Travis Simpkins: Robert De Niro

Showing posts with label Robert De Niro. Show all posts

Monday, January 11, 2021

Joker (2019): DC Comics. Joaquin Phoenix

Joker. 2019. Joaquin Phoenix

Directed by Todd Phillips, based on characters from DC comics, Joker (2019) is an astounding Academy Award winning tour de force.

The plot is summarized: Forever alone in a crowd, failed comedian Arthur Fleck seeks connection as he walks the streets of Gotham City. Arthur wears two masks- the one he paints for his day job as a clown, and the guise he projects in a futile attempt to feel like he's part of the world around him. Isolated, bullied and disregarded by society, Fleck begins a slow descent into madness as he transforms into the criminal mastermind known as the Joker.

Joaquin Phoenix deservedly won the Best Actor Academy Award for his performance in the title role as Joker. The rest of the cast is great as well, including Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy and Bret Cullen.

Joker. 2019. Joaquin Phoenix

Saturday, August 31, 2019

The Score (2001): Robert De Niro, Edward Norton and Marlon Brando

Directed by Frank Oz, based on a story by Daniel E. Taylor and Kario Salem, The Score (2001) is a superior heist film with plenty of twists. The story concerns a master thief, who is teamed up with an inside guy, with the mission to steal a valuable 17th Century golden sceptre from the highly-secure basement vault of the Montreal Customs House. Action, smart writing, bright sparks, security computer hacking and safe-cracking create an interesting two hours of art theft. Masterful acting is provided by three generations of of greats: Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro and Edward Norton. Angela Bassett costars, along with real-life Jazz musicians Mose Allison and Diana Krall.

The Score. 2001: Robert De Niro and Marlon Brando

The Score. 2001: Robert De Niro and Edward Norton

The Score. 2001: Robert De Niro, Edward Norton and Marlon Brando

The Score. 2001: Robert De Niro and Edward Norton

The Score. 2001: Edward Norton and Marlon Brando

The Score. 2001: Robert De Niro

The Score. 2001: Edward Norton and Robert De Niro

The Score. 2001: Robert De Niro

The Score. 2001: Edward Norton

The Score. 2001: Robert De Niro

The Score. 2001: Edward Norton

The Score. 2001: Robert De Niro

"The Score"- movie trailer

Saturday, April 15, 2017

Great Expectations (1998): Gwyneth Paltrow, Desire and the Art World

Stylishly directed by Alfonso Cuaron, Great Expectations (1998) adds a modern American twist to the Classic 19th Century English tale by Charles Dickens. The story is boldly revamped, finding young Finn Bell pursuing unrequited love and desire with the beautiful Estella from Gulf Coast Florida to the streets of the Big Apple. The film offers wonderful glimpses at the New York City art world and renowned painter Francesco Clemente provided the film's artwork. The cast does a great job all-around, including Ethan Hawke, Anne Bancroft, Chris Cooper, Robert De Niro and Hank Azaria. However, the lovely Gwyneth Paltrow steals the show in her stunning and seductive role as Estella.