SmoothGrooves Reviews

The Brothers McMullen (1995)

Ed Burns' First Film

[10/10 · 17 June 2005]

Edward Burns took Sundance by storm with this wonderful debut film centering on three Irish Catholic brothers from Long Island dealing with love, loss and brotherhood. Burns made the film using a $15,000 loan from his father, casting complete unknowns and shooting on weekends over the course of a year. "The Brothers McMullen" helped independent film become what it is today. Written in the tradition of other no-budget classics "El Mariachi" and "Metropolitan", Burns manages to do something that those films couldn't. While Robert Rodriguez had sharp and witty dialogue, it was the bullets and blood that made "El Mariachi" as exciting as it was. While "Metropolitation" kept you on the edge of your seat for the first half an hour, my interest lagged as the film progressed. "The Brothers McMullen", on the other hand, uses a completely dialogue driven script to excite the audience for the complete duration of the picture. If you're looking for cheap laughs and T&A, you might want to look elsewhere. But if you're looking for a heart warming indie classic, I'd definitely suggest "The Brothers McMullen".

Dinner Rush (2000)

Danny Aiello Hits Again

[9/10 · 17 June 2005]

I found this gem in the bargain bin at Wal Mart. How it got there, I don't know. The film stars Danny Aiello (Do The Right Thing), Mike McGlone (The Brothers McMullen) and John Corbett (Sex and the City). Set in the fast paced New York Italian restaurant "Gigino", we follow a restaurant owner (Aiello) and his son, the head chef, on a busy Friday night. The film is comprised of witty banter from different tables in the restaurant, following a uptight art critic, a mafiosi from Queens, a food critic and a real mystery man in Corbett's character. The staff has to deal with a power outage, whiny tables and a line chef who is into a bookie 35 grand. The film carries itself with panache every second, and no matter how often I see this picture, be it on DVD or on IFC, I just can't get enough. Check it out!

Wannabes (2000)

Honest Review

[8/10 · 24 March 2005]

I'm a fan of independent film. Dialogue driven, character study pieces are where it's at for me. Some of the other posts are right: "Wannabes" isn't going to rival "The Godfather" for best mob film ever. On the other hand, "Wannabes" is a well-written and well-directed picture that has surprisingly good performances from every actor/actress. My problem with one of the other reviews:

• Conor Dubin stands out as the only Irishman in a cast of Italians

• Dubin is a Jewish last name, and as such has a dark complexion, not a traditional ruddy one of an Irishman. He doesn't stand out at all, rather, delivers a great performance.

This didn't win many awards, but it is deserving of a Saturday night with a bowl of popcorn. I found it for 7 bucks at Blockbuster and was pleasantly surprised to say the least! Highly recommended.

Ash Wednesday (2002)

Don't Listen To Other Reviews

[8/10 · 15 March 2005]

This movie is similar to most of Burns' films in both subject matter and directing. I've read through the reviews on this site and disagree with most of them. One poster said that the subject of this film was "fiction" and that the "Hell's Kitchen in this movie" has never existed. The film is based on the Irish gangs that held control over the Hell's Kitchen rackets in the 80's, primarily the Coonan & Featherstone gang The Westies (West Side Manhattan). Not only is it feasible for a father and son to make their scraps as hit men for these gangs, it is entirely likely that characters depicted in the film actually existed. The film is a crime drama, so if you don't like those kind of films, stay away. But if you do, then I would recommend this to you. Burns has a good touch with dialogue and the cinematography and the score of this film are pretty impressive. 8/10.

• Big Smooth