Carlito's Way (1993)

A brilliant gangster movie.

Fun, fast paced, kinda gory.
A really fun ride, and I don't think showing the ending at the start of the movie ruins it at all. If anything it just makes the whole thing more tragic.
Brilliant direction, superb acting, a riveting script.
Nothing bad to say about this movie.
Not for kids, parents use your discretion.
Highly recommended. June 16, 2008

DePalma & Pacino go Cubano again!!

I've already ordered this minor classic from an outfit in Canada which is closing out their HD DVD selections and reducing their prices as low as $5.99!! Compared to the duo's "Scarface", this little film noir gem hits practically all the right notes- Pacino's authenic Cuban accent, the great supporting cast including a disguised Sean Penn as a corruptible lawyer to a very young John Leguziamo as a young and up coming hood and Viggo Mortenson as a wheel-chaired bound turncoat. The plot may be old hat---a mobster just released from prison tries to go straight but is prevented from having that life from unseen forces around him--but the execution is grade A!! For once Pacino plays a sympathetic character and the story is poignant and heartbreaking when he is unable to break free from the criminal life in order to marry his girlfriend (Penelope Anne Miller). I've heard that this film is excellent in HD DVD and for now it is only available in that Hi-def format but when it'll be released in Blu-ray--who knows? But at the bargain price of $7.99 versus the higher price that will be going in Blu-ray, why wait. Grab this one before it goes out of print in HD and you won't regret it!! June 9, 2008

Another classic

Timeless cult movie brilliantly restored and preserved in highest quality possible today - 5.1 audio and Full HD video. What more can You want? April 26, 2008

Brian and Al again!!

Here's another great example of Pacino and DePalma working together after the infamous "Scarface". It took me a few viewings (as it does with any movie)to grab a hold of the guts of this film and the great directing work and the great acting as well. The film starts out with a bang and really grabs your interest, but it slacks off after that for a while until the first plot point which is about 35 minutes in. Then it grabs hold of you and sucks you in. Leading to a great climax and resolution. The climax is one of the best chase scenes ever done. The choreography of the action, unique and witty uses of the steadicam, and the awesome camera angles with clean, quick, editing, entice me to make a statement like that. You think you know the ending when the film starts but a clever twist leaves you thinking.
As with all of my reviews, I am a movie maker, not a movie goer. An average individual watching this for the first time might turn it off halfway through. Bad decision. The preformance by Pacino may seem sub-par by most people, but it's my belief, he plays the role well and has a great vision of Carlito's lifetime after prison and how easily one can get caught right back up in things. He progressesw through it well.
This is Brian DePalma, Martin Bregman, and Al Pacino together again, for what would be, one of the last films they would all take part of. Not as intense as Scarface, but if you liked that film this one might prove interesting. The screenplay was adapted from a couple of novels, (which I never like) so at times it's trying to cover to much in a small space of time. It's a rather lengthy film and definitely has it's slow moments. If you've read the books, "Carlito's Way" and "After Hours"" written by Edwin Torres you probably might not care much for this film. But if you're a fan of Al Pacino, and watch it through a few times, I guarentee you'll love it. April 24, 2008

Carlito's Way

This movie is one of the greatest crime dramas ever. Al Pacino is excellent along with Sean Penn who is a phenomenal actor. I highly recommend this movie. March 31, 2008

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