Scarface: So Hardcore It's Funny
Thursday, June 7, 2007



I've watched many Al Pacino movies. I love watching this guy. He did an excellent "Richard III" with Winona Ryder some years ago.

Most of his films I've watched in reverse chronological order. One of the last films I saw him star in was "Scarface."

I am serious, when I say that "Scarface" is one of the funniest movies I ever saw. I know it was a supposed to be a serious one-of-a-kind film (remake of the original 1930's "Scarface" directed by Howard Hawks) from the early 1980s.



Why was this film so funny? If you start with "Scent of a Woman" to "Dog Day Afternoon" (I know it came before "Scarface"), a mental montage of a screaming, wide eyed, loopy Pacino evolves. So by the time Tony Montana utters the immortal, "Ju know whut ju need? Ju need a job!" Tears of mirth are streaming down my face.

What makes it a complete camp classic are the number of picture frame stores where you can find the favorite mob ensembles: "The Untouchables", "Godfather", "Goodfellas", a picture of Pacino with the cigar, or the machine gun, and the recent "Sopranos." Aside from "Casino" - I've never watched any of these ganster flicks - I can't stand mob movies.

However, my Mom was watching "Scarface" on cable - thought it was funny too - and recommended it. I went out, bought the platinum / gold edition DVD and loved the movie.

I know making it funny wasn't intentional, but it's all good.

Labels: Al Pacino, comedy, gangster films, mob films

posted by GoldenAh
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Madagascar and Chris Rock's Voice
Thursday, May 31, 2007




This little computer animation film, by Dreamworks, was a big hit when it was released in 2005. It made $195 million domestically (not that I care, this fact doesn't put money in my pocket).

I usually love watching computer animation films, especially anime (don't get me started on that topic).

I enjoyed it, but not as much as I should have.

And then I realized what it was: Chris Rock's voice gets on my nerves. Now, this is a guy I watched in "CB4." Yes, that film. Like him, I'm from Brooklyn, so I feel him on a number of subjects.

Movie actor he is not: the screech is not the kind of voice for conveying a range of emotions. Chris Rock lacks the comedic delivery and inflection of Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy. Even hot and sexy Antonio Banderas is funny (a la "Shrek").



It's an odd thing about Rock, because most comedians, when they want to be serious, are some of the best actors around. Eddie Murphy showed superb acting chops in "Dreamgirls." I hope he chooses more dramatic work in the future.

The person who did have the loveliest voice, which surprised me, was Jada Pinkett Smith. She should definitely lend her voice to a lot more efforts. It was really nice to hear her.

Labels: anime, Ben Stiller, cartoons, Chris Rock, comedies, comedy, computer animation films, Jada Pinkett Smith

posted by GoldenAh
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