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Midnight Run (1988)
Midnight Run (1988)
1988 | Action, Comedy
Everything (0 more)
The film finishes. :( (0 more)
An under-rated Masterpiece
Midnight Run is an Action/Comedy masterpiece.

A modest hit at the box office way back in 1988, Midnight Run, Is the perfect buddy buddy movie. Robert De NIro stars as Jack Walsh, an ex Chicago cop turned bounty hunter, who is hire by his slimy bail bondsman Eddie Moscone (played by Joe Pantoliano) to bring in Jonathan Mardukas aka The Duke ~(fantastically played by Charles Grodin) a former mafia accountant who has jumped bail and is wanted by the FBI and the Mafia themselves.

Walsh succeeds in easily finding The Duke in New York which embarrasses the FBI. Walsh plans to bring back "The Duke" on a plane but, An incident on the plane leads Jack having just 5 days to travel cross country to bring in Mardukas from New York.

Moscone, not sure that Walsh can deliver Mardukas in 5 days, hires another bounty hunter Marvin Dorfler ( John Ashton) to take Mardukas from Walsh. Not only is Marvin trying to Mardukas for a payday but Walsh also has FBI agent Alonzo Mosely (Yaphet Kotto) on his tail so that they can bring him in.

On top of all of that, Mafia Boss Jimmy Serrano (The late great Dennis Farina) has his guys hunting Walsh and Mardukas so, they can have them dead before reaching LA as Mardukas was Jimmy's accountant and has damning evidence which can land Jimmy and his pals in prison for a very long time.

I really can't say enough good things about Midnight Run. Never at any point do you get bored or fed up of this film. In fact, at 2hrs and 6mins i wished it had gone on a little more.

How many films can you say that about?

De Niro and Grodin play off each other wonderfully. Their relationship goes from hunter and hunted to a nicely played out bromance of mutual respect.

  John Ashton as Marvin, always thinking he's one step ahead of Walsh when he is actually one step behind. Joe Pantoliano is a fine character actor and here once again, As Eddie Moscone he plays slimy brilliantly. Yaphet Kotto never puts in a bad performance and finally, Dennis Farina as Jimmy Serrano has some of the best lines in the film.

Martin Brest delivers an absolute all time classic as director. It's a shame that after Gigli he decided to never direct again. Understandable i suppose because of the reviews but, Lets not forget he did bring us Beverley Hills Cop and Scent of A Woman and only ever directed 9 films in his career.

As for the 18 rating, That was down to the language! There are a lot of FUCKS in this film and it really isn't a violent film.

If you have not seen it, I implore you to take a chance! I promise you will not be disappointed.
  
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Peter_mark84 (59 KP) rated the PlayStation 4 version of Mafia III in Video Games

May 31, 2019  
Mafia III
Mafia III
2016 | Action/Adventure
A Deep and complex protagonist. (3 more)
Nice combination of ideas from other sources worked into a fresh new title.
Amazing soundtrack that feels right for time and the game.
Interesting way to tell the story
Not enough side activities when put next to GTA, Watch Digs or Sleeping Dogs (2 more)
Slower pacing than other games in genre.
Sometimes but repeative
A Thrilling Crime Thriller
Still on progress!
I have been playing Mafia 3 for few hours so far. I do really like this game. Adds something to the genre and is missing from GTA or Sleeping Dogs. That is seeing someone go from War Hero to Crimeload.

So far I am just building the Crime Empire up. But from the moment I saw Lincoln I was drawn in by this character who seems to be falling into the darkness. Much like CJ from GTA San Andreas, Lincoln has a shady past, du to his up bringing. However unlike CJ who was a gang-banger. Lincoln has that Crime Syndicate sense of 'honour' and 'respect'. The characters he meets from good of Father James to Cassandra and the other allies are interesting to meet and get to know.

Game play is interesting, not totally original however combine mechanics from other games makes for a unique experience. The stealth had the best parts of Assassin's Creed being able to lure targets into ambushes. Having visual indicates that the law can see you helps also.

I just wish there was more to do away from the main story. GTA, Watch Dogs and Sleeping Dogs all offer a staggering amount of side quests and activities. Mafia 3 seems a bit more linear, which is sad as the characters and world are well developed and flushed out. Even the missions are interesting if a little samey in parts. Overall I am still playing through this and I am hoping for more twists and turns. The story has me roped in and in an age where there are loads of games out there with great stories. That is important
  
Escape You (Cole Brothers #3)
Escape You (Cole Brothers #3)
Diana A. Hicks | 2020 | Contemporary, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
good but myabe not for me
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Tyler finds out his amazing one night stand is the mark for the next ATF raid. Then he finds himself on the opposite side of the fence, as her fiancee. Mia knows she has no choice to this union of Mafia branches, but she doesn't have to like it. Finding out there really IS a way out of it, is great, just not who Tyler really is. Can they really be together when it all goes down?

This is book 3 in the Cole Brothers series, and I have not read the others. I don't feel I missed out on anything by not doing, but this book gives me enough hints to THOSE books, that I would LIKE to go back and read them, because I want to, not because I need to.

And I really am NOT sure how I feel about THIS book! And ya'll know I'm ALL about my book feelings. Its just I don't seem to have any about this book and I cannot for the life of me, figure out what doesn't work for me.

I liked that both Mia and Tyler have a say, it is in the first person, but each change is headed as the chapter changes. I liked that Tyler's deception discovered late in the day, not by Mia, cos Tyler tells her, but by the other major players.

I liked that there is a much bigger picture here, with ALL the Cole brothers involved, and that picture is what makes me want to go back and read the other books. Maybe THIS one will fit in better then, I don't know.

A *for a Mafia book* Nice book, and as much I as hate using that word for a book, it's the ONLY one I can muster.

3 solid GOOD stars, just maybe not for me.

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
Sempre (Sempre, #1)
Sempre (Sempre, #1)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
*Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

I’ve been looking at this story for a long time, undecided on whether to read it or not. Truthfully, it sounded a bit like C.J. Roberts’ Captive in the Dark series only with slightly younger characters but I was wrong.

At the start I was a little confused. Was she dreaming or had it really happened? But in the end it didn’t really matter much as the story quickly progressed.

I felt sorry for Haven a lot, being a second generation slave and having no idea what certain things are and what some words mean must have been hard for her and gave her an innocence that I wasn’t expecting considering the life she’d had. I have to admit sometimes it made me smile, if not laugh, like the cherry coke scene. Creative thinking!

The gradual change in Haven and Carmine’s relationship grabbed me immediately and I cared what happened to them, both individually and as a couple. If a book can make me care about the characters, then I’m hooked. And I was. They were such a sweet couple with Carmine having to learn how to love someone at the same time that Haven was.

It’s like there are two parts to the story. One with Haven and Carmine away from the Mafia. And one following Vincent, Carmine’s dad, as he goes back and forth between his family and his other family: the Mafia.

Then there was the mystery surrounding him. Has he taken Haven to rescue her? Or for some darker reason? It was all very intriguing.

I just HAVE to mention Dominic. He was awesome and I really liked the way he treated Haven from the moment she arrived at the house.

This drew me in completely and I couldn’t stop thinking about it when I put it down and would quickly pick it back up again. It was long–500+ pages–but it was completely captivating and I cant wait to read the second book, Sempre: Redemption.
  
When the Gloves Come Off
When the Gloves Come Off
Armada West | 2017 | Erotica, Fiction & Poetry, Romance
8
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Characters (2 more)
Unpredictable
Smut Scenes
Twists & turns that are sure to keep you guessing
I was first introduced to Armada West when I read her vampire series war/SONG and I definitely fell in love with her writing style. I was a little hesitant to read this one simply because it was in a different style than the last one. When the Gloves Come Off is a contemporary romance that has basically everything you could want. It has hot sex scenes, decently developed characters, mafia men, shoot outs and a plot that will keep you guessing.

I'm an avid romance reader and I find that many of the books I have read are predictable, this was not one of them. There were twists and turns and many times I wanted to throw my book down because one of the twists came out of left field.

All in all, I enjoyed this book. If you haven't read Armada West, I highly recommend it!
  
Batman (1989)
Batman (1989)
1989 | Action
Everything the tone the way batman/ bruce is played and of course Jack Nicholson as the joker (0 more)
It ends (0 more)
Best batman of our time thus far
Contains spoilers, click to show
This is the burton batman set in a quite gothic feel gotham with tall buildings and huge lights into the night. Batman is the protector of his home city and fiercly defends it from all criminal activity.
We see Jack Napier a young mafia hitman with big ambitions try to over throw his boss and become a big time gangster during one of his escapades he runs into the batman and is dropped into a vat of chemicals bleaching his skin and disfiguring his features , on the discovery of this he becomes The Joker and begins his crime spree with the intention to make all of gotham pay for what has happened to him this begins the ultimate battle between good and evil in gotham the Batman must stop him at all costs
  
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Jason Dohring recommended Ishtar (1987) in Movies (curated)

 
Ishtar (1987)
Ishtar (1987)
1987 | Action, Comedy

"It’s so funny, I was literally laughing out loud. I heard it was on Quentin Tarantino and Ed Norton’s list of top movies ever of all time, and I didn’t even know what it was. I’d never heard of it. I heard it was a huge box office flop, and then I saw it and wondered why it isn’t more known. I think people just don’t know what it is or don’t understand the idea. These guys are in North Africa, in these awful situations, with the mafia involved. It was totally over the top. For me, it was so funny. Such a great story, so original, just hilarious. I have very rarely laughed this much in a movie. I have no reason why it wasn’t a huge smash success, in the top five funniest movies ever. It’s Dustin Hoffman — I could make a Top Five just around him. Like Rain Man. Watch that again. It will touch your soul."

Source
  
The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (2017)
The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (2017)
2017 | Documentary
Tremendous and hugely tragic
David France’s finely wrought documentary seeks justice for a pivotal figure in queer history from the beginning of Stonewall, whose death was said to have never been investigated properly.

Marsha P. Johnson was many things: outspoken LGBT activist, downtown superstar, model muse to Andy Warhol. In 1992, her body was found in the Hudson River, with police classifying her death as a suicide. The documentary is almost a resurrection of this transgender icon, but also a vivid portrayal of the immense suffering the community has faced over decades, even until this day.

The movie methodically explores who might have had cause to kill her - the local mafia, who were heavily involved in then-still-underground gay bar scene? A violent john or a passing group of straight men bent on hate crime? One of the most important characters in this film alongside Johnson was Sylvia Riviera, and her own tragic life just reflects the dire situation people are left to deal with.

Death is what leads the title and drives the movie. But it's her life - vibrant, pioneering, and much too short - that gives Marsha her flamboyant, beautiful heart. A truly moving portrayal.
  
Trapstar - Single by Mexcco
Trapstar - Single by Mexcco
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Mexcco is an emerging rapper from San Pedro, California. Not too long ago, he released a music video for his “Trapstar” single.

“Told her I’m a boss even though the b*tch know it. If the sh*t about money, then you know that I’m on it. Talkin’ about a pack if it’s dope I’ma roll it. I just got a pint and you know I’ma pour it.” – lyrics

‘Trapstar’ tells an interesting tale of a young guy who hustles in a trap house to make ends meet.

Apparently, he’s a very successful trap star, and his main concern is making money and plenty of it.

‘Trapstar’ will be featured on Mexcco’s upcoming debut album, entitled, “In The Trap”, available Summer 2019.

The likable tune contains an edgy street narrative, gangster raps, and melodic instrumentation flavored with a West Coast hip-hop aroma. Also, it was produced by Cypress Moreno (Shoreline Mafia’s official producer).

Mexcco has been rapping for 6 months and has no shortage of life experience to rap about.

So far, he has received a lot of industry cosigns as well as features from Shoreline Mafia, Icewear Vezzo, AD, and Mozzy.

https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/mexcco-trapstar/
  
The Godfather: Part II  (1974)
The Godfather: Part II (1974)
1974 | Crime, Drama

"The whole [Godfather] series was brilliant. I loved all three of them. But my favorite was number two. I thought it was extraordinarily shot. I think the way Francis Coppola puts these incredible stories together where he has the juxtaposition of having people be killed while this incredible symphonic music is playing and some opera is taking place — it’s all an opera. I think the whole Godfather series is like one magnificent opera. I just think it’s one of the great movies of the century — since film making. I think he is a genius. I think he just captured the passion and the anger and the ignorance of the whole world of the Mafia, and what that meant — the Black Hand. He glamorized them in a way that made us want to know them, be there, experience it — even though it speaks of great danger. But there was something so enticing about their world, that whole world. And the people were such rich studies of character. Robert De Niro was the greatest he’d ever been, and of course, Pacino. Those performances – every single performance was genius. I loved the films. I even like the third one."

Source