Layer Cake
05-22-05 | 12:35 AM
#1
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Layer Cake
Just came back from seeing this, and I liked it a lot, it had an excellent cast from Colin Meaney, my favourite irish actor, to Michael Gambon.
It's from Matthew Vaugn, who was involved in snatch and lock stock with guy ritche, so it has a similar plot, drugs, gangsters, and mayhem, although this is a lot less on the humour and slapstick in the guy ritchie films.
I'd say its probably the best film I've seen this year, well 2nd best Walk On Water was the best.
It's from Matthew Vaugn, who was involved in snatch and lock stock with guy ritche, so it has a similar plot, drugs, gangsters, and mayhem, although this is a lot less on the humour and slapstick in the guy ritchie films.
I'd say its probably the best film I've seen this year, well 2nd best Walk On Water was the best.
05-22-05 | 08:39 AM
#2
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
I caught a special screening of it way back in December, and I've been eagerly anticipating it's release ever since. Now, you have to note...I never, EVER go to the theater. I mean, never. I'd rather spend that money on a DVD. I still haven't seen Sin City. I haven't seen Crash. Haven't seen Hitchhiker's Guide. Probably won't even make it out to see Star Wars. I just don't go to the theater.
That said, I'm going to see this for a second time the day it opens in a theater near me. It's a wonderful, wonderful movie. Ritchie was set to direct it, but pulled out at the last minute. I'm glad, because Matthew Vaughn did such a kickass job that they handed him the reigns of X3.
It's a great little picture. Hopefully people will go out to see it if it ever gets a wide release. And if not, well then I'm certain it'll grow itself a really solid cult following in no time.
-JP
That said, I'm going to see this for a second time the day it opens in a theater near me. It's a wonderful, wonderful movie. Ritchie was set to direct it, but pulled out at the last minute. I'm glad, because Matthew Vaughn did such a kickass job that they handed him the reigns of X3.
It's a great little picture. Hopefully people will go out to see it if it ever gets a wide release. And if not, well then I'm certain it'll grow itself a really solid cult following in no time.
-JP
05-22-05 | 09:11 AM
#3
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I've been waiting to see this for months - hopefully, it sees somewhat of a wide release and makes its way into my favorite local theater.
05-25-05 | 09:47 AM
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haven't seen the movie yet. for those who have, i have one question: based on his performance in Layer Cake, do you think Daniel Craig would make a convincing James Bond? is he any better than Clive Owen?
05-25-05 | 06:04 PM
#10
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Originally Posted by Andalusian Dog
haven't seen the movie yet. for those who have, i have one question: based on his performance in Layer Cake, do you think Daniel Craig would make a convincing James Bond? is he any better than Clive Owen?
-JP
05-27-05 | 01:25 PM
#11
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From: Directionally Challenged (for DirecTV)
Originally Posted by The Bus
Looks promising, although it has one of the worst titles in recent memory.
05-27-05 | 02:40 PM
#12
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Originally Posted by Red Dog
No shit. Never would have thought about seeing this movie had not the movie guy on GMA mentioned the particulars of the film this morning. If similar to Snatch and LS&TSB, I'll definitely check it out.
-JP
05-30-05 | 12:47 PM
#13
DVD Talk Hero
Now that is a must buy as soon as it hits the shelves on this side of the pond. Great flick - some nice twists here and some nice turns there. Good cast. Good flow to the movie. Sienna Miller. 
I don't know what it is exactly, but I like "gangster" films out of the UK/Ireland a whole hell of a lot more than I like them out of here.
****1/2 out of *****
I don't know what it is exactly, but I like "gangster" films out of the UK/Ireland a whole hell of a lot more than I like them out of here.
****1/2 out of *****
Last edited by B.A.; 05-30-05 at 12:54 PM.
06-02-05 | 11:02 AM
#15
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From: Las Vegas, NV
I finally caught up with the film last night, and I wasn’t impressed.
Craig was terrific – as he was in MOTHER and ENDURING LOVE. He’s a phenomenal talent with great things ahead for him. Though I don’t think he would make a good Bond, unless it was a complete and utter reinvention of the character.
But the film doesn’t back him up. It’s fairly routine English gangster material, and because it’s based on a book, the film stops constantly to explain what’s going on.
Vaughn can direct actors (or let them do what they want, either way it works), but his “stylistic” choices are bland or annoying (the POV of the diner beatdown is a good example), and he doesn’t know much about pace yet. I thought the film never really worked itself up into a lather like it was intended to with all the twists and assorted characters.
Plus, to use a familiar quote, it “has more endings than RETURN OF THE KING.”
IMO (whatever that means anymore around here)…meh.
Craig was terrific – as he was in MOTHER and ENDURING LOVE. He’s a phenomenal talent with great things ahead for him. Though I don’t think he would make a good Bond, unless it was a complete and utter reinvention of the character.
But the film doesn’t back him up. It’s fairly routine English gangster material, and because it’s based on a book, the film stops constantly to explain what’s going on.
Vaughn can direct actors (or let them do what they want, either way it works), but his “stylistic” choices are bland or annoying (the POV of the diner beatdown is a good example), and he doesn’t know much about pace yet. I thought the film never really worked itself up into a lather like it was intended to with all the twists and assorted characters.
Plus, to use a familiar quote, it “has more endings than RETURN OF THE KING.”
IMO (whatever that means anymore around here)…meh.
06-12-05 | 02:56 PM
#16
DVD Talk Legend
Saw it today. Liked it a lot, but I could use a little elaboration on the ending:
While Daniel Craig did a good job, I could only see him playing Bond if they decided to make Casino Royale as a faithful adaptation of the Fleming book. Craig has the look and style to play the Bond of the books, but not the larger than life character from the movies.
Does the soundtrack to this movie have everything that was in the movie on it? I thought it was a great one and would like to own it. Doubt it has everything due to licensing though.
Spoiler:
Does the soundtrack to this movie have everything that was in the movie on it? I thought it was a great one and would like to own it. Doubt it has everything due to licensing though.
06-12-05 | 03:53 PM
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Found it formulaic but executed well. The central characters (Craig's crew) were decent, but the rest were rather one dimensional. One thing I really liked though was
Liked the ending too. Found it very fitting.
Daniel Craig is a very versatile actor. Myself and fellow Brits will always remember him as Geordie from the BBC's superb mini-series, Our Friends in the North - he really excelled in that
Spoiler:
Liked the ending too. Found it very fitting.
Daniel Craig is a very versatile actor. Myself and fellow Brits will always remember him as Geordie from the BBC's superb mini-series, Our Friends in the North - he really excelled in that
06-13-05 | 11:01 AM
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I definetly enjoyed it, and the end was perfect. There were several moments during the film where I felt like things dragged just a little bit (primarily, if memory serves, a few visual shots that extended just a little too long for my liking). I'll definetly buy the R1 dvd when it comes out.
06-14-05 | 10:48 AM
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From: Sitting on a beach, earning 20%
I saw the film for free downtown (I get free tickets to any Loews), but had to pay $12 for parking after validation!
Liked the movie a lot, but the first twenty minutes were excruciating. Everything explained in boring cliches. Then the film got rolling, and all was good.
Bought the r2 DVD the next day. For $11.
Liked the movie a lot, but the first twenty minutes were excruciating. Everything explained in boring cliches. Then the film got rolling, and all was good.
Bought the r2 DVD the next day. For $11.
09-01-05 | 01:44 PM
#21
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Good performances and a nice ending, but the pieces didn't quite add up to a great whole for me. The plot just got too complicated for its own good, the basic shell of the story and the theme were excellent but I felt like they just couldn't leave it at that, too many flourishes.
09-01-05 | 02:12 PM
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From: The Janitor's closet in Kinnick Stadium
I saw about 80% of it and was so bored. I shut it off. I don't know if it was the story or the actors or what. I couldn't figure out what the heck was happening thru most of it either.
09-01-05 | 03:56 PM
#23
DVD Talk Legend
Saw it on the airplane coming back from London. Loved it, but it was a bit hard to follow and my attention wandered a bit. First time I'd seen Daniel Craig, who instantly jumps into my favorite actor's list.
09-01-05 | 11:35 PM
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From: Earth
I saw this months ago, and personally, loved it. I didn't find it all complicated and thought everything wrapped up beautifully. Fantastic soundtrack, lovely cinematography, and simply a great performance by Craig. I'd rather rewatch this than anything by Richie, whom I'm not a fan of.
09-05-05 | 05:08 PM
#25
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I finally saw this today and liked it quite a bit. I felt the story was executed - and concluded - quite well. Craig was great in the lead and I loved the soundtrack!