Movie Review: Black Mass 2015

Black Mass
Directed By: Scott Cooper
Rated: R
Cast: Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kevin Bacon
Plot:
In 1970s South Boston, FBI Agent John Connolly (Joel Edgerton) persuades Irish mobster James "Whitey" Bulger (Johnny Depp) to collaborate with the FBI and eliminate a common enemy: the Italian mob. The drama tells the story of this unholy alliance, which spiraled out of control, allowing Whitey to evade law enforcement, consolidate power, and become one of the most ruthless and powerful gangsters in Boston history.

I didn't know much about this true story before walking into a local theater recently. All I knew was the following: Johnny Depp was playing a gangster. That was pretty much it. Sure, I could have Googled the whole plot and it's in-depth history but I decided to go in blind, see what the movie makers did.

Say what you will about Johnny Depp and his personal life choices, on screen the man is acting platinum. I've been watching him since 21 Jump Street and his many roles have time and again landed him some outstanding reviews. The man can act! Just plain and simple. Some people naturally have it and some people don't.

This film runs at a slow simmer for the most part, it reels you in a bit at a time. Before you know it, you're whacking guys down by the river and grabbing beers at the bar with the fellas. (Just don't put your hands all over the peanuts.) It's all fun and games until someone goes too far and the heat is turned up on this band of killers. And trust me on this, they are straight up cold blooded killers.

The whole story takes place over about 20 years, yet it's hard to believe that thugs like this could have gotten away with crimes so outlandish. I guess that's what happens behind the scenes when corruption gets it's devilish hands on men of power. I'll say this, you won't leave the theater not knowing who Whitey is and fearing the Hades out of him.

If you enjoy true crime stories with grit all based on the inner workings of the mob, love a well written and acted movie, then go check this out. The cast across the board is amazing!

Getting 4 'don't say nothin ta nobody' Sheep

KD

2014's Sexy Men of Television

2014 is shaping up to be a winner, not only in books, but television and film have some heavy hitters coming soon. Today, we bring you just a few of the very sexy men burning up the TV screens weekly. Please make sure to check your local listings for exact airing dates and times. Enjoy some man-candy on the house! 

Benedict Cumberbatch

Sherlock (BBC) 

A British television crime drama that presents a contemporary adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes detective stories. Created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, it stars the sexy and cunning Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman (The Hobbit) as Doctor John Watson. Nine episodes have been produced thus far and I can't wait to see what the next season has in store! 

Karl Urban 

Almost Human (FOX) 

In 2048, the uncontrollable evolution of science and technology has caused crime rates to rise an astounding 400%. To combat this, the overwhelmed police force has implemented a new policy: every human police officer is paired up with a lifelike combat-model android.

John Kennex (Karl Urban), a troubled detective, has a reason to hate these new robot partners. Almost two years previously, Kennex and his squad were raiding the hideout of a violent gang known as the Insyndicate, but ended up being ambushed and outgunned. Kennex tried to save his badly injured partner, but the accompanying android officer abandoned them both because their chances of survival were low. An explosion then took out Kennex's leg and killed his partner. 

Michael Ealy 

Almost Human (FOX)

Plays an older android robot called a "DRN", which was originally destined for the scrap heap. Created to be as close to human as possible, the DRN androids have trouble dealing with some emotional responses, which was the reason they were replaced by the logic-based MX units. Dorian (Michael Ealy), immediately proves himself unique, with a clear dislike of being referred to as a "synthetic". As Each episode goes by Kennex and Dorian's Relationship grows but how long can it last with one being human and one almost human.

Kevin Bacon 

The Following (FOX) 

The Following centers on former FBI agent Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon) and his attempts to recapture serial killer Joe Carroll (James Purefoy) following the latter's escape from prison. Hardy soon discovers that the charismatic Carroll has surrounded himself with a group of like-minded individuals (whom he met while teaching and while in prison), and turned them into a cult of fanatical killers. When Carroll's son Joey (Kyle Catlett) is abducted by his father's followers, the FBI discovers that it is the first step in a wider plan for Carroll to escape custody, humiliate Hardy, and murder Carroll's ex-wife Claire (Natalie Zea).

Tom Mison 

Sleepy Hallow (FOX)

A supernatural/police drama with a modern-day retelling of the 1820 short story classic. Tom Mison as Ichabod Crane. A former professor of history at Oxford University prior to the American Revolution, he came to America with the British before switching sides and becoming a spy for the Colonials. Having beheaded the Horseman in 1781, he was brought back to life with the Horseman due to their blood mixing when they died. Despite his skeptical knowledge of the supernatural in life, he has been an invaluable resource following his resurrection due to his detailed knowledge of supernatural traditions.

Joe Manganiello 

True Blood (HBO)

I really don't think this man needs any words to go with the image…..just….yeah. *Le sigh*. Alcide Herveaux is a major character in the third, fourth, fifth, sixth season of True Blood. He is played by starring cast member Joe Manganiello. 

Alcide is a loyal, respectful and decent man who came from a poor family that worked hard to have the wealth they achieved. He always cares for his friend's safety and is also quick to take people under his wing.

Alcide was raised in a Were society that highly appreciates and respects women, which made him highly vulnerable to their (mainly Debbie's) manipulation. He has grown through his painful experiences from being a kind of naive man, to be more strong and mature. 

Jensen Ackles 

Supernatural (CW)

I grew up watching Jensen play Eric Brady on NBC's daytime soap opera "Days of our Lives". Now he stars as the sexy Dean Winchester on the CW series Supernatural. Dean is one of two brothers following their father's footsteps as "hunters" fighting evil supernatural beings of many kinds including monsters, demons, and gods that roam the earth.

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau 

Game of Thrones (HBO)

Danish actor, producer, and screenwriter currently plays Jamie Lannister on the hit HBO series Game of Thrones. Ser Jaime Lannister is a knight of the Kingsguard, a position he has held for twenty years since he was a teenager, the youngest Kingsguard ever. He was appointed to the position by the Mad King, Aerys II Targaryen.

X-Men: First Class, top of MY class.

X-Men: First Class, directed by Matthew Vaughn, stars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, January Jones and Kevin Bacon. Director Vaughn, as some of you may know, is also the guy who brought us Kick-Ass. Although Kick-Ass was hit or miss with most folks, it was a BIG hit with me. I was eagerly awaiting the release date of the latest installment of X-Men, and while I try not to look at any reviews before I go to a movie it was a little hard not to hear a few things from other reviewers. I was so afraid the other reviews were going to taint my overall movie experience but I am happy to say it did not! If you don't come away from this movie loving X-Men even more (as if that's possible) then you may want to see a shrink right away. This movie was a boat load of entertainment!

First off let me just give a big tops off (yeah you read that right) to Michael Fassbender who plays the young Erik aka Magneto, this man can act and hot diggity dog does he look slap-my-ass-and-call-me-sexy good on screen. (Yeah I'm a crotch slobber, I read romance books like you all breath air. Deal with it.) I enjoyed him in Inglorious Bastards and more recently the revamp of Jane Eyre, he packs an acting punch that held so true to the story of Magneto I came out loving it. James McAvoy and Jennifer Lawrence (Winters Bone) should not be overlooked either; both are also incredible actors who came ready to do the work it would take to make this movie believable. The young charismatic pub partying Xavier and vulnerable Raven, who later becomes Mystique, have a sordid history and I was so very pleased the film took the time to establish that foundation. I would have liked to see this film come out before all the others since it's first of the films chronologically, but prequels seem to be the fad nowadays and so it shall be.

The main plot of the film revolves around the Cuba missile crisis that took place back in the 60's. X-Men does a great job of tying in historical events and depicting them as possible mutant maneuvering. A bunch of seasoned secondary cast members had me spotting actors I love throughout the film. Dealing with discrimination and emotionally complex issues, First Class deals with some tough ideas while mixing in mutant myth. If you're looking for an action packed non-stop blow up fest you won't find any of that until about half way into the movie. The main point here was to show the origins of the mutants for people familiar but also unfamiliar with the X-men mythos. For those that need the action it comes at ya, but the main point of this film is grounded in storytelling rather than fight scenes.

Kevin Bacon's (Everybody cut Footloose!) character is basically held accountable for being the guiding force behind Erik's transformation into Magneto. While he forms a few bonds of friendship it's ultimately not enough, as well all know, to stop the change that leads him to a very different conclusion than Charles Xavier and his X-Men. Layers and layers of story take place in both the X-Men comics and movies but this would be a great starting point for those late comers that may not know much about what the whole world is about. A certain cameo scene had me laughing in my seat, you won't see it coming but you will enjoy it. The only character who felt the blandest to me was Emma Frost played by January Jones, I really wanted to get more out of Emma's character but felt her portrayal missed the mark. That being said, it's not awful just a little to distant for me.

The whole film has a Bond-esque feel to it, beautifully shot and well directed. Some amazing CGI is also thrown in to wow the audience. Overall this Marvel fangirl got her fix and walked away pretty darn happy. Getting a strong recommendation from me to go see it, and ladies do NOT be afraid the film is chock full of eye candy AND a great story. It's a win-win! :)

Getting 4 Wolverine Sheep

KD