THE DARK TOWER (2017)

Featuring: Idris Elba; Matthew McConaughey; Tom Taylor

Director: Nikolaj Arcel

I am sure more movies have been made from Stephan King stories than from any other single author ever. And with Halloween-month just around the corner I thought it a good time to look at some of the films based on his work. There is no denying: he is the undisputed master of horror. This particular movie is actually excerpts from several of the Dark Tower series of books by the writer. In a sense it is a bit like what was done with Hearts In Atlantis (2001). I think the problem for movie makers is that all King's stories are so rich with intricate material that it becomes difficult to take one book or story and cover it all in one movie. Gee, it's even difficult to do a proper detailed review of most of these movies...

Be that as is may, in this movie Jake (Tom Taylor) is haunted by vivid nightmares of impending doom. He is convinced that they are premonitions but nobody wants to believe him and thinks he may be a little crazy. So he decides to follow up on some of the clues he got from his dreams on his own. However, what he stumbles onto is even more dreadful than what he could ever imagine.

Apparently, the critics didn't like this movie very much. On IMDB it scored a disappointing 5.7/10. I disagree. It contains everything you'd expect of a good horror flick: action, suspense, enough gore and a good plot with just the right amount of twists and turns to keep you guessing. Young Taylor acquits himself excellently of his task and doesn't have to stand back one inch for either of the two heavy weight co-stars.

I had no trouble in awarding it 4 out of 5 stars!

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjwfqXTebIY 

Idris Elba and Tom Taylor

THE MAZE RUNNER: DEATH CURE (2018)

Featuring: Dylan O'Brien; Kaya Scodelario; Thomas Brodie-Sangster

Director: Wes Ball

In order to refresh your memory of what happened in the previous two movies, you can check out my posts of July 4th 2015 and April 5th 2016.

In the third and final episode of this particular trilogy of films, the story picks up where Thomas (Dylan O'Brien), Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) and a group of their friends rescue some of their fellow Gladers, who got captured, from a prison train. But once they reach the safety of their temporary hide-out, they realize that Minho (Ki Hong Lee) - one of the original group who escaped the maze - is not among the kids they freed. It is then that they learn about the existence of the Last City, stronghold of the WCKD organization. And their only hope to rescue their lost friend is to go there and somehow infiltrate the city.

Again there is a lot of action in the form of running, fighting and ducking from bullets and explosions. The young cast still acquit themselves excellently of their task. And even though a few key characters bite the dust along the way, overall, it is still a fitting and satisfying conclusion to what was otherwise a true roller-coaster ride for cast and audience alike.

I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-BTxXm8KSg

 Thomas (Dylan O'Brien) and Newt (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) in action...

CASINO (1995)

Featuring: Robert De Niro; Joe Pesci; Sharon Stone

Director: Martin Scorsese

Last week we looked at one kind of rise and fall in the world of organized crime; today, at another.

Sam "Ace" Rothstein (Robert De Niro) is a gambling wiz. So the 'bosses' from New York send him to run one of their casinos in Las Vegas. But, true to their nature, they also send Ace's childhood friend and now enforcer, Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci) to keep an eye on him. With two completely different approaches to 'how things are done' it is inevitable that the two pals will clash at some piont.

Being a gangster movie there is also a lot of cursing and violence. But the difference between Brian De Palma (who directed Scarface) and Martin Scorsese, is the latter's flair for style. Whereas Scarface is all about the dramatic effect with lots of blood and guts, Casino is more about panache and grandeur with lavish sets and surroundings. Although it will not be fair to compare the two movies directly, I do prefer Scorsese's approach.

That being said, I rate Casino at 3 out of 5 stars as well.

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJXDMwGWhoA

Well, that just about says it all...

SCARFACE (1983)

Featuring: Al Pacino; Michelle Pheiffer; Steven Bauer

Director: Brian De Palma

Certain eras seem to be dominated by certain movie genres. Since the turn of the century it seems to be comic-based superhero flicks.Before that it seemed to have been mobster and mob-related. This movie is a good example of that particular era and genre.

Tony Montana (Al Pacino) is a Cuban refugee that seeks political asylum in the USA. But when he realizes how easy it is to achieve the American dream of 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness', he ruthlessly goes after it regardless the consequences. Although this film came out over thirty years ago, its message is just as relevant now as it was then: If you can think big enough, crime does pay! It's a scary thought but unfortunately it is true. Just look at what is happening in the world today. Crime and corruption has never been more rife and lucrative than it is right now. Therefor this piece of social commentary serves as a sad reminder that although things change, they never really do...

As usual Pacino delivers a powerhouse performance while the rest of the acting is not bad either. The story, on the other hand, is not quite original or unique and one keeps getting the feeling you have seen it all before; lots of gratuitous violence though.

Still, overall it is good enough to earn 3 out of 5 stars from me.

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pQQHnqBa2E

 Michelle Pheiffer and Al Pacino in a scene from the movie