The Exchange,

Michael Pitt, Nina Arianda, Andy Garcia, Ray Romano, Griffin Dunne, Burt Young, Cathy Moriarty, Michael Rispoli, Luke Fava, Frank Whaley, Samira Wiley

Tommy Uva (Michael Pitt) is a thug. He’s sent to jail while his girlfriend Rosiife (Nina Arianda) waits for him to get out. Tommy is convinced he wants to go straight, but he just can’t seem to get into the whole work thing. When he overhears a mafia kingpin speaking at his trial say that Mafia guys don’t bring guns to the clubs because “Wiseguys and guns don’t mix”, Tommy hatches the idea of robbing the mafia and having Rosie drive his getaway car, but when the accidentally stumble into a piece of evidence that everybody wants, suddenly no only is mob after him, but the Police and the FBI, and even a reporter trying to get the story. A modern day Bonnie and Clyde, this is based on actual events.

This movie is rather over the top clever, very interesting, and lots of fun. These two are so gangster it’s hysterical. They have no chance at pulling this off because they are so dumb, yet the do manage it pretty well. Michael Pitt is awesome as Tommy and Nina Arianda does a great job playing the “not too bright” but supportive Rosie. They fight, but support each other, and most of all, they pull of a lot of stuff that most professional criminals couldn’t. I’m not sure how accurate this is to the original material, but they real Tommy and Rosie appear during the closing credits. This movie has a lot of action, and the way the mobster’s react to a kid robbing the most powerful criminals in the world is pretty funny. This is a crime story with a lot going for it. The fact that it’s based on a true story makes it even more incredible. This is a very funny story and one that will keep you glued to the screen throughout. Very well done.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

 

 

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BCDF Pictures, Group Entertainment, The, Ruminant Films,

Vera Farmiga, Donna Murphy, John Hawkes, Dagmara Dominczyk, Nina Arianda, Joshua Leonard, Bill Irwin, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Norbert Leo Butz

Corinne (Vera Farmiga, who also directed) is a Christian lady. From the time she was a little girl she was faced with how to deal with her faith. Through adulthood she struggled with life, her friends, her marriage, and the trials and tribulations that followed her while struggling to understand her faith. Based on the memoir of Caroly S. Briggs who wrote the screenplay, this film looks at the nature of faith, and how it affects different people.

This is a film about God and human beings. It’s about religion, and faith and belief, and troubles and questions. But it’s not picking sides, and it’s neither anti religion, nor is it pro religion. Unlike any film I’ve ever seen, this is a level ground look at religion and churches without taking sides.

I’ve often pondered on people who are really religious. I’ve wondered why their lives are fully engulfed by their church or their faith. I’ve heard people who give God credit for everything. Though their tires are bald, God caused that flat tire on the freeway so that I could testify to that trucker who stopped to help me. God made me choke on that piece of chicken so that I could tell the paramedics about Jesus. My child died because God had a need for him in heaven and he was too good for this world.

I have decided that many people are uber religious for different reasons. To some it is a crutch or something they need to make sense out of the world. To some it’s because they are bit off in the head. Like little children who want to believe in a wizard who will help them when they don’t know what to do. Some really, really have a deep desire to help people and do good things in their lives. Some are lonely, some are sad. And some really seem to be touched by a spirit that really does make a big impact in their life. Certainly I’m not qualified to determine what is right for anyone else, and I am ultimately responsible for my own convictions and beliefs. But this film is a really good and fair look into the lives of many people and what makes them do what they do.

I really enjoyed watching this film, and it did make me very thoughtful. I’m really not sure why there is an R rating, although it’s fine because it’s probably not going to be a big hit with the under 16 crowd anyway due to the nature of things. I guess there are a few discussions that could be a little intense for kids, but they are tastefully done.

One of the highlights for me of the film is one character who takes it upon herself to straighten out other people and point out the errors of their ways. someone who really thinks she’re right is making a jerk of herself by trying to enforce her opinion on everyone else. This is tactfully obvious, and I hope a lot of the people who act this way see themselves and what they do, and that it might do some good.

Anyway, in my opinion, this film, though directly about religion, is much more about people than anything else. I thought it was a thought provoking film, and it spawned a lot of reflection for me. Not for everybody, but if you have an interest in films that make you look at the world around you and ponder why it’s what it is, this is a good one.

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Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment, Relativity Media

Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Matthew Broderick, Casey Affleck, Michael PeƱa, Tea Leoni, Gabourey Sidibe, Alan Alda, Judd Hirsch, Nina Arianda

Josh Kovacs (Ben Stiller) is the manager of a posh Central Park building called “The Tower”. It is ritzy and he keeps everything running smoothly from the dog walkers to the doormen, to the cleaning ladies, to the elevator operators and everyone in between. He has a special client living in the penthouse on the top floor, a stock market mogul named Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda). Shaw is a market wizard, so Josh decides to invest the workers entire pension fund with him with the promise to triple it in a year. Needless to say, the workers aren’t too happy when the FBI shows up with a warrant for Mr. Shaw as he is major swindler and took all the money. The money that he owes the banks is enormous compared to the pittance that belongs to the Tower employees, but Josh decides that the expertise that they have makes it possible for them to break into Mr. Shaw’s apartment while he’s out to court and get their money back. He calls together a few friends, including petty thief Slide (Eddie Murphy).

Tower Heist is a pretty funny film. It’s not going to be hugely popular because it’s just not going to appeal to everyone, but the story is rather clever. Not as cerebral as Ocean’s Eleven, but it’s the same type of story in a way. But we get a really good look into the service people who provide the very rich with every indulgence possible. It’s also a chance to root for the underdogs against the evil doers. It’s got a lot of decent comedy and a lot of action, chases, and double crosses. All in all the cast seemed to have a great time with this film.

All that being said, it’s not perfect. It’s not near as funny as Meet the Parents, or nearly as clever as Night in the Museum, but for a simple little comedy, it fills the bill. It’s not Ben Stiller’s best work, but it’s nice to see Eddie Murphy being Eddie Murphy again. He’s still got it.

Maybe it’s worthwhile to hold off on this one until it hits DVD, but as I said upfront, I enjoyed it. It was a great escape for a while, and a lot of fun. I can identify with these guys!

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

 

 

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