Friday, April 25, 2008

Pacino and DeNiro

There have been a couple of articles lately that talk about the new movie that legendary actors Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro will star in together...their first since Godfather II and Heat.  I actually am indifferent to seeing it, I'm sure I will but will probably watch it in the Riley home theater...(Which has equivalent or better sound as movie theaters) but I digress...






These two have put out some of the best movies in history...For Al Pacino, everything 
begins and ends with his portrayl of Michael Corleone in Godfather I and II.  (III was a misfire)  He also was fantastic in Dog Day Afternoon, Donnie Brasco, Scarface, Carlitos Way, Glengarry Glenross, and Scent of a Woman.  DeNiro has given us his greatest portrayl in Raging Bull, and was incredible in Taxi Driver, The Deer Hunter, Godfather II (freakin awesome performance) The Untouchables, Goodfellas, Casino, Cape Fear, and A Bronx Tale.  

They are two iconic actors and my big question is why have they slipped so far?  I think in part is the fact that once you acheive a certain level of sucess, you perhaps lose your edge.  Is that what is going on with these two, I don't think so, but it sure is embarrassing to watch dreck like the focker movies, and analyze this and that....and Pacino made me sick in Oceans 13, and now he has 88 minutes, which critics say is his worst movie of all time.  Their choices have become stale and they are releasing movies that are uninteresting.  I think there are a few points to explain what is happening with them...number one is their egos...Pacino( a 67 year old man) demands that he will have girls half his age falling all over him...this may be fun for him, but it cheats the audience.  DeNiro demands money for his tribeca company, and makes it hard for people to work with him.  Even though they are both genius actors, in person they two of the most uninteresting people you would ever want to meet, empty shells.  Also they have Harrison Ford disease to a degree.  They won't accept smaller character roles in independent films, which hurts them artistically.  They are both nearing 70 years old....time to start adjusting guys!!

Do either of them have at least one more masterpiece left in them?  I don't doubt it but they better wake up!

6 comments:

Tasha Riley said...

"I'm in the dark, Charlie. Hoowahhh!"

Sailing Vessel Serenity NOW said...

Perhaps they have lost a little off the fast ball. I am not sure. But Robert Dinero (sp)
also played I think Jesus in a movie in the 70's. I cannot for the life of me remember what the name of the film was but I know that it was great. Being the great film critic that you are can you help me out on this one. Love ya

Garrett said...

Editors Note:

Susan is presumably thinking of William Dafoe in "The Last Temptation of Christ" which came out in 1987. Because of this movie both of my parents swore a lifelong boycott of Universal Pictures. (they have since not upheld that boycott of course!)

The closest De niro ever came to playing Jesus was perhaps in "The Mission"

Unknown said...

"Garrett... would you please SHUT UP!" -Michael C.

Sailing Vessel Serenity NOW said...

The "Mission", exactly the one I was thinking of. Gracia, mi amigo.
Susan

Grandma Dee said...

"The Mission" one of my all-time favorites. I really want to see it again. do you remember when we saw it with the Phebuses? Such great times and great memories with the Phebuses. Don't you miss the heck out of Dick? I was so proud of you guys going to Dick's memorial service. You and Matt are awesome guys.
Love,
Denise