TotalTelly.co.uk
Devoted to Popular, Cult and Retro TV
Hoodlum [1997]
![Hoodlum [1997]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51KF862J8ML._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £12.99
Our Price: £4.47 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Hoodlum, Bill Duke's interesting but flawed blaxploitation take on the classic gangster movie, usefully redresses a balance. It is all too easy to see the criminal underworld of the 1920s as an all-white affair, in which Harlem is an exotic locale where occasionally white gangsters patronise the black performers of the Cotton Club, from which black audiences were specifically barred. Yet one of the principal sources of illegal revenue was the numbers racket in Harlem--gambling on stock market closing figures--revenue on which the likes of Dutch Schultz and Lucky Luciano were keen to lay their hands. Lawrence Fishburne is an impressive "Bumpy" Johnson, the street enforcer turned strategist for the matriarchal Queen (Cicely Tyson), gradually learning a ruthlessness that forfeits him the love of a good woman, Francine (Vanessa Williams). Tim Roth as Schultz and Andy Garcia as Luciano are essentially melodramatic turns--the foul-mouthed punk and the reptilian smoothy--and both turn in enjoyably full-blooded unsubtle performances. --Roz Kaveney
Editorial
Special Features
1.77 Wide Screen
16:9 Wide Screen
DVD 9
French\German\Italian\Spanish
English\German
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English French German Italian Spanish
Dolby Digital 5.1
Original Theatrical Trailer
Interactive Menu
Chapter Selection
Editorial
Synopsis
Bill Duke's HOODLUM, with its rich visuals, brutal violence, and moral probing, pays homage to THE GODFATHER and other classic gangster films while exploring the nature of black empowerment as it relates to criminality. The film is Duke's second collaboration with Laurence Fishburne, and as with DEEP COVER, Fishburne delivers a compelling performance. He plays Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson, the legendary Harlem gangster of the 1930s who fought Dutch Schultz for control of the numbers racket. Tim Roth is hilariously grotesque as Schultz, a villain whose foul mouth sets a new cinematic standard. Duke gets strong performances from Andy Garcia as Lucky Luciano and Chi McBride as Bumpy's right-hand man, Illinois. Vanessa Williams plays Francine, a social activist who loves Bumpy but can't understand the violent path he's chosen. Bumpy, a surprisingly civic-minded criminal, goes to war with Schultz to protect Harlem from the interloper, but as the body count mounts in the community he's trying to protect, he ends up losing the support of those closest to him. The film's uneasy mix of mayhem and humour makes for compelling viewing, and the moral questions it raises about black empowerment and criminality only add to the intrigue.
Good but not quite great!
Review date: 2005-01-31 Rating: 8 out of 10
I purchased this film purely on the strengh of tim roth and andy garcia and was pleasently surprised. Although sometimes lethargic the films keeps you interested with some good gun battles and a well worked script. But i still feel it lacks that extra something which makes a good gangster film truly great!
Similar Products
Reviews
Top Quality
Review date: 2002-01-14 Rating: 10 out of 10
This film really was good, considering the only 'big name' was Laurence Fishburne. The other actors who play Whispers, Illinois and Francine work very well together in this 30's gangster movie. Most definitely worth watching.
Very Powerful
Review date: 2001-12-31 Rating: 10 out of 10
Truly great movie. This film covers an area no other movie has covered. It starts out with Bumpy(fishburne) getting out of sing sing. Then shows how he took over the harlem numbers racket.
I recomend this to every gangster movie fan.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Laurence Fishburne
Cicely Tyson
Tim Roth
Vanessa Williams (VII)
Andy Garcia
Creators:
Laurence Fishburne (Primary Contributor)
Tim Roth (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: MGM Entertainment
Manufacturer: MGM Entertainment
EAN: 5050070005141
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2001-03-19
Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 125 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1997-08-27
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: French (Dubbed)
Language: German (Dubbed)
Language: Italian (Dubbed)
Language: Spanish (Dubbed)