The Untouchables

Rating:
Summary: Simply a good story......
Review: Every country has its Capones, but America seems to make its Ness's to counter them. This movie is simply a great one about what it takes to destroy evil and how righteousness and morality are the traits you'll need to beat it -- provided you are willing to sacrifice those traits a bit. The sets, acting, and screenplay seem great -- but the music seems to be the weakest aspect.

This movie has one of the best last lines to end a film also.

Rating:
Summary: Another case of hollywood ruining a great story
Review: This movie could have been amazing if Hollwood did not alter the story. If you want an authentic close to the real story mob film, watch Goodfellas, Casino, Godfather, Gangs of NY. I must give this movie some points for a great cast.

Rating:
Summary: "SHOOT TO KILL"
Review: Malone's (Sean Connery) orders to Ness and co. as they are about to intercept a huge shipment of liquor being smuggled across the Canadian border per orders of Capone. (The story takes place in 1930 when prohibition was in effect in the U.S.). After the dust settles following the bloodshed, the Canadian commander exclaims, "Mr. Ness, we don't approve of your methods." Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner) replies, "Yeah, well you're not from Chicago."

Mr. Ness is a special agent of the U.S. treasury department hired by the Chicago police to nail Capone (Robert De Niro). Capone had never paid income taxes and was the crime lord of Chicago making a fortune from bootlegging. In real life, Capone put up a nice front during the Great Depression; he was the first person to open up soup kitchens in Chicago. In real life, he infamously murdered someone by beating him over the head with a baseball bat.

What I like most about this movie is that it is a true story about real people, though all the facts (told by Hollywood) may not all be exactly true. The acting was good enough for me. The Untouchables was my father's favorite tv series. He would stay up all night, falling asleep on the couch, leaving the tv on until morning. It's one of my fondest memories of him from my childhood.

Sad that crimes like that have gone on in this country.

Rating:
Summary: history via hollywood
Review: If you're a fan of gangster movies or the time period, you will most likely enjoy this film. Since this is a 'special edition', most people interested have probably already seen it several times, but if you have'nt it is certainly worth a look. Sean Connery gives the most memorable performance as the grizzled old cop-on-the-beat, although I cant really see that it was more oscar worthy than some of his other work. Kevin Costner is.....well, Kevin Costner. Thats not a criticism against him, its just that if you watch all of his movies back to back you realize he is playing the same character in different costumes. Deniro does'nt have enough screen time to merit all the effort he put into gaining weight and receeding his hairline.
It certainly takes liberties with history. Frank Nitti was not pushed off the roof. In real life he shot himself in the head in a trainyard while in a drunken depression. The raid on horseback on the Canadian border never happened. Elliot Ness never got away from his office much to go on raids. He also never got much glory for all his work, although he did run for public office later in life. Al Capone did in fact beat someone's head in with a baseball bat. That part was true.
Aside from these small grievancies, its a very enjoyable movie with good production work and an exciting final confrontation. Violent, but without being more graphic than necessary and easy on the profanity. All in all, a good flick.