up here in canada we have a store called dollarama. they sell things for 1 to 3 dollars. the other day i found a dvd box set called the mafia box which had donnie brasco, snatch and bugsy in it. 3 bucks for these three movies; that's an offer i couldn't refuse. and as i watch all the movies i own of a director in a row i had to play catch up with bugsy. 2 years ago (if feels like yesterday) i watched rain man, disclosure and sphere and like those movies it would not be my first time visiting bugsy. playing catch-up sometimes can be a drag as i thought this was the case. i remember thinking bugsy was a good movie but i wasn't so much in the mood for a gangster flick that focused on a romance and had very little 'gangster' in it. jeez, i was so wrong on that account. bugsy is actually a gangster flick that focuses on the 'gangster' and has a little bit of romance. not only that but it was amazing. i mean amazing. it's amazing how far a drop barry levinson has taken as a director in latter years because this film was top notch. telling a fictionalized story of ben "bugsy' siegel and his infatuation with hollywood, a certain woman and the creaton of las vegas the movie excels at all levels. the costumes and make-up and sets and locations are fantastic. tking them into account with the way the film was shot and (other then the modern violence and swearing) i swear i felt like i was actually watching a film from the forties. the cast here is also sublime, led by the wonderful warren beatty. everytime i watch that guy i like him more and more. here was no different. he plays bugsy as a crazy don't mess with me or my friends or i'll kill you guy. he's evil, he's scary, he can flip on you on a dime and yet beatty makes you like him and makes you care for him. what a man that warren is. really, i can't believe how good a film this was. i'm trying to find things wrong with it and i can't. i guess i can say that the top notch cinematography would only be enhanced if it was shot on a wider aspect ratio but is that really a complaint? is this movie as good as i am saying it is? or maybe i'm crazy to think this? there is only one way to find out which it is dear reader and that is to see it for yourself... production design: 10 out of 10 cinematography: 9 out of 10 re-playability: 9 out of 10 originality: 9 out of 10 costumes: 10 out of 10 directing: 10 out of 10 editing: 9 out of 10 acting: 10 out of 10 music: 9 out of 10 script: 10 out of 10 95/100