Tag Archive for ‘bank’ at AudioShocker

I don’t have cable. I consume media via Netflix, torrent, and various streaming sources. That said, I noticed that MTV started a new feature on Friday nights called FNMTV. Basically, Pete Wentz (the D-bag that knocked up Ashlee Simpson, hosted a segment involving a bunch of new music videos with some wrap-around filler. I am ashamed to say it, but I love the idea of getting 5 new videos to criticize at a time. It’s like a game, ‘how pejorative can I be in 30 minutes?’ I can’t wait till next week!

The new music videos are linked below along with a very brief synopsis. Honestly, I disliked all of these videos enough that I won’t waste our time with full length reviews.

Flo Rida w/ Will.I.Am - Ayer
Will.I.Am and Flo Rida do a club track with a crappy hook - in a bank. At least it’s not about strippers this time. Of note: the video girls are not up to par; I posit this video was done on the cheap - ironic considering the setting.

The Ting Tings - Shut Up and Let Me Go
It’s basically a younger (blonde) version of The White Stripes. Remember Seven Nation Army? Yeah, this is just like that. Seriously, track and video.

Pussycat Dolls - When I Grow Up
Carmit, Kimberly, Ashley, Jessica, and Melody - I totally get it. You wanted to be famous sooo bad that you smeared on fake tanner, took dance classes, and did a lot of crunches. And look, you totally got it! Now you get to dance in the background and compete for screentime while Nicole sings! Sofa King Great!

Snoop Dogg ft. Everlast and Willie Nelson - My Medicine
Hey Snoop - didn’t Nelly have a country crossover hit back in 2004 with Tim McGraw? Aren’t you a bit late to the party? Snoop is a pimp no matter what medium he operates in. This ‘country’ track is no exception. I have to give him cred for attempting this, but “I’d like to dedicate this record right here to my main man Johnny Cash - a real American Gangster” Are you effing serious?

Panic at the Disco - That Green Gentleman (Live)
A live performance is hardly a video - and I am fairly ignorant about this group. So, I looked up the actual video. WAY BETTER. I don’t dig the track, but the video is totally watchable.

And the coup de grace: Snoop Dogg and Panic At the Disco - Gin and Juice
E P I C F A I L. This is as pointless and brand damaging as Snoop’s shortlived TV show. I know, I know, MTV sort of created you - but did you take a bloodoath or something requiring you to do whatever they ask?

I was going to say that The Bank Job was the first ‘drama’ that Jason Statham has been in, but a quick IMDb search put the kibosh on that. Perhaps, this is the first non-action driven movie that Statham has bothered to star in. Whatever the case may be, I dug this movie quite a bit. I learned the term ‘mutton digger’ from this film and for that I am forever grateful. It requires no explanation.

The movie is a loosely based upon the 1971 robbery of a London bank. The heist goes off beautifully until the robbers’ walkie talkies are picked up by a local Ham Radio operator. The robbery allegedly has national security implications and the press is quickly gagged. As if that weren’t enough, Statham’s crew is also pursued by a sadistic bookie, crooked cops, and agents from MI5. Did I mention there was a cute girl (Saffron Burrows) in it?

I wouldn’t say the film is extremely well acted, but the characters have that John Cleese sort of humor that keeps my attention. Well, everyone except the David X character. He seemed like a caricature if anything. Statham appears extremely calm throughout the film. His voice and his eyes do all the acting for him. Diehard Statham fans may lament the lack of kicks, punches, and headbutts until the last 10 minutes of the film. I have a feeling that Statham wrote that short sequence into his contract, ‘I must be able to hit a dude with a brick - or I walk.’

The story moves along briskly and does not lag. You get from concept to plan to caper to chase to resolution on schedule, much like the MTA train from New Haven to Grand Central. I find this extremely important to a movie like this. This is not the place for introspective monologues or cathartic breakdowns. I’d like to thank the director and editor for their work here.

The Bank Job is simultaneously plausible, wrly funny, and compelling. You may be tempted to draw parallels to Snatch and Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, but this film does not rely on slapstick or unintelligible accents to entertain. The plot is simple, the twists are predictable, and it all works. A caper film without all the Hollywood flash - trailer below: