Rich Monetti
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I am, I write.
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The Real Gladiator of the Roman Empire
I got a look recently at Gangster Squad with Josh Brolin and Sean Penn. Inspired by the true events of Los Angeles gangster Mickey Cohen and the police force that took him down, the Hollywood version gives a sanctioned group of officers free reign to eradicate his syndicate by any means necessary. In fact, Brolin instructs his underlings to leave their badges at home as they stalk, maim and murder the enterprise out of existence. The truth is a bit less dramatic, according to the real life crime fighter at the helm. “I fired my gun once,” said John O’Mara in a recent interview in regards to the film events depicted. So with that in mind, I decided that one of my favorite’s – Gladiator – needed a little historical separation from a formula that usually elevates the facts and typically draws a distinct line between good and evil to deliver a story.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Geeks
Starship Troopers Requires More than One Viewing to Get a True Understanding
My first viewing of Starship Troopers definitely had me confused and led me in search of this deceptively dystopian movie. Throwing a bunch of stuff in your face like Denise Richards at her hottest and giant bugs ripping humans to pieces almost entirely overshadow the subversive subtext filmmaker Paul Verhoeven was dropping. It was almost like he was seeking an initial misunderstanding before reveling his true intentions. Maybe not so spectacular for the studio’s bottom line but just the recipe for great science fiction movies.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Futurism
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is Hollywood Noir and Irreverence At Its Best
I’ve now seen Kiss Kiss Bang Bang three times. A lightly noir dark comedy, I still cannot trace all the threads back and forth to tie the plot together without help from Wikipedia. So even if this Shane Black multiple murder mystery fails to unravel on your watch, the ambiguity doesn’t stop it from being one of the most creatively funny gems out there.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Geeks
The Lathe of Heaven Proves Idealists Can Be the Most Dangerous Among Us
I read Poland by James Michener a number of years ago and came to a startling conclusion after reading the chapters on the Nazi Occupation during World War II. I certainly know of the Holocaust and that Hitler wasn’t particularly fond of Poles in general. But I was not aware that his long term goal was to not only eradicate every single Polish person from that country but from the face of the earth. Wow. The question that then arose is how do you get an entire occupying force – especially professional soldiers and officers - to carry out such a definitive and horrific action? Well, if they think they are making the world a better place, it’s easy, and that’s what Nazi indoctrination made them think. In this, I determined that idealists can be the most dangerous among us, and that was what came to me as I watched the 1980 PBS adaptation of Ursula Le Guin’s, The Lathe of Heaven.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Futurism
Free Will Gets A Chance In The Adjustment Bureau With Matt Damon
There is no power of prayer. Given the Holocaust, the Belgium Congo and Walmart, God obviously stands by to see whether you pass the entry test. On the other hand, I believe if the world reaches an unmanageable sea change, he reluctantly sends in an Einstein or an Oppenheimer. But according to The Adjustment Bureau, a 2011 adaptation of another Philip K. Dick novel, the course of world events is closely monitored and manipulated – leaving nothing to chance in the face of free will.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Futurism
Mad Max Racks Up the Mileage but Isn’t Much of a Journey to the End of the World
Mad Max returned in 2015 and got itself an Oscars 2015 Nomination for Best Picture. The film’s sheer presentation for Hollywood’s latest dystopian future definitely deserves its due. But once past the innovative visuals and high octane action, the lack of a story relegates Fury Road to nothing more than a high speed tractor pull to the end of the world
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Futurism
In The Big Short, 2008 Economic Crisis Had Winners Who Didn’t Break the Law
The 2008 economic crisis is long behind us. So why not go back and take a look at a number of people who saw it coming and made loads of money as a result? How about we stick them in the cell with Bernie Madoff instead and have them rig the market to reimburse the losses for the rest of us. Nah, that’s not the spirit of The Big Short, and you’ll have no problem juxtaposing what could be considered a bunch of misery merchants for farsighted heroes in this revealing Adam McKay film.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Geeks
Star Wars Rogue One Delivers Original Story But Disconnected Characters Keeps You From Caring
For the first time in the five Star Wars prequels and sequels that followed the original Trilogy, the franchise has not completely embarrassed itself. Unfortunately, Star Wars Rogue One still falls a little short, and the twelve dollars I shoveled over feels like yet another drop in a money pit that has no foreseeable bottom.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Futurism
Filmmaker Finds New York Vacation Getaway of a Bygone Era
Every summer, as the sizzle perspires from the cement, urban thoughts of running streams, flowing grass and cool mountain breezes inherently materialize around every New Yorker and only subside with the arrival of fall. But few would consider the very nearby setting today that many Italian families once made an affordable respite and desired vacation getaway. A sentiment reflecting the desolation this upstate destination of a bygone era now suffers. Nonetheless, a holdout remains and is the subject of The Last Resort.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Geeks
Audrey Hepburn Succumbs to Charade as the Age of Cary Grants' Movies Come to an End
In 2017, as Netflix or your DVD aligns its digits to the opening of "Charade," the 1963 film gives off a sense that the world is in the midst of an identity crisis that ties to the end of an era for Cary Grant Movies. Stuck between the social restrictions of the past and the tsunami of changes that are coming, Hollywood seems unsure of how to define "cool" in its presentation of this romantic comedy thriller. Lucky for them, Cary Grant transcends such considerations, and while he didn’t necessarily provide a bridge to the future, the past had to fade away because he was the only one left to – well – carry it.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Geeks
Woody Allen Finds Himself and the Roaring 20s in Zelig
Who else but Woody Allen himself could insert himself into Nazi archival footage, cause a ruckus to get the attention of a girl he loves and then get a laugh while Adolf Hitler rants on world domination and Aryan purity. The film is Zeliq – a 1983 roaring 20s mockumentary, starring the eclectic filmmaker and his then girlfriend, Mia Farrow.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Geeks
'Matthews' Sheds Light on English Football Star's Coaching during Apartheid in South Africa
Babe Ruth swung for the fences in the 1920s, and America crowned him the Sultan of Swat. In England, Stanley Matthews compares at the same cultural magnitude, and one upped the Bambino’s royalty by becoming the only active footballer to receive a Knighthood. Their off-the-field activity also made them both larger than life. But just because Sir Stanley was slight and his exploits far harder to spot amongst Ruth’s girth and gregariousness, doesn’t mean the English legend got his proper due in the history books. Finally, he is the subject of an upcoming sports documentary called, Matthews.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Geeks
