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.

I soliti ignoti / Big Deal on Madonna Street (1958)

Directed by Mario Monicelli

Starred Vittorio Gassman, Marcelo Mastroianni, Renato Salvatori, Memmo Carotenuto, Rosanna Rory, Carla Gravina, Claudia Cardinale, Toto ...

1958, Italy, Italian

 

A group of small-time thieves attempts to make a burglary of a local pawnshop in this black & white Italian caper movie. 'I soliti ignoti' is generally seen as parody of a very influential big heist movie of the time  and one of the heist classics of all time; 'Rififi' (Du rififi chez les hommes - 1956. Also available in this blog).

It is a small caper about small-time thieves who live in a poor neighborhood. It is often funny, sympa and didn't bore me for a moment. However, since it is a comedy, one might find it hilarious, while another might find it boring.

There are 3 great, legendary Italian actors in the cast; Vittorio Gassman, Claudia Cardinale and Marcelo Mastroianni. Generally positive reactions both from the critics and the audience. A modest reputation in its genre.  A Silver Seashell in San Sebastian International Film Festival and a nomination for Best Foreign Language movie in Oscars (which is the only one in the blog so far). Being voted as one of the 'The 50 Greatest Comedies of All Time' by Premiere. Being the inspiration of a Broadway Musical (Big Deal). I believe, you have enough reasons to give a shot, especially since you are in a robbery & heist movies blog. I absolutely didn't regret.
 

To see the whole blog, click here. 

 

 

If you look for;

a World Cinema classic

a funny caper movie from Italy

a heist with legendary movie actors

an award-winner heist
a Best Foreign Movie Oscar nominee heist

 then this is your movie.

***

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

The Ladykillers (1955)
Quick Change (1990)
Rififi / Du rififi chez les hommes (1955)
Pink Panther (1963)
Bob le Flambeur (1956)

***  

Degree: Caper Movie

Sub-Category: Burglary

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: 1/5

Surprise Level: 2/5

Humor Level: 3/5

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 Ladykillers (1955)

Directed by Alexander Mackendrick

Starred Alec Guinness, Cecil Parker, Herbert Lom, Peter Sellers, Dany Green, Jack Warner, Katie Johnson ...

1955, United Kingdom, English

 

Here is the original The Ladykillers that Coen Brothers made a remake in 2004, also available in the blog. 1955 British production with big stars like Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers offers a great caper movie, a classic in its genre and promises lots of laughter.

I enjoyed this movie very much and although I am fan of both Coen Brothers and Tom Hanks, I like this one much better than its 2004 remake.

A very sympathetic movie, smoothly progresses and makes you often smile. I am aware that comedy is a very special genre, and everybody`s likes or dislikes on the examples of the genre might vary dramatically. But, hell, this one was exactly for me :)

The lead actress, Katie Johnson did a great job in my opinion and I cannot think that I would enjoy this movie without her as much. The interesting thing is she was director Mackendrick`s original choice for the role, but the producers found her a little too frail for the job, so they cast a younger actress who sadly passed away before the filming began. Katie Johnson was 77 years old back then, did only one more movie after this one and passed away only 2 years later after The Ladykillers was released.

The Ladykillers was nominated for Best Writing & Original Screenplay for Academy Awards. Katie Johnson won Best British Actress award and William Rose won Best British Screenplay award in BAFTA, where the movie was nominated for Best British Film and Best Film from any Source categories.

If you like capers, or comedies, I believe you have to try this one if you haven`t already done so.

To see the whole blog, click here. 

 

 

If you look for;

a caper movie considered as classic
an award winner heist movie
a nostalgic robbery movie
a heist movie with a great cast
a heist with lots of laughter

then this is your movie.

***

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

Flypaper (2011)
The Ladykillers (2004)
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
My Mom`s New Boyfriend (2008)
Crime Spree (2003)
Pink Panther (1963)
Quick Change (1990)
I soliti ignori / Big Deal on Madonna Street (1958)

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

The Ladykillers (2004)

***  

Degree: Caper Movie

Sub-Category: Armored Car Robbery, Bank Robbery

Excellence of Robbery Plan: 2/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 3/5

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: 2/5

Actors' Performances: 4/5

Excitement Level: 2/5

Surprise Level: 2/5

Humor Level: 4/5

Originality of the Story in General: 3/5

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.

 

Snatch (2000)

Directed by Guy Ritchie

Starred Benicio Del Toro, Dennis Farina, Vinnie Jones, Brad Pitt, Rade Serbedzija, Jason Statham, Alan Ford, Mike Reid, Robbie Gee, Lennie James, Ewen Bremner, Ade, William Beck, Andy Beckwith,  Jason Flemyng, Elwin 'Chopper' David ...

1998, United Kingdom & United States, English

Well, here is another cult movie in caper category, again from British director, Guy Ritchie. It was a big hit in box office, thanks to Brad Pitt and Benicio Del Toro who joined the great ensemble British cast of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Since one of the most important thing to me is originality, and I take this as kind of remake of Lock, although Snatch was pretty enjoyable caper, but just forgettable.

Snatch was made after a limited success of Lock only two year later by internationalizing Lock with big names to reach a box office success the the other one couldn't. The ones who have seen this one before Lock, like Snatch better and the vice versa. It is natural, cause you have a strong feeling that you are seeing the same movie. If you haven't seen neither of them yet, see them in chronological order and get ready for a great caper feast.
 

A special mention to Brad Pitt's acting. Isn't he great once again?

The movie won Best British Actor Award with Vinnie Jones, who won Best Debut only two years ago with Lock in Empire Awards. t also won Best Directing (Ritchie) in the same award and nominated for Best Picture category.

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)
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)

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

Firewall (2006)
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Heat (1995)

*** 

Degree: Caper Movie

Sub-Category: Jewelry 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: 4/5

Originality of the Story in General: 4/5

Rating As A Robbery/Heist Movie: 4/5

Rating the Movie As A Whole: 4/5

Important Reminder: Below trailer might contain important spoilers.

 

Flypaper (2011)

Directed by Rob Minkoff

Starred Patrick Dempsey, Ashley Judd, Tim Blake Nelson, Mekhi Phifer, Matt Ryan, Jeffrey Tambor, John Ventimiglia, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Curtis Armstrong, Rob Huebel, Adrian Martinez, Natalia Safran, Octavia Spencer, Eddie Mathews ...

2011, United States &Germany, English.

Another one-location heist movie. This time it is comedy heist. What happens if two different robbery teams appears in the same moment to rob the same bank? And what happens if one of them are all-pro team, while the other is a couple of buffoons?

Many different characters. More we watch, more we like the characters. Acting tends to get better from start to end. Especially Tim Blake Nelson does a great job. More the movie progress, more it becomes mysterious. Many smart jokes come back to back. Although it doesn't reach to the top, it doesn't fall under a certain quality. But one thing continuously rises: the mystery.

A different style of caper. Close to be a dark comedy. The clever scenario runs smoothly. I really enjoyed it. Not a bad choice for a caper at all. It didn't me blow away though.

To see the whole blog, click here.

If you look for;

a comedy heist packed with mystery

a heist movie with many funny characters
a movie completely focused on heist
one-location heist

then this is your movie.

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

The Ladykillers (2004)
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
Ocean's Twelve (2004)
Snatch (2000)
Tower Heist (2011)
Trespass (2011)
Cop Car (2015)
The Ladykillers (1955)
Crime Spree (2003)

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

Trespass (2011)


***

Degree: Caper Movie

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

Originality of Robbery Plan: 3/5

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: 3/5

Actors' Performances: 4/5

Excitement Level: 4/5

Surprise Level: 4/5

Humor Level: 3/5

Originality of the Story in General: 3/5

Rating As A Robbery/Heist Movie: 3/5

Rating the Movie As A Whole: 3/5

Important Reminder: Below trailer might contain important spoilers.