Revolver's Recent Activity

list Revolver's Recent Activity - Spout http://www.spout.com/ Recent community activity around Revolver on Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg Revolver's Recent Activity - Spout http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 Film:Revolver http://www.spout.com/films/Revolver/253963/default.aspx

Title: Revolver
Year: 2007
Director: Guy Ritchie
Plot: After learning the secrets of manipulation, graft, and deceit while incarcerated, a recently released ex-convict sets into motion a complex revenge plot against the man who killed his sister-in-law and put him behind bars in maverick director Guy Ritchie's highly stylized crime drama. For seven long years, Jake Green (Jason Statham) has bided his time while learning the rules of the game from a chess master and a top con artist who shared adjacent cells. Macha (Ray Liotta) is the cold and calculated gangster who sent Jake up the river after ruthlessly ending the life of Jake's beloved sister-in-law. When Jake turns up at the casino and humiliates Macha on the floor for all to see, the seething gangster wastes no time in putting a hearty price on his old foe's head. Inexplicably saved from Macha's assassins by a pair who only identify themselves as Avi (Andre Benjamin) and Zach (Vincent Pastore), Jake isn't sure whether to trust his guardian angels or flee from them. The only thing Jake does know for sure is that his thirst for revenge grows stronger every day, and it won't be satisfied until Macha meets his maker. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Times Tagged: 15
Number of Lists: 4
Number of blog posts: 7
Number of discussion threads: 3
SpoutRating: 3
]]>Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:57:34 GMTRevolver2007Guy RitchieAfter learning the secrets of manipulation, graft, and deceit while incarcerated, a recently released ex-convict sets into motion a complex revenge plot against the man who killed his sister-in-law and put him behind bars in maverick director <a href="/players/P___242801/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Guy Ritchie</a>'s highly stylized crime drama. For seven long years, Jake Green (<a href="/players/P___242471/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Jason Statham</a>) has bided his time while learning the rules of the game from a chess master and a top con artist who shared adjacent cells. Macha (<a href="/players/P____42611/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Ray Liotta</a>) is the cold and calculated gangster who sent Jake up the river after ruthlessly ending the life of Jake's beloved sister-in-law. When Jake turns up at the casino and humiliates Macha on the floor for all to see, the seething gangster wastes no time in putting a hearty price on his old foe's head. Inexplicably saved from Macha's assassins by a pair who only identify themselves as Avi (Andre Benjamin) and Zach (<a href="/players/P____55336/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Vincent Pastore</a>), Jake isn't sure whether to trust his guardian angels or flee from them. The only thing Jake does know for sure is that his thirst for revenge grows stronger every day, and it won't be satisfied until Macha meets his maker. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide15Tag Target (>10)4733http://www.spout.com/images/no_image.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Revolver/253963/default.aspxFilm Spout Post: 'RocknRolla' : Ritchie's rich return http://www.spout.com/blogs/usesoap/archive/2008/10/12/36236.aspxPost By: usesoap
Post To: usesoap Blog
Post Date: 10/12/2008 8:57:34 PM
Body: With “RocknRolla” we are officially out of new threatening aquatic creatures for cinematic bad guys to dip their foes into. Sharks. Piranhas. Electric eels. Ill-tempered mutated sea bass. All of these little fishies have occupied a tank or two, used for a criminal dunking booth as a form of persuasion in films. Lenny Cole, the chief villain of Guy Ritchie's new crime caper is also a proprietor of such a nefarious aquarium. So what does he choose to stock in his pond of persuasion? Crawfish. Yes, that Louisiana delicacy that is little more than an overgrown Sea Monkey is what Lenny uses to taunt his victims. It's (hopefully) meant as a lark in Ritchie's assured return to form after misfiring with the disastrous “Swept Away” (starring wife Madonna) and the befuddling “Revolver.” “RocknRolla” creeps back into the underworld where he is most comfortable, populating it with yet another round of entertaining, three-dimensional, two-bit, one-track-minded ruffians who inhabit it. Lenny (played by Tom Wilkinson) is trying to score a real estate deal with a younger, leaner Russian “businessman” (played by Karel Rodan), but is soon realizing his way of lawlessness is slowly giving way to a more harsh, bitter brand of criminality. Meanwhile, his middling thugs get mixed up in the fracas, testing allegiances as well as each other's patience. One Two (played by “300's” Gerard Butler), Mumbles (played by Idris Elba), Handsome Bob (played by Tom Hardy), Archie (played by Mark Strong), and Johnny Quid (played by Tony Kebble), are all crossing paths and cracking skulls -- sometimes their own – in an attempt to pad their pockets with payoff. A scheming accountant (played by Thandie Newton) and a pair of seamy music executives (played by Jeremy Piven and Ludicris), also figure into the scheme. Through the thick British accents, it might be difficult to catch each and every line lobbed onto the criminal battlefield, but the film is immediately more discernible than his thoroughly confusing trip to Kabbalah-land, “Revolver.” Some may see “RocknRolla” as the director falling back on a crutch, cinematically. But it is a crutch that has served him well, and the director seems to have done some maturation in the years since he rocketed onto the landscape with “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” and its follow-up “Snatch.” This film doesn't feel as hopped-up and antsy, allowing more exposition with some rather engaging characters. One scene in particular takes a Hitchcockian foot-chase – one that would typically be wrought with hyperkinetic editing and a thundering soundtrack – and adds an amusing twist to its conclusion that is as realistic as it is comical. The cast is primed and ready to groove with Ritchie's signature vibe, happily contributing moments of appropriate over-the-top histrionics and awkward humility, especially Wilkinson, Butler and Strong. Ritchie breaks no new ground as a director, with his visual flair on full display. But he has grown substantially as a writer, which elevates its gallery of goons to more than Tarantino-esque tough guys. The cast of “RocknRolla” can stand confidently beside the motley crews he's previously assembled on the screen.
]]>Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:57:34 GMTusesoapusesoap Blog10/12/2008 8:57:34 PMWith “RocknRolla” we are officially out of new threatening aquatic creatures for cinematic bad guys to dip their foes into. Sharks. Piranhas. Electric eels. Ill-tempered mutated sea bass. All of these little fishies have occupied a tank or two, used for a criminal dunking booth as a form of persuasion in films. Lenny Cole, the chief villain of Guy Ritchie's new crime caper is also a proprietor of such a nefarious aquarium. So what does he choose to stock in his pond of persuasion? Crawfish. Yes, that Louisiana delicacy that is little more than an overgrown Sea Monkey is what Lenny uses to taunt his victims. It's (hopefully) meant as a lark in Ritchie's assured return to form after misfiring with the disastrous “Swept Away” (starring wife Madonna) and the befuddling “Revolver.” “RocknRolla” creeps back into the underworld where he is most comfortable, populating it with yet another round of entertaining, three-dimensional, two-bit, one-track-minded ruffians who inhabit it. Lenny (played by Tom Wilkinson) is trying to score a real estate deal with a younger, leaner Russian “businessman” (played by Karel Rodan), but is soon realizing his way of lawlessness is slowly giving way to a more harsh, bitter brand of criminality. Meanwhile, his middling thugs get mixed up in the fracas, testing allegiances as well as each other's patience. One Two (played by “300's” Gerard Butler), Mumbles (played by Idris Elba), Handsome Bob (played by Tom Hardy), Archie (played by Mark Strong), and Johnny Quid (played by Tony Kebble), are all crossing paths and cracking skulls -- sometimes their own – in an attempt to pad their pockets with payoff. A scheming accountant (played by Thandie Newton) and a pair of seamy music executives (played by Jeremy Piven and Ludicris), also figure into the scheme. Through the thick British accents, it might be difficult to catch each and every line lobbed onto the criminal battlefield, but the film is immediately more discernible than his thoroughly confusing trip to Kabbalah-land, “Revolver.” Some may see “RocknRolla” as the director falling back on a crutch, cinematically. But it is a crutch that has served him well, and the director seems to have done some maturation in the years since he rocketed onto the landscape with “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” and its follow-up “Snatch.” This film doesn't feel as hopped-up and antsy, allowing more exposition with some rather engaging characters. One scene in particular takes a Hitchcockian foot-chase – one that would typically be wrought with hyperkinetic editing and a thundering soundtrack – and adds an amusing twist to its conclusion that is as realistic as it is comical. The cast is primed and ready to groove with Ritchie's signature vibe, happily contributing moments of appropriate over-the-top histrionics and awkward humility, especially Wilkinson, Butler and Strong. Ritchie breaks no new ground as a director, with his visual flair on full display. But he has grown substantially as a writer, which elevates its gallery of goons to more than Tarantino-esque tough guys. The cast of “RocknRolla” can stand confidently beside the motley crews he's previously assembled on the screen. Spout Post: RockNRolla Review http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2008/10/8/36037.aspxPost By: SpoutBlog
Post To: SpoutBlog on spout.com
Post Date: 10/8/2008 2:01:01 PM
Body: This review originally appeared during the Toronto Film Festival. Guy Ritchie’s RockNRolla opens in New York and LA today. Guy Ritchie has been getting a bad rap ever since the his impressive double header of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch turned into the double whammy of becoming Mr. Madonna in 2000 and directing Swept Away in 2002. Ritchie was quickly heading for the bargain bin after that romantic comedy became a universal joke, topped as a target of derision perhaps only by Gigli. He returned to gangster fare with Revolver in 2005, but even with star and Ritchie alumnus Jason Statham, the film wasn’t well-received. So here we are three years later with yet another gangster-studded film, RocknRolla, this time with posterboy Gerard Butler in a leading role. Well, the good news is that this marks a return to the London underbelly that was laid down by Lock and Snatch: RocknRolla could rightfully be called the third film in a Ritchie trilogy. The bad news is that it’s a whole lot of flash and not much substance. Not that people go to Ritchie’s films expecting a dissertation on the human condition, but his movies do at least require you to follow along closely due to their labyrinthine plots. RocknRolla is no different, and although Butler seems to be the face of the film, he’s simply part of a large ensemble cast, and not the strongest player. The basic plot of the film involves One-Two (Butler) and his partner Mumbles (Idris Elba) as two low-rent hoods who spot a good real estate investment. They partner with a mob boss (Tom Wilkinson) with deep pockets to get things rolling, but he turns around and double-crosses them, and they owe him some serious dough. Meanwhile, the same mob boss gets involved with a Russian billionaire in a similar real estate deal. The Russian’s accountant (Thandie Newton) steps in and double crosses the Russian, and so you’ve got your basic mafia triangle of X owes money to Y who owes money to Z. As it turns out, the Russian loans his mystical good luck painting to the mob boss as a show of good faith, and this painting soon becomes the focus of the film once it is stolen by the mob boss’ stepson, Johnny Quid. The rest of the film turns into a search for the painting, which moves from character A to B to C with fluid ease, and there’s a violent conclusion that ties everything up, for the most part. The main problem with the film is that you just don’t care for most of the main characters, which isn’t that surprising when you consider a cast this large. However, The Big Chill also has a large cast, and you certainly care for people in that movie. (Also, I’ve just realized that comparing a Guy Ritchie movie to The Big Chill is probably one of the signs of the impending apocalypse.) The real stars of the film are Toby Kebbell, who plays the heroin-thin rockstar Johnny Quid in a loving homage to Sid Vicious (or to Gary Oldman in Sid & Nancy); Tom Wilkinson as the chrome-domed, Ray-Ban wearing crime boss Lenny Cole; and Mark Strong as Archie, Lenny’s right-hand enforcer. Honestly, you could have replaced Butler’s character with a dozen different actors, and these three actors would have shone just as brightly, despite being in an ensemble piece. Not that Butler isn’t competent. His portrayal of the criminal who just can’t seem to get things right isn’t nearly as over the top as King Leonidas, and he’s at his best in this movie when not in an action heavy vignettes. There’s an amusing scene where Thandie Newton and Butler are dancing at a wannabe rave thrown by Newton’s posh (but gay) husband. Their dancing is about on par with Marcia Brady’s “thumb dance” from The Brady Bunch. You can’t hear them over the din of the party, so you’re treated with cartoonish subtitles throughout the scene. Most of the humor in the movie comes from a pair of Russian hitmen who just won’t die, no matter what happens to them in one of the most amusing chase sequences I’ve ever seen, and from the awkward situation Butler’s character is put in after his best mate and fellow hood Handsome Bob confesses his love to him. Ritchie from the Lock, Stock days probably wouldn’t have approached a scene (and the ensuing scenes in which Butler may, or may not have helped his buddy out before a prison stint) seriously, but the 2008 version of the director decided it could be both amusing and touching. Ritchie told us that this film is meant to have at least one sequel, and you can read all about that in our upcoming interview. If Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels still stands as Ritchie’s strongest film, with Snatch in second place, RockNRolla feels like a strong third in this trinity, and returns Ritchie to form. At the very least, it’s a fun leadup to Sherlock Holmes. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog
]]>Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:01:01 GMTSpoutBlogSpoutBlog on spout.com10/8/2008 2:01:01 PMThis review originally appeared during the Toronto Film Festival. Guy Ritchie’s RockNRolla opens in New York and LA today. Guy Ritchie has been getting a bad rap ever since the his impressive double header of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch turned into the double whammy of becoming Mr. Madonna in 2000 and directing Swept Away in 2002. Ritchie was quickly heading for the bargain bin after that romantic comedy became a universal joke, topped as a target of derision perhaps only by Gigli. He returned to gangster fare with Revolver in 2005, but even with star and Ritchie alumnus Jason Statham, the film wasn’t well-received. So here we are three years later with yet another gangster-studded film, RocknRolla, this time with posterboy Gerard Butler in a leading role. Well, the good news is that this marks a return to the London underbelly that was laid down by Lock and Snatch: RocknRolla could rightfully be called the third film in a Ritchie trilogy. The bad news is that it’s a whole lot of flash and not much substance. Not that people go to Ritchie’s films expecting a dissertation on the human condition, but his movies do at least require you to follow along closely due to their labyrinthine plots. RocknRolla is no different, and although Butler seems to be the face of the film, he’s simply part of a large ensemble cast, and not the strongest player. The basic plot of the film involves One-Two (Butler) and his partner Mumbles (Idris Elba) as two low-rent hoods who spot a good real estate investment. They partner with a mob boss (Tom Wilkinson) with deep pockets to get things rolling, but he turns around and double-crosses them, and they owe him some serious dough. Meanwhile, the same mob boss gets involved with a Russian billionaire in a similar real estate deal. The Russian’s accountant (Thandie Newton) steps in and double crosses the Russian, and so you’ve got your basic mafia triangle of X owes money to Y who owes money to Z. As it turns out, the Russian loans his mystical good luck painting to the mob boss as a show of good faith, and this painting soon becomes the focus of the film once it is stolen by the mob boss’ stepson, Johnny Quid. The rest of the film turns into a search for the painting, which moves from character A to B to C with fluid ease, and there’s a violent conclusion that ties everything up, for the most part. The main problem with the film is that you just don’t care for most of the main characters, which isn’t that surprising when you consider a cast this large. However, The Big Chill also has a large cast, and you certainly care for people in that movie. (Also, I’ve just realized that comparing a Guy Ritchie movie to The Big Chill is probably one of the signs of the impending apocalypse.) The real stars of the film are Toby Kebbell, who plays the heroin-thin rockstar Johnny Quid in a loving homage to Sid Vicious (or to Gary Oldman in Sid & Nancy); Tom Wilkinson as the chrome-domed, Ray-Ban wearing crime boss Lenny Cole; and Mark Strong as Archie, Lenny’s right-hand enforcer. Honestly, you could have replaced Butler’s character with a dozen different actors, and these three actors would have shone just as brightly, despite being in an ensemble piece. Not that Butler isn’t competent. His portrayal of the criminal who just can’t seem to get things right isn’t nearly as over the top as King Leonidas, and he’s at his best in this movie when not in an action heavy vignettes. There’s an amusing scene where Thandie Newton and Butler are dancing at a wannabe rave thrown by Newton’s posh (but gay) husband. Their dancing is about on par with Marcia Brady’s “thumb dance” from The Brady Bunch. You can’t hear them over the din of the party, so you’re treated with cartoonish subtitles throughout the scene. Most of the humor in the movie comes from a pair of Russian hitmen who just won’t die, no matter what happens to them in one of the most amusing chase sequences I’ve ever seen, and from the awkward situation Butler’s character is put in after his best mate and fellow hood Handsome Bob confesses his love to him. Ritchie from the Lock, Stock days probably wouldn’t have approached a scene (and the ensuing scenes in which Butler may, or may not have helped his buddy out before a prison stint) seriously, but the 2008 version of the director decided it could be both amusing and touching. Ritchie told us that this film is meant to have at least one sequel, and you can read all about that in our upcoming interview. If Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels still stands as Ritchie’s strongest film, with Snatch in second place, RockNRolla feels like a strong third in this trinity, and returns Ritchie to form. At the very least, it’s a fun leadup to Sherlock Holmes. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog Spout Post: Surprise, Surprise http://www.spout.com/blogs/tenenbaums/archive/2008/9/30/35724.aspxPost By: Tenenbaums
Post To: Tenenbaums Blog
Post Date: 9/30/2008 3:08:59 PM
Body: Wow. After a slow start, this movie really takes off. Though I love Snatch and Lock, Stock, it's reassuring to see that Guy Ritchie's talent can go in a different direction. That's not to say that he's completely abandoned his roots (which he might have done on the Swept Away remake....though I haven't seen it...) as there are trademark cinematography and editing touchs in addition to dialogue and content. Revolver reaffirms that Jason Statham is an actor with Ritchie and merely an action star without. He is at his dramatic best here and looks great next to the comedic masterwork in Snatch. Ritchie's new directions allow him to grow as a filmmaker and distance himself from the "he made the same movie twice" comments at the start of his career. I now trust him more as a writer/director and I'm really excited for Rocknrolla.
]]>Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:08:59 GMTTenenbaumsTenenbaums Blog9/30/2008 3:08:59 PMWow. After a slow start, this movie really takes off. Though I love Snatch and Lock, Stock, it's reassuring to see that Guy Ritchie's talent can go in a different direction. That's not to say that he's completely abandoned his roots (which he might have done on the Swept Away remake....though I haven't seen it...) as there are trademark cinematography and editing touchs in addition to dialogue and content. Revolver reaffirms that Jason Statham is an actor with Ritchie and merely an action star without. He is at his dramatic best here and looks great next to the comedic masterwork in Snatch. Ritchie's new directions allow him to grow as a filmmaker and distance himself from the "he made the same movie twice" comments at the start of his career. I now trust him more as a writer/director and I'm really excited for Rocknrolla. Spout Post: RocknRolla Review, Toronto 2008 http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2008/9/6/34829.aspxPost By: SpoutBlog
Post To: SpoutBlog on spout.com
Post Date: 9/6/2008 9:00:33 AM
Body: Guy Ritchie has been getting a bad rap ever since the his impressive double header of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch turned into the double whammy of becoming Mr. Madonna in 2000 and directing Swept Away in 2002. Ritchie was quickly heading for the bargain bin after that romantic comedy became a universal joke, topped as a target of derision perhaps only by Gigli. He returned to gangster fare with Revolver in 2005, but even with star and Ritchie alumnus Jason Statham, the film wasn’t well-received. So here we are three years later with yet another gangster-studded film, RocknRolla, this time with posterboy Gerard Butler in a leading role. Well, the good news is that this marks a return to the London underbelly that was laid down by Lock and Snatch: RocknRolla could rightfully be called the third film in a Ritchie trilogy. The bad news is that it’s a whole lot of flash and not much substance. Not that people go to Ritchie’s films expecting a dissertation on the human condition, but his movies do at least require you to follow along closely due to their labyrinthine plots. RocknRolla is no different, and although Butler seems to be the face of the film, he’s simply part of a large ensemble cast, and not the strongest player. The basic plot of the film involves One-Two (Butler) and his partner Mumbles (Idris Elba) as two low-rent hoods who spot a good real estate investment. They partner with a mob boss (Tom Wilkinson) with deep pockets to get things rolling, but he turns around and double-crosses them, and they owe him some serious dough. Meanwhile, the same mob boss gets involved with a Russian billionaire in a similar real estate deal. The Russian’s accountant (Thandie Newton) steps in and double crosses the Russian, and so you’ve got your basic mafia triangle of X owes money to Y who owes money to Z. As it turns out, the Russian loans his mystical good luck painting to the mob boss as a show of good faith, and this painting soon becomes the focus of the film once it is stolen by the mob boss’ stepson, Johnny Quid. The rest of the film turns into a search for the painting, which moves from character A to B to C with fluid ease, and there’s a violent conclusion that ties everything up, for the most part. The main problem with the film is that you just don’t care for most of the main characters, which isn’t that surprising when you consider a cast this large. However, The Big Chill also has a large cast, and you certainly care for people in that movie. (Also, I’ve just realized that comparing a Guy Ritchie movie to The Big Chill is probably one of the signs of the impending apocalypse.) The real stars of the film are Toby Kebbell, who plays the heroin-thin rockstar Johnny Quid in a loving homage to Sid Vicious (or to Gary Oldman in Sid & Nancy); Tom Wilkinson as the chrome-domed, Ray-Ban wearing crime boss Lenny Cole; and Mark Strong as Archie, Lenny’s right-hand enforcer. Honestly, you could have replaced Butler’s character with a dozen different actors, and these three actors would have shone just as brightly, despite being in an ensemble piece. Not that Butler isn’t competent. His portrayal of the criminal who just can’t seem to get things right isn’t nearly as over the top as King Leonidas, and he’s at his best in this movie when not in an action heavy vignettes. There’s an amusing scene where Thandie Newton and Butler are dancing at a wannabe rave thrown by Newton’s posh (but gay) husband. Their dancing is about on par with Marcia Brady’s “thumb dance” from The Brady Bunch. You can’t hear them over the din of the party, so you’re treated with cartoonish subtitles throughout the scene. Most of the humor in the movie comes from a pair of Russian hitmen who just won’t die, no matter what happens to them in one of the most amusing chase sequences I’ve ever seen, and from the awkward situation Butler’s character is put in after his best mate and fellow hood Handsome Bob confesses his love to him. Ritchie from the Lock, Stock days probably wouldn’t have approached a scene (and the ensuing scenes in which Butler may, or may not have helped his buddy out before a prison stint) seriously, but the 2008 version of the director decided it could be both amusing and touching. Ritchie told us that this film is meant to have at least one sequel, and you can read all about that in our upcoming interview. If Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels still stands as Ritchie’s strongest film, with Snatch in second place, RockNRolla feels like a strong third in this trinity, and returns Ritchie to form. At the very least, it’s a fun leadup to Sherlock Holmes. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog
]]>Sat, 06 Sep 2008 13:00:33 GMTSpoutBlogSpoutBlog on spout.com9/6/2008 9:00:33 AM Guy Ritchie has been getting a bad rap ever since the his impressive double header of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch turned into the double whammy of becoming Mr. Madonna in 2000 and directing Swept Away in 2002. Ritchie was quickly heading for the bargain bin after that romantic comedy became a universal joke, topped as a target of derision perhaps only by Gigli. He returned to gangster fare with Revolver in 2005, but even with star and Ritchie alumnus Jason Statham, the film wasn’t well-received. So here we are three years later with yet another gangster-studded film, RocknRolla, this time with posterboy Gerard Butler in a leading role. Well, the good news is that this marks a return to the London underbelly that was laid down by Lock and Snatch: RocknRolla could rightfully be called the third film in a Ritchie trilogy. The bad news is that it’s a whole lot of flash and not much substance. Not that people go to Ritchie’s films expecting a dissertation on the human condition, but his movies do at least require you to follow along closely due to their labyrinthine plots. RocknRolla is no different, and although Butler seems to be the face of the film, he’s simply part of a large ensemble cast, and not the strongest player. The basic plot of the film involves One-Two (Butler) and his partner Mumbles (Idris Elba) as two low-rent hoods who spot a good real estate investment. They partner with a mob boss (Tom Wilkinson) with deep pockets to get things rolling, but he turns around and double-crosses them, and they owe him some serious dough. Meanwhile, the same mob boss gets involved with a Russian billionaire in a similar real estate deal. The Russian’s accountant (Thandie Newton) steps in and double crosses the Russian, and so you’ve got your basic mafia triangle of X owes money to Y who owes money to Z. As it turns out, the Russian loans his mystical good luck painting to the mob boss as a show of good faith, and this painting soon becomes the focus of the film once it is stolen by the mob boss’ stepson, Johnny Quid. The rest of the film turns into a search for the painting, which moves from character A to B to C with fluid ease, and there’s a violent conclusion that ties everything up, for the most part. The main problem with the film is that you just don’t care for most of the main characters, which isn’t that surprising when you consider a cast this large. However, The Big Chill also has a large cast, and you certainly care for people in that movie. (Also, I’ve just realized that comparing a Guy Ritchie movie to The Big Chill is probably one of the signs of the impending apocalypse.) The real stars of the film are Toby Kebbell, who plays the heroin-thin rockstar Johnny Quid in a loving homage to Sid Vicious (or to Gary Oldman in Sid & Nancy); Tom Wilkinson as the chrome-domed, Ray-Ban wearing crime boss Lenny Cole; and Mark Strong as Archie, Lenny’s right-hand enforcer. Honestly, you could have replaced Butler’s character with a dozen different actors, and these three actors would have shone just as brightly, despite being in an ensemble piece. Not that Butler isn’t competent. His portrayal of the criminal who just can’t seem to get things right isn’t nearly as over the top as King Leonidas, and he’s at his best in this movie when not in an action heavy vignettes. There’s an amusing scene where Thandie Newton and Butler are dancing at a wannabe rave thrown by Newton’s posh (but gay) husband. Their dancing is about on par with Marcia Brady’s “thumb dance” from The Brady Bunch. You can’t hear them over the din of the party, so you’re treated with cartoonish subtitles throughout the scene. Most of the humor in the movie comes from a pair of Russian hitmen who just won’t die, no matter what happens to them in one of the most amusing chase sequences I’ve ever seen, and from the awkward situation Butler’s character is put in after his best mate and fellow hood Handsome Bob confesses his love to him. Ritchie from the Lock, Stock days probably wouldn’t have approached a scene (and the ensuing scenes in which Butler may, or may not have helped his buddy out before a prison stint) seriously, but the 2008 version of the director decided it could be both amusing and touching. Ritchie told us that this film is meant to have at least one sequel, and you can read all about that in our upcoming interview. If Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels still stands as Ritchie’s strongest film, with Snatch in second place, RockNRolla feels like a strong third in this trinity, and returns Ritchie to form. At the very least, it’s a fun leadup to Sherlock Holmes. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog Spout Post: Re:Spoutblog Coverage at Comic-Con http://www.spout.com/groups/Comic_Con/Re_Spoutblog_Coverage_at_Comic_Con/611/33042/1/ShowPost.aspxPost By: csprague
Post To: Comic-Con
Post Date: 7/24/2008 3:02:41 PM
Body: Comic-Con 2008: Guy Ritchie’s Comic Book Whether or not Guy Ritchie is soon to become the most famous male divorcee on the planet, at least he’s keeping busy. The filmmaker will be here at the Con this weekend promoting RocknRolla, his long awaited follow-up to the kabbalah gangster debacle Revolver, and Virgin Comics is here touting Gamekeeper, a Ritchie-created comic book which will, at some point, become a Ritchie-directed film. Though Ritchie apparently approves drawings and storylines for each issue, a Virgin rep told me that the filmmaker was “way more involved” with the recently released Series 2, which introduces a band of mercenaries known as “The Soccer Club.” Panels and buying info can be found here. Above and below: shots from the Virgin display on the show floor, where Ritchie is being promoted alongside Dan Dare and another unlikely comic star, porn star Jenna Jameson.
]]>Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:02:41 GMTcspragueComic-Con7/24/2008 3:02:41 PMComic-Con 2008: Guy Ritchie’s Comic Book Whether or not Guy Ritchie is soon to become the most famous male divorcee on the planet, at least he’s keeping busy. The filmmaker will be here at the Con this weekend promoting RocknRolla, his long awaited follow-up to the kabbalah gangster debacle Revolver, and Virgin Comics is here touting Gamekeeper, a Ritchie-created comic book which will, at some point, become a Ritchie-directed film. Though Ritchie apparently approves drawings and storylines for each issue, a Virgin rep told me that the filmmaker was “way more involved” with the recently released Series 2, which introduces a band of mercenaries known as “The Soccer Club.” Panels and buying info can be found here. Above and below: shots from the Virgin display on the show floor, where Ritchie is being promoted alongside Dan Dare and another unlikely comic star, porn star Jenna Jameson. Spout Post: Comic-Con 2008: Guy Ritchie’s Comic Book http://www.spout.com/blogs/karina/archive/2008/7/24/33039.aspxPost By: Karina
Post To: Karina on SpoutBlog
Post Date: 7/24/2008 2:01:30 PM
Body: Whether or not Guy Ritchie is soon to become the most famous male divorcee on the planet, at least he’s keeping busy. The filmmaker will be here at the Con this weekend promoting RocknRolla, his long awaited follow-up to the kabbalah gangster debacle Revolver, and Virgin Comics is here touting Gamekeeper, a Ritchie-created comic book which will, at some point, become a Ritchie-directed film. Though Ritchie apparently approves drawings and storylines for each issue, a Virgin rep told me that the filmmaker was “way more involved” with the recently released Series 2, which introduces a band of mercenaries known as “The Soccer Club.” Panels and buying info can be found here. Above and below: shots from the Virgin display on the show floor, where Ritchie is being promoted alongside Dan Dare and another unlikely comic star, porn star Jenna Jameson. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog » Karina Longworth
]]>Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:01:30 GMTKarinaKarina on SpoutBlog7/24/2008 2:01:30 PM Whether or not Guy Ritchie is soon to become the most famous male divorcee on the planet, at least he’s keeping busy. The filmmaker will be here at the Con this weekend promoting RocknRolla, his long awaited follow-up to the kabbalah gangster debacle Revolver, and Virgin Comics is here touting Gamekeeper, a Ritchie-created comic book which will, at some point, become a Ritchie-directed film. Though Ritchie apparently approves drawings and storylines for each issue, a Virgin rep told me that the filmmaker was “way more involved” with the recently released Series 2, which introduces a band of mercenaries known as “The Soccer Club.” Panels and buying info can be found here. Above and below: shots from the Virgin display on the show floor, where Ritchie is being promoted alongside Dan Dare and another unlikely comic star, porn star Jenna Jameson. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog » Karina Longworth Spout Post: Comic-Con 2008: Guy Ritchie’s Comic Book http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2008/7/24/33037.aspxPost By: SpoutBlog
Post To: SpoutBlog on spout.com
Post Date: 7/24/2008 2:01:14 PM
Body: Whether or not Guy Ritchie is soon to become the most famous male divorcee on the planet, at least he’s keeping busy. The filmmaker will be here at the Con this weekend promoting RocknRolla, his long awaited follow-up to the kabbalah gangster debacle Revolver, and Virgin Comics is here touting Gamekeeper, a Ritchie-created comic book which will, at some point, become a Ritchie-directed film. Though Ritchie apparently approves drawings and storylines for each issue, a Virgin rep told me that the filmmaker was “way more involved” with the recently released Series 2, which introduces a band of mercenaries known as “The Soccer Club.” Panels and buying info can be found here. Above and below: shots from the Virgin display on the show floor, where Ritchie is being promoted alongside Dan Dare and another unlikely comic star, porn star Jenna Jameson. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog
]]>Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:01:14 GMTSpoutBlogSpoutBlog on spout.com7/24/2008 2:01:14 PM Whether or not Guy Ritchie is soon to become the most famous male divorcee on the planet, at least he’s keeping busy. The filmmaker will be here at the Con this weekend promoting RocknRolla, his long awaited follow-up to the kabbalah gangster debacle Revolver, and Virgin Comics is here touting Gamekeeper, a Ritchie-created comic book which will, at some point, become a Ritchie-directed film. Though Ritchie apparently approves drawings and storylines for each issue, a Virgin rep told me that the filmmaker was “way more involved” with the recently released Series 2, which introduces a band of mercenaries known as “The Soccer Club.” Panels and buying info can be found here. Above and below: shots from the Virgin display on the show floor, where Ritchie is being promoted alongside Dan Dare and another unlikely comic star, porn star Jenna Jameson. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog Spout Post: REVOLVER http://www.spout.com/blogs/windbreaker/archive/2008/7/6/32195.aspxPost By: Windbreaker
Post To: Windbreaker!
Post Date: 7/6/2008 3:47:43 PM
Body: I have to admit that Guy Ritchie surprised me. The trailer for this was created to bring in the "I want stylized bloody warfare" crowd. But Revolver is actually smarter than that. Call me crazy, but I think Guy Ritchie made a smart movie. Watch the credits all the way through to get a little insight into the basic premise. The human mind is capable of so much, but at what point does the subconscience fool a person into mixing reality with perception? And even more, is mankind born evil or good? Revolver assumes people can be basically good and that evil actions are really just the result of egos. Which is funny because I would argue that mankind's natural ego is evidence that we're born flawed. Anyway, check this one out. If you don't want to get heady -- just enjoy the fun camera work and 'splosions.
]]>Sun, 06 Jul 2008 19:47:43 GMTWindbreakerWindbreaker!7/6/2008 3:47:43 PMI have to admit that Guy Ritchie surprised me. The trailer for this was created to bring in the "I want stylized bloody warfare" crowd. But Revolver is actually smarter than that. Call me crazy, but I think Guy Ritchie made a smart movie. Watch the credits all the way through to get a little insight into the basic premise. The human mind is capable of so much, but at what point does the subconscience fool a person into mixing reality with perception? And even more, is mankind born evil or good? Revolver assumes people can be basically good and that evil actions are really just the result of egos. Which is funny because I would argue that mankind's natural ego is evidence that we're born flawed. Anyway, check this one out. If you don't want to get heady -- just enjoy the fun camera work and 'splosions. Spout Post: Re:Let me know http://www.spout.com/groups/Five_for_Five/Re_Let_me_know/255/28034/1/ShowPost.aspxPost By: leeroy711
Post To: Five for Five
Post Date: 4/30/2008 8:41:52 PM
Body: [quote user="mercurial"] Jason Statham: 5 * London 4 * Revolver 3 * The Italian Job 2 * In The Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale 1 * John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars [/quote] No love for Snatch or Lock, Stock............?
]]>Thu, 01 May 2008 00:41:52 GMTleeroy711Five for Five4/30/2008 8:41:52 PM[quote user="mercurial"] Jason Statham: 5 * London 4 * Revolver 3 * The Italian Job 2 * In The Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale 1 * John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars [/quote] No love for Snatch or Lock, Stock............? Spout Post: Re:Let me know http://www.spout.com/groups/Five_for_Five/Re_Let_me_know/255/28033/1/ShowPost.aspxPost By: mercurial
Post To: Five for Five
Post Date: 4/30/2008 8:39:08 PM
Body: Jason Statham: 5 * London 4 * Revolver 3 * The Italian Job 2 * In The Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale 1 * John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars
]]>Thu, 01 May 2008 00:39:08 GMTmercurialFive for Five4/30/2008 8:39:08 PMJason Statham: 5 * London 4 * Revolver 3 * The Italian Job 2 * In The Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale 1 * John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars Spout Tag:murder http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/murder/MemberTagFilms.aspxmurder
Number of films tagged: 8748

Number of people who tagged: 157

Number of times used: 830

]]>Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:57:25 GMT8748157830Tag Spout Tag:revenge http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/revenge/MemberTagFilms.aspxrevenge
Number of films tagged: 5189

Number of people who tagged: 145

Number of times used: 489

]]>Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:13:41 GMT5189145489Tag Spout Tag:drugs http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/drugs/MemberTagFilms.aspxdrugs
Number of films tagged: 1643

Number of people who tagged: 130

Number of times used: 488

]]>Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:36:00 GMT1643130488Tag Spout Tag:prison http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/prison/MemberTagFilms.aspxprison
Number of films tagged: 2437

Number of people who tagged: 62

Number of times used: 167

]]>Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:02:27 GMT243762167Tag Spout Tag:gangster http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/gangster/MemberTagFilms.aspxgangster
Number of films tagged: 4065

Number of people who tagged: 60

Number of times used: 145

]]>Mon, 17 Aug 2009 01:37:08 GMT406560145Tag Spout Tag:assassination http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/assassination/MemberTagFilms.aspxassassination
Number of films tagged: 1052

Number of people who tagged: 44

Number of times used: 90

]]>Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:55:14 GMT10524490Tag Spout Tag:robbery http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/robbery/MemberTagFilms.aspxrobbery
Number of films tagged: 3798

Number of people who tagged: 42

Number of times used: 103

]]>Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:33:51 GMT379842103Tag Spout Tag:manipulation http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/manipulation/MemberTagFilms.aspxmanipulation
Number of films tagged: 249

Number of people who tagged: 39

Number of times used: 65

]]>Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:46:13 GMT2493965Tag Spout Tag:gambling http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/gambling/MemberTagFilms.aspxgambling
Number of films tagged: 1082

Number of people who tagged: 38

Number of times used: 81

]]>Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:03:25 GMT10823881Tag Spout Tag:gangs http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/gangs/MemberTagFilms.aspxgangs
Number of films tagged: 32

Number of people who tagged: 27

Number of times used: 43

]]>Sun, 03 May 2009 23:37:04 GMT322743Tag Spout Tag:chess http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/chess/MemberTagFilms.aspxchess
Number of films tagged: 58

Number of people who tagged: 15

Number of times used: 20

]]>Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:12:01 GMT581520Tag Spout Tag:gangsters http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/gangsters/MemberTagFilms.aspxgangsters
Number of films tagged: 20

Number of people who tagged: 14

Number of times used: 21

]]>Mon, 27 Jul 2009 04:28:03 GMT201421Tag Spout Tag:cards http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/cards/MemberTagFilms.aspxcards
Number of films tagged: 118

Number of people who tagged: 8

Number of times used: 11

]]>Mon, 06 Jul 2009 22:22:49 GMT118811Tag Spout Tag:exconvict http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/exconvict/MemberTagFilms.aspxexconvict
Number of films tagged: 515

Number of people who tagged: 7

Number of times used: 12

]]>Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:02:43 GMT515712Tag Spout Tag:trickery http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/trickery/MemberTagFilms.aspxtrickery
Number of films tagged: 5

Number of people who tagged: 5

Number of times used: 7

]]>Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:12:29 GMT557Tag