Mac's Movies

UK Release Date:  14 August 2019 Certification:  18 Director:  Quentin Tarantino Cast:  Austin Butler, Leonardo DiCaprio, Emile Hirsch, Timothy Olyphant, Al Pacino, Brad Pitt, Margaret Qualley, Margot Robbie Rating:   95% Review: Esteemed director, Quentin Tarantino, explores 1960's Hollywood putting his own spin on history in his ninth feature film, Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood . The world created feels immersive, transporting the audience back in time, due to intricate set-designs and a vibrant, swinging soundtrack.  As the film progresses, characters become entangled with certain members of the Manson Family.  Obviously, the Manson murders are a horrific part of history. It's a huge challenge to be able to explore the Manson Family in a sensitive manner. If done incorrectly, there would have been a real danger of  Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood  becoming exploitative but I thought it was handled well. Scenes aroun...

UK Release Date:  30 April 1997 Certification:  18 Director:  Mike Newell Cast:  Johnny Depp, Anne Heche, Bruno Kirby, Michae l Madsen, Al Pacino, James Russo Rating:   66 % Review: With Johnny Depp and Al Pacino in leading roles it's no real surprise that the  performances  standout in Donnie  Brasco . I believe this is the best acted role from Depp, bar Edward Scissorhands . Don't get me wrong he was made to play Jack Sparrow and I love how vibrantly he plays that character but he gets to show that he can act in this film. He portrays conflicting characteristics at a similar ability in the space of a few scenes. His arc is engaging, a realistic progression of his headspace at the time. The mob film is what made Al Pacino one of the greats. So whilst it's not anything revolutionary compared to the rest of his filmography, Pacino still delivers a worthy supporting performance. There's depth, displaying a slight comedic side as well as sk...

UK Release Date: 24 August 1972 Certification: 15 Director: Francis Ford Coppola Cast: Marlon Brando, James Caan, Richard S. Castellona, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, Diane Keaton, Al Lettieri, Al Pacino Rating: 100% "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse." Review: I was afraid that I'd come out of The Godfather  on it's 50th anniversary in the UK disappointed as it's often considered one of, if not, the greatest films ever made but gladly, that is for good reason. This is not only the best film I've ever seen but it's also one of the finest accomplishments in modern history. This is perfection, it would be a genuine challenge to discover a list that doesn't have this in their top five films of all time. I was just in awe of this masterpiece for three hours.  You can't take your eyes off the late Marlon Brando during The Godfather . He chews up scene after scene, it's the performance of a lifetime. One of the most dazzling, ...

UK Release Date: 30 August 2002 Certification: 15 Director: Christopher Nolan Cast: Martin Donovan, Paul Dooley, Larry Holden, Nicky Katt, Al Pacino, Hilary Swank, Maura Tierney, Robin Williams Rating: 71% Nolan's weakest film is still thoroughly enjoyable.  Review:  Christopher Nolan is my favourite director of all time - whether it's an ambitious comic book movie or a mind bending sci-fi, he always delivers - but I haven't seen some of his films before ( Following , Memento and of course Insomnia ). I can feel the features that made Nolan great but I feel the best way to sum up Insomnia is that it's a good movie that doesn't hold up to the rest of Nolan's filmography. Al Pacino plays sleep deprived detective, Will Dormer. He's of course a legendary actor and he delivers a brilliant portrayal. Once you notice that insomnia is really affecting his character, his performance really amps up.  However, I wish that Nolan would've explored in depth how i...

UK Release Date: 02 February 1996 Certification: 15 Director: Michael Mann Cast: Amy Brenneman, Ashley Judd, Val Kilmer, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Natalie Portman, Tom Sizemore, Wes Studi, Diana Venora, Jon Voight Rating:  97 % Don't let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner. Review: Based on a true story, crime-heist classic,  Heat , sees acting legends Robert De Niro and Al Pacino come face to face on the big screen for the first time as a cunning bank robber (Neil McCauley) and a hardened cop (Vincent Hanna) respectively.  There has never been a pair of actors people have wanted to see on screen more than Robert De Niro and Al Pacino and the end result definitely lived up to people's excitement. Al Pacino just about stood out to me as I thought he had brilliant comedic timing in the role. However, the scene most remembered in Heat is the diner scene, where inst...