Suicide Kings (1998)

Here's another gritty independent film that tries to invade Tarantino territory by casting Christopher Walken--that most reliable of indie-film actors--as a Mobster who gets chummy with a group of preppie-like young men and becomes the victim of a kidnapping scheme. One of the kidnappers (Henry Thomas) has a sister who's been abducted by another group of kidnappers, and they've bagged Walken for his Mob connections and negotiating power. What follows is a game of psychological strategy in which the desperate group of guys slowly lose their advantage to the smarter, more experienced gangster--even though they've got Walken tied to a chair. The situation turns volatile when the young men start to doubt the wisdom of their strategy and suspect betrayal within the group, and Suicide Kings turns into a talky, repetitious thriller only partially redeemed by Denis Leary's cagey role as Walken's Mob lieutenant. The movie's a showcase for its cast of rising talent (including Jay Mohr, Jeremy Sisto, Johnny Galecki, and Sean Patrick Flanery), but not even Walken can hold it all together. What's best about the film is Leary's sinister presence in a peripheral role and Walken's trademark villainy, here toned down to a steady, simmering menace. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

Suicide Kings Review

In this dark comedy, Christopher Walken shines as a mobster abducted by five friends (including Jay Mohr and Henry Thomas). These guys believe Walken can solve the kidnapping of one of their sisters. As Walken plays mind games, his captors splinter, each wondering whether one of them had a hand in the crime. The DVD is chock-full of fascinating extras. July 20, 2007

This mob film has it all

Christopher Walken is a former organized crime figure that gets kidnapped by a group of preppies that hold him for ransom. (This happens right up front in the story so I'm not giving anything away). The kidnappers realistically come off as bungling amateurs. Walken's presence is overwhelming (even duct taped to a chair) and he looms large over the whole story. Great perfomance. Throughout the film, the viewer keeps anticipating, "Somebody is going to really get hurt here". They do, of course.

The story has plenty of mystery and multiple twists. There are gruesome execution and mutilation scenes. It has laugh out loud comedy - special mention to Denis Leary and his "stingray boots". He plays a thug and is appropriately menacing and crude, but he is genuinely funny . . . even while brutally beating a man with a golf club. The R rating is appropriate.

A well written and directed film. Camera work a little unimaginative. Good sound.

If you are OK with the violence, you are guaranteed an entertaining experience with this film.

April 3, 2007

I Give This Film Five Cowbells

Is Christopher Walken the Man or what? For the first hour or so I thought Walken was essentially in paycheck mode deferring to his young co-stars(Jay Mohr, Henry Thomas, Johnny Golicki, et al), who aren't bad by the way, while he's duct-taped to a wheelchair slowly bleeding to death from a dismembered digit. Then the Walken-ator jumps into action and the wheels are in motion. You watch him size up his captors and turn the situation around to his advantage. Was there any doubt! As a bonus you also get Dennis Leary as an associate of Chris who shows the young turks that they're not ready to play with the big boys. You can say that "Suicide Kings" has a little bit of the Tarantino influence as well as "The Usual Suspects". There is enough originality in director Peter O'Fallon's film to differentiate it from it's predecessors. In a nutshell, "Walken fans, rejoice!" March 19, 2007

BUSKET

This film is so popular that I imagine there isn't much I can say that hasn't already been said. I will tell you that it is worth your time for the Dennis Leary 'Busket' scene (oh yeah and to hear him talk about his shoes)- Leary is always hilarious. Yes, this film is indeed dark and funny- but when have you known Walken to be anything different?! LOL Hold on to your fingers (you'll understand after you watch), prepare yourself for the twisted ending and ENJOY! March 9, 2007

Awesomely Gruesome

Christopher Walken is an excellent man of importance. these kids in the movie, superb job in creating the roles of first time kidnappers! February 18, 2007

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