Crime Spree (2003)

Directed by Brad Mirman
Starred Gérard Depardieu, Harvey Keitel, Johnny Hallyday, Renaud, Said Taghmaoui, Stéphane Freiss, Albert Dray, Shawn Lawrence, Joanne Kelly, Richard Bohringer, Abe Vigoda, ...
2003, United Kingdom, Canada, English, French, 105 minutes.

A comedy heist with French sauce. This caper movie brings big names together like Gérard Depardieu and Harvey Keitel as well as big musical names like Johnny Hallyday and Renaud. It is about a group of dumb thieves trying to pull some robberies on the order of their employer, but the things get increasingly complicated and funny once they are given a new job at overseas, in America.

I can't give more information than this to avoid spoilers, but especially if you like comedies, you might really enjoy it. You can take it as a satire to heist movies genre, as well. As a person who is more distant to comedies than other genres, I enjoyed it while it lasted.

The movie won Audience Award in Commonwealth Film Festival.

To see the whole blog, click here. 

If you look for;

A comedy heist movie with French sauce
A heist movie with big names



then this is your movie.

* * *

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

(available in the blog)

The Art of the Steal (2013)
The Ladykillers (1955)

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
Flypaper (2011)
The Ladykillers (2004)


* * *

Degree: Caper Movie

Sub-Category: Burglary, Safe Robbery, Art Theft

Excellence of Robbery Plan: 1/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 1/5

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: 2/5

Actors' Performances: 3/5

Excitement Level: 2/5

Surprise Level: 3/5

Humor Level: 4/5

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 important spoilers.

Organize Isler / Magic Carpet Ride (2005)

Directed by Yilmaz Erdogan

Starred Yilmaz Erdogan, Tolga Cevik, Cem Yilmaz, Ozgu Namal, Demet Akbag, Oner Erkan, Altan Erkekli, Bican Gunalan, Salih Kalyon, Erdal Tosun, ...

2005, Turkey, Turkish, 106 minutes.

 

What happens if you find out that the second-hand car you just bought was stolen and what happens if you can find the thieves, while the police can't?  Here is a Turkish caper movie from magically beautiful Istanbul at the hands of Turkey`s most popular comedians. Organize Isler, also known as Magic Carpet Ride has a look at a gang of small-timers from a humorist angle in a city where the theft is kind of part of the daily routine. And yes, it does feature a "Superman".

While the movie focuses mainly on auto theft, it does feature many scenes from pick-pocketing to fraud in caper style. And the director says 'the funeral fraud' was a true story.

The fun story told by talented comedians is accompanied by beautiful sceneries and music will take you to a magic carpet ride. The movie was a big box office hit in Turkey and offers you a different caper with smart jokes and great actings from another corner of the world.

You might remember, the director and actor Yilmaz Erdogan  and his co-star Cem Yilmaz from Russell Crowe`s 2014 movie 'The Water Diviner'.


 

To see the whole blog, click here. 

 

 

If you look for;

a caper with smart jokes

a heist movie from World Cinema

 then this is your movie.

***

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

Maverick (1994)

Quick Change (1990)

The Con Artist (2010)
7 cajas / 7 Boxes (2012)

  

***  

Degree: Caper Movie

Sub-Category: Auto Theft, Pickpocketing, Grifting/Fraud

Excellence of Robbery Plan: 3/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 2/5

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: 3/5

Actors' Performances: 4/5

Excitement Level: 2/5

Surprise Level: 2/5

Humor Level: 4/5

Originality of the Story in General: 2/5

Rating As A Robbery/Heist Movie: 2/5

Rating the Movie As A Whole: 3/5

Important Reminder: Below trailer might contain important spoilers.

Le Dernier Tunnel (2004)

Directed by Erik Canuel

Starred Michel Côté, Jean Lapointe, Christopher Heyerdahl, Nicolas Canuel, Marie-France Marcotte, Céline Bonnier...

2004, Canada, French, 109 minutes.

 

Based on a true story, 'Le Dernier Tunnel', also known as 'The Last Tunnel', is a good quality heist movie from Canada, more precisely from Quebec. An old convict, Marcel Talon plans to rob Bank of Montreal after his release from jail by digging up this tunnel which give the movie its name. 

Although the movie uses general pattern of heist movies, since it is based on a true story, it is still somehow little different maybe due to the French touch. 

Michel Côté is one of Quebec's most popular movie actor  with several wins and nominations in his career, including winning a Genie - known as Canadian Oscars - and a Jutra - known as Quebecois Oscars - and Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for his acting in famous C.R.A.Z.Y, and a Lifetime Achievement Jutra 2 years later 'Le dernier tunnel' was released. He does a great job as well as his partner, Christopher Heyerdahl.

This Quebecois heist won a Genie in Best Supporting Actor (Jean Lapointe) and Best Achievement in Overall Sound categories, while received 6 other nominations including Best Actor (Michel Côté) in the same awards. 

Jean Lapointe won the same award in Jutra, as well, where the movie was nominated in 6 more categories.


 

To see the whole blog, click here. 

 

 

If you look for;

a heist based on a true story

a heist movie from World Cinema

a heist with good quality heist scenes    
 then this is your movie.

***

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

The Score (2011)

Henry's Crime (2010)

  

***  

Degree: Pure Theft Movie

Sub-Category: Bank Robbery

Excellence of Robbery Plan: 3/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 2/5

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: 4/5

Actors' Performances: 4/5

Excitement Level: 3/5

Surprise Level: 3/5

Humor Level: 1/5

Originality of the Story in General: 2/5

Rating As A Robbery/Heist Movie: 3/5

Rating the Movie As A Whole: 2/5

Important Reminder: Below trailer might contain important spoilers.

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009)

Directed by Tony Scott
Starred Denzel Washington, John Travolta, Luis Guzman, John Turturro, Ramon Rodriguez, James Gandolfini,  ...

2009, United States & United Kingdom, English, 106 minute.

One of the last movies the director Tony Scott has filmed before he had passed away. The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 is a remake of the 1974 heist movie. Packed with action, the movie mainly benefits from Washington's and Travolta's impressive actings. Not much to say, nor to remember, except for having passed good time, while it lasted. Nominated for Teen Choice Award for the category of Choice Summer Drama Movie. 

To see the whole blog, click here.

If you look for;

a heist packed with action
a remake heist
a tensed heist thriller
a famous heist movie

then this is your movie.

***

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

Armored (2009)

***

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

The Italian Job (2003) 

Armored (2009)

Inside Man (2006) 

***

Degree: Alternative Theft Movie

Sub-Category: Ransom Heist
Excellence of Robbery Plan: 3/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 3/5

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 important spoilers.

The Lookout (2007)

Directed by Scott Frank
Starred Joseph Gordon-Lewitt, Jeff Daniels, Matthew Goode, Isla Fisher, Bruce McGill,  ...

2007, United States, English.

This movie mainly focuses on how a member of a robbery team is got involved. This point of view, of course, is somehow different than the most of the heist movies we see. Slow in pace, the movie might loose some heist movie fans who look for action, in the beginning of the movie, but more you go, the better it gets.

I am not sure if everybody would appreciate this movie, but if you call yourself as a heist movie fan, then you might want to give a shot. Nothing big, but worth to see.

This is the first feature movie for director Scott Frank.

To see the whole blog, click here.

If you look for;

a slow pace heist
a little different POV on a heist movie
a character study heist movie

then this is your movie.

***

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

Le Premier Cercle / Inside Ring (2009)
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Armored (2009)

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

The Town (2010)
Stander (2009)

*** 

Degree: Alternative Theft Movie

Sub-Category: Bank Robbery, Bank Robbers
Excellence of Robbery Plan: 2/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 2/5

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: 3/5

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: 3/5

Rating the Movie As A Whole: 2/5

Important Reminder: Below trailer might contain important spoilers.

Public Enemies (2009)

Directed by Michael Mann

Starred Christian Bale, Johnny Depp, James Russo, Jason Clarke, Stephen Dorff, Channing Tatum, Billy Crudup, Chandler Williams, Marion Cotillard, Giovanni Ribisi, John Ortiz, Bill Camp, Stephen Graham, Stephen Lang, Matt Craven,  ...

2009, United States, English.

Here is the story of a real life bank robber's, John Dillinger's last few years' story. Dillinger is considered one of the most dangerous bank robbers in American history. At the same time, he was end of an era. After him, stealing has changed.

Not only, a very interesting milestone on bank robberies, Public Enemies is a first class real-life gangster movie with a large and classy cast. Signed by Michael Mann, the movie brings a closer look how Dillinger was hunted by Agent Pulvis in the early years of FBI. This movie is also offers another perspective and opportunist to understand Bureau's founder director, J. Edgar Hoover.

The robbery scenes are classy, a very high quality. It is very well-done movie from costumes to acting. The sound wasn't so great though. The pace is somehow dull but the movie overall gets much better after the first watch.

If you watch it on DVD, make sure not to miss special features.
Nominated for several awards, but most notably for SAGA.

To see the whole blog, click here.

If you look for;

a real-life bank robber's story
a based-on-a-true-story heist
a serious heist movie
a nice team work heist
a heist packed with action
a heist movie with an extensive cast

then this is your movie.

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

The Sting (1973)
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
Stander (2003)
The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid (1972)
Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
Thieves Like Us (1974)

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

The Town (2010)
Inside Man (2006)

*** 

Degree: Alternative Theft Movie

Sub-Category: Bank Robbery, Bank Robbers
Excellence of Robbery Plan: 3/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 3/5

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: 5/5

Actors' Performances: 4/5

Excitement Level: 3/5

Surprise Level: 2/5

Humor Level: 2/5

Originality of the Story in General: 4/5

Rating As A Robbery/Heist Movie: 3/5

Rating the Movie As A Whole: 3/5

Important Reminder: Below trailer might contain important spoilers.

Inside Man (2006)

Directed by Spike Lee

Starred Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster, Christopher Plummer, Willem Dafoe...

2006, United States, English

It is one of the best heist movie I have ever seen. If you are looking for a movie with full of action, well-planned heist, twists and well-acting, then this movie exactly is for you. Almost entire movie is focused on robbery.We have surprises as almost all the robbery movies has. But not the kind of, you would really expect. If the story is absolutely more important for you than action in a heist movie, you will be thrilled.

If you watch it on DVD, make sure you see the 'Deleted Scenes'. It can help you a lot, if you couldn't get what happened :D

To see the whole blog, please click here.

If you look for;

a heist movie with complicated robbery plan

a puzzle-like robbery

a serious robbery movie

surprises

a movie fully focused on the robbery
  
then this is your movie.

***

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

Inception (2010)
Nine Queens (2000)
The Sting (1973)
Heat (1995)
Man on A Ledge (2012
Le Premier Cercle/Inside Ring/Ultimate Heist (2009) 
The Town (2010)

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

The Town (2010)
Public Enemies (2009)
Heat (1995)
Le Premier Cercle/Inside Ring/Ultimate Heist (2009) 
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009) 

***

Degree: Pure Theft Movie

Sub-Category: Bank Robbery

Excellence of Robbery Plan: 5/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 5/5

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: 5/5

Actors' Performances: 4/5

Excitement Level: 5/5

Surprise Level: 5/5

Humor Level: 0/5

Originality of the Story in General: 4/5

Rating As A Robbery/Heist Movie: 5/5

Rating the Movie As A Whole: 4/5

Important Reminder: Below trailer might contain important spoilers.

 

Nine Queens / Nueve Reinas (2000)

Directed by Fabian Bielinsky

Starred Ricardo Darin, Gaston Pauls, Leticia Bredice, Tomas Fonzi, Leo Dyzen, Elsa Berenguer, Carlos Falcone, Ignasi Abadal, Oscar Nunez...

2000, Argentina, Spanish

Nine Queens (original title Nueve Reinas) is a first class theft movie. Hard to predict, and a very well-done heist from world cinema. The movie is so well-done that the characters during the movie voices the audience's questions and make you even more curious. Such as one of the character in the movie says in one point 'I know there is a trick being pulled off to me, but I can't just get it where and how.'. If you are a viewer hard to trick, then you watch whole the story, entire characters and dialogues by doubting all of them but still can't figure it out. And I guess, it is enough for a movie in that genre to be qualified as 'very well-done'.

All the actors but especially great Argentine actor, Ricardo Darin's acting is magnificent. We saw him in another two great movies, where he gave another memorable performances in XXY and in El Secreto de Sus Ojos (The Secret in the Eyes), and second one would win the Best Picture in Foreign Language Oscars in 2010.

The movie swept many awards away in several Latin American movie awards, as well as, a win for South Feed Favorite Film in MTV Movie Awards.

To see the whole blog, please click here.

If you look for;

a hard to predict theft movie

a first class job from World Cinema

a serious theft movie

surprises

a movie fully focused on the theft
a theft where you look for the trick together with movie characters

then this is your movie.

***

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

Inside Man (2006)
The Art of the Steal (2013)

*** 

Degree: Pure Theft Movie

Sub-Category: Grifting / Fraud
Excellence of Robbery Plan: 4/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 4/5

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: 4/5

Actors' Performances: 5/5

Excitement Level: 4/5

Surprise Level: 5/5

Humor Level: 2/5

Originality of the Story in General: 4/5

Rating As A Robbery/Heist Movie: 5/5

Rating the Movie As A Whole: 4/5

Important Reminder: Below trailer might contain important spoilers.
International Trailer

Tráiler en español