"The Departed" (2006) Film Review

“The Departed”:
Director: Martin Scorsese.
Cast: Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Sheen, Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin, Vera Farmiga.
Release: 17th of November 2006 (Mexico).

Runtime: 151 minutes
Genre: Crime, drama, thriller.
“The Departed” is an action movie directed by Martin Scorsese which finally gave the director an Oscar for best director after being nominated several times before with no victories. The film also won 3 other Oscars including best editing, best motion picture of the year and best writing or adapted screenplay. It is a movie that breaks the limits and tells a violent and bloody story between Irish mafia in Boston and the problems within the Massachusetts State Police and how both have several informants planted in each others organisations so that they can be secure and informed of everything that is happening.
Leonardo DiCaprio plays Billy Costigan, a new trooper of the Massachusetts state Police who is assigned to a special mission by Queenan (Martin Sheen) and Dignam (Mark Wahlberg) who are in charge of the SIU (Special Investigation Unit). The secret mission is to infiltrate as an undercover Costello’s gang after being 9 months on jail due to an aggression problem which is really a traumatic experience for anyone. Jack Nicholson plays Francis Costello, the boss of the Irish mafia who has been in the loop by the SIU and is closer than ever to be arrested therefore he also sends an undercover to infiltrate the SIU; Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) who tips off Costello every time he is in the loop or even being pursuit by his team mates of the SIU. After a while both organisations find out that a “rat” has infiltrated their group and the search for the “rat” becomes insane and bloodier than ever.
This film is an excellent representation of how the battles between the mafias and polices through the entire world are so aggressive, violent and bloody. The violence is perfectly portrayed by Marin Scorsese as the film is perfectly shot to show the dark side of the world. It is a movie that will impact everyone who watches it because of the violence and the final message of the film: the world is full of rats that will do anything to survive and to be with the ones they think is best. I truly recommend this film for people who are mature enough to see the true violent world.

By: Santiago Senties

"Casino (1995)" film review

Casino (1995)

Starring: Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, Sharon Stone, James Woods.

Director: Martin Scorsese

Runtime: 178 min.

Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller, Action.

If theirs a favorite theme for Martin Scorseses movies, this is Mafia. Although “Goodfellas” is considered his masterpiece in this area, in “Casino” Scorsese portraits a different view of the mob by creating a perfect character; Robert DeNiro gives life to Sam “Ace” Rothstein, an expert in the casino arts and a master in running one in Las Vegas: “The Sin City”. With his unique ability of creating the perfect crime atmosphere, Martin takes all the characteristics of a Mafia family to a city without borders.

As said before Robert DeNiro plays Sam Rothstein, a guy involved with the mob who, due to his fantastic playing abilities and his characteristic intelligence to treat people, is send to the city of Las Vegas, Nevada to run a casino for the Family. Although things are looking great for “Ace” Rothstein, his old friend and famous “muscle of the family”, Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci) arrives to the city with different intensions than him and starts to create a lot of trouble.

Pesci and his marvelous acting abilities, give life to a typical muscle man involved in the Mafia. Although he is not literally a “muscle man” Joe becomes the most feared man and also the most wanted man in Vegas. This cant be good for Rothstein, because he is involved with him. The problem turns even bigger when Sam starts to have marriage problems. He married Ginger “Sharon Stone” who slowly turns into the wrong women for him and assisted by his lover, Lester Diamond (James Woods) who plays a dirty and filthy PIMP, become the biggest problem for Sam Rothstein and his perfect life.

Although the runtime of the film is a bit long, Scorsese gives enough time for the characters to develop and for the problems to take form. This “Goodfells” styled movie is worth watching.

By: Daniel Segura

Cape Farewell What is it??

Its the name of an expedition in a boat that travels through the north of our continent, America. It takes students form all the world to observe the changes global warming has caused our Planet. The changes are easier to see in the poles because of the melting of the ice of the poles.
The main purpose of this expedition is to make people see whats happening and to understand the actual problem of global warming. People outside the expedition will be aware of everything going on and they supposedly transmit it to the community.
The students in Cape Farewell will study this changes and do various experiments in the subject to understand this problem and to be aware of all the threats to the world and to modern society.
Its an amazing trip but you have to work really hard to go and have good time. Only the ones who work for it should go.