Home :: DVD :: Mystery & Suspense :: Crime  

Blackmail, Murder & Mayhem
British Mystery Theater
Classics
Crime

Detectives
Film Noir
General
Mystery
Mystery & Suspense Masters
Neo-Noir
Series & Sequels
Suspense
Thrillers
Knockaround Guys

Knockaround Guys

List Price: $14.96
Your Price: $13.46
Product Info Reviews

<< 1 .. 3 4 5 6 7 >>

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: this is a rock on type of movie
Review: full of violence and deceit, as the poster suggests, how many friends can you trust with your life. its a good question and a good movie. vin diesel does and incredible job as well as seth green. its just one of the movies that you wish they would make more of.there is not much more that i could say. sorry but i really get annoyed when people start in with the plot cuz it has ruined the movies i wanted to see, but takt my word for it, its a good movie. if you don't believe me then don't see it. its as simple as that.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The "Mob" Squad
Review: Knockaround Guys is a better film than its theatrical run made it out to be. It may be classified as a "mob" movie, but it is a mob film, that thinks outside the box too. Matt Demaret (Barry Pepper), while trying to win favor with his crime boss father (Dennis Hopper), he and a buddy, misplace a bag with a load of the mob's money. Now, the race is on to find the cash in a midwestern town, before the authorities find it. Matt and his pals race to retrieve the dough, as things get out of contol, help from an unexpected source arrives to further complicate matters.

Written and directed by first timers, David Levien and Brian Koppelman, the film has a cool cast. Not only does it have Hopper and Pepper, but it also boasts the likes of John Malkovich, Seth Green, and Vin Diesel too. The performances are top notch. The biggest surprises though come from Green (mostly known for comedies) and action star Vin Diesel. Both of whom, prove that they are capable, of doing more. The film's twists and turns are not always easy to figure out--a true Hollywood rarity-this is especially true of most of flicks made in the last few years. The film works on all levels Best of all though, the characters are multi-faceted, and also a lot of fun to get to know.

The DVD features a handfull of enjoyable extras. The commentary track from Levien and Koppelman is informative and entertaining. There are also a few deleted/extended scenes. These can be viewed with or without commentary from the directing team. Those with a DVD-ROM drive on their PC can access the film's website and a "script-to-screen" function The film's theatrical trailer (along with those for newly released or upcoming flicks.) tops off the disc's extras. Viewers can choose to watch the film in either widescreen or fullframe formats.

The Knockaround Guys DVD is recommended for rental or purchase.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Physco
Review: I loved this film...especially when Taylo{Diesel} kicks the junk outta the bouncer. When matty, in the end shoots Teddy{Malkovich} is awesome too. I fyou looking for a great movie, then c thiss....

"Getting the bag involves some gunshots, getting cut, and getting brutally beaten...TWO THUMBS WAY UP..."

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Not exactly a mafia movie....
Review: While the film does deal with the mob, it's not what you would expect when you think of a mob movie. The only involvement of the mafia is that the Don's son's idiot friend loses case of money to a couple of stoner kids, and he and his team of four "Knockaround Guys" set out to set things right.

I only address this because those of you looking for a mob movie will find something more of a crime/mindless (yet somehow cool) movie and nothing that leans the way of Goodfellas, Godfather, or even Reservoir Dogs.

The violence in Knockaround Guys is pretty minimal. Most of the movie relies on it's actors--basically everyone besides Vin Diesel, who puts up a little better-than-average performance but ultimately relies on taking off his shirt. While this is not really a must-have movie, I would recommend it to at least be watched. It has it's highs and lows (the ending is abhoringly dry), and it's not for everyone. I wouldn't make it a blind purchase because you could easily end up hating this movie.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: 500 Street fights, that's what it takes to be a tough guy
Review: Whether a fan of mobster-type movies or simply intrigued by the star studded cast, take my word for it that this sleeper movie is by far one of the best films of 2002. Amazingly versatile Barry Pepper finally gets a starring role as Matty Demaret, son of mob-leader Benny Chains (expertly played by Dennis Hopper). Matty wants to make something of his life outside his father's influence, but just can't seem to infiltrate the straight world, once everyone finds out about his family ties.

Finally deciding to prove himself to his father, he takes on the important task of picking up a pay-drop for Benny, enlisting the help of his street friends, Taylor Reese (Vin Diesel) Johnny Marbles (Seth Green) and Chris Scarpa (Andrew Davoli). Marbles has a pilot's license, but also an unfortunate drug habit too, so when Marbles looses the bag of money in a po-dunk Montana airport, Matty and the rest of his gang head to Montana to ferret out the money.

But even as Matty and his friends discover a way to break through the thin crust of the small town community, Matty's uncle Teddy Deserve (played by the incomparable John Malkovich) heads to town also to take care of the fumbled operation himself. Standing in their way is Sheriff Decker, (Tom Noonan from Manhunter) who sees himself as a match for the gang of young mobsters.

Get ready for some spectacular acting from an incredible cast, each character seemingly cut from the finest cloth of the actor's abilities. Watch for Barry Pepper's unruffled leadership, Vin Diesel's quiet and confident strength, Andrew Davoli's ladies-man charm, Seth Green's hyper twitchiness, John Malkovich's impeccably articulated evil, Tom Noonan's concealed danger, and Dennis Hopper's disdainful arrogance.

Add to this mix a laid-back soundtrack that adds a casual menace to the overall feeling of the film, and you have a movie that is definitely worth a purchase. The use of quiet trepidation over typical gangster style machinegun parties is what separates this modern mob movie from the rest of the wiseguy clones. Not to mention that the shadier side of the law looks better than the side dappled with the light of a badge. Definitely, a not-to-be-missed film. Enjoy!


Rating: 3 stars
Summary: the kids are in some serious trouble
Review: Barry Pepper (Firestorm, 25th Hour) sends his friend Seth Green (The Italian Job, Buffy The Vampire Slayer) on a trip to deliver a bag of money to a specific time in a specific place but suddenly Green is empty handed, with no bag and no money, so Pepper comes to the small town with his other friends, Vin Diesel (Pitch Black, The Pacifier) and Andrew Davoli to try to retrive the bag and not get his father, played by Dennis Hopper (Easy Rider, EDTV) and his uncle, John Malkovich (Shadow Of The Vampire, Jennifer 8) pissed off even more then they are. When the guys find out 2 stoner head losers who worked at the airport took the back, they find out that one of the sons fathers is the sheriff, so the sheriff and his deputy have the money. Now this calls for uncle Malkovich and his goons to come to town to help out, but is Malkovich helping them or does he want the money for himself? a good solid story about, lets say the son generation of future mobsters lays down what it does but the climatic shootout at the end doesnt hold up but otherwise this movie was very good and its cast to perfection right down the middle. Pepper is back on his feet from being squantered years before with Battlefield Earth and he wins my comeback here, Seth Green is always amusing, Vin Diesel does his usual tough guy act, Dennis Hopper doesnt do much but he's a good choice for a mob father and who wouldnt have a back stabbing, double crossing uncle like John Malkovich..huh?. Also starring Tom Noonan (Armageddon) and Mike Starr (Dumb and Dumber, Tv's ED).

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Great Vin Diesel Movie
Review: This is a very good all around action movie. This is the first time I ever heard of Vin Diesel, I thought he was fantastic. Does anyone know the name of the song that is playing then the one guy that is playing pool, is taken outside and shot by the two mobster guys?? The first words of the song is "When shadows are fallin" If anyone can help please e-mail me sswaney@uusd.net

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Knockaround Guys needs a little something extra
Review: This is'nt a horrible film by any means,and it is entertaining.Having a mediocre script,basically onscreen chemestry of Barry Pepper,Vin Diesel,Seth Green and Dennis Hopper make this film work.John Malcovich is usually an interesting guy to see on film,but in this film...he was'nt very exciting as the back stabbing betrayer he was suppose to be.

It was kinda funny seeing a bunch of city guys(wise guys or not) dropped off out in the sticks.I can kind of identify with that...its quite a thing to be out of your element.After Barry Pepper begging to do a job for his father(Hopper) his good friend&recovering coke addict(Seth Green) doing the courier work screws the pooch.He looses the merchandise in a podunk red neck town in Wyoming.

Desperate to find what was in the stolen,all of Peppers friends go to Wyoming to sort out the mess they are in.Diesel is obviously there purely for "the muscel" and to get things off to a good start,he beats the begeeses out of the town tuff guy.Sooner of later Pepper's old man finds out what is going on,and now not only is Pepper&his old man in the S$#!?*$! but all his friends as well are in doo-doo over their eye balls,cause now dirty cops are involved.

Its a decent film,and given what they had to work with,it worked well.I don't know if this is a film to own,but it is entertaing&worth watching at least once or twice.This is probably one of the more recent films that had the fewest lines for Diesel since Private Ryan.Just about anyone can watch this film,it's not an oscar winner by any means,but it's better than most of the other crap that is out there.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: As intense as a movie comes
Review: Ok forget the notion of this being a cheap Goodfellas knock-off and acknowledge it as something way more different than Goodfellas. Goodfellas is too talky and it drags in some parts where as this movie has way more action and not one part that bores you. Barry Pepper did a great job as Matty Demerest, the son of legendary mob boss Benny Chains, who is played brilliantly by the very versatile Dennis Hopper. Matty is in a business filled with stone-cold killers and thieves but he is more of a good guy mobster and aspires for a brighter and better future. As far as Dennis Hopper, his performance in this movie has elevated him to the level of Pacino and De Niro. John Malkovic shows off his versatility as Uncle Teddy and further adds on another top-notch performance to his legacy. Seth Green as Johnny Marbles is the least responsible of the four guys trying to retrieve a missing bag filled with two million dollars and does more than enough to anger the other guys. Andrew Divoli did a great job as Scarpa, a man trying to go straight but the temptation of being a big time mobster is what makes him stay in the business. And Vin Diesel as Taylor turns in another top-notch performance. It shows how great Vin Diesel really is as an actor. He's also some-what of a good guy saving Matty's life twice despite being in the same business as Chains and Teddy and the part when he beats up that guy in the bar shows that you can't mess with The Diesel. Ok so there might not be as much action as you expect but it's spur of the moment action and the movie flows well. This is a movie for all Vin Diesel fans!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: One of the most UNORGINAL movies i have ever seen
Review: Knockaround Guys is about the son of a mafioso wanting to get into the "business". The opening scene starts off with an intensely violent and unnecessary torturing of a man. The son of the mafioso is only 9 at the time and is told to kill the man. This is the most disturbing parts of the movie. A 9-year-old is asked to kill a human being. How horrible is this? Then, the movie moves ahead to a 20-something Matty who wants to be more than rich. He wants to be powerful and be known as a somebody, not just the son of a mafioso, He wants to BE the mafioso. So he asks his father for a mission. The mission is to transport protection money to a certain location. However, Matty entrusts the money with his friend who is a complete dumba** and he ends up leaving the money at an airport near a small town. This film is not really worth watching unless you are a HUGE Vin Diesel fan. I say this because even though Diesel only has a few decent lines and sequences, they are solid. The ending is completely predictable as is the entire film. I give this 2 stars ONLY because of Vin Diesel's great performance.


<< 1 .. 3 4 5 6 7 >>

© 2004, ReviewFocus or its affiliates