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.

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.

Now You See Me 2 (2016)

Directed by Jon M. Chu
Starred Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Daniel Radcliffe, Lizzy Caplan, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, ...
2016, France & United States, English. Mandarin, Cantonese, 129 minutes.

The second part of Now You See Me. The first movie was pretty popular and entertaining, so it wasn`t a surprise to see a second part was filmed. Although - to me - it isn`t as good and entertaining as the first movie, it is still a good one. Combination of heist, magic, and great but great cast gives a good result. The cast is so good that we have a double Oscar winner (Michael Caine), one Oscar winner (Morgan Freeman), 3 Oscar nominees (Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo and Woody Harrelson), one Oscar nominee`s borther (Dave Franco), as well as a Primetime Emmy nominee Lizzy Caplan (Masters of Sex) and one Saturn award nominee Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter movies). 

If you liked the first movie, you have to see this one as well.

To see the whole blog, click here. 

If you look for;

A team work heist
A heist by a group of magician
Fast paced heist movie
A heist movie with an ensemble cast 

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 (2013)


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

Now You See Me (2013)

* * *

Degree: Pure Theft Movie

Sub-Category: Information Theft

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: 2/5

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.

The First Great Train Robbery (1978)

Directed by Michael Crichton
Starred Sean Connery, Donald Sutherland, Lesley-Anne Down, Alan Webb,  Malcolm Terris, Robert Lang, Michael Elphick, Wayne Sleep, Pamela Salem, Gabrielle Lloyd, George Drowning, ...
1978, United Kingdom, English, 110 minutes.

Originally titled as The First Great Train Robbery, but also known as The Great Train Robbery is a true heist movie classic. It wouldn't be possible to have a blog on heist movies without talking about this movie. 

The largest part of the movie is lengthy and entertaining preparations of a well-detailed robbery. You would find every element of a good robbery without disappointment.  The story of the movie is based on a Michael Crichton novel also based loosely on a real life train robbery took place in 1855. 

An interesting note on making of the film is Sean Connery does all his own stunts on the top of a moving train which travels over 80 km per hour. Also, the actor who played Clean Billy, who climb up the wall and who also does his own stunts was one of United Kingdom's premiere ballet dancers.

It is a robbery movie a true heist movie fan would enjoy very much. Anyway, if you are into the genre, you should know that this movie is often listed in many listings as one of the best robbery movies of all times.

To see the whole blog, click here. 

If you look for;

a heist based on a true story

a well-organized robbery movie

a team-work heist movie

a heist movie with great actors

a period-heist movie 

a heist classic

then this is your movie.

***

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

(available in the blog)

Entrapment (1999)

Ocean's Eleven (1960)

Rififi / Du Rififi Chez Des Hommes (1955)

***  

Degree: Pure Theft Movie

Sub-Category: Pickpocketing, Gold Robbery, Train Robbery

Excellence of Robbery Plan: 4/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 4/5

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: 4/5

Actors' Performances: 4/5

Excitement Level: 3/5

Surprise Level: 2/5

Humor Level: 1/5

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.

The Asphalt Jungle (1950)

Directed by John Huston

Starred Sterling Hayden, Louis Calhern, Jean Hagen, James Whitmore, Sam Jaffe, John McIntire, Marc Lawrence, Anthony Caruso, Teresa Celli, Marilyn Monroe, Jack Warden ...

1950, United States, English with some German dialogues, 112 minutes

 

Another influential heist classic from the director John Huston, which also directed The Maltese Falcon (1941) that you can also find in this blog.

In this beautiful 1950 black & white heist movie, the story goes smooth and suspenseful enough to succeed to capture audience attention until the end. The movie doesn`t ignore any expectation of all three principal acts of a heist movie: the planning, the stealing act, and the aftermath and is pretty satisfactory in each act, especially considering the time it was made. It explores all the main patterns of the genre. The success of the movie is also fed by the presence of a big star like Sterling Hayden, and great performances such as Sam Jaffee's. Add the legendary beauty Marilyn Monroe. 

The interesting note is that Monroe has a small part in the movie, and was an unknown actress back then. The poster showing her with purple dress (please see below) was created much later after Monroe gained the fame. She wasn`t even named on the original poster at all (the one you see on the upper-left hand of this page). Monroe regarded the movie as one of her best performances in her entire career.

Another interesting note is it is Jack Warden`s film debut.

The Asphalt Jungle was included among the `1001 Movie You Must See Before You Die`by Steven Schneider.
 
According to another classic heist movie director, Jean-Pierre Melville, this movie and 'Rififi' (1955 - directed by Jules Dassin, which is also available in this blog) pushed the release date of Melville`s 1956 movie 'Bob le flambeur' and of course influenced Melville.


Sam Jaffe, who I really enjoyed his acting, received a nod from Academy for Best Supporting Actor category (lost to George Sanders in All About Eve), while the movie was also nominated in 3 more categories in Oscars: John Huston for Best Director (lost to Joseph L. Mankiewicz for All About Eve), again John Hustom with Ben Maddow for Best Screenplay (again
lost to Joseph L. Mankiewicz for All About Eve), and Best Black & White Cinematography (lost to The Third Man).

The movie also was nominated in many other awards from Golden Globes to BAFTA, from Directors Guild of America Awards to Writers Guild of America Awards, from Venice Film Festival New York Film Critics Circle Awards, including National Film Preservation Board.

In brief, if you like classics or if you take cinema or heist movies seriously, then it is a must-see movie.

To see the whole blog, click here. 

 

 

If you look for;

a heist classic
a film classic
a heist with lots of award nominations 

an influential heist movie
  
 then this is your movie.

***

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

Rififi / Du Rififi Chez Des Hommes (1955)

Seven Thieves (1960)

Bob le Flambeur (1956)

  

***  

Degree: Pure Theft Movie

Sub-Category: Jewel Heist

Excellence of Robbery Plan: 2/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 2/5

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: 2/5

Actors' Performances: 3/5

Excitement Level: 2/5

Surprise Level: 1/5

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 Con Artist (2010)

Directed by Risa Bramon Garcia

Starred Rossif Sutherland, Sarah Roemer, Greg Germann, Russell Peters, Donald Sutherland, Jed Rees, Mac Fyfe, Rebecca Romjin ...

2010, Canada, English, 84 minutes

 

Here we have a Canadian heist movie, with famous Canadian actors, father and son Sutherland, blended with a artistic touch from a female director Risa Bramon Garcia. 

"What happens the thief protagonist happens to be a talented artist soon to be discovered?" is the starting point of this heist movie.

There is not much to say. I have seen it twice. The only things I remember about it that it is  a simple, smooth movie, which has moments tends to wander around the genres such as comedy, crime movie and romantic comedy. 

It was interesting to see Donald Sutherland together with his less known son Rossif. 

To see the whole blog, click here. 

 

 

If you look for;

a Canadian heist
a heist tends to be comedy, romantic comedy and crime movie
a simple, smooth heist movie
  
 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)
Henry's Crime (2010)
My Mom's New Boyfriend (2008)
Organize Isler / Magic Carpet Ride (2005)
  

***  

Degree: Pure Theft Movie

Sub-Category: Auto Theft

Excellence of Robbery Plan: 1/5

Originality of Robbery Plan: 1/5

Quality of Robbery Action Scenes: 1/5

Actors' Performances: 2/5

Excitement Level: 1/5

Surprise Level: 2/5

Humor Level: 2/5

Originality of the Story in General: 2/5

Rating As A Robbery/Heist Movie: 2/5

Rating the Movie As A Whole: 2/5

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.