It's Scorcese Time

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Jack Nicholson and Matt Damon in "The Departed"
courtesy of Warner Home Entertainment

"It's Scorcese Time"

The Academy Awards are upon us and one of the surprises of the nominations was the overlooking of Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson. Leonardo DiCaprio got his nomination even though it was for another film. And Mark Wahlberg got his even though it wasn't expected.
Now the movie is out on DVD and you can see if you agree or disagree with the choices of the Academy voters.

Any time you have a film directed by Martin Scorcese the expectations for the film are sky high. After all this is the man who crafted such classics as "Raging Bull," "Taxi Driver," and "Mean Streets." So viewers of "The Departed" expect to be blown away. Sadly what they get is a movie above average in the acting department but below expectations on an overall level.

"The Departed" is chock full of brilliant acting performances. Jack Nicholson leads the pack with his evil portrait of Frank Costello, an Irish mob boss in Boston. Nicholson still has the ability to get inside the skin of his characters and make them one hundred per cent believable. Costello is a foul-mouthed, greasy-haired, cold-blooded maniac who rules by murder, torture and humiliation. He has no redeeming qualities yet Nicholson gives him a sense of charm.

Leonardo DiCaprio is also at his best as Billy Costigan, a member of the state police who goes undercover to try to get the goods on Costello. DiCaprio has matured into his looks and his talent has also expanded. He still has a squeaky voice that makes him sound younger than his years. In this movie fear and anticipation are constantly in his character's makeup, and he lets us see the desperation that totally engulfs him.

Matt Damon is the surprise in the movie. He plays Colin Sullivan, another member of the state police. He is Costello's man and helps protect him from the police. Damon makes Colin a blustering type of over achiever who is constantly jeopardizing his life and his career. He appears to be a man with serious issues about who and what he is. Damon captures all these nuances and makes the role more than it should be.

Still the movie does not overly impress me. And it is Scorcese's directing talents that are the most lacking part of the film. He doesn't seem in control and wanders through the story rather than show a clear intent on where and what he wants it to be. He is probably going to win the award for Best Director, but I say Nicholson and Damon were robbed.

One of the most visually stimulating films you can watch is "The Science of Sleep." It is mysterious and otherworldly, and sometimes difficult to follow. Gael Garcia Bernard and Charlotte Gainsbourg star in this film about a young man who finds the world of his dreams more engaging than the real world.

And even when he tries to leave his dream state behind it seems to encroach into his real world. Confused? Well watch the movie and solve it all. It is tricky but worthwhile to see.

Steven Seagall continues to churn out movies that go directly to DVD. His latest if "Flight of Fury," a drama about a special agent on a life or death mission. There are nerve-wracking moments as the agent gets into some deadly scrapes; and even some lighter moments that relieve the tension.

Seagall is getting a little old for all this derring do but he still manages to pull it off. It isn't great entertainment but it is passable. So for an easy way to spend a couple of hours get "Flight of Fury" and let Seagall drive away your worries as he saves the world - one more time.

While you watch Steven, slip "It's A Small World of Fun, Volumes Three and Four" into the DVD player in your kids' room. The Disney animated characters have cartoon adventures all around the world. They are fun and they are entertaining - and they are harmless.

Disney knows how to entertain kids and "It's A Small World of Fun, Volumes Three and Four" are top of the line Disney. Get them today.

If you are in the mood for an edgy, romantic comedy you might want to try "Fifty Pills." This film has an intriguing plot and a jam up soundtrack. Lou Taylor Pucci, Kristen Bell and Jon Hensley star in this story of a young man whose life is full of troubles - and not all of them are of his own making.

He has parent problems, girlfriend problems and school problems. And the way he might solve one or more of them is with "fifty pills." You have to watch the DVD to understand how and why. The cast is good and the story is different so give "Fifty Pills" a try - the movie that is.

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