MEAN STREETS (1973)

 I guess you could call this Martin Scorcese's dry run for GOODFELLAS. They both deal with gangsters but this one feels like a much more personal film dealing with religion, morality and the code of the streets. Also the gangsters here seem pretty amateurish compared to the big-time grand-theft criminals in his later films. This movie also is less violent and really works mainly due to two things; an amazing soundtrack and great dialogue. Seeing this recently in a theater from an actual film print the soundtrack was the major highlight. I also couldn't help but be reminded of Abel Ferrara's BAD LIEUTENANT which also stars Harvey Keitel, borrows at least one song and has a similar ending to this. Both films work equally well though and this one has to get extra credit for creating the modern-day mobster film.

   

MACHETE (2010)

Probably one of the most absurd action movies I've ever seen. I have read about people being upset about the political slant of this movie. I can't imagine anyone being upset about such a stupid movie. If they think people are going to rise up and be motivated to revolt against the government because of a movie like this they are clearly delusional. Although silly as hell I also found it entertaining as hell. Danny Trejo does a decent job as a one-dimensional Mexican bad-ass in the mold of every 70's blaxploitation hero. Aside from a few slow draggy spots, here and there, it moves along quickly enough. You get blood, heads roll, Lindsay Lohan's boobs are on display, tons of machete-fu and a large amount of general Mexploitation. Cheech, Don Johnson, Steven Seagal, Tom Savini, and even Robert DeNiro(who isn't much of an actor at all anymore) all do a good job in the silliest of roles.

The original trailer: