Displaying items by tag: Monica Bararo

CRIME 101

US, 2026, 139 minutes, Colour.

Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Halle Berry, Barry Keoghan, Corey Hawkins, Monica Barbaro, Nick Nolte, Devon Bostick, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Taie Donovan.

Directed by Bart Layton.

The 101 of the title is actually the highway through Los Angeles. However, Crime 101 sounds like the title of the basic university course. And, those interested in high-class and well-planned heists are provided with what might be called plentiful tutorial material for their hoped-for careers. But ministers will sit back and enjoy it all.

Writer-director, Bart Layton, has adapted a novel by Daniel Winslow and has intended to make a big budget, strong cast, highly colourful Los Angeles drama. Which he does. Immediately we are introduced to Mike, Chris Hemsworth at his charming best, a gentleman thief, meticulous planning, no hurting anyone, but getting away with jewels. We get a glimpse of his patron, sounding more gravellyy-voice than ever, Nick Nolte.

Then we are introduced to the other key characters, Sharon, Halle Berry, 11 years with a high-class insurance firm, discussing with millionaires policies and planning for a society wedding; Mark Ruffalo as Lou, a veteran LA detective, dishevilled, expert profiling criminals but tending to be looked down on by the smarter professionals. Then, an entirely different character, Orman, Barry Keoghan (in so many films these years), a petty, very petty thug with some-confident violent attitudes, who has to follow Mike and report back on his plans – although he too sets up a rather messy bank robbery to build up his credibility.

There is something not quite right in the lives of each of the main characters and, gradually, they are brought together, Sharon and Lou  through self-help and yoga classes, Mike and Sharon because he investigates her being passed over, humiliated at her company.

This is all moving towards a buildup for the heist in the luxury Beverly Wilshire hotel, the millionaire and his fiancee, a safe full of cash, jewelry, a security expert coming from Europe – and some substitutions, to catch a thief, an intrusion from the violence Orman.

Bart Layton achieves what he set out to do, nothing more, nothing less – a Los Angeles crime action adventure, heists, investigations, car chases, identity switches, and entertainment.

1. The title, like a college course title, but along freeway 101?
2. All film traditions of crime set in Los Angeles? The classic traditions? 21^st-century version?
3. The Los Angeles settings, the opening credits, upside down, angles, the city, the highways, the lights, buildings…? Atmosphere? The streets and the poor sections? The contrast with the Beverly Wilshire, luxury hotels, insurance offices, police precincts, jewelry shops, yoga classes…, The musical score?
4. The background of the voice-over, self-improvement, the background from Mike, Sharon listening, the yoga classes, Lou present and learning, so it is and motivation for the characters?
5. The morning, the characters getting up, Mike, person, dress, driving, the car and the man in the boot, the shop, the owner, the jewels, the couriers, the fakes, the real jewels of the ankle, the gun, the pursuit, the confrontation, the robbery, the career shooting and a drop of blood in the car for later detection? Letting the man out of the boot? Mike and his robberies, never injuring anyone? Chris Hemsworth, screen presence, the building of a character and personality? The mystery?
6. Lou, status in the police force, old-style, theories, the network of authorities, looking down on him, work with his partner, his partner to bring with him, wanting to work with him? At the site of the various crimes? Lou and his theory, the 101? The man, eliminating various criteria and the remnant of crimes along the 101? Lou profiling the criminal? Lou, at home, his wife, intrusion, the later meeting, the anchor, his walking out, the apartment by the ocean? Going to yoga, the encounter with Charlotte?
7. Sharon, insurance, see her in action, with Munro and mistaking his wife or girlfriend, the wealth, the discussions about the insurance, the forthcoming wedding? Her age, early years, the promise of promotion, following her off, the men on the staff, the new associate, Fabio, taking Sharon’s job, the achievement and praise, Sharon later telling her the truth in front of the executive? Sharon listening to the tapes, the yoga? Living alone, sleep and its limitations? Upset?
8. Money, his age, and Nick Nolte character, raspy voice, the interview with Mike, controlling him? Mike and his rebellion? Wanting to keep his methods, get money, retire? Money and his son summoning All men, knowing Allman’s father, a different kind of criminal, tough, age, look, motorbike, following Mike, Mike observing him, removing the tracer on the car? Observing, Mike’s contact with the IT man, information about peoples access? All finally attacking him, brutally? The scene of the robbery in Santa Barbara, tough, the baby, the locked door, his anger, the victims, the robbery and his escape?
9. Mike, the car crash, discussions with Meyer, the date, the discussions, with high class, the mystery of his background? His reticence? The affair, continued seeing each other?
10. The information about Sharon, encountering her and was discussion about cars, at the Gallery, his arranging the meeting, his discussions with her, knowing all about her, her resentments, the standing for firm and integrity? The scenes of the office, passed over again, her contacting Mike, the explanation of the situation, the methods, the wedding, the insurance, the protection from Europe?
11. The conscience, going to Lou, giving him the information, Lou and the setup outside the jewelry shop, the boy, the shooting, the cover up, his being sacked? The reaction?
12. With, the plan, Mike and his taking the place of the security guard, the flight from Europe, the transition, Mike waiting, Lou taking the place of the guard, the conversation about Steve McQueen, bulletin chases, The Thomas Crown Affair and a gentleman thief?
13. All in, getting the job at the hotel, getting the number of the room, preparing to ?
14. The situation in the room, Mike, the emptying of the safe, the jewels, the gun? Lou pulling the gun, the confrontation, all in, the three games, the woman in fear, the shooting, the wording Munro, the death of Allman? The deals, Lou and his letting Mike go, his previous tracking down Mike’s family, the discussions with his mother?
15. The aftermath, Mike and the car, leaving, sending the photo, Maher and the photo of the family? Lou giving the the jeweller diamonds to show? At the yoga?
16. The gentleman thief, some integrity, writing background, the crime thriller, detection, the resolution?

A COMPLETE UNKNOWN

US, 2024, 141 minutes, Colour.

Timothee Chalamet, Edward Norton, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Eriko Hatsune, Scoot McNairy, Dan Fogler, Boyd Holbrook.

Directed by James Mangold.

For audiences with long memories, singer-songwriter, Bob Dylan, has been a constant presence since he first went to New York City, aged 20, in 1961, made contact with Pete Seeger, admired Woody Guthrie, was given opportunities to sing in clubs, at festivals, and to record. And, he has done so ever since, awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016 for having created new poetic expressions).still at work in his 80s.

For younger audiences, becoming aware of the Bob Dylan of later years, memories of his songs, his contribution to folk music, his developments and musical talent, may have made a strong impression.

Which means that this two-hour 20 film about Bob Dylan’s earliest years, from a complete unknown in 1961 to a star, acclaimed, also criticised for his transition from folk to electric instruments in developing music styles at the Newport Festival in 1965, will be a significant experience.

And, there is the performance by Timothee Chalamet as Bob Dylan, a physically slight figure, characteristic wavy hair, intent on singing, writing his lyrics, always with a cigarette in his mouth, bringing Dylan to life. (In 12 months to Timothee Chalamet has been Wonka, Paul Atreides in Due 2 and now Bob Dylan, indicating that in his talent, Chalamet is a screen chameleon. It is worth seeing him in interviews as his ordinary self to appreciate his versatility )

Not that Bob Dylan in his early years was always an attractive character to meet. He was self-obsessed, ambitious, intent on writing and composing at all times and all places, fickle, often casual and of-hand, in relationships, especially with singer Joan Baez – but this is a young man in his early 20s. But he knows what he wants for himself and his creativity and career.

However, one of the great values of director, James Mangold’s film is situating the early songs, including some songs from Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger as well as Blowing in the Wind, The Times are Achanging and quite a catalogue of other songs. And, impressively, Timothee Chalamet sings all the songs himself, plays the guitar and harmonica. In fact, all the supporting cast do their own singing, Monica Barbaro impressive with a beautiful voice as Joan Baez, Ed Norton in a very impressive performance as a sympathetic Pete Seeger, Boyd Holbrook as Johnny Cash. (Incidentally, James Mangold directed the film portrait of Johnny Cash in 2005, Walk the Line.)

There are some moving moments at the beginning of the film and at the end with Pete Seeger present and singing for a chronically ill Woody Guthrie in hospital.

Bob Dylan has been a significant figure in American and world music for more than 60 years. This is a welcome opportunity for us to go back to this introduction to a complete unknown.

1. Audience response to Bob Dylan? In the early 60s, from unknown to celebrity, 1965 and his changing of music style, the succeeding decades of success, Nobel Prize for Literature, continuing into his 80s?
2. The focus of this film, 1961-1965? Audience knowledge of the period, in the world, the Berlin Wall, the Cuban crisis, the assassination of Kennedy, the March on Washington, the Vietnam war…? The insertion of this information into the narrative?
3. The music styles of the 1950s, popular songs, the place of folk, the influence of Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez and others? The influence of Bob Dylan, his music, lyrics? The peace movement? (And other movements in this time, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones…?)
4. The opening and Woody Guthrie’s So Long…, Pete Seeger in court, the judge, the song, the support, This Land is my Land…?
5. The atmosphere of New York City in the 1960s, the venues for concerts, the Newport folk Festival, Monterey? Recording studios? Flats and apartments?
6. The music, the range of Bob’s Dylan songs throughout, their insertion, the film as a collection of his songs? Woody Guthrie’s songs? Pete Seeger’s? Guitars, harmonicas? The transition to electric, bands and the range of instruments?
7. Audience response to the character of Bob Dylan, in these four years, aged 20 to 25, unknown, the way he presented himself, his obsession with music, his ambitions, relationships with Joan Baez, with Sylvie, how committed? The focus on his self-absorption, the consequences, some arrogant behaviour, his devotion to Woody Guthrie, appreciation for Pete Seeger, the clash with him at Newport? Not a character one would like to meet in ordinary life?
8. Sympathetic portrait of Woody Guthrie, ill, no speech, Pete Seeger’s visits, Bob’s admiration, the hospital, the song, his final visit to the hospital and complaining orderly?
9. His background, enigmatic, Zimmerman, changing to Dylan, the story of the carnival, keeping his life in mystery? The opening, arrival in New York, wanting to see Woody Guthrie, going to the hospital, encountering Pete Seeger, singing the song, the response? Pete Seeger and his wife helping out, his composing, the children? The continued friendship with Seeger and his family?
10. The opportunities, his continued singing, the scenes of his composing, the music, the lyrics, writing, typing? His being introduced by Pete Seeger, the response? Joan Baez and her singing, her response, his acclamation? The beginning of the relationship, Joan’s attitude, sharing the songs with him, at Sylvie’s apartment? The later relationship, the clashes, even on stage, his turning up at her apartment, composing, her ousting him? Her later accounts of the relationship? The songs?
11. Meeting Sylvie, at the church, talking, together, seeing Now, Voyager, the cigarettes, the comparisons with the story? (And the prevalence of cigarettes throughout the film?) Sylvie, her personality, her art, the attraction to Dylan, the relationship, going to the concerts, her time away and his infidelity, her suspicions, the breakup, his returning, on the bike to Newport? The influence of The Times are Achanging?
12. Going success, the records, the producer, latching onto him, staying with him, the other executives and their hopes? The record companies, the takes, the initial song and his missing the microphone, his increasing competence and success? Appearances, a claim? People seeing him in the street pursuing him, escaping the taxi? The claim at the concerts, applause, standing ovations? His later speech and denunciation and people’s puzzle?
13. The discussion with the young musician, going to see him play, their working together, the transition to electric guitars, bands?
14. The background of the Newport Folk Festival, the personnel, the discussions, the tradition, Pete Seeger and his investment? Successful years? 1965, Dylan and his choices, the public wanting Blowin’ in the Wind and other classics? His refusal, the clash with Joan Baez? Sylvie departing and the final talk with her? His concession to a popular song?
15. The clash with Pete Seeger, the interventions of his wife? Dylan, his friends, going to the new phase of his life, wanting to continue and develop the music?
16. The final information, his relationship with Pete Seeger and reconciliation, with Joan Baez, the continued success? His career, the Nobel Prize and his not attending? Into his 80s and his approval and consultation for the film?