Heist

Rating:
Summary: Too smart for its own good
Review: Usually, good movies tend to have snappy dialogue, plot twists, and great acting. Heist had all of that, but it still wasn't a good movie. Go figure.

The cast was pretty much all-star, except for Rebecca Pidgeon, who I did not find the least bit appealing. She pretty much dragged the movie down with her monotone voice and just plain bad acting. Gene Hackman had a good effort, but he yelled and screamed way too much. It got old real fast. Danny Devito was good as the villain; well the bad villain anyway. And Delroy Lindo had the best performance, which he usually does anyway in any movie he's in.

The dialogue was good, but I think that it was maybe too good. Some of the lines were over killed and just stupid. Yeah, they were funny, but they just felt out of place and put in just to be put in.

The plot had many twists and turns, but possibly too many. I am a fan of zigzags in movies, but when there are 4-5 right at the end, that's when you need to draw the line.

Heist was just too smart for its own good. It never really took itself seriously, and to be a good "heist" movie, it needs to be serious, or at least done in a way suitable for the genre. 3 Stars

Rating:
Summary: Heist is one of Mamet's Best
Review: Double and triple cross

Heist is one of those rare dramas that can be only written and directed by David Mamet. His clever twists are rare in any movie. This one is about Gene Hackman's character and his last heist. His longtime friend played by Delroy Lindo shows how the two men share a history robbery and theft. There are no loyal members in the world of deception where anyone can be caught and killed at any time. I liked Rebecca Pidgeon's performance as his longtime "wife" as Hackman's character put it. In his world who knows if he was really married to her or just his long time love.

Pidgeon's character plays a role in seducing and eventually having a romance with the slimy nephew of Devito's character. Devito's performance was very realistic as a clothing manufacturer who utilizes his business as a front for illegal activity. It comes to a head when the all of them start taking sides and attempt to get away with the gold. It's a movie you can watch more than once.

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, but not genious
Review: The film really is only worthy of 3 stars, but I would still suggest it as a decent flick, because my view is that it was slightly above average. To be honest, I am not a huge fan of either Danny or Hackman, but perhaps that is because of the age gap as I am a younger viewer compared to most, however, the film still was generally entertaining.

Of course from the title it is about thieves that try to pull one sort of "final" heist. Personally, I love these kind of flicks, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Entrapment, The Score, and other movies in this type of genre. I did enjoy this movie for the action and the kind of fun ride, but I agree, perhaps it was "hyped" too much and that will dissapoint some viewers, but this is not always the movies fault, and probably isn't here.

All in all, I did enjoy this movie, but it does lose points with me in one area, and that's what gives it a 3 and just above average. I read one review that stated that the movie "simply tries too hard". I couldn't agree more, I love movies with twists and turns when done correctly, however, this movie seems to just have too many and all dealing with the same character, but I won't say which one, however after viewing it is easy to tell. The movie simply tries to trick the viewer too much and overdoes it self, sometimes leaving the viewer confused.

If you want an entertaining movie, this may before you, provided that you can put up with, and won't be turned off by the "twists". However, if you want a more entertaining movie from this genre, check out ones like those mentioned earlier, for recent new releases.

Rating:
Summary: Suspicious lack of extra features
Review: The most laughable scene entails Hackman 'expertly' allaying the fears of a cop in a routine roadside check by over-acting to such an extent that he would have created less suspicion simply dressed as Osama Bin Laden.
Throughout the picture I was distracted by a guy who looked just like the singer Midge Ure during his 'Ultravox' period. Appropriately enough, as this means nothing to me.

Rating:
Summary: Fog Horn!!
Review: Gene Hackman and Danny DeVito star in this fog horn worthy criminal flick, rehashing the typical "Old criminal-last job" type film that we saw most notably in The Score. Hackman stars as a retiring jewel theif (or whatever) that wants to get away from his old life (His face was caught on camera) by taking himself and his wife to another country. Unfortunatly he does not have the money, and only DeVito's new "job" is going to allow him to get it. Not notable in any manner, simply a boring, misdirected film with not much happening for it. The film starts off interesting enough, with a neat heist scene at a jewelry store. From there however, things go completly down hill, with Hackman attempting to deal, counter-deal, and counter counter-deal with DeVito in securing this "job". You can see how the film attempts to be "tough" in a way, by bringing in the DeNiro type scenes in which Hackman blows up in his cohorts's faces, hits a guy with a lead pipe, uses the F-word nonstop, and just generally tries to improve the film with worthless ranting and otherwise un-needed dialogue. The entire premise of a "Heist" doesn't even strike the surface before you're face down in you popcorn wondering what happened.

Rating:
Summary: We got your gold!
Review: Is 'Heist' the greatest crime caper flick you'll see? Hardly, it isn't even the best David Mamet con game movie yet - for that in my opinion see - 'The Spanish Prisoner'. Heist is however a solid entertainer that moves at the perfect pace and is just the right length. It veers a little close to repeating a few concepts a few too many times and some of the meant to be clever lines fall flat like bad jokes. Others however are dead on and will stay in your mind for keeps. Hackman gives his usual solid performance as a career thief, who, after a bad experience, is looking to wrap things up. Criminal enterprise boss Danny DeVito half persuades and half bullies him into taking on one last job. Actor Ricky Jay is excellent as 'Pinky' the understated member of Hackman's crew and Rebecca Pidgeon as Hackman's girlfriend is easy on the eyes. Sam Rockwell is perfectly cast as Danny DeVito's none to bright, sleazy, annoying nephew along for the ride. After 'The Green Mile' and now this role Rockwell is rapidly perfecting the art of playing the man you love to hate. Bottom line: I liked it slightly better than 'The Score' which was released around the same time but to greater hoopla. It won't knock your socks off, but you'll enjoy it.

Rating:
Summary: A not so good Mamet.
Review: I am not sure why anyone would call this one of the ten best films of the year. Must have been watching the version with all the unbelievable stuff cut out. That would be about a thirty minute movie. An ignored van on a runway, wrecking a van to rescue a girlfriend, and does anyone believe a van or a pickup loaded with that much gold would even move? Who would want to work with a guy who professes to not want to kill a lady in the first scene and then proceed to get his friend killed, lose his wife, get beat up again and again, shoot everyone in sight, and drive away smiling like this is how it was supposed to work out? If you like heist films there are better ones available.

I like Mamet films but the only reason to see this film is Gene Hackman, Danny Devito, and Delroy Lindo. For them I give it three stars.

Rating:
Summary: Wait for this one on [tv] - Mamet disappoints
Review: I am a big David Mamet fan and I have loved the other movies that he's directed, but I was very disappointed with this movie. David Mamet's movies are always very interesting with twists and turns in the plot, double crosses turn into triple cross and triple cross turn into quadruple-cross. You get the idea. One of my favorite Mamet movie is 'The Spanish Prisoner' and this movie starts off in the same vein but ends up disappointing you.

This movie has a great cast including Gene Hackman, Danny DeVito and Delroy Lindo among others. The movie starts off great in typical Mamet fashion, but something happens along the way. The ending of the movie is just abrupt, rushed and comes out of nowhere. The ending left me feeling like the director didn't have time to finish the movie, explain the sub-plots.... I wish I hadn't bought the movie now as it's probably better to just catch it on [tv]. If you're looking for a great movie, get 'The Spanish Prisoner' instead.

I wish I could have given this movie 3 and a half stars, but Amazon doesn't allow for that and so I'm giving it a 3.

Rating:
Summary: Ok movie
Review: My main problem with Heist is not the famed, yet stilted, Mamet dialogue. I understand that Mamet has many fans who loved the cadence of House Of Games ..., but I for one couldn't help but wonder during that entire film how Lindsay Crouse could possibly fail to realize she was being conned while everyone around her was conversing like actors reading through a screenplay for the first time. I can even appreciate Hackman and DeVito trying to elevate Mamet's dialogue in Heist to something that humans might attempt.

No, the main problem with Heist is the heist: Air Traffic Controllers don't allow trucks to drive around on runways, under planes wings, etc, without first contacting the tower. They would've scrambled security the second the truck was spotted, and they certainly wouldn't be on the radio asking if anyone's seen the plane. There's not a runway or taxiway in the world that isn't in plain view of an air traffic control tower. That's why they have towers. So, when the main heist is unrealistic and the numerous plot twists that could have gone 12 different ways always seem to go one guy's way... well, after a while I feel like throwing up my hands and saying, 'That is one cromulent movie, dude.' With that said, it was an ok movie. Better than Hearts In Atlantis, anyway.

Rating:
Summary: A waste of some great talent!!!!
Review: David Mamet has been, at best, inconsistent in his writing and directing. This is a case where he's got a stellar cast and puts them in silly, postured roles. Hackman has great presence and is totally unbelievable as the thief who's been "burnt" by being caught in the act by a camera. The great, under-rated Delroy Lindo has such majestic presence that he, more than Hackman, carries this movie. DeVito is totally wasted as an underworld leader. Not for a minute did I believe that Hackman or Lindo's characters would be so subservient to DeVito. In other words, Tony Soprano DeVito is not! The convoluted plot is silly and I gave up on this DVD about halfway through. I'd rather go play solitaire on my computer than watch any more of this tripe. Delroy Lindo isn't mentioned in any of the reviews I've seen, but he's been such a FORCE in everything from Get Shorty to Romeo Must Die that SOMEONE is going to have the sense to cast him in a leading man's role someday! Gee, talk about not taking advantage of talent! This movie goes nowhere, doesn't engage the viewer, and is so boring and contrived that it barely deserves one star...It's not the worst movie of the year, but it's down there in the bottom 15-20 percent...