The Godfather: Part II (1974)

"If anything in this life is certain, if history has taught us anything, it is that you can kill anyone." - Michael Corleone

Making a film worthy of being called a work of art, is for a few, make two movies in a row in a same story, just Francis Ford Coppola could do.

The Godfather Part II continues to tell the story of the rise of Michael Corleone to his downfall in another phenomenal performance of Al Pacino. In parallel, it is also told through a phenomenal performance for a young Robert De Niro, the story of the coming of Vito Corleone coming to the United States and its growth in the world of mafia.

There is no need of many words to describe this film, if not one of the best productions of the cinema history.

*****

The Rite (2011)

"Choosing not to believe in the Devil, won't protect you from him" - Father Lucas Trevant

It's about a young skeptic seminarist, that starts doubting his faith and then is sent to study exorcism in Rome.
Besides all the effects and the hollywood terror drama, the film is based on a real facts that helps to make the film even more interesting. It's full of symbology and some great short dialogues, things that comes back to your mind through the whole film.
By the way, no one could deliver it better than Antonhy Hopkins (Who interpretates a old exorcist), his acting is always captivating.


****

The Dark Knight Trilogy

Batman Begins (2005)

"Gotham's time has come. Like Constantinople or Rome before it the city has become a breeding ground for suffering and injustice. It is beyond saving and must be allowed to die. This is the most important function of the League of Shadows. It is one we've performed for centuries. Gotham... must be destroyed." - Ra's Al Ghul

The first film in the trilogy was the first film so far, to tell the story of the birth of the Dark Knight, also exploring his training and background in martial arts. Excelent movie for those who do not know the story of Bruce Wayne and think it's just a billionaire man who had money to make clothes and special equipment.

****1/4

The Dark Knight (2008)

"You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain." - Harvey Dent

The continuation of Batman Begins shows a Gotham City with its criminals cornered by the actions of the Dark Knight and the new DA Harvey Dent. Until the rise of a new criminal totally different, the Joker. A masterpiece of Christopher Nolan, showing how greed affects mankind, regardless of social class or employment, as this film shows how a city can be corrupted by money. The highlight of the movie is the performance of Heath Ledger as the Joker, in my opinion the best heel that I've ever seen in the cinema history with not just an ordinary a punk, but a very intelligent man outthinking every move of the Dark Knight During Their rivalry.

*****

The Dark Knight Rises (2012) 
"A hero can be anyone. Even a man doing something as simple and reassuring as putting a coat around a little boy's shoulders to let him know that the world hadn't ended." - Batman

And the trilogy that has totally changed the landscape of comics and movies about superheroes in cinema history ends. After eight years of absence, the Dark Knight needs to back to Gotham to face a new terrorist called Bane, who has a big plan to crash the city and to fulfill Ra's al Ghul's destiny. Excellent movie to end the trilogy with great performances from Christian Bale and Tom Hardy.

****1/2

The Untouchables (1987)

"Yes! There is violence in Chicago. But not by me, and not by anybody who works for me, and I'll tell you why because it's bad for business." - Al Capone

The Untouchables (1987) tells the story of a totally corrupt Chicago by Al Capone in Prohibition times, until the emergence of a federal agent Eliot Ness, who along with a small team selected by him, embark on mission to end the Capone's city reign.

Awesome movie, if you like mafia movies, you surely will love this one.

****

Scarface (1983)

Who put this thing together? Me, that's who! Who do I trust? Me! - Tony Montana

The rise and fall of a drug lord. This remake of the classic Scarface (1932) brings a new and intense look at the gangsters of our time (Even 30 years later). Pacino brings a intense acting with a great directing by De Palma.
A remarkable film for its history and the denounce it makes about how the drug cartel works in USA and how easy is to get in this game, how hard is to keep playing and how impossible is to get out alive.

****1/4

The Machinist (2004)

"Don't worry. No one ever died of insomnia." - Trevor Reznik

Christian Bale is an industrial worker who hasn't slept in a year begins to doubt his own sanity. Great movie that holds your attention from the beginning at the end, with a fantastic performance by Bale in this one.

***3/4

The Prestige (2006)

"A real magician tries to invent something new, that other magicians are gonna scratch their heads over." - Alfred Borden

An accident can completely change the lives of two magicians, arousing anger, hatred and obssession that unleash in a fantastic rivalry.

****1/2