Hur-ray! Hur-ray! It’s Blu-ray Day: Crime Edition
October 16, 2008 by Danny
Here at Tower.com there is no denying: Blu-ray release day gets more and more exciting now that more and more titles are finally gettin’ the Blu-ray treatment. For those who don’t already know, Blu-ray day comes every Tuesday and every week we’ll recap the biggest and brightest titles of the week. In this Blu-ray review, check out these 3 gangster films:
This classic gangster flick is a must-have in every good collection. Set in Harlem 1968, Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) is a quiet and shy driver for a big New York City crime boss. When his boss is suddenly murdered, Lucas steps in to this role and quickly builds an inner-city drug empire. All is well until NYPD cop Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) suspects Lucas and his crew are starting to mingle with the Mafia and start to take over the underground drug scene. Both cop and gangster are more alike than they might suspect, and watch as this unique American tale unfolds.
Seems to me there’s a bit of a theme with the Blu-ray’s released today. David Cronenberg directs Eastern Promises, a story of London chauffeur for the Russian Mafia. This chauffuer named Nikolai (Viggo Mortensen) works specifically for powerful Mafia man Semyon and his power-hungry son. When Nikolai meets midwife Anna (Naomi Watts) she is trying to solve the mystery a ‘connected’ teenager who died during childbirth. Nikolai and Anna find themselves in grave danger as they learn the truth, and the harsh realities of the underground criminal world are showcased.
What do you get when you mix three of Hollywood’s most talented Italians? If it’s up to Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci, get ready for a fantastic film about a Mafiso family living in Las Vegas in the 1970s. Based on a true story, this film follows Sam “Ace” Rothstein (De Niro) a Jewish front man who works with Nicky Santoro (Pesci) in operating a very successful casino operation. Add a slice of femme fatale, played by Sharon Stone, and you’re in for a bumpy ride! This flick has it all — gambling, women and crime!
** UPDATE ** It has come to our attention that in coincidental timing of the film’s release, Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal, the real-life Sam “Ace” Rothstein and inspiration for the film, passed away Monday from a heart attack at his home. He was 79. How strange that he died a day before the film inspired by his life was to be released on Blu-ray.
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