paced tale of violence and betrayal.

While its individual ingredients taste of past brilliance, the finished recipe is more Monday night leftovers than Christmas dinner. Of a possible nine Weasleys, the Irishman gets five.
Fangirl points: Jack Huston!

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: THE IRISHMAN

In the 1950s, truck driver Frank Sheeran gets involved with Russell Bufalino and his Pennsylvania crime family. As Sheeran climbs the ranks to become a top hit man, he also goes to work for Jimmy Hoffa -- a powerful Teamster tied to organized crime.

Director: Martin Scorsese

Cast: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci, Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale, Anna Paquin, Stephen Graham, Stephanie Kurtzuba, Jesse Plemons, Harvey Keitel

Release Date: November 27, 2019

Genres: Biography, Crime, Drama

Rated R for pervasive language and strong violence.

Runtime: 3h 29min

Review:

The Irishman might be best described as a Martin Scorsese supreme.  This magnum opus seems to encapsulate everything from his gangster golden age populated by all his favorite actors from that era.  In lesser hands, this might come off as superfluous or passé but Scorsese feels refreshed and rejuvenated.  His direction is sharp, crisp and engaging throughout.  You get moments, sequences and shots that recall some of his classic films like Good Fellas and Raging Bull.  However, this isn’t simply retreading old tropes because you can get a sense of a more pensive and reflective director behind the camera.  Similarly, his cast delivers their best work in years with the added depth of age.  The much talked about deaging works for the most part even though it’s a bit jarring in the early sequences.  Thankfully, that wears down over time allowing you to appreciate the performances.  Watching Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci together on screen really helps highlight how well they work off each other resulting in stellar performances from both.  Joe Pesci, after his long layoff, shows that’s never lost his touch for these types of characters with his age aiding his performance.  De Niro looks more engaging that he has in years.  His performance is both frightening and sympathetic at the same time even though his character is a moral wasteland.  Al Pacino though decides to go full Pacino as Hoffa.  His performance is like a mix of Scarface and The Devils Advocate’s Devil, its full decibel from the get go.  The interesting thing is that after the initial shock, it actually works well for the character.  The supporting cast is populated with Scorsese regulars both new and old plus an added bonus of giving Anna Paquin her best performance by making her nearly mute throughout with one solitary line.  These types of decisions are true signs of a auteur still at the top of game as he creates another classic.

A

MOVIE REVIEW: THE WOLF OF WALL STREET

Martin Scorsese reteams with Leonardo DiCaprio for this adaptation of Jordan Belfort's memoir about his exploits as a crooked banker. Terence Winter provides the screenplay. Jonah Hill and Oscar winner Jean Dujardin co-star. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Director: Martin Scorsese

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Jean Dujardin, Matthew McConaughey, Kyle Chandler.

Release Date: Dec 25, 2013

Rated R for graphic Nudity, Drug Use, Language Throughout, Some Violence and Strong Sexual Content

Runtime: 2 hr. 59 min.

Genres: Drama

Review:

The Wolf of Wall Street is an extended journey into the depraved and debauched life of Jordan Belfort. It’s an electric film with an incredible turn by Leonardo DiCaprio which should earn him an Oscar nomination at the very least. Scorsese delivers his best film since Goodfellas while using a similar structure and energy throughout. The film clocks in at 3 hours but it’s a dizzying dive into the story which beats you into submission. DiCaprio perfectly encapsulates the sleazy charisma and charm of Belfort. The Steve Madden IPO speech is an instant classic which should have ended with a title card saying “For your Consideration.” Jonah Hill is just as impressive in a supporting role which is funny and unpredictable at the same time. The film as a whole is incredibly funny with the hilarity increasing as Belfort’s life crumbles more and more. The ending is rather interesting as it seems to point the finger back at the victims. It’s a rather interesting way to end the story but fitting at the same time.

B+

MOVIE REVIEWS: SHUTTER ISLAND

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

MOVIE REVIEWS: SHUTTER ISLAND

IN THEATERS

SHUTTER ISLAND

Mark Ruffalo and Leonardo DiCaprio team up as a pair of U.S. Marshals who travel to a secluded island off the coast of Massachusetts to search for an escaped mental patient, uncovering a web of deception along the way as they battle the forces of nature and a prison riot in this Martin Scorsese-helmed period picture. Laeta Kalogridis adapts Dennis Lehane's novel of the same name, with Paramount Pictures and Columbia Pictures splitting production and distribution duties. Ben Kingsley co-stars as the head of the institution where the patient resided, while Michelle Williams portrays Leonardo DiCaprio's deceased wife, whose memory haunts him during the investigation. Max von Sydow, Emily Mortimer, Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson, and Jackie Earle Haley round out the supporting cast. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide

Director: Martin Scorsese

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Max von Sydow.

Release Date: Feb 19, 2010

Rated R for disturbing violent content, some nudity and language

Runtime: 2 hr. 18 min.

Genres: Action, Thriller

Review:

Martin Scorsese’s visually stunning Shutter Island is a mind bending trek through heady themes that leave you asking yourself questions long after you’ve finished watching it. Scorsese’s visual flair is apparent from the start and his creativity truly shows during the classic dream sequences that pepper the film. He creates a visual landscape that is unsettlingly and unnerving. He accomplishes this with such flair that I’d be hard pressed to find any diehard movie fan who finds faults with its construction. Scorsese does a wonderful job of channeling Hitchcock’s style and music but making it distinctively his at the same time. The director’s go to guy, Leonardo DiCaprio, is more than up to the challenge as well. DiCaprio is appropriately intense and conflicted throughout, adding another layer to the performance as the film heads into its finale. He does a wonderful job of showing the characters inner struggle throughout without going over the top. Mark Ruffalo is engaging and steady, providing a nice anchor point for DiCaprio’s character. Ben Kingsley is stoic throughout. The remainder of the supporting players Max von Sydow, Emily Mortimer, Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson, and Jackie Earle Haley all make the most of their small but impactful parts. Shutter Island’s plot and central mystery are best left to be discovered on your own even if it’s fairly obvious from a healthy dose of Easter eggs dropped throughout the film. Admittedly, this type of story has been done before but what makes Shutter Island special is talent in front of and behind the camera.

A-