"The Wolf of Wall Street" Trailer - Featuring Leonardo DiCaprio

Director Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio join forces once again for the upcoming film The Wolf of Wall Street, which is scheduled to be released later this year. DiCaprio portrays Jordan Belfort, a successful stockbroker who refuses to cooperate with authorities in a securities fraud case. Jonah Hill, Matthew McConaughey and Kyle Chandler co-star. Check out the trailer below:

"The Great Gatsby" - Starring Leonardo DiCaprio

For those of you who have not yet seen writer/director Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby and plan to watch the film in theaters, make sure you choose a location that serves alcohol. That way, you can play the drinking game every time Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio) says "Old Sport." Just be warned that you may be drunk sooner rather than later. The annoying "Old Sport" is just one problem with the latest adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's acclaimed 1925 novel. For instance, the pacing, particularly at the beginning, is extremely slow and, as a result, the titular character is not seen/revealed for some time. Another potential problem lies in the screenplay which actually appears to capture the time period very well, but the interactions between the characters actually made some younger moviegoers laugh repeatedly throughout the film. Perhaps they were expecting a modern retelling of the story.

The Great Gatsby centers around Jay Gatsby, but is told from the perspective of his friend, Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire), who regales his doctor with a larger than life tale that is told in flashbacks. Evidently, Nick has had difficulty dealing with the drama associated with Gatsby and is currently staying at a sanatorium and being treated for alcoholism and depression. Nick also serves as narrator as he brings Gatsby's story to life, which includes a passionate romance with Nick's cousin, Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan). After befriending Nick, Gatsby asks him to arrange a meeting with Daisy, so that he may try to rekindle their passionate, but short, time together before they went their separate ways. Their reunion is a pleasant, if awkward, one, but Gatsby has hope for a reconciliation, even though Daisy is married to Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton), who happens to be having an affair of his own. Daisy and Gatsby begin to see each other on a regular basis, which causes problems in her marriage. However, Gatsby is determined to have Daisy, but their path is littered with emotional baggage and, eventually, a life changing event that reveals Gatsby's true character.

Baz Luhrmann has crafted a visually stunning effort that gets everything right from a technical perspective. The costume design, visual effects and soundtrack are particularly impressive. The performances are also quite good, especially DiCaprio and Mulligan, as the tortured would be lovers, Jay and Daisy. While it takes some time for The Great Gatsby to hit its stride, watching the evolution of Jay Gatsby is fascinating. He is a multi-dimensional character who appears friendly, down to earth and polite, but something volatile is simmering just beneath the surface. Throughout the film, Gatsby's temper is seen in short outbursts that are mainly brought about because of his love for Daisy. The other driving force is his past, which was tumultuous and painful, but he was able to overcome it and build a successful life filled with many luxuries, Of course, that turns out to be a double edged sword for the young man, who learns that he may not always get what he desires, not matter how wealthy and connected he has become.

Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained" - An Early Review

Photo Credit: The Weinstein Company

Writer/director Quentin Tarantino usually casts talented actors in his films and then proceeds to bring out the best in each of them. Christoph Waltz is a great example. The opening scene of Inglorious Basterds is, in my opinion, one of the greatest scenes in cinematic history and propelled Waltz, as a Nazi Colonel, to win the Oscar for Supporting Actor. Waltz is back in Tarantino's latest effort, Django Unchained, which will be released on Christmas Day. Once again, Waltz delivers an unforgettable and award worthy performance, but this time he portrays a "good" guy bounty hunter, Dr. King Schultz. The good doctor used to be a dentist and if you did not know that, then the large molar dangling from the top of his carriage should clue you in.

Django Unchained is a Western set in the southern U.S. during the mid-19th century, where Dr, King Schultz frees the enslaved Django in the hopes that he will work with him to locate and collect bounties on the Brittle brothers. Django is familiar with the trio from his time working on a plantation and he agrees to help Shultz. Sensing that Django has what it takes to be a bounty hunter, Schultz offers him more work and promises Django a cut of the profits, as well as permanent freedom from slavery. Django agrees, but also convinces Shultz to help him locate his wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington), who has been forced into prostitution by Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio), a ruthless plantation owner whose land is known as, of course, Candyland. (Yes, I laughed at that, too).

Tarantino's use of humor is reminiscent of Spaghetti Westerns and helps to balance the mood of the film, which is often very violent and bloody. In other words, this is classic Tarantino. Django Unchained begins as a buddy picture. The early scenes featuring Django and Schultz getting to know each other are entertaining and seem effortless, thanks to the solid performances from Foxx and Waltz. Foxx particularly impressed me with Django's bravery and nerve, as he speaks his mind and makes no apologies for doing so. Waltz initially appears to be more the dangerous of the two, but their roles shift as the film moves along and the situations warrant the reversal. But even when Schultz appears to be more deferential, there is something simmering just beneath the surface that makes him formidable, dangerous and unpredictable. His guile comes to life during a late scene when he simply needs to unleash his feelings in a memorable and explosive encounter with Candie.

DiCaprio does not appear until about half way through the film, but he delivers a sensational performance as the sinister Candie, who possesses the same guile as Schultz. Candie enjoys testing people and that culminates in a suspense filled dinner scene when the real reason for Django and Schultz's visit becomes clear, thank to the observations of Candie's butler, Stephen (Samuel L. Jackson). That encounter leads to an ultra-violent series of events that may polarize viewers. The supporting cast features the talents of Don Johnson, Tom Wopat, Bruce Dern and the great Franco Nero, the star of many classic Spaghetti Westerns.

Quentin Tarantino's films tend to run long and Django Unchained clocks in at slightly less than three hours. For the most part, that time is used wisely, but the series of events that occur during the last half an hour did not seem to flow as easily as the rest of the film. However, the conclusion is mostly satisfying and very exciting. Tarantino also pays a great deal of attention to the technical aspects of the film. As a result, the costume design, set design and make-up are admirable efforts. The music, while mostly appropriate, takes a couple of unexpected detours, but since Tarantino is so well versed in that area, I will give him the benefit of the doubt on some of his choices. I thoroughly enjoyed Django Unchained and it will likely become one of my favorite films of the year and one that I would like to see again and again, just like the aforementioned Inglorious Basterds. Potential viewers should be aware of the explicit and brutal depictions of slavery, as well as the punishments that were meted out to slaves. That aspect of the film may stir controversy, which is nothing new to Tarantino, but does not, in any way, diminish the overall effort.