Author: Zgamer
Location: Eagle, ID
Vengeful Angels
Written and directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Cinematography by: Robert Richardson
Production Design by: David Wasco
Costume Design by: Anna B. Shepard
Edited by: Christopher Tellefsen
Make-Up by: Tysuela Hill-Scott, Greg Nicotero and Kevin Wasner
Cast
Leonardo DiCaprio as Frankie Valachi
Michael Fassbender as Charlie Cagney
Jason Clarke as Joey Donlan
Christina Hendricks as Madelyn “Maddy” Valachi
Christoph Waltz as Dietrich Liebkind
Michael Emerson as Adam Greenberg
Chazz Palminteri as Tom Halliday
Michael Gladis as Al Capone
James Spader as Bugs Moran
Featuring Appearances by
Zoey Bell as Barbara
Kevin Durand as Vincent
David Patrick Kelly as Walter Ford
Samuel L. Jackson as “Ole’ Johnny Blues”
Bruce McGill as Donald “Don” Huston
And Robert De Niro as Anthony Brannom
Soundtrack
“Angels watch over me” – Chazz Palmentari, James Spader, Bruce McGill
Bad, Bad Whiskey – Amos Milburn
Harvey – Irving Mills And His Hotsy Totsy
Revolver – Suspense – Ennio Morricone
“An old German proverb” – Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jason Clarke
If I Had You – Roy Eldridge Quintet
New Coat of Paint – Tom Waits
“Too familiar to ignore” – Jason Clarke, Kevin Durand
Le Doulos – Paul Misraki
I Won’t Dance – Fred Astaire
Minor Swing – Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli
“A fifth of scotch and a bad memory” – Robert DeNiro, Michael Fassbender
Touch of Evil (Main Theme) – Henry Mancini
The Men Behind the Guns – Phil Ochs
“This Irish b**ch!” – Christina Hendricks
Delirio Secondo – Ennio Morricone
Wine, Wine, Wine – Renegade Five
God’s Gonna Cut You Down – Johnny Cash
The Best Things in Life Are Free – The Ink Spots
“Drunk with blood and hatred” – Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael Emerson
Sing, Sing, Sing – Benny Goodman
Tagline: Tragedy can give any man a thirst for vengeance
Synopsis
Prohibition Chicago. 1929. As bootlegging and criminal activity boils across the city, a new organization has risen to prominence in the underworld. The Halliday gang, led by an experienced if sometimes out of his league mobster Tom Halliday, has built a profitable bootlegging racket by providing premier alcohol to both Al Capone and Bugs Moran’s organizations. By doing so, the Hallidays have maintained a mutual agreement between the big guns without taking sides. The key to maintaining everything else in-between? Tom attributes that success to “the Angels.” Three of them in particular: Frankie Valachi, Charlie Cagney and Joey Donlan.
Frankie Valachi has worked for the Halliday gang for some time now. His direct yet efficient problem solving methods have earned enough trust for Tom to give him tasks too large and dirty for regular gangsters. These tasks, of course, would have Frankie make many enemies with rival small gangs, which would make protecting his family harder if they knew it was him. Not that his feisty Irish wife Maddy isn’t clever enough to handle herself, but a helpful suggestion from a level-headed gangster named Charlie gave Frankie an idea. Thus the persona of “the Angels” was created, a group of enforcers disguised with masks to watch over Halliday interests. Frankie serves as the leader, Charlie as the brains and a tough guy gangster named Joey as the muscle. In return for their service, Tom ensures none of them can be directly identified as Hallidays. And for a few years now, the Angels’ methods have helped the Hallidays rise to potentially becoming one of the premier gangs.
Then came a day where the tables were turned. On a cold February night, twelve members of Malone and Moran’s gangs met at a warehouse to contest over hijacked Halliday alcohol they both claimed ownership of. Before either gang could make a move though, they were gunned down by three mysterious figures. When the police arrived on the scene, they found one man who had miraculously clung to life. With his last breath, the man fingered the Angels as the assailants. When news of this reached Capone and Moran’s ears, both gangsters ordered their men to hunt down the Angels and the Halliday gang so they could personally exact revenge.
Frankie quickly brought the Angels, Tom, their families and any remaining Hallidays into hiding at a secret brewery run by Dietrich Liebkind, a timid but intelligent German immigrant whose homemade German alcohol is the gang’s lifeblood. Frankie knows they were framed, but there’s no way to prove it without getting Tom or anyone else immediately associated killed. However, Dietrich reveals some information that may be their first step to revenge, if not full redemption. A rumor from an unknown source has named Adam Greenberg of Detroit’s infamous Jewish run Purple Gang as the massacre’s mastermind. A ruthless, cunning and flattering criminal, it is said Greenberg intends to eliminate the Hallidays as competition so the Purple Gang can strike their own exclusive alcohol trade with Capone and Moran. He is currently in Chicago offering his gang’s aid in hunting the Hallidays, but his specific whereabouts are unknown. It’s not a concrete lead, but it’s the only lead they can work with.
With their remaining resources and anonymity protecting them for now, Frankie and the Angels must use every trick they have to expose the Purple Gang and confront Greenberg personally. It’s too much for them to do alone though, so they must begrudgingly employ the help of Dietrich, Maddy, Tom and anyone left they can trust. Danger lurks around every corner though, as Capone and Moran’s men, aided by Greenberg and his cronies, search every unturned rock to find them. Alliances will be tested, secrets will be uncovered and blood will be spilt as Frankie seeks to protect those he cares for the only way he knows how: through might!
What the Press Would Say
Tarantino is an oddity in the film world. Toeing the fine line of professional filmmaker and exploitive provocateur, he has carved a bloody yet brilliant cinematic swath over the last few decades. There has been no end of praise for his body of work, though there are those who criticize his stylistic touches, carefree morality and lofty ambitions. While his newest film Vengeful Angels may not change their opinions, it will immensely reward everyone else with its spectacular writing, top-notch craftsmanship, excellent acting and multiple levels of entertainment value.
Tarantino charges headfirst into the roaring 20’s, blending and rearranging the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, Prohibition woes and gang politics in a way only he can. Though the story bears passing resemblances to Tarantino’s previous “revenge fantasies” like Inglourious Basterds, it manages to stand on its own with a distinct sense of identity. The characters are supported with subtleties, defining moments and crackling dialogue that earns audience attachment. We equally care for the Angels and their allies as much as we despise Greenberg and pretty much anyone standing next to him. Characters engage with one another in scenes bearing Tarantino’s signature touches, from his storytelling tricks to his always-appropriate soundtrack choices.
In the end though, as much depth as Tarantino does put in the writing, it’s the thrill of it all that keeps your attention. Whether it is scenes like Jason Clarke being pestered a bit too forcefully by Kevin Durand or Christina Hendricks showing how capable she really is at getting her hands dirty, Tarantino ensures that the viewer will laugh, cry, gag and cheer in equal measures throughout. All of this leads to one of his bloodiest and most exciting action scenes in years as all out carnage erupts on screen. No one will be surprised that Tarantino’s Prohibition era ended so early when they see how things turn out.
The craftsmanship is absolutely superb throughout the film too. Tarantino has created a unique vision of 1920’s Chicago through Robert Richardson’s camerawork, David Wasco’s set design and meticulous work from the whole art department. It is colorful and largely period accurate while bearing the heightened aesthetic of gangster movies. The pacing flows smoothly through Christopher Tellefsen’s editing and Tarantino’s sure handed direction, who has clearly taken the complaints for Django Unchained’s structure into consideration. And for the hardcore cinephiles out there, Tarantino has done his homework to incorporate many gangster references in his writing and design. Ranging from The Godfather, The Valachi Papers, Angels with Dirty Faces, White Heat, The Enforcer, The Asphalt Jungle and more, it’s a loving tribute to what makes gangster cinema so fascinating. Even a cult film like The Warriors gets a small but entertaining nod!
And then there is the cast. Leonardo DiCaprio pairs up with Tarantino again and he continues to bring his A-game. Frankie Valachi is perhaps Tarantino’s most sympathetic lead in a while, as we care for his motivations while still being wowed with his brutal methods. DiCaprio embodies all of this with his natural charisma to make for a compelling performance. It helps too that Fassbender, Clarke, Waltz and Hendricks equally bring their A-game to create an infectious chemistry amongst their characters. And there is no end of fun bit parts for other talented actors here, including an amusing Robert DeNiro cameo. The two standouts, however, are Chazz Palmenteri and Michael Emerson. Palmenteri’s turn as the Tom Halliday is exactly the supporting role he has needed for a long time. Tough when he needs to be and incompetent when he shouldn’t, Palmenteri gives the most human performance of the cast. On the other hand, Emerson effectively channels the cold, calculating qualities that made his villainous turn on Lost so memorable. The character of Greenberg is garrulous, flattering and every bit of a backstabber as he should be. And yet it’s hard not to somewhat like him for how excellently Emerson handles his dialogue, including several very funny lines when he puts on his nice guy act.
Vengeful Angels is a Tarantino movie through and through. It’s violent, talkative, stylish, long and essentially a cinephile love letter to gangster cinema. It is also one of the most entertaining and well-crafted movies of the year. Go check it out!
Award Consideration
Best Picture
Best Director (Quentin Tarantino)
Best Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio)
Best Supporting Actor (Chazz Palmenteri)
Best Supporting Actor (Michael Emerson)
Best Supporting Actor (Michael Fassbender)
Best Supporting Actor (Jason Clarke)
Best Supporting Actor (Christoph Waltz)
Best Supporting Actress (Christina Hendricks)
Best Original Screenplay (Quentin Tarantino)
Best Cinematography
Best Production Design
Best Costume Design
Best Editing
Best Sound Mixing
Best Sound Editing
Best Make-Up
Location: Eagle, ID
Vengeful Angels
Written and directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Cinematography by: Robert Richardson
Production Design by: David Wasco
Costume Design by: Anna B. Shepard
Edited by: Christopher Tellefsen
Make-Up by: Tysuela Hill-Scott, Greg Nicotero and Kevin Wasner
Cast
Leonardo DiCaprio as Frankie Valachi
Michael Fassbender as Charlie Cagney
Jason Clarke as Joey Donlan
Christina Hendricks as Madelyn “Maddy” Valachi
Christoph Waltz as Dietrich Liebkind
Michael Emerson as Adam Greenberg
Chazz Palminteri as Tom Halliday
Michael Gladis as Al Capone
James Spader as Bugs Moran
Featuring Appearances by
Zoey Bell as Barbara
Kevin Durand as Vincent
David Patrick Kelly as Walter Ford
Samuel L. Jackson as “Ole’ Johnny Blues”
Bruce McGill as Donald “Don” Huston
And Robert De Niro as Anthony Brannom
Soundtrack
“Angels watch over me” – Chazz Palmentari, James Spader, Bruce McGill
Bad, Bad Whiskey – Amos Milburn
Harvey – Irving Mills And His Hotsy Totsy
Revolver – Suspense – Ennio Morricone
“An old German proverb” – Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jason Clarke
If I Had You – Roy Eldridge Quintet
New Coat of Paint – Tom Waits
“Too familiar to ignore” – Jason Clarke, Kevin Durand
Le Doulos – Paul Misraki
I Won’t Dance – Fred Astaire
Minor Swing – Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli
“A fifth of scotch and a bad memory” – Robert DeNiro, Michael Fassbender
Touch of Evil (Main Theme) – Henry Mancini
The Men Behind the Guns – Phil Ochs
“This Irish b**ch!” – Christina Hendricks
Delirio Secondo – Ennio Morricone
Wine, Wine, Wine – Renegade Five
God’s Gonna Cut You Down – Johnny Cash
The Best Things in Life Are Free – The Ink Spots
“Drunk with blood and hatred” – Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael Emerson
Sing, Sing, Sing – Benny Goodman
Tagline: Tragedy can give any man a thirst for vengeance
Synopsis
Prohibition Chicago. 1929. As bootlegging and criminal activity boils across the city, a new organization has risen to prominence in the underworld. The Halliday gang, led by an experienced if sometimes out of his league mobster Tom Halliday, has built a profitable bootlegging racket by providing premier alcohol to both Al Capone and Bugs Moran’s organizations. By doing so, the Hallidays have maintained a mutual agreement between the big guns without taking sides. The key to maintaining everything else in-between? Tom attributes that success to “the Angels.” Three of them in particular: Frankie Valachi, Charlie Cagney and Joey Donlan.
Frankie Valachi has worked for the Halliday gang for some time now. His direct yet efficient problem solving methods have earned enough trust for Tom to give him tasks too large and dirty for regular gangsters. These tasks, of course, would have Frankie make many enemies with rival small gangs, which would make protecting his family harder if they knew it was him. Not that his feisty Irish wife Maddy isn’t clever enough to handle herself, but a helpful suggestion from a level-headed gangster named Charlie gave Frankie an idea. Thus the persona of “the Angels” was created, a group of enforcers disguised with masks to watch over Halliday interests. Frankie serves as the leader, Charlie as the brains and a tough guy gangster named Joey as the muscle. In return for their service, Tom ensures none of them can be directly identified as Hallidays. And for a few years now, the Angels’ methods have helped the Hallidays rise to potentially becoming one of the premier gangs.
Then came a day where the tables were turned. On a cold February night, twelve members of Malone and Moran’s gangs met at a warehouse to contest over hijacked Halliday alcohol they both claimed ownership of. Before either gang could make a move though, they were gunned down by three mysterious figures. When the police arrived on the scene, they found one man who had miraculously clung to life. With his last breath, the man fingered the Angels as the assailants. When news of this reached Capone and Moran’s ears, both gangsters ordered their men to hunt down the Angels and the Halliday gang so they could personally exact revenge.
Frankie quickly brought the Angels, Tom, their families and any remaining Hallidays into hiding at a secret brewery run by Dietrich Liebkind, a timid but intelligent German immigrant whose homemade German alcohol is the gang’s lifeblood. Frankie knows they were framed, but there’s no way to prove it without getting Tom or anyone else immediately associated killed. However, Dietrich reveals some information that may be their first step to revenge, if not full redemption. A rumor from an unknown source has named Adam Greenberg of Detroit’s infamous Jewish run Purple Gang as the massacre’s mastermind. A ruthless, cunning and flattering criminal, it is said Greenberg intends to eliminate the Hallidays as competition so the Purple Gang can strike their own exclusive alcohol trade with Capone and Moran. He is currently in Chicago offering his gang’s aid in hunting the Hallidays, but his specific whereabouts are unknown. It’s not a concrete lead, but it’s the only lead they can work with.
With their remaining resources and anonymity protecting them for now, Frankie and the Angels must use every trick they have to expose the Purple Gang and confront Greenberg personally. It’s too much for them to do alone though, so they must begrudgingly employ the help of Dietrich, Maddy, Tom and anyone left they can trust. Danger lurks around every corner though, as Capone and Moran’s men, aided by Greenberg and his cronies, search every unturned rock to find them. Alliances will be tested, secrets will be uncovered and blood will be spilt as Frankie seeks to protect those he cares for the only way he knows how: through might!
What the Press Would Say
Tarantino is an oddity in the film world. Toeing the fine line of professional filmmaker and exploitive provocateur, he has carved a bloody yet brilliant cinematic swath over the last few decades. There has been no end of praise for his body of work, though there are those who criticize his stylistic touches, carefree morality and lofty ambitions. While his newest film Vengeful Angels may not change their opinions, it will immensely reward everyone else with its spectacular writing, top-notch craftsmanship, excellent acting and multiple levels of entertainment value.
Tarantino charges headfirst into the roaring 20’s, blending and rearranging the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, Prohibition woes and gang politics in a way only he can. Though the story bears passing resemblances to Tarantino’s previous “revenge fantasies” like Inglourious Basterds, it manages to stand on its own with a distinct sense of identity. The characters are supported with subtleties, defining moments and crackling dialogue that earns audience attachment. We equally care for the Angels and their allies as much as we despise Greenberg and pretty much anyone standing next to him. Characters engage with one another in scenes bearing Tarantino’s signature touches, from his storytelling tricks to his always-appropriate soundtrack choices.
In the end though, as much depth as Tarantino does put in the writing, it’s the thrill of it all that keeps your attention. Whether it is scenes like Jason Clarke being pestered a bit too forcefully by Kevin Durand or Christina Hendricks showing how capable she really is at getting her hands dirty, Tarantino ensures that the viewer will laugh, cry, gag and cheer in equal measures throughout. All of this leads to one of his bloodiest and most exciting action scenes in years as all out carnage erupts on screen. No one will be surprised that Tarantino’s Prohibition era ended so early when they see how things turn out.
The craftsmanship is absolutely superb throughout the film too. Tarantino has created a unique vision of 1920’s Chicago through Robert Richardson’s camerawork, David Wasco’s set design and meticulous work from the whole art department. It is colorful and largely period accurate while bearing the heightened aesthetic of gangster movies. The pacing flows smoothly through Christopher Tellefsen’s editing and Tarantino’s sure handed direction, who has clearly taken the complaints for Django Unchained’s structure into consideration. And for the hardcore cinephiles out there, Tarantino has done his homework to incorporate many gangster references in his writing and design. Ranging from The Godfather, The Valachi Papers, Angels with Dirty Faces, White Heat, The Enforcer, The Asphalt Jungle and more, it’s a loving tribute to what makes gangster cinema so fascinating. Even a cult film like The Warriors gets a small but entertaining nod!
And then there is the cast. Leonardo DiCaprio pairs up with Tarantino again and he continues to bring his A-game. Frankie Valachi is perhaps Tarantino’s most sympathetic lead in a while, as we care for his motivations while still being wowed with his brutal methods. DiCaprio embodies all of this with his natural charisma to make for a compelling performance. It helps too that Fassbender, Clarke, Waltz and Hendricks equally bring their A-game to create an infectious chemistry amongst their characters. And there is no end of fun bit parts for other talented actors here, including an amusing Robert DeNiro cameo. The two standouts, however, are Chazz Palmenteri and Michael Emerson. Palmenteri’s turn as the Tom Halliday is exactly the supporting role he has needed for a long time. Tough when he needs to be and incompetent when he shouldn’t, Palmenteri gives the most human performance of the cast. On the other hand, Emerson effectively channels the cold, calculating qualities that made his villainous turn on Lost so memorable. The character of Greenberg is garrulous, flattering and every bit of a backstabber as he should be. And yet it’s hard not to somewhat like him for how excellently Emerson handles his dialogue, including several very funny lines when he puts on his nice guy act.
Vengeful Angels is a Tarantino movie through and through. It’s violent, talkative, stylish, long and essentially a cinephile love letter to gangster cinema. It is also one of the most entertaining and well-crafted movies of the year. Go check it out!
Award Consideration
Best Picture
Best Director (Quentin Tarantino)
Best Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio)
Best Supporting Actor (Chazz Palmenteri)
Best Supporting Actor (Michael Emerson)
Best Supporting Actor (Michael Fassbender)
Best Supporting Actor (Jason Clarke)
Best Supporting Actor (Christoph Waltz)
Best Supporting Actress (Christina Hendricks)
Best Original Screenplay (Quentin Tarantino)
Best Cinematography
Best Production Design
Best Costume Design
Best Editing
Best Sound Mixing
Best Sound Editing
Best Make-Up