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King of New York (1990)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer (WGA):
Nicholas St. John (written by)
Release Date:
28 September 1990 (USA)
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Tagline:
Not everyone who runs a city is elected. more
Plot:
A former drug lord returns from prison determined to wipe out all his competition and distribute the profits of his operations to New York's poor and lower classes in this stylish and ultra violent modern twist on Robin Hood. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
1 win
&
2 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(17 articles)
Ferrara and Snipes re-team for 'Game of Death'
(From ioncinema. 12 December 2009, 6:25 PM, PST)
Game Of Death Loses Director Abel Ferrara
(From Cinema Blend. 1 November 2009, 2:12 PM, PST)
(From ioncinema. 12 December 2009, 6:25 PM, PST)
Game Of Death Loses Director Abel Ferrara
(From Cinema Blend. 1 November 2009, 2:12 PM, PST)
User Comments:
The Cinema of Abel Ferrara: King of New York.
more (90 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Christopher Walken | ... | Frank White | |
| David Caruso | ... | Dennis Gilley | |
| Laurence Fishburne | ... | Jimmy Jump (as Larry Fishburne) | |
| Victor Argo | ... | Roy Bishop | |
| Wesley Snipes | ... | Thomas Flanigan | |
| Janet Julian | ... | Jennifer | |
| Joey Chin | ... | Larry Wong | |
| Giancarlo Esposito | ... | Lance | |
| Paul Calderon | ... | Joey Dalesio | |
| Steve Buscemi | ... | Test Tube | |
| Theresa Randle | ... | Raye | |
| Leonard L. Thomas | ... | Blood (as Leonard Lee Thomas) | |
| Roger Guenveur Smith | ... | Tanner (as Roger Smith) | |
| Carrie Nygren | ... | Melanie | |
| Ernest Abuba | ... | King Tito |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
103 min
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
New Zealand:R18 (original rating) |
Iceland:16 |
Sweden:15 (TV rating) |
Argentina:16 |
South Korea:18 |
Australia:R |
France:-16 |
Germany:18 |
New Zealand:R16 (re-rating) (2004) |
Norway:18 (video premiere) |
UK:18 |
USA:R (re-rating on appeal) |
USA:X (original rating)
Filming Locations:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The production avoided shooting on the streets during the production as much as possible due to the NYC drought. Director Abel Ferrara used sprayers and hoses in order to better portray the city.
more
Goofs:
Continuity: In movie theater, the movie on screen is Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens (1922), but the scenes are not in the correct order.
more
Quotes:
Jump:
I wanna know who I'm selling drugs to, you know what I mean?
Joey Dalesio: You don't sell drugs, my brother. You shoot people.
Jump: Yo, I'm unemployed. Ain't nobody left.
more
Joey Dalesio: You don't sell drugs, my brother. You shoot people.
Jump: Yo, I'm unemployed. Ain't nobody left.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in We Own the Night (2007)
more
Soundtrack:
Rockabilly Willy
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (90 total)
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King of New York (1990) was Abel Ferrara's return to the his favorite style of film making (the urban street drama). Over the past fifteen years, this movie has achieved a cult status that one would have never imagined. During it's initial release on video, this film was a word-of-mouth hit. I remembered watching this in high school. Although the movie was never a major box office hit, film found an audience when it was released on tape. But the movie's popularity grew even more when rappers made numerous of references to it in music and song.
Christopher Walken stars as a crime lord who has done a stint in prison. Upon his release he begins to rebuild his fledging empire through violence and strong arming. Whilst he rotted in prison, his rivals became strong as they gobbled up his business. With time on his side, Frank launches a plan that'll make him KING OF NEW YORK. Can Frank do it by himself? How will the local authorities re-act to his new found activities? Will his soldiers remain loyal? What will his rivals do? To find out you'll just have to watch it!!
I found this movie to be very good. Abel Ferrara has found his niche audience and he should cater to it. He has a style that a director like Martin Scorese once had.
Highly recommended.