Every now and then, my support for the ‘straight-to-dvd’ movie industry leads me to films like Mob Rules. This is a story about two elite criminals who sought revenge after a heist went wrong years ago. They traveled across the country, tracked down their ex-partner and planned every detail of their attack. When they finally came face to face, the criminals refused to back down until they got what belonged to them – death!
Interesting? Somewhat. Keith Parmer has taken a bold step in his filmmaking career. The effort is commendable. Perhaps, he was just a little carried away with the ‘Tarantino’ magic.
Some young writers/directors are drawn at every turn toward eccentricities in film. They quickly admire the beat of new stylists like Quentin Tarantino or Guy Richie, each speaking a language of their own. All of us come under the spell of these unsettling filmmaking styles; the problem however, for the ab initio writer and filmmaker who admires these works is to study them; learn the technique, feel its vibrations, and above all not be carried away!
Forty minutes into the movie and I still didn’t know what these two criminals were doing or planning to do. Clarity is not the prize in filmmaking – sure, nor is it always the principal mark of a good style. There are occasions where obscurity serves a stylistic yearning – hell – if not an artistic purpose, and there are writers/directors whose mien is more overcast than clear. But since filmmaking is communication, clarity can only be a virtue. Are Quentin Tarantino and Guy Richie obscure clearly? Yes. They are wild of technique in a way we can understand! They are cagey plainly! They are elliptical in a straightforward fashion! I need to know what is going on in a movie under ten minutes. If I don’t, you’d better have a damn good reason. Mob Rules had absolutely none.
“But,” the young filmmaker like Keith Parmer may ask, “what if it comes natural to me to experiment rather than conform? What if I am a pioneer, or even a genius?” The answer is: then be one! But do not forget that what may seem like pioneering may be merely evasion, or laziness – the disinclination to submit to the discipline of trusted and tested technique.
Good filmmaking, I have heard is no cinch, and before you have managed it, you will have encountered enough rough water to satisfy the fondest of your imaginations or even the most adventurous of spirits. Mob Rules could have been a whole lot better, had it stuck to the simple Rules. But like a rogue, the Mob went wild, broke every Rule and painted for itself a terrible caricature!
Director: Keith Parmer
Writer: Keith Parmer
Stars: Lennie James, Treva Etienne and Gary McDonald
what is this? why’d see it? n**grs with guns! that’s typical.. can they get a little original?
I loved this movie. I have no idea what you guys are talking about. Fine film. Plus what is this whole, ‘I know what a movie should look like’ tone you have about your review?
See, I think Keith deserves some respect and should not be treated like an ab initio filmmaker.
Who names a movie ‘Mob Rules’. After watching this movie, if you like it, you must take a painful look at yourself.
Part of reviewing people’s work is to help them get better the next time around. This review at least says it how it see it. How do you see it? It might not be your opinion so say why you liked the movie.
I thought it was alright. Ok to watch if you have nothing else to see and don’t feel like paying those high prices at the theater. There are a lot of movies that I wouldn’t watch even if you paid me to.
For me i don’t think that black heist movies are bad. this one, i just didn’t know what was going on. was this supposed to be a heist movie? there was no heist. I was thinking that even Belly was a million times better and I don’t even like DMX or Belly.
I think some people will definitely like this, i already know two guys that love this, they recommended it, and gee, was I dissappointed?