THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (2013) – My rating: 9/10

The Wolf of Wall Street (“TWOWS”) is based on the true story of Jordan Belfort and is among the best of the Wall Street sagas.  It is 1 minute shy of 3 hours long.  I didn’t find it the least bit boring or uninteresting.  In fact, it is a roller coaster of greed, dishonesty, crime, drugs and sex —  not that this is a good thing but it’s real.  Leo DiCaprio has fulfilled the role of a life time.  His character was somewhat similar to his role in the Great Gatsby, only bumped up 10 fold to round out his performance as an up and coming financial broker.  I haven’t seen the likes of “TWOWS” since Johnny Depp’s “Blow”.  Jonah Hill was equally as brilliant as Leo’s loyal side kick who will do anything to make a buck.  This movie shows us the real risk of investing in the stock market.  Of course all is not corrupt, but that’s something one needs to investigate before jumping in, feet first!

As an older person with patience and sense, I was disturbed by the fast paced craziness that exist with the young and greedy in this environment.  A large part of  The Wolf of Wall Street dealt with extreme, disturbing  behavior.  It took us through the biggest investment banking trading floors, selling stocks to the rich, all the way to a hole in the wall selling penny stocks to the poor, then back to trading with the rich.  It was all about the bottom line, MONEY!  The Wolf of Wall Street is a real eye opener that you won’t soon forget.  Martin Scorsese certainly produced a masterpiece that I think deserves  Oscar nods for best picture, best actor, best supporting actor and best director.  It’s a world wind of a movie.

THE GREAT GATSBY (2013) – My rating 8.5/10

WON FOR:  ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN and ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION DESIGN

I had never seen the original of this movie, so I had no idea what it was about.  About 3 weeks before I saw this 2013 version of The Great Gatsby, I rented the 2000 version, as there is also a 1974 version of this movie.  I must say, I enjoyed the 2000 version and thought the 2013 version was just about the same.       Having said that, I truly enjoyed this movie.  There’s lots of glitz and glamour and wild scenes.  The scenery was all so beautiful and the fashions were the best of the roaring 20s.  There are a few twist and surprises and suspense.  I was thoroughly entertained and had no idea how The Great Gatsby was going to end. Leo DiCaprio was magnificent as he portrayed the Great Mr. Gatsby.  Tobey Maguire made me forget all about his former role as Spider Man.  Tobey showed he’s no one character legend.  I highly recommend this version of The Great Gatsby — it’s doesn’t matter if you catch it on DVD or the big screen.  You’ll enjoy the many great features of this film.

[THE GREAT GATSBY is nominated for Achievement in Costume Design and Achievement in Production Design]

DJANGO UNCHAINED (2012) – My rating: 9.5/10

Oh my, what is there to say about Django, except the D is silent.  I went on a fantasy, gun totting, America at its worse, wanted for bounty killing spree ride that hasn’t been seen since the likes of Natural Born Killers.  And I was rooting for the killers all the way.  Django is an action packed thrill ride and a feel good movie that I don’t expect will win any Oscars however, this movie will go down in history as one of a kind.  The entertainment factors are endless.  The acting was superb and the German, played by Christoph Waltz was unsurpassed. With Quentin Tarantino as director and Leo Dicaprio as a shrewd plantation owner with Samual L. Jackson as his right hand lackey, what else would we expect.   Django  is up for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Best sound Editing, Best Writing (Original Screenplay) and Best Cinematography.   I don’t expect any Oscars to be won but I can tell you Christoph Waltz took his character to a place we won’t soon forget.  Red Foxx and Kerry Washington rounded out a cast that was unforgettable.  I loved this movie and highly recommend it.

[Christoph Waltz won Best Supporting Actor! ]