The Weekly Movie Watch Volume 64

This week I watched Chopper, Last Vegas.

I watch movies every week and then write down my thoughts. Read my previous reviews!
My rating is simple, Watch It, It Depends, Skip it.

Chopper - His own biggest fan.

Chopper (2000)
Watch Chopper
Written by: Andrew Dominik (Screenplay) Mark Brandon Read (Books)
Directed by: Andrew Dominik
Starring: Eric Bana
Rated: --

Plot:
The exploits of Mark 'Chopper' Read. A career criminal turned informant who is never afraid to stretch the truth.

Review:
After watching The Assassination of Jesse James and Killing Them Softly, both written and directed by Andrew Dominik, I looked into what else he has done. The answer is Chopper.

It looks like a home video. Quality aside, Eric Bana does a great job. I get that the movie is a character study on a self-aggrandizing, off kilter, embellisher. It's an intriguing character, but the lack of an overarching narrative hurts it. Notorious in his own mind and misguided, Chopper feels like a real person. but the movie feels incomplete.

Verdict:
We're introduced to a character, but we never get to the plot. Dominik has gone on to make really good movies, this first effort isn't worth watching.
Skip it.

Last Vegas - There is no age limit on cool. There is a limit to fashion.

Last Vegas (2013)
Watch Last Vegas
Written by: Dan Fogelman
Directed by: Jon Turteltaub
Starring: Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline
Rated: --

Plot:
Four childhood friends, now senior citizens, live it up in Vegas for womanizer Billy, who is finally getting married.

Review:
It's a lighthearted movie and that's okay. While it as a great opening scene that sets up characters and relationship in just a few minutes, Last Vegas takes a lot of the easy jokes.  The leads have really good chemistry. Getting to see these actors together, is the draw of the movie.
The rift between Douglas and De Niro was very contrived. The rift could have been about anything, and the love triangle scenario was tacky.  
Some of the best parts were when the actually talked about their life and fears. They're old. They have to deal with those feelings. 

Verdict:
Know what to expect from this film. Great actors, now senior citizens ogling young girls, not one but two love triangles, and a happy ending. It's a fun predictable movie that tries to cram in every senior citizen trope, and then some.
It depends.