Simply Perfect

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

The acting in this movie is really good.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

This was a fun and funny twist on the perennial heist theme! I enjoyed the performances of Russel and Dillon particularly. This was a lot funnier than your standard heist movie. Kurt Russel is always classic as the vulgar ex-con. The two funniest characters were Francie and Uncle Paddy. My favorite segment was when Guy was telling the story of the theft of Mona Lisa, it was a fun segment with an entertaining way of telling it. I like how it was fast paced and funny, it kept the laughs coming while keeping the pace moving. One of the funniest bits was when Russel was like "No, I'm being held at gunpoint by a pirate! I'm in the bathroom, what do think Francie?". The side story of the Interpol agent tracking them is quite funny too. I had never heard of it, but the synopsis looked entertaining, and I like the actors so I tried it and enjoyed it. It is a brief movie, so even if you aren't enjoying the ride, it will be over all too quickly. Many fun twists to be had, give this one a go. 8/10.

"The Art of the Steal" from 2013 stars Kurt Russell, Matt Dillon, Terence Stamp and some Canadian actors.Russell plays Crunch Calhoun, a motorcyclist who throws exhibitions for money. He is also an art thief but he's trying to stay away from that. With his brother Nicky (Dillon) being released from prison, however, an opportunity presents itself for one more heist.The theft is to be of a religious book worth a fortune. They bring back the old team, and then Dillon comes up with what he thinks is a better idea. The end has a neat twist.Terence Stamp as a paroled art thief who has to work with Interpol is great, as is that of a Canadian actor, Jay Baruchel as Francie Tobin. Another Canadian, Jason Jones, who plays the Interpol agent, is way over the top. Russell does a good job as does Dillon. Russell is excellent at this type of character, he mines the humor that's there and his presence pulls things together.I found the film too derivative for me and despite some good moments, including the beginning which took place in Poland, and the first scam that's reminisced about, which was fabulous, I admit my interest waned. There have been too many of this type of film done better.

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning Scam artiste Crunch Calhoun (Kurt Russell) pulled off a job in Poland, that saw him turned in by his own brother Nicky (Matt Dillon) for a reduced sentence. A few years later, after a motorcycle stunt went wrong, he finds himself holed up in casts, until he's asked to retrieve the real copy of a stolen book, reuniting his old crew and setting out on a mission that is not all that it seems and everything can change in the blink of an eye.Kurt Russell seems to have disappeared in to the background in recent years, flitting as he always did between hit and miss, and now he pops up in this technically impressive, but overly flawed thriller, that actually declines in quality the more it goes on.The things that make it interesting to start with are the things that come to be it's downfall, with the slick, stylish opening, and the plot that requires your attention becoming respectively over whelming and just convoluted and overly complex. But it maintains a sense of substance and sophistication that never stops commanding your attention throughout, and while it's not the sum of it parts, it doesn't fail to cover the cracks. **

This was just a shocker and a giant surprise of a movie. I didn't see any advertising for this flick but rented it as it looked good and I liked the cast members. Boy was I in for a treat. Not only is the acting just great but the humor abounds in this film without mindless killing, sex and cussing. It felt good just seeing an authentic, high brow, heist show with a crew of guys who just mesh perfectly.Things are not as they seem and I indulge you to please not read too much about this movie before seeing as it as too many spoilers will make the movie experience a bit flat. This movie is about surprise and twists all done with class. I paid very close attention to the planning and dialogue which made the entire ending come together in a crescendo of guttural laughter and one the best GOTCHA moments I have seen in a movie in a long time.If you have kids in the house I can tell you that there is some swearing but nothing they are not already hearing in school. It's great for most ages over 12 and demands a group. This movie will generate discussion after viewing as well as laughter from the start. I had to write this review seeing as the ones already on here are not so well put and who needs to know what the movie is about when what anyone wants to really know is "what can I expect" from this flick.Just don't let the funny stuff foll you. Pay close attention to the setup, execution and the conversations. Some of the most innocent scenes play right into the master plot!