FRED MANTEGHIAN BLOG

We enjoyed the company of eight first year law students last night. Taking the shortest of breaks during the “reading week” which precedes final exams, they came for dinner and a few even stayed for a movie. Some of my daughter’s friends have become regulars of the blog, so they were expecting shock and awe. I don’t believe they left disappointed.

We watched a fantastic movie that I hadn’t seen for at least five years. Suicide Kings, starring Christopher Walken and Denis Leary. Without giving away the story, Walken is a semi-retired Italian mob boss who has changed his name to something vaguely Waspish in a vain attempt to mingle with a more genteel crowd.

But metamorphosis is a slow process.

Kidnapped and required to raise funds to pay off other kidnappers who have the sister of one of the kidnappers holding him (I kid you not), Walken’s character proves that, even bound and nine-fingered, he is still in command.

I think the movie opened and closed on the same weekend, so don’t beat yourself up if you’ve never heard of it. It’s still a great little movie, the kind that friends share with other friends, like the location of a great hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Bon appetite (or “anoush”).

The video quality of the DVD is, how shall I put this, very film like. Grainy, but sharp, slightly oversaturated at times and dark yet detailed. The actual print used has the occasional white pin dot, though the attendant hairs seen at your local Cineplex are thankfully absent. The sound was very good, particularly the bass which was mysteriously deep and strong at times. I’m not even sure the filmmakers knew it was there, but you will.

See it. Res ipsa loquiter