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.

The Art of the Steal (2013)

Directed by Jonathan Sobol

Starred Kurt Russell, Matt Dillon, Jary Baruchel, Kenneth Welsh, Chris Diamantopoulos, Katheryn Winnick, Jason Jones, Terence Stamp, Devon Bostick, Dax Ravina, ...

2013, Canada, USA, English

 

Here we have a group of art thieves. Starting point of the movie is very cliche: They want to pull off one last heist. But as Kurt Russell`s character mentions, there is no such thing. Although the movie starts with a cliche promise, it evolves something really fun to watch. 

Seen it three times, I enjoyed each. I feel that the movie is heavily influenced by an Argentine heist movie, Nueve Reinas / Nine Queens (also available in the blog), it follows kind of same formula, but it somehow still succeeds remain original.

The movie makes reference an Italian classic caper movie, I soliti ignoti (`The Big Deal on Madonna Street`, which is also available in the blog), which what a chance I laid my hands on at the same time with this one. When Matt Dillon`s character tries to keep busy, distracted and entertained his business so-called partners, while Kenneth Welsh and Kurt Russell work on executing their plan, he tells a joke about somebody who looks for a Mario. When they tell him there are a thousand Mario live around there, he says `the thief one`and he gets a response this time `then there are then thousand`. It is almost exact dialogue in I soliti ignoti, except for in this Italian caper, one of the movie`s character looks for a Mario and asks the kids in this neneighborhood. When the kids tell him there are a thousand Mario who live there, he says `but this one is a thief`and the kids respond back `There are still a thousand`. 

But interesting thing, when I watched the special features of `The Art of the Steal`, the filmmakers are interviewed and they mention some American heist movies but never mention neither I soliti ignoti, nor Nueve Reinas. Let`s say Nueve Reinas is just a coincidental reference, but the other one is absolutely not.

This Canada-US co-production was nominated to Directors Guild of Canada and Genie Awards (also a Canadian movie awards) in Production Designing, Editing, Sound Editing, and Original Screenplay. Jay Baruchel, who I also enjoy his acting, also received a nomination in Genie Awards in Supporting Actor category.

A last note on the movie is this little short movie in the movie called `Theft of Mona Lisa`. I really really enjoyed it both in the movie and in special featurettes, where they show how it was actually filmed in blue-screen and then how the computer effects were added. If you see this one on DVD, make sure not to miss it.

If you crave for a heist movie follows its genre patterns strictly and doesn`t take any chance to explore anything new, then this one wouldn`t disappoint you.

 

To see the whole blog, click here. 

 

If you look for;

a heist movie follows its genre`s pattern strictly
a little funny, a little serious
a heist movie with good quality heist scenes
a well planned heist
 
 then this is your movie.

***

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

Now You See Me (2013)

Nine Queens / Nueve Reinas (2000)

The Sting (1973)

Italian Job (2003) 
Crime Spree (2003)

Ocean`s Eleven (2001)
The Con Artist (2010)

  

***  

Degree: Pure Theft Movie

Sub-Category: Art Theft, Grifting/Fraud

Excellence of Robbery Plan: 5/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 4/5

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: 4/5

Actors' Performances: 3/5

Excitement Level: 2/5

Surprise Level: 4/5

Humor Level: 2/5

Originality of the Story in General: 3/5

Rating As A Robbery/Heist Movie: 4/5

Rating the Movie As A Whole: 3/5

Important Reminder: Below trailer might contain important spoilers.

Now You See Me (2013)

Cliquez ici pour la version française
Haga clic aquí para obtener la versión española
Türkçe versiyonu için buraya tıklayınız 

Directed by Louis Leterrier
Starred Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, Melanie Laurent, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, ...

2013, France & United States, English with some French dialogues, 115 minute.

What happens when a group of magicians decide to pull a heist? This is the starting point of the movie. The magicians, illusionists, mentalists, Las Vegas, heist. Sounds very promising for entertainment cinema. Letterier secures the promising plot with a very intriguing cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Mark Ruffalo, Melanie Laurent,  Morgan Freeman and Michael Cane. A mixture of young talents and golden experiences. Just like team of protagonists. Now You See Me might disappoint some audiences, but delivers what it promises for many. In general, the movie deserves 'very entertaining' tag 100% especially for heist movie fans. I highly recommend it!

To see the whole blog, click here.

If you look for;

a heist movie where magic, illusion and heist meet

a heist movie with a great cast

a team work heist

a very entertaining heist movie

then this is your movie.

***

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

Inception (2010)
Maverick (1994)
Ocean's Eleven (2001)
Ocean's Twelve (2004)
The Art of the Steal (2013) 
Now You See Me 2 (2016)

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

Man on a Ledge (2012)

***

Degree: Pure Theft Movie

Sub-Category: Armored Car Robbery, Vault Robbery, Bank Robbery, Grifting/Fraud
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: 4/5

Surprise Level: 4/5

Humor Level: 2/5

Originality of the Story in General: 4/5

Rating As A Robbery/Heist Movie: 4/5

Rating the Movie As A Whole: 3/5

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

The Sting (1973)

Directed by George Roy Hill

Starred Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Robert Shaw, Charles Durning, Ray Walston, Eileen Brennan, Harold Gould, Dana Elcar, Dimitra Arliss, Robert Earl Jones, James Sloyan, John Heffernan, Jack Kehoe...

1973, United States, English

Another Newman-Redford movie in my listing. This one doesn't fall exactly to 'robbery / heist' category either, but to 'grifting / fraud' category. Still, it can be counted in the genre though.

 

Although  I kind of predicted the final, still it is a very good movie. From acting to cinematography, from main theme to the camera, it is a first class job. The only reason that the movie didn't blow me away was this little bit 'predictable' factor. But, the con taking place in the movie was pretty good and memorable.

The movie has 7 Oscar wins in total. Art Direction, Costume Design, Editing, Music, Original Writing as well as big wins like Best Directing and Best Picture. Robert Redford was nominated for Best Leading Actor category and the movie has two more Oscar nominations: Cinematography and Sound. The Sting also received a nomination in Golden Globes for Best Screenplay category.

To see the whole blog, please click here. 

 

If you look for;

a well organized con / grifting movie

surprises
a Best Picture Oscar winner movie
a team work big con story
a movie completely focused on theft

then this is your movie

***

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

Public Enemies (2009)
Inception (2010) 
Inside Man (2006) 
Maverick (1994) 
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
The Art of the Steal (2013)

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

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

*** 

Degree: Pure Theft Movie

Sub-Category: Grifting / Fraud

Excellence of Grifting Plan: 5/5

Originality of Grifting Plan: 5/5

Quality of Grifting Action Scenes: 5/5

Actors' Performances: 5/5

Excitement Level: 4/5

Surprise Level: 4/5

Humor Level: 0/5

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.

 

Maverick (1994)

Directed by Richard Donner

Starred Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, James Garner, Graham Greene, Alfred Molina, James Coburn, Clint Black...

1994, United States, English.

A very entertaining well-done movie from Richard Donner. Full of turns, twists, surprises, although they aren't big ones.

It isn't often that I enjoy a movie very much, which follows strictly Hollywood typical codes, but I do in this case. And despite a huge hole in the plot in one of most memorable scenes of the movie.

What amazes me with this in particular, the movie is so loaded with cameos from country singers to TV series actors (movie based on a TV series), from western actors to other Donner's movies' actors, from family members of the crew to filmmakers of this movie, it is naturally impossible to recognize all. I love Danny Glover - Mel Gibson scene where there is a very original reference to another movie, Lethal Weapon also made by Donner. And Louis Lane from Donner's Superman :)

The references don't end there, it also references real life gangsters, character's from other movies and western movies doubles etc. Go to IMDb to read all, you will be amazed.

To me, no matter how many cliches the movie offered, no matter how many plot holes, it was a memorable experience.

The movie was nominated for Best Costume Designing in Oscars, lost to The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

To see the whole blog, click here.

If you look for;

an entertaining heist
a heist with full of cameos
western heist
a movie about gamblers and poker
a comedy heist

then this is your movie.

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

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
Nicotina (2003)
Ocean's Eleven (2001)

The Sting (1973)
The Train Robbers (1973)
Tower Heist (2011)
Cop Car (2015)
Now You See Me (2013) 
Organize Isler / Magic Carpet Ride (2005)

***

Degree: Pure Theft Movie

Sub-Category: Pickpocketing, Grifting/ Fraud
Excellence of Robbery Plan: 3/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 3/5

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: 4/5

Actors' Performances: 4/5

Excitement Level: 3/5

Surprise Level: 3/5

Humor Level: 5/5

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.