Get Carter (DVD)

This is a review of the Warners DVD. (There seems to be some uncertainty about whether this category is for the original - which I’m reviewing here - or the ill-fated remake – I suspect the categories may have been merged at some point.) Get Carter was made in 1971, at the end of the 1960s, when the British film industry was about to die. It’s by far and away the best gangster movie ever made in this country, and makes those pitiful Guy Richie efforts seem utterly feeble. There are no witty one-liners, ludicrous plots twists, comedy violence or Ray Winstone. Just northern grimness and convincing brutality. The film is cold and miserable and kind of funny, and ...  Read the complete review

This week I have been mostly catching up on classic films that have been sitting in my DVD collection for ages but I haven't had chance to watch. It started with One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, has continued with The Graduate and on the way I took in the british Micheal Caine classic Get Carter. In some way this film is what every other british crime film since has tried to emulate. That kind of british grit that set's it apart from your usual british fare where everyone has plummy accents and everythings either a bit too farcical or too plain. Caine plays Jack Carter, a man who works in the criminal underworld of London. But he takes time ...  Read the complete review

Here's a little seen gem from 1971, re-discovered by many because of its DVD and VHS release thanks to an awful remake. Get Carter (1971) features perhaps Michael Caine's best performance ever as a professional killer who believes in only one law of the jungle: Revenge. It is this film that was an obvious influence on several later British films such as Long Good Friday, The Krays and Mona Lisa. Films that unflinchingly focused on character rather than story. You can see it's influence on recent films such as Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels , The Limey and Ghost Dog Way of the Samurai ,with their simple revenge driven ...  Read the complete review

Starring michael caine as a 60s gangster figure, in london full of fast paced action and yes alf from coronation street does put in an appearance, and for all those coronation street haters amongst you this film is a must. However dont wear out the rewind and slow play buttons as alf is hurled off a multi storey car park for crossing the mob. a particular part on a train where michael caine pushes a deadbeat off is quite amusing because of the style in which he does it. Cant really remember much else about this movie a bit of swearing, old cortinas tearing around, side streets. Sad but the car park bit is all that really sticks in my mind, worth watching ...  Read the complete review

Get carter (2000) Get Carter is the ‘comeback’ of Sylvester Stallone, or at least that’s what people have been saying. However, considering he has been quite busy, releasing movies in 92,93,94,95,96 & 1997, I hardly thing he has been out of the picture that long! This movie tells the story of Jack Carter (Stallone) who is a bit of a hard knock that describes his job as a ‘financial adjustor’ – make of that what you will, but basically he goes around beating people up if they owe money! :) After the death of his brother in an apparent drink rive incident, Carter and his niece both realise that things are not as ...  Read the complete review