Heist (2004)

Plot: The title says it all. Gene Hackman is the thief, Danny Devito is the fence. Together they have a plan to steal Swiss Gold. Complications and Double-crosses ensue.

Best Dialogue:   

-Don't you want to hear my last words?

-I Just Did. 

As a heist movie, this one is in the middle of the pack. Despite numerous twists and turns, we never doubt for a second that Old Pro Gene Hackman will come out on top. Further, neither the Heists nor the action scenes are paticularly remarkable or memorable. There's a distinct lack of tension. Mostly, I was going "Well, that was clever" or "Wonder how Gene's gonna get outta this one". In other words, a celebral exercise.

And while the supporting cast is full of good actors, almost none were particularly likable or impressive. They weren't bad,  just OK. The only exceptions were (1) De Vito, who is suprisingly good as the untrustworthy Mob boss/fence and (2) Ricky Jay who's suprisingly bad as a tough guy.  And Rebbeca Pidgeon and Hackman should have been Father/Daughter not Husband/Wife.

Summary: A definite cut below "The Score".  But much better than Warren Beatty's Dollars.  Almost all Serious caper movies are nothing more than Entertainment Product.  But the best have something extra: a touch  of wit,  memorable characters, breathtaking action or enthralling suspense.  Heist doesn't have any of that.  Its well made, but souless and mechanical.  Note: I fast-forwarded though 5-10 minutes that were predictable. 

American Buffalo (1996)

Plot: Three inner-city losers want to rob a valuable coin from a seedy second-hand junk shop.

Despite co-starring one of my favorite actors, Dennis Franz, this is a dull dog of a movie. A filmed Mamet play with two other actors: Dustin Hoffman and Sean Nelson. I can see why this was an award winning play. But as a movie, its a complete bore. Filmed in one room, its non-stop yakky yak. And its just the kind of story I hate.

Typical Dialogue:

Teach: We're talking about money for Christ's sake, we're talking about cards. Friendship is friendship and a wonderful thing and I'm all for it. I never said different, and you know me on this thing, but let's just keep it separate, OK? Let's keep the two apart and we can deal with each other like some human beings.

Spartan (2004)

Have you ever seen a movie because your friend recommended it? And then thought it was horrible? You feel guilty for not liking it. And you want to whitewash your review, because you respect the guy who said it was great.

Anyway, I wont do that with Spartan. Yes, I can understand why some people would love it. But I thought it was pretty mediocre. Kilmer is robotic. And his two subordinates (a black guy, and a kickass Female Sargent) were borderline adequate. Even that would be acceptable, except the film gave me no reason to care about anyone. Cardboard good guys, Cartoonish villainous Arabs, a slutty President's daughter, and devious corrupt Politicans. Adding little to the movie was the pretentious, "hardass" Mamet dialogue. And the usual fake, movieland twists. Mamet should stick to conmen, and stay away from action heroes. 

I guess some people can overlook that and find things to love. I didn't.

All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)

 First, let me say this is an amazingly realistic, well directed and well-acted war movie. Or should I say, "anti-war Movie".  Unlike the fake  "isn't war exciting" 1917, or the "rah, rah, lets kill those Krauts" Saving Private Ryan,  this is a much more accurate and ADULT view of war.  And I wish I'd seen it in the theater.  

Having said that, the movie lacks what the 1929 version had in spades: Heart.  We're always one step removed from the characters.   The 1929 version  made us deeply care about the characters.  This one really doesn't.  Another problem? It probably has a greater impact on young folks.  I've seen a ton of anti-war movies, so the message didn't really reasonate with me.

Bottom line:  I respect the film. It incredibly well-made.  But it didn't hit me emotionally. 

Five By Chabrol

Betty (1992) A drunken self-destructive woman tells the story of her bourgeois promiscuous life and her unhappy marriage.

Inspector Lavardin (1986) - Inspector Lavardin is induced to investigate the murder of a province's notable who was taking himself as the moral guardian of his village.

L'enfer (1994) - Paul and Nelly have everything to be happy: a dream wedding and a hotel. Until Paul starts to doubt Nelly.

Madame Bovary (1991) - Based on the famous  Flaubert Novel
Poulet Au Vinaigre (1985) - When a small town of Normandy begins losing its citizenry in a series of strange deaths, out-of-town police inspector Jean Lavardin is sent to investigate

Based on IMDB,  Director Claude Chabrol made a lot of films - and quite a few good ones. But these five, included in a new Blue-ray box set, bored me. The stories were either mundane or sleezy.  

I watch films to enjoy myself. Give me action, adventure, thrills, chills and spills. Make me laugh, sing or dance, warm my heart. Or give me someone I can root for, or some great acting, direction, or writing.

I have little interest in watching average movies about bland or unlikable people.  I don't care that Madame Bovary is bored. Or that dull people in Normandy or some french village are getting murdered.  Or that someone has an unhappy marriage.  Or the life of an alcoholic. 

Hopefully, I'll find see some better Chabrol movies.