Don't Get Mad...Get Even! "Going In Style"

Going In Style (2017)

Rated PG-13

Starring Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Alan Arkin, Christopher Lloyd, Matt Dillon,

Directed by Zach Braff

The Story:

Joe (Caine), Willie (Freeman) and Albert (Arkin) are three lifelong friends who are heading through tough times, about to get tougher as their pensions are about to dissolve due their company being bought out. Desperate, and realizing they truly have nothing to lose, these 3 seniors decide that the best revenge would be to earn back what is being stolen from them by robbing a bank.

So I never saw the original from 1979, so there will be no comparison with that film here.

I will simply say that I quite enjoyed this film.

Absolutely love the three leads, and they are endearing and a joy to watch on the screen.

Whether the boys will get away with their scheme, you can't help but root for them.

I think there's more to it than just the characters.

There's enough distrust by the American people of banks and big business, you really don't mind seeing them get what is proverbially coming to them.

Of course, they'll have to also deal with a dogged FBI Agent (Dillon) who is hot on their trail and looking for any way he can nail the people responsible.

I had a great time, and I'm happy to give out a higher than average grade for this one.

Final Grade:  B+

Not A Reality Show...Or Is It? "Pawn Shop Chronicles"

Pawn Shop Chronicles (2013)

Rated R

Starring Paul Walker, Matt Dillon, Brendan Fraser, Vincent D'Onofrio, Chi McBride, Elijah Wood, DJ Qualls, Kevin Rankin,

Directed by Wayne Kramer

The Story:

A trio of stories involving some meth addicted white supremacists (Walker & Rankin), a man (Dillon) who finds a clue about the disappearance of his wife, and an Elvis (Fraser) impersonator all intersect through a Southern pawn shop.

Doesn't sound like anything you'd be interested in?

You might be right.

But this is a straight up, B movie, let's throw everything at the wall and see what the heck even sticks.

Surprisingly, more of it sticks than misses.

Each tale unfolds one by one, and it's not until you see the next story where you realize they intersect to tell of a single crazy day.

The glue to each tale is the pawn shop run by Alton (D'Onofrio) who sits around being harassed by Johnson (McBride) all day long.

Each tale stands on its own, with its own strengths and weaknesses.

The cast is top-notch playing some of the oddest characters in their careers.

Walker is much missed, and he's hilarious in this role as a white supremacist who finds out the real reason that they even go to the meetings is for the delicious buffet that's served. Otherwise, they really don't have a problem with the people they are supposed to hate.

Yep, that's the kind of crazy we're dealing with.

Or you have an Elvis impersonator who sucks at what he does who is offered a deal with the devil and takes it.

Like I said, it's unusual, but the cast and story kept me involved from beginning to end.

Final Grade:  B-

All-Star Heist Action... "The Art Of The Steal"

The Art of the Steal (2013)

Rated R for language

Starring Kurt Russell, Matt Dillon, Jay Baruchel, Kenneth Welsh, Chris Diamantopoulos, Katheryn Winnick, Jason Jones, Terence Stamp

Directed by Johnathan Sobol

The Story:

Crunch Calhoun (Russell) has finally gotten out of jail after his last art theft scam got him caught.  His half-brother Nicky (Dillon) comes to Crunch to try and pull off another heist, and hopes that the whole doing time in jail thing is water under the bridge.  They bring in Crunch's old crew and begin scheming to pull of their next heist.  However, hot on their trail is Interpol Agent Bick (Jones) and with him is convicted art thief Samuel Winter (Stamp) who can vouch for art being real or fake just by looking at it.  Is Crunch going back to prison, or is he going to get away with the biggest score of his life.

Yes indeed, a heist movie!  One of my favorite genres, and this, a direct to DVD offering with a pretty decent cast to it, so it must really suck, right?

Not so fast...

Indeed, the movie starts a little slow, but it's still interesting and keeps you connected to the characters.

Then it builds, and with the final act, you are treated to a payoff that you may, or may not, have seen coming.

And even if you did, it's quite doubtful that you thought of every plot piece that this movie works out perfectly.

That's what brings a "C" movie into the "B" range right there.

In fact, aside from the slow-ish start, once again I'll give the rant:

This movie is Rated R for language.  Which is overused throughout the film. 

Cut it back, widen your audience.

Then again, with one of the pieces of art in the film, and the joke that accompanies it, well, I can almost forgive the rating.

:)

All of the actors are great, and Kurt Russell plays the aging action hero to perfection.

However, the interplay between Jones and Stamp is downright hilarious every time they are on screen and bickering with each other.

Worth a look if you've never seen or heard of it.

Rumor has it, this film should be streaming on Netflix before the month of June is over.

** Update:  Now Streaming As of June 8th **

Final Grade: Solid B

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Would've gone for a B+ and put it on my Purchase list, but again, the language hampers replayability in a house full of kids.  I need family friendlier heist films like Fast 5 or The Italian Job.  But yes, I could certainly watch it again in the future.