Sin nombre (Mex-US, 2009)

I enjoyed this rather conventional take on migration and gangs, conventional in its narrative drive but unusual in its focus on Central America. There are two strands to the narrative: Sayra is trying to get to USA via Mexico and Caspar, who falls out with his gang leader; the two threads entwine as he tries [...]

London Boulevard (US-UK, 2010)

I don’t know why this thriller bombed at the box office as I found it mostly gripping and well acted: Keira Knightley in particular as the vulnerable actor hounded by paparazzi. Even Ray Winstone, reprising his gangster role, manages to squeeze even more menace than usual from the scumbag he plays. Colin Farrell is an [...]

Dead Presidents (US, 1995)

The Hughes brothers have only made two features since this sophomore effort 15 years ago. Their first two films offered a political dimension to conventional narratives – maybe that’s why they’ve made so few films – and this film has an interesting visual style. This first half is a sensitively portrayed ‘coming of age’ film [...]

Gomorrah (Gomarra, Italy, 2008)

Whilst Gomorrah is clearly a gangster film, representing the Naples Camorra, it also resembles the (so-called) fly-on-the-wall documentaries that trace a number of contemporaneous narrative strands about lives in, say, airports or hotels. These, however, use voice overs thereby disallowing them as ‘observational’ documentaries as their meaning is anchored. That said, if Gomorrah had had [...]

The Roaring Twenties (US, 1939)

Fascinating gangster movie that is linked with newsreel like montages. Sympathetic portrayal of the gangster (though his psychosis is also evident), brilliantly played by Cagney. Great support from Bogart. Has a modern sensibility. The Wall Street crash montage is a technical tour de force. Powered by ScribeFire.

Election (Hong Kong, 2005)

Marketed as Hong Kong’s Godfather. Well it does focus on the politics… A cracking film which casts the police in an interesting role (they can’t get to the yakuza really but they can influence what’s happening). Great use of locations and a stunning end. (DVD) Technorati Tags: film Powered by ScribeFire.

A Bittersweet Life (Korea, 2005)

Beautifully shot and performed by the lead (Yu-mi Jeong) with some stunning scenes (the return from the grave – but it is a gangster and not a horror movie). South Korea continues to produce the most interesting movies; does it constitute a ‘new wave’ yet? The western influences are clear but are made interesting by [...]

The Untouchables (US, 1987)

Stands up pretty well but for what I felt was a fast-paced thriller when it came out seems, in places, somewhat laboured now (eg the capture of the booze on the bridge). However, the Potemkin steps sequences is excellent. (DVD, 3). http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094226/