Movie: Carlito's Way (1993)

Al Pachino and Brian De Palma join forces once again for this movie, that unfortunately did not become a great commericial hit. The most memorable performance in this movie is from Sean Penn. The basic premise is that once you are into organized crime, you are there to stay.
A Puerto Rican mobster(Pachino) returns after serving time in the hopes of turning a new leaf. He resumes his relationship with his supportive girlfriend(Penelope Ann Miller) and seems to be on track toward his ideal. Alas, his loyalty to his slimy defence attorney(Penn) will deny his retribution.
The best performance in this flickis from Penn. One feels such disgust and loathing for his charcter. To evoke such stromg feelings from a viewer is a feat only an actor of Penn's caliber can pull off. In my opinion, Penn deserved a supporting actor nomination from the academy.

Here's some interesting trivia:
In the movie, the attorney kills a con who threatens him. (I can't remember his name) This actor who plays the con was recently in the news. He testified in Robert Blake's trial. He claimed that Blake tried to talk him into killing his, Blake's wife.

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Movie: Scarface (1983)

Condemned my many for its raw violence, this mob movie stars Al Pachino and was directed by Brian De Palma. It was the remake of a Howard Hark's classic of the same name. A cuban criminal refugee(Pachino) arrives in Miami carrying only a blinding ambition. Striking a deal with the local mob, he rises to the top and becomes a Cocaine Czar. His rise and fall are narrated in this bloody epic tale. The violent shootout in the end is a fitting end to this great movie.

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Movie: Body Double (1984)

This is another thriller from director Brian De Palma. Craig Wasson plays a struggling actor who is offered a place to stay in a lavish apartment,high in a multi-story building by a 'nice' millionaire. The millionaire also kindles his temptation by pointing out an apartment in a neighbouring building. In that apartment is a woman puts on a show every night, a sensual dance with scanty clothes.
The actor soon becomes obsessed with her. One day he witnesses her getting murdered by an intruder.Or did he? He soon realizes that nothing is what it seems and he is part of a diabolical scheme. We also see 'little known starlet', Melanie Griffith turn in a great performancein this movie.

I liked this movie. Give it a try.

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Movie: Dressed to Kill (1980)

This is another Hitchcock/Psycho rip-off/tribute from director Brian de Palma. In my eyes, it is a classic.
Michael Caine plays a shrink who treats many disturbed patients. One leaves a message for him saying he is a woman trapped in a man's body. Another is a nymphomaniac(Angie Dickinson).
One of the most successful scenes is when she is playing 'silent' games with a total stranger in a museum. This scene lasts about 10 minutes. Not a work is spoken in this scene. This scene just kept me glued to the screen. There were a couple of other scenes that almost made me jump out of my skin. This film is a must see.

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Movie Review: Raising Cain (1992)

It still beats me how the critics or the public brushed this one aside. Raising Cain is perhaps director Brian De Palma's best tribute to Hitchcock's Psycho yet. Unfortunately John Lithgow's acting prowness became popular only after the TV Serial '3rd Rock from the Sun'. His performance in this movie is stellar.

Raising cain is an adrenaline pumping roller coaster ride from start to finish. It kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

Dr. Nix(Lithgow) is a pervert who kidnaps kids and performs experiments on them.When
he discovers that his wife(Lolita Davidovich) is carrying on a relationship with her ex-lover(Steven Bauer), it brings out the rage in him even more. Mysteriously his twin brother also shows up on the scene. While the movie has strong themes, and subjects the viewer to shock treatment, De Palma pulls of the whole show without any gore.

If you are not repulsed by adult themes, and like a nice scare, this is the movie for you.

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