Killing Them Softly - BLURAY, Digital HD [Blu-ray]

This movie has gotten a raw deal. It is a 5-star movie. The problem is it's an exceedingly subtle movie. Read through the mixed to negative reviews and you see one of two things (or both things): either the person thinks the movie is superficial politica, or they had expectations (because of the gangster genre) and were let down.Here's the thing. This movie is a recreation of the 2008 financial crisis. Every character in the movie represents a different group (like Richard Jenkins is obviously the American government). When you view the movie with this frame, as a parable, I think it takes on new dimensions. You're suddenly comparing characters and groups of characters (like the poker players) to their real-life equivalents (the poker players represent the American 1%). But you're also looking at the interaction between characters and then what that's saying about the interaction between the real-life equivalents. What do I mean by that? The final speech. I won't give it away, but a lot of reviewers and people who have seen the movie say the final speech is cheesy. Sure. Except when you view it through the frame of "Brad Pitt's character has a real-life equivalent", the final speech takes on a different dynamic. It isn't just some speech in a fictional narrative of some movie. It has a real-world influence, it represents something that's not fiction. Who does Brad Pitt's character represent? It's not a "who" rather than a "what". (Hint: it's the American Spirit). The question isn't "is the speech cheesy or not, is it bad or not, is it cool or not?" The question is: do you agree that the speech is representative of the 21st Century American Spirit? If not, why? If so, why? If you agree, does the speech make you feel a rush of pride or discomfort? Then you also have to analyze what it means that it's the avatar for the American Spirit that ends the movie with a surge of emotion. Is Andrew Dominick saying that despite all the **** from the 2008 crisis, the American Spirit will overcome it and win out? I think so.In other words: imagine taking the 2008 financial crisis and condensing it into a fairy tale wearing gangster clothes. That's what "Killing Them Softly" is.Don't expect a fast-moving gangster movie. Don't expect "The Departed" or "Goodfellas".Don't short-change the movie and think it's dumber than what it thinks it is. If it's not smarter than you, it's at least as smart as you.It's fine if you understand what the movie is doing and still don't like it. Maybe it really is too slow for you. Maybe you just don't like these kinds of movies. It's not a bad movie, though.Given time, people and critics and scholars will come to appreciate this movie. I hope you're one of them.

Exciting tale, keeps interest! Great seller condition and transaction! Recommend A+

It's a good movie, but beyond that the movie played well enough in my player. There are a few trailers for other films prior to the main menu coming up. They're easily enough skipped over through the next chapter button on the remote. The only issue I have with the product is that the digital copy is available only on Apple devices or through the Fandango streaming service. I do not have an Apple device and due to presumably technical issues with Fandango, I'm unable to create an account there and redeem the code. Of course, I've not found a movie offering a digital copy for all streaming services. I'm sure there are reasons that's not available, but YouTube streaming is my preferred option.When digital streaming is offered with physical media, the specific streaming services ought to be provided in the listing. Other than that, I have to issues with the quality of the media for this fine film.

Acting and storyline were decent until the end. The movie kind of falls apart and ends with Brad Pitt making a speach, while intersting, did not fit the theme of the movie.

A riveting grotesque work of art. An ugly low-life ballet of reptilian intensity. A dirty broken window into the scuzzy underbelly of America, populated by pale, feral primates with greasy hair & guns. Visions of lives lived in purgatory. Blood blossoming on broken car glass in the rain. A cheap leather coat askew on a fresh corpse in an empty lot. The casual brutality of soulless men bludgeoning each other to death for a few soggy dollars. But hey, it's just, you know... business.A stunning bouquet of acting lessons by the entire cast. A fierce, sardonic capitalistic masterpiece of furious mundane desperation set against the 2008 Bush Bust economic meltdown unfolding in the background on TV & radio; the banal abandonment of all ethical standards; as above, so below; cynically juxtaposed with Obama's words of hope, altruism & outdated American decency.Pitt's gutter-rat character sums up the theme; the bleak, venal, dog-eat-dog, every-man-for-himself mentality used to justify crime from the beginning of time, echoing the growing national soul-sickness that set the stage for the Trump era:"In America, man, you're on your own."

Gotta admit! Something about most, not all, Brad Pitt flicks draws you in like the tractor beam from the Death Star and you end up finishing the movie. (Ex: was never really interested in "The Mexican", but every friggin time its on, I can't turn it off!!!) He is a great, underrated actor! And KTS is no different. Sure he's done better, but a lot of factors make this a must see! For me, Its a "hitman/assassin" flick and I love these kinda movies. Especially in which the H/A is the lead character or strong factor in the movie! Second, the cast is stellar! Ray Liotta(always good in anything), James Gandolfini like you've never seen him!(shoulda been nominated!!!), Richard Jenkins(always great character actor), Vincent Curatola(another Sopranos alum), Scoot McNairy & Ben Mendelsohn play lowlife criminals so well, your heart goes out to their characters! Director Andrew Dominik helms this small picture with a deft hand. It was a great adaptation of a classic George V. Higgins novel, Cogan's Trade. Brad Pitt is Cogan and his trade is death. He's called in by the mob to investigate a robbery of a "family" gambling ring. And then to resolve the all perpetrators of said robbery. The performances are nomination worthy and the story is frikkin' GRIM!!! Great small gem with huge cast!