Many gangster movies have predecessors, and Scarface is no exception; some viewers may not realize that this film is actually a remake of an earlier black-and-white version. Considering that, the level of violence felt new, largely due to Brian De Palma’s direction—though I don't think he intended it to be so extreme as to earn an NC-17 rating. Al Pacino’s portrayal of Tony Montana is what resonates with most people;…

This film depicts drug trafficking and paranoia with considerable violence, featuring a strong cast and impressive production values, though it suffers from an over-the-top and melodramatic feel. I watched this movie on television recently after hearing about Al Pacino’s performance, and I wanted to see it for myself. Directed by Brian de Palma, it was significant in its time but has largely faded from memory. Thi…

The considerable buzz surrounding this movie didn't match my experience; I believe Paul Muni’s version from 1932 holds up better. This isn’t to suggest the film is bad, or that Al Pacino doesn’t deliver a solid performance – it simply feels overly aggressive. The dialogue and action lack any real nuance or grace. It presents violence not as an unfortunate necessity within Tony Montana's world, but rather seems to rev…

This crime drama proves to be remarkably good, showcasing strong acting and truly impressive writing—and I'm saying that as someone who isn’t typically drawn to Oliver Stone’s work. Brian De Palma’s direction is also superb. The soundtrack really works, and I continue to enjoy hearing "Take It to the Limit" during the sequence involving money laundering. While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of films like *The God…