Election (2005)

Featuring: Simon Yam, Tony Leung Ka Fai. Director: Johnnie To.

I'm not sure why but this movie is listed under the martial arts genre by Netflix. Maybe because it has Asians in it? Yes, there is some street-fighting but I didn't see any flying roundhouses anywhere. This is a straight up mob movie. Which is cool, because I like mob movies.

The story revolves around a power struggle between two up and coming triads and is sparked when one of them is elected over the other. A battle erupts over who can control the baton that signifies who the leader of the triad is. Things go back and forth for a while, there are some unexpected developments and a really surprising and disturbing finale concludes the movie.

I have sort of mixed-feelings about this movie. I was really unsure about how I felt about the movie until it was over. The important thing is that it kept me entertained throughout. At times this film seemed too frantic and confusing to keep up with and then all of a sudden it would slow down and show some of the brutal realities of what it means to be a person willing to kill to get what they want. One thing I will say, the director didn't stylize violence the way American directors tend to. The violence was there and it was brutally unapologetic.

Anyone who enjoys mob movies should definitely check this one out and form an opinion of their own. In retrospect, I think I like this movie a lot more now that I'm reviewing it than when I was actually watching it. I didn't know what to think, but now that I know what happened in the end, I have to say I rather liked it.

Click here to add this movie to your Netflix queue.

According to Netflix this movie will stop streaming on 8/18/11. Of course, sometimes they lie.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? Cover looked cool.

Is it artsy? No, but it is subtitled. For some that counts.

What stood out the most to you? How much cooler Asians in suits smoking cigarettes look than the rest of us.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? When you realize you've run out of good American mob movies to watch but you still need a fix.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 4 Stars. 

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Bugsy (1991)

You never really hear Bugsy mentioned in the same breath will all the brilliant, epic mob movies we've seen over the last forty years. There's a reason for that, it sucks. I really could not stand this movie. I think Warren Beatty is one of the most overrated actors of all time. Just because you look like a leading man, it doesn't mean you are one. He tried to give a complex performance but I just couldn't believe him.

I'm really stunned that this movie got so many Oscar nominations. Nothing looked authentic at all. You could tell that every single shot took place on a Hollywood set. Even the actors didn't look right. It was weird seeing Ben Kingsly have hair and Harvey Keitel without it. It's a petty example I know, but the wigs they used were so awful looking that it illustrates the problem with the whole movie: it all looked incredibly fake.

The real shame here is that director Barry Levinson made an incredible supporting cast look like amateurs. With Annette Bening, Harvey Keitel, Ben Kingsley, and Joe Mantegna this movie really could have been a classic. Instead, you're left scratching your head and wondering what the hell happened?

Click here to add this movie to your Netflix queue.

This movie will stop streaming on 3/1/11.

The Standard 5:

Why is it in your queue? It's a mob movie and on paper had an incredible cast.

Is it artsy? Nope, it's crappy.

Best thing about the movie? The end credits.

What mood should I be in to watch this movie? A mood where you don't really feel like paying attention to what's on the screen.

What rating did you give it on Netflix? 2 Stars.

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