Millions (2004)

Directed by Danny Boyle
Written by Frank Cottrell Boyce
Starring Alex Entel, James Nesbitt, Lewis McGibbon and Daisy Donovan

A 7-year-old English boy finds his ethics tested when he stumbles upon a bag of British Pounds just days before the currency is switched to Euros. With pressure from his brother to keep it a secret and spend it on himself, the young child finds an overwhelming urge to give the money to the needy.

Undeniably the most un-Danny Boyle film Danny Boyle has ever directed, it feels more like a Tim Burton film with just a dash of Boyle influence. Everything about the setting, the music and the cinematography reminds me of Burton.

A feel good crowd pleaser about the human condition, this movie will put a smile on your face from the beginning. Filled with great humor and lessons on morality, this film is quite enjoyable. The imagination of the main character added for some entertaining and at times, some touching moments.

The only problem that I had with it, if I had to choose one, was when they decided to take a darker root. It only combined for maybe a total of ten minutes. But it stuck out like a sore thumb among the rest of the movie. It just didn't seem to fit. But other than that, I rather enjoyed it.

My Rating: 6.5/10

Focus (2015)

Written and Directed by Glenn Ficarra and john Requa

Starring Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Adrian Martinez and Gerald McRaney

Nicky Spurgeon is an extremely accomplished con man who takes an amateur con artist, Jess, under his wing. Nicky and Jess become romantically involved, but he soon realizes that deception and love do not mix. He breaks things off only to see her three years later... And things get a little crazy!

With twists and turns that may seem just a little bit too convenient, this con movie doesn't have the same intensity or intelligence that others in it's genre do. It seems to throw explanations at you that make sense, but are in themselves unbelievable, even in the world of the story. It's almost as if the directors expect the audience to believe them, just because it's on screen.

And the romance between Smith and Robbie appears instantly and without reason, other than their characters being equally mischievous, with the ability to steal things off of unsuspecting victims.  Like the plot of this movie, it just isn't believable. Not even if you suspend disbelief.

Not to mention, Smith is about 22 years her senior.

The pick-pocket scenes are well choreographed, but the thing that bugged me throughout the duration of the film is the fact that you never see the full pick-pocket. I understand they did this to give the same feeling as the victims, but knowing how films are made, it just felt fake and forced and a little lazy.

If we are seeing the con from the con artists point of view, we should see how exactly it happened. You spent all of this time choreographing these elaborate cons, yet you don't spend any screen time showing them happen in real time, without cuts. That would be more impressive and more believable.

All nit-picking aside, I did enjoy the movie a bit. It just could have been so much more. Take away the conveniences that the directors created and put some thought into getting your protagonists out of the tight spot you created for them, and then maybe we could have a high caliber movie.

My Rating: 5.8/10

Dom Hemingway (2013)

Written and Directed by Richard Shepard
Starring Jude Law, Richard E. Grant, Emilia Clarke and Demian Bichir

A career criminal who was just released from prison returns to the boss whom he had been quiet about while in prison. The reward money the was given for doing so is stolen and Dom Hemingway's life begins to spiral out of control.

Neither a film about repentance or life change, "Dom Hemingway" is just about a criminal trying to get back his criminal life, yet attempting to regain the trust of his daughter. He never once apologizes for his actions and continues to break the law throughout.

While not a deep, meaningful story that we see so often in movies about gangsters, it is rather interesting. The character Jude law creates is so fun and eccentric that it is near impossible to turn away. With seemingly poetic threats and insults, he speaks his way through the film with such a force that it is difficult to dislike him.

Just look at this side burns!

"Dom Hemingway" has a lot of positives about it. It has great writing, acting and cinematography just to name a few. I enjoyed it. But this isn't a "must see" movie. Sure it was fun and comedic and I'm happy I watched it. It just wasn't mind-blowing or even heart-pounding.

My Rating: 5.5/10