Black Mass

Valuable for mapping real events. With a plethora of stars (why did Kevin Bacon disappear from the big screen?), but dramaturgically weak, Black Mass is dull, with only one or two scenes that really get to the viewer. Depp’s transformation, however, is chilling and admirable. (11/25/2015)

Johnny Depp at his best! It's great to see Johnny back after all those failures and even in such a demonic performance. The story is interesting, and it almost always is if you tell a story about the most feared gangster. The film also has a very enjoyable pace, a raw delivery at times and the highlight is the dinner at a table of friends where the tension hangs in the air and makes makes you feel sick, yes that's how disturbing Depp is. The finale, typical of these gangster biopics, is also pleasing, giving real details of all involved. If you like gangster films, you should be satisfied. 80%. (10/22/2015)

The solid actor base and even the complete transformation of Johnny Deppʼs appearance didn’t make me completely blown away by Black Mass. Story-wise, it’s not bad, but at times I had the impression that had the movie been 90 minutes long, I wouldn’t be angry at all. High quality and uncompromising gangster movies have apparently become extinct. That’s what was constantly going through my head while watching the movie. The thing so good about the legendary Goodfellas, The Godfather, and Scarface, namely the unforgettable scenes, was missing here. In any case, Johnny Depp proved that with every new role he is able to go to the limits of his acting abilities and for that, he has my genuine admiration. (05/25/2016)

Johnny Depp is slowly ceasing to be an actor I would necessarily seek out. For example, I was almost looking forward to this movie more because Benedict Cumberbatch is in it. On the other hand, Depp took the opportunity to play something different and he succeeded. What didn't work were the masks, which at first glance I found horrible. And at second glance. How to watch a moving wax museum. (01/18/2016)

A two-hour conversational reconstruction of real events, where everything is perfectly fine, but at the same time nothing surprises, nor does it significantly break us out of the lethargy of the monotonous and emotionally alienating narrative. We don't identify with the characters, we merely follow their pre-plotted fates through the eyes of a disinterested judge, just as the deliberately austere direction does. I enjoyed Depp's amazing performance (that's how you act with your eyes), the well-written dialogues and Junkie XL's signature music, but the rest remains well in the shadow of classic works of the Hollywood mafia school. (07/01/2016)