Last night against my better judgement I tried to watch THE AMERICAN with George Clooney. It was bad. Achingly slow, predictable, and the whole thing seemed like an excuse to just have the cast and crew hang out in Italy. Clooney looked like he was going through the motions, however, I think if given the right vehicle Clooney is a great actor. The thing is there are always missteps in between. Anyway, crime-fiction wise here's my top six Clooney films for better or worse. #6) From Dusk to Dawn. Okay, completely whacked out and out there and a bit too smarmy but definitely hyper violent. Who doesn't dig a Poseidon Adventure-esque vampire ride with on the lam criminals? You don't? Fine. You're entitled to your opinion and your opinion sucks. #5) Oh Brother, Where Art Thou. Coen brothers at their prison break goofiest. Two words...Dapper Dan. #4) Out of Sight. A lot of Elmore Leonard fans hated this movie--no way was Clooney bank robber Jack Foley, but for overall style points Soderbergh got an A in my book. Watch one scene again if you can. Albert Brooks and Clooney boiling over when he's offered the security guard job. Makes sense why Albert Brooks was cast in Drive. He can be a real dick. And Clooney? He stole the show in that scene hands down. #3) Syriana. Not crime per se (unless you call Neo-Con imperialism a crime) but definitely a thriller. Desperate man in desperate hours in these--our desperate times. #2) Michael Clayton. Michael Clayton, Michael Clayton, Michael Clayton. Flawless and terrifying because of its plausibility. I think I've seen it at least ten times. And now for number one, ready? Brace yourselves. #1) Fantastic Mr. Fox. Wha---? Yep. One of the best ensemble heist/vendetta films ever made. But-but...it's animated. So? Its heroism never fails to amuse me. Onward.
10/22/11
The Leading Man
Last night against my better judgement I tried to watch THE AMERICAN with George Clooney. It was bad. Achingly slow, predictable, and the whole thing seemed like an excuse to just have the cast and crew hang out in Italy. Clooney looked like he was going through the motions, however, I think if given the right vehicle Clooney is a great actor. The thing is there are always missteps in between. Anyway, crime-fiction wise here's my top six Clooney films for better or worse. #6) From Dusk to Dawn. Okay, completely whacked out and out there and a bit too smarmy but definitely hyper violent. Who doesn't dig a Poseidon Adventure-esque vampire ride with on the lam criminals? You don't? Fine. You're entitled to your opinion and your opinion sucks. #5) Oh Brother, Where Art Thou. Coen brothers at their prison break goofiest. Two words...Dapper Dan. #4) Out of Sight. A lot of Elmore Leonard fans hated this movie--no way was Clooney bank robber Jack Foley, but for overall style points Soderbergh got an A in my book. Watch one scene again if you can. Albert Brooks and Clooney boiling over when he's offered the security guard job. Makes sense why Albert Brooks was cast in Drive. He can be a real dick. And Clooney? He stole the show in that scene hands down. #3) Syriana. Not crime per se (unless you call Neo-Con imperialism a crime) but definitely a thriller. Desperate man in desperate hours in these--our desperate times. #2) Michael Clayton. Michael Clayton, Michael Clayton, Michael Clayton. Flawless and terrifying because of its plausibility. I think I've seen it at least ten times. And now for number one, ready? Brace yourselves. #1) Fantastic Mr. Fox. Wha---? Yep. One of the best ensemble heist/vendetta films ever made. But-but...it's animated. So? Its heroism never fails to amuse me. Onward.