Five Crime Movies You Probably Haven't Seen But Need To
I guess you could say I have a type generally when it comes to movies. I like dramas and crime films. I am not one for sappy nonsense, fake sci fi shit or cringy comedies. That's no disrespect to people that do, just not for me. I like compelling stories either based on true events or based on actual history from consultants that have lived it. Football is wrapping up this weekend and for the most part outside of hoops there isn't much to watch at night or over the weekends. Here are some suggestions of films maybe you haven't seen.
Note-- this is no 1-5 list, all of this movies are equally as good.
Here's a few of my favorites that I think you'll enjoy and need to watch:
1. Shot Caller (2017)
-This was one of the best films of the last five or so years. It tells the story of a stock broker who after a night out makes a critical mistake and is sent to state prison in California. It's show the evolution of an individual who over time is swallowed up by the prison system because he is forced to click up and put in work. Jeffrey Donovan really kills this scene
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Keep in mind, in real life, the California Department of Corrections estimates that over 70 percent of it's inmates are validated or "gang members". It is incredibly vivid and filled with tremendous roles played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Jon Bernthal and others. This film was a cult favorite and very underrated. Shameless plug if you're interested, I talked about the federal faction of the Aryan Brotherhood on my podcast this week
2. Gotti (1996)
-This is my personal favorite of American Mafia film and one of the greatest Mafia films of all time and anyone that truly knows or even enjoys mob history will love this movie. The casting in it is incredible led by Armand Assante who plays one of the greatest biographical roles of all time and slams the real John Gotti out of the park. Anthony Quinn is also superb as Gotti mentor Neil Dellacroce. Many mob films are fugazi and very few actually tell the true story of events. Now I will tell you this… as someone who considers himself an expert on the mob in this country, this is one of the most realistic films in mob history. It is authentic as it gets. Former Colombo capo Michael Franzese has agreed with me that is possibly the greatest Cosa Nostra films ever put out.
3. Sicario (2015)
-Film critic Roger Ebert would give this excellent movie an "A rating" calling it "one of the best of 2015". I would agree. It's excellent and tells the story of a young agent in the FBI that is embedded with a shadowy CIA duo that's job is to apprehend high level drug cartel targets. The action scenes are vivid and violent and the roles are well done whether is Josh Brolin or Emily Blunt. But as usual the star of any movie he is in, Benicio Del Toro steals the role. He is exquisite and and haunting as a former lawyer turned operative. They did a follow up to the film called "Day of the Soldado" and I'll say it's good, I enjoyed it but not nearly as good as this one.
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4. Gomorrah (2008)
- Possibly the best of this list. I'll say right out of the gate, if you are an uncultured clown who doesn't like "subtitles" run along, but to the folks that will put aside this dumb notion this film can only be regarded as: non c'è molto di meglio (it doesn't get much better). I will also say if your talking films about Italian organized crime, this is the greatest movie ever put out. It is better than the Godfather, Goodfellas, whatever. The film tells the story of real events based on the violent war of the early 2000's in Naples regarding two clans in the Camorra, one of the most vicious drug organizations and crime syndicates in Europe and the world. Another film that is extremely vivid and authentic. It won various awards in Europe and won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008. And yes, I know of the TV show with the same name. I at some point will write a blog on that show. In my opinion it is the greatest television show of all time. Go watch this movie, it is a must.
5. Felon (2008)
This movie comes from the same directors/writers of Shot Caller. One of the reasons I personally loved it is the relationship that is created involving the main character Wade played by Stephen Dorff and John played by Val Kilmer. John schools Wade, a fresh fish who just arrives to prison after shooting a burglar who attempts to rob his home. Wade battles involvement with the Aryan Brotherhood and a sadistic prison lieutenant. One of the most underrated aspects of this movie is the little known Chris Browning who plays Aryan leader Danny Sampson. He isn't in many films, but he always plays terrific small roles that make the movie.
Now I could give you plenty more, but hope you enjoy and check some of these out. If you want some crime history content and more. Check out my podcast