This week’s Friday Flicks features a selection of movies from a genre that has inspired an exceptional number of great films: mob movies. We get to watch the fast and furious (😅) lifestyle of old-school gangsters and hitmen from the comfort of our living room while we enjoy our completely legal and fully licensed recreational drugs 😇 Pick up your Jima Select and Collect order, sit back, relax, and enjoy:
Donnie Brasco (1997) by Director Mike Newell
You could maybe classify this movie as a workplace drama for mobsters. It follows the true story of an undercover FBI agent (played by Johnny Depp) using the alias Donnie Brasco, who infiltrates a major New York Mafia by getting close to Benjamin “Lefty” Ruggiero, a hitman (played by Al Pacino). What begins as a means to an end develops into a real friendship, making Brasco’s job a lot more complicated. It’s an empathetic take on the realities and relationships of the underworld, bringing a refreshing perspective to the genre and giving us an instant classic. For this movie, I recommend a sneaky joint with a Smoke Buddy so that you too can feel like an undercover rebel.
Blow (2001) by Director Ted Demme
I do recognize that this is the second movie starring Johnny Depp to be featured in this blog, but you won’t regret watching them both, for very different reasons. I also promise that the rest of the movies featured do not star Johnny Depp. While Donnie Brasco is a cautionary tale, Blow makes being a cocaine dealer look like a lot more fun 😅 (Jima Cannabis Co. in no way supports or encourages the use or sale of illegal substances). Based on a true story, this movie tells the story of George Jung (Johnny Depp), an all-American football star who finds himself pioneering the cocaine trade between Colombia’s Medellin cartel and the United States. We get a close look at the fantastic and ferocious life of George Jung through a mesmerizing performance by Depp. Like many great films, Blow has a pitiful 55% critic score and a whopping 87% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, meaning you’ll have a lot of fun but you can get as high as you want to watch it, don’t worry about missing any profound meaning or symbolism.
Sin City (2005) by Directors Frank Miller, Quentin Tarantino, and Robert Rodriguez
This movie explores the violent streets of Basin City at night through three stories of conflict, corruption, and revenge. The film is an adaptation of Frank Miller’s popular comics, which heavily influenced the direction and design, resulting in a stunning cinematic experience. The anthological film structure, telling three different stories in the same setting, created the opportunity to showcase a large cast of intriguing characters played by talented actors, with appearances from the likes of Jessica Alba, Bruce Willis, Benicio Del Toro, Tommy Flannagan, and more. It’s a fun watch from start to end, an experience that would be well-complimented by some small-dose edibles.
The Departed (2006) by Director Martin Scorsese
This one is debatably one of the best movies of all time. With an absolutely loaded cast featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, and Martin Sheen. It follows the exploits of an undercover cop infiltrating a South Boston gang and an undercover gangster infiltrating the South Boston police, resulting in an epically chaotic climax. It’s rare that the direction, cinematography, and acting performances in one film can come together in such a flawless delivery, making this Scorcese’s best creation in my opinion. The fact that DiCaprio did not win an Oscar for this movie is mindblowing. Honestly, I’d recommend staying sober for your first watch if you want to get the most out of this film.
In Bruges (2008) by Director Martin McDonagh
In Bruges is a hilarious film that takes place in the sleepy fairytale-esque town of Bruges, Belgium. Two hitmen (played by Brendon Gleeson and Colin Farrell) are sent on a mysterious job with little instruction and very different approaches to the experience. What starts as a mildly offensive comedy about two men trying to burn time in a tourist town quickly devolves into utter chaos that will have you laughing hysterically through your tears. Themes of morality, sin, and forgiveness create the perfect setting for this dark comedy. Incredible performances by Gleeson and Farrell are complemented beautifully by Ralph Fiennes, who never fails to play the perfect villain. Get as high as you’d like for this one, but make sure you can still catch the jokes.
RocknRolla (2008) by Director Guy Ritchie
This movie follows the complex dealings of big and small-time London gangsters when a Russian mobster comes to town for a land deal. Everybody wants a piece of the pie, and nobody’s as smart as they think they are. Old-school mobster Lenny Cole (played by Tom Wilkinson), his presumably deceased Rock Star son, and a gang of small-time criminals led by One Two (played by Gerard Butler) create a perfect storm of guns, gangsters, and money, all wrapped up in Ritchie’s signature tone of British grit. While Gerard Butler is not everybody’s favourite, he is mine. It’s another one of those films that the critics don’t love, but the audience does. It’s pure fun, pure vibes, and it’ll make you want to become a rock star and raise some hell. For this one I’d recommend a big ol’ bong, you’ll understand why as soon as you click play.
We hope you enjoy our selection! Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram if any of our Friday Flicks made it into your movie night, and stay tuned for more recommendations every other Friday on our blog 😊
