Al Pacino Movies

Scarface - Tony Montana Accessories You Can Actually Buy

2011-09-02T22:02:00.000-07:00

Did you ever imagine yourself going for a walk wearing a tie or belt buckles with Tony Montana picture printed on its surface? May be a bit odd for most people, but apparently not for the big fan of Scarface. A number of Scarface-related apparel and accessories products sold on Amazon indicates that the character from Brian De Palma's 1983 film (remake of Howard Hawk's original 1932 film) still has a strong influence both culturally and commercially. For Tony Montana devotee, perhaps following products will reinforce your identification to that character - on the positive way I wish ..

Scarface Silk NeckTie

Scarface silk necktie

A standard length silk tie, 5.6 inches long and 4 inches wide at the bottom with black and white background with the infamous picture of Tony Montana (Al Pacino) wearing a suit standing and holding a gun to his side and "Scarface" word written in red. (Link)

Scarface Belt Buckle

Scarface belt buckle

Need an attention getter accessory? This unique belt buckle may be one of your choice .. (Link)

Scarface Black and White Airbrush Face T-Shirt

Scarface airbrush T-shirt

Scarface black t-shirt features Tony Montana airbrushed in black and white. 100% cotton. Officially Licensed. (Link)

Scarface Black and White Logo Button/Pin

Scarface pin

Make your jacket, backpacks, luggage more unique and easy to identify with this pin. Great way to express your taste. (Link)

Two Bits (1995), as Gitano Sabatoni

2010-08-14T19:17:00.001-07:00

Two Bits was directed by James Foley and the screenplay writen by Joseph Stefano, and was released on November 22, 1995. The film's title "two bits" refers to the American slang term for a quarter dollar.

Two Bits storyline following the life of Gennaro Spirito, a 12-year old young boy from South Philly in summer day in 1933, where he lives with widowed mom Luisa Spirito, and his grandpa, Gitano.

His grandpa sits outside holding tight to his last quarter, which he's promised to Gennaro and which Gennaro would like to have to buy a ticket to the plush new movie theater. But grandpa's not ready to pass on the quarter or pass on to his final reward: he has some unfinished business with a woman from his past, and he enlists Gennaro to act as his emissary.

Al Pacino appeared in the film as a personal favor to director James Foley because he had a great time working with him on Glengarry Glen Ross (1992).

Cast:

Al Pacino as Gitano Sabatoni
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Luisa Spirito
Jerry Barone as Gennaro Spirito
Andy Romano as Dr. Bruna
Patrick Borriello as Tullio
Donna Mitchell as Mrs. Bruna
Joe Grifasi as Uncle Joe
Mary Lou Rosato as Aunt Carmela

Righteous Kill (2008)

2010-08-12T20:42:00.001-07:00

Righteous Kill is the third film after The Godfather Part II (1974) and Heat (1995) where both two greatest actors Al Pacino and Robert De Niro starred together (in The Godfather Part II they never shared a scene). The film directed by John Avnet and screenplay written by Russell Gewirtz.

Two aging NYPD homicide detectives Det. Tom "Turk" Cowan (Robert De Niro) and Det. David "Rooster" Fisk (Al Pacino), who have been longtime partners, are faced with a serial killer with monicker the "Poetry Boy", who is murdering sociopathic criminals and leaving short poems with their bodies.

Tensions between the pairs of longtime partners is inevitable as they both start working with a younger, less-experienced team: Det. Perez (John Leguizamo), Det. Riley (Donnie Wahlberg), and Detective Corelli (Carla Gugino). Perez and Riley suspect Turk of being Poetry Boy. Rooster puts Turk in front of a video camera and forces him to read his journal. But finally it revealed that Rooster is the actual Poetry Boy.

Despite features two great performances from two of the greatest actor of all time, Righteous Kill has received mainly negative reviews, saying that the director (John Avnet) sacrifice mystery, suspense, and sensible editing one expects to find in a thriller movie just to keep the audience off-guard. The Times included Righteous Kill on its 100 Worst Films of 2008 list.

Righteous Kill also commercially flat, grossing total of only $78 million with $40 million domestic (US/Canada) and $38 million international.

Cast:

Al Pacino ... Detective David "Rooster" Fisk
Robert De Niro ... Detective Tom "Turk" Cowan
Carla Gugino ... Detective Karen Corelli
John Leguizamo ... Detective Perez
Donnie Wahlberg ... Detective Riley
Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson ... Marcus "Spider" Smith
Brian Dennehy ... Lieutenant Hingis
Frank John Hughes ... Charles Randall
Rob Dyrdek ... Robert "Rambo" Brady

Frankie and Johnny (1991)

2010-08-10T14:09:00.000-07:00

Frankie and Johnny is the next film after Scarface (1983) where Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer reunite in screen. The title of the film is a reference to the song 'Frankie and Johnny' (1904), which tells the story of a woman who finds her man making love to another woman and shoots him dead. The film directed by Garry Marshall and screenplay written by playwright Terrence McNally.

The film follows the story of Johnny (Al Pacino), a lonely man who has just been released from prison and gets a job as a short-order cook in a restaurant owned by a greek family. He meets - and then falls in love - with Frankie (Michelle Pfeiffer), waitress at the same restaurant - a woman with same loneliness. The problem is Frankie have a traumatic past that makes her mistrust of men.

Frankie and Johnny received generally positive reviews from critics. The film won GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film. Kate Nelligan won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and the National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film. Michelle Pfeiffer was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.

Previously, another film of the same name from 1966 starring Elvis Presley and Donna Douglas. Elvis' version of Frankie and Johnny takes its name from the same song, but is not related to this film.

Frankie and Johnny DVD/Blu-ray:

Cast:

Al Pacino ... Johnny
Michelle Pfeiffer ... Frankie
Kate Nelligan ... Cora
Hector Elizondo ... Nick
Nathan Lane ... Tim
Jane Morris ... Nedda
Greg Lewis ... Tino
Al Fann ... Luther
Ele Keats ... Artemis
Fernando López ... Jorge

City Hall (1996) - Mayor John Pappas

2010-08-08T05:42:00.000-07:00

New York City Mayor John Pappas (Al Pacino) has grand political ambitions. His next political pursue are the governor's office and the White House. But he is surprisingly found involved in a big scandal. A young boy named James Bone dies from a stray bullet during a shootout between off-duty police detective Eddie Santos and Tino Zapatti, cousin of organized crime boss Paul Zapatti.

Tino Zapatti previously been supiciously given probation by Judge Walter Stern, old friend of John Pappas. Kevin Calhoun, John Pappas idealistic Deputy Mayor, smells something fishy about the incident and starts digging for information. His investigation later found a fact: Mayor John Pappas is the one who put Judge Stern together with Brooklyn politician Frank Anselmo to receive a bribe and leave the Tino Zapatti killed on the street.

City Hall are loosely based on actual New York's political life. The character of Frank Anselmo was based on Queens Borough President Donald Manes, who was caught up in real estate scandals and attempted suicide (but survived) in his car in 1986 by slashing his wrists, and later succeeded in the next suicide attempt by plunging a kitchen knife into his heart. To prepare his role as Mayor John Pappas, Al Pacino spent time with New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and former Mayors Edward I. Koch and David Dinkins.

City Hall DVD/Blu-ray:

Cast:

Al Pacino ... Mayor John Pappas
John Cusack ... Deputy Mayor Kevin Calhoun
Bridget Fonda ... Marybeth Cogan
Martin Landau ... Judge Walter Stern
Anthony Franciosa ... Paul Zapatti
Danny Aiello ... Frank Anselmo
David Paymer ... Abe Goodman
Nestor Serrano ... Det. Eddie Santos
Roberta Peters ... Nettie Anselmo

Chinese Coffee (2000) - Harry Levine

2010-08-05T19:11:00.000-07:00

Harry Levine is an aging, failed writer from Greenwich Village who fired from his daily job as doorman. Desperately seeking for cash, he calls on his close friend Jake Manheim, an arts photographer, to collect a substantial amount of long-standing debt. But now the fellas has even less money on hand than him.

Harry then engage in an all-night discussion with Jake, solicits Jake's opinion on manuscript of his latest novel, hoping for an honest review. The novel is a semi-fiction based on their longtime friendship. Instead of honest review, jealousy make the washed-up photographer attacks Harry's manuscript in attempt to destroy his courage and motivation, and this attack lead to a confrontation. However, Harry Levine finally gains his courage.

Chinese Coffee initially released as part of the Tribeca Film Festival in New York. The independent film was originally a play by Ira Lewis (in which Pacino performed at Circle in the Square in New York in 1992), and made into a film directed by Al Pacino himself. Almost all of the film' scenes shot as a one-on-one conversation between the two main characters, Harry Levine (Al Pacino) and Jake Manheim (Jerry Orbach). Both the play and the film are set in New York City circa 1985.

Despite made on 2000, Chinese Coffee released for wider audiences than film festivals seven years later on 2007, as a part of Pacino: An Actor's Vision, a three-movie boxed set (along with The Local Stigmatic and Looking for Richard).

Cast:

Al Pacino ... Harry Levine
Jerry Orbach ... Jake Manheim
Susan Floyd ... Joanna
Ellen McElduff ... Mavis
Neal Jones ... Eteocles
Michel Moinot ... Maurice
Joel Eidelsberg ... Harry Levine's brother
Paul J.Q. Lee ... Counterman

Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) - Ricky Roma

2010-08-04T18:06:00.000-07:00

Adapted from David Mamet's 1984 play of the same name, Glengarry Glen Rose (1992) was critically acclaimed with highly positive reviews by most of the major critics, although it failed commercially, only making $10.7 million for $12.5 million budget. The film directed by James Foley, produced by Jerry Tokofsky and Stanley R. Zupnik, and starring Jack Lemmon, Alec Baldwin, Al Pacino, Ed Harris, and Jonathan Pryce.

The story of the film follows the lives of four salesman in a New York real estate office. They are Shelley Levene (Jack Lemmon), Ricky Roma (Al Pacino), George Aaronow (Alan Arkin), and Dave Moss (Ed Harris). The owner of the office sent Blake (Alec Baldwin) to motivate them by given a strong incentive in a sales contest, with first prize is a Cadillac Eldorado, and second prize is a set of steak knives. A tough competition among them to win the prize led to dishonest tactics to make sales.

Glengarry Glen Ross had its premiere at the Venice Film Festival and opened in regular release on October 2, 1992. Previously, David Mamet's original play opened in 1983 at the National Theatre of London, then at New York's the John Golden Theater on 25 March, 1984 and running for 378 performances. The play won the 1984 Tony Award for Best Play, and the 1984 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The title refers to Glengarry Highlands and Glen Ross Farms, two properties mentioned in the movie/play.

Glengarry Glen Ross had three weeks of rehearsals and was shot over 39 days, almost entirely in sequence, single takes, and then cut up in editing to try to replicate the theatrical flow and cadence of the dialogue. Filming began in August 1991 on location in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn and at the Kaufman Astoria Soundstage in Queens, New York. Al Pacino was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for his work in the film but did not win. Instead, he won the Best Actor Oscar for Scent of a Woman in the same year (1992).

The Local Stigmatic (1990) - Graham

2010-08-03T23:47:00.001-07:00

The short film, 52 minutes long The Local Stigmatic is a drama film with the story follows Graham (Al Pacino) and Ray (Paul Guilfoyle), two sociopaths, nihilist working-class British friends who spend their free time walking and discussing greyhound track racing, and read gossip column on the papers. They eventually engaging in brutal acts of violence against random victim (a film star who they've read about in gossip column).

The Local Stigmatic is directed by David Wheeler, produced by (and starring) Al Pacino, written by Peter Brynmor Roberts based on a stage play by Heathcote Williams, and was filmed and edited during the late 1980s.

Al Pacino began shooting exteriors for the film in London in 1984, for only 9 days filming time. For the role, Pacino and Paul Guilfoyle studied and examined the play for four years and spent four months rehearsing before it was finally shot. They avoid making the film look too cinematic. Instead, the film made like a stage play.

The Local Stigmatic eventually released on DVD as part of "The Al Pacino Box Set" in June 2007 (with Looking for Richard and Chinese Coffee), but was never released theatrically. Previously, in 1990 Al Pacino donated a copy of the film to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City with the stipulation that it can only be screening with his permission.

Cast:

Al Pacino ... Graham
Paul Guilfoyle ... Ray
Joseph Maher ... David (as Joe Maher)
Brian Mallon ... News Vendor
Michael Higgins ... Drunk man

The Devil's Advocate (1997) - John Milton

2010-08-02T05:22:00.000-07:00

The Devil's Advocate adapted from the novel with same name by Andrew Neiderman. The story of the film centers on Kevin Lomax, a young lawyer from Gainesville, Florida, who has never lost a case, get an offer to work with high salary on - and eventually joins the world's most powerful law firm: Milton, Chadwick & Waters.

Lomax begins spending his time at work, leaving his wife depressed and abandoned. However, He discover that John Milton, his boss, has freaky personality and his wife starts witnesses demonic apparitions. Kevin Lomax face a dilemma, and he start find out about the grand scheme his boss is running.

The Devil's Advocate directed by Taylor Hackford. Al Pacino plays John Milton, Kevin Lomax' boss and mentor, and the head of the New York law firm Milton, Chadwick & Waters. Keanu Reeves play as ambitious young defense attorney Kevin Lomax. Lomax wife, Mary-Ann Lomax, was played by Charlize Theron. Another casts including Connie Nielsen as Christabella Andreoli, Jeffrey Jones as Eddie Barzoon, and Craig T. Nelson as Alexander Cullen.

The Devil's Advocate has some allusions to John Milton's classic epic poem, The Paradise Lost. Even the name of Pacino's character in the film, John Milton, was named after the author's name. Milton's famous quotation "Better to reign in Hell, than to serve in Heaven" says by Lomax in Milton's office was quoted from Book I Line 263 of the same work.

The Devil's Advocate was filmed in some notable locations, including Trump Tower, Goldman Sachs building, and Bergen County Courthouse in Hackensack, New Jersey.

Scarecrow (1973) - Francis Lionel 'Lion' Delbuchi

2010-07-30T05:32:00.000-07:00

Scarecrow is a road movie with story revolves around odd pair Francis Lionel "Lion" Delbuchi (Al Pacino) and Max Millan (Gene Hackman) who meet on the road in California, and start their relationship during their long trip to Reno, Denver, Detroit, and decide to become business partners to open a car wash once they reach Pittsburgh.

Lionel and Max have slightly different background and character. Lionel was a child-like ex-sailor who's returning home to the midwest to see his child who was born while he was at sea, and Max is a brawling, short-tempered homeless ex-convict who has been saving money to open a car wash in Pittsburgh.

Scarecrow is Al Pacino's fourth screen appearance after The Godfather (1972), and his second work with director Jerry Schatzberg after The Panic in Needle Park (1971). Schatzberg was chosen to direct the movie after the original director was fired. Despite the film was a box office failure, Scarecrow won the Grand Prix at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival.

Revolution (1985) - Tom Dobb

2010-07-29T05:59:00.001-07:00

Revolution (1985) is an American historical film which was produced by Irwin Winkler and Goldcrest film (a British studio), directed by Hugh Hudson, and written by Robert Dillon. The film distributed by Warner Bros Pictures.

Al Pacino perform New York fur trapper Tom Dobb who has lost his entire family except one young son, Ned Dobb. Tom becomes a participant in the American Revolutionary War in attempts to find and protect Ned, after he is drafted into the Army by Sergeant Major Peasy. His unwilling participation in war in order to protect his son eventually force him to take a stand and fight for the freedom of the Colonies.

Revolution starring Al Pacino as Tom Dobb, Donald Sutherland as Sergeant Major Peasy, Nastassja Kinski as Daisy McConnahay, Dexter Fletcher as Tom Dobb's son Ned Dobb, and Steven Berkoff as Sgt. Jones.

Revolution was another Al Pacino's movie flop after Bobby Deerfield (1977). The film costing $28 million, to make only $346,761 domestic gross revenue. Even worst, the film brought down Pacino's career to four years hiatus, until he finally got his next job in Sea of Love (1989).

However, if you love American history as well as movies dedicated to the subject (specifically, the Revolutionary War segment), Revolution is worth watching. In 2009 the film released in DVD, called Revolution Revisited, with additional narration by Al Pacino, and a conversation with Al Pacino and director Hugh Hudson discussing any issues relating to making and releasing the film.

Revolution Revisited DVD:

Cast:

Al Pacino ... Tom Dobb
Donald Sutherland ... Sgt. Maj. Peasy
Nastassja Kinski ... Daisy McConnahay
Steven Berkoff ... Sgt. Jones
Dave King ... Mr. McConnahay
Joan Plowright ... Mrs. McConnahay
Annie Lennox ... Liberty Woman
Dexter Fletcher ... Ned Dobb
Richard O'Brien ... Lord Hampton

Heat (1995) - Lt. Vincent Hanna

2010-07-28T06:57:00.000-07:00

When Heat was released in December 15, 1995, the film created much hype since it is the first film to ever feature both legendary actors Al Pacino and Robert De Niro shared the screen together. Even the advertising material for Heat promoted the film as a De Niro/Pacino "showdown". They both previously starred in The Godfather Part II (1974), but never acting together.

The result was great: Heat was well-received by movie critics, as well as commercially success by gaining worldwide gross revenue $187,436,818 for $60,000,000 estimated budget. The film also listed as the 38th greatest film in history in Empire's 2008 list of the "500 Greatest Movies of All Time".

Heat is Michael Mann's remake and cinema version of his own 1989 television film L.A. Takedown. The main attraction of the film to moviegoers, of course, duo stars Robert De Niro who plays Neil McCauley, a professional thief, and Al Pacino who plays Lt. Vincent Hanna, veteran LAPD homicide detective.

Neil McCauley leads a team of criminals who carry out armored car heist, stealing US$1.6 million in bearer bonds from Malibu Equity Investments. After the robbery, McCauley meets Nate who suggests selling the bonds back to Van Zant (the owner of the bonds) for 60% of their value instead of laundering them at 40% cost.

Lt. Vincent Hanna, who investigating the armored car heist, learns that McCauley and his crew are planning to steal precious metals from a warehouse. He and his LAPD team hiding inside a parked truck, but accidentally exposed. McCauley and his crew abandon the robbery plan, and Hanna allows them to escape since he cannot arrest them unless they have stolen something.

McCauley then vows revenge to Van Zant who try to ambush him, and kill Waingro, his new crew member who makes the robbery complicated with his impulsive actions, and later betray him. But the pursuit finally led him to his death. After executes Wainbro and begins his escape, Lt. Hanna shoots him, and he dies moments later.

Along with Pacino and De Niro, the film stars Val Kilmer, Jon Voight, Danny Trejo, Ashley Judd, and Natalie Portman. Heat is based off a real-life confrontation between Chicago police officer Chuck Adamson and professional robber Neil McCauley. The real Neil McCauley was killed during a robbery of a grocery store by Adamson's team.

Many real former police officer serve as consultant or technical advisor to the film, including Dennis Farina, a former Chicago police officer, and Tom Elfmont, a former L.A.P.D. detective, and Chuck Adamson - also former Chicago police officer - whom had been working with Michael Mann since his film Thief (1981).

Cast:

Al Pacino ... Lt. Vincent Hanna
Robert De Niro ... Neil McCauley
Val Kilmer ... Chris Shiherlis
Tom Sizemore ... Michael Cheritto
Jon Voight ... Nate
Diane Venora ... Justine Hanna
Ashley Judd ... Charlene Shiherlis
Natalie Portman ... Lauren Gustafson
Amy Brenneman ... Eady
Mykelti Williamson ... Sergeant Drucker
William Fichtner ... Roger Van Zant
Wes Studi ... Detective Casals
Ted Levine ... Bosko
Tom Noonan ... Kelso

The Insider (1999) - Lowell Bergman

2010-07-27T08:20:00.000-07:00

A Vanity Fair magazine article by Marie Brenner; "The Man Who Knew Too Much" led Michael Mann to produced and directed The Insider (1994), a film that tells the true story behind the broadcast of a controvertial CBS "60 Minutes" episode on malpractices in the tobacco industry. The episode originally aired in November 1995 in an altered form because CBS' parent company Westinghouse and the owner, Laurence Tisch, objected, and was later aired on February 4, 1996.

The Insider took a viewpoint through the eyes of Jeffrey Wigand, a former tobacco company executive who decided to appear on the 60 Minutes show to revealed the infamous secret that the tobacco industry was not only aware that cigarettes are addictive and harmful, but deliberately worked on increasing that addictiveness. For his appearance in 60 minutes, Wigand comes under personal and professional attack. Big tobacco company hire PR firm to initiates a smear campaign against him. He also receive death threats, e.g. one where he finds a bullet in his mailbox with a threatening note.

Al Pacino, who had worked with Mann previously in Heat (1995), was Mann’s only choice to play "60 minutes" producer Lowell Bergman, as well as Christopher Plummer who selected to play Mike Wallace. Both did not have to audition to cast in the film. On the other side, Russell Crowe was the second choice for the role of Jeffrey Wigand after Val Kilmer. For the role, the 33-years old Crowe transform himself into mid-50s Wigand apperance by shaved back his hairline, put on 35 pounds for the role, and listened repeatedly to a six-hour tape of Wigand's voice to resemble the man’s voice and how he talked.

The Insider was nominated for seven Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director (Michael Mann), Best Cinematography (Dante Spinotti), Best Actor in a Leading Role (Russell Crowe), Best Editing, Best Sound, and Best Adapted Screenplay (Eric Roth and Michael Mann), but the film won nothing. However, The Insider gave Roth and Mann the Humanitas Prize in the Feature Film category in 2000. Russell Crowe's performance as Jeffrey Wigand ranked #23 in 2006 Premiere list of the 100 Greatest Performances of All Time, and Christopher Plummer won awards from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association and the National Society of Film Critics.

Despite gaining much critical praises, The Insider was in fact a box office flop. It only make a total of $60.3 million worldwide for the $90 million budget. The film fail to catch attention of younger audiences.

Bobby Deerfield (1977) - Bobby

2010-07-26T06:28:00.000-07:00

Despite released during Pacino's best years in 1970s, Bobby Deerfield (1977) probably the most underrated and forgotten Al Pacino's film throughout his career. For the first time the film was released on DVD on 2008, and the soundtrack has been unavailable for years. The story panned by critics as an over-the-top melodrama with a plodding storyline.

Bobby Deerfield based on the novel Heaven Has No Favorites ("Der Himmel kennt keine Günstlinge") by Erich Maria Remarque. The film is about American Formula One racer Bobby Deerfield (Al Pacino) on the European circuits, who falls in love with Lillian Morelli (Marthe Keller), a beautiful young woman who racing against her time and lives in death's shadow because of her acute illness. Lillian changes Bobby's life and giving him spirit by teach him about life's possibilities - as the film tagline say: He had to meet her - to find himself!

Bobby Deerfield produced and directed by Sydney Pollack, and the story written by Alvin Sargent. Non-action scenes filmed in Paris Studios Cinéma, Billancourt, Hauts-de-Seine, France. For race scenes, the film features actual footage of the South African GP Formula One in 1976, and features actual Formula One racers, including Brazilian racer José Carlos Pace, Mario Andretti, and James Hunt. The car used by Al Pacino in the movie is a Brabham Alfa Romeo BT-45, which belonged to José Carlos Pace, who actually drove it during the race scenes.

Carlito's Way (1993) - Carlito Brigante

2010-07-24T06:38:00.000-07:00

Carlito's Way is a fictional story of Puerto-Rican ex-gangster Carlito 'Charlie' Brigante who just released from prison with the help of his lawyer, and pledges to stay away from his past criminal life and lead on to a better life. The film directed by Brian De Palma, with screenplay by David Koepp, based on Judge Edwin Torres' novels After Hours, but took the title from his previous novel, Carlito's Way, to make it not to be confused with Martin Scorsese's film After Hours.

Carlito's Way story was similar to Brian De Palma's previous film, Scarface (1983), and it is considered to be a companion piece of sorts to Scarface, as both using the same Greek tragedy approach (It was criticized by many for re-treading old ground). However, Carlito Brigante character seems to be more human than Tony Montana in Scarface. Tony Montana devote his entire life in evil side, and his stubbornness bring him to his downfall.

Unlike Tony Montana, Carlito Brigante tries to change his fate and stay away from criminal activities. But both meet the same fate: their criminal past won't let them change their life to be a nice guy, and they will never see heaven. They ends up being dragged back into the same evil way.

Carlito's Way stars Al Pacino as Carlito Brigante, Sean Penn as Carlito's lawyer David Kleinfeld, Penelope Ann Miller as Gail (Carlito's girlfriend), and Viggo Mortensen as Lalin, Carlito's gangster friend who secretly recording their conversation at the night club in order to gain evidence against him, as it is the only way he could stay out of prison.

The film was released on 3 November 1993. It premiered with $9 million opening weekend box office. For their roles as lawyer David Kleinfeld and Carlito's girlfriend Gail, Sean Penn and Penelope Ann Miller both received Golden Globe nominations.

The prequel of Carlito's Way was filmed and released direct-to-video in 2005, under the title Carlito's Way: Rise to Power. The prequel film stars Jay Hernandez as Carlito, Mario Van Peebles as Earl, and Michael Joseph Kelly as Rocco.

Cast:

Al Pacino ... Carlito Brigante
Sean Penn ... David Kleinfeld
Penelope Ann Miller ... Gail
Viggo Mortensen ... Lalin
John Leguizamo ... Benny Blanco
Luis Guzmán ... Pachanga
Joseph Siravo ... Vincent 'Vinnie' Taglialucci
Adrian Pasdar ... Frankie Taglialucci

Cruising (1980) - Steve Burns

2010-07-23T02:28:00.001-07:00

Cruising is a thriller/horror film about New York City serial killer targeting gay men in the 1970s. The film directed by William Friedkin, based on New York Times reporter Gerald Walker's novel of the same name. The story based on the real series of murders of homosexual men that took place between 1962 and 1979 in New York City.

Cruising portray a series of gruesome killings, who the killer specifically targeting, slays, and dismembers several gay men through B&D (Bondage and Dominance) and S&M (Sadism and Masochism) scene, and dispose their body parts in Hudson River.

Steve Burns (Al Pacino), an NYPD officer, is recruited by Captain Edelson of the NYPD Homicide Unit to go undercover in search of the killer by mascarade as gay, because his body profile is fit the victims' profiles. He was sent to gay S&M leather bars in the Meatpacking District of the West Village.

The MPAA originally gave Cruising an X rating, and finally re-rated to R after 40 minutes deletion of footage from the original cut. The deleted footage consisted of graphic homosexuality that had no effect on the story or the characterizations.

Actual gay bars for men were used in the film that existed in New York City in an effort to make the scenes as real as possible. Movie extras were actual gay patrons of the bar recruited for the scenes a few days before filming began. They were instructed to act as they would normally act, but to tone down sexually-oriented activities. However, some obscured homosexual scenes remains visible in the film as released.

During filming, members of New York's gay community protested the production of Cruising, and one thousand protesters marched through the East Village demanding the city withdraw support for the film. But since the 1990s Cruising has generated some positive criticism and has been a cult movie among some gay audiences fans. Raymond Murray, editor of gay and lesbian films Images in The Dark writes that "the film is now part of queer history and a testament to how a frightened Hollywood treated a disenfranchised minority."

Along with Pacino, Cruising stars Paul Sorvino as Capt. Edelson, Karen Allen as Nancy, and Joe Spinell (Willi Cicci in The Godfather and The Godfather Part II) as patrolman DiSimone.

Cast:

Al Pacino ... Steve Burns
Paul Sorvino ... Capt. Edelson
Karen Allen ... Nancy
Richard Cox ... Stuart Richards
Joe Spinell ... Patrolman DiSimone
Don Scardino ... Ted Bailey
Jay Acovone ... Skip Lee
Barton Heyman ... Dr. Rifkin

Looking for Richard (1996 Documentary Film) - Richard III

2010-07-21T06:17:00.000-07:00

Looking for Richard is the first film directed by Al Pacino. He also plays himself and the title character (Richard III). Pacino originally wanted to make a straight film, not a documentary, but he discovered that he wouldn't be able to top Laurence Olivier's 1955 version.

As a documentary movie, Looking for Richard is both a performance of scenes of William Shakespeare's Richard III, and an examination of Shakespeare's relevance in popular culture by adding interviews with ordinary people, and in-depth analysis with Shakespeare scholars. In addition, Pacino also features many actors ever performing Shakespeare's, including Kevin Kline, Kenneth Branagh, and Vanessa Redgrave.

Along with Pacino, several actors act out scenes from the play, including Alec Baldwin (as Duke of Clarence), Aidan Quinn (Richmond), Penelope Allen (Queen Elizabeth), Winona Ryder (Lady Anne), Kevin Spacey (Earl of Buckingham), and Harris Yulin as King Edward (previously, in 1983 Yulin was Pacino's opponent when he played the infamous corrupt Miami police detective Mel Bernstein in Scarface).

Looking for Richard was featured at the 1996 Sundance Film Festival and was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival.

The film, along with Chinese Coffee and The Local Stigmatic, released on June 2007 as a part of a three-movie boxed set called Pacino: An Actor's Vision.

Cast:

Al Pacino ... Himself/Richard III
Alec Baldwin ... Himself/Duke of Clarence
Kevin Spacey ... Himself/Earl of Buckingham
Winona Ryder ... Lady Anne
Harris Yulin ... Himself/King Edward
Penelope Allen ... Herself/Queen Elizabeth
Vincent Angell ... Himself/Grey

Author! Author! (1982) - Ivan Travalian

2010-07-20T09:11:00.001-07:00

In Author! Author! Al Pacino plays Ivan Travalian, an Armenian-American Broadway playwright in his struggles to write an original play entitled, English with Tears. Throughout his struggle, Travalian facing any stressful troubles: his wife leaving him, deals with a hopeless second act, and must take care of four children of his wife from her 3 different marriages.

Author! Author! directed by Arthur Hiller, and written by Israel Horovitz. This film was Horovitz's second work with Pacino after their first worked in the mid-1960s, The Indian Wants the Bronx. Alongside Pacino, the film stars Dyan Cannon, Tuesday Weld, and Alan King.

Author! Author!, however, was unsuccessful both commercially and artistically. The film's gross revenue was only $10,576,604 in USA, while received negative reviews from critics. Jack Kroll from Newsweek, for example, wrote that "there's nothing sadder than a movie that tries to be adorable and isn't. Author! Author! tries so hard that the screen seems to sweat".

The Merchant of Venice (2004) - Shylock

2010-07-19T20:19:00.000-07:00

The Merchant of Venice is a 2004 film adaptation of William Shakespeare's comedy of the same name (believed to have been written between 1596 and 1598). It follows Shakespeare's text very closely, and is the first full-length sound film version in English of Shakespeare's play.

The Merchant of Venice story shows a 16th century Venice, where Bassanio wishes to travel to Belmont for a romantic ambition to a wealthy heiress Portia. He then approaches his rich friend Antonio to subsidize his traveling expenses; but Antonio agree only if Bassanio can find a lender.

Bassanio then turns to the Jewish moneylender Shylock and names Antonio as the loan’s guarantor. Shylock agree, but proposes a condition for the loan: if Antonio is unable to repay it at the specified date, he may take a pound of Antonio's flesh.

The Merchant of Venice principal casts are Al Pacino as rich Jewish moneylender Shylock, Joseph Fiennes as Bassanio the young Venice nobleman, Jeremy Irons as Antonio the merchant, and Lynn Collins as Portia the rich heiress of Belmont. The film directed by Michael Radford, and its awesome, realistic look of Venice streets was designed by production designer Bruno Rubeo, who was honored by the Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists for his excellent work.

Me, Natalie (1969) - Tony

2010-07-19T04:36:00.001-07:00

Me, Natalie was Al Pacino's film debut in a minor supporting role as Tony. The film directed by Fred Coe, and the screenplay written by A. Martin Zweiback, based on original story by Stanley Shapiro. The film stars Patty Duke as Natalie Miller, Elsa Lanchester as Miss Dennison, and James Farentino as David Harris.

Natalie Miller was a plain and ugly Brooklyn young girl with bucked teeth and disproportionate large nose. Her father even had plan to bribes a myopic man to marry her, think that his nearsightedness will prevent him from seeing her ugly duckling appearance.

Natalie leaves home, seeking for her independence by start a bohemian lifestyle in Greenwich Village after she discovers her father's plan. After passing some miserable life journey and a heartbreak moment, Natalie finally found her self-esteem, realize that she's invaluable, just like everyone else.

Me, Natalie receive generally positive reviews. Patty Duke won Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for her role as Natalie Miller. The film also receive Grammy Award nomination for Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Show, as well as nomination for Best Drama Written Directly for the Screen from Writers Guild of America.

Two years after made brief screen appearance in this independent movie, Al Pacino made his next screen appearance in 1971 film The Panic in Needle Park.

The Godfather Part III (1990) - Don Michael Corleone

2010-07-18T21:24:00.000-07:00

The final part and epilogue of the saga after The Godfather (1972) and The Godfather Part II (1974), The Godfather Part III is completes the story of Don Michael Corleone, aging mafia boss who tries to legitimize his business to atone for his guilt.

Michael has abandoned many of mafia activities, selling the Las Vegas casinos, and leaving the Corleone family's criminal interests in the hands of Joey Zasa, the remaining criminal wing of Corleone family.

Michael returned to New York City from Lake Tahoe, restore his reputation via numerous acts of charity, creates the Vito Corleone Foundation which he has endowed with $100,000,000 to use for the betterment of Sicily.

The Godfather Part III also fictionalized the death of Pope John Paul I (1978) and the Papal banking scandal (1982), and links both with the affairs of Michael Corleone. Michael has recently bought up stock in International real-estate holding company Immobiliare to gain majority control of the company's board of directors, and now makes a tender offer to buy the Vatican's 25% interest in the company by offers to pay $600,000,000 to the Vatican Bank - which has run up a massive deficit - in exchange for the shares. But he later realizes that the deal was a conspiracy to swindle him out of his money.

The Godfather Part III features veteran actors from its prequels: Al Pacino (Michael Corleone), Diane Keaton (Kay Adams), and Talia Shire (Connie Corleone). It also stars Andy García (Vincent Mancini), Joe Mantegna (Joey Zasa), George Hamilton (as B.J. Harrison, the next Corleone family consiglieri after Tom Hagen), Bridget Fonda, and Sofia Coppola (Francis Ford Coppola's daughter who plays as Michael's daughter, Mary Corleone).

Although received a generally positive responses, The Godfather Part III is widely considered to be the weakest film of the trilogy. It was the only film in the trilogy not to have Al Pacino nominated for Best Actor, the only film in the trilogy not to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, and the only film in the trilogy not selected for preservation by the National Film Registry. Instead, Sofia Coppola won a Golden Raspberry for worst supporting actress for her role as Mary Corleone.

Dick Tracy (1990) - Alphonse "Big Boy" Caprice

2010-07-18T08:55:00.001-07:00

Dick Tracy based on the 1930s comic strip character of the same name created by Chester Gould. Al Pacino plays as Alphonse "Big Boy" Caprice, the leading crime cyndicate boss whose aggressively taking over small businesses in the city (for his performance, Pacino received Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor). The film produced and directed by Warren Beatty, who also starred as the main character, Dick Tracy.

Dick Tracy film rights were initially owned in 1975 by Michael Laughlin, who gave up his option from Tribune Media Services. In 1977, Floyd Mutrux and Art Linson purchased the film rights from the Tribune Media Services. They took the property to Paramount Pictures, whose brought in Universal Pictures to co-finance its production.

Walter Hill then came on board to direct with Joel Silver as producer. Hill approached Warren Beatty for the title role. Beatty reportedly wanted $5 million plus fifteen percent of the box office gross, and Universal refused to accept.

The film rights then reverted back to Tribune Media Services. Beatty decided to option the Dick Tracy rights himself. Dick Tracy production resurfaced with Beatty as director, producer and leading role.

The financing for Dick Tracy came from Disney's Touchstone Pictures, Silver Screen Partners, and Mulholland Productions (Warren Beatty's production company). The film reach $47 million production cost and $54 million additional marketing campaign cost. Walt Disney comics also released "Dick Tracy: The Tommy Guns and Truehearts Trilogy" as part of marketing campaign, which explained the back story leading up to the movie.

Alongside Beatty and Pacino, Dick Tracy features supporting roles from Madonna as Breathless Mahoney, Glenne Headly Tess Trueheart, and Charlie Korsmo as The Kid.

For his role, Al Pacino designed Big Boy Caprice's make-up himself and completely re-imagined the character. John Caglione Jr., make-up designer who's his final design of Big Boy Caprice matches the intended design conceived by Al Pacino, then became Pacino's personal make-up man in all of his rest films. In Dick Tracy, Al Pacino also co-stars with James Caan, who previously played Sonny Corleone in The Godfather (1972).

...And Justice for All (1979) - Arthur Kirkland

2010-07-17T09:28:00.000-07:00

...And Justice For All, the last four words of the Pledge of Allegiance, were taken as the title for this courtroom drama movie. It directed by Norman Jewison and the screenplay written by Valerie Curtin and Barry Levinson. ...And Justice For All received two Academy Award nominations for the Best Actor in a Leading role (Pacino) and Best Original Screenplay.

Al Pacino plays as Arthur Kirkland, an idealistic defense attorney in Baltimore, forced to defend Henry T. Fleming, a judge who ever has had problems with him in the past. The judge has been accused of rape on a young woman. Kirkland past problem with Judge Fleming including one incident where he is on a charge of contempt of court for having thrown a punch at him when the judge wrongly sentenced his client Jeff McCullaugh because of a technicality. Now Kirkland faces a moral and legal dilemma ..

...And Justice For All stars Al Pacino as defense attorney Arthur Kirkland, John Forsythe as Judge Henry T. Fleming, Jack Warden Judge Francis Rayford, Lee Strasberg as his Grandfather Sam Kirkland, Craig T. Nelson, and Thomas G. Waites as Kirkland's client Jeff McCullaugh. In this film Al Pacino for the second time (after The Godfather Part II) was acted alongside his legendary acting teacher, Lee Strasberg.

Cast:

Al Pacino ... Arthur Kirkland
John Forsythe ... Judge Henry T. Fleming
Lee Strasberg ... Sam Kirkland
Jack Warden ... Judge Francis Rayford
Christine Lahti ... Gail Packer
Jeffrey Tambor ... Jay Porter
Dominic Chianese ... Carl Travers
Craig T. Nelson ... Frank Bowers

The Recruit (2003) - Walter Burke

2010-07-16T21:51:00.000-07:00

The Recruit is a spy movie follows the career of James Clayton, a briliant MIT graduate recruited into the CIA. While at MIT, Clayton develop Sp@rtacus, a computer program which turns computer terminals to which it is networked into its slave - probably similar to the now infamous botnet. Clayton meets Walter Burke. The man who reveals that he is a CIA recruiter, and his familiarity with Clayton's father, who had gone missing when he was young.

The Recruit directed by Roger Donaldson, and the screenplay written by Roger Towne, Kurt Wimmer, and Mitch Glazer. The film stars Al Pacino as CIA recruiter Walter Burke, Colin Farrell as James Clayton, and Bridget Moynahan as Layla Moore, Clayton's fellow recruit.

Donnie Brasco (1997) - Benjamin "Lefty" Ruggiero

2010-07-16T07:04:00.001-07:00

Donnie Brasco based on the late 1970s real event of FBI undercover agent, Joseph D. Pistone (under the alias name Donnie Brasco) who successfully infilitrates the New York City's Bonanno crime family. Pistone (Johnny Depp) posing as a jewel thief from Florida. He eventually becomes accepted as an associate by the other family members.

Pistone befriends Benjamin "Lefty" Ruggiero (Al Pacino), a low level family member and hit man who having spent 30 years of his life in the Mafia and killing 26 people, but was hopeless about his own future. However, the longer Pistone infilitrates the family and plays role as Donnie Brasco, he finds himself identifying more with the mafia life. He also has come to regard Lefty as his close friend.

Donnie Brasco was directed by Mike Newell, starring Al Pacino (Benjamin "Lefty" Ruggiero), Johnny Depp (Joe "Donnie Brasco" Pistone), and Michael Madsen (Dominick "Sonny Black" Napolitano). The screenplay written by Paul Anastasio, adapted from FBI agent Joseph D. Pistone's book. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

In real life, Benjamin "Lefty" Ruggiero was arrested by the FBI and was sentenced to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit murder, extortion, distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, and running an illegal gambling operation. He died of lung cancer in 1994, two years after received early parole in 1992.

Cast:

Al Pacino ... Benjamin "Lefty" Ruggiero
Johnny Depp ... Donnie Brasco / Joseph D. "Joe" Pistone
Bruno Kirby ... Nicky
Michael Madsen ... Sonny Black
James Russo ... Paulie
Anne Heche ... Maggie Pistone
Gerry Becker ... Agent Dean Blandford FBI
Rocco Sisto ... Richard "Richie" Gazzo
Zach Grenier ... Dr. Berger