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Under the Radar Gangster Movies
#579247
08/16/10 09:57 AM
08/16/10 09:57 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,325 MI
Lilo
OP
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OP
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,325
MI
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I don't know that all of these would be under the radar for the board membership but a few of them might be. I think the author limits himself by stopping at the early seventies though..John Farr Classic "Under the Radar" gangster movies.Crime has not just been good to the criminals; it's been awfully good to Hollywood as well. It so happens I just finished watching Josef Von Sternberg's "Underworld" (1927), the first in a compilation of three silent classics from famed director Josef Von Sternberg, now out via the esteemed Criterion Collection. For those unfamiliar with Von Sternberg, he would become best known later as the director who launched Marlene Dietrich's career in "The Blue Angel" (1930) and "Morocco" (1930). Basically a love triangle involving a crime boss (George Bancroft), the alcoholic former lawyer he saves from the gutter (Clive Brook), and the girl torn between the two men (Evelyn Brent), the movie also features lots of rat-tat-tat action as the mobster rids himself of a key criminal rival. When the film debuted in 1927, at a moment when gangsters were still riding high off the spoils of Prohibition, the movie was not only daring but timely, and fueled by strong word-of-mouth, soon audiences were overwhelming theatres to such an extent that show times had to be added to satisfy demand. The burgeoning film industry, then as now, knew a good (and profitable) thing when they saw it, and since then, the gangster film has been pretty much an ongoing staple of Hollywood. Re-examining the phenomenon of the gangster picture made me realize all over again its influence, staying power, and sheer vastness. Just think of all the permutations: the pioneering sound pictures at Warner Brothers that made stars of Robinson and Cagney; the advent of film noir post World War Two; the heist film, the private eye film, the prison drama, and later, the ethnic gangster films, portraying the Mafia or organized criminal elements tied to other races and nationalities. And of course, this doesn't even count the rich store of excellent gangster films made overseas. ("Rififi", anyone?) Perusing the AFI list of top American gangster pictures, I noted that practically every film is thoroughly engrained in the national consciousness: the first two "Godfather" pictures appear (1972/1974), as well as both iterations of "Scarface" (1932/1983), Arthur Penn's "Bonnie and Clyde"(1967), Scorsese's "Goodfellas" (1990), and Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction" (1994). Glaringly, the list omits the seminal Bogart/Robinson outing, "Key Largo" (1948) and Kazan's racketeering classic "On The Waterfront" (1954), but redeems itself somewhat by including Cagney's late career masterpiece, "White Heat" (1949). While it's hard to argue with the AFI's choices, the overwhelming familiarity of most of their picks made me want to compile a list of ten quintessential American gangster pictures that could fall under the radar of curious movie fans wanting to dig further into this incredibly rich, varied and enduring movie genre. Note: I've limited myself to American films made from the dawn of sound up to roughly the time of "The Godfather." Not one of these titles made the AFI list, but in my opinion, all rival the quality of the classics that did... List of ten under the radar mob movies
"When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives." Winter is Coming
Now this is the Law of the Jungle—as old and as true as the sky; And the wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the wolf that shall break it must die. As the creeper that girdles the tree-trunk, the Law runneth forward and back; For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.
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Re: Under the Radar Gangster Movies
[Re: getthesenets]
#579529
08/20/10 11:16 AM
08/20/10 11:16 AM
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 22,902 New York
SC
Consigliere
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Consigliere
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 22,902
New York
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With all due respect, almost any film before the Godfather would just be too dated for modern gangster film fan to really enjoy. Doesn't say much for the modern gangster film fan.
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Re: Under the Radar Gangster Movies
[Re: getthesenets]
#579552
08/20/10 03:08 PM
08/20/10 03:08 PM
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 22,902 New York
SC
Consigliere
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Consigliere
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 22,902
New York
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We've watched bloodier things on the evening news than what was allowed to be shown in pre GF gangster films. And that makes the newer films better?? The older films concentrated more on character development; that is generally lacking in many newer movies and taking a back seat to special effects.
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Re: Under the Radar Gangster Movies
[Re: getthesenets]
#579561
08/20/10 03:53 PM
08/20/10 03:53 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,296 Throggs Neck
pizzaboy
The Fuckin Doctor
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The Fuckin Doctor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,296
Throggs Neck
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We've watched bloodier things on the evening news than what was allowed to be shown in pre GF gangster films. What are you looking for, 'Freddy and Jason meet the Godfather'? In my opinion, the absolute Golden Age of the Gangster Film in America is definitely pre-1950.
"I got news for you. If it wasn't for the toilet, there would be no books." --- George Costanza.
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Re: Under the Radar Gangster Movies
[Re: getthesenets]
#579954
08/27/10 05:32 AM
08/27/10 05:32 AM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5
Quentina
BANNED SPAMMER
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BANNED SPAMMER
Associate
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5
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Spam removed
Last edited by SC; 08/27/10 07:01 AM. Reason: Spammer
- Removed Spamming Address -
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Re: Under the Radar Gangster Movies
[Re: Sonny_Black]
#581269
09/18/10 02:52 PM
09/18/10 02:52 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,296 Throggs Neck
pizzaboy
The Fuckin Doctor
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The Fuckin Doctor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,296
Throggs Neck
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King of New York with Christopher Walken is one of the better ones. Yes, it is. I always refer to both "King of New York" and "State of Grace" as the "lost" gangster films of 1990. Both of those movies were released the EXACT same week (in September 1990) as "Goodfellas," and were, naturally, overlooked. The other gangster film in 1990 was an obscure little picture called "The Godfather, Part III."
"I got news for you. If it wasn't for the toilet, there would be no books." --- George Costanza.
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Re: Under the Radar Gangster Movies
[Re: pizzaboy]
#581274
09/18/10 04:32 PM
09/18/10 04:32 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,325 MI
Lilo
OP
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OP
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,325
MI
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What are you looking for, 'Freddy and Jason meet the Godfather'? .
"Luca, I'm a little worried about this Jason fellow. I want you to go to the abandoned summer camp, nose around and uh,, see what you can learn."
"When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives." Winter is Coming
Now this is the Law of the Jungle—as old and as true as the sky; And the wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the wolf that shall break it must die. As the creeper that girdles the tree-trunk, the Law runneth forward and back; For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.
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Re: Under the Radar Gangster Movies
[Re: pizzaboy]
#581277
09/18/10 04:53 PM
09/18/10 04:53 PM
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,568
Sonny_Black
Underboss
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Underboss
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,568
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King of New York with Christopher Walken is one of the better ones. Yes, it is. I always refer to both "King of New York" and "State of Grace" as the "lost" gangster films of 1990. Both of those movies were released the EXACT same week (in September 1990) as "Goodfellas," and were, naturally, overlooked. The other gangster film in 1990 was an obscure little picture called "The Godfather, Part III." State of Grace is also definitely a good one indeed. Especially the film score which has a nice sentiment. And Sean Penn is a good actor.
"It was between the brothers Kay -- I had nothing to do with it."
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Re: Under the Radar Gangster Movies
[Re: olivant]
#581537
09/23/10 10:45 PM
09/23/10 10:45 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,989
getthesenets
Underboss
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Underboss
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,989
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Has anyone seen the movie Brother about a Japanese gangster setting up business in LA? I saw it after seeing the boxcover and hearing some good things about it. Kind of interesting story (had not seen (m)any gangster films from Asian American perspective). Novelty wore off during the film. Had some good scenes but overall not a good film. EDIT----The film I saw was called "Baby"..NOT Brother... Baby was about Asian american gangster in LA..so I got confused..
Last edited by getthesenets; 09/23/10 10:48 PM.
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Re: Under the Radar Gangster Movies
[Re: pizzaboy]
#582913
10/11/10 11:53 PM
10/11/10 11:53 PM
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 235 Cesena Italy
ledblimp
Made Member
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Made Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 235
Cesena Italy
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[quote=getthesenets]We've watched bloodier things on the evening news than what was allowed to be shown in pre GF gangster films. What are you looking for, 'Freddy and Jason meet the Godfather'? Cleaver?
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Re: Under the Radar Gangster Movies
[Re: Lilo]
#583359
10/17/10 12:20 PM
10/17/10 12:20 PM
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,543 Gateshead, UK
Capo de La Cosa Nostra
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,543
Gateshead, UK
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Has anyone seen the movie Brother about a Japanese gangster setting up business in LA? Yes I saw that. I enjoyed it. Weird little mix between art and ultraviolence. Have you seen any of Takeshi Kitano's other films? If you're not familiar with him, he's both the director and the star of Brother (and the Takeshi from the TV show Takeshi's Castle), and that film is interesting because it basically lifts the mix of deadpan violence and naturalistic humour direct from his previous Japanese crime films - Violent Cop, Boiling Point, Sonatine, Fireworks - and places it into the 'what if' scenario of a more Hollywood setting. You should find the 'weird little mix between art and ultraviolence' even more satisfying and altogether singular in the other four films I've mentioned.
...dot com bold typeface rhetoric. You go clickety click and get your head split. 'The hell you look like on a message board Discussing whether or not the Brother is hardcore?
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Re: Under the Radar Gangster Movies
[Re: Capo de La Cosa Nostra]
#583360
10/17/10 12:35 PM
10/17/10 12:35 PM
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,543 Gateshead, UK
Capo de La Cosa Nostra
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,543
Gateshead, UK
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As for the topic in general, I'll vouch for these films* in no particular order that may or may not be familiar; add them to your list at any rate:
The Funeral (Abel Ferrara, 1996, USA) Gomorra (Matteo Garone, 2008, Italy) The Long Good Friday (John Mackenzie, 1990, UK) Brighton Rock (John Boulting, 1947, UK) The Enforcer / Murder Inc. (Bretaigne Windust, 1950, USA) The Outfit (John Flynn, 1974, USA) Performance (Nicolas Roeg & Donald Cammell, 1970, UK) Sexy Beast (Jonathan Glazer, 2000, UK) Shoot the Pianist (Francois Truffaut, 1960, France) Suicide Kings (Peter O'Fallon, 1997, USA) Diva (Jean-Jacques Beineix, 1981, France) <<< add this to the French thread too Gangster No. 1 (Paul McGuigan, 2000, UK / Germany) Get Carter (Mike Hodges, 1971, UK)
* I'll have no doubt left many out; I just did a search for all instances of 'crime', 'gangster' and 'noir' on my Excel spreadsheet.
...dot com bold typeface rhetoric. You go clickety click and get your head split. 'The hell you look like on a message board Discussing whether or not the Brother is hardcore?
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Re: Under the Radar Gangster Movies
[Re: Lilo]
#609234
07/27/11 10:18 PM
07/27/11 10:18 PM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 39 New Orleans, LA
YukonCorneleone
Wiseguy
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Wiseguy
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 39
New Orleans, LA
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I agree with SC and pizzaboy. Love a lot of pre-1950 gangster flicks.
Some old classics you might enjoy:
"This Gun For Hire"...Alan Ladd "Blast Of Silence"...(actually from 1960 I think) "The Asphalt Jungle"...Sterling Hayden "Out Of The Past"...Robert Mitchum and Kirk Douglas Anything with Humphrey Bogart as a gangster... This next one doesn't qualify cuz it was done in late 60's, but "Point Blank" with Lee Marvin is classic. Was remade as "Payback" with Mel Gibson.
Check any of those out if you're interested. Also, what you have to realize is that movies made before Joe Valachi testified about the Mafia, no one in the general public, especially Hollywood, had any idea what the inner workings of LCN was all about.
"You don't make up for your sins in church. You do it in the streets. You do it at home. The rest is bullshit and you know it." ----Mean Streets---
"Business bad? Fuck you, pay me. Oh, you had a fire? Fuck you pay me. Place got hit by lightning huh? Fuck you, pay me. It was beautiful!". ---Henry Hill in "Goodfellas"
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Re: Under the Radar Gangster Movies
[Re: YukonCorneleone]
#609236
07/27/11 10:25 PM
07/27/11 10:25 PM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 39 New Orleans, LA
YukonCorneleone
Wiseguy
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Wiseguy
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 39
New Orleans, LA
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IDK if anyone cares, but here is a list of Mafia/gangster movies that I own. Some are blu-ray, some are regular dvd. I am trying to slowly build up my collection...
"The Godfather Trilogy" box set "The Sopranos" complete box set "Once Upon A Time In America" 2-disc set "Donnie Brasco" "American Gangster" "Eastern Promises" "A History Of Violence" "Public Enemies" "French Connection I & II" "Mean Streets" "Bugsy" "Casino" "Cotton Club" "The Departed" "Goodfellas" "Heat" "Miller's Crossing" "Pulp Fiction" "Road To Perdition" "Get Shorty" "Analyze This"
"You don't make up for your sins in church. You do it in the streets. You do it at home. The rest is bullshit and you know it." ----Mean Streets---
"Business bad? Fuck you, pay me. Oh, you had a fire? Fuck you pay me. Place got hit by lightning huh? Fuck you, pay me. It was beautiful!". ---Henry Hill in "Goodfellas"
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Re: Under the Radar Gangster Movies
[Re: Sonny_Black]
#609278
07/28/11 04:02 PM
07/28/11 04:02 PM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 39 New Orleans, LA
YukonCorneleone
Wiseguy
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Wiseguy
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 39
New Orleans, LA
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Damn! I forgot to put in Bronx Tale cuz my dad borrowed it. I have King Of New York on my Amazon wish list. One of these days... I also want get both Scarface movies and some of the old Cagney films, just for historical purposes.
"You don't make up for your sins in church. You do it in the streets. You do it at home. The rest is bullshit and you know it." ----Mean Streets---
"Business bad? Fuck you, pay me. Oh, you had a fire? Fuck you pay me. Place got hit by lightning huh? Fuck you, pay me. It was beautiful!". ---Henry Hill in "Goodfellas"
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Re: Under the Radar Gangster Movies
[Re: Lilo]
#609284
07/28/11 05:13 PM
07/28/11 05:13 PM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 39 New Orleans, LA
YukonCorneleone
Wiseguy
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Wiseguy
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 39
New Orleans, LA
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Whoa there, Sonny! Don't go overboard. It was an honest mistake, I'm sure! LOL
"You don't make up for your sins in church. You do it in the streets. You do it at home. The rest is bullshit and you know it." ----Mean Streets---
"Business bad? Fuck you, pay me. Oh, you had a fire? Fuck you pay me. Place got hit by lightning huh? Fuck you, pay me. It was beautiful!". ---Henry Hill in "Goodfellas"
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Re: Under the Radar Gangster Movies
[Re: Lilo]
#609285
07/28/11 05:32 PM
07/28/11 05:32 PM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 39 New Orleans, LA
YukonCorneleone
Wiseguy
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Wiseguy
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 39
New Orleans, LA
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Oh yeah, I forgot I have "Mobsters" too. The one with Christian Slater and Patrick Dempsey.
"You don't make up for your sins in church. You do it in the streets. You do it at home. The rest is bullshit and you know it." ----Mean Streets---
"Business bad? Fuck you, pay me. Oh, you had a fire? Fuck you pay me. Place got hit by lightning huh? Fuck you, pay me. It was beautiful!". ---Henry Hill in "Goodfellas"
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