More Top Picks Best Portable Monitors For Laptops
player ready...1. SCARFACE (Brian DePalma, Oliver Stone; 1983) (star)(star)(star) 1/2
This one’s first because Pacino’s reading of crazed druglord Tony Montana came to define his acting style for subsequent films — moody, with arms flailing. DePalma turns everything up — the violence, the blood and guts, the obscenity, the excess. The scene in which Montana shovels cocaine into his face by the handful is typical. (available on DVD and video)
2. THE ‘GODFATHER’ TRILOGY
(Francis Ford Coppola; 1972, 1974 and 1990) (star)(star)(star)(star) stars for I and II, (star)(star) stars for III
A brilliant two-film trilogy (“Godfather III” you watch only because you can’t resist) that increases its focus on Michael Corleone (Pacino), and well it should. As he moves from studious, duty-doing lad to vicious crime lord, Pacino’s performance carries with it a grim inexorability. The first two are excellent in every way. The last is mediocre, but has its moments. (DVD/video)
3. CRUISING (William Friedkin; 1980) (star)(star)(star)
This film, starring Pacino as Steve Burns, a cop hunting a serial killer who is murdering gay men in New York, debuts another Pacino Classic Character — the intensely focused, unblinking undercover cop. This isn’t a particularly great flick, but Pacino’s performance is first-rate. (DVD/video)
4. SCENT OF A WOMAN
(Martin Brest, Bo Goldman; 1992) (star)(star)(star)
Hoo-a(star)(star)(star)! Pacino plays Col. Frank Slade, Tony Montana without an accent, and blind. It’s all wine, women, song, blind drives in a Ferrari, and a host of other highly dramatic goodies. This isn’t Pacino at his best, but every time he bellows “hoo-a(star)(star)(star),” you’ll be happy that you rented this movie. (DVD/video)
5. GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS
(James Foley, David Mamet; 1992) (star)(star)(star)(star)
This is a staggeringly wonderful trip through David Mamet’s psychic torture chamber. Pacino stars as Ricky Roma, a scurrilous rat of a real estate salesman. Every scene is a delight, from when Roma spots James Lingk (Jonathan Pryce) to his tandem with Shelley Levene (Jack Lemmon). Pacino does the over the top thing, but adds nuance that makes his explosions righteous. (DVD/video)