Production Year: 2007 - Drama - Director: James Gray - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes, Robert Duvall, Alex Veadov more
Director James Gray (THE YARDS) posits two distinctly different brothers--Joseph (Mark Wahlberg) and Bobby Grusinsky (Joaquin Phoenix)--as the central characters in this... more
We Own The Night DVD
New York 1988: A new breed of narcotics has swept the great city bringing with it a ... more
ferocious crime wave more terrifying than any in recent memory. Outmanned and outgunned by the new criminal order the police find themselves burying one of their own...
our items are despatched from the United Kingdom. Starring - Joaquin Phoenix, Eva Mendes, Mark Wahlberg, Robert Duvall, Alex Veadov We offer *** WORLDWIDE *** Delivery!, Manufacturer: MoviePostersDirect
our items are despatched from the United Kingdom. Starring - Joaquin Phoenix, Eva Mendes, Mark Wahlberg, Robert Duvall, Alex Veadov We offer *** WORLDWIDE *** Delivery!, Manufacturer: MoviePostersDirect
We Own The Night
New York 1988, Bobby Green (Joaquin Phoenix) has changed his name to conceal his family ... more
connection to a long line of distinguished New York cops in order to pursue ambitions as a Brooklyn nightclub owner. As he turns a blind eye to the drug dealers around him, he comes face to face with the family he abandoned when his brother (Mark Wahlberg) and father (Robert Duvall) crack down on the club. Now Bobby must choose a side. Is he going to turn informant or will he help run the biggest crime ring in New York history?
Starring - Joaquin Phoenix, Eva Mendes, Mark Wahlberg, Robert Duvall, Alex Veadov Brand new High Quality Aluminium snap frame, shipped seperately from poster to avoid damnage. Posters are loaded from front and have a UV filter to protect the poster. All our items are despatched from the United Kingdom. We offer *** WORLDWIDE *** Delivery!, Manufacturer: MoviePostersDirect
up to 14 Days for delivery as item is manufactured to order. Your poster is laminated and mounted on High Quality Float Frame resulting in a fine piece of Art for your enjoyment. A modern and popular alternative to framing a poster which also makes an ideal gift. Process is irreversible please see our help information for further details., Manufacturer: MoviePostersDirect
up to 14 Days for delivery as item is manufactured to order. Your poster is professionally mounted on a High Quality Canvas resulting in a fine piece of Art for your enjoyment. A modern and popular alternative to framing a poster which also makes an ideal gift. Process is irreversible please see our help information for further details., Manufacturer: MoviePostersDirect
Starring - Joaquin Phoenix, Eva Mendes, Mark Wahlberg, Robert Duvall, Alex Veadov Brand new High Quality Aluminium snap frame, shipped seperately from poster to avoid damnage. Posters are loaded from front and have a UV filter to protect the poster. All our items are despatched from the United Kingdom. We offer *** WORLDWIDE *** Delivery!, Manufacturer: MoviePostersDirect
Allow up to 14 Days for delivery as item is manufactured to order. Your poster is laminated and mounted on High Quality Float Frame resulting in a fine piece of Art for your enjoyment. A modern and popular alternative to framing a poster which also makes an ideal gift. Process is irreversible please see our help information for further details., Manufacturer: MoviePostersDirect
Production Year: 1998 - Drama - Director: Martin Brest - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, Marcia Gay Harden, Jake Weber, Claire Forlani, Jeffrey Tambor
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Production Year: 1981 - Drama - Director: Franco Zeffirelli - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Brooke Shields, Martin Hewitt, Shirley Knight, Don Murray, Richard Kiley, Penelope Milford, Beatrice Straight
A review by blackmagicstar4 on We Own The Night (DVD) September 22nd, 2008
Author's product rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Loved it
Story
Outstanding
Characters / Performances
Outstanding
Special Effects
Good
How does it compare to similar films?
Outstanding
Advantages:
Filming techinques, great storyline, excellent soundtrack and cast .
Disadvantages:
Not for the faint hearted
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
** We Own The Night **- May contain spoilers!!
Director- James Gray Produced by- Joaquin Phoenix Edited- John Axelrad Distributed by- Universal and Colombia Pictures Runtime Time- 117min Certificate- 15 Released- Dec 14 07 Genre- Crime/ Thriller/ Gangster
< Narrative >
Set in 1988-1989, We Own the Night stars award winner Joaquin Phoenix as Bobby Green a manager of a successful nightclub in Brooklyn, New York owned by a Russian family. Bobby has turned his back on the family trade of Law Enforcement to live a life of money, drugs and management. His father played by Robert Duvall is Dept of the department and at the start has turned his back on his son Bobby because of the life he leads. Bobby's brother Joseph played by Mark Wahlberg is also a police man and is a Captain. Bobby comes face to face with his brother when Joseph storms his club and arrests drug dealers including Bobby with possession.
A war breaks out between the law enforcement and the Russian Mafia gang which puts bobby in a difficult situation. He will have to choose between his career and reputation and his family and the law.
< Casting >• Joaquin Phoenix- Bobby green
Joaquin was chosen because he had already worked with director James in The yards and James has a respect or Joaquin. • Eva Mendes- Amanda Juarez
Eva was casted because James loved her look and thought she had an intelligent and interesting personality. • Robert Duvall- Dept Burt Grusinsky • Mark Wahlberg- Capt Joseph Grusinsky • Alex Veadov- Vadim Nezhinski
Director James Gray had also directed The Yards 2003 and Two Lovers 2008. I hadn't heard of James Gray before so this didn't influence why I saw the film. I though it looked interesting and I am a fan of gangster/ police films. Also I am a fan of Joaquin Phoenix and liked his role in Gladiator, he is a uprising star and is very respected by directors. < Background>
The story of We Own the Night was influenced by many situations. The writers wanted something different, a film that was dramatic and had immediate action. The narrative was also influenced by a New York Times police story. There was a police story in the paper of a Policemans funeral and they liked the idea of using this in the film which you will see is a brilliant scene. There was also a lot of research done for the film, this included policemen in the 80's. The weaponry, costumes and attitudes were all actually how 80's police would be like. The cast were also made to watch the films The Godfather and Taxi Driver to show them what kind of dark film James was going for. The details of the film were thought out specifically to look like the time era. Even the small details such as the police badges were thought of and they wear real pins from the 80's. I thought the research made the film realistic and it defiantly gave the 80's feel to it. There was even research into drug packaging and the Russian Maffia. The film also includes some of the eighties music such as Blondie which gives it a classic eighties retro feel.
< Opinion >
The film was put together very well and the casting was right in each part. The representation of police and Russian Gangsters are very realistic to what they were like in the eighties. The police are highly loyal to each other and are committed to protecting the neighbourhood. Also Russian Mafia hit men are shown as dangerous but intelligent. They are very motivated men with money always on the mind.
The film shows two major ideological values. The first is the dominance of the male gender. As the crime/gangster genre is more of a masculine genre females have limited roles in the film. These are the usual mothers, daughters and girlfriends. The men ruled the streets in the eighties and this is clear of the way everything was in this period of time. Police and gangsters were always male. The second message shown throughout the film is the strong value of family and loyalty. We own the night show this is the main feature of the film, loyalty of family is important.
What I liked about the film is that it is filmed in a grainy way so it is dark and has a gritty feel to it. The cuts are done fast with the action and there is also a use of flashbacks in the film. Flashbacks are a great way of making editing more interesting to the audience. Joseph has flashbacks to constantly remind him how dangerous the Russian Gangsters are.
The film starts in a very interesting way. There are shots of police, crime and violence in the eighties which flash up on the screen while the titles appear these gives the audience a suggestion of what the film is going to be about. I think this is a good way to give the theme of the film.
I also liked how some of the scenes were filmed. One of these scenes was based in the Russian Maffia main lair where Bobby goes with Nezhinski the main dealer of the city to see what new drug they were planning to bring into New York. In this scene there are fantastic sound effects used which really stood out to me. As they talk and try out the new drug police storm the hideout and a shotgun is fired right next to Bobby's ear. This obviously shatters his ear drum as he covers his ears in pain. James Gray uses the exacted sounds to what happens when you have a perforated ear drum. All you can hear is a high pitched noise and muffles shots and screams around. This reminded me of that feeling you get when your ears pop badly on a plane. All you can hear is muffles voices and a high pitched noise. I felt really involved in the action and it made it realistic and interested in what was happening to Bobby.
Another scene I found highly interesting is a car chase scene. Bobby and his father are ambushed by Russian hit men on the free way. This is a very intense picture of what times could be like when being involved in gangsters. The action is very fast but has a major meaning to it. There are 3 cars on the highway, Bobby's, his dads and the gangsters. The weather reflects the mood, raining and mist; it gives an eerie, depressing feeling.
Bobby follows his father when suddenly a car cuts in front of him. He immediate knows who it could be and the panic in his face tells you there must be something horrid to follow. The cuts are fast from Bobby's face, to the car in front pulling up beside his father's car. The music is slow which contrasts with the action laid out before you. There is a lot of close ups used especially on Bobby's face. It is a very hard-hitting when suddenly you see a masked man lean out his window and shot a single bullet straight into Bobby's father. The emotion in Bobby's face is very heart hitting and I felt quite overwhelmed.
We own the Night is a very classic, hard hitting film. It is very authentic and I love the way it was film kind of similar to a Blanc noir film. There is always low lighting used, shadowy in the streets giving the film the dark, sinister atmosphere it needs.
< Extras >
• The film grossed a world wide total of $54.5m. • Rated 54% Rotten tomatoes • Film locations- Brooklyn NYC Queens NYC Washington, NYC
Advantages: Great plot and direction Disadvantages: Drags a bit
...four films under his belt. We Own The Night is the third. As a writer, he has the same four films. It is quite a feat for someone to be the writer and director of the same film, but to do it four times over is nothing short of impressive. Joaquin Phoenix obviously thinks so. The actor has starred in three of Gray's four films: The Yards in 2000, We Own The Night in 2007, and 2008's Two Lovers, which was actually set for release in January 2009 to ... ...and again in this film, We Own The Night. The acting pair mentioned take up the role of two brothers on opposite sides of the law as James Gray writes and directs a wonderful tale of the combattting of drugs smuggling in 1980s Brooklyn.
The film opens with some black and white stills of police in action in what I can only imagine is the 1980s - it is not made clear. This is accompanied by some loud but crisp and clean jazz music which sets the scene ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: An excellent cast, great script and decent direction Disadvantages: Perhaps a little too intense in places, not really a cinema movie
...keep going to see them. We Own The Night however is a little different to the recent trend of movies. The main theme running through it is family conflict rather than an attempt at an all action film. This time round it relies on the development of the relationship between the characters and the way each character is portrayed to you the viewer. It isn't all action but if you allow the characters to immerse you in there story it is just as addictive. ... ...to do is create a movie that leaves the audience thinking throughout. It is at times a little tough going but I think that aids in keeping your attention focussed on the story. He uses some fantastic camera angles and apart from one scene during a car chase where the camera seems a little out of control his shooting methods work incredibly well. Using the right angles and lighting to create a very atmospheric film works in his favour and it's clear ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Did you enjoy it?
Story
Characters / Performances
Special Effects
How does it compare to ...
very helpful
19.12.2007
Don't Own It Review ofWe Own The Night (DVD)by
afy9mab
...feelings of isolation well, but we never really get to know her.
The original music by Wojciech Kilar suits the understated nature of the rest of the movie. He uses subtle string soundscapes with woodwinds to add depth. Minor key chimes are intended to set the nerves on edge, while piano and rising strings are meant to give resonance to important moments and harp and chime motifs for tragedy. After a key sequence, muted orchestral arrangements underline ... ...the emotional value of the scene. He keeps the viewers on tenterhooks with womb-like sounds for a pursuit through smoky reed beds, but allows himself reliable rising strings when the hero emerges triumphant. Other soundtrack choices feel less considered. For instance the music at the nightclub feels horribly dated. Were people in 1988 still dancing to Blondie at every available opportunity? And why is Bobby's home life accompanied by early 80s' ska? ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Good plotline and characters Disadvantages: Rather graphic for its 15 rating
I saw this film at the cinema a few weeks ago.
I'm not going to go into huge depth about who is in this and all that stuff - you can find that on IMDB if you want it.
The film is about 2 brothers who as the movie starts are somewhat on opposite sides. Phoenix is the successful nightclub manager and his brother (Wahlberg) is making the senior rankings of the New York police in the anti-gang squad. (Their cap badge logo gives the film its name). ... ...you a very brief plot summary :-
The bad guys are operating out of Phoenix's club. The police want the bad guys. After a family crisis, Phoenix changes sides.
That is a VERY brief summary.
The film is really quite complex with a large number of characters who weave in and out of the action at key moments. The action is fast paced and the narative rarely lets up on the tension. The violence is of the modern "realistic" variety, very sudden and ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Brilliant performances, excellent storyline Disadvantages: A bit too long
...?t exactly go according to plan & Nick gets more involved with Catherine than he should be?
This is a film that up until the other night I had heard of but never seen for myself but my boyfriends parents own this on DVD and we had nothing else to do so we put it on one night. I had heard it was a good film before but for some reason I didn?t think I?d enjoy it much, maybe because it?s such an old film.
To my surprise I actually enjoyed it. I better just point out that if you?re someone that?s easily offended then this definitely isn?t the film for you. There?s a lot of nudity throughout the film and there?s some strong language and violence right from the offset. However if you can look passed all that you?ll actually see that this is a really good film. Right from the beginning I found myself guessing as you don?t know who the killer is...
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Official Website: http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/weownthenight/
Consumer Advice: Contains strong language, bloody violence and drug use
Video Category: Feature Film
Country Of Origin: United States of America
Plot: Set in 1988 New York, this tense crime drama features a nightclub manager who experiences a crisis of conscience when forced to take a side in the drug wars going on all around him.
Release details
DVD Region: DVD
Studio(s): UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK; CINRAM LOGISTICS (SWINDON), Universal Pictures UK Video Rental
Review: James Gray's pulverizing crime drama is unafraid to put its passions right out where it's easy to mock them. WE OWN THE NIGHT is defiantly, refreshingly unhip (Rolling Stone, 19/10/2007)
DVD Description
Director James Gray (THE YARDS) posits two distinctly different brothers--Joseph (Mark Wahlberg) and Bobby Grusinsky (Joaquin Phoenix)--as the central characters in this crime-infested thriller. Joseph and Bobby inhabit two conflicting worlds in late 1980s New York, the former becoming a cop and the latter running a nightclub. Bobby spends his evenings in a den of iniquity, indulging in drugs, alcohol, and gambling, and his attractive girlfriend Amada (Eva Mendes) is never far from his arm. Their two worlds meet when the father of the two men, Burt (Robert Duvall), who is also a cop, gets together with Joseph to ask Bobby for information about a patron of the club named Vadim (Alex Veadov). Vadim is the nephew of the club's owner, and also a dangerous member of the Russian criminal underworld. Bobby sides with Vadim, and the tension in Gray's brother-versus-brother potboiler reaches melting point as Joseph goes after both his sibling and his Russian foe. Wahlberg, Phoenix, and Duvall all deliver high-calibre performances throughout, and Gray suffuses the plot with enough twists and turns to provide a few surprises. New York City is perfectly utilised as a backdrop to the action, and cinematographer Joaquin Baca-Asay manages to get the balance between moody, atmospheric shots and explosive action sequences just right. WE OWN THE NIGHT ultimately resembles an old-fashioned cop film with a little Scorsese-like drama thrown in for good measure, and is likely to gain a following among movie fans seeking retro crime thrills.
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