Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Review of CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES: Surprisingly Smart

January 26, 2016




Four young men, Zach (Michael Pitt), Warren (Christopher Abbott), Bryce (Rob Brown) and Noah (Dan Stevens), become partners in a risky stock market investment that involved insider information. When that investment went bust, it was revealed that their financier was actually a mob boss named Eddie Lovato (John Travolta). Of course, Lovato wanted his money back. However, since the boys cannot pay up, he offers them to perform a task that would erase their big debt, but would further plunge the four into further criminal activities. 

I know, that short synopsis also sounded so commonplace. However, I cannot tell you more details as it would spoil the intricate plotting with twists and turns which were riveting to follow. While you will feel the influences of other mob films in there, particularly Quentin Tarantino, in the graphic violence, dirty language and dark humor, I thought the execution of director-actor Jackie Earle Haley was on-point. I hardly felt a lull in the story development as I was kept hanging on to each word and scene. In fact, when the film reaches its crafty epilogue, you may even want to go watch it all over again. 

John Travolta is his usual hammy self here, with a distractingly stiff combed-up hairstyle to boot -- perfect for how his slimy character should be played. Michael Pitt played the Alpha male of the group Zach with such annoying hyper-ness, so spot on. Dan Stevens also did well playing Noah, the nerdy one who struggled to get in with the clique. My favorite performance though belonged to the cool as ice portrayal of the kidnap victim Marques by Edi Gathegi. Gathegi, whom I only saw before as Laurent in the "Twilight" films, was really good here with his suave and smart delivery of lines. 

On the surface, this new film may not seem very promising. "Criminal Activities" had such a generic title and generic poster, one would probably pass it up as another B-action flick. The only big name in the cast is John Travolta, and these days are not exactly the best days of his career as far as his movie roles go. However, I still gave it a go (honestly, because it was the only one that fit my schedule), and wow, was I pleasantly surprised! This film was actually good -- very good, in fact. Give it a go. 7/10. 


18 comments:

  1. sounds like a smart film. Your glowing review makes me want to try it - and I'm not normally into action/crime movies.

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  2. Huh. I didn't know John Travolta had a new movie. I like his acting especially in movies such as this. Would love to see this one!

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  3. I saw the previews for this but wasn't too impressed that I wanted to say "Oh I want to watch this". I love John Travolta however but just won't be going to the movies to see this one.

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  4. Had no idea John Travolta had a new movie. I'll definitely watch this with my dad. Looks like a good movie to me. Thanks for sharing this. I'll be looking out. Keep it up!

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  5. I have been recommended this movie and after reading the review I am planing on watching it over there weekend!

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  6. Anyday I'd like FBI & criminal plot movies... Infact, even that's the genre of TV Series that I watch.

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  7. Hi Fred, been a long time I have not visited your blog. Well, here I am again going back to blogging.

    Anyway, I've watched this movie and I am very impress with the writers, director and the actors as well. Good act of John Travolta here.

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  8. I'm not a fan of movies like this but because my partner can't skip one, I have no choice but to watch it as well. This sounds like a good one to watch over the weekend.

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  9. I haven't seen this, but my hubby had and he rather liked it. (He is hard to impress when it comes to movies). I think I would watch it for John Travolta. I love his acting style.

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  10. Now that you put it that way, this movie sounds like a must watch! Is there too much gore though?

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  11. And just when I thought that Travolta's only recent movie is the one of O.J. Simpson (American Crime Story?), I never realized he has this as well. Now you got me curious on how this movie goes.

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  12. I've seen this film already and yes the twists made me curious til the end. Such a great criminal activity plan.

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  13. I like the mob type of story line with a twist. It just seems that its the mob boss style to give tips and then take advantage when you are short changed.

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  14. Its good to see John Travolta back in action, I hope he is still as suave as last time or even better. Gonna watch this movie.

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  15. This seems like such an awesome movie! Gosh I haven't watched John Travolta in a long time! :D

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  16. this seems thrilling. i must watch it! ill find time and of course a copy. :D

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  17. Didn't know about this Travolta movie. Would love to watch this. :)

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  18. i can definitely imagine travolta in that role! id definitely give it a watch

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