Killing Them Softly

The Assassination of Great Performances by the Complete Lack of Structure.  Dominik’s attempt at Drive is less well shot, less intriguing, and horribly paced.  Excellent actors play arc-less character’s whose conversations feel longer than the film.  Hyperviolent moments and newsreel soundtrack feel equally meaningless in a crock that doesn’t work.

True Romance

Tarantino’s tale of a clean Slater’s injection into criminal world is brilliantly crafted and expertly populate with the best bit parts that Walken, Oldman, Hopper, Pitt and others have ever done.  Turning Slater and Arquette 1 into empathetic charaster is a True Miracle.  Naturally born prequel to Stone’s killed romance.

The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009)

Baby-Scott eases up on the epilepsy as Travolta Swordfishes a subway car. Well executed high-concept film compensates for action free segments with high doses of tension. Generally good, but hurt by annoying co-worker, excessive accounting lingo, bad driving from the NYPD designed to generate action, and sentimental 1980s closing freeze-frame.