Tagarchief: Matt Damon

The Verdict: The Last Duel

Posted on by Jeppe Kleijngeld

A movie set in the middle ages directed by Ridley Scott? That could work. Although the movie did poorly at the box office, it is actually quite masterful. The screenplay, adapted from a novel by Eric Jager, was written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck who are, don’t forget, Oscar winning screenwriters for Good Will Hunting. I think they – together with Nicole Holofcener – did an outstanding job. The Rashomon-like approach to the true story of a knight and a squire who battle over the love for a woman runs like clockwork. I am going to challenge Variety and say that the screenplay will be nominated for an Academy Award. It goes without saying that Scott is the right man to direct this type of film. He gets excellent performances out of his cast: Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Jodie Comer and Ben Affleck are all superb. So are the sets, costumes and cinematography. This movie deserves to do a lot better on Disney than it did in cinemas. I agree with critics who said it’s Scott’s finest film since Gladiator. If Gladiator 2 doesn’t happen, this would be a great end for the career of the 84 year old maestro.

The Last Duel is now available on Disney Plus

The verdict: to stream or not to stream? To stream

Dungeon Classics #14: Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

Posted on by Jeppe Kleijngeld

FilmDungeon’s Chief Editor JK sorts through the Dungeon’s DVD-collection to look for old cult favorites….

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001, USA)

Director: Kevin Smith
Cast: Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Ben Affleck
Running Time: 104 mins.

The stoner comedy is a genre that I as an ex-stoner can definitely appreciate. Jay and Silent Bob, who before this movie were side characters in Kevin Smith’s four previous films (Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy and Dogma), are the perfect stoner buddies. The foul-mouthed Jay is hilarious, and Silent Bob provides not so subtle feedback through body language alone. The duo embark on a quest to Hollywood to prevent a film being made based on their comic book alter ego’s Bluntman and Chronic. On their way, they meet many weird characters played by well known actors, such as: Jason Lee, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Eliza Dushku, Shannon Elizabeth, Will Ferrell, Chris Rock and – most impressively – Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill. The movie is filled with dick-jokes, fart-jokes, gay-jokes, and movie references (especially Star Wars). Highlights include comedian George Carlin’s cameo as cock smoking hitchhiker and the confrontation with Mark – Luke Skywalker – Hamill as Cocknocker, the villain of the Bluntman and Chronic movie. Yes, this is definitely the Citizen Kane of stoner comedies.

The Departed (2006)

Posted on by Jeppe Kleijngeld


Cops or Criminals. When you’re facing a loaded gun what’s the difference?

Directed by:
Martin Scorsese

Written by:
William Monahan (screenplay)
Alan Mak (screenplay Mou gaan dou)
Felix Chong (screenplay Mou gaan dou)

Cast:
Leonardo DiCaprio (Billy Costigan), Matt Damon (Colin Sullivan), Jack Nicholson (Frank Costello), Mark Wahlberg (Dignam), Martin Sheen (Queenan), Ray Winstone (Mr. French), Vera Farmiga (Madolyn), Anthony Anderson (Brown), Alec Baldwin (Ellerby), Kevin Corrigan (Cousin Sean)

A remake of the 2002 Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs by one of the greatest American directors of all time. That can’t go wrong, right? The Academy certainly didn’t seem to think so, awarding the film Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director (Scorsese’s first!), Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing. While some might see this as recognition long overdue, the film earns its accolades.

The Departed is a fantastic crime thriller, even if it may not be Scorsese’s very best. The main point of discussion for some is that it’s not a completely original film. The movie opens with The Rolling Stones’ ‘Gimme Shelter’, a great track that sets the tone perfectly, though it was also used to memorable effect in Goodfellas.

Scorsese has dealt with the underworld before in Mean Streets, Casino, and GoodFellas. While those masterpieces were based on real-life stories and experiences, The Departed shows he can deliver a tightly plotted, suspenseful narrative with equal skill.

The plot does lend itself to many exciting twists and turns. Irish crime boss Frank Costello (a maniacal turn by Jack Nicholson) has a young spy, Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon), work his way up in the Boston police force. In return, the police assign young recruit Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) to secretly infiltrate Costello’s hardened gang. A dangerous cat-and-mouse game begins that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The Departed is a high-energy thriller with an amazing cast. Damon and DiCaprio are excellent in the lead roles, but the real fireworks come from Nicholson and his fellow villain Ray Winstone. Scorsese wisely cast the then-unknown Vera Farmiga as the female lead, and she’s excellent in her subtlety. The plot keeps you engaged for the full 151 minutes of its runtime, and while the characters might not have the same depth as in some of Scorsese’s other works, they serve the story well. The surprising climax, rather than feeling cold, delivers a satisfying and impactful ending.

If the film hadn’t been directed by Scorsese, the bar might not have been raised so high, but as it stands, The Departed is a highly entertaining and expertly crafted movie that not only meets but often exceeds its very high expectations.

Rating:

Quote:
FRANK COSTELLO: “I don’t want to be a product of my environment. I want my environment to be a product of me.”

Trivia:
Originally Brad Pitt was cast as Colin Sullivan, but later dropped out to work with Alejandro González Iñárritu in Babel. He continued to produce the film under his production company Plan B.