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Blackmail, Murder & Mayhem

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King of New York

King of New York

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Ferrara film!
Review: In the Abel Ferrara tradition, this flick is a caricature of violence. It's nonstop, from the very beginning when Lawrence (then Larry) Fishburne blows away some Latino drug dealers, through the best chase scene in the history of films, even to the scene where Caruso blows away Fishburne, and beyond!

Believe it or not, I'm far from an advocate of violence. I won't even watch a Stallone movie, or Schwarznegger, for example. At the same time, the criminal world isn't as clinically clean as most Hollywood films make it.

Well, the plot's been outlined several times so I won't repeat it here. But I think one person overlooked--the one whose acting was perhaps even better than Christopher Walken's (and his was superior; he's like Dennis hopper without steroids) was Victor Argo, the cops' boss. I don't know why I haven't seen him since!

This isn't for the kids to see. Nor for the wife or relative who's sensitive to tension and superviolence. It's especially not for the activists who so resent violence that they pretend it doesn't exist--They'll completely miss the point. But for quite a good story and the debut performances of many whose names at least one other reviewer went over, it's a gem. But, again, watch Victor Argo. I truly hope to see him in more mainstream films. His acting was superior.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A total fantasy
Review: Christopher Walken as an idealistic, EOE, Robin-Hood-inspired, freelance drug kingpin battling an NYPD death squad.
Any questions?
Not CW's best performance, either. But he is, as always, cool in a creepy way--give it 4 stars if you're a dedicated fan.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: 5 Stars for Walken
Review: The Deer Hunter, Dogs of War, King of New York, and his cameo in Pulp Fiction are the definitive Walken performances. King of New York is a cross between Scar Face and Taxi Driver- brooding, atmospheric, realistic (to a point)- this film is ten times better than New Jack City.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Grower...
Review: Originally, I didn't particularly like this film; it didn't make much sense why some total cracker would be the head of this black, murderous, NY gang, much less why they'd follow him (even if he is Chris Walken!). But upon repeated viewings, I payed closer attention to Walken's little nuances, and the brilliance of Nicholas St. John's script.

On top of the phenomenal film editing, is a great--if outdated--soundtrack, and a supporting cast of top-notch stars before they got famous. Wesley Snipes, David Caruso, Lawrence Fishburne, Steve Buscemi to name a few.

It's a worthy (and in some ways, superior) successor to similar films like "Scarface" and "New Jack City", and one of Abel Ferrara's best.

And yes, it includes a Walken dance scene--one of his funniest.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Walken At His Best!
Review: I'm not young and I hate violent movies. However, Christopher Walken is one of my favorites. That is why I bought this movie after reading the reviews here. Nothing like what I thought it was going to be. So real. This is how the drug/sex on the streets and in the bosses rooms must be. Yes, great stars in this tragic tale. Not a predictable movie. Very human, violent and real. But I've said that before. Intense, entertaining. Try it. You'll like it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: twice the movie that new jack city is!
Review: This is the movie that type-cast the careers of christopher walkin,,larry fishburne and david caruso.All these actors would go onto careers that would see them essentially reprise their roles so capably deliniated in this seminal flick.If you want a good action flick that's a favorite with every body who's ever seen it,this is one that people memorise.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: ridiculous but watchable mobster movie
Review: Chris Walken portrays another cold hearted bad guy in this one. The violence is so over the top one can't take it as a serious film. I'd put in the surreal but entertaining category of films. You know this guy would not be putting up a hospital for all the poor folks in town if he were real. I just thought that part of the story was so laughable. A drug kingpin (Walken) wanting to revitalize the community. Is this supposed to make us feel for his character? I don't know. It's one of those artsy things the director does that didn't work for me.

If this was written with logic in mind... after the first five minutes Walken's character was on the street his rival factions would have finished him off. The whole thing with him on the subway asking those teen age gang members if they wanted work...they would have worked Walken's character over the minute he pulled out that roll of cash. So if you are looking for realism it isn't here. It's a cool movie to watch if you want to see an A list of actors before they got to be mega stars.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Flawed but Intense
Review: King of New York is a stylish, well shot and superbly acted crime film. It features great characters and some classic action scenes. It's Scarface without Pacino but with some great additions that bring the story to 90's New York.

Of course, as always, Walken is the man in this movie. His cold eyes and ruthless, distant persona drive this movie. He is very intriguing and his motives really engage viewers. Along with Walken's performance, actors like David Caruso, Lawrence Fishburne and Wesley Snipes bring their A game to this picture. Walken is a man consumed with the idea of consolidating his criminal empire, no matter who stands against him. He is a man trying to reform in a way, using his drug money to keep a local children's hospital running. Walkens fervor comes in the form of brutal shootouts and executions carried out by Walken's soldiers and himself. These actions scenes are really excellent, especially the main battle inside the night club. The shooting of the movie is expertly done, with a modern noir approach to flashy New York.

There are some down sides. One is the fact that there is so much violence, the killings begin to lose any meaning or dramatic impact. The other is the almost silly unrealistic feel of the some scenes. We are told Walken is one of the most investigated men in the country yet he feels perfectly comfortable shooting an Uzi on a public street with dozens of witnesses.

That said, this is a very good movie and one of Walken's best performances.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Walken is fabulous
Review: The way he dramatically unloads all 6 shots, when killing the mob boss, is the best scene in the movie. You never really know for sure if the benefactors of his generosity, know what business Frank is in...& if they did...were they bothered by it or not? Fabulous movie.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Christopher Walken is a stud muffin!
Review: Christopher Walken...he's such a hottie!


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