I am currently inking a series of seven inter-connected 5-10 minute shorts set in the world of organized crime. I'm talking slicked back hair, long black trench coats, and razor sharp dialogue. Somewhere in the realm of Miller's Crossing. I am looking for films that might help inspire me. So far I've watched Once Upon a Time in America, LA Confidential, Godfather (of course), True Romance (Walken scene), and Miller's Crossing. Any suggestions will be rented and viewed. Thank you.

You'll want to sit down with Casino, Goodfellas and Donnie Brasco. Three of the best in my opinion.

Not so serious, but in the same vein, My Blue Heaven, Mickey Blue Eyes, Analyze This. Also Pulp Fiction and the Usual Suspects.

In the not so serious realm, how about "Midnight Run". Getting more serious, "The Untouchables" and "Road to Perdition".

Also Reservoir Dogs.

of course for a more realistic look into the mob there is the Sopranos...which is shot on film and given the movie treatment, just displayed on a tv set..

You may be interested in some non-North American gangster pics.

"The Long Good Friday" - Bob Hoskins is the leader of a London mob who starts to wonder who and why someone is blowing up his establishments. He rips around the old neighbourhood going nuts trying to figure it out.

"Sonatine" - Takeshi Kitano is an underling for a Yakuza organzation who is sent into exile to Okinawa with other misfits after they cannot make a fit with new leadership. Although ostensibly sent to help solve a local problem, eventually it leads a crisis of identity.

Also how about some gangsta?

"The Wire" - superb crime drama on HBO. Covers both cops and a unique gangsta organization. The cops keep on losing while the gangsta organization under the inspired leadership of a business-course taking boss keeps on growing.

"New Jack City" - fun stuff! Wesley Snipes! Ice-T!

"Deep Cover" - a great undercover movie where Laurence Fishburne is a black cop recruited to infiltrate a designer drugs network. But he's also being manipulated by his FBI handler and seduced by the Jewish lawyer who wants to take over leadership.

"Brother" - Takeshi Kitano again is a Yakuza who has fled Japan rather than give into the rival organization that has killed his boss. He arrives in Los Angeles to look up his younger brother who is a petty criminal. Kitano whips his brother's tiny crew into shape and they go onto take on nearly every other organization in the city from the Chinese to the Hispanics and blacks. However, things turn against them when they go up against the Mafia.

A new addition! Just saw, A History of Violence. Organized crime a la Cronenberg.

Sanns:

This info may not be needed since the post is from '05. but...the films of Seijin Suzuki(ie.Tokyo Drifter and Branded to Kill) might help. If nothing else, they show a style that isn't seen every day. Good Luck.

Jim

In my opinion, you want to go with Road to Perdition, Goodfellas, and the Godfather.

All represent different styles of the way the Mafia is run and handled.

I'm amazed there are so many posts with no mention of carlito's way.

Definitly look into Heat, Boondock Saints, and Next of Kin. Keep us posted on when you release the shorts as well.

Try "10th and Wolf", "The Departed" and "Last Man Standing." For slick dialog and incredible laughs (British gangsterism), try Guy Ritchie's two films "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and "Snatch."

By the way, I typo'd "inspiration" and I cannot change it! Sorry folks.

gangster no.1

american gangster just to check it out.