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Movie Battles 2.0 #19: Donnie Brasco Vs. Reservoir Dogs

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Encore: Refers to a movies replay value.
Pulitzer: Refers to the quality of the movie's story.
Alpha: Refers to the macho-ness and toughness of the movie and the actors in it.
Thank The Academy: Refers to the quality of the acting in the movie.
Highlander: Refers to the movie's ability and probability to live on forever.


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Donnie Brasco (1997)

Synopsis: This true story follows FBI agent Joe Pistone as he infiltrates the mafia of New York. Befriending Lefty Ruggiero, Pistone (under the name Donnie Brasco) is able to embed himself in a mafia faction lead by Sonny Black. Ruggiero and Pistone become tight as the group goes about collecting money for 'the bosses'. Eventually, the group become big time when Black himself becomes a boss, all the while Pistone collects evidence. However, the trials and tribulations of the undercover work become more than Pistone can bear. His marriage falls apart and to top it off, the mafia suspect a mole in the organization. The real dilemma is afforded to Pistone, who knows if he walks away from the mafia, Ruggiero will be the one punished.



Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Synopsis: Six criminals, who are strangers to each other, are hired by a crime boss Joe Cabot to carry out a diamond robbery. Right at the outset, they are given false names with an intention that they won't get too close and concentrate on the job instead. They are completely sure that the robbery is going to be a success. But when the police show up right at the time and the site of the robbery, panic spreads amongst the group members and one of them is killed in the subsequent shootout along with a few policemen and civilians. When the remaining people assemble at the premeditated rendezvous point (a warehouse), they begin to suspect that one of them is an undercover cop.











I got Donnie Brasco by uppercut to the back of the skull.




Things to remember:

- My Movie Battles are pitting up 2 movies that have the same feel, appeal to a similar audience, or share similar content. They won't always be completely alike in all areas.

-Polls close in 3 days.

- Choosing one doesn't mean the other sucks, so you better freakin choose!
 
Took me a few days to get back in the groove of things with the holidays, but now it's back to bidness. Hope everyone had a good Christmas.
 
I've never actually seen Donnie Brasco. I've read the book though. Can't really vote on that basis though.
 
I've never actually seen Donnie Brasco. I've read the book though. Can't really vote on that basis though.

I hadn't until recently either, I actually watched it just because I was using it in a movie battle. It's pretty damn good though, so I'm glad I did.
 
Forget about it.

it has held up better over time. once you take the shock value out of Reservoir Dog's, it pales in comparison to the much better acted, written and directed Brasco.
 
Forget about it.

it has held up better over time. once you take the shock value out of Reservoir Dog's, it pales in comparison to the much better acted, written and directed Brasco.

Agreed...

Reservoir Dogs had the immediate, wow factor, and immediately got your attention...

it has some great scenes and great dialogue...but as you said...over time you realize Donnie Brasco was the better film...better written and better acted.

This was probably Johnny Depp's last film where he actually acted well, rather than playing ridiculous caricatures.

Not to mention Al Pacino (Lefty) great performance...he played the roll of a under acheiving, striving to be on top, loser very well.
 
Forget about it.
 
The poll result is tight now but Reservoir Dogs will win by a large margin eventually.
 
Resevoir Dogs and its not even close.

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Donnie Brosco is a quality movie, but Resevoir Dogs was just plain awesome.
 
I thought Reservoir Dogs had more novelty to its value; the classic non-linear Tarantino multi threaded storyline, the cool dialogue, the big characters and the way he captured a group of strangers trying to squad up and rob a motherfucker. These kinds of things give it good appeal right off the bat and also add value to repeat showings.

Brasco, on the other hand has a more traditional approach of a linear storyline led by 2 big actors playing off eachother. This structure allows both Depp and Pacino to shine more so than the actors in RD (who all do a very good job in their respective parts). The drama in Brasco is more emotional and deep; you're watching Depp's life fall apart as his mob persona starts to overwhelm him. In RD the biggest drama is splattered in your face in the form of blood, trauma and violence.

Both excellent Mob films. When I was about 16 I had an obsession with the mafia and watched both of these movies along with the other classics like "The Godfather" and "Scarface." Brasco followed the archetype more closely and stood better next to its peers like "Goodfellas" and "Casino." Reservoir Dogs seemed to be its own movie, which is good, but it didn't get my vote in this case for the reasons stated.

I didn't realize you guys were doing this shit in the Mayberry. As a film buff I love it and I'll be back for the next one!
 
Went with Dogs. Didn't think Brasco was anything special.
 
Michael Madsen is my favorite actor in both movies. I love that laugh he has. He was more of a bad ass in Donnie Brasco so I gave it the nod

 
Dogs all day. Donnie was good but RD was much better.
 
Read "Donnie Brasco"
Thought "Eh.."
Read "Reservoir Dogs"
Thought "Well fuck yeah"
 
In all the 5 Burroughs I'm known, forget about it!
Donnie Brasco is one of Depps finest performances and by the end of the movie you were actually left caring about his relationship with Lefty. One of the only movies I can rematch and not get sick of.
 
Reservoir Dogs is terrible.
 

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