L'Chaim to Prohibition
Once Upon a Time in America
is a violent and truthful painting of Manhattan. This movie takes you through the ghetto where a bunch of kids made a pact to share their fortunes, their loves, their lives. Over 30 years later, Noodles comes back to the Lower East Side to face his past demons and regrets. If you ever decide to watch Once Upon a Time in America, keep in mind that it is 229-minutes long. It doesn't seem that long when you watch it because the storyline is energetic but you still need to clear your schedule for almost 4 hours. This masterpiece covers a wide time frame taking you from the 20's to 1968. It is an epic tale on the prohibition era. A full immersion in a cosmopolitan New York City and the Jewish mafia. The cast is obviously impressive. De Niro and James Woods form a perfect duo. They are both flawless and cruel. Their friendship takes loyalty to a whole new level and betrayal gets baleful. Joe Pesci is only starring in the movie for a few minutes but it's a pleasure to watch him perform as a mobster. The classic soundtrack composed by Ennio Morricone is an important piece of this crime puzzle. His tune is raw, dramatic, and authentic. I have once attended a Morricone concert and listening to this theme live is a magical feeling. The natural touch of the soundtrack comes quite close to recreating that magical feeling, which is a rarity among films. Once Upon a Time in America is a paradoxical proof that times have changed in a radical way but they've also stayed the same.
is a violent and truthful painting of Manhattan. This movie takes you through the ghetto where a bunch of kids made a pact to share their fortunes, their loves, their lives. Over 30 years later, Noodles comes back to the Lower East Side to face his past demons and regrets. If you ever decide to watch Once Upon a Time in America, keep in mind that it is 229-minutes long. It doesn't seem that long when you watch it because the storyline is energetic but you still need to clear your schedule for almost 4 hours. This masterpiece covers a wide time frame taking you from the 20's to 1968. It is an epic tale on the prohibition era. A full immersion in a cosmopolitan New York City and the Jewish mafia. The cast is obviously impressive. De Niro and James Woods form a perfect duo. They are both flawless and cruel. Their friendship takes loyalty to a whole new level and betrayal gets baleful. Joe Pesci is only starring in the movie for a few minutes but it's a pleasure to watch him perform as a mobster. The classic soundtrack composed by Ennio Morricone is an important piece of this crime puzzle. His tune is raw, dramatic, and authentic. I have once attended a Morricone concert and listening to this theme live is a magical feeling. The natural touch of the soundtrack comes quite close to recreating that magical feeling, which is a rarity among films. Once Upon a Time in America is a paradoxical proof that times have changed in a radical way but they've also stayed the same.
is an ironic title for a movie fueled with violence, abuse, and misery. The frantic angles and camera movements used by Clark perfectly depict this atmosphere. The somewhat cheerful R'n'B soundtrack sweetens the painful road trip of our 'heroes' and contrasts with the pitiful path they've chosen. I follow those basket cases taking desperate measures with a certain sorrow but never do I root for them as they've burried themselves in this mess of a situation. This film is an efficient tale on how drugs can make you reach a point of no return and how everything from there is a downhill race to a filthy abyss. Another Day in Paradise seems so real, it makes me feel uneasy and almost sick. I would not recommend it if you don't feel alright because it will mess you up. Vincent Kartheiser in the lead role faultlessly pierces the screen with such a seedy and sore character. The sordid sexuality of our teenagers is only matched by the destructive relationship between James Woods (Mel) and Melanie Griffith (Sid). Woods as the manifest unstable and alcoholic crime king delivers an irreproachable interpretation.