Villains in Suits II

"Bad Guys With Flair" who have criminal minds and practice manipulating others into their schemes. They often have the qualities that are admirable in business but have chosen to use their talents to advance themselves. 

This article is "Villains in Suits II." The first article is "Villains in Suits" where I include the films about Wall Street and other businesses. The slick, shark villains who lure people in. This a continuation of the first article.  View first article here:

 https://earthoceanfire.blogspot.com/2018/10/villains-in-suits.html

 

"True Romance" (1993) Directed by:  Tony Scott and Written by Quentin Tarantino  Starring:  Clarence Worley (Christian Slater) is a well-meaning but socially unskilled comic-shop clerk whose idea of a big night out is catching a Sonny Chiba triple-feature at a downtown grindhouse. He meets a girl called Alabama (Patricia Arquette) who is new to town and calls herself a hooker. She has been a hooker only a few days and Slater decides to get her away from her pimp. The director captures the magical innocence of these two lonely characters as they fall in love. The pimp part is played by Gary Oldman who calls himself Drexl. This character made an impression of me that I still remember as one of the scariest bad guys ever! Gary Oldman is the real thing and Tarantino's writing along with Tony Scott's directing creates a wild blend of action and dark comedy. This film reached theaters a year before Tarantino's hit "Pulp Fiction."  

 

 "The Strain" TV Series (2014-2017) Written by Guillermo del Torro and Chuck Hogan  Starring:  David Bradley, Corey Stoll, Kevin Durand, Richard Sammel

This film was created from a series of books written by Guillermo del Toro. The "bad guy" that impressed me the most was called Thomas Eichorst played by Richard Sammel.  

A mysterious viral outbreak of an ancient vampire like virus is taking over New York city. Sirtrachian (David Bradley) is a pawn shop owner who stubbornly is going to get to the bottom of this and stop it. 

Sirtrachian has a history with this bad guy. He was a prisoner during the holocaust and Thomas Eichorst was the Nazi General who presided over Sirtrachian's prison camp.

Now he is the right arm man at Stoneheart; presently is under cover as a well dressed business man. He lives forever. He has a secret...no spoilers! As the story unfolds, we are kept spell-bound as we find out secrets of the strogoi (vampires) and secrets of the characters. This director keeps his viewers interested and on their toes. He did not write the script strictly by the books but added new scenes and stories to keep the show fresh and the cast on their toes!  Never a dull moment!

The quality of this series is impressive. So many details in the story along with beautiful cinematography. This bad guy keeps you wondering what he is going to do.  I can't tell you any spoilers!                    View this on Amazon Prime.

 

Andrew Scott in "Sherlock" (2010) starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman

This series was truly a "labour of love" for the creators Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat. The making of Sherlock demonstrates how the team works together to update the stories to our modern time and keep their meaning.

Professor James Moriarty is a fictional character in some of the stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Moriarty is a criminal mastermind whom Holmes describes as the "Napoleon of crime." This character was invented to kill off Sherlock Holmes.

Andrew Scott is amazing and fun to watch as he matches wits with Sherlock. He leads him down some unfruitful pathways. Sherlock cannot resist his intellectual games.

   

  "The Walking Dead" (2010 - 2018) Creators:  Frank Darabont, Angela Kang

Stars:  Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride

 The Governor (David Morrisey) is one of the worst villains ever created. Full of charm, with a southern accent, this bad guy is responsible for several deaths of primary characters in this series.

The Governor is a fictional character from the comic book series "The Walking Dead", created by Robert Kirkman and made his debut in "The Walking Dead" #27 in April, 2006. The third season of the TV series he is going strong. Season 3 is one of my favorites as Philip's community seems to be flourishing when he finds Andrea and Michonne in the woods exhausted and tired from surviving on their own. of course he offers them a place at Woodbury. 

The Governor is a favorite among the fans. Philip (his characters name) loves being in charge and comes across as a cult leader. Smooth talking and convincing, he lures the survivors into his fold.

 

 

 

 

 I have to mention Merle played by Michael Rooker. Daryl's brother in the series. He is such a good actor. He throws himself into the character and is so interesting to watch. He has a bit of southern charm even though it is creepy. He kills, he tortures, he yells, he is the ultimate white trash bad guy. We  missed him terribly when his character was gone.  

 

 

"Cape Fear" (1991) Directed by:  Martin Scorsese   Starring:  Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, Jessica Lang, Juliette Lewis

De Niro plays convicted rapist Max Cady, recently released from prison after serving a fourteen-year sentence, and stalks the family of the lawyer Sam Bowden  (Nick Nolte) who defended him.
"Come out, come out, wherever you are" mocks Cady.
While in prison, Max  studied law. He knows how far to go in harassing Bowden. He goes as far as he can as this thriller
builds and builds. The dialogue is brilliant as Robert De Niro taunts this family and addresses the issue he has with his lawyer's poor defense. 

 I would like to see Robert De Niro play this role again!!

 "American Gods" (2017) TV Series  Creators:  Bryan Fuller, Michael Green 

Starring:  Ricky Whittle, Emily Browning, Pablo Schreiber, Ian McShane

Ian McShane is the character that got my attention.  From a lawless, foul-mouthed saloon owner in "Deadwood" to a tough, no-nonsense British gangster in "Sexy Beast", Ian has cornered the market on playing rogues, villains, and bad guys.  He was born September 29, 1942 in Lancashire, England, UK. 

Plot of this new series:  A recently released ex-convict named Shadow meets a mysterious man who calls himself "Wednesday" (Ian McShane) who knows more than he first seems to about Shadow's life and past. We find out there is more to "Wednesday" than we first were led to believe.  No Spoilers! 

This first season can be viewed on Stars. The second season is coming out in 2019 on Stars.

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you have enjoyed this series of villains. Here is the list of these four blogs.  View them all. Your favorite "bad guy" could be in one of these articles. Nelda 

Villains in Suits

https://earthoceanfire.blogspot.com2018/10/villains-in-suits.html 

 Gangster Movies 2

https://earthoceanfire.blogspot.com/2018/09/gangster-movies-2.html 

Gangster Movies

https://earthoceanfire.blogspot.com/2018/08/gangster-movies.html

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Villains in Suits

 

 

Villains in Suits

Charming, intelligent with greed behind their smile. "Wolves in sheep clothing" making a big impression and enjoying the finer things of life at others expense. Their victims don't see their bad intentions until its too late. These are the "villains in suits" that I will be talking about in this article. 

"The Big Kahuna" (2000) Director:  John Swanbeck  Starring: Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito, Peter Facinelli

Two veteran salesmen dissect a sales pitch to a particular client, through their young protege.

Roger Ebert gave this one 3 1/2 stars. He comments, "There are two religions in America, one spiritual, one secular.  The first worships in churches, the second at business conventions. Clergy of both religions wear dark suits and ties (or roman collars).  They exchange a lot of business cards. "The Big Kahuna" is about an uneasy confrontation between these two systems of faith. 

The film mostly takes place within that one hotel room.  Yes. It is based on a play. I like that. I like the fact that it is mostly dialogue between three people on one set. That is the way to tell this story." Read more of Ebert's insightful review here

https://www.rogerebert.com/review/the-big-kahuna-2000 

 

"Wall Street" (1987) Written and Directed by: Oliver Stone  Starring: Charlie Sheen, Michael Douglas, Martin Sheen, Daryl Hannah

"Greed is Good" is the motto of Gordon Gekko, (Michael Douglas), the "antihero" of Oliver Stone's Wall Street. Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) pushes his way into Gekko's inner circle and quickly learns to "swim with the sharks"and incorporate their shady business practices. His ethics accidentally disappear.  

Based on knowledge of the stock market, as Olive Stone's father was a stock broker with 50 years in the business, we get a clear picture painted for us of this spiraling world of wall street high rollers and greed. 

 

"Daredevil" was the first of Marvel's superheroe series that was released to Netflix. The cinematography, acting and writing are top notch and addicting. The third season of "Daredevil" is where the villains rule.

The "bad guy" character that got my attention was Wilson Fisk played byVincent D'Onofrio. (see photo below) With a new image and a bald head, I did not recognize him! He nails this character as a spoiled, messed up child dressed up like a grown-up business man. D'Onofrio's acting  drew me into his world where it was fun to watch his celebration of "the good life" with material items such as his impressive collection of suits. Sensitive and bullish with cruel mobster ways, this character finds a love interest who is strange like him. The courtship is woven into the story showing his tender, kind side as he deals with his new love. All the while, he is cruel to his enemies destroying them like a human bull dozer. Read more about "Daredevil" and the other Marvel characters in my article called "Superheroes on TV" click here:
https://earthoceanfire.blogspot.com/2017/11/superheroes-on-tv.html
  

"American Psycho" (2000)

Director:  Mary Harron  Starring: Christian Bale, Willem Dafoe, Jared Leto, Reese Witherspoon, Samantha Mathis, Chloe Sevigny

A wealthy New York City investment banking executive, Patrick Bateman, hides his psychopathic ego from his co-workers and friends.  He is a wall street yuppie obsessed with success. He also is a psychotic killer who tapes murders and acts of cruelty that are senseless with no provocation.

Roger Ebert comments, " Most men are not chain-saw killers; they only act that way while doing business." Read more of Ebert's review here:

https;//www.rogerebert.com/reviews/american-psycho-2000 

"The Talented Mr. Ripley" (1999) Director: Anthony Minghella   Starring:  Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Cate Blanchett, Philip Seymour Hoffman

In late 1950's New York, Tom Ripley, is sent to Italy to retrieve Dickie Greenlead, a rich and spoiled millionaire playboy. The character Tom Ripley is the prime example of a villain in a suit. He studies handwriting and impersonations. He is a criminal who is talented at identity theft. 

"With Matt Damon's unsettling performance offering a darkly twisted counterpoint to Anthony Minghella's glossy direction, "The Talented Mr. Ripley" is a suspense thriller that lingers." Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus  

 

 "The Night Manager" 

Executive Producers:  John Le Carre, David Farr, Polly Hill, Simon Cornwell, Stephen Cornwell, Stephen Garrett, Susanne Bier

TV Series (2016-2018) A night manager of a Cairo hotel is recruited to infiltrate and arms dealer's inner circle. Starring:  Hugh Laurie, Tom Hiddleston, Elizabeth Debicki, Olivia Colman

"The Night Manager's smart writing and riveting story are elevated all the more by Hugh Laurie and Tom Hiddleston's captivating performances." - Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus

Hugh Laurie plays an intimidating, corrupt businessman who is in the business of secret arms trade.  Tom Hiddleston's hotel management training comes in handy when Laurie recruits him into his business. Together these two seems to have all the bases covered.    A series that you will want to watch over and over!

 

 "Boiler Room" (2000)

Director: Ben Younger  Starring: Giovanni Ribisi, Vin Diesel, Nia Long

"The movie is the writing and directing debut of Ben Younger, a 29-year-old who says he interviewed a lot brokers while writing the screenplay.  I believe him.  The movie hums with authenticity, and knows a lot about the cultlike power of a company that promises to turn its trainees into millionaires, and certainly turns them into efficient phone salesmen." - Roger Ebert

Plot:  A college dropout, attempting to win back his father's high standards he gets a job as a broker for a suburban investment firm, which puts him on the fast track to success, but the job might not be as legitimate as it once appeared to be.

 

 

Thank you for visiting my blog. Add these movies to your watch list!  Stick around by following us and stay tuned for next blog. If you did not see your favorite bad guy in this article be sure and check these related blogs in this series!

Other related blogs in this 4 blog series are:

Villains in Suits II https://earthoceanfire.blogspot.com/2018/10/villiains-in-a-suits-ii.html

Gangster Movies http://earthoceanfire.blogspot.com/2018/09/gangster-movies-2.html  

Gangster Movies II http://earthoceanfire.blogspot.com/2018/09/gangster-movies-2.html

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For further study:

 

IMDB                    http://www.imdb.com

CRITERION        http://www.criterion.com

AMC                      http://www.filmsite.org

ROGEREBERT    http://www.rogerebert.com

Vampire Films

What is a vampire?

A vampire is a being from folklore that subsists by feeding on the vital force (generally in the form of blood) of the living.

 

In European folklore, vampires were undead beings that often visited loved ones and caused mischief or deaths in the neighborhoods. Eastern Europe had different names such as shtriga in Albania, vrykolakas in Greece and strigoi in Romania. 

 

"The Strain" (2014-2017) created by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan is a unique series with vampires from an ancient strain of vampirism called "strigoi" (the term used in Romania.)  This series is well worth watching! The lighting, cinematography and the acting are seamless as the group leads you on an adventure to destroy these strange looking vampires that are taking over New York. Corey Stoll, David Bradley and Kevin Durand star in this series.   

 

 

 

"The Lost Boys" (1987) Diector:  Joel Schumacher  Stars:  Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Dianne Wiest, Keifer Sutherland, Corey Feldman   

 Plot:  After moving to a new town, two brothers discover that the area is a haven for vampires

Still a fan favorite among vampire movie followers,  

 

 

"30 Days of Night" (2007) Director: David Slade

Stars:  Josh Hartnett, Melissa George, Danny Huston

After an Alaskan town is plunged into darkness for a month, it is attacked by a bloodthirsty gang of vampires. Vampires love the cold and the darkness. 

 

 

"Interview with the Vampire:  The Vampire Chronicles" (1994)

Plantation owner named Louis lost his wife in childbirth. both his wife and the infant died. He has lost his will to live.  A vampire named Lestat takes a liking to Louis and offers him the chance to become a creature of the night:  a vampire. Louis accepts. 

These actors are shockingly great! I did not recognize Tom Cruise until halfway through the movie....I kept waiting for him to appear! 

Director:  Neil Jordan Stars: Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Antonio Banderas, Kirsten Dunst, Christian Slater    from the novel by Anne Rice (who also wrote screenplay)

 

 

"Bram Stoker's Dracula" (1992) 

Director:  Francis Ford Coppola

Stars:  Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins

The centuries old vampire Count Dracula comes to England to seduce his barrister Jonathan Harker's fiancee, Mina Murray and inflict havoc in the foreign land.

Rober Ebert comments, "Oldman and Ryder and Hopkins pant with eagerness.  The movie is an exercise in feverish excess, and for that if for little else, I enjoyed it" 

Note:  Ebert is a hard critic of this genre. ..so I think him giving it 3 stars means it is great. 

Read Ebert's review here: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/bram-stokers-dracula-1992

 

Although this movie is not about vampires, it is about a human who is weird and street smart as he wiggles his way into people's businesses and their lives. 

Recognize this guy?  That is correct. Jake Gyllenhaal from the TV sitcom.  Have you seen "Nightcrawler" (2014) 

A creature of the night, Louis Bloom, a con-man muscles into the world of L.A. crime journalism. He blurs the lines and becomes the star of his own story. The cinematography is breathtaking capturing night scenes in a special way with that L.A. magic.

Writer and Director: Dan Gilroy

 

Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Bill Paxton 

Peter Travers of "The Rolling Stone" comments, "Jake Gyllenhaal will creep you out as an ambitious news cameraman in Dan Gilroy's pitch-black media satire." (to read more of Travers review visit www.rollingstone.com and look up "Nightcrawler")

 HISTORY OF THE VAMPIRE:  read my blog on "German Expressionism" to see where the vampire got its basic characteristics. Click here:http://earthoceanfire.blogspot.com/2017/08/germany-film-and-art.html

 "Shadow of the Vampire" (2000) Director: E.Elias Merhige  Writer:  Steven Katz   Stars:  John Malkovich, Willem Dafoe, Udo Kier

Plot:  The filming of "Nosferatu" (1922) is hampered by the fact that its star Max Schreck is taking the role of a vampire far more seriously then seems humanly possible. 

The film was nominated for two oscars, another 74 wins and 24 nominations.

Peter Travers comments, "the first film produced by Nicolas Cage, is a shockingly funny spellbinder with a plum part that Cage handed to Willem Dafoe. Dafoe, who has never been better, bites into this Oscar-bait role with an uncanny knack for blending mirth and menace"

Conclusion:  Vampires come in many forms. From the spook-eeeee days of German Expression all the way to the sophisticated vampires in the "Twilight Saga" who have money and power.  This is an interesting genre and reveals secrets of vampire egos and how they prey upon human nature.  Be assured vampires still walk among us.

 Thank you for visiting! Be sure and follow us for latest blogs and movie news. You can follow us on our men's jewelry website:  http://www.earthoceanfirejewelry.com

Links for further study:

AMC                  http://www.filmsite.org

IMDB                http://www.imdb.com

CRITERION    http://www.criterion.com

 

You might also be interested in these related articles:

"Science Fiction" http://earthoceanfire.blogspot.com/2016/08/science-fiction.html

"Alfred Hitchcock" http://earthoceanfire.blogspot.com/2017/09/alfred-hitchcock.html

"Spook-eeeee" http://earthoceanfire.blogspot.com/2017/10/spook-eeeee/html

 

Gangster Movies #2

Thank you for joining me in my quest to give you more gangster movies to add to your "watch list." The first blog on gangsters is here if you want to catch up! Click: http://www.earthoceanfire.blogspot.com/2018/08/gangster-movies.html

"Bugsy" (1991) Directed by:  Barry Levinson  Starring:  Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Harvey Keitel and Joe Mantega

A story of how Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel built a city called Las Vegas in the middle of the Nevada desert. Warren Beatty and Annette Bening pull out all the stops in this movie!  He plays a crazy businessman and she is right on spot with him.  Such an entertaining and inspiring film. Watching a dreamer achieve his dream when no one shared his vision. He knew that if he built it; they would come. and. . . I live here all these years later! 

Read a review by Roger Ebert (gives it 4 stars) click here: 

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/bugsy-1991

 

"The Untouchables" (1987) Director:  Brian De Palma  Starring:  Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro

"The Untouchables" opened on June 3, 1987 in 1,012 theaters where it grossed $10,023,094 on its opening weekend and went on to make 76.2 million in North America.  According to producer Art Linson, the polls conducted for the film showed that approximately 50% of the audience were women.  Maybe because this is a film about redemption and relationships and not just gangster violence.

 "Pulp Fiction" (1994) Directed by Quentin Tarantino

Starring:  John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Wills

The lives of two mob hitmen, a boxer, a gangster's wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine into four tales of violence and adventure.

 

"Pulp Fiction" changed the film world of gangsters forever. A revolutionary film that raised the bar; with many film makers following trying to capture the magic of Tarantino." Nelda

    

 

 

"Boardwalk Empire"  (2010-2014) Creator:  Terence Winter Stars:  Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon (completed its 5 season run on October 26, 2014)

America in the 1920's. An Atlantic City, New Jersey politician plays both sides of the law, conspiring with gangsters and politicians.  
This series immediately pulls you in with its beautiful cinematography as Buscemi is standing in the ocean shore waves and you see a liquor bottle floating away in the water.
 Steve Buscemi is perfect for this role as "Nucky", the treasurer of Atlantic City. At this time Atlantic City is the playground of the world with hotels on the boardwalk along with night clubs. amusement piers and entertainment to rival Broadway.  
Watch on HBO or buy DVD set at Amazon Prime 

 "Once Upon A Time in America" (June 1, 1984) Director:  Sergio Leone  Starring:  Robert De Niro, James Woods, Elizabeth McGovern
Sergio Leone's final film is a masterpiece. Spanning four decades, the film tells the story of "Noodles" played by Robert De Niro and his Jewish friends. Several critics agree that you can only appreciate this movie in its full 229 minute version. 

Roger Ebert's review comments on this. (he gives it 4 stars) Click here:
https://www.rogerebert.com/once-upon-a-time-in-america-1984 

Read more about Sergio Leone's films in my blog on "Spaghetti Westerns" click here:  http://earthoceanfire.blogspot.com/2016/08/spaghetti-westerns.html

After two blogs and two newsletters of gangsters, I am going to try to move on. If you feel that I still left out your favorite, please check out these articles I wrote in this four blog series!

Gangster Movies
https://earthoceanfire.blogspot.com/2018/10/gangsters-in-movies.html

 Villians in Suits II

https://erthoceanfire.blogspot.com/2018/10/villains-in-suits-ii.html 

Villians in Suits

 https://earthoceanfire.blogspot.com/2018/10/villains-in-suits.html 

Thank you for visiting. I trust you have been inspired and now have a good "movie watch" list for when you are in the mood for gangster movies.     Nelda

For more study:

Roger Ebert      http://www.rogerebert.com
AMC                 http:www.filmsite.org
CRITERION    http://www.criterion.com
IMDB               http://www.imdb.com

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