Movies

Botched

Charming Thief Ritchie, still in debt to a Russian Mobster is forced into a heist in Moscow that then goes wrong, more wrong and then just plain off the wall.

Dorff is good as Ritchie in this main role as hero and one the few normal people in this story. The rest of the cast consists of Irish and English Thesps doing Russian accents to various degrees of success. Most of the laughs here can be had here at the expense of Hugh O'Connor's Dmitry and Boris the crazy Security Guard (played by Geoff Bell). Bronagh Gallagher (actress and musician probably best known for The Commitments) also seems to enjoy her character.

The movie succeeds very well in that you never know what's going to happen next, the scenarios continue to become more outlandish (Medieval Disco Homicide!). It will be a lot of fun for those with a love of Gore and a dark sense of humour. The impact of the movie is light though and it would be far better enjoyed in a group of like minded individuals (maybe one to keep for a rental).

A Dark, Surprising Movie that comes at you from left field. Maybe better left for DVD with friends around though.

Leatherheads

It is 1920's America and Pro Football is yet to legitimized or well funded. Duluth player and leader Dodge Conway plans to keep his team and pro football afloat by striking up a deal with a war hero turned College Football Star. Meanwhile hotshot Chicago reporter, Lexie Littleton is sent out to dispute Carter Rutherford's claim to true war heroism.

Clooney here is his usual charmingly witty role, which in this case suits the film completely as it is a very old fashioned comedy drama. Clooney may be no Cary Grant yet is the nearest thing we still have. Zellweger is perfect as the sassy and independent Lexie. John Krasinski has a great showing here as the forthright and charming Rutherford (in fact fitting far better into his Jimmy Stewart style role than Clooney does his Cary Grant role). Also of special note are Jonathon Pryce as sleazy business type C. C. Frazier and Stephen Root as lovable drunk hack writer, Suds.

Clooney here keeps the old fashioned feel with his direction as does the cinematography and color correction (the latter giving a warm sepia quality to the films lighting). Scenes like a comedic chase from a prohibition era speakeasy and slapstick bar brawls only lean to this further.

A fun, charming (if a little bit too light) little movie. A worthy watch, one for the matinees.