Kill the Irishman (2011)

Did this movie escape your radar? If so, it is well worth the watch.  The long list of big names makes this story increasingly interesting as it unfolds.

Ray Stevenson is the constant in this equation.  The common thread, and a very good one. Val Kilmer, Vincent D'Onofrio, Christopher Walken, Finnula Flanagan, and many others play a mix of Cleveland organized crime figures in the late 1970s.

Tony Lo Bianco, Robert Davi, Steve Schirripa, and Paul Sorvino among others play their New York connected Italian competition.  All do a super job.  This is a great all-star cast.

With a great mix of archival news footage this story unfolds as it happens.

Watch this with anyone who has lived in or been to Cleveland.

The Dukes (2007)

It is nothing new that I'm not all that impressed with award-winning movies. This is just another on a long list.

The music is fun and some of the acting is very good. The story however is weak and most of the acting is hackish. But don't let that alone keep you from watching this one.

Chazz Palminteri and Robert Davi play down-on-their-luck former Doo Wop stars. They have relocated from New York to LA and life does not turn out like they wanted. Their agent, played oddly by Peter Bogdanovich.

The two former entertainers decide to plan heist of questionable merit then add Frank D'Amico (welcome comic relief literally and figuratively) and Bruce Weitz to the "gang".

There are a few surprises on the way to a classic Hollywood ending.

Watch this movie with someone who enjoy the music enough to turn a blind eye to the rest.