KenM00 Reviews

Carlito's Way (1993)

Say Hello To My Little Underrated Masterpiece

[9/10 · 22 February 2005]

Pay no attention to the fact that Brian DePalma has made 37 movies and most of them are turds like Mission to Mars, or Bonfire of the Vanities. Brian DePalma's place at the table of great directors has been reserved ever since he made Carlito's Way.

If you want to see a hell of a movie, see it. I used to think that Brian's only saving grace was Scarface, but Carlito's Way is even better. And I think even more of Pacino now. Want to see Luis Guzman in something early? You got him. Penelope Ann Miller? You got her. A bunch of serious hardass Italians that make The Sopranos look like a team from the Laugh-a-Lympics? You're covered. Sean Penn, as good as ever? Checkaroonie.

It's a movie about Carlito Brigante, a con released from prison on a technicality, who tries as hard as he can to go straight. His friends aren't straight, his old neighborhood isn't straight, and surely his reputation is anything but straight. He tries really hard, and this is a tense movie, but it's also a beautiful movie. Pacino doesn't overdo this, and the score, the writing, and the supporting performances are top notch.

So there's my recommendation.

Contaminated Man (2000)

Contaminated Men

[4/10 · 9 February 2005]

I watched the entire movie recognizing the participation of William Hurt, Natascha McElhone, and Desiree Nosbusch. I'm glad that I had no idea of the presence of Peter Weller. At the end of the movie I said "THAT was Peter Weller?" Kudos to Mr. Weller for an outstanding performance. Weller played a major character, and his performance was such that I didn't even recognize him.

Overall the plot was bad, the writing was bad, and the performances, aside from those of Nosbusch and Weller, were subpar. The scenery and setting were interesting, and Weller was amazing.

4 stars, of a possible 10.

Cyrano de Bergerac (1990)

I fell asleep, but that didn't matter.

[3/10 · 3 March 1999]

I saw Cyrano de Bergerac at the movie theater, a grand old theater in Raleigh, North Carolina. About an hour into the movie, I was falling asleep. After nodding off a few times, I came to realize that I was enjoying my shut-eye much more than this pitiful movie.

About an hour and a half into the movie, lightning struck somewhere nearby and all the electric power on the block went out. The movie theater emptied out; not too long afterwards, I was able to continue my sleep at home.

If you are having trouble sleeping, rent Cyrano de Bergerac.