Review: Film: Black Mass, by Julie Renee Phelan

Thumps from 1 to 5. Thumps of 4.

A film adopted from a novel, Black Mass: The Irish Mob, The FBI and a Devil’s Deal, co-authored by Harvey Winstein and Dick Lehr was entertaining, well done by the actors, producers, but failed to deliver new information. It is based on a true story, but is an all too often repeat of a United States government federal agent aggrandizing themselves by playing with the “bad boys” in order to get the “other bad boys.” The cast of characters is well played by Joel Edgerton as John Connolly, and Johnny Depp as James “Whitey” Bulger. Johnny does a convincing job; I did not know who was playing the character until I saw Johnny on the big screen against the bay, and realized that it was Johnny Depp playing a character somewhat similar to another character he played in another movie, Donnie Brasco in 1997. I know who Johnny Depp is, but the make-up job on his face was quite remarkable; he was unrecognizable until it was obvious that he was drawing on a character that he successfully played nearly twenty years prior to the release of this new film. The twist on the old story line was that John Connolly and James “Whitey” Bugler were childhood friends, and that Whitey had a brother who was in the State Senate. The connection of the two brothers is true, but the State Senator did not in any manner, help his criminal brother build his criminal empire, but rather the FBI Agent did help Whitey build his empire. It is entertaining, and if the audience is young enough, it maybe new information, but it surprises me in absolutely no manner that federal agents behave criminally, and often times act in the interest of their friends and family who are criminals themselves.

Review: Film: Laura, by Julie Renee Phelan

Thumps from 1 to 5: Thump of 4.5.
           This film “Laura” was released in 1944, and is a classic example of a film noir. The film is based on a novel by Vera Caspary. The screenplay is by Jay Dratler, Samuel Hoffenstein, and Elizabeth Reinhardt. The film is directed by Otto Preminger. It is culturally, historically and aesthetically significant in the development of films within the film noir genre. Besides being a film noir, it one of the best mystery films of all time.

New York police detective Mark McPherson, played by Dana Andrews, investigates the murder of a beautiful and successful executive Laura Hunt, played by Gene Tierney. Mark McPherson interviews a newspaper columnist Waldo Lydecker, played by Clifton Webb. Waldo Lydecker is a delusional writer full of himself. Lydecker is self absorbed as to his position in the world, and pontificates the importance of his mentorship in the success achieved by Laura. Lydecker enjoys socking in the bathtub surrounded by bubbles while he pecks away at his vintage typewriter.

McPherson questions Laura’s fiancé, Shelby Carpenter, played by none other than Vincent Price. Shelby Carpenter is a trust fund baby, who lost his trust and subsequently, his identity. Next, McPherson question Laura’s aunt, Ann Treadwell, played by Judith Anderson. Ms. Treadwell has too much money, and lacks the ability to ascertain appropriate behavior for her age. Lastly, McPherson questions Laura’s protective, loyal and lovely housekeeper Bessie Clary, played by Dorothy Adams.

During the investigation, McPherson enjoys the luxury of rubbing elbow with the wealthy, infamous and well-heeled. He also enjoys the pampered paradise of Laura’s apartment. McPherson falls in love with Laura’s portrait, hanging above the cozy fireplace, while he reads her personal love letters. McPherson finds a suspicious bottle of scotch in her apartment that is lesser than her normally consumed quality of liquor.

“Laura” was nominated for five Academy Awards, Best Director for Otto Preminger, Best Supporting Actor for Clifton Webb, Best Adapted Screenplay by Jay Dratler, Samuel Hoffenstein, and Elizabeth Reinhardt, Best Black and White Art Direction, and Interior Design by Lyle R. Wheeler, Leland Fuller, and Thomas Little, and won the Academy Award for Best Black and White Cinematography by Joseph LaShelle.

The film’s tension comes to a crescendo when high art meets the low motivation for murder. Throughout the movie, the suspect changes, just as the viewer thinks they know, the suspect elusively slips away. The closing lines of this film will live in infamy in the film industries historical archives, “Goodbye, Laura. Goodbye, my love.”

Review: Film: Sicario, by Julie Renee Phelan

Thumps from 1 to 5: Thumps of 4.5

           The movie, Sicario, which means hit-man, release date of 2015 is well worth the watch and thoughts, and is without a doubt a game of back and forth, cat and mouse, as the writer's and director bat the ball between the hands of a boy sitting at a table, the opponents on a soccer field, the FBI and CIA, the drug lords in Mexico and Colombia, the United States and Mexico, and North and South America. The play of the ball was a metaphor blatantly pursued by the writers and directors. The film is about a violent ruthless Mexican drug lord, and a former Colombian drug lord who for personal reason assists the United States CIA. The movie adds an additional dimension to the already told story by providing personal insights and vantage points, and the purposeful selection of the less of two evil drug lords by the United States government. The movie stars Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro, and Josh Brolin. Without a doubt Emily Blunt will be nominated for an Oscar, and depending upon the field may walk away with the Oscar for Best Actress. I believe Benicio del Toro will be nominated as well. It was interesting to listen to Benicio del Toro, who is in real life originally from Puerto Rico, speak Mexican, but in this movie was supposed to be from Colombia. He was speaking Mexican, but was not Colombian. Indeed Colombian and Mexican are both Spanish, but they have different accents, and they use different nouns for the same object. For that reason, I do not believe Benicio del Toro will walk away with the Oscar, but his performance was appropriately raw and outstanding.