Starring: Michael Shannon, Winona Ryder, Chris Evans, David Schwimmer, and Ray Liotta
Directed by: Ariel Vromen
Screenplay by: Morgan Land and Ariel Vromen
This is the true story of Richard Kuklinski (Michael Shannon). Between 1964 and 1986 when he was finally arrested, it's believed that he killed over 100 people. This isn't the story of a serial killer, but a good family man. On one hand, he's a loving husband and father to two daughters. On the other hand, he's a contract killer for the mob in New Jersey. For 22 years, his family didn't know about his involvement with the mob. They just thought he was a currency trader on Wall street. This is the story of how Kuklinski led a double life for so long and how he got his nickname, the Iceman.
The story for this film plays out a little like The Godfather, except it's about a third the length of that film. We first meet Kuklinski when he goes on his first date with Deborah (Winona Ryder), who will eventually become his wife. He's a quiet guy but he seems like a decent person. What's cool about this film is that we see two very different sides to the same person. With his family, he's a caring and loving father and husband, but when he's doing jobs for the mob, he's a ruthless killer. And similarly to The Godfather, we like Kuklinski as a guy, but not for what he does for a living.
Michael Shannon is truly awesome in this film. He plays this role extremely well, and if the film was released a few months down the road, I could see an Oscar nomination for his performance. Chris Evans is also really good, playing Mr. Freeze, one of the people Kuklinski works with. And while the star and perhaps best performance of the show may be Michael Shannon, one must take note of Ray Liotta as well. Playing Roy Demeo, the head of the mob, Liotta is not to be messed with. And James Franco is pretty good for the five minutest of screen time he has. This is a film with excellent acting all around. There's not a bad performance in sight.
This is one of the better mobster movies in recent years. I'm a big fan of movies that make our mobster main characters seem like decent people. I don't like seeing mobster movies where the mobsters are ruthless, cold blooded killers. And while Kuklinski is portrayed as a cold blooded killer, he's portrayed as a good man on the flip-side. He's definitely the character one would not want to aspire to be.
Overall, this is one of the better films that's playing in theaters now. It's refreshing to see something that's not all action-packed, even though there is a lot of killing. The Iceman isn't terribly bloody despite the many seemingly bloody deaths that occur throughout the film. There are going to be a lot of giant blockbuster action movies in the next few months. Take a break from all of them and go see The Iceman.
I give The Iceman a B+.
Directed by: Ariel Vromen
Screenplay by: Morgan Land and Ariel Vromen
This is the true story of Richard Kuklinski (Michael Shannon). Between 1964 and 1986 when he was finally arrested, it's believed that he killed over 100 people. This isn't the story of a serial killer, but a good family man. On one hand, he's a loving husband and father to two daughters. On the other hand, he's a contract killer for the mob in New Jersey. For 22 years, his family didn't know about his involvement with the mob. They just thought he was a currency trader on Wall street. This is the story of how Kuklinski led a double life for so long and how he got his nickname, the Iceman.
The story for this film plays out a little like The Godfather, except it's about a third the length of that film. We first meet Kuklinski when he goes on his first date with Deborah (Winona Ryder), who will eventually become his wife. He's a quiet guy but he seems like a decent person. What's cool about this film is that we see two very different sides to the same person. With his family, he's a caring and loving father and husband, but when he's doing jobs for the mob, he's a ruthless killer. And similarly to The Godfather, we like Kuklinski as a guy, but not for what he does for a living.
Michael Shannon is truly awesome in this film. He plays this role extremely well, and if the film was released a few months down the road, I could see an Oscar nomination for his performance. Chris Evans is also really good, playing Mr. Freeze, one of the people Kuklinski works with. And while the star and perhaps best performance of the show may be Michael Shannon, one must take note of Ray Liotta as well. Playing Roy Demeo, the head of the mob, Liotta is not to be messed with. And James Franco is pretty good for the five minutest of screen time he has. This is a film with excellent acting all around. There's not a bad performance in sight.
This is one of the better mobster movies in recent years. I'm a big fan of movies that make our mobster main characters seem like decent people. I don't like seeing mobster movies where the mobsters are ruthless, cold blooded killers. And while Kuklinski is portrayed as a cold blooded killer, he's portrayed as a good man on the flip-side. He's definitely the character one would not want to aspire to be.
Overall, this is one of the better films that's playing in theaters now. It's refreshing to see something that's not all action-packed, even though there is a lot of killing. The Iceman isn't terribly bloody despite the many seemingly bloody deaths that occur throughout the film. There are going to be a lot of giant blockbuster action movies in the next few months. Take a break from all of them and go see The Iceman.
I give The Iceman a B+.
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