Shallow Grave (1994)

Directed by Danny Boyle
Starred Kerry Fox, Christopher Eccleston, Ewan McGregor, Ken Stott, Keith Allen, Colin McCredie, Peter Mullan, ...
1994, United Kingdom, English, 89 minutes.

What about a thriller heist? How well do you think you know your friends? What would you do if you found a suitcase with tones of cash? How far one can go when the stakes are high? 

Shallow Grave is a cult movie from British movie-maker Danny Boyle explores in a very dark comedy-ish style. It was a small hit when it came out in movie theaters, is still considered as a cult movie today. Ewan McGregor became internationally acclaimed with this movie, and if we said Christopher Eccleston also owes his fame to this movie, it wouldn't too wrong.

Shallow Grave is for heist fans looking for an alternative heist movie since it doesn't focuses on 'the stealing act' at all, or for those wants to try the blend of a thriller and heist movie with a subtle sauce of dark comedy. And it is the first thriller-heist movie of this blog. Otherwise, you might be disappointed if you look for a typical heist movie.

To see the whole blog, click here. 

If you look for;

A thriller heist movie
A low-budget cult movie
A heist focuses on post-heist events
A heist movie featuring the characters who are after the loot

then this is your movie.

* * *

If you liked this movie, I believe you might like also:

(available in the blog)

7 cajas / 7 Boxes (2012)
Ronin (1998)
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
Armored (2009)


* * *

Degree: Alternative Theft Movie

Sub-Category: Cash Robbery, Burglary

Excellence of Robbery Plan: 0/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 0/5

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: 0/5

Actors' Performances: 4/5

Excitement Level: 3/5

Surprise Level: 3/5

Humor Level: 2/5

Originality of the Story in General: 3/5

Rating As A Robbery/Heist Movie: 2/5

Rating the Movie As A Whole: 3/5

Important Reminder: Below trailer might contain important spoilers.

7 cajas / 7 Boxes (2012)

Directed by Juan Carlos Maneglia and Tana Schembori
Starred Celso Franco, Victor Sosa, Lali Gonzalez, Nico Garcia, Paletita, Mario Tananez, Nelly Davalos, Roberto Cardozo, Jin Hyuk Johnny Kim, Luis Gutierrez, ...
2012, Paraguay & Spain, Spanish, Guarani, Korean, 105 minutes.

Paraguayan submission for Oscar`s Best Foreign Language Movie category offers you a rare occasion to see a heist movie from this small South American country. Well, it isn`t exactly a heist movie, but in an alternative format to the genre. It is a face pace action as well as gradually unfolding crime story, where it gets gore from time to time. The performance of the young stars of the movie, who are also lead actors in the film, are pretty good. I enjoyed it while it lasts, but that`s it. I would recommend to the fans who are especially wants to experience of seeing a movie from this less known country.

As a note, there is a projected English re-make based on this movie.

To see the whole blog, click here. 

If you look for;

A fast pace action heist

A heist movie experience from South America

then this is your movie.

* * *

If you liked this movie, I believe you might like also:

(available in the blog)

Organize Isler / Magic Carpet Ride (2005)
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
Nicotina (2003) 
Shallow Grave (1994)

* * * 

Degree: Alternative Theft Movie

Sub-Category: Cash Robbery

Excellence of Robbery Plan: 1/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 2/5

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: 2/5

Actors' Performances: 3/5

Excitement Level: 2/5

Surprise Level: 2/5

Humor Level: 1/5

Originality of the Story in General: 2/5

Rating As A Robbery/Heist Movie: 2/5

Rating the Movie As A Whole: 2/5

Important Reminder: Below trailer might contain importan

English Trailer;

Le Premier Cercle/Inside Ring/Ultimate Heist (2009)

Directed by Lauren Tuel

Starred Jean Reno, Gaspard Ulliel, Vahina Giocante, Sami Bouajila, Isaac Sharry...

2009, France & Italy, French with some Armenian dialogues

Another French heist movie. Again uncommon. In Hollywood heist movies, while the robbers generally are glorified, in this European one, they are shown as ruthless, bad, virtueless, cruel types. While we sympathize with the thieves in Hollywood movies because they steal from more corrupted, meaner people, we feel no sympathy for the thieves in that European heist movie, because they steal from normal people. A general approach difference between World Cinema and Hollywood Cinema.  

A simple, low tempo heist movie, which generally focuses on characters while not ignoring heist action. If you dislike the movies whose pace and action dose different than mainstream Hollywood heist, you may probably get bored while watching this one until you see the action. I would recommend it for a little more patient cinema fans.

To see the whole blog, please click here.

If you look for;

a heist movie from World Cinema

a heist movie focuses on characters as well as heist

a low tempo heist movie

 

then this is your movie.

If you liked this movie, I believe you might like also:
(available in the blog)

Inside Man (2006)

Italian Job (2003)
Point Break (1991)
Ronin (1998)
The Town (2010)
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
The Lookout (2007) 
Bob Le Flambeur (1956)
Armored (2009) 
Bande à part / Band of Outsiders (1964)

If you liked this movie, IMDb believes you might like also:

(available in the blog)

The Town (2010)
Inside Man (2006)

Trespass (2011)

Armored (2009)

Degree: Pure Theft Movie

Sub-Category: Auto Theft, Burglary, Cash Theft
Excellence of Robbery Plan: 4/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 4/5

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: 4/5

Actors' Performances: 3/5

Excitement Level: 3/5

Surprise Level: 2/5

Humor Level: 0/5

Originality of the Story in General: 2/5

Rating As A Robbery/Heist Movie: 3/5

Rating the Movie As A Whole: 3/5

Important Reminder: Below trailer might contain important spoilers.

 

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)

Directed by Guy Ritchie

Starred Jason Flemyng, Dexter Fletcher, Nick Moran, Jason Statham, Steven Mackintosh, Charles Forbes, Vinnie Jones, Lenny McLean, P.H. Moriarty, Huggy Weaver, Frank Harper, Steve Sweeney, Huggy Leaver, Ronnie Fox, Stephen Marcus, Vas Blackwood, Sting, Jake Abraham, Rob Brydon, Stephen Callender-Ferrier, Elwin 'Chopper' David, Alan Ford, Sid Golder, Alex Hall, Danny John-Jules, Victor McGuire, Nicholas Rowe, Vera Day, Mark Mooney, Tony MacMahon, David Reid, Suzy Ratner, Peter McNicholl, Nick Marcq, Richard Vanstone ...

1998, United Kingdom, English

What about a hilarious comedy heist? But this one is a Guy Ritchie movie. When we were watching the movie, my wife asked me if it was a Tarantino movie. Well, years ago, when I first saw the movie, as a Tarantino fan, I called this movie as British Pulp Fiction. Filled with tons of funny and weird characters, Tarantino-like dialogues, details, nothing was missing. I can almost say that character wise, it is richer than Pulp Fiction.

The movie is going between comedy and crime genres but blended with an ecstatic taste. I am very picky with comedies, I almost dislike the genre, but this one is one of the best comedy I have ever seen. Music? Another terrific element of the movie.

If you've ever seen Snatch, it is the carbon copy of this not so well known movie. Snatch had a big stars like Brad Pitt, Benicio Del Toro, it is the only reason Snatch is a huge hit in cinemas, not this one, in my opinion. The ones who have seen LSTSB first then Snatch, mostly had a feeling of deja vu and doesn't like Snatch as much as this one.

The movie won Audience Award in British Academy Awards, BAFTA. Also nominated for Best British Film and Best Editing categories in same awards. Won Best British Comedy Film Award in British Comedy Awards. Won Best British Film and Best Debut (Vinnie Jones) awards in Empire Awards. Won Best New Filmmaker (Guy Ritchie) in MTV Movie Awards.

As I always say. The British are one of the best in making two things: Cinema and music.

To see the whole blog, please click here.

 

If you look for;

a heist movie with a high dose of comedy
twists and turns

tons of original characters
heist over heist

then this is your movie.

***

If you liked this movie, I believe you might like also :
(available in the blog)

Flypaper (2011)
Small Time Crooks (2000)
The Ladykillers (2004) 
7 cajas / 7 Boxes (2012)
Crime Spree (2003)
Shallow Grave (1994)

If you liked this movie, IMDb believes you might like also:
(available in the blog)

Firewall (2006)
Snatch (2000)
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Heat (1995)

*** 

Degree: Caper Movie

Sub-Category: Weed Robbery

Excellence of Robbery Plan: 3/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 3/5

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: 5/5

Actors' Performances: 5/5

Excitement Level: 4/5

Surprise Level: 4/5

Humor Level: 5/5

Originality of the Story in General: 5/5

Rating As A Robbery/Heist Movie: 5/5

Important Reminder: Below trailer might contain important spoilers.