Casino (1995)

Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Sharon Stone

Overall Rating: 97.1

"Casino" stands out as a quintessential Martin Scorsese gangster movie.  It epitomizes everything that is great about Scorsese: crisp writing, over-the-top personalities, and an Italian charm mixed in with ultra-violence. 

The story follows gangsters Sam "Ace" Rothstein (De Niro) and Nicky Santoro (Pesci) as they move to Vegas to try to take over the town.  Rothstein using his skills as a bookie and oddsmaker gravitates towards legitimately taking over the Tangiers casino, while Santoro prefers the old-style beat-downs and thuggish takeovers to assert power. 

After meeting and falling for the Vegas strip hustler Ginger (Stone), Rothstein and Santoro begin growing apart.  As the decades switch from the 70's to the 80's, even more complications ruin what was once a powerful crime empire.

The beauty of "Casino" is the narrative storytelling.  The audience is shown a storyline, but given two different narratives through the voice-overs of De Niro and Pesci, each telling their own sides to the story.  Scorsese manages to take Nicolas Pileggi's (Goodfellas) great screenplay and turn it into a moving novel, never focusing on one character too long without giving a taste of another.

Across the board, Scorse always manages to get the most out of his actors. While Sharon Stone got the most awards buzz, including an Oscar nomination, it's Pesci's fireball Santoro that steals the show.  His brutal tactics make you fear him, but ultimately respect him.  De Niro may not give his best performance when you look at his entire resume, but considering "Casino" came out the same year he was wrapping up "Heat", he still managed to have one hell of a year.

While Casino may seem like a sequel to "Goodfellas" with many of the similar actors and overall tone, each film manages to highlight it's protagonists in different lights.  While Goodfellas focused on the 50's and 60's "good ol' days" of the Italian mafia and the family of it all, "Casino" helps transition the decades of decadence in the 70's and 80's, the greed that went behind each, and every man's fight for their own survival.

Individual Ratings
Enjoyment Factor: 10
Dialogue: 10
Acting: 9
Direction: 9
Audio/Visual: 9

Heat (1995)

Directed by: Michael Mann

Starring: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Val Kilmer

Overall Rating: 99.1

"Heat" manages to completely break the mold in terms of what it means to be a crime-drama.  While "The Godfather" may be the pinnacle of the crime saga, "Heat" manages to take the intensity of a crime syndicate into the modern era.  Despite coming out in 1995, it still holds up as one of the premiere films of all-time.

Set in Los Angeles, the story follows professional criminal Neil McCauley (De Niro) leads a team of men (Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, Danny Trejo, Dennis Haysbert) through the high-intensity world of bank robbery.  On the opposite side of the law, a police lieutenant (Pacino) commits everything to tracking down the robbers and stopping them before they can strike again.

The beauty of "Heat" is the behind the scenes aspect of it.  It's not just a crime caper, but a look into the lives and mentalities of these men on opposite ends of the spectrum.  While McCauley is the best at what he does, he still has an end game in finishing that one final score and retiring with his love interest (Amy Brenneman).  For Pacino's Lt. Hanna, he struggles with the life of constantly chasing these bad people and not bringing that life home to his wife (Diane Venora) and step-daughter (a young Natalie Portman).

"Heat" also showcases director Michael Mann's signature style.  With a hint of shaky-cam tactics, and close up shots, Mann throws you right into the action.  His masterful use of the LA skyline as a backdrop worked so well, he found himself incorporating in to future films such as "Collateral".

The audio of "Heat" is some of the best sound design in any action film.  The realistic gun fire echoing off the skyscrapers through the streets of downtown LA are haunting (for those with access to the DVD, I strongly encourage watching the making of vignette).

The immediate draw of "Heat" is the action and bank robbery scenes.  What keeps you coming back for multiple viewings however, is the dialogue and character building amongst the amazing ensemble cast.  Even actors who have less than 10 minutes of screen time like Danny Trejo and Henry Rollins each leave their mark.  It was, and remains a paramount example of crafting a high-octane crime film, while keeping the drama at the heart of the experience.

Individual Ratings
Enjoyment Factor: 10
Dialogue: 10
Acting: 9
Direction: 10
Audio/Visual: 10

A Bronx Tale (1993)

Directed by: Robert De Niro
Starring: Robert De Niro, Chazz Palminteri, Lillo Brancato

Overall Rating: 91.6

As someone who grew up in Southern Indiana, I can only imagine what it was like growing up in a big city.  If I had to imagine what it was like in a city like New York during the 1960's, I'd like to imagine it being an awful lot like the setting of "A Bronx Tale".  In it, Robert De Niro (making his directorial debut) tells Chazz Palminteri's amazing story adapted from his own one-man play.  It's a gripping look at life for an Italian family growing up in a diverse city during a time when diversity was a hot-button issue.

The story follows young Calogero (Francis Capra/Brancato), or "C" as he's referred to.  As a young boy, "C" witnesses a murder and keeps his mouth shut when questioned by the police.  Doing so gets him in the good graces of the local gangster boss, Sonny (Palminteri).  Fearing for his son's safety and moral future, "C"'s father Lorenzo (De Niro) works to keep "C" away from the gangsters, despite the seemingly glamorous lifestyle they lead.  As "C" grows up and becomes a teenager, he finds it easier and easier to slip from his father's grasp and becomes very involved with Sonny's gang, becoming somewhat of a son to Sonny.

This dilemma for "C", of having two father figures at polar ends of the moral scale is what drives the film.  He respects his father for being a hard worker, but also wants Sonny's fast-paced, easy money lifestyle, even if it means breaking a few laws.  As a "gangster" movie, that's what makes "A Bronx Tale" stand out.  It's not about the gangsters, but the decisions one makes to become a gangster.

The acting in the film is all top notch, including the child actors.  Palminteri shines as Sonny, playing a neighborhood boss on par with a Corleone.  De Niro makes you feel the pain of a father seeing his son slipping into a morally ambiguous life, while at the same time Lillo Brancato (teenage "C") makes you want to hate De Niro for not understanding his relationship with Sonny.

Palminteri's script is superb, making you laugh at appropriate moments, and feel heartbroken at others.  The dialogue and words out of every characters mouth just scream 1960's Bronx.  With the setting playing just as much of a role in the story as the individual characters, the stoops, Cadillac's, and big collared suits all transport the audience to a simpler time.

With a solid soundtrack featuring some top hits of the 60's ("Nights in White Satin", "Come Together", "A Beautiful Morning", etc), viewing "A Bronx Tale" will undoubtedly watch the film quickly shoot up your list of favorite gangster movies, and if you're like me, favorite movies period.


Individual Ratings
Enjoyment Factor: 9
Dialogue: 10
Acting: 9
Direction: 8
Audio/Visual: 7

The Mission (1986)

Directed by: Roland Joffe
Starring: Jeremy Irons, Robert De Niro, Liam Neeson

Overall Rating: 63.7

Overall, I was left quite disappointed by "The Mission".  Prior to watching it, I had known of its awards history and had been referred to as a powerful film.  Unfortunately, I just wasn't as moved as I had hoped to be.

The story follows a Jesuit priest (Irons) who builds a mission in Spanish controlled South America in the mid 18th century. After converting a hostile mercenary (De Niro), all seems to be going well for the mission, until Spain sells their colony to Portugal who plans to turn the colony into a slave settlement.  The priests and tribesmen must then face a moral dilemma as to whether or not to turn to arms or God to fight for their settlement.

The direction and visuals of the South American tribe is very well shot.  It is undoubtedly a beautiful movie, with cascading landscapes and panoramic views.

The story just leaves more to warrant a 2 hour movie.  It's too one dimensional, with not a lot to keep the audience engaged.

Individual Ratings
Enjoyment Factor: 4
Dialogue: 5
Acting: 7
Direction: 8
Audio/Visual: 8