Suicide Kings (1997)

Suicide Kings was very similar to Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead ( 1997 ). Not only were both movies made in 1997 and starred Christopher Walken; both films were dark comedies in the genre of film noir and neither one got very much press when released. Both films also had a large cast of notable actors who played small parts but played them very well. Christopher Llyod and Steve Buscemi were both in Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead while Dennis Leary and Johnny Galecki were both in Suicide Kings. I think it was the small role actors that made both films so good. Both Leary and Lloyd added a dark humor to both films which offset the bleak world of organized crime.

Suicide Kings is about Avery, played by Henry Thomas, whose sister gets kidnapped by mobsters and ransomed for two milion dollars. In order to get her back Avery and his friends played by Jay Mohr, Sean Patrick Flannery and Jeremy Sisto, kidnap a notorious crime boss played by Christopher Walken to get her back. The plan seems simple, but goes awry when the possibility of someone setting up the group is detected by Walken. Can the group trust Walken or can they trust only themselves?

The film is great. Walken is the second creepiest guy in Hollywood and does a great job in this film. Leary is also funny, especially when he takes the bucket from the homeless guy. The way the story is told keeps the audience guessing throughout the film.

As far as the DVD goes, I was equally empressed. First of all it was only $7.99 at Wal*Mart. Second of all it included alternate endings and commentary by the director. It was a very good DVD all around.