The Place Beyond the Pines

As far as Ryan Gosling movies go, Blue Valentine (2010) is by far my favourite. Heck I would even throw it onto my invisible list of all time favourites. Those who have seen Blue Valentine will know that director Derek Cianfrance created an absolute gem of a movie, bringing out a riveting performance from Gosling. Derek returns with Gosling once again, showboating a frenetic drama consisting of three chapters that are pieced together over a total of 15 years.

Luke is a motorbike performer, entertaining tourists in the local circus. Walking out to an eagerly awaited crowd, Luke is clearly adored for his skills on a dirt-bike rather than his personality. Luring in the background is the beautiful Romina (Eva Mendes). Immediately we witness an evolved chemistry that spells history. While Luke is clearly fond of his own company, he can't ignore his love for Romina, considering the kid she shares with her boyfriend is indeed Luke's. Adamant to win Romina back, Luke hooks up Robin, played by the ever so brilliant Ben Mendelsohn.

Aside from Robin's generosity in offering Luke a place to stay, Robin gives Luke the chance to put his motorbike skills to good use. With the prospect of having enough money to provide for Romina and his boy, Luke agrees to rob a bank, with the assistance of Robin.

Luke's personality is bleak, with a troubled past hanging over him. This shows evidence when his hunger for more money becomes his weakness. Luke collides with Avery (Bradley Cooper); a dedicated force of the law who is struggling to cope with a level of corruptness in his department. Avery comes face to face with his morals as he is up against Ray Liotta and co, who are out to test Avery's loyalty in more ways than others. 

This is a brilliantly shot movie with dumbed down dialogue that just reels you in with every character. Watching Gosling on the bike is mesmerising, while the enormous sounds of the bike makes you feel like your sitting on the back of it!

The Place beyond the Pines is a dark focus on the choices in life and the morals you choose to take with you. While it is told over three  magnificent chapters, the final chapter is quite ordinary and strangely different. Although it is still relevant, I had to keep reminding myself that I am watching the same film.

Gosling is wonderful to watch, re-kindling an inspirational presence that will remind you of the character we adored in Drive. Bradley Cooper generates quite a serious performance this time around, in which I must admit was hard to engage in at first, but his tied circumstances helps his character to grow as you begin to love, pity and despise his presence.

While we expected nothing other than a memorable performance from Ryan Gosling, even he couldn't save the third half of a movie that was so far from what was, it became such a pain in the ass to watch.

 Its only downfall is the coincidental finale. It appeared too desperate, attempting to connect the dots over a 15 year period. Avery's jive talking son is so irritating you just wonder what on earth the writer was thinking! The extended story was still intriguing (at times), with a modern high-school step up, but was it necessary? No.  However it did stick to the generational concept of "crossing paths". The unpredictable writers of this movie continue to brag about how this "place beyond the pines" is so far from a one man show, it is willing to throw anything at you - the Eminem impersonator is proof of that, while the cheesy ending doesn't help either.

Still, the final chapter is just as watchable, and that is down to the inclusion of prospect actor Dane DeHaan,who is quite possibly the savour to what would have been a disastrous third chapter that followed an engaging first.

8/10

Look out for: Only God Forgives - May/June 2013. You can watch the trailer below

Killing Them Softly

Responsible for Chopper (2000), Andrew Dominik carries his violent imagination onwards and beyond The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007), revealing the dark and twisted character of Jackie Cogan (Brad Pitt); a gun for hire who unlike most assassins, the thoughts of killing his target from a distance is quite pleasuring.

Following the heist of a mob protected poker game, the two amateurs involved are Frankie (Scoot McNairy) and his not-so trusty side-kick, Russell (Ben Mendelsohn). Both guys work for low-key puppet Johnny (Vincent Curatola) who runs a business around Frankie and Russell, with a pay-day depending on the job Johnny supplies.

It is no routine job this time around as Johnny convinces Frankie and Russell to hold up a poker game hosted by Markie Trattman (Ray Liotta), who previously, organised his own cohorts to hold up a protected poker game, leaving himself revelling in the mobs cash. So it is when Johnny sees the second time round an opportunity for some easy money, as well as sticking the blame on Markie's head, opening up a whole new can of worms for everyone involved.

Looking for an immediate response and a possible conclusion to this mess, it is when associates within the mob begin to question those responsible, hiring Jackie Cogan (Pitt) to investigate and wipe out the gang behind the heist.

Killing them softly is not much different from your basic mobster concept, but it does supply two factors; the social setting that reveals the harsh reality of the economic downfall within the slums of America, and a violent drama that although moves at a slow pace, the overall scenes of murder and dialogue result in a movie supporting realistic fashion.

Andrew Domink's latest does carry a lot of pro-American substances, but balances the concept quite well as the cast of characters shed light on the real America, reflecting on a minority of lower class individuals looking to find richness through violence and corruptness. As Jackie Cogan puts it, he represents a personality in business...the killing business.

Although quite short, Killing them softly is a delightful watch, showing the violence and portrayal from all angles. Unfortunately the movie did feel the need to over exaggerate the dialogue element of the film. James Gandolfini's character Micky, who is also brought in by Jackie, had so much potential to make a real mark in filming, but was overlooked by some humorous, sometimes dragged out scenes that failed to express the character he was brought in to represent. 

The plot is a no-brainer as the main ingredient of the movie was to invite the audience into the lives of certain individuals such as Frankie, Jackie, Micky and many more. Although the constant dialogue is smartly written and at times really funny, an hour and fifteen minutes is built up to a climax that ends just like you expected, but all too soon, and without any character development. Some will enjoy the short concept from Andrew as his vision resembles cult classics such as Reservoir Dogs, Mean Streets and Snatch, which are relatively short, characterised movies, but succeeded in having a memorable impact on the audience.

Killing them Softly is a fine example of a film that does not need high-octane action to wow the viewers, instead it teases by nit-picking at the shots of realistic violence and the aftermath of emotions.

Overall;  A refreshing movie with fantastic performances from all of the cast involved. Killing them softly is unique in its own way, supplying a nice soundtrack to match its gritty ambiance. Lacking the action the majority might have expected, the concept is not for everyone. I for one, Loved it!

8/10

                                                              Introducing Jackie Cogan.

                                                    Johnny Cash - The Man comes around