Categories: Movie Reviews

Black Mass – Blu-Ray Movie Review

Synopsis

The true story of James “Whitey” Bulger, the brother of a state senator and the most infamous violent criminal in the history of South Boston, who became an FBI informant to take down a Mafia family invading his turf. This unholy alliance, which spiraled out of control, gave rise to the most ruthless gangster in Boston history.

Specifications

Warner Brothers Studios
1080p, DTS-MA 5.1, 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
Rated R, 2 hours and 2 minutes
Starring: Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Kevin Bacon and Benedict Cumberbatch
Directed by: Scott Cooper

Rating

Entertainment:

Video:

Audio:

Extras:

Violence: Yes
Sex: Sexual References
Language: Yes

Commentary

I live in Boston so this story is not new to me, nor is this movie a major revelation. The most enjoyable (if you can actually enjoy a sordid story) part of the film is seeing Mr. Depp actually doing some real acting again. Within the first 5 minutes of this film, I no longer looked at him as JD with makeup on his face. Depp completely disappears into his character. What I couldn’t grasp, and perhaps this is just a weakness in the screen play, was why his followers were so loyal to him. Was it Bulger’s charisma? His out bursts of violence? His mad genius? I just couldn’t figure out why he was such a crime figure that demanded so much attention and adulation from his gang. Because he became an FBI informant, I can see why he grew in power, but why did it take the same FBI almost 15 years to find him living in plain sight? So, do I find this film to be a great mob story like Good Fellas? No. Not even close. But the fact that Bulger existed and was not made up makes the story a bit more compelling than fictional bad guys. The acting is very good in this film, with the exception of one of my favorite actors, Cumberbatch. His Boston “Southie” accent was…criminal. Still, if you like crime movies, this one is worth your time, even if it is just to watch Depp do his thing. A far cry from Capt. Jack Sparrow indeed!

Technical

The movie was shot on 35mm stock and some film grain is evident, but not distracting. I thought it set the period right, 1970-80’s. Details are good and in only a few darkly lit scenes did it become a bit murky. The sound is front heavy with a few surround effects here and there. Not a lot a deep bass either, even during the gun shot scenes. Dialog is well centered and in spite of some poor accents, intelligible.

Extras

Besides a DVD copy, we have: The Manhunt for Whitey Bulger, Depp: Becoming Whitey Bulger and Black Mass: Deepest Cover, Darkest Crime.

Jim Milton

Jim Milton has been interested in high fidelity since his college years in the late 70's. It was there that he first became interested in classical music. He has been part of choral music, both in opera and oratorio and is an avid collector of classical music from the Baroque through the Romantic periods. He enjoys an occasional night at Boston Symphony Hall or attending an organ concert at Merrill Auditorium in Portland, ME. Currently he is the director of Nuclear Medicine at the North Shore Medical Center, located just outside of Boston. He also serves as an adjunct professor for Salem State University where he teaches a course in nuclear instrumentation. During his leisure time, he enjoys listening to his music collection and an occasional movie with his wife of 30+ years. Living on the longest stretch of sandy beach north of Boston offers him plenty of opportunities to take a relaxing stroll or soak up some sun. "Remember, acquiring good A/V gear takes lots of time...but doesn't necessarily take lots of money."