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julescrom
Reviews
Interview with a Hitman (2012)
Great Brit / Euro Thriller
Great little film, not your typical London 'Geezer Gangster' flick, with around half the film shot in Romania, it has quite a grainy feel to it. Some action, but this is not an action film, more of a slow burn thriller with action along the way.
Superbly written and directed by first timer Perry Bhandal (the film is so well written and shot that it is really hard to believe), and well acted throughout, especially Bethesde played by Caroline Tillete. The only slightly below par performance is the star Luke Goss (he of 80's boyband Bros fame)who is by no means bad, but doesn't really come across as 'cold' enough - just my opinion. A great story with a real twist at the end which I won't give away.
My only other criticism is that it is fairly obvious to me that the London scenes are not shot in London (it is a budget movie after all), but overall it doesn't really detract.
Easily worth a watch and deserves a wider audience than I would imagine it got. I will watch for Perry Bhandal's work in the future, maybe not so much so Luke Goss.
Hard Cash (2002)
So bad it's actually quite good fun!
So bad it's actually quite good fun says it all really. Some of the scenes could actually be from a spoof movie. If you accept it's not going to be a great (or even good) film, it is OK - good for late on the weekend after a few beers.
You do have to wonder how Kilmer and Slater, though admittedly hardly at the peak of their careers, got involved in this. Either the script never got read, or both actors have no scruples when it comes to making a fast buck - it certainly won't have done anybodys career prospects any good. I hope they were well paid because I can't believe this film made any money.
Crack another beer, relax, and laugh, (or cry). Don't say I didn't warn you...
The Big I Am (2010)
A lame vanity project - don't waste your time
A truly awful film this. I was lured in by the excellent Vincent Regan (who as usual is great), and Michael Madsen, who is on autopilot and presumably was brought in to make the film more marketable to the US market.
There are some good performances from Phil Davis and Leo Gregory even if they are very typecast actors, but these are offset by dire showings by Paul Kaye and a ludicrous cameo from Stephen Berkoff at the most ridiculous auction of trafficked sex slaves ever. The assorted gangsters are stereotyped and badly acted.
It is probably worth noting that the movie is essentially a vanity project for Robert Fucilla, who is absolutely dire throughout, and probably wouldn't have got made without his personal funding.
I never normally write reviews, but was so disappointed by the film that I felt compelled to do so. It may be worth noting that the movie also has a very strange washed out look to the colours which I also felt detracted from what should be a dark gritty tale.
Badly directed and filmed throughout - do not waste your time.
The Crew (2008)
Quality non typical Brit crime drama
Not your standard run of the mill Brit 'geezer / gangster' flick this. Refreshingly set in Liverpool as opposed to the usual London / Essex locations. Much more of a family drama in The Godfather mould than most Brit crime movies of the last decade. Showing criminal life in a (probably) more realistic light than usual. Also features some great acting, featuring some fresh talent as opposed to the usual old faces, with the exception of Stephen Graham (Al Capone in Boardwalk Empire), who turns in the usual quality performance, even if he isn't stretched at all.
If you are open minded to a slightly different type of gangster movie, give this a try. Sure there is violence, what do you expect - they are gangsters, but it is not excessively graphic unlike some of the more 'hooley' / Essex boys type films. Some have noted that some of the characters are hard to care about (it is a film - do we ever really 'care' about the characters? - It is entertainment pure and simple), but at least they are slightly different, mainly family people with the usual problems most of us have, and it is refreshing to have a 'Kingpin' who doesn't want to deal in drugs (if only because of the prison sentences involved as opposed to morally). Highly recommended.