@@paul479 I mean, even if the movie was completely unrealistic its still a great performance. Hill wasnt anything at all like he's portrayed in goodfellas, still great acting
Just saw the movie for the first time a couple weeks ago. It took only his first scene for me to completely forget this guy is also Jack Sparrow. Man, he was Val Kilmer Doc Holliday scary good in this movie. Absolute travesty he got passed over for an Oscar.
Depp is an absolutely gifted actor. I feel the mainstream didn't give him the props he deserved for this movie precisely because it was so dark and about such a horrible human being. Makes sense but boy, did Depp really make you forget he was on screen when you were staring right at him, he became a different entity.
This movie is what made me a depp fan. He did those pirates and alternative type movies in the past but I couldn’t judge his acting ability. Black mass showed me how amazing he was. He moved like bulgar, he nailed the accent, he was terrifying
@@nonyobussiness3440 totally agree. He was so good it’s hard to imagine it was Johnny Depp, even now several years later I still don’t believe it was him!
@@mediocreman6323 Captain Sparrow and Willie Wonka. And then a psychotic gangster. All equally credible. A real actor. What I would like is he taking chances and playing roles in small movies. The big studios either don't want him or have him typecast. He could do great in indie films.
How does he not review the dinner table scene when he grills the other fbi agent about telling him the secret family recipe?? That's gotta be one of the most menacing performences from an actor I've ever seen.
Just saying got me 9 years" . Yeah that was a tense moment. A little soy a little garlic. I tried it on a steak actually after I saw the movie it wasn't that great though.
@@jerryvandevort2366 when that came out I saw it on a date. I had a family dinner about a week later I told them about the date and movie. My sister remarked “ Isn’t weird seeing Mr.Monterano like that?” It was revealed by my older siblings that apparently John Monterano was one of our neighbors growing up and I delivered the Patriot Ledger to him for many years as a child. I probably spelt his last name wrong lol.
@@jerryvandevort2366 in black Mass he was the fat guy licking his fingers after eating the peanuts that Whitey yells at. Google his 60 minutes interview he was noting like in the movie.
Having grown up in Boston, it's surreal to hear these names talked about on such a stage. I won't say much, but I'll say this. My girls whole family is from Southie, and the Irish wouldn't hesitate to take their enemies apart using chainsaws on a regular basis. Some deserved it, some didn't. Whitey was not a very nice man. I'd love to go on about a lot of things. Hits home.
No doubt compelling stories. It's one thing to see those things on the Tele or movie house, but it's a whole other thing to have lived with it right in your neighborhood.!
Growing up in the Boston area, I would hear about Whitey from my father and the older guys around me and Whitey was a man that was feared in all the areas surrounding Boston, especially Somerville.
Must have sucked too live in that time. Although you'd think that at some point somebody would have killed him first since he was a well known psychopath.
James whitey Bulger was an awful and evill man he killed people who he thought was a thret that girl was inncdent a very evill man he killed people and he loved it a very sick mean cruel person but deep did a great job playing that scumbag
@@jamesireland9188 Charlestown was pretty hardcore during the 60's & 70's, between the Charlestown Mobsters battling against the Winter Hill Gang. Whitey was lucky that he was locked up then because he probably would've been killed. I believe that roughly 60 Irish Gangsters were killed over a 4 year period. Even Buddy Mclean was gunned down and he was an incredible street fighter. Johnny Martarano was dressed up like a butcher with a woman's week and he gunned down 3 gangsters in front of 20 people and nobody said anything. The code of silence in Charlestown & Somerville was unbelievable.
So happy I found your channel. Totally agree when he said “he was a ruthless guy” I’m like if they’re willing to murder you in prison when you’re 89 years old and in a wheelchair then you were definitely ruthless lol
Oddly enough I met Whitey Bulger as a kid during a trip to Alcatraz in 1989. He was a former inmate of Alcatraz and was signing some people’s books. Obviously I had no idea who he was at the time but I do remember him telling us kids to stay in school and stay out of trouble.
I just finished watching this movie. I am blown away. Johnny was so real and scary. The entire cast was so good. This is why I love old fashion directing and 70’s vibe. I could not find flaw in this movie. I kept rewinding to not miss any part of it if I was interrupted.
Affiliates of Bulger actually described him as "half man, half monster" and said that "if Whitey wasn't a kingpin, he'd have been a serial killer." I think that's well translated through not only Depp and his phenomenal performance but the transformative makeup as well.
I agree with your take on this being a dark movie. What a performance by Johnny Depp and all the actors. Brilliant Cine-photography and lighting/editing.
I found this not to be a great movie...But Johnny Depp's performance was sooo overpowering and mesmerizing that it literally drag you along for the ride, which in the end, turn out to be a pretty good ride...But seriously, without him, this would just be an average movie....It's the same way I feel about "Training Day". It wasn't a great movie, but Denzel's performance turned it into a pretty damn good one. But if you think about it, without him it would just be another cop drama....Same with Black Mass, without Johnny's performance, it's just an average gangster film....
I agree, I was disappointed with it, needed more depth. Another hour or so about the Killeen-Mullen war, the Winter Hill Gang, the arms shipments to the IRA, the complex relationship with Pat Nee.
@@kummakummakummakummakummac8606 I've no idea, I heard tapes of Bulger speaking with his Lawyer, you'll find them on UA-cam and he sounds very convincing in his claims that he fed the cops bullshit.
@@alternativevieweurope5725 winner winner cricket dinner! You are not going to get through to anyone on here; about the TRUTH of Jimmy Bulger, South Boston..Sinn Fein brother!
Michael, I’m sure I speak for everyone when I saw we love your videos. I really like how the content is spread, so it’s not just one type of video. Bless you and your family!
@@mayklcekson5511 Oh wow I totally forgot about Once Upon A Time in America! I haven’t seen that movie in ages. Also I just searched and It doesn’t look like Michael has talked about the movie yet. It is a period piece so it should be interesting to hear him talk about it. I know Deniro is in the movie but is Joe Pesci in it as well?
Hello, Michael. Yeah, I agree, “Black Mass” was indeed very dark. I enjoyed this film very much. Johnny Depp also played Dillinger in “Public Enemies”, and that was also very well done. Thank you, Michael.
Black Mass is a very underrated film. And Johnny Depp is phenomenal in it! The lovable heartthrob Depp comes across as so intimidating and frightening. A scene that really left an impression for me in this film was when Whitey goes upstairs and essentially terrorizes the wife in his cool, calm manner as he asserts himself in her own bedroom. I think the film may have been too dark, too bleak for mass audiences. Mr. Franzese, I’d love to see you discuss the mob movie “The Iceman” from 2012. The true life story of contract killer for the mob, Richard Kuklinski. A fascinating character and performance from Michael Shannon. It’d be so interesting to hear you share your thoughts on the film and on the real life person and mob hit man, Richard Kuklinski AKA The Iceman.
Underrated? I mean I respect your take on it, but I completely disagree. This movie was dull, slow, and boring... I'm sure there was a helluva story to tell in there somewhere, but I'll be damned if contemporary hollywood is capable of telling it.
Thank you, Michael, for the in depth review. My Grandparents are from Southie and everyone thought Jim Bulger was the “Robin Hood” of South Boston. We often walked around Castle Island during the 70s and 80s and my Grandfather would always show respect to a fellow Southie boy and refer to him as Mr. Bulger. Kevin Weeks flipped only after he was told that Bulger was an informant and he felt betrayed. He lives back in Southie now. Weeks is a stand up, straight forward, no nonsense guy by all accounts. No bullshit. There’s definitely more than meets the eye with this story...
I think this movie is grossly underrated. I watch it every time it’s on. It is extremely violent and dark, but the performances are stellar. The movie was extremely well produced and directed . Thanks for discussing this!
It also not accurate at all, and they left alot of stuff out. If Jimmy ever talked to Martotano like he did in the movie John would of put a bullet in his skull at the table.
As a person that somewhat comes from a strert life (uncles, cousins, dad were all criminals) i can personally vouch for Michal when he says they all go down. I thank god every day for my wife that kept me out of that life (as my girlfriend she always made sure i stayed clean sober and employed) god bless her and anyone reading this with a healthy, prosperous and legel life..
@@robson_pl8694 that part was real, he shot a man harassing a woman in his restraunt after he stabbed him with a broken bottle, so it was ruled as self defense. And yes it did actually happen.
Michael Franzese: “I think I told that story, I’m not gonna be redundant” Also Michael Franzese: “Let me tell you about the time I was involved in the gasoline business” 😂😂😂
Depp played the part of a lifetime, what an ice cold portrayal, great movie. It's not a film to watch over and over though, there's no one to pull for. I love how Michael always says, "in the film" as if its still up in the air if Whitey was a bad guy.
Billy Bulger was a rare kind of politician. The people loved him, he was respected; they called him Mr President, when they saw him in the streets. But at the end of the day, he was no idiot. He knew what Whitey was, but that never soured his image of him. Billy has always said that regardless of who Whitey was, he loved his brother deeply, and nothing could change that. It was that phone call at the end of the film that ended his political career. He said that he never had any contact with his brother beyond that one call, but nobody believed him.
@@stephenmcguire1935maybe because it didn't have enough softer moments. It is relatively dark and like he said in the video, there are almost no redeeming qualities about Bulger. Many people don't like that. Well, they are missing out on a great performance by Depp.
@@chinoxxl1908 right. Eventually will run out of good mob movies lol. He said he's gonna do scarface that's not about the Italian mafia. I think anything street related works lol
Yes , please do the movie “Blow” Interesting connection with a local neighborhood. Lyndsay Cyr (Whitys girlfriend in the movie) and George Jung are both from North Weymouth .
I saw your Facebook post. I am praying for your beautiful daughter. God bless her with good health always. I am praying for you and your family as well. It’s very hard on the family. Sadly, I know that firsthand.
I remember going to Tulsa Tech, a trade school, during my senior year of high school in their criminal justice program. We had a lot of guest speakers who worked in law enforcement do presentations for us and one of them was a TPD detective who told us about Whitey Bulger and how he was wanted for involvement in a murder at a local country club. Felt weird that the mob would do anything out here, no one goes to Oklahoma 😂😂😂
Yes now we need a sit down with Sammy and Michael! That would actually be epic if they just sat down and had a conversation about that life for a couple hours, like a podcast!
@Adam Irishconundrum Right, I didn’t even think about that. That is one of the more fascinating things about Sammy’s channel though because he can say anything about his former mob life in great detail. I noticed Michael has to leave out names sometimes or he will refrain from talking about certain things. I understand the situation but it kind of sucks for us as viewers sometimes. 😔
Michael Franzese sir ive been watching few of your clips ,i take my hat off to you as im learning so much on the clips & teaches life in general about warnings sir your a true gentleman but yet a warrior much respect to you sir
The Kennedy’s made their fortune on bootlegging. They came out the other end pretty clean. Hey Mike would you dare talk about the Kennedy’s and their involvement in organized crime?? I know it’s way before your time but.........
When I heard about Black Mass, it sounded interesting. But I wasn't sure about Johnny Depp because of his performances in 'The Lone Ranger' and 'Transcendence'. I went ahead and took a chance and went to see it and I was impressed! Yes, it was a dark, intense and violent film. But Johnny Depp performance was brilliant, intense, creepy and scary at times. When Johnny Depp is focused and not mailing it in, he can really put out some memorable and great performances.
“Me and TK Kirkland were having coffee with the guards while they bashed Whitey to death in the jail, I knew all those guys, unbelievable, can u believe it, nobody knew I was there” -Gianni Russo
I grew up in SomervilleMass “winter hill.” I was so young and Whitey was all over Charlestown, Dorchester etc. but these stories went around forever. Thus was our “mob” and just remember him being a folk hero!
@@007-h2d I live in Charlestown, and it’s much better now. Somerville has been renovated a lot. Dorchester is getting white washed, they’re putting up malls and there’s plans to take down Projects to put up private apartment complexes.
@@CinCee- I agree it's not the best flick, but it is a good suggestion for a Franzese review. Brooklyn rules after all. Plus, it's a straight up copy of Boyz N The Hood, also a good review suggestion.
Stan "The Man" Smith was an Australian criminal that never went down. Extremely smart, extremely cunning, extremeky careful and extremely ruthless. Became a born-again Christian in his later years. As far as I can tell, he never spent a day in prison.
I’m loving these videos. In the UK we have tracksuit wearing smackheads calling themselves gangsters, they’re not gangsters, they’re street rats ,so it’s always interesting to see the history of true organised crime.
We do have SERIOUS organized crime in the UK. Of an equally terrifying and brutal variety. You don't know about them because it makes no sense for them to advertise who they are. There's a reason we have the highest rates of Heroin and Cocaine use in the entirety of Europe.
Do “Carlitos’ Way” for a Mob Movie Monday please! It’s such a good movie and I know it isn’t technically a Mob movie but it has mob elements. Plus Al Pacino and it was directed by Brian DePalma (Also Director of Scarface) Personally I like Carlitos’ Way better then Scarface but that’s just me. Either way I like them both and would love to hear Michael’s input on the movie!
@@donaldduck7461 I love that entire scene especially when he’s going down the escalator! Also the magic 8 Ball trick-shot scene was amazing. I have probably watched that movie 100 times lol💥 🎱
Her brother was poisoned and killed from a coffee he got from Dunkin Donuts, they day he was going to testify against the FBI and state police for enabling bulger.
It’s striking how articulate with a video presence and a personality perfect for this genre you are. I imagine if you didn’t get involved with the mob you could’ve been an actual video franchise either here or more prominent with HBO, Cinemax or other major network. Great production and depiction.
you should do a review on the movie “Legend” with tom hardy playing the Kray twins, it’s not about American mafia/mob business, it’s about the mafia/mob in England i think, it’s a really good movie though
@@LFC-ib2iq I did not know that, honestly since i’m not really from there, i don’t know a lot about that side of organized crime outside of the US but that sounds like it’s worth some research
@@kasteo332 Yeah, I think they were moving bearer bonds for Angelo. He also owned a few spots in London too, so I think they helped with keeping things ticking over on this side of the pond.
This was my 1st Mob Movie Monday, I loved it. Great story telling, breakdowns, and personal stories. I'm hooked on the Bulger story and loved this video. Also hooked on your channel now and have just subscribed
@@Leadfoot_P71 The thing is, young people who are attracted to that kind of life don't care if it's wrong, they only see what's in it for them. The way you deter them is by telling them the consequences, not by lecturing them about morals.
@@Kratosx23 ...if they're pure sociopaths, this is true. If they have consciences, that's "yet another tool" to try to get them to behave morally. About 4% of society is "without conscience" ...and the other 96 are so "dumb, uneducated and servile" (as per Milgram's "Obedience to Authority") that they are "easily bent to the will of sociopaths." The prior statement is not theory: the Nazis and Southern Slavers proved it true, and Milgram proved it applies globally. BTW: Cool Rick and Morty reference username. ;)
@Mike Lister Getting 50 million is what ruined him. Once you make that kind of money, some people will assume "I can buy a fucking Island now if I want to." Then before they know it they're broke. Remember what Biggie said: More money, more problems.
@Mike Lister Also, Dave Chappelle walked away from 50 million and he's not starving. He didn't get to buy an island in the sun, but he's doing just fine after walking away from a huge paycheck.
Interesting story about Whitey. I grew up near Omaha Nebraska. My father was an upholsterer. He built and refinished high end furniture. He did Air Force One for Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and later George Bush. We were pretty poor most of the time. Times were changing and a “throw away” society was beginning. People didn’t spend as much money on refinishing antique furniture. One day my father got a phone call from Boston. Some guy named James Bulger wanted the guy who did the Presidents plane to reupholster his Cadillac. In Omaha, we didn’t know who James Bulger was. He shipped his Cadillac to the Midwest. My dad completely redid the interior of this car according to Bulger wishes. My dad charged him about 1700 dollars. Bulger was so impressed, he gave my dad a very large sum of money. That money paid off my family’s debts, and helped my father go back to school and educate himself for a new career. We later found out who James Bulger was. We were blown away. lol.
Love your thoughts on these films. Would be interested on your take of Kill The Irishman, Danny Greene's story, and the Irish mobs' antagonism towards the mafia.
340K a year ago and 850k now, that's a solid double flip Sir, classy as always! Deserved to have millions, but this current base is really true fans. Great video man, the opening bit was actually terrifying and i sort of felt like maybe that statement isn't so abstract to some of us...
I'm tellin' ya, when Johnny Depp puts in those colored contact lenses like in this one and that Fantastic Beasts movie, his characters elevate to another level of unnerving. That, plus his great acting, make his characters so interesting.
I can say a couple of positive things about Bulger : he stayed true to his roots & stayed around the projects he grew up in when legal heat didn't require him to become a ghost. He was good to all the oldtimers in the projects. He was against heroin, it wasn't sold in most of the city til after his regime was long gone
That's the whitey myth. If you read the book black mass it goes into how whitey profited from drugs. He may not have had dealers on the street but he forced every dealer to pay rent. Essentially becoming the kingpin of the drug market in Boston even in southie. Alot of his redeeming traits are actually falsehoods spread by Connelly and his friends in the fbi to clean Bulger's image up and make it a more tasteful relationship for the fbi to keep. Connelly spread alot of lies so as to make Bulger look like a better guy then he actually was and justify his position as a top teir informant.
With all the recent mafia channels on UA-cam (cullotta, sammy the big mouth, etc) I really appreciate your channel, the way you carry yourself, and your background in general- I have lots of respect for you. Thanks for sharing your experience and wisdom. Be safe.
I like the story he tells when he was being held captive and tortured by Pablo Escobar in Columbia, and was facing certain death, only to be released when they found out he was in The Godfather, and after he and Escobar had read some scenes from the movie, which Escobar knew by heart. Dunno if that really happened but he tells the story well.
Johnny Depp did a real great job in this film. I forgot that I was watching Johnny Depp play a role.
I thought he would win an Oscar for this role.
He was down right scarey in this role
He's awesome, he can go from the goofy Jack Sparrow to this sicko
He can really act when he wants to, shame most of the roles he got casted on later in his career were the same character
@@paul479 I mean, even if the movie was completely unrealistic its still a great performance. Hill wasnt anything at all like he's portrayed in goodfellas, still great acting
Johnny Depp was scary good as Bulger. The controlled rage in his performance was nothing short of Oscar worthy!
We can probably thank Amber Heard for that 😜
Let’s not get carried away
@@nickm8874 Congratulations on today's most irrelevant comment!👌
@@nickm8874You obviously didn't see the movie
Just saw the movie for the first time a couple weeks ago. It took only his first scene for me to completely forget this guy is also Jack Sparrow. Man, he was Val Kilmer Doc Holliday scary good in this movie. Absolute travesty he got passed over for an Oscar.
Depp is an absolutely gifted actor. I feel the mainstream didn't give him the props he deserved for this movie precisely because it was so dark and about such a horrible human being. Makes sense but boy, did Depp really make you forget he was on screen when you were staring right at him, he became a different entity.
That's what being an actor is all about. Let's just hope he (in whatever form) wins this defamation trial and gets his career back.
This movie is what made me a depp fan. He did those pirates and alternative type movies in the past but I couldn’t judge his acting ability. Black mass showed me how amazing he was. He moved like bulgar, he nailed the accent, he was terrifying
@@nonyobussiness3440 totally agree. He was so good it’s hard to imagine it was Johnny Depp, even now several years later I still don’t believe it was him!
@@mediocreman6323 Captain Sparrow and Willie Wonka. And then a psychotic gangster. All equally credible. A real actor. What I would like is he taking chances and playing roles in small movies. The big studios either don't want him or have him typecast. He could do great in indie films.
It has been said that whitey was mk ultraed.
I love when he says "if i was planning to harm you the last thing id do is warn you in advance" when the cop says "are you threatening me?"
They say when Alexander Bell invented the telephone he had three missed calls from Gianni Russo
😂
This is great
Lmaoooo
"Hey bro couldnt wait to tell you I just fucked Monroe dude huehahahaha"
Antonio meucci invented the telephone and he was robbed
How does he not review the dinner table scene when he grills the other fbi agent about telling him the secret family recipe?? That's gotta be one of the most menacing performences from an actor I've ever seen.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Just saying got me 9 years" . Yeah that was a tense moment. A little soy a little garlic. I tried it on a steak actually after I saw the movie it wasn't that great though.
@@jerryvandevort2366 when that came out I saw it on a date. I had a family dinner about a week later I told them about the date and movie. My sister remarked “ Isn’t weird seeing Mr.Monterano like that?” It was revealed by my older siblings that apparently John Monterano was one of our neighbors growing up and I delivered the Patriot Ledger to him for many years as a child. I probably spelt his last name wrong lol.
@@theuglyfriend who was montareno again?
@@jerryvandevort2366 in black Mass he was the fat guy licking his fingers after eating the peanuts that Whitey yells at. Google his 60 minutes interview he was noting like in the movie.
“ I knew whitey bulgar, we did hits together” - Gianni Russo
Lol you savage Haha. That's a good one
Psychopath comment. But real.
"Gianni Russo once claimed he participated in murders with Whitey Bulger. I threw cold water on it right away." - John "Johnny Sac" Sacrimoni
I know he has claimed alot of things lol but he really said this ? That tops the cake if so ;)
"Can you believe it? Huhahaha"
Since we're talking Johnny Depp, you gotta do a rev for Public Enemies it's a terrific movie especially the soundtrack
Also blow the legendary Boston George
I thought Public Enemies was ass compared to Black Mass
Hey Vito, I second that. Good stuff
hello Vito, I liked Dep in Public Enemy! I really like that film, Deep was good. Not like in Black Ass; running around playing Count Dracula! HAHA
That’s movie should be called white mass compared to this
Having grown up in Boston, it's surreal to hear these names talked about on such a stage. I won't say much, but I'll say this. My girls whole family is from Southie, and the Irish wouldn't hesitate to take their enemies apart using chainsaws on a regular basis. Some deserved it, some didn't. Whitey was not a very nice man. I'd love to go on about a lot of things. Hits home.
I'd love to hear about it.
@@aspiringjoker2883 There should be a forum for stuff like this, but not UA-cam, lol. Thank you though.
@@dsauce223 we could chat on Instagram?
No doubt compelling stories. It's one thing to see those things on the Tele or movie house, but it's a whole other thing to have lived with it right in your neighborhood.!
Same thing in Providence.
Do a review on “Carlitos Way” with Pacino. Underrated film.
Sucks
Way underrated
Great movie
@@singingeatinglovingprofile2386 Brilliant film
better than scarface imo. i just love stories about "used to be" guys.
You should do a Boardwalk Empire series on Mob Movie Monday
Yes
I love that show 👌🏿
This is good idea
Yes that show was great
Yes ! That'd be great !
Growing up in the Boston area, I would hear about Whitey from my father and the older guys around me and Whitey was a man that was feared in all the areas surrounding Boston, especially Somerville.
Must have sucked too live in that time. Although you'd think that at some point somebody would have killed him first since he was a well known psychopath.
@@terracestevenkennedy9198 What I'm from Charlestown all Irish neighborhood was not like that. And I'm talking old school Irish pf the boat types
James whitey Bulger was an awful and evill man he killed people who he thought was a thret that girl was inncdent a very evill man he killed people and he loved it a very sick mean cruel person but deep did a great job playing that scumbag
@@jameskirks4332 should change your name to Jennie Kirk your to emotional to be a guy
@@jamesireland9188 Charlestown was pretty hardcore during the 60's & 70's, between the Charlestown Mobsters battling against the Winter Hill Gang. Whitey was lucky that he was locked up then because he probably would've been killed. I believe that roughly 60 Irish Gangsters were killed over a 4 year period. Even Buddy Mclean was gunned down and he was an incredible street fighter. Johnny Martarano was dressed up like a butcher with a woman's week and he gunned down 3 gangsters in front of 20 people and nobody said anything. The code of silence in Charlestown & Somerville was unbelievable.
I wish the movie gave a more detailed account of Bulger's time in Alcatraz and the CIA drug experiment he participated in.
Neat
I read in a book about his exploits that he was part of an LSD study & was given a significant dose every day for something like 180 days in a row.
Ya I heard the CIA had him in their MK Ultra program.
@@elijahcollier8348 jesus. That's a long time to be on lsd. I mean wow he wasn't even getting high at the end his mind had adapted to the chemicals
Thats probably a whole movie onto itself
So happy I found your channel. Totally agree when he said “he was a ruthless guy” I’m like if they’re willing to murder you in prison when you’re 89 years old and in a wheelchair then you were definitely ruthless lol
Truth be told if he was younger they probobly wouldn't have gone after him. Seams like everyone was as scared of him as much as they hated him
I’ve always loved the true story crime dramas. Black Mass is honestly one of my favorites. Hands down one of depp’s greatest performances
Donnie Brasco was better
@@talkingmoney4499you don't know what actually terrible movies look like if you say that about this one. People always have to exaggerate.
Johnny Depp's portrayal of Whitey was so well done that at many times i forgot it was even Depp.
Oddly enough I met Whitey Bulger as a kid during a trip to Alcatraz in 1989. He was a former inmate of Alcatraz and was signing some people’s books. Obviously I had no idea who he was at the time but I do remember him telling us kids to stay in school and stay out of trouble.
No you didn't.
I think he was on the run hows he signing books in 1989
@@danteledesma42 He didn't go on the run until the 90s
Did you do it?
Ready everyone? After 3.... 1, 2, 3.. BULLLLSHH!!!!!!TTT
I just finished watching this movie. I am blown away. Johnny was so real and scary. The entire cast was so good. This is why I love old fashion directing and 70’s vibe. I could not find flaw in this movie. I kept rewinding to not miss any part of it if I was interrupted.
One of the best.
"We had some business together, not going to get into that"
classic
This movie was the closest to a gangster horror thriller. Johnny did a great job
Affiliates of Bulger actually described him as "half man, half monster" and said that "if Whitey wasn't a kingpin, he'd have been a serial killer." I think that's well translated through not only Depp and his phenomenal performance but the transformative makeup as well.
I'll have to see it.
Whitey wasn't a gangster. He was a serial killer
@@stj971worth a watch
I agree with your take on this being a dark movie. What a performance by Johnny Depp and all the actors. Brilliant Cine-photography and lighting/editing.
I found this not to be a great movie...But Johnny Depp's performance was sooo overpowering and mesmerizing that it literally drag you along for the ride, which in the end, turn out to be a pretty good ride...But seriously, without him, this would just be an average movie....It's the same way I feel about "Training Day". It wasn't a great movie, but Denzel's performance turned it into a pretty damn good one. But if you think about it, without him it would just be another cop drama....Same with Black Mass, without Johnny's performance, it's just an average gangster film....
I agree, I was disappointed with it, needed more depth. Another hour or so about the Killeen-Mullen war, the Winter Hill Gang, the arms shipments to the IRA, the complex relationship with Pat Nee.
In time it will become a cult
Lmao you obviously didn't pay attention to the movie
Johnny Depp played this perfectly he was Bulger spitting image also a great Book Black Mass
How do you know, did you know Jimmy Bulger? Or do you mean Depp played the media charactature perfect?
@@alternativevieweurope5725 - We know the media makes alot of mistakes and outright lies but are you suggesting they did this to him?
@@kummakummakummakummakummac8606 I've no idea, I heard tapes of Bulger speaking with his Lawyer, you'll find them on UA-cam and he sounds very convincing in his claims that he fed the cops bullshit.
I am watching it now. Pretty good
@@alternativevieweurope5725 winner winner cricket dinner! You are not going to get through to anyone on here; about the TRUTH of Jimmy Bulger, South Boston..Sinn Fein brother!
Hadn't watched Depp in decades bc not a Tim Burton fan
Now watching EVERY Depp movie. Loving it! THANKS AMBER TURD!
Michael, I’m sure I speak for everyone when I saw we love your videos. I really like how the content is spread, so it’s not just one type of video. Bless you and your family!
Thank You for another entertaining video presentation. You’ve got a big fan in Tulsa.
Hey do Carlitos’ Way please!@@michaelfranzese
@@basedkaren51 , And 'once upon a time in America', if Michael hasn't done it already.
roy d mercer
@@mayklcekson5511 Oh wow I totally forgot about Once Upon A Time in America! I haven’t seen that movie in ages. Also I just searched and It doesn’t look like Michael has talked about the movie yet. It is a period piece so it should be interesting to hear him talk about it. I know Deniro is in the movie but is Joe Pesci in it as well?
Tulsa! That's Cool As Hell! Locals Baby!
Hello, Michael. Yeah, I agree, “Black Mass” was indeed very dark. I enjoyed this film very much. Johnny Depp also played Dillinger in “Public Enemies”, and that was also very well done. Thank you, Michael.
Definitely! Black Mass and Public Enemies are two of my absolute favorite movies.
Black Mass is a very underrated film.
And Johnny Depp is phenomenal in it!
The lovable heartthrob Depp comes across as so intimidating and frightening.
A scene that really left an impression for me in this film was when Whitey goes upstairs and essentially terrorizes the wife in his cool, calm manner as he asserts himself in her own bedroom.
I think the film may have been too dark, too bleak for mass audiences.
Mr. Franzese, I’d love to see you discuss the mob movie
“The Iceman” from 2012.
The true life story of contract killer for the mob, Richard Kuklinski.
A fascinating character and performance from Michael Shannon.
It’d be so interesting to hear you share your thoughts on the film and on the real life person and mob hit man,
Richard Kuklinski AKA The Iceman.
That scene made me actually feel physically uncomfortable in the theater
I agree underrated
Great movie suggestion I'm game for that to makes me want to watch it again
Underrated? I mean I respect your take on it, but I completely disagree. This movie was dull, slow, and boring...
I'm sure there was a helluva story to tell in there somewhere, but I'll be damned if contemporary hollywood is capable of telling it.
Famous sports Radio personality in Mtl. who knew Bulger personally- extended family. Said the movie sucked !
Thank you, Michael, for the in depth review.
My Grandparents are from Southie and everyone thought Jim Bulger was the “Robin Hood” of South Boston. We often walked around Castle Island during the 70s and 80s and my Grandfather would always show respect to a fellow Southie boy and refer to him as Mr. Bulger.
Kevin Weeks flipped only after he was told that Bulger was an informant and he felt betrayed.
He lives back in Southie now. Weeks is a stand up, straight forward, no nonsense guy by all accounts.
No bullshit.
There’s definitely more than meets the eye with this story...
I think this movie is grossly underrated. I watch it every time it’s on. It is extremely violent and dark, but the performances are stellar. The movie was extremely well produced and directed . Thanks for discussing this!
It's not underrated at all.
It also not accurate at all, and they left alot of stuff out. If Jimmy ever talked to Martotano like he did in the movie John would of put a bullet in his skull at the table.
State of Grace is another Irish mob flick that went really under the radar. Really good film.
Yes, excellent film, Prizzi's Honor also, William Hickey's scenes are outstanding.
Great movie based on the Westies, Gary Oldman's performance was outstanding!
Great movie.
State of Grace is a freaking classic!
Accidentally saw it on Showtime in 1992 or 1993 on a school night when I couldn't sleep. 👍
Once upon a time in America is one of the all time greats
That's a good one most definitely.
ehhhhh
@@CinCee- - I love that movie so I'm just curious what you didn't like.
@@kummakummakummakummakummac8606 way too long, I hate the music in it, not the best story
@@CinCee- Have to disagree this gangster film is a masterpiece
As a person that somewhat comes from a strert life (uncles, cousins, dad were all criminals) i can personally vouch for Michal when he says they all go down. I thank god every day for my wife that kept me out of that life (as my girlfriend she always made sure i stayed clean sober and employed) god bless her and anyone reading this with a healthy, prosperous and legel life..
*legal. One E
"I know the guys who killed bulger, can ya believe it?"
-Gianni russo
lol, he bonked all their girlfriends at a Foam Party
To hell with Gianni Russo. This is the same guy who supposedly also slept with Marilyn Monroe
didnt he shoot some guy in the head in a, or his restaurant? lmao getdafuckouttaheaa
@@robson_pl8694 that part was real, he shot a man harassing a woman in his restraunt after he stabbed him with a broken bottle, so it was ruled as self defense. And yes it did actually happen.
"I was actually the one who killed bulger, can you believe that?"
-gianni russo
Michael Franzese: “I think I told that story, I’m not gonna be redundant”
Also Michael Franzese: “Let me tell you about the time I was involved in the gasoline business” 😂😂😂
He had a jet plane too....
“I never told anybody this but ....we were pulling in 8-10 million... a WEEK.”
@Michael Franzese Go AWAY FAKE MIKE!!
LoL
Justin Masons, Is that when he cheated the government out of money on every gallon of gas lol
Depp played the part of a lifetime, what an ice cold portrayal, great movie. It's not a film to watch over and over though, there's no one to pull for.
I love how Michael always says, "in the film" as if its still up in the air if Whitey was a bad guy.
You should review the movie “Lawless” from 2012 and also “Road To Perdition” from 2002.
Good movies but too fictional.
@@johnjegs4353 "Road" is entirely fictional, "Lawless" is very loosely based on fact.
The scene with his mother playing cards was a good one to.
You missed the family secret recipe scene. That scene was chilling and terrifying!
One of the best scenes
Best scene in the movie
Excellent as usual- I would love to hear your take on Carlito's Way , State of Grace and Gangs of New York.
Billy Bulger was a rare kind of politician. The people loved him, he was respected; they called him Mr President, when they saw him in the streets. But at the end of the day, he was no idiot. He knew what Whitey was, but that never soured his image of him. Billy has always said that regardless of who Whitey was, he loved his brother deeply, and nothing could change that. It was that phone call at the end of the film that ended his political career. He said that he never had any contact with his brother beyond that one call, but nobody believed him.
Plus when Mitt Romney was governor he hated his guts. That’s where the bulk of the pressure came from to remove him from UMASS
Can’t blame em for thinking he was dodgy too
@@bear1245 there all dodgy.
Honestly a brothers love. Would you give up your brother? Maybe an old fashion saying "Not for all the tea in China".
He was just as much a bully. Watched a 60 minute piece on him years ago. Entitled little leprechaun with a Napoleon complex.
This is one of Johnny Depps best roles imo. Raw. Real and convincing. So underrated this movie was.
Y did people not really like this movie any one no??.
@@stephenmcguire1935maybe because it didn't have enough softer moments. It is relatively dark and like he said in the video, there are almost no redeeming qualities about Bulger. Many people don't like that. Well, they are missing out on a great performance by Depp.
Could you review the movie “Blow” with Johnny depp
@@michaelfranzese - "The Iceman" is a good free mob movie on UA-cam. Would be nice to hear on Mob movie Monday...
Its mob movie mondays... Lol, Blow is great but its based on basically the beginning of the mexican "mob" the cartels...
He'll yes!
@@chinoxxl1908 right. Eventually will run out of good mob movies lol. He said he's gonna do scarface that's not about the Italian mafia. I think anything street related works lol
Yes , please do the movie “Blow”
Interesting connection with a local neighborhood. Lyndsay Cyr (Whitys girlfriend in the movie) and George Jung are both from North Weymouth .
I saw your Facebook post. I am praying for your beautiful daughter. God bless her with good health always. I am praying for you and your family as well. It’s very hard on the family. Sadly, I know that firsthand.
I remember going to Tulsa Tech, a trade school, during my senior year of high school in their criminal justice program. We had a lot of guest speakers who worked in law enforcement do presentations for us and one of them was a TPD detective who told us about Whitey Bulger and how he was wanted for involvement in a murder at a local country club. Felt weird that the mob would do anything out here, no one goes to Oklahoma 😂😂😂
Whitey killed people in Oklahoma he had connections out there. He also went to Miami to kill a guy over Jai Alia gambling lol
Mafia Monday's!
First Sammy, then Michael!
Best thing about a Monday! 👊
Yes now we need a sit down with Sammy and Michael! That would actually be epic if they just sat down and had a conversation about that life for a couple hours, like a podcast!
Sammy who?
@@Aikicyoaz Sammy the Bull
@@Aikicyoaz Sammy Gravano the underboss that turned on Gotti
@Adam Irishconundrum Right, I didn’t even think about that. That is one of the more fascinating things about Sammy’s channel though because he can say anything about his former mob life in great detail. I noticed Michael has to leave out names sometimes or he will refrain from talking about certain things. I understand the situation but it kind of sucks for us as viewers sometimes. 😔
Michael Franzese should review mob movie comedies like "Johnny Dangerously" and "Harlem Nights"
And my blue heaven
How you forget "Analyze This" and sequel?
That would be fargin fantastic!
“My mother hit me once...once”. 😂😂
@@ryankeefe6222 he already did a review on my blue heavan and of course it was great.
Michael Franzese sir ive been watching few of your clips ,i take my hat off to you as im learning so much on the clips & teaches life in general about warnings sir your a true gentleman but yet a warrior much respect to you sir
I also like the "just saying" scene, about the Family recipe.
The best scene
Yo that was fucking scary
The Kennedy’s made their fortune on bootlegging. They came out the other end pretty clean. Hey Mike would you dare talk about the Kennedy’s and their involvement in organized crime?? I know it’s way before your time but.........
@Ocasional Visitor
"They came out the other end pretty clean"
Yeah, real clean in Dallas.......
@@frankk1512 Well... before that...
One of the younger Kennedy's said the bootlegging story was a false slur by the Kennedy's enemies.
That would be this channel s last vidéo 😉
It's so refreshing how we get someone like this who was in that life and can say what's likely to have happened and not. Michael thank you sir
Not only are there reviews on amazing Mob movies but I haven’t seen this one so thank you for highlighting this one!😁
When I heard about Black Mass, it sounded interesting. But I wasn't sure about Johnny Depp because of his performances in 'The Lone Ranger' and 'Transcendence'. I went ahead and took a chance and went to see it and I was impressed! Yes, it was a dark, intense and violent film. But Johnny Depp performance was brilliant, intense, creepy and scary at times. When Johnny Depp is focused and not mailing it in, he can really put out some memorable and great performances.
I’ve seen interviews of legit Boston Irish Mobsters who said Depp did a amazing job playing him. I really enjoyed this movie.
“Me and TK Kirkland were having coffee with the guards while they bashed Whitey to death in the jail, I knew all those guys, unbelievable, can u believe it, nobody knew I was there”
-Gianni Russo
I grew up in SomervilleMass “winter hill.” I was so young and Whitey was all over Charlestown, Dorchester etc. but these stories went around forever. Thus was our “mob” and just remember him being a folk hero!
I'm from North Reading!!
Small world! I was living on Bunker Hill St up until last year!
What are those places like now? Better or worse?
@@007-h2d I live in Charlestown, and it’s much better now. Somerville has been renovated a lot. Dorchester is getting white washed, they’re putting up malls and there’s plans to take down Projects to put up private apartment complexes.
I have family that live in Somerville. Subburb of Boston.
I'd love to see a mob movie monday review of public enemies. I think Johnny Depp did a brilliant job as John Dillinger
As a Southie kid I can tell you there were a lot of low and mid level guys that were never talked about or arrested.
@Francis Mendoza 🤣👍
Review Miller’s Crossing
“Always put 1 in the Brain!”
Love that movie
Miller’s Crossing? Is that a good mob movie? I don’t know why but I never heard of it... 🧐
@@basedkaren51 It is......It's kind of a Noir genre mob movie.....It used to be on youtube...Not sure if it still is.
a coen brothers classic! awesome film
@@jerry85g7 Okay Thanks! I’m going to look it up now, hopefully it’s still on UA-cam! I’m just not sure what you mean by noir, is it a period piece?
Gianni Russo actually spent 12 years in the Irish Mob. Little known fact, his full name is Gianni “Seamus” Russo. ☘️
Bless your little heart, you tried.
Hahahahahaahah brilliant
Brooklyn Rules, Rocky, The Departed, The Town, A History of Violence, The Wire, New Jack City. These are my review suggestions.
Brooklyn Rules is pretty bad
@@CinCee- I agree it's not the best flick, but it is a good suggestion for a Franzese review. Brooklyn rules after all. Plus, it's a straight up copy of Boyz N The Hood, also a good review suggestion.
@@clarkbruce_exmuslim He should do Pope of Greenwitch Village
Thats was a good nyc/wiseguy flick
New jack city was hilarious. So bad it's good
Thanks you Michael for the stories and life lessons .I look forward to listening to yours and Sammy's stories every day .
It was a lady that recognized Whitey's Girlfriend....She was from Iceland and lived in his neighborhood....
Right. She used to cut her hair.
Yeah miss Iceland
Michael, have you ever considered doing an online "History of The Mob" college type of course?
Stan "The Man" Smith was an Australian criminal that never went down. Extremely smart, extremely cunning, extremeky careful and extremely ruthless. Became a born-again Christian in his later years.
As far as I can tell, he never spent a day in prison.
"The Friends of Eddie Coyle" is the best film of the underworld I have ever seen. Michael should review this classic.
Absolutely. One of my favorites. Robert Mitchum was great
We could always look at Blood in Blood out as a gang/mob movie monday too. Just a suggestion.
Thank u for these video’s.
May u have a long healthy life
Greets from Belgium
Work for the government and you’ll get away with anything.
I’d prefer you do carlito’s way rather than scarface
I second that
I’m loving these videos. In the UK we have tracksuit wearing smackheads calling themselves gangsters, they’re not gangsters, they’re street rats ,so it’s always interesting to see the history of true organised crime.
What about the Kray brothers? They ruled London
@@markhendrikx4424 50 years ago
We do have SERIOUS organized crime in the UK. Of an equally terrifying and brutal variety. You don't know about them because it makes no sense for them to advertise who they are.
There's a reason we have the highest rates of Heroin and Cocaine use in the entirety of Europe.
@@monkeyzx9 and when was the mob most powerful?
@@markhendrikx4424 and the Richardsons, but that was a long time ago
Do “Carlitos’ Way” for a Mob Movie Monday please! It’s such a good movie and I know it isn’t technically a Mob movie but it has mob elements. Plus Al Pacino and it was directed by Brian DePalma (Also Director of Scarface)
Personally I like Carlitos’ Way better then Scarface but that’s just me. Either way I like them both and would love to hear Michael’s input on the movie!
100%
The Grand Central scene was brilliant, especially the music - Patrick Doyle
@@donaldduck7461 I love that entire scene especially when he’s going down the escalator! Also the magic 8 Ball trick-shot scene was amazing. I have probably watched that movie 100 times lol💥 🎱
I second that!!!
I'll have to see that again, because I didn't care for it the first time!
The killing of the woman really happened. The woman was Flemming's girlfriends daughter who he was sleeping with.
@@RobertIsraelKabakoff oh my god! That’s some messed up shit!
Stephen Flemmi
@@RobertIsraelKabakoff violent delights have violent ends
@@RobertIsraelKabakoff well hello Mr perfect
Her brother was poisoned and killed from a coffee he got from Dunkin Donuts, they day he was going to testify against the FBI and state police for enabling bulger.
It’s striking how articulate with a video presence and a personality perfect for this genre you are. I imagine if you didn’t get involved with the mob you could’ve been an actual video franchise either here or more prominent with HBO, Cinemax or other major network. Great production and depiction.
you should do a review on the movie “Legend” with tom hardy playing the Kray twins, it’s not about American mafia/mob business, it’s about the mafia/mob in England i think, it’s a really good movie though
That was another great flick-
Definitely not American Mob, although they did have connections with Angelo Bruno and the Philadelphia family.
@@LFC-ib2iq I did not know that, honestly since i’m not really from there, i don’t know a lot about that side of organized crime outside of the US but that sounds like it’s worth some research
@@kasteo332 Yeah, I think they were moving bearer bonds for Angelo. He also owned a few spots in London too, so I think they helped with keeping things ticking over on this side of the pond.
I want him to do it because I’m British and live in England but I doubt he knows a lot about the British mob
Watched this as soon I as I saw you uploaded it. I admired how the movie didn’t praise the mob life, it really showed how dark it can be.
This was my 1st Mob Movie Monday, I loved it. Great story telling, breakdowns, and personal stories. I'm hooked on the Bulger story and loved this video. Also hooked on your channel now and have just subscribed
"Anyways it was a fatal mistake he's gone,coughs and smiles" just fantastic
Tells young people not to join the life because they will go down due to RICO, not because it's wrong or immoral. Classic!
@@Leadfoot_P71lol
@@Leadfoot_P71 The thing is, young people who are attracted to that kind of life don't care if it's wrong, they only see what's in it for them. The way you deter them is by telling them the consequences, not by lecturing them about morals.
@@Kratosx23 ...if they're pure sociopaths, this is true. If they have consciences, that's "yet another tool" to try to get them to behave morally. About 4% of society is "without conscience" ...and the other 96 are so "dumb, uneducated and servile" (as per Milgram's "Obedience to Authority") that they are "easily bent to the will of sociopaths." The prior statement is not theory: the Nazis and Southern Slavers proved it true, and Milgram proved it applies globally.
BTW: Cool Rick and Morty reference username. ;)
This was the role that revived Depp's acting ability imo. Especially after those ridiculous pirate movies and that Wonderland horseshit.
@Mike Lister Getting 50 million is what ruined him. Once you make that kind of money, some people will assume "I can buy a fucking Island now if I want to." Then before they know it they're broke.
Remember what Biggie said: More money, more problems.
@Mike Lister Also, Dave Chappelle walked away from 50 million and he's not starving. He didn't get to buy an island in the sun, but he's doing just fine after walking away from a huge paycheck.
Could have shorten it to Disney horseshit
@@Stabsnipers If anybody gets 50 mil in anyway and end up broke they dont ever deserve to have a fucking dime again!
Captain Jack is an iconic role tbh
Interesting story about Whitey. I grew up near Omaha Nebraska. My father was an upholsterer. He built and refinished high end furniture. He did Air Force One for Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and later George Bush. We were pretty poor most of the time. Times were changing and a “throw away” society was beginning. People didn’t spend as much money on refinishing antique furniture. One day my father got a phone call from Boston. Some guy named James Bulger wanted the guy who did the Presidents plane to reupholster his Cadillac. In Omaha, we didn’t know who James Bulger was. He shipped his Cadillac to the Midwest. My dad completely redid the interior of this car according to Bulger wishes. My dad charged him about 1700 dollars. Bulger was so impressed, he gave my dad a very large sum of money. That money paid off my family’s debts, and helped my father go back to school and educate himself for a new career. We later found out who James Bulger was. We were blown away. lol.
“Take the money...Take the mon nee... Take the mon nee...”
Most frightening time for anyone to take the money.
Loved that part
Love your thoughts on these films. Would be interested on your take of Kill The Irishman, Danny Greene's story, and the Irish mobs' antagonism towards the mafia.
What’s great about listening to you Michael is that you lived the life and changed your life and now you educate and inform people,Chris
“Tell me something about someone where it ended up good.” How about Michael Franzese.
Doing a huge portion of your life in a jail cell seems like a bad way to spend it.
2 and a half years in the box doesn't sound too good either. That would ruin 90 percent od the people in this world.
@@PhilP8980 It’s the better of the two boxes you could end up in
@@seanmatthews4215 no doubt
Only a mobster would use the phrase “made senator”
Lol
340K a year ago and 850k now, that's a solid double flip Sir, classy as always!
Deserved to have millions, but this current base is really true fans.
Great video man, the opening bit was actually terrifying and i sort of felt like maybe that statement isn't so abstract to some of us...
This guy is a pretty good speaker! He's succinct, interesting & knowledgeable, definitely a winner!
Best of all, experienced
The cable miniseries “Brotherhood “ was also about a mob guy and his brother who was in state politics.
And it was soooooo slooooooow
I think it was based on whitey
I'm tellin' ya, when Johnny Depp puts in those colored contact lenses like in this one and that Fantastic Beasts movie, his characters elevate to another level of unnerving. That, plus his great acting, make his characters so interesting.
“Once upon a Time in America”
Love watching this guy such a good speaker can listen to the stories and reviews for hours
I can say a couple of positive things about Bulger : he stayed true to his roots & stayed around the projects he grew up in when legal heat didn't require him to become a ghost. He was good to all the oldtimers in the projects. He was against heroin, it wasn't sold in most of the city til after his regime was long gone
That's the whitey myth. If you read the book black mass it goes into how whitey profited from drugs. He may not have had dealers on the street but he forced every dealer to pay rent. Essentially becoming the kingpin of the drug market in Boston even in southie.
Alot of his redeeming traits are actually falsehoods spread by Connelly and his friends in the fbi to clean Bulger's image up and make it a more tasteful relationship for the fbi to keep. Connelly spread alot of lies so as to make Bulger look like a better guy then he actually was and justify his position as a top teir informant.
he seemed like a ruthless man with underbosses of a similar mindset who went out of his way to harm others in the worst ways possible
Sounded like the enemy of my enemy is my friend type a relationship probably with a lot of money involved and bribery... So a criminal relationship
You should look into this there’s some really good documentaries about it but I don’t think he was bribing anyone
Wow, jesus cleavage
Honestly, one of Depps best roles. And he's had a bunch.
Blow was really good.
This is definitely a movie that deserves your attention.
Absolutely right about street life, no matter how high you get there is a fall coming. Only way to go is straight and narrow.
@Michael Franzese fake account
Sounds like drugs
My favorite Scene of the movie is when he’s was playing cards with his mother
With all the recent mafia channels on UA-cam (cullotta, sammy the big mouth, etc) I really appreciate your channel, the way you carry yourself, and your background in general- I have lots of respect for you. Thanks for sharing your experience and wisdom. Be safe.
"I fought once with Chuck Norris, took his girlfriend. Can you believe that"?- Gianni Russo.
I like the story he tells when he was being held captive and tortured by Pablo Escobar in Columbia, and was facing certain death, only to be released when they found out he was in The Godfather, and after he and Escobar had read some scenes from the movie, which Escobar knew by heart. Dunno if that really happened but he tells the story well.