MovieChat Forums > Brooklyn Rules (2009) Discussion > Don't watch this movie!

Don't watch this movie!

posted 17 years ago by mikael_qp
45 replies | jump to latest

This seriously the worst gangster movie I've seen. I actually was looking forward to this movie after seeing the trailer a while back, and though that this movie might be quite interesting.

After five minutes I realized that this was going to be very disappointing. I don't understand how Terence Winter could write a mob story that turns out to be so terrible. He is on to something, and there are some parts of the movie I enjoyed. However there are so many parts of the story that makes me want to puke. I really got the impression that he wrote this in a hurry. Looking back at it the plot is actually a good starting point for a great movie, but sadly the script as a whole just don't cut it. I think it should have been rewritten a bit, and then you might have great script!

The casting was awful; you don't even have to watch this movie to understand that Alec Baldwin should not play a mob boss. After watching this movie, I made up my mind that Freddie Prinze Jr. never should star in a movie that is not a romantic comedy or similar, and his accent here is awful!
Other than that Mena Suvari and Jerry Ferrara are doing the best acting performances among all the actors and actresses in the cast.

I could probably write a book about what I think was wrong with this movie; there are at least another few things a want to mention quickly.

The run time is 99 minutes, which is not enough to give the audience a real movie feeling for this kind of movies. However I am glad it wasn't any longer, I am not sure I could bare another minute of this.

The music in the movie doesn't fit the scenes or the kind of movie this is.

Michael Corrente should never have done this movie, and not sure I ever want to see another movie directed by him. There are a few scenes that good, but I am sad to say this is just not how this movie should have been. If Brian De Palma, Martin Scorsese, or Sam Mendes would have directed this movie it might actually have been amazing!

[–] ryanmanning 17 years ago

I thought it was pretty good, actually.

[–] everyonesacritic35 17 years ago

it is a good movie the guy doesnt know what hes talking about

[–] p0stduif 16 years ago

yes, it is a good movie if you like gay gangster movies.
it's no godfather or anything...

[–] Jon-VanHorne 17 years ago

The problem is that this isn't a "gangster movie", it's a coming of age story with a gangster backdrop. And the scenes that were gangster related were awesome - Baldwin cutting off that guy's ear? The fight at the diner? The whole ending? This is a good movie.

[–] gapeach1 17 years ago

I hadn't seen anything about this movie - no trailers,previews. Picked it because of the cast and thought it was quite good. Very good dialogue!!! I thought Alex was great as a gangster and Freddy Printz was great also.

[–] nandalinnaung 17 years ago

this isn't even gangster movie, dude..

Brian De Palma, Martin Scorsese, or Sam Mendes made untouchables, gangs in new york and road to perdiction already... give them a break

this is a movie about friendship... who sacrifices selflessly, not about being a mobster...

if u wanna watch good gangster movie, watch godfather, i could watch 1000000000000000000000000 times and not get bored...

sometimes, u watch movies in different perspectives, that's the beauty of arts, not gangster..

[–] mikael_qp 17 years ago

Keep in mind that Terence Winter wrote the script. I agree that this movie is a about friendship, but in a mob environment. And as the most "gangster movies", the mob is just the environment, and then the story might be about the familiy, respect, friendship, the american dream. This is not a documentary, so you're expecting a plot, right? this still makes this a "gangster movie".

Yep, I'll agree the godfather is a brilliant triology, I especially enjoy the godfather part II, but who doesn't?..

[–] t_mac 17 years ago

you can't compare this to The Godfather.. it's not fair.. it is not a gangster movie.. not at all.. there are gangsters in it. it's absolutely first and foremost a movie about three friends who are like brothers.. and they have a very touching story. Freddie wasn't incredible,, he never is, so why are you surprised?? he was ok though.. Scott Caan is great, he fit the role, he played it well.. and I could probably sit and watch Mena Suvari recite the alphabet a thousand times in a row and not get bored.. I think she's terribly underrated.

if you're looking for a gangster movie, you might still enjoy this.

if you're looking for The Godfather, either go watch The Godfather, or don't watch movies anymore, because there will not be another like it.

if you want a nice story with a bit of action, this is a totally decent movie to watch.

"I'm the Kling Klang King of the Rim Ram Room"

[–] tempeboy 17 years ago

Brooklyn, 1985. With the mob world as a backdrop, three life-long friends struggle with questions of love, loss and loyalty.

notice the word backdrop...

[–] mikael_qp 17 years ago

I don't think anyone here have compared this movie to the godfather triology, or even expected anything similar..

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[–] CinematicCraze 17 years ago

Well, as aforementioned, this isn't exactly a Mob film...its set against the backdrop of the Mob and Gotti's rise to power, but, its more or less the story of friendship between three friends. I personally loved it...it was flawed a bit, and predictable at times, but still excellent.

[–] divnerz2005 17 years ago

This movie is absolutely HORRIBLE no matter genre you put it in. The script had promise and I can see Baldwin in this type of role, but casting Prinze as the narrator and lead put the nail in the coffin for this already slow moving, unrealistic piece of sh*t.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] worldrenowned2 17 years ago

Prinze was so horrible i turned off the movie after maybe 15 minutes and stabbed myself in the eye for the remainder of the night. I watched the cliched script and subpar acting of 24 after that and it outshone this piece of crap which isn't saying much but if listening to Prinze deliver his lines didn't make you cringe you have some really low standards

[–] buffripley 16 years ago

This is not a 'gangster' flick and if it were it would not even come close to the Departed. That said it's not a bad film either. If it weren't for Freddie Prinze being cast in it, it might have been pretty good. His accent is as phony as his acting. He reminds me of some *beep* kid trying to act tough and failing miserably but no one says anything to him because they pity him. He should stick to romantic comedies and Scooby-Doo sequels, leave the kid from a bad neighborhood roles to someone else.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] BennyEggs7 16 years ago

I was pleasantly surprised as to how good this movie was. I am a big fan of movies like this about Italian New Yorkers growing up in a mob environment like the superb movie, "A Bronx Tale". My biggest worry was the casting. I often have a problem with non-Italians playing Italians, but this was done well. Alec Baldwin, who did not play a boss, he was a Captain(big difference). He was excellent and hit it right on the head. Freddy Prinze was also very convincing....I am also a Mafia Historian so I waited patiently to see how the writers would pen the historic end. They did a great job. I was also impressed with the performance of Scott Caan, who is a chip off his old pops back.

"So what are u gonna try next, cheese?"

[–] CrazyJim2004 16 years ago

"Freddy Prinze was also very convincing...."

Were you watching a different movie? The guy had the fakest Brooklyn accent I've ever heard and he kept switching back and forth between it and his real voice. Any time he had to play a different emotion or raise his voice, he lost the accent.

www.myspace.com/crazyjimfilms
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[–] AntonioDaniels 16 years ago

You guys just don't get it, do you? Freddie Prinze Jr. is a perfect fit for this role because he was actually TRYING to get rid of his brooklyn accent throughout the film. He's not supposed to fit the role of a typical brooklyn born guy who's headed for the mafia or working in a butcher shop for the rest of his life. He dresses preppy and goes to columbia, and eventually goes to law school. I can't believe there's such confusion over this.

[–] bronzescag 16 years ago

Alec Baldwin should not play a mob boss? You didn't see THE COOLER? He was *beep* amazing in that. Got an Oscar nomination, too. I thought he was good in this as well - although I didn't love the rest of the film. Freddie Prinze Jr. was definitely miscast.

[–] deity2 16 years ago

if you can't type you're objections about a movie in less than 25 words shut the *beep* up....*beep* losers

[–] starla51792 16 years ago

I thought the film was predictable, save for the demise of Alec Baldwin. I didn't see that coming. I thought Alec looked great. He played a good part and was one of the things that saved this movie. And my, look at those blue eyes, wow. Freddie Prinze Jr. on the other hand did a terrible job. I agree he needs to stick to romantic comedies.

However, I enjoyed this movie despite any shortcomings. I think it was good and deserved a 6.5 ...

Goodfellas, Mean Streets and any other mob film is in a class of it's own. No need to make such a comparison. This was a good flick. I would give it a recommendation to anyone. The fact it wasn't shoved down our throats with advertising was a nice touch. It made the whole experience much better.

Go "Turtle" from Entourage. He was a pleasant surprise.

[–] mouse_gizmo 16 years ago

The threadstarter is a hater. This was a good film, solid 7.5/10. Watch the movie and decide for yourself. If you were a fan of Boyz N The Hood, you will like this movie too.

Peace.

[–] soapchick 16 years ago

This movie was better than I thought it would be. I thought Alec Baldwin and Freddy Prinze Jr. were very good in their roles. Jerry Ferrara also played a very endearing character. Great soundtrack and keen eye for details. A little too violent at times but that's what you get from a Sopranos writer. I recommend this film.