Vito Lupedee

Vito LupedeeThis mob crime movie, based on true events, got horrible reviews and not much press during its theatrical release. I don't know why. Is it the best mafia movie ever? Not even close. But it is an interesting and worthy watch. Robert De Niro pulls double duty playing both Frank Costello and Vito Genovese in this movie set in the 1950s. De Niro has long been a favorite actor of mine and shines in his role as Vito Genovese a bit more than Costello, IMO. Debra Messing and Katherine Narducci also give notable performances in their supporting roles. Since it is based on real life criminals they couldn't take many liberties with the story, but Barry Levinson has crafted a mob movie that should gain appreciation over time, one that fits neatly in the middle of a list of great mafia films. For example, I liked it better than the Irishman. Alto Knights has a comfortable pace to it and its over 2 hour runtime is hardly noticeable. All the set designs are period correct and I didn't notice any modern terms used in the dialogue. Overall, fans of mob movies and of mafia history should enjoy this as much as I did. 7.5/10

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Vito LupedeeIt's such a shame that we lost Paul Walker so young, he really was a talented actor. This psychological thriller from 2008 is more proof of that. I don't want to give away too much about this movie for those that haven't seen it, it's better to go in blind. I will say that it is a bit of a slow burn and it does have a sluggish pace in parts. But it's part of the bigger picture, to question what parts of the story are true. Overall, a quick and interesting watch. 7/10

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Vito LupedeeThis 8 episode murder/mystery series was an excellent watch. Jessica Biel and Elizabeth Banks both deliver top shelf performances. Even Kim Dickens, from Fear The Walking Dead fame, gave a notable performance as well. It's a bit of a slow burn, but it's done right. At no point during the story did I lose interest, the storytelling kept the viewer engaged the entire time, and things tied up nicely in the end. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommended. 9/10

Vito LupedeeI LOVE A GOOD REVENGE FILM. Throw in some comedy and this blood soaked, violent, mayhem filled masterpiece is a super fun watch. I love the voice of H.Jon Benjamin as the comedic inner voice of Boy, who is deaf and mute, played by a jacked Bill Skarsgard. They are in total contrast but work so well together. I kind of knew what to expect from the trailer, so I wasn't disappointed, but this movie really amped it up more than anticipated, even adding an unexpected twist in the final act. The violence can be gratuitous and cringe worthy at times, like the creative use of a cheese grater in a fight scene, but that just made me appreciate this movie more. I didn't expect it to be as hysterical as it was. I found myself laughing out loud on multiple occasions. If you like the action to be bloody, and your comedy to be twisted, then I highly recommend this thoroughly entertaining flick. 9.5/10

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Vito LupedeeTaika Waititi tries to reimagine the classic 80's movie of the same name into a 10 episode series and is moderately successful. There is obvious production value put into it with the costumes, set designs, and special effects. Waititi's brand of humor kind of mirrors the dry British wit from the film, so that part works. But I was disappointed that they replaced the Time Bandits from little people like in the original to normal size actors for no apparent reason. It loses some of its charm in that respect. They do employ some little people in other smaller roles (no pun intended) but it's not enough. Little people have too few opportunities in Hollywood and this would have been a perfect vehicle for some. Lisa Kudrow leads the group of Time Bandits and I just can't help but see too much of Phoebe Buffay from Friends in her performance. Overall it was a decent attempt at a reboot, only falling a little short. The last episode leaves it open for another season, which is a little presumptuous, as I see no reason for one. 7/10

Vito LupedeeI loved this series and was sorry to see it end. We follow the Cody family, a dysfunctional crime family in southern California, led by their matriarch, Smurf. The best thing about this show was the character development, it's brilliantly executed over time. Layer upon layer is slowly revealed as we delve deeper into their world. Secrets, betrayals, power grabs, heists, and murders. No one is safe as everyone has a sense of self preservation that is greater than their family bond. Highly recommended. 9.5/10

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Vito LupedeeTerry Gilliam's brilliantly imaginative movie from 1981 holds a special spot in my heart. This whimsical and innovative film is now a classic among Gilliam fans and fans of Monty Python alike. This is the first movie that I can recall that cast little people but didn't use them in an exploitative way. An ambitious undertaking, asserting his bold visual style and Gilliam is hugely successful in creating epic scenes at moments throughout time. Love this movie. 9/10

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Vito LupedeeThis was a decent Horror/Thriller with some decent horror makeup and edge of your seat moments. Halle Berry plays the ultra obsessed Mom trying to protect her two young boys from the surrounding evil at their family home in the middle of nowhere. Is the evil real or imagined? We'll never know for sure. The movie never commits one way or the other, and basically leaves it open to interpretation. Still a worthy watch. 7/10

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Vito LupedeeThis 2017 movie stars Timothée Chalamet and Maika Monroe, set in 1991 at Cape Cod, Massachusetts. A basic nobody manages to connect with the area's most popular weed dealer and helps him step up his game, at the same time, he falls for the hottest girl in the neighborhood who happens to be his partner's sister. It's a summertime coming of age story with a bit of a hard edge, and has a tragic end. An entertaining watch. 7/10

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Vito LupedeeThis is definitely not a great movie, but it is a fun watch if you're looking to pass some time. If you're looking for any of Guy Ritchie's usual flair, you're going to be disappointed, there is none of his signature style to be found here. This movie tries to give us an epic adventure like the Indiana Jones or National Treasure movies, but ends up falling a little flat by comparison. John Krasinski's character is the charming, confident adventurous type, whereas Natalie Portman's character is uptight and almost completely unlikeable. Eiza Gonzalez is the femme fatale trying to stop them. Beyond the characters that I mentioned, most everyone else is inconsequential, and adds very little to the story. The story has more than a few plot holes and almost feels like it was written by AI. But there are some good action sequences (even if they don't make sense) and some amazing visuals at cinematic locations. Not every movie has to be a masterpiece, but as long as it's entertaining... that's the point. Overall, this can be a fun watch, if you don't expect too much. 7/10

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