Charlie Valentine (2009)

Director and writer Jesse V. Johnson who also created other classic flicks, The Butcher 2009, The Fifth Commandment 2008 and Pit Fighter 2005 has created another gem in Charlie Valentine.Starring Raymond J. Barry who has also been in other classic flicks, Training Day 2001, Dead Man Walking 1995, Falling Down 1993, Rapid Fire 1992, Born on the Fourth of July 1989 and Year of the Dragon 1985.Also starring Michael Weatherly.Also starring James Russo who has also been in other classic flicks, Stiletto 2008, No Way Home 1996, My Own Private Idaho 1991, State of Grace 1990 and Once Upon a Time in America 1984.Also starring Tom Berenger who has also been in other classic flicks, Stiletto also with James Russo, Sniper 2 2002, Training Day 2001, Born on the Fourth of July also with Raymond J. Barry and Platoon 1986.Also starring Steven Bauer who has also been in other classic flicks, The Beast of War 1988, Scarface 1983 and another Jesse V. Johnson classic flick, Pit Fighter.Also starring Keith David who has also been in other classic flicks, Transporter 2 2005, Requiem for a Dream 2000, Pitch Black 2000, There's Something About Mary 1998, Armageddon 1998, Marked for Death 1990, Executive Target 1997, Volcano 1997, The Quick and the Dead 1995, Gamer 2009, Platoon also with Tom Berenger, The Thing 1982 and other classic Jesse V. Johnson flicks, The Butcher and The Fifth Commandment.I enjoyed the violence and shootouts.If you enjoyed this as much as I did then check out other classic heist flicks, 44 Minutes: The North Hollywood Shoot-Out 2003, Bonnie and Clyde 1967, Bottle Rocket 1996, The Getaway 1972, Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man 1991, The Killing 1956, Killing Zoe 1993, Reservoir Dogs 1992, Den of Thieves 2018, Run Lola Run 1998, Stark Raving Mad 2002, Riders 2002, 3000 Miles to Graceland 2001, and The Town 2010.

Well, I caught this film on Showtime and my expectations were low, as I hadn't heard of this movie, and quite frankly am not a fervent fan of Showtime. But what began as background noise quickly caught my attention and I found myself watching with increasing interest, until finally sitting down and really settling into the movie. There is an old world sensibility to this movie that really appealed to me, maybe it's a reference by the filmmakers to an older more classic era in cinema or perhaps it's that the characters are all played by actors you kinda recognize from other movies, I'm not sure.But it was really a great surprise and all extremely entertaining. Ray Barry was dry and slightly bitter as the lead, he didn't soften his character up too much or make him too Hollywood, you felt the sense of compromise he did, it was a really interesting portrayal and not what you'd expect at all.The film was clearly not a big budget affair, and I'm sure it could have and should have been slicker, and more polished with the money or whatever that comes with a bigger price tag. But, there was an edgy, angle to this that really appealed to me, and I think it's uniqueness was perhaps born of it's limitations.There is certainly a format to many recent indie films, they are very similar, almost always told the same way, even when they strive to be different - they are being authored and created by individuals who all seem to have sprung from the same gene pool - filmic geeks, comic book aficionados, the kid who was bullied at school who now returns to play out his revenge on the bullies of the world with his version of reality, the one where the meek and the geek inherit the Earth. Frankly I feel a disconnect with this type of film making.The Hit-man Diaries, Charlie Valentine, seems to be a throwback to an earlier style of filmmaking, an earlier concept of what makes a man a man. That cowardice and facing up to your responsibilities are easy choices and difficult as Hell to overcome. I liked the film a lot, it felt honest and cool, like a bitch slap from Lee Marvin or a knee in the groin from Charles Bronson.Is it going to be paraded at the head of a group of marching comic con internet bullying victims, almost certainly not. You probably need a set of cohones and a fairly decent appreciation of film prior to Star Wars to grasp the subtlety in the story telling.I highly recommend it, but watch it with this warning; Charlie Valentine is not a nice guy, he doesn't discover God, and he probably won't leave you feeling warm and fuzzy, but he will take you on one Helluva ride.Gary in Baker, CA -

First of all I was really looking forward to seeing this movie, I am familiar with all of the players in this film and had heard great things about it. I saw the trailer from the Sacramento International Film Festival and was quite intrigued.As a fiction writer I have to say the story was great, as a screenplay writer I have to say that it was great and it hit all its plot points right on. As an actor I would have to say that the players were at least a 7 out of 10, but direction defeated some. Where it starts to fall apart is with the editing, sound and direction. The cinematography had it's high points but seemed to be defeated by the direction, sound and FX.At points it was obvious that the editor and Foley were rushed to get this finalized.I came in with elated expectations and came away really angry about the final product. I say give it back to a real hard core editor/storyteller and see what comes out of their efforts.

I've seen Jesse Johnson's third and best movie (so far) at the "Action On Film" festival in Pasadena California. This little known cinematographic gem harvested the festival Best picture, Best action Picture, Best Cinematography and the Best Musical Score. Quite a feat for the team led by the talented screen writer and director Jesse Johnson who managed in only 18 days of filming (and with a budget that is considered petty cash in Hollywood) to come up with an action drama movie that isn't only well acted, captivating and entertaining for the action movie fans, but also adds a very human dimension to the classic gangster movie of the old days. Think of the main character Charlie Valentine as an aged Scarface who's ruthlessness and killing instincts are fading away with age and with the realization that in life there are other more important things than money, power and sex. The characters are well rounded and played wonderfully by the main characters, Raymond J. Barry (Training Day) and Michael Weatherly (Gun Shy). The cinematography is top notch - a special mention for the great camera work and image quality. And most importantly, it certainly looks like Jesse Johnson, the screen writer and director of Charlie Valentine who did an excellent job putting this story on screen, is becoming the new flag bearer of the British Invasion in American cinema. Rent or buy the DVD - you won't be sorry.