So there's this guy... / Layer Cake

I really hate plots that are done over and over again. Movie blogs fall in the category of crap that's been done to death. I don't care, nobody is forcing you to read this! (If someone really has kidnapped you and forced you to read this, sucks to be you.) But if it makes it any more fun for you, I'm sarcastic! And I solemnly promise that every single movie I review will have at least two things I like about it, and two things I don't. You know, for fairness. (sarcasm?)

Also, don't expect only new movies to be reviewed. I plan on reviewing old movies, new releases, pretty much whatever I want to review. But, I also want to review movies that whoever is bored enough to read this wants me to review. So send me suggestions, dangit! Do you really want me to review nothing but comic book movies and action flicks? Huh?! Would you do that to yourself?

Anyway, that's how it works. I review movies. Good and bad, new and old. Because I can. So let's get to it...BORED YET? I am...



LAYER CAKE (2004)
Rated R

Synopsis: Starring Daniel Craig as an everyday guy who just happens to be a drug dealer, Layer Cake tells the story about this unnamed character's journey of trying to escape this life and quit the game while he can.

Watch it if you liked: Ocean's Eleven, Snatch, Lock Stock & Two Smokin' Barrels, Trainspotting

Why its good: You don't have to love movies to know that James Bond is a famous character, and if you've opened a magazine or turned on a TV some time in the past six years, you know Craig plays the famous spy right now. This movie came out shortly before he scored the role as the international super-spy, but after seeing Layer Cake, its not hard to see why he got the role. (they even poke a little fun at Bond) His mix of serious, action man, and wise-cracking drug dealer equals out to a solid and believable average Joe of a character.

But what really makes this movie so good in the midst of the sea of criminal caper movies is the constant lack of knowledge. Layer Cake doesn't let you know anything that Craig's character doesn't already know. So every time he sits there with a wide-eyed look, so do you. The writing is witty, constantly interjecting dark scenes with humor, and keeps you breathing deep until the final fade out of the last scene.

The supporting cast includes rising stars such as Tom Hardy (The Dark Knight Rises, Inception), and old vets like Michael Gambon (Harry Potter, Sleepy Hollow), and George Harris (Harry Potter, Indiana Jones) who each add a strong piece to the cake. (Get it? Cake? Eeeeh?)



What's the catch?: While the majority of the actors in this movie portray completely believable and engrossing characters, there is some flawed, over-the-top acting in this movie. Some characters just don't quite hook you in as much as others, and can tend to dull the experience.

The only other complaint I have about this movie is the ending. (Don't worry, this is a spoiler-free blog. I'm not a monster.) But I'll let you experience that part for yourself. If you check this movie out and really have that much of a problem with the finale, the DVD sports a couple alternate endings to tickle your fancy.

Verdict: 9 out of 10 delicious pieces of cake

Why you should watch this movie in three sentences:
-Daniel Craig's performance rivals any of his Bond films
-A fantastic supporting cast, backed up by great writing and an intriguing story
-It has Bane in it