Street Kings (2008)

Give Back the Gun

"Street Kings" is a gritty tale about police corruption. David Ayer who wrote the screenplay for "S.W.A.T." and contributed to the script of "Training Day" directs. Keanu Reeves shifts from a romantic lead in The Lake House (Widescreen Edition) to this action-packed character-based drama. Reeves has the distinction of being nominated six times for Worst Actor awards at the Razzies without ever winning [or should I say "losing"]! As Tom Ludlow, we see standard Reeves, close to his personality, intense, but interesting to watch. His boss is played by Forest Whitaker who assumes a less than likable role, similar to the award winning portrayal of Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland (Widescreen Edition). Hugh Laurie from TV's "House" plays internal affairs' Capt. Biggs. Laurie plays well in the supporting role, neither stealing the limelight nor allowing his scenes to go unnoticed. The ending reversal where he hands Ludlow back his gun is effective. Chris Evans from "The Fantastic Four" comes to this realistic drama and holds his own with Reeves as Detective Diskant. His death scene may be one of his best moments on film. Cedric the Entertainer plays Scribble who drives a vintage convertible & makes connections for Ludlow. Common who was also in "Wanted" plays the trigger-happy Coates with nervous abandon. John Corbett -- who I frequently confuse with Ben Affleck for some reason -- does a good job as Detective Dante Demille who winds up with a shank through his lip while driving. Jay Mohr from TV's "Ghost Whisperer" and who I also recently saw in Even Money does a journeyman's job as Sergeant Mike Clady. He is particularly effective as he assaults Linda Washington, a police widow, played by Naomi Harris who was in Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End (Widescreen Edition). Ludlow seems to keep getting shot or scraped and needs nursing from Grace Garcia, well played by Martha Higareda who was in Volver. "Street Kings" is a well done gritty police drama. It is shot starkly by Ayer, but moves briskly. While it is a story that has similar genre films to which it may be compared, it is a decent story well played. Enjoy! December 3, 2008

Street Kings, so-so

Predictable plot, a little overacting here and there. Not too bad. If you're into shooting you'll notice that Keanu's character has had a little training. I liked it overall. November 12, 2008

Nice movie...

This is the movie that i will recommend people who like simple action movie.

The picture and sound quality of the bluray version is superb!!!

November 5, 2008

Vintage Instrumentals

I did not know if was possible for older music to come in CD form. The product was great and the timing perfect. The person I got it for is already playing it in her car everywhere she goes. October 27, 2008

Surprisingly good...but not great

The screen play written by James Ellroy is about a troubled cop, a dirty but effective unit in the troubled LAPD and of course corruption that goes (da da dum) ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP. To paraphrase David Spade's Hollywood Minute - I liked it better the first time......when it was called "L. A. Confidential".

Still, if you like movies about cops and bad guys and don't want to watch LA Confidential again, this is a pretty good take on a story we never seem to get tired of watching. Its essentially the same story Ellroy has been writing since he began. Good cops trying to do the right thing in a bad world and having to answer the age old question "where does it all end? who polices the police?" At times I thought the story was going to devolve into a liberal PC morality lesson where the only bad guys are the cops and everyone else is an innocent victim, even the perps. Ellroy is too seasoned a writer to not give us a good story and a mystery. This movie may not be a classic and there's nothing really new here but it's a good re-telling of the troubled/dirty cop story.

And if that's the kind of thing you like, then you're going to like this kind of thing. Very watchable and engaging. The first extended sequence scene is particularly good starting with Keanu waking up and ending at the gang house. This seems to be a trademark of Ellroy in which the story is comprised of a sequence of gripping and compelling scenes and even though the ending maybe predictable, its a good ride.
October 22, 2008

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