Today is the big premiere of Righteous Kill, a movie currently boasting a hideous 21% on Rotten Tomatoes, and it’s highly depressing that the two big-time stars of the film can’t seem to get anything right lately.
I had been planning on checking this out Friday afternoon, but after seeing that percentage, I’m thinking I may save my $10 (plus popcorn/drink) and go buy a Blu-Ray movie instead.
So with another seemingly flop of a movie, Al Pacino and, to a lesser extent, Robert DeNiro apparently don’t have the ability to make good action/crime movies anymore, which got me thinking.
Name your favorite Pacino movie and your favorite DeNiro movie
Here are IMDB links to Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro to give you reminders of what they’ve done. From looking at Pacino’s history, Insomnia seems to be the last really good film he’s made.
DeNiro just recently was in Stardust, which was a great film, but it wasn’t a starring role for him.
I’ll answer the question with one movie: Heat.
I love that movie, it was when both actors seemed to be at the top of their game and you just couldn’t beat that scene they both had face-to-face. The bank heist was thrilling and the intensity of Pacino’s chase to catch DeNiro was spellbinding.
What about you guys?
Well for DeNiro, it's obviously a tossup between Rocky and Bullwinkle and…no. No tossup. Hands down his best. Pacino comes close in Scent of a Woman, where he says Hoo-ah! about eleventy-billion times. Ugh.
Seriously, my answers are:
DeNiro - The King of Comedy. It's an underrated performance from him in an under-appreciated Scorsese movie, but he deftly handled a character who had to be both funny and NOT funny at the same time.
Pacino - The Godfather. I know it's an easy pick, but I think that film shows his incredible range to its fullest. Michael isn't at all the same character from beginning to end. That, or Dog Day Afternoon.
Scent of a Woman was awesome though, I love that movie.
As much as I *love* Anwar, Scent of a Woman is too much Hoo-ah! and Robin for me.
I never saw the movie but the Hoo-ah scared me away and I will never see it. Pacino is a ham, agree with Dog Day Afternoon. Liked DeNiro in Taxi Driver, Casino, Cape Fear, Goodfellas, ect. Far superior then Pacino.
There's no way to pick a favorite of either of theses guys, they are hands down two of the best actors ever.
Here's my top 3 for each:
Pacino -Godfather 1 & 2, The Devils Advocate (it also had Charlize Theron, enough said), Heat and the Insider
DeNiro -Godfather 2, Heat, Casino, The Untouchables, Cape Fear, Midnight Run, and Taxi Driver.
Needless to say both are great, but DeNiro has made better movies.
Really…wow, I've always liked it, but maybe I just enjoy his ending speech…
Anwar is awesome though
I think Pacino has the better body of work overall (Cruising, Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon-add those to your queue Mike).
Best IMO;
Pacino - GF II
DeNiro - Raging Bull
I loved Dog Day Afternoon, fantastic movie. Didn't see the other two, I'll keep an eye out for them.
All you have to do is watch Charlie imitate Serpico in Its always sunny in Philly. Priceless