Tag: crime

video review : Carlito’s Way

video review : Carlito's Way

This is the tale of a lifelong gangster trying to go straight. Released early from a 30-year prison sentence on a technicality, former drug lord Carlito Brigante returns to the free world a new man. The plan, his dream, is to take part in a legit car rental business with a friend, but of course life doesn’t always go according to plan.

Some of the characterization goes overboard; David Kleinfeld, Brigante’s best friend and lawyer, is particularly caricatural; but the plot is generally riveting. Even the sappy romantic subplot is handled with care. The one major flaw, in fact, is that the movie commits the crime of telling you how the story will end before it begins.

my rating : 4 of 5

1993
 

Lucky Luciano :

The way it shows the ending first is not uncommon in gangster movies, but in this case it doesn’t seem to do anything but leave a feeling of doom and tradgedy throughout the film. Which is fine, but it probably would have been more effective if that tradgedy came unexpected. Also, the overbearing love story sometimes gets in the way. Despite these shortcomings, it’s still a movie worth recommending for the performances and storytelling. If you want a film about a reformed man who can’t escape his past, this is it.

4/5

video review : Money Talks

video review : Money Talks

Money Talks and so does Franklin; a wisecracking ticket scalper played by Chris Tucker. He’s the star of the show and easily the most entertaining thing about this movie, the plot of which has him partnering with LA news reporter James Russell.

It’s an action-packed adventure of sorts as the pair get chased not only by the police; Franklin is suspected of committing multiple homicides during a prison escape; but a gang of gun-toting bad guys who’ll kill anybody to get their stolen diamonds back.

my rating : 3 of 5

1997

audio review : First Time In A Long Time ( song ) … Kanye West ( featuring Soulja Boy )

The only thing I dislike about this song is the way Kanye West leaves the word Time out of the title phrase every other time he says it. I understand he does it for melodic purposes and it’s a catchy hook in that regard, but it doesn’t make grammatical sense. Perhaps he should’ve said something about the “song” instead of repeating it.

It’s a flagrant flaw but not significant enough to ruin what sounds like a damn good song demo. The music is charming; I can’t tell what the girl or kid is saying on the loop; and the Soulja Boy verse is a welcomed addition. It’s his vocal flow/delivery that makes it work and I like the way it ends, despite him rhyming Long Time with Long Time.

my rating : 4 of 5

2022

video review : Robin Harris on One Night Stand

video review : Robin Harris on One Night Stand

Don’t be disillusioned by the corny prelude. Robin Harris is a funny man. He’s often downright hilarious, especially when he’s making fun of people. “What you laughing at,” he says to a balding man in the audience before directing a stage technician to beam in on him, “Put the light on the brother with the hole in his natural.”

It’s not just the jokes that are funny. It’s also Robin’s vocal inflections, body language and overall delivery. He’s like the uncle who talks (shit) about everybody at the family get-together. It’s all in fun though. He spends a little too much time on the ending bit about Bébé’s kids, but the show is a thoroughly entertaining affair.

my rating : 4 of 5

1990