Hollywood Bites Review: "Harry Brown"

"Harry Brown" is an unyieldingly dark film that's taut, blood splattered and gritty. And it stars Michael Caine. Say whaaa?

That’s right, Caine, giving a turn reminiscent of his role in 1971’s “Get Carter,” stars as Harry Brown, a recently widowed ex-Royal Marine who goes on a vigilante killing spree to avenge the murder of his last remaining friend by a gang of local teenage thugs in East London.

Beginning with hyper-realistic first-person footage, seemingly shot on a Flip Cam or cell phone, of teenagers smoking heroin from a light bulb before going for a joy ride and repeatedly shooting an innocent mother walking her infant in a stroller, “Harry Brown” is varnishless. Violent, bloody and merciless, the film can be painfully, overpoweringly silent, using only ambient noises and the sound of Harry wheezing with emphysema as he plunges into the dark night of the soul.

Delving deep into Charles Bronson-“Death Wish” territory, first-time director Daniel Barber is unflinching in his portrayal of a man whose life is filled with loss and loneliness. Shooting the film in a gun-metal grey hue, through graffiti riddled concrete caverns and in the flickering TV light of a drug den, sunlight is as absent from the film as hope.

While Caine is his usual brilliant self, Emily Mortimer is unfortunately cast as Alice Frampton, a police officer investigating the murder that send Harry over the edge. Mousey and gentle, she’s not believable as a cop walking the roughest beat around, but her tenderness is the only in the film and it’s occasionally a welcome, necessary addition.

Dark, disturbing and unsettlingly realistic, Caine gives a master class on elevating material. This vigilante story has been done many times before but it usually ends up closer to The Rock’s "Walking Tall" than Eastwood’s "Gran Torino." Thanks to Caine, this is one of the few credible exceptions. But it’s still a beast to sit through.

Emily Mortimer on Martin Scorsese's Set: It's "Classy as Hell"

At yesterday’s press junket for her new film, “Harry Brown,” Emily Mortimer discussed the difference between working on that project as opposed to working with Martin Scorsese recently on “Shutter Island.”

“It’s so different doing an independent film that doesn’t have a lot of money,” Mortimer began. “It just feels more chaotic, but in a good way. It’s exciting and kind of a miracle that it all comes off. You’re not even sure the day before you start shooting, even while you’re shooting, if it’s all going to work out, but it somehow happens.”

“The difference [on a Martin Scorsese set] is there’s just more time for everything. The chaos factor is infinitely reduced. You walk onto a Scorsese film and it’s just silent. Everything’s this well oiled machine, you can hear a pin drop. It’s old school and classy as hell.

“But the amazing thing about Scorsese is he has the same enthusiasm for what he does as a first time director and that’s what I think makes him a true genius. He hasn’t stopped loving what he does and getting such a kick out of it. He just can’t get over the fact that he’s allowed to make a shot like Hitchcock or a camera move like in a Michael Powell movie. He’s so alive when it comes to the business of making films."

The Best Thing I Ate Today: Koo Koo Roo's Marshmallow-Topped Sweet Potatoes

Oh. My. God! Koo Koo Roo has Marshmallow-topped Sweet Potatoes?!?!? Someone's been reading my diary!

After a 'Roo run that involved me and an ex-boyfriend eating there multiple times a week for almost three years, I OD'ed on the place back in 2006. But this afternoon, heading home in light drizzle from the "Harry Brown" press day with Emily Mortimer (who was adorable, amiable and rocking a bitchin' Gladys Knight shirt she admitted often doubles as her pajamas), I decided I needed some 'Roo.

And then I saw this!

Do you see that crusty marshmallow goodness on the side of the bowl? Can you smell the nutmeg? I need that in my mouth right now!!! (That's what she said.)

But by the time I saw the sweet potatoes I'd already placed my order and the line was ten deep. I busted out Tyrone (my Blackberry) and decided that just having the photo would be enough. Next time I'd actually order them.

I guess I was a little more enthusiastic than I realized because one very nice worker noticed my fervor over the new menu item and gave me a free side! Oh snap! Thank you, WeHo Koo Koo Roo!


Behold mashed, spiced sweet potato with a few bruleed mini marshmallows buried under the surface. It's a mouthful of Christmas. Though lighter than I might prefer on the marshmallows, it was rich in flavor, and high in vitamins A and C and beta carotene. How can something so seemingly healthy taste that good?

After my Chicken Caesar with Sundried Tomatoes and Black Beans, studded with sauteed peppers and onions, those potatoes were the perfect dessert.

Koo Koo Roo gets a hootie hoo!

The Best Thing I Ate Today: Benito's Chicken Burrito

En route to witness the black night of Michael Caine's soul in the uber-gloomy "Harry Brown," I stopped in on one of my favorite burrito places in Los Angeles, Benito's, for an edible security blanket, their chicken burrito with extra pico de gallo and guacamole.

There's nothing fancy about Benito's. In fact, it's kind of grungy, but that's what makes it so good. They get down and dirty in all the right ways.

To build a Benito's burrito, they start by griddling a fresh flour tortilla until it flecks with a polka dot dressing of char. Next, they add stewed chicken, a mixture of breast and thigh meat in a tomato and onion bath that will eventually run down your hands as it pools at the bottom of the burrito, followed by shredded iceberg lettuce, Spanish rice, refried pinto beans, guacamole and pico de gallo that's 60% diced onion to 40% tomato. Bust out the Breath Asure, kids, because this bad boy came to play. Finally, extra helpings of Benito's tomatillo and fiery red salsa poured on each new bite, occasionally followed by a slice of pickled jalapeno to add additional fire best squelched by an ice cold Styrofoam cup of Horchata.

By the time the last bite had been inhaled, I was back in business and primed to see one of the darkest films to come down the pike in recent memory. Apologies to the nice man who sat next to me and had to endure my pico de gallo breath at the screening. I promise, it tasted much better than it smelled a few hours later.

Benito's Taco Shop
7912 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048